US20020180588A1 - Radio frequency identification in document management - Google Patents
Radio frequency identification in document management Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020180588A1 US20020180588A1 US09/874,749 US87474901A US2002180588A1 US 20020180588 A1 US20020180588 A1 US 20020180588A1 US 87474901 A US87474901 A US 87474901A US 2002180588 A1 US2002180588 A1 US 2002180588A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- rfid
- items
- item
- tag
- storage area
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 19
- 238000007726 management method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013500 data storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000873 masking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009897 systematic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
- G06K19/07796—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card arrangements on the record carrier to allow stacking of a plurality of similar record carriers, e.g. to avoid interference between the non-contact communication of the plurality of record carriers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K17/00—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
Definitions
- the present invention relates to document management and file management, and specifically the use of radio frequency identification systems for document and file management.
- RFID radio frequency identification
- U. S. Pat. No. 5,689,238 Cannon, Jr. et al.
- the response code associated with the tag on that object is entered into an interrogator, and the interrogator sends a signal that causes the tag to emit a sound, or a signal.
- PCT published application WO 00/16280 references a filing cabinet having drawers, each of which stores file folders.
- the file folders may be provided with an RFID tag.
- a controller sequentially polls antennae in the drawers of the filing cabinet. The controller detects response signals or codes, and thus can determine which files are in the drawers.
- the present invention is related to improvements in fields of this type.
- a method for minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the step of intentionally staggering the location of RFID tags on consecutive items to which RFID tags are applied.
- a method is provided for minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the steps of (a) determining an order in which items are to be placed in a storage area; and (b) intentionally staggering the location of RFID tags on consecutive items in the order.
- a method for minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the steps of (a) applying RFID tags to items; (b) providing information in a database that is indicative of the location of the RFID tag on the item; and (c) using the information to select successive items for a storage area so that instances of overlapping RFID tags are minimized.
- a guide for positioning successive RFID tags on successive items, wherein the guide includes an indication of more than one position at which an RFID tag may be located relative to the item, so that an RFID tag may be applied to each successive item in a position different from the previous item.
- a method is provided for minimizing interactions between RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the step of providing a guide that includes an indication of more than one location at which an RFID tag can be located on an item.
- an RFID tag comprising an RFID element including an integrated circuit and an antenna, a substrate, and a repositionable adhesive that enables the RFID tag to be attached to a surface, detached from the surface, and reattached to a surface.
- a repositionable tag is provided for mounting on a file folder, comprising, (a) an RFID tag; and (b) a support for the RFID tag.
- a file folder is provided comprising an RFID tag that can be repositioned at different locations on the file folder to minimize interactions between the RFID tag and another RFID tag.
- a method for minimizing interactions between RFID tags associated with adjacent items, the method comprising the step of providing a surface on which the items rest, the surface including structures that position each successive item at a different vertical position than the previous item.
- the ninth embodiment of the invention includes a surface that is a shelf, and items that are files, and the structures position each successive file at a different vertical position than adjacent files.
- a method is provided for minimizing interactions between RFID tags associated with adjacent items, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a surface adjacent the items; and (b) providing a structure that positions each successive item at a different horizontal position than the previous item.
- the eleventh embodiment of the invention includes items that are files, and the files are supported by shelves.
- a file folder comprising an RFID tag, the file folder including a spacer for maintaining a predetermined minimum thickness in the area of the RFID tag so as to minimize interactions between the RFID tag and another RFID tag.
- an RFID tag including a light source that can be activated when the RFID tag is interrogated.
- a method is provided for identifying an item that is associated with an RFID tag, the method comprising the steps of (a) interrogating the RFID tag; and (b) illuminating a light source associated with at least one of the item and the RFID tag to indicate that the RFID tag has been interrogated by an RFID reader.
- the item of the fifteenth embodiment of the invention is at least one of (a) misplaced; (b) identified on a list of items available to an RFID reader that interrogates the RFID tag; (c) a candidate for archiving or destruction; and (d) adjacent to a misplaced item.
- a method for determining a desired location for an item, the method comprising the steps of (a) identifying an item adjacent to the desired location, the item being associated with an RFID tag; (b) interrogating the RFID tag; and (c) illuminating a light source associated with the RFID tag to indicate that the desired location is adjacent to the item.
- a storage area is provided, comprising (a) a desired location for an item; (b) an item bearing an RFID tag, wherein a light source is associated with at least one of the item and the RFID tag, the RFID-tagged item being adjacent to the desired location.
- a system for locating an item of interest within a container that holds other items, the item of interest and the container each including an RFID tag, wherein a light source is associated with the container whereby the light source may be illuminated when the RFID tag associated with either the item of interest, the container, or both is interrogated by an RFID reader.
- at least one of the item of interest and the container of the nineteenth embodiment of the invention is (a) misplaced; (b) identified on a list of items available to an RFID reader that interrogates the RFID tag; (c) a candidate for archiving or destruction; and (d) adjacent to a misplaced item.
- a method for interrogating a storage area that includes a number of items each bearing an RFID tag comprising the step of polling designated portions of the storage area more frequently than other portions of the storage area.
- the method of the twenty-first embodiment of the invention further includes automatically polling designated portions of the storage area more frequently than other portions of the storage area based on information determined from polling.
- the frequency of the polling of the method of the twenty-first embodiment of the invention depends on the number of items that have been removed from or returned to the storage area.
- the frequency of polling of the twenty-first embodiment of the invention depends on the number of people who have used the storage area.
- a method for interrogating a storage area that includes a number of items each bearing an RFID tag comprising the steps of (a) providing a polling schedule for polling the RFID tags; and (b) preempting the polling schedule to poll a designated portion of the storage area, prior to polling the RFID tags according to the polling schedule.
- a method for interrogating a storage area that includes items each bearing an RFID tag comprising the steps of (a) providing a polling schedule for polling the RFID tags; and (b) providing a user interface associated with the RFID polling system that enables a user to alter the polling schedule by increasing or decreasing the number of times that a portion of the storage area is polled relative to other portions of the storage area.
- an RFID polling system comprising (a) an antenna system for polling RFID tags associated with items stored in a storage area; (b) a controller for controlling which portion(s) of the storage area are polled; (c) a polling schedule that designates which the order in which portions of the storage area are polled; and (d) a user interface that enables a user to alter the polling schedule by increasing or decreasing the number of times that a portion of the storage area is polled relative to other portions of the storage area.
- an RFID polling system comprising (a) an antenna system for polling RFID tags associated with items stored in a storage area; (b) a controller for controlling which portion(s) of the storage area are polled; (c) a polling schedule that designates which the order in which portions of the storage area are polled; and (d) a detection system that detects activity in portions of the storage area, whereby the polling schedule is altered based on information provided by the detection system.
- the alteration in the polling schedule of the twenty-eighth embodiment of the invention is proportional to the activity detected.
- a method for polling RFID-tagged items comprising the steps of (a) providing a list of items for a user to locate; and (b) polling the last-known locations for the items on the list prior to the user searching for the items.
- a method for interrogating a storage area that includes items each bearing an RFID tag comprising the steps of (a) providing a polling schedule for polling the RFID tags; (b) monitoring portions of the storage area to detect activity; and (c) altering the polling schedule based on the activity detected.
- a method for polling RFID tags associated with items in a storage area comprising the steps of (a) providing a database including information identifying the current location of each item within the storage area; and (b) updating the database using information from polling the storage area for items being removed or replaced.
- the entire storage area of the thirty-second embodiment of the invention is polled periodically to obtain a census of every RFID-tagged item in the storage area.
- a method for locating the approximate position of an item bearing an RFID tag within a storage area comprising the steps of (a) providing an antenna on each side of the item, the antennas being adapted to interrogate the RFID tag; (b) interrogating the RFID tag using both antennas; and (c) identifying that the item is located closer to one of the antennas if only that antenna is able to interrogate the item successfully, and identifying that the item is located approximately in the center of the two antennas if each antenna is able to interrogate the item successfully.
- a storage area comprising (a) an antenna shelf tape for interrogating RFID tags associated with items stored in the storage area; and (b) at least one light source within the storage area, the light source adapted to be illuminated when an RFID tag located in proximity to the light source is interrogated.
- a system for tracking items associated with RFID tags, comprising (a) a check-out station for interrogating an RFID tag, and for updating a database to indicate that the item has been checked-out; and (b) a timer for tracking the amount of time for which the item has been checked-out.
- the system of the thirty-sixth embodiment of the invention further comprises (c) a notification system for sending a notification if the amount of time that an item has been checked-out exceeds a predetermined amount of time.
- the notification of the thirty-seventh embodiment of the invention is by e-mail.
- the e-mail of the thirty-eighth embodiment of the invention is sent to a person who checked the item out.
- a system for RFID-tagged items comprising (a) a storage area for RFID-tagged items, the storage area including an RFID reader for detecting the presence of RFID-tagged items; and (b) a notification system for notifying a user that at least one RFID-tagged item is in the storage area and awaiting the user's action.
- an RFID system comprising (a) an antenna system for transmitting write command signals to RFID tags; (b) a storage location for storing items of interest, each of which includes an RFID tag; and (c) an RFID writer in operative connection to the antenna system, wherein the RFID writer is adapted to write identical information to each RFID tag within range of an antenna to which a write command signal is directed.
- a container system comprising (a) a container for holding a plurality of items each associated with a barcode; (b) an RFID tag associated with the container; and (c) a database entry associating the RFID tag with the items.
- a container system comprising (a) a container for holding a plurality of items each associated with a bar-code; (b) an RFID tag associated with the container; and (c) information stored within a memory on the RFID tag that is sufficient to identify the bar-codes.
- a method for associating items that are each associated with a barcode with a single RFID tag comprising the step of creating an entry in a database associating the bar-coded items with the single RFID tag.
- the method of the forty-fourth embodiment of the invention comprises scanning each barcode with a barcode scanner, and associating the barcode with the single RFID tag in a database.
- a method for associating items that are each associated with a barcode with a single RFID tag comprising the step of writing to the memory of the RFID tag information sufficient to identify the barcodes.
- the method of the forty-sixth embodiment of the invention comprises scanning each barcode with a barcode scanner, and associating the barcode with the single RFID tag in the memory of the RFID tag.
- an RFID-based tracking system in a medical facility, wherein (a) patient files each include an RFID tag; (b) a patient file storage location includes an RFID reader that is connected to a database, for checking files into and out of the storage location and updating the database accordingly; and (c) at least one office in which a patient file is used includes an RFID reader for detecting the presence of the file, the reader being connected to the database to provide current information regarding the location of the file.
- client files each include an RFID tag
- a client file storage location includes an RFID reader that is connected to a database, for checking files into and out of the storage location and updating the database accordingly
- at least one office in which a client file is used includes an RFID reader for detecting the presence of the file, the reader being connected to the database to provide current information regarding the location of the file.
- a portable RFID reader in combination with a storage area including a polling system for polling RFID-tagged items is disclosed, wherein information from the polling system is provided to the portable RFID reader to enable a user to locate an RFID-tagged item.
- a portable RFID reader for checking items into or out of inventory, or both is disclosed, wherein a user interrogates an RFID tag associated with the item, and provides information to the portable RFID reader, using a user interface associated with the RFID reader, to indicate whether the item is being checked into or out of inventory.
- a method for checking items into or out of inventory comprising the steps of (a) providing a mobile storage area including an associated RFID tag; (b) associating at least two RFID-tagged items with the RFID-tagged mobile storage area; and (c) checking the items into or out of inventory by interrogating- the RFID tag associated with the mobile storage area, and not interrogating the RFID-tagged items.
- the fifty-second embodiment of the invention is modified by checking the items into or out of inventory by a method other than interrogation of an RFID tag associated with the mobile storage area.
- the various aspects of the present invention will largely be described in the context of files or documents or both, the invention may be used in tracking other items including books, video tapes, optically-recorded media, or retail items, pallets, containers, or other assets, as appropriate, whether or not each of these items is specifically called out as an alternative application.
- RFID tags or labels are made by various manufacturers including Texas Instruments of Dallas Tex., under the designation “Tag-It”.
- Another type of RFID tag is actually a combination tag that includes an RFID element and a magnetic security element, and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,137, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
- An RFID tag typically includes an integrated circuit with a certain amount of memory, a portion of which may be used by the manufacturer to write certain information to the tag (and perhaps lock it to protect it from being changed or overwritten), and another portion of which may be used by a purchaser to store additional information to the tag.
- the integrated circuit is operatively connected to an antenna, as also shown in FIG.
- RFID tags may operate in one or more different frequency ranges, such as the Tag-It RFID tags sold by Texas Instruments, which operate at 13.56 MHz.
- RFID tags may be associated with or applied to items of interest, as described above.
- the tag may even be embedded within the item or the packaging of the item so that the tag is at least substantially imperceptible, which can help to prevent detection and tampering.
- source-mark items with an RFID tag, such as inserting an RFID tag into or applying an RFID tag to an item during its manufacture, as with a book, compact disc, consumer product, file folder, pallet, carton, box-sealing tape, shipping label, or the like.
- color-coded file folders are used to help users organize records. Colors may be used for categories or sorting.
- An RFID element could be embedded or added to the color-coded label. A separate color could, for example, be used to indicate that a file has been converted, meaning that an RFID tag or label has been attached to it, so that a user can quickly determine which files are still awaiting conversion and which have already been converted. If a folder were sold with embedded RFID capability, the memory on the RFID tag could be pre-programmed to include the color-coding information.
- One potential difficulty in tagging items with RFID tags can occur when the items are very thin, or more specifically when the RFID tags are overlapping and in approximately the same plane.
- file rooms such as those shown in FIG. 1 may include thick files containing many papers, but may also contain thin files that are empty or contain only a small number of papers.
- those tags also may overlap when, for example, the papers are stacked in a pile or collected in a file.
- RFID tags overlap, they can become difficult to interrogate (or read) reliably with an RFID interrogator (or reader).
- RFID interrogator or reader
- One method of overcoming undesirable tag-tag interaction is to reduce the degree to which adjacent tags overlap each other. This can be done by systematically staggering the locations of RFID tags associated with file folders, documents, containers, or other items so that it is very unlikely that the tags on two adjacent items would overlap each other to any substantial degree. This may not eliminate the potential problem, but would substantially decrease it.
- the systematic staggering of tags could be done automatically by a machine that is adapted to position each tag at a position different from that of the last tag it applied to an item. It could also be done manually, perhaps in conjunction with a guide that shows the user where to position each tag.
- the guide may show positions A, B, C, D, and E so that the user can simply select the next successive position when applying a tag to the next item.
- incidental differences in the location of tags on items such as may happen when tags are manually or automatically applied by a machine in only approximately the same location each time, are not considered to be staggered tags within the meaning of the present invention because incidental differences would not be sufficient to overcome the tag-tag interaction problems noted above.
- Another method of overcoming undesirable tag-tag interactions is to make the tag repositionable, so that a user who notes that the tag is located adjacent to another tag can move one or both tags to new locations on the items so that no significant interactions take place. This could be done by providing each RFID tag with a repositionable adhesive, such as those adhesives used on repositionable labels or paper notes generally, so that a tag adhered to an item can easily be removed and repositioned. Another similar method is to provide the RFID tag in or on a repositionable tab on the item, such as a file folder, so that the tab can be moved to a desired location, as shown in FIG. 3. These tags could be repositioned along the top, side, or other portion of the item to which they are attached.
- RFID tags can be staggered based on a database or other information.
- the user could indicate which item was next to receive a tag.
- the system would look into a database of known records that are going to be filed nearby. Then, a non-overlapping position would be computed for the user to affix the tag.
- the calculated position could be displayed on a computer monitor, or directly on the file with a light beam or the like (as shown in FIG. 4), or the calculated position could be transmitted to a device that would automatically apply the tag in the appropriate location.
- the filing order could be based on the tag placement. That is, files could be placed on a shelf based on their tag locations, so that adjacent files do not have overlapping RFID tags. This may or may not be used in conjunction with a random filing system (in which files may be located anywhere in the storage area).
- Items may also be arranged so that the tags are in essentially identical locations on each item, but the items are positioned at different positions relative to each other within the storage location.
- some type of structure that changes the shelf from a continuous flat surface to a surface having varying heights along its length could be used to offset adjacent items from each other.
- the shelf structures could be placed on the storage locations, or made integral with the storage locations, as desired.
- the structures may have, for example, a sawtooth profile, a ramp profile, an undulating profile, or other similar profiles that have the same effect, as shown in FIG. 5.
- Another alternative would be to position adjacent files, for example, at different distances from the front edge of the shelf, so that the RFID tags would then also be at different locations relative to each other. This could be done by providing shelf structures (or structures in storage locations generally) that only permit alternating items to be inserted a full distance into the storage location, which would provide for staggered locations of tags by virtue of the positions of adjacent items, and not the positions of the tags on the items.
- each tag could include a bumper or structure (either added to the tagged item or formed in or on the tagged item) that prevents another item from being closer than the specified minimum distance.
- a file folder may be embossed to provide such a bumper that projects from the remainder of the folder, so that the tag is essentially recessed relative to the bumper.
- Another way to do the same thing is to tag only items having a certain minimum thickness, such as file folders that are more than 1.27 cm (0.5 inch) thick.
- each item is tagged on the same surface, such as the left-hand side of the file folder, it would remain at least the specified distance away from each adjacent tag.
- Other similar embodiments may be used for items having different forms.
- a rigid portion could be built into the bottom of each folder to comprise part of the bottom and enforce the minimum width, yet allow the rest of the folder to expand as needed to accommodate a variable amount of folder contents. This is illustrated in FIG. 6.
- a tag could also be embedded in plastic and inserted along the spine of the folder or book, as shown in FIG. 7.
- RFID tags when interrogated, they emit a response that can be detected by an RFID reader. Information regarding the item to which the tag is attached may then be displayed on a display associated with the RFID reader, or the RFID reader may emit a sound indicating that a tag has been interrogated.
- an RFID tag in another aspect of the present invention, includes a light source that can be illuminated when the tag is interrogated.
- the light source could be an LED or other suitable source, and could be powered by a battery provided on the RFID tag (which would be referred to as an “active” tag), or by energy transmitted to the RFID tag by the REID reader or another source (which would be referred to as a “passive” tag).
- the REID reader can be programmed to emit a signal that instructs the RFID tag or tags that meet a certain description to respond by illuminating the light source, or returning an RFID signal to the RFID reader, or both. This visual indication makes the task of locating a specific item much easier, particularly if the item is stored with a large number of like items.
- Another feature related to the one described just above is the illumination of a light source associated not with a specific item of interest, but instead with the items stored on either side of the item of interest. This could be useful when returning the item of interest to a storage location, and could be done by causing the RFID reader to emit a signal that instructs the tags known to be located on either side of the item of interest to be illuminated.
- Items are often stored in storage locations in a predetermined order.
- library materials are stored in a predetermined order, as are medical and other types of files.
- the light source described above could be illuminated when the position of the item to which it is attached does not correspond to its position in the desired order.
- items that have been mislocated could be illuminated, which would enable a user to obtain those files, determine their correct location (perhaps by interrogating the RFID tag again and obtaining its location either from information contained only on the tag, or from an existing database, or a combination of the two), and relocate them.
- items that meet a certain description may be illuminated following interrogation, such as any items that are believed by an inventory control system to be missing or checked out, damaged, or eligible for archiving or disposal.
- interrogation such as any items that are believed by an inventory control system to be missing or checked out, damaged, or eligible for archiving or disposal.
- files that are believed to have been checked out of the file room, but are located by the RFID reader in the file room may be illuminated in the manner described above to permit a user to find them easily.
- RFID tags may also include a light source of the type previously described, so that common containers that are missing one or more items may be located, or so that items that are mislocated within a common container may be located.
- a smart storage area is one that is equipped with RFID interrogation capability so that it can read the RFID tags associated with the items stored in the storage area.
- One application of this aspect of the invention is for tracking and locating files or documents bearing RFID tags.
- a system of this type is illustrated in FIG. 1.
- Antennas are positioned on the shelves so that they can read the RFID tags associated with the files.
- the antennas may be positioned in various ways, such as on top of each shelf, at the back of the shelves, or supported vertically, interspersed among the files.
- the antennas can be retrofitted to existing shelves or built into a shelf and purchased as a unit.
- the antenna or antennas associated with the storage area can interrogate, or poll, the RFID tags continuously. If polling is done continuously, a controller (perhaps including a circuit for multiplexing signals through the antennas sequentially) can cause the antennas to interrogate portions of the storage area in a predetermined order.
- the antenna system may include one or more smart nodes that control a subset of antennas. The number, location, and other characteristics of the antennas associated with a given node may be determined by the user. For example, if it is desired to poll the shelves quickly, more nodes may be added to the system. Another approach is for the user to configure or customize the polling system so that nodes or portions of the storage area may be configured to poll in a sequence specified by the user.
- the RFID tags in that area need not be interrogated during those times.
- a more sophisticated schedule for polling could involve interrogation of high-use or important areas more frequently than low-use or less important areas.
- Important areas may be areas in which items of high value are located, or areas in which theft or unauthorized acquisition of items is suspected, or areas where the transfer of items is more frequent than in other areas.
- This polling system can also be customized using software that enables the user to specify the frequency with which certain areas of the storage area are interrogated. For example, some areas (such as shelves in a file storage area) could be set up to poll the RFID tags only once or twice a day, or when there is known to have been activity in that portion of the storage area, while other areas could poll RFID tags more frequently.
- an intermediate or master RFID tag may include information related to RFID tags in a local area. That information may be re-written periodically, so that the master RFID tag includes current information regarding the other RFID tags.
- the master RFID tag does not itself interrogate other tags, but instead serves as a local repository or database of information related to local RFID tags. Then, a fast inventory may be taken simply by interrogating only the master RFID tags.
- the system may permit that schedule to be altered either temporarily or permanently.
- the storage area (such as a set of shelves for files) may include a button or display that enables a user to request more frequent polling or less frequent polling. This may be done in response to an increase in activity or a decrease in activity, and these requests for alteration of the polling schedule may in this manner preempt the standard polling schedule for a defined period of time (one hour, one day, or one week, for example), or simply alter the polling schedule for the future.
- the alteration of the polling schedule could even be automated.
- sensors such as optical sensors, placed in or near a storage area to detect activity in that area, and the automated polling system could accordingly decrease, increase, or leave the polling schedule unchanged based on the activity level detected.
- optical sensors may detect an increased number of people passing through a door into a room containing medical records, and if the number of people detected is more than 20% more than a predetermined number, the sensor could send a signal to the controller and the controller could alter the polling schedule so that the monitored area is polled more frequently.
- the correlation between detected traffic and polling frequency need not be exact, or even proportional, but may be approximate. Polling could also be activated when even a single access to a storage area is detected by a sensor.
- a polling schedule may be altered based on information obtained from a database. That information may be simply how many items have been removed from or replaced in a particular storage area, or may reflect the proportion of file removals and replacements in a particular storage area relative to other storage areas. In another embodiment, polling may be increased in an area where one or more files have been checked out, until those files have been returned.
- the system could instead detect changes in the presence or absence of items. For example, if the system database includes information regarding the current location status of all items, such as files, then the system may only need to track changes (removals, additions) to maintain accurate status information.
- This type of tracking system could be referred to as “differential polling,” and may provide a performance advantage because the presence or absence of the tagged items can be determined by the database without a complete polling of all shelves. Periodic polling of the entire area may still be desirable to confirm the accuracy of the database, even when a differential polling system is used.
- a database may include the “circulation status” of various items such as books, files, or pallets, meaning that the database includes information indicating whether the item is supposed to be present in the storage area or not. Then, rather than polling every RFID tag in the entire storage area, the system may “instruct” each antenna or node to report back to the controller any items that are missing compared to the last time the area was polled, as opposed to reporting all items that are present. This may require memory associated with each antenna or node, but may result in a savings of time. A complete inventory may in any event be conducted at the end of each day, for example.
- a single file may be interrogated as it is removed from or replaced on a shelf
- the system can maintain an accurate inventory database.
- the removal or addition of items such as files may be detected by two or more sensors that when used together provide an indication of the direction that an item has moved, and can thus determine whether the item is entering or leaving the storage area.
- Another useful embodiment includes a user interface, which may include a button or display, such as a touch panel display, that a user uses to indicate whether an item is being added to or removed from the storage area.
- an antenna in a particular portion of the storage area, such as a shelf can be activated to interrogate the RFID-tagged items on that shelf to update the inventory database.
- differential inventory system differs from other differential inventory systems at least in that the removal or addition activity is detected at the storage location itself, and not at a check-in or check-out station when those transactions are typically recorded.
- Another aspect of the present invention is that of masking RFID tags from interrogation while the items to which they are attached are in a stored position in a storage area, and unmasking the RFID tags when the items are removed from or added to the storage area. For example, tag-tag interaction could be maximized, rather than minimized, so that as long as files remain adjacent to each other, they cannot be interrogated.
- tags do not interact with each other, and the file being removed or added can be interrogated by an RFID reader antenna, such as an antenna shelf tape.
- RFID tags could be shielded, or could be in contact with a metal shelf, so that the tags cannot be read in a stored position but can be read as they are being removed from or replaced on a shelf Systems of this type may be much faster than standard RFID interrogation systems, because the RFID tags associated with most items cannot respond to interrogation, and only a selected few files that are being removed from or added to the storage area can be interrogated.
- a tagged item For some applications it may be sufficient to know only whether a tagged item is within a storage area of interest. For other applications, however, it may be most useful to know not only whether an item is within a storage area of interest, but also where the item is located in absolute terms (perhaps by position within a bin or on a shelf), relative terms (relative to other tagged items), or both. For example, it may be useful to know that a file is in the middle quarter of the top shelf, that the file is between files labeled “Coyle” and “Coyne,” or both.
- One basic way of determining shelf position using fixed-position antennas is to place an antenna at each end of the shelf If the antennas have ranges that overlap slightly, then if the antenna on the left end of the shelf detects the item, the item is known to be toward the left end of the shelf The same principle applies on the right end of the shelf If both antennae detect the item, then the item is known to be in the center of the shelf Greater resolution can be gained by adding additional antennas.
- Another method of indicating position is to provide one or more light sources on or near the storage area, such as along the edge of a shelf
- the light sources which could be LEDs, could be used in conjunction with an antenna shelf tape of the type described in PCT Publication No. WO 00/10112, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
- a light source may be illuminated to attract the attention of a user to that portion of the storage area.
- the light source could also or instead be used for indicating that an item has been misplaced in the area of the light source.
- Antenna shelf tape, and the light sources described herein, can of course be used for other storage areas.
- Another useful feature of the present invention is that of notification.
- Software associated with the smart storage area system can begin tracking the time from check-out of an item until check-in, and can issue a notification of overdue items. For example, if an item may only be checked out for 14 days, the software may begin a counter when the item is checked out, issue a notification to the user after 14 days, and issue a notification to a staff member after 21 days if the item has not been returned.
- the notification may be an e-mail message, a list, an audio alarm, or another suitable type of notification either to the person to whom the item was charged out, or to another interested person or system.
- This notification system could be completely automated, so that an e-mail message is sent automatically to the person to whom the item was charged out, or a computerized telephone call is placed to the person's telephone number.
- This has the advantage of reducing staff time associated with reminding people to return overdue files.
- Other aspects of the notification feature include, for example, the notification of pending work for an individual or group based on the detection of items such as files in an area designated for review by that individual or group.
- An example may be an area designated for upcoming matters for attorneys, where files related to those matters may be placed in advance of their respective deadlines. The attorney may then be notified that the file is ready for review.
- a medical professional may be notified (perhaps through a cellular telephone or a pager) that the file (and perhaps the person to whom the file relates) is ready for review.
- the notification system may notify a records system administrator when items that are indicated in a database as present are not detected during a polling cycle, so that the administrator may manually search for the file either in the storage area or elsewhere.
- a user can request a particular item or group of items, such as a file or a group of books.
- the smart storage system can then report to the user the last location at which the items were located within the storage area, and can as described above illuminate a light source associated with the item or the location, or both.
- the system can re-poll the last-known location at which the item was detected to verify that the item was in the location indicated in the database.
- the smart storage areas of the present invention may also be adapted to update or add to the information stored on the RFID tags. This is done by using the programming or “writing” capability associated with RFID readers, in conjunction with the antennas provided in the storage areas for communication with the RFID tags. This method is particularly useful when identical information is to be stored on a large number of RFID tags, because a person is not required to obtain all of the tagged items manually for individual processing. For example, if a records retention schedule is stored on the tag, that data could be automatically written to tags on or in the smart storage area as new retention dates are computed.
- tag data can be read while in or on a smart storage area.
- a user may want to obtain specific information from the RFID tag associated with a particular item, such as a file, and can obtain those data via a computer interface to the smart storage area without having to locate the actual file. Reading and writing could occur from any place there is network access to the system.
- the mass update of files may be useful when, for example, a group of files will be transferred to a new location, or will be designated for archiving or destruction on the same date in the future.
- software for mass updating of all the RFID tags (or the database entries associated with the respective RFID tags) can be activated by a user or automatically.
- Portable RFID readers are disclosed in patent publications including U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,870, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated by reference herein.
- a portable RFID reader is a handheld reader of the type shown generally in FIG. 8, which includes an RFID reader, an antenna, a processor, a display, and a power supply.
- the display is part of a user interface that provides information to a user or receives information from a user, or both.
- the portable RFID reader typically also includes a system for communicating with a database, which may be a wireless communications system, or a removable media system in which information can be stored by the RFID reader to the removable media and the media then removed and used to upload information to or download information from a database associated with another computer.
- the communications system could also or instead include a wired (tethered) link for exchanging information.
- Another method of transferring information is to dock the RFID reader, or a portion of the reader (such as the computer and display, if those are provided as part of a handheld computer such as a Palm Pilot or TRGPro), and then to update the databases in a manner commonly used in connection with handheld computers.
- Other details of the portable RFID reader are provided in the publication incorporated by reference above.
- a portable RFID reader can be used in conjunction with a smart storage area. For example, a list of items that a user wishes to locate could be loaded into the portable RFID reader, along with the corresponding locations where those items are expected to be found based on the information obtained the last time that the RFID tags were polled. For example, a list of files and their locations may be loaded into the portable RFID reader. The portable reader can then guide the user (perhaps using graphics, words, or the like provided on the user interface) toward the location for the files that the user wishes to locate.
- a database associated with the portable RFID reader can indicate which items have been retrieved and which items have not yet been located.
- the user can easily produce a list of the items that haven't yet been retrieved by, for example, producing a report or viewing a list directly on the display of the portable device.
- the data can be transferred to the handheld devices by one or more of the communications links described above.
- a portable RFID reader such as a handheld RFID reader may be used to check items into and out of inventory. That is, the user may interrogate an RFID tag associated with an item, indicate through a user interface that the items is being checked into or out of inventory, as appropriate, and replace or remove the item, respectively.
- the updated inventory information may be stored on a database associated with the RFID reader, such as one stored in memory integral to the reader, or a removable data storage device, and that information can be uploaded to another computer as needed by one or more of the communications links described above.
- a combination RFID/bar code system could also be used in the following manner. It may be desirable for a collection of barcoded items to be tracked using an RFID system. If the cost of the RFID tags or the cost of placing RFID tags on or in the items is not justified, then a group of barcoded items may be placed in a single container or in a storage area having one or more RFID tags, and the individual items can be associated with that tag or tags in a database. This can be done by scanning each barcode with a barcode scanner as the item is placed into the container or storage area. Then the items can be located in the container or in the storage area without the cost of converting each item to an RFID tagged-item.
- RFID readers can be placed throughout a facility to improve tracking and locating items of interest.
- Options for specific RFID reader designs include small shelves, such as those that could be located in an office, an in/out basket, a bin, a chart holder mounted to a wall, or the like.
- Each such reader includes read and write capability as with the smart storage area.
- the readers could be designed to hold and store items, or as a simple pad on which a tagged item is temporarily placed until the RFID tag can be interrogated by the reader.
- RFID readers may also be mounted on a wall, or around part or all of a portal such as a door or a pass-through window.
- Another feature of the invention is the ability to position an RFID reader in or near each of several areas to which a tagged item may be taken. For example, medical records may be tracked by placing an RFID reader in each clinic, doctor's office, reception area, and temporary file location(s). It may also be advantageous for these RFID readers to read stacked items, such as files, without having to position the items in a certain orientation, in part because users are more likely to use the system regularly if it is simple to use.
- One method of accomplishing this aspect of the invention is to place multiple antennas under, behind, next to, and/or above the area where the tagged items are going to be temporarily positioned. These antennas and the associated RFID reader(s) can be placed in as many or as few locations as the user desires.
- the readers can act as automatic check-in and/or check-out devices. That is, the system may be configured so that whenever an item is detected by a particular RFID reader, that item is then checked out (meaning temporarily associated with a person, entity, or location, for example) to the person or location to which the RFID reader is associated.
- check-in and check-out procedures are both simple, accurate, and convenient (for example if an RFID reader is located near where items requiring a particular action are normally located, such as files that require dictation, transfer to another site, or are ready to be re-filed), user compliance is likely to increase.
- information related to the frequency of item movements can be used to improve planning. For example, information indicating the number of items moved to or from a particular area may be used to allocate personnel to areas with higher activity and away from areas with lower activity. Information of that kind may also be used to determine when to assign additional personnel to an area based on activity level. In the case of file management, if the system detects many more files being returned than normal, additional staff may be allocated to the file return area in time. That information may also be used to detect the activity levels of individual users or groups of users, and the person or group who maintain the item inventory (such as a file tracking database) can contact the users and perhaps customize the item management system to serve the frequent users more effectively.
- information indicating the number of items moved to or from a particular area may be used to allocate personnel to areas with higher activity and away from areas with lower activity. Information of that kind may also be used to determine when to assign additional personnel to an area based on activity level.
- additional staff may be allocated to the file return area in time. That information may also be used to detect the activity levels of
- items indicated as having been checked in and checked out more frequently than other items may be made available to users on a different basis, such as electronically through a computer network, over an intranet or the Internet, or otherwise. Items indicated as having been checked in and checked out less frequently than other items may be scheduled for archiving or destruction, as appropriate.
- the system can send automatic notifications to the person or group to whom the item has been charged out, to the system administrators, or to another person or group.
- Items such as files that are interrogated by RFID readers can improve work flow planning in other ways also.
- a particular RFID reader may be associated with a storage area such as a bin or shelf that should be taken to a different storage location. By monitoring the activity and number of files detected by that particular RFID reader, the appropriate time to move the items may be scheduled most effectively.
- RFID readers may be connected to a networked computer, or may be portable and then docked (as with a handheld computer or portable RFID reader) with a computer and the data exchanged (synchronized). Those readers could also be part of a centralized polling system, or each RFID reader could be connected to its own computer that is itself “polled” by another computer on demand. The multiple RFID readers could transfer information to a computer by a wireless network connection.
- the present invention also includes within its scope a mobile smart storage area, such as a “smart cart” of the type shown in FIG. 10.
- a mobile smart storage area such as a “smart cart” of the type shown in FIG. 10.
- smart carts may itself have an RFID tag, or another identification means such as a wireless link, a cable (for hot-synching), or a user interface, which enables the cart and/or all of the items such as files on the cart to be checked in or checked out of inventory at one time. If the items are already associated with the cart (perhaps due to interrogation of the associated RFID tags either by an RFID cart reader, or by another portable RFID reader), then the task of interrogating each item individually can be eliminated. This can be done with any of the storage areas of RFID readers described herein.
- a smart storage area may also detect the presence of a mobile smart storage area, and provide an indication (such as activating a light source) of where to place certain tagged items within the smart storage area.
Abstract
Various systems and methods of handling items such as files are disclosed, including systems and methods for polling RFID-tagged items while they are stored in storage areas.
Description
- The present invention relates to document management and file management, and specifically the use of radio frequency identification systems for document and file management.
- At least two patent publications describe the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for document or file management. One is U. S. Pat. No. 5,689,238 (Cannon, Jr. et al.), which according to its abstract describes methods and systems for locating objects using electronic tags that are attached to the object before it is stored. To locate the object, the response code associated with the tag on that object is entered into an interrogator, and the interrogator sends a signal that causes the tag to emit a sound, or a signal.
- Another publication is PCT published application WO 00/16280, and specifically at page 23, line 11 through page 24, line 5. That portion of the PCT publication references a filing cabinet having drawers, each of which stores file folders. The file folders may be provided with an RFID tag. In use, a controller sequentially polls antennae in the drawers of the filing cabinet. The controller detects response signals or codes, and thus can determine which files are in the drawers.
- The present invention is related to improvements in fields of this type.
- A number of embodiments of the present invention are described herein, some of which are summarized below.
- In a first embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the step of intentionally staggering the location of RFID tags on consecutive items to which RFID tags are applied. In a second embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the steps of (a) determining an order in which items are to be placed in a storage area; and (b) intentionally staggering the location of RFID tags on consecutive items in the order. In a third embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the steps of (a) applying RFID tags to items; (b) providing information in a database that is indicative of the location of the RFID tag on the item; and (c) using the information to select successive items for a storage area so that instances of overlapping RFID tags are minimized.
- In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a guide is provided for positioning successive RFID tags on successive items, wherein the guide includes an indication of more than one position at which an RFID tag may be located relative to the item, so that an RFID tag may be applied to each successive item in a position different from the previous item. In a fifth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for minimizing interactions between RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the step of providing a guide that includes an indication of more than one location at which an RFID tag can be located on an item.
- In a sixth embodiment of the invention, an RFID tag is provided, comprising an RFID element including an integrated circuit and an antenna, a substrate, and a repositionable adhesive that enables the RFID tag to be attached to a surface, detached from the surface, and reattached to a surface. In a seventh embodiment of the invention, a repositionable tag is provided for mounting on a file folder, comprising, (a) an RFID tag; and (b) a support for the RFID tag. In an eighth embodiment of the invention, a file folder is provided comprising an RFID tag that can be repositioned at different locations on the file folder to minimize interactions between the RFID tag and another RFID tag.
- In a ninth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for minimizing interactions between RFID tags associated with adjacent items, the method comprising the step of providing a surface on which the items rest, the surface including structures that position each successive item at a different vertical position than the previous item. In a tenth embodiment of the invention, the ninth embodiment of the invention includes a surface that is a shelf, and items that are files, and the structures position each successive file at a different vertical position than adjacent files. In an eleventh embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for minimizing interactions between RFID tags associated with adjacent items, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a surface adjacent the items; and (b) providing a structure that positions each successive item at a different horizontal position than the previous item. In a twelfth embodiment of the invention, the eleventh embodiment of the invention includes items that are files, and the files are supported by shelves. In a thirteenth embodiment of the invention, a file folder is provided comprising an RFID tag, the file folder including a spacer for maintaining a predetermined minimum thickness in the area of the RFID tag so as to minimize interactions between the RFID tag and another RFID tag.
- In a fourteenth embodiment of the invention, an RFID tag is provided including a light source that can be activated when the RFID tag is interrogated. In a fifteenth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for identifying an item that is associated with an RFID tag, the method comprising the steps of (a) interrogating the RFID tag; and (b) illuminating a light source associated with at least one of the item and the RFID tag to indicate that the RFID tag has been interrogated by an RFID reader. In a sixteenth embodiment of the invention, the item of the fifteenth embodiment of the invention is at least one of (a) misplaced; (b) identified on a list of items available to an RFID reader that interrogates the RFID tag; (c) a candidate for archiving or destruction; and (d) adjacent to a misplaced item.
- In a seventeenth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for determining a desired location for an item, the method comprising the steps of (a) identifying an item adjacent to the desired location, the item being associated with an RFID tag; (b) interrogating the RFID tag; and (c) illuminating a light source associated with the RFID tag to indicate that the desired location is adjacent to the item. In an eighteenth embodiment of the invention, a storage area is provided, comprising (a) a desired location for an item; (b) an item bearing an RFID tag, wherein a light source is associated with at least one of the item and the RFID tag, the RFID-tagged item being adjacent to the desired location.
- In a nineteenth embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for locating an item of interest within a container that holds other items, the item of interest and the container each including an RFID tag, wherein a light source is associated with the container whereby the light source may be illuminated when the RFID tag associated with either the item of interest, the container, or both is interrogated by an RFID reader. In a twentieth embodiment of the invention, at least one of the item of interest and the container of the nineteenth embodiment of the invention is (a) misplaced; (b) identified on a list of items available to an RFID reader that interrogates the RFID tag; (c) a candidate for archiving or destruction; and (d) adjacent to a misplaced item.
- In a twenty-first embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for interrogating a storage area that includes a number of items each bearing an RFID tag, the method comprising the step of polling designated portions of the storage area more frequently than other portions of the storage area. In a twenty-second embodiment of the invention, the method of the twenty-first embodiment of the invention further includes automatically polling designated portions of the storage area more frequently than other portions of the storage area based on information determined from polling. In a twenty-third embodiment of the invention, the frequency of the polling of the method of the twenty-first embodiment of the invention depends on the number of items that have been removed from or returned to the storage area. In a twenty-fourth embodiment of the invention, the frequency of polling of the twenty-first embodiment of the invention depends on the number of people who have used the storage area.
- In a twenty-fifth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for interrogating a storage area that includes a number of items each bearing an RFID tag, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a polling schedule for polling the RFID tags; and (b) preempting the polling schedule to poll a designated portion of the storage area, prior to polling the RFID tags according to the polling schedule. In a twenty-sixth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for interrogating a storage area that includes items each bearing an RFID tag, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a polling schedule for polling the RFID tags; and (b) providing a user interface associated with the RFID polling system that enables a user to alter the polling schedule by increasing or decreasing the number of times that a portion of the storage area is polled relative to other portions of the storage area.
- In a twenty-seventh embodiment of the invention, an RFID polling system is provided, comprising (a) an antenna system for polling RFID tags associated with items stored in a storage area; (b) a controller for controlling which portion(s) of the storage area are polled; (c) a polling schedule that designates which the order in which portions of the storage area are polled; and (d) a user interface that enables a user to alter the polling schedule by increasing or decreasing the number of times that a portion of the storage area is polled relative to other portions of the storage area. In a twenty-eighth embodiment of the invention, an RFID polling system is provided, comprising (a) an antenna system for polling RFID tags associated with items stored in a storage area; (b) a controller for controlling which portion(s) of the storage area are polled; (c) a polling schedule that designates which the order in which portions of the storage area are polled; and (d) a detection system that detects activity in portions of the storage area, whereby the polling schedule is altered based on information provided by the detection system. In a twenty-ninth embodiment of the invention, the alteration in the polling schedule of the twenty-eighth embodiment of the invention is proportional to the activity detected.
- In a thirtieth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for polling RFID-tagged items, comprising the steps of (a) providing a list of items for a user to locate; and (b) polling the last-known locations for the items on the list prior to the user searching for the items. In a thirty-first embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for interrogating a storage area that includes items each bearing an RFID tag, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a polling schedule for polling the RFID tags; (b) monitoring portions of the storage area to detect activity; and (c) altering the polling schedule based on the activity detected. In a thirty-second embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for polling RFID tags associated with items in a storage area, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a database including information identifying the current location of each item within the storage area; and (b) updating the database using information from polling the storage area for items being removed or replaced. In a thirty-third embodiment of the invention, the entire storage area of the thirty-second embodiment of the invention is polled periodically to obtain a census of every RFID-tagged item in the storage area.
- In a thirty-fourth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for locating the approximate position of an item bearing an RFID tag within a storage area, comprising the steps of (a) providing an antenna on each side of the item, the antennas being adapted to interrogate the RFID tag; (b) interrogating the RFID tag using both antennas; and (c) identifying that the item is located closer to one of the antennas if only that antenna is able to interrogate the item successfully, and identifying that the item is located approximately in the center of the two antennas if each antenna is able to interrogate the item successfully. In a thirty-fifth embodiment of the invention, a storage area is provided, comprising (a) an antenna shelf tape for interrogating RFID tags associated with items stored in the storage area; and (b) at least one light source within the storage area, the light source adapted to be illuminated when an RFID tag located in proximity to the light source is interrogated.
- In a thirty-sixth embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for tracking items associated with RFID tags, comprising (a) a check-out station for interrogating an RFID tag, and for updating a database to indicate that the item has been checked-out; and (b) a timer for tracking the amount of time for which the item has been checked-out. In a thirty-seventh embodiment of the invention, the system of the thirty-sixth embodiment of the invention further comprises (c) a notification system for sending a notification if the amount of time that an item has been checked-out exceeds a predetermined amount of time. In a thirty-eighth embodiment of the invention, the notification of the thirty-seventh embodiment of the invention is by e-mail. In a thirty-ninth embodiment of the invention, the e-mail of the thirty-eighth embodiment of the invention is sent to a person who checked the item out.
- In a fortieth embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for RFID-tagged items, comprising (a) a storage area for RFID-tagged items, the storage area including an RFID reader for detecting the presence of RFID-tagged items; and (b) a notification system for notifying a user that at least one RFID-tagged item is in the storage area and awaiting the user's action. In a forty-first embodiment of the invention, an RFID system is provided, comprising (a) an antenna system for transmitting write command signals to RFID tags; (b) a storage location for storing items of interest, each of which includes an RFID tag; and (c) an RFID writer in operative connection to the antenna system, wherein the RFID writer is adapted to write identical information to each RFID tag within range of an antenna to which a write command signal is directed.
- In a forty-second embodiment of the invention, a container system is provided, comprising (a) a container for holding a plurality of items each associated with a barcode; (b) an RFID tag associated with the container; and (c) a database entry associating the RFID tag with the items. In a forty-third embodiment of the invention, a container system is provided, comprising (a) a container for holding a plurality of items each associated with a bar-code; (b) an RFID tag associated with the container; and (c) information stored within a memory on the RFID tag that is sufficient to identify the bar-codes.
- In a forty-fourth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for associating items that are each associated with a barcode with a single RFID tag, comprising the step of creating an entry in a database associating the bar-coded items with the single RFID tag. In a forty-fifth embodiment of the invention, the method of the forty-fourth embodiment of the invention comprises scanning each barcode with a barcode scanner, and associating the barcode with the single RFID tag in a database.
- In a forty-sixth embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for associating items that are each associated with a barcode with a single RFID tag, comprising the step of writing to the memory of the RFID tag information sufficient to identify the barcodes. In a forty-seventh embodiment of the invention, the method of the forty-sixth embodiment of the invention comprises scanning each barcode with a barcode scanner, and associating the barcode with the single RFID tag in the memory of the RFID tag.
- In a forty-eighth embodiment of the invention, the use of an RFID-based tracking system in a medical facility is disclosed, wherein (a) patient files each include an RFID tag; (b) a patient file storage location includes an RFID reader that is connected to a database, for checking files into and out of the storage location and updating the database accordingly; and (c) at least one office in which a patient file is used includes an RFID reader for detecting the presence of the file, the reader being connected to the database to provide current information regarding the location of the file.
- In a forty-ninth embodiment of the invention, the use of an RFID-based tracking system in a legal office is disclosed, wherein (a) client files each include an RFID tag; (b) a client file storage location includes an RFID reader that is connected to a database, for checking files into and out of the storage location and updating the database accordingly; and (c) at least one office in which a client file is used includes an RFID reader for detecting the presence of the file, the reader being connected to the database to provide current information regarding the location of the file.
- In a fiftieth embodiment of the invention, the use of a portable RFID reader in combination with a storage area including a polling system for polling RFID-tagged items is disclosed, wherein information from the polling system is provided to the portable RFID reader to enable a user to locate an RFID-tagged item. In a fifty-first embodiment of the invention, the use of a portable RFID reader for checking items into or out of inventory, or both, is disclosed, wherein a user interrogates an RFID tag associated with the item, and provides information to the portable RFID reader, using a user interface associated with the RFID reader, to indicate whether the item is being checked into or out of inventory. In a fifty-second embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for checking items into or out of inventory, comprising the steps of (a) providing a mobile storage area including an associated RFID tag; (b) associating at least two RFID-tagged items with the RFID-tagged mobile storage area; and (c) checking the items into or out of inventory by interrogating- the RFID tag associated with the mobile storage area, and not interrogating the RFID-tagged items. In a fifty-third embodiment of the invention, the fifty-second embodiment of the invention is modified by checking the items into or out of inventory by a method other than interrogation of an RFID tag associated with the mobile storage area.
- The present invention will be described with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 through 9, as described below.
- Despite some interest in converting offices to paperless environments in which paper documents are entirely replaced by electronic versions of those documents, a number of industries continue to rely heavily on paper documents. Examples include law offices, government agencies, and facilities for storing business, criminal, and medical records. Although in some instances these records are stored in enclosed filing cabinets, in many cases the files are positioned on open shelve of the type shown in FIG. 1. Documents and files can also be found in other locations, including on desks and tables, in drawers, or on carts. Although the various aspects of the present invention will largely be described in the context of files or documents or both, the invention may be used in tracking other items including books, video tapes, optically-recorded media, or retail items, pallets, containers, or other assets, as appropriate, whether or not each of these items is specifically called out as an alternative application.
- Various aspects of the present invention will be described beneath certain headings below, but persons of ordinary skill in the art will immediately recognize that certain features described in one part of this description may be used in conjunction with features in other parts of this description, and thus the headings are intended to be a helpful guide, not a limiting boundary.
- I. Smart Labels or Tags
- RFID tags or labels are made by various manufacturers including Texas Instruments of Dallas Tex., under the designation “Tag-It”. Another type of RFID tag is actually a combination tag that includes an RFID element and a magnetic security element, and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,137, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. An RFID tag typically includes an integrated circuit with a certain amount of memory, a portion of which may be used by the manufacturer to write certain information to the tag (and perhaps lock it to protect it from being changed or overwritten), and another portion of which may be used by a purchaser to store additional information to the tag. The integrated circuit is operatively connected to an antenna, as also shown in FIG. 2, that receives RF energy from a source and also transmits RF energy in a manner well known in the art. It is this transmitted RF energy that provides a signal that may be received by an interrogator or reader to obtain information about the RFID tag, and the item with which it is associated. RFID tags may operate in one or more different frequency ranges, such as the Tag-It RFID tags sold by Texas Instruments, which operate at 13.56 MHz.
- RFID tags may be associated with or applied to items of interest, as described above. The tag may even be embedded within the item or the packaging of the item so that the tag is at least substantially imperceptible, which can help to prevent detection and tampering. Thus it would be possible to “source-mark” items with an RFID tag, such as inserting an RFID tag into or applying an RFID tag to an item during its manufacture, as with a book, compact disc, consumer product, file folder, pallet, carton, box-sealing tape, shipping label, or the like.
- In many file rooms, color-coded file folders are used to help users organize records. Colors may be used for categories or sorting. An RFID element could be embedded or added to the color-coded label. A separate color could, for example, be used to indicate that a file has been converted, meaning that an RFID tag or label has been attached to it, so that a user can quickly determine which files are still awaiting conversion and which have already been converted. If a folder were sold with embedded RFID capability, the memory on the RFID tag could be pre-programmed to include the color-coding information.
- One potential difficulty in tagging items with RFID tags can occur when the items are very thin, or more specifically when the RFID tags are overlapping and in approximately the same plane. For example, file rooms such as those shown in FIG. 1 may include thick files containing many papers, but may also contain thin files that are empty or contain only a small number of papers. If individual pages are tagged with RFID tags, then those tags also may overlap when, for example, the papers are stacked in a pile or collected in a file. When RFID tags overlap, they can become difficult to interrogate (or read) reliably with an RFID interrogator (or reader). Without wishing to be bound by any particular scientific theory regarding the cause of that difficulty, it is believed that two RFID tags that overlap each other may respond at a different frequency than either tag does alone. The next aspect of the present invention relates to solutions for tag-tag interaction problems.
- One method of overcoming undesirable tag-tag interaction is to reduce the degree to which adjacent tags overlap each other. This can be done by systematically staggering the locations of RFID tags associated with file folders, documents, containers, or other items so that it is very unlikely that the tags on two adjacent items would overlap each other to any substantial degree. This may not eliminate the potential problem, but would substantially decrease it. The systematic staggering of tags could be done automatically by a machine that is adapted to position each tag at a position different from that of the last tag it applied to an item. It could also be done manually, perhaps in conjunction with a guide that shows the user where to position each tag. For example, if one tag is positioned at location A on an item, the guide may show positions A, B, C, D, and E so that the user can simply select the next successive position when applying a tag to the next item. It should be noted that incidental differences in the location of tags on items, such as may happen when tags are manually or automatically applied by a machine in only approximately the same location each time, are not considered to be staggered tags within the meaning of the present invention because incidental differences would not be sufficient to overcome the tag-tag interaction problems noted above.
- Another method of overcoming undesirable tag-tag interactions is to make the tag repositionable, so that a user who notes that the tag is located adjacent to another tag can move one or both tags to new locations on the items so that no significant interactions take place. This could be done by providing each RFID tag with a repositionable adhesive, such as those adhesives used on repositionable labels or paper notes generally, so that a tag adhered to an item can easily be removed and repositioned. Another similar method is to provide the RFID tag in or on a repositionable tab on the item, such as a file folder, so that the tab can be moved to a desired location, as shown in FIG. 3. These tags could be repositioned along the top, side, or other portion of the item to which they are attached.
- Alternatively, RFID tags can be staggered based on a database or other information. For example, the user could indicate which item was next to receive a tag. The system would look into a database of known records that are going to be filed nearby. Then, a non-overlapping position would be computed for the user to affix the tag. The calculated position could be displayed on a computer monitor, or directly on the file with a light beam or the like (as shown in FIG. 4), or the calculated position could be transmitted to a device that would automatically apply the tag in the appropriate location. In another embodiment, instead of determining the tag placement based on the filing order, the filing order could be based on the tag placement. That is, files could be placed on a shelf based on their tag locations, so that adjacent files do not have overlapping RFID tags. This may or may not be used in conjunction with a random filing system (in which files may be located anywhere in the storage area).
- Items may also be arranged so that the tags are in essentially identical locations on each item, but the items are positioned at different positions relative to each other within the storage location. For example, in the case of files stored on a shelf, some type of structure that changes the shelf from a continuous flat surface to a surface having varying heights along its length could be used to offset adjacent items from each other. The shelf structures could be placed on the storage locations, or made integral with the storage locations, as desired. The structures may have, for example, a sawtooth profile, a ramp profile, an undulating profile, or other similar profiles that have the same effect, as shown in FIG. 5. Another alternative would be to position adjacent files, for example, at different distances from the front edge of the shelf, so that the RFID tags would then also be at different locations relative to each other. This could be done by providing shelf structures (or structures in storage locations generally) that only permit alternating items to be inserted a full distance into the storage location, which would provide for staggered locations of tags by virtue of the positions of adjacent items, and not the positions of the tags on the items.
- Another way to address the tag-tag interaction problem is to provide items or structures that provide for a specified minimum distance between adjacent tags. For example, each tag could include a bumper or structure (either added to the tagged item or formed in or on the tagged item) that prevents another item from being closer than the specified minimum distance. For example, a file folder may be embossed to provide such a bumper that projects from the remainder of the folder, so that the tag is essentially recessed relative to the bumper. Another way to do the same thing is to tag only items having a certain minimum thickness, such as file folders that are more than 1.27 cm (0.5 inch) thick. Then if each item is tagged on the same surface, such as the left-hand side of the file folder, it would remain at least the specified distance away from each adjacent tag. This could be done in the case of file folders by providing a spacing strip within or outside the folder, in which the strip maintains the specified minimum thickness of the folder. Other similar embodiments may be used for items having different forms. In another “spacing” embodiment, a rigid portion could be built into the bottom of each folder to comprise part of the bottom and enforce the minimum width, yet allow the rest of the folder to expand as needed to accommodate a variable amount of folder contents. This is illustrated in FIG. 6. A tag could also be embedded in plastic and inserted along the spine of the folder or book, as shown in FIG. 7.
- II. RFID Tag that can be Illuminated When Interrogated
- As noted above, when conventional RFID tags are interrogated, they emit a response that can be detected by an RFID reader. Information regarding the item to which the tag is attached may then be displayed on a display associated with the RFID reader, or the RFID reader may emit a sound indicating that a tag has been interrogated.
- In another aspect of the present invention, an RFID tag is provided that includes a light source that can be illuminated when the tag is interrogated. The light source could be an LED or other suitable source, and could be powered by a battery provided on the RFID tag (which would be referred to as an “active” tag), or by energy transmitted to the RFID tag by the REID reader or another source (which would be referred to as a “passive” tag). When a user wishes to search for a specific item, the REID reader can be programmed to emit a signal that instructs the RFID tag or tags that meet a certain description to respond by illuminating the light source, or returning an RFID signal to the RFID reader, or both. This visual indication makes the task of locating a specific item much easier, particularly if the item is stored with a large number of like items.
- Another feature related to the one described just above is the illumination of a light source associated not with a specific item of interest, but instead with the items stored on either side of the item of interest. This could be useful when returning the item of interest to a storage location, and could be done by causing the RFID reader to emit a signal that instructs the tags known to be located on either side of the item of interest to be illuminated.
- Items are often stored in storage locations in a predetermined order. For example, library materials are stored in a predetermined order, as are medical and other types of files. In another embodiment of the present invention, the light source described above could be illuminated when the position of the item to which it is attached does not correspond to its position in the desired order. In other words, items that have been mislocated could be illuminated, which would enable a user to obtain those files, determine their correct location (perhaps by interrogating the RFID tag again and obtaining its location either from information contained only on the tag, or from an existing database, or a combination of the two), and relocate them. In a related embodiment, items that meet a certain description may be illuminated following interrogation, such as any items that are believed by an inventory control system to be missing or checked out, damaged, or eligible for archiving or disposal. For example, files that are believed to have been checked out of the file room, but are located by the RFID reader in the file room, may be illuminated in the manner described above to permit a user to find them easily.
- Items are often stored together within a common container, and an RFID tag is associated with each of the items and with the common container. For example, a number of files may be tagged and stored within a larger accordion folder that also bears an RFID tag. These RFID tags may also include a light source of the type previously described, so that common containers that are missing one or more items may be located, or so that items that are mislocated within a common container may be located.
- III. Smart Storage Areas
- A smart storage area is one that is equipped with RFID interrogation capability so that it can read the RFID tags associated with the items stored in the storage area. One application of this aspect of the invention is for tracking and locating files or documents bearing RFID tags. A system of this type is illustrated in FIG. 1. Antennas are positioned on the shelves so that they can read the RFID tags associated with the files. The antennas may be positioned in various ways, such as on top of each shelf, at the back of the shelves, or supported vertically, interspersed among the files. The antennas can be retrofitted to existing shelves or built into a shelf and purchased as a unit.
- The antenna or antennas associated with the storage area can interrogate, or poll, the RFID tags continuously. If polling is done continuously, a controller (perhaps including a circuit for multiplexing signals through the antennas sequentially) can cause the antennas to interrogate portions of the storage area in a predetermined order. The antenna system may include one or more smart nodes that control a subset of antennas. The number, location, and other characteristics of the antennas associated with a given node may be determined by the user. For example, if it is desired to poll the shelves quickly, more nodes may be added to the system. Another approach is for the user to configure or customize the polling system so that nodes or portions of the storage area may be configured to poll in a sequence specified by the user. For example, if one portion of the storage area is unavailable for use at certain times, then the RFID tags in that area need not be interrogated during those times. A more sophisticated schedule for polling could involve interrogation of high-use or important areas more frequently than low-use or less important areas. Important areas may be areas in which items of high value are located, or areas in which theft or unauthorized acquisition of items is suspected, or areas where the transfer of items is more frequent than in other areas. This polling system can also be customized using software that enables the user to specify the frequency with which certain areas of the storage area are interrogated. For example, some areas (such as shelves in a file storage area) could be set up to poll the RFID tags only once or twice a day, or when there is known to have been activity in that portion of the storage area, while other areas could poll RFID tags more frequently.
- In another embodiment of the invention, an intermediate or master RFID tag may include information related to RFID tags in a local area. That information may be re-written periodically, so that the master RFID tag includes current information regarding the other RFID tags. The master RFID tag does not itself interrogate other tags, but instead serves as a local repository or database of information related to local RFID tags. Then, a fast inventory may be taken simply by interrogating only the master RFID tags.
- If a user is going or has recently been to an area to shelve or remove records, she may want that area to be immediately polled to update location information for those file locations. Then, instead of continuously polling all shelves, the system would focus on polling only the area of interest as specified by the user. This kind of event-driven polling may provide the advantage of faster updating for files of interest.
- Even when a polling schedule has been set by a user, the system may permit that schedule to be altered either temporarily or permanently. For example, the storage area (such as a set of shelves for files) may include a button or display that enables a user to request more frequent polling or less frequent polling. This may be done in response to an increase in activity or a decrease in activity, and these requests for alteration of the polling schedule may in this manner preempt the standard polling schedule for a defined period of time (one hour, one day, or one week, for example), or simply alter the polling schedule for the future. The alteration of the polling schedule could even be automated. For example sensors, such as optical sensors, placed in or near a storage area to detect activity in that area, and the automated polling system could accordingly decrease, increase, or leave the polling schedule unchanged based on the activity level detected. For example, optical sensors may detect an increased number of people passing through a door into a room containing medical records, and if the number of people detected is more than 20% more than a predetermined number, the sensor could send a signal to the controller and the controller could alter the polling schedule so that the monitored area is polled more frequently. There could even be a direct correlation between the activity level detected by the optical or other sensor and the polling frequency, so that a 15% decrease in traffic results in a 15% decrease in polling activity, and a 27% increase in traffic results in a 27% increase in polling activity. The correlation between detected traffic and polling frequency need not be exact, or even proportional, but may be approximate. Polling could also be activated when even a single access to a storage area is detected by a sensor.
- In a related embodiment, a polling schedule may be altered based on information obtained from a database. That information may be simply how many items have been removed from or replaced in a particular storage area, or may reflect the proportion of file removals and replacements in a particular storage area relative to other storage areas. In another embodiment, polling may be increased in an area where one or more files have been checked out, until those files have been returned.
- As an alternative (or supplement) to polling by taking a complete census of all tagged items, the system could instead detect changes in the presence or absence of items. For example, if the system database includes information regarding the current location status of all items, such as files, then the system may only need to track changes (removals, additions) to maintain accurate status information. This type of tracking system could be referred to as “differential polling,” and may provide a performance advantage because the presence or absence of the tagged items can be determined by the database without a complete polling of all shelves. Periodic polling of the entire area may still be desirable to confirm the accuracy of the database, even when a differential polling system is used. As an example, a database may include the “circulation status” of various items such as books, files, or pallets, meaning that the database includes information indicating whether the item is supposed to be present in the storage area or not. Then, rather than polling every RFID tag in the entire storage area, the system may “instruct” each antenna or node to report back to the controller any items that are missing compared to the last time the area was polled, as opposed to reporting all items that are present. This may require memory associated with each antenna or node, but may result in a savings of time. A complete inventory may in any event be conducted at the end of each day, for example.
- A single file may be interrogated as it is removed from or replaced on a shelf By keeping track of just those individual files that are being removed or added, the system can maintain an accurate inventory database. The removal or addition of items such as files may be detected by two or more sensors that when used together provide an indication of the direction that an item has moved, and can thus determine whether the item is entering or leaving the storage area. Another useful embodiment includes a user interface, which may include a button or display, such as a touch panel display, that a user uses to indicate whether an item is being added to or removed from the storage area. In another embodiment, an antenna in a particular portion of the storage area, such as a shelf, can be activated to interrogate the RFID-tagged items on that shelf to update the inventory database. It may be useful to provide some type of indicator (audio, visual, or both) that confirms for a user that an item has been removed or added to the storage area. This differential inventory system, and others of its kind described herein, differ from other differential inventory systems at least in that the removal or addition activity is detected at the storage location itself, and not at a check-in or check-out station when those transactions are typically recorded.
- Another aspect of the present invention is that of masking RFID tags from interrogation while the items to which they are attached are in a stored position in a storage area, and unmasking the RFID tags when the items are removed from or added to the storage area. For example, tag-tag interaction could be maximized, rather than minimized, so that as long as files remain adjacent to each other, they cannot be interrogated. When files are removed or added, the RFID tags do not interact with each other, and the file being removed or added can be interrogated by an RFID reader antenna, such as an antenna shelf tape. In another embodiment, RFID tags could be shielded, or could be in contact with a metal shelf, so that the tags cannot be read in a stored position but can be read as they are being removed from or replaced on a shelf Systems of this type may be much faster than standard RFID interrogation systems, because the RFID tags associated with most items cannot respond to interrogation, and only a selected few files that are being removed from or added to the storage area can be interrogated.
- Resolution of Position within a Storage Area
- For some applications it may be sufficient to know only whether a tagged item is within a storage area of interest. For other applications, however, it may be most useful to know not only whether an item is within a storage area of interest, but also where the item is located in absolute terms (perhaps by position within a bin or on a shelf), relative terms (relative to other tagged items), or both. For example, it may be useful to know that a file is in the middle quarter of the top shelf, that the file is between files labeled “Coyle” and “Coyne,” or both.
- One basic way of determining shelf position using fixed-position antennas (as opposed to a portable RFID reader with an antenna) is to place an antenna at each end of the shelf If the antennas have ranges that overlap slightly, then if the antenna on the left end of the shelf detects the item, the item is known to be toward the left end of the shelf The same principle applies on the right end of the shelf If both antennae detect the item, then the item is known to be in the center of the shelf Greater resolution can be gained by adding additional antennas.
- Another method of indicating position is to provide one or more light sources on or near the storage area, such as along the edge of a shelf The light sources, which could be LEDs, could be used in conjunction with an antenna shelf tape of the type described in PCT Publication No. WO 00/10112, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. In that manner, when an antenna detects that an RFID tag of interest is near that antenna, a light source may be illuminated to attract the attention of a user to that portion of the storage area. The light source could also or instead be used for indicating that an item has been misplaced in the area of the light source. Antenna shelf tape, and the light sources described herein, can of course be used for other storage areas.
- Another useful feature of the present invention is that of notification. Software associated with the smart storage area system can begin tracking the time from check-out of an item until check-in, and can issue a notification of overdue items. For example, if an item may only be checked out for 14 days, the software may begin a counter when the item is checked out, issue a notification to the user after 14 days, and issue a notification to a staff member after 21 days if the item has not been returned. The notification may be an e-mail message, a list, an audio alarm, or another suitable type of notification either to the person to whom the item was charged out, or to another interested person or system. This notification system could be completely automated, so that an e-mail message is sent automatically to the person to whom the item was charged out, or a computerized telephone call is placed to the person's telephone number. This has the advantage of reducing staff time associated with reminding people to return overdue files. Other aspects of the notification feature include, for example, the notification of pending work for an individual or group based on the detection of items such as files in an area designated for review by that individual or group. An example may be an area designated for upcoming matters for attorneys, where files related to those matters may be placed in advance of their respective deadlines. The attorney may then be notified that the file is ready for review. Similarly, if patient files are located in a designated area, a medical professional may be notified (perhaps through a cellular telephone or a pager) that the file (and perhaps the person to whom the file relates) is ready for review. Lastly, the notification system may notify a records system administrator when items that are indicated in a database as present are not detected during a polling cycle, so that the administrator may manually search for the file either in the storage area or elsewhere.
- In another embodiment, a user can request a particular item or group of items, such as a file or a group of books. The smart storage system can then report to the user the last location at which the items were located within the storage area, and can as described above illuminate a light source associated with the item or the location, or both. Optionally, the system can re-poll the last-known location at which the item was detected to verify that the item was in the location indicated in the database.
- Reading Information from and Writing Information to RFID Tags in Smart Storage Areas
- It is often advantageous to write certain data to tags so that those data can be accessed even when the reading device is not connected to a database and does not have access to a database. The smart storage areas of the present invention may also be adapted to update or add to the information stored on the RFID tags. This is done by using the programming or “writing” capability associated with RFID readers, in conjunction with the antennas provided in the storage areas for communication with the RFID tags. This method is particularly useful when identical information is to be stored on a large number of RFID tags, because a person is not required to obtain all of the tagged items manually for individual processing. For example, if a records retention schedule is stored on the tag, that data could be automatically written to tags on or in the smart storage area as new retention dates are computed. Conversely, tag data can be read while in or on a smart storage area. A user may want to obtain specific information from the RFID tag associated with a particular item, such as a file, and can obtain those data via a computer interface to the smart storage area without having to locate the actual file. Reading and writing could occur from any place there is network access to the system. The mass update of files may be useful when, for example, a group of files will be transferred to a new location, or will be designated for archiving or destruction on the same date in the future. In these instances, software for mass updating of all the RFID tags (or the database entries associated with the respective RFID tags) can be activated by a user or automatically.
- IV. Portable RFID Readers
- Portable RFID readers are disclosed in patent publications including U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,870, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated by reference herein. One preferred embodiment of a portable RFID reader is a handheld reader of the type shown generally in FIG. 8, which includes an RFID reader, an antenna, a processor, a display, and a power supply. The display is part of a user interface that provides information to a user or receives information from a user, or both. The portable RFID reader typically also includes a system for communicating with a database, which may be a wireless communications system, or a removable media system in which information can be stored by the RFID reader to the removable media and the media then removed and used to upload information to or download information from a database associated with another computer. The communications system could also or instead include a wired (tethered) link for exchanging information. Another method of transferring information is to dock the RFID reader, or a portion of the reader (such as the computer and display, if those are provided as part of a handheld computer such as a Palm Pilot or TRGPro), and then to update the databases in a manner commonly used in connection with handheld computers. Other details of the portable RFID reader are provided in the publication incorporated by reference above.
- A portable RFID reader can be used in conjunction with a smart storage area. For example, a list of items that a user wishes to locate could be loaded into the portable RFID reader, along with the corresponding locations where those items are expected to be found based on the information obtained the last time that the RFID tags were polled. For example, a list of files and their locations may be loaded into the portable RFID reader. The portable reader can then guide the user (perhaps using graphics, words, or the like provided on the user interface) toward the location for the files that the user wishes to locate. A database associated with the portable RFID reader can indicate which items have been retrieved and which items have not yet been located. At the conclusion of a particular search, the user can easily produce a list of the items that haven't yet been retrieved by, for example, producing a report or viewing a list directly on the display of the portable device. The data can be transferred to the handheld devices by one or more of the communications links described above.
- In another embodiment, a portable RFID reader such as a handheld RFID reader may be used to check items into and out of inventory. That is, the user may interrogate an RFID tag associated with an item, indicate through a user interface that the items is being checked into or out of inventory, as appropriate, and replace or remove the item, respectively. The updated inventory information may be stored on a database associated with the RFID reader, such as one stored in memory integral to the reader, or a removable data storage device, and that information can be uploaded to another computer as needed by one or more of the communications links described above.
- A combination RFID/bar code system could also be used in the following manner. It may be desirable for a collection of barcoded items to be tracked using an RFID system. If the cost of the RFID tags or the cost of placing RFID tags on or in the items is not justified, then a group of barcoded items may be placed in a single container or in a storage area having one or more RFID tags, and the individual items can be associated with that tag or tags in a database. This can be done by scanning each barcode with a barcode scanner as the item is placed into the container or storage area. Then the items can be located in the container or in the storage area without the cost of converting each item to an RFID tagged-item.
- V. RFID Readers
- Some items such as files are difficult to track once they are taken from the main storage area. As illustrated in FIG. 9, for example, RFID readers can be placed throughout a facility to improve tracking and locating items of interest. Options for specific RFID reader designs include small shelves, such as those that could be located in an office, an in/out basket, a bin, a chart holder mounted to a wall, or the like. Each such reader includes read and write capability as with the smart storage area. The readers could be designed to hold and store items, or as a simple pad on which a tagged item is temporarily placed until the RFID tag can be interrogated by the reader. RFID readers may also be mounted on a wall, or around part or all of a portal such as a door or a pass-through window.
- Another feature of the invention is the ability to position an RFID reader in or near each of several areas to which a tagged item may be taken. For example, medical records may be tracked by placing an RFID reader in each clinic, doctor's office, reception area, and temporary file location(s). It may also be advantageous for these RFID readers to read stacked items, such as files, without having to position the items in a certain orientation, in part because users are more likely to use the system regularly if it is simple to use. One method of accomplishing this aspect of the invention is to place multiple antennas under, behind, next to, and/or above the area where the tagged items are going to be temporarily positioned. These antennas and the associated RFID reader(s) can be placed in as many or as few locations as the user desires.
- When RFID readers are positioned in the manner described just above, the readers can act as automatic check-in and/or check-out devices. That is, the system may be configured so that whenever an item is detected by a particular RFID reader, that item is then checked out (meaning temporarily associated with a person, entity, or location, for example) to the person or location to which the RFID reader is associated. As noted above, if check-in and check-out procedures are both simple, accurate, and convenient (for example if an RFID reader is located near where items requiring a particular action are normally located, such as files that require dictation, transfer to another site, or are ready to be re-filed), user compliance is likely to increase.
- In another aspect of the present invention, information related to the frequency of item movements can be used to improve planning. For example, information indicating the number of items moved to or from a particular area may be used to allocate personnel to areas with higher activity and away from areas with lower activity. Information of that kind may also be used to determine when to assign additional personnel to an area based on activity level. In the case of file management, if the system detects many more files being returned than normal, additional staff may be allocated to the file return area in time. That information may also be used to detect the activity levels of individual users or groups of users, and the person or group who maintain the item inventory (such as a file tracking database) can contact the users and perhaps customize the item management system to serve the frequent users more effectively. In another aspect of the invention, items indicated as having been checked in and checked out more frequently than other items may be made available to users on a different basis, such as electronically through a computer network, over an intranet or the Internet, or otherwise. Items indicated as having been checked in and checked out less frequently than other items may be scheduled for archiving or destruction, as appropriate. As described above, the system can send automatic notifications to the person or group to whom the item has been charged out, to the system administrators, or to another person or group.
- Items such as files that are interrogated by RFID readers can improve work flow planning in other ways also. For example, a particular RFID reader may be associated with a storage area such as a bin or shelf that should be taken to a different storage location. By monitoring the activity and number of files detected by that particular RFID reader, the appropriate time to move the items may be scheduled most effectively.
- Multiple RFID readers may be connected to a networked computer, or may be portable and then docked (as with a handheld computer or portable RFID reader) with a computer and the data exchanged (synchronized). Those readers could also be part of a centralized polling system, or each RFID reader could be connected to its own computer that is itself “polled” by another computer on demand. The multiple RFID readers could transfer information to a computer by a wireless network connection.
- VI. Transporting RFID-Tagged Items
- The present invention also includes within its scope a mobile smart storage area, such as a “smart cart” of the type shown in FIG. 10. For convenience, mobile smart storage areas will be referred to herein as smart carts, though they may take a different form than that illustrated or described. Each smart cart may itself have an RFID tag, or another identification means such as a wireless link, a cable (for hot-synching), or a user interface, which enables the cart and/or all of the items such as files on the cart to be checked in or checked out of inventory at one time. If the items are already associated with the cart (perhaps due to interrogation of the associated RFID tags either by an RFID cart reader, or by another portable RFID reader), then the task of interrogating each item individually can be eliminated. This can be done with any of the storage areas of RFID readers described herein. A smart storage area may also detect the presence of a mobile smart storage area, and provide an indication (such as activating a light source) of where to place certain tagged items within the smart storage area.
Claims (3)
1. A method of minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the step of intentionally staggering the location of RFID tags on consecutive items to which RFID tags are applied.
2. A method of minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
(a) determining an order in which items are to be placed in a storage area; and
(b) intentionally staggering the location of RFID tags on consecutive items in the order.
3. A method of minimizing interactions between overlapping RFID tags, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
(a) applying RFID tags to items;
(b) providing information in a database that is indicative of the location of the RFID tag on the item; and
(c) using the information to select successive items for a storage area so that instances of overlapping RFID tags are minimized.
Priority Applications (21)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/874,749 US20020180588A1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2001-06-05 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
US10/153,124 US7511601B2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-05-20 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
CA2449301A CA2449301C (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
SG200507268-1A SG161096A1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
BR0210166-1A BR0210166A (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Methods to minimize interactions between rfid tags, to interrogate a storage area, to elect rfid tagged items and rfid tags, to use an rfid interrogation system, to associate items, to use an rfid reader, to check items , to transfer a group of files, to provide notification that a tagged rfid item has been interrogated and to operate a computer, guide to position rfid tags, file folder, rfid election systems, tracking, item management, RFID and container identification code, software program, software and medical or legal installation |
AU2002303964A AU2002303964B2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
CNB028114159A CN100342385C (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Raido frequency identification in document management |
EP06014155A EP1710728A3 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
PCT/US2002/017637 WO2002099730A2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
ES02732032T ES2269695T3 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | FREQUENCY RADIO IDENTIFICATION IN DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT. |
MXPA03011249A MXPA03011249A (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management. |
KR1020037015956A KR100959428B1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
AT02732032T ATE336045T1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | RF IDENTIFICATION FOR DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT |
EP02732032A EP1399870B1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
JP2003502768A JP4579533B2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
DE60213805T DE60213805T2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-03 | RF IDENTIFICATION FOR DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT |
ARP020102067A AR036078A1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-04 | A GUIDE TO LOCATE SUCCESSIVE RFID LABELS IN SUCCESSIVE ELEMENTS, A FILE FOLDER THAT UNDERSTANDS AN RFID LABEL, RFID SYSTEMS, A CENTROMEDIC OR A LEGAL STUDY THAT UNDERSTANDS THEM, AND SYSTEMS TO TRACK AND MANAGE RFID |
TW091111967A TWI250457B (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-06-04 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
ARP040101032A AR043946A2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2004-03-29 | A METHOD FOR MINIMIZING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SUPERIDEST RFID LABELS, METHODS TO INTERROGATE AND ASSOCIATE ELEMENTS WITH RFID LABELS, A METHOD FOR USING A PORTABLE RFID READER, A METHOD FOR VERIFYING THE INPUT AND OUTPUT OF INVENTORY ELEMENTS, A METHOD |
HK04106945A HK1064479A1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2004-09-13 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
JP2008202434A JP5243141B2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2008-08-05 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/874,749 US20020180588A1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2001-06-05 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/153,124 Continuation-In-Part US7511601B2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-05-20 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020180588A1 true US20020180588A1 (en) | 2002-12-05 |
Family
ID=25364482
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/874,749 Abandoned US20020180588A1 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2001-06-05 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
US10/153,124 Expired - Fee Related US7511601B2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-05-20 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/153,124 Expired - Fee Related US7511601B2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-05-20 | Radio frequency identification in document management |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20020180588A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1710728A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5243141B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100959428B1 (en) |
AR (2) | AR036078A1 (en) |
SG (1) | SG161096A1 (en) |
Cited By (91)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030069815A1 (en) * | 2001-10-10 | 2003-04-10 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | RFID time tracking |
US20040093187A1 (en) * | 2000-07-21 | 2004-05-13 | Dames Andrew N | Multiple tag interrogation system |
US20040100413A1 (en) * | 2002-11-25 | 2004-05-27 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Multi-loop antenna for radio-frequency identification |
US20040183742A1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2004-09-23 | Goff Edward D. | Multi-loop antenna for radio frequency identification (RFID) communication |
WO2005045701A1 (en) * | 2003-11-10 | 2005-05-19 | Easy International S.R.L. | Apparatus and process for distributed autonomous managing of documents and electronic means |
US20050186902A1 (en) * | 2004-02-20 | 2005-08-25 | Lieffort Seth A. | Field-shaping shielding for radio frequency identification (RFID) system |
US20050212707A1 (en) * | 2004-03-23 | 2005-09-29 | Egbert William C | Radio frequency identification tags with compensating elements |
US20050234774A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-10-20 | Linda Dupree | Gathering data concerning publication usage and exposure to products and/or presence in commercial establishment |
US20050237198A1 (en) * | 2004-04-08 | 2005-10-27 | Waldner Michele A | Variable frequency radio frequency indentification (RFID) tags |
US20050247088A1 (en) * | 2003-05-20 | 2005-11-10 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. | Radio wave reception device, radio wave transmission device, and vehicle |
US6968994B1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2005-11-29 | Nortel Networks Ltd | RF-ID for cable management and port identification |
US20050272019A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2005-12-08 | Crystal Jack C | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US20060007000A1 (en) * | 2004-07-07 | 2006-01-12 | Rosita Yap | File indexing and retrieval system employing RFID visual indicators |
US20060087407A1 (en) * | 2004-10-27 | 2006-04-27 | Intelleflex Corporation | Master tags |
US20060092014A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2006-05-04 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Self-adjusting portals with movable data tag readers for improved reading of data tags |
US20060167906A1 (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2006-07-27 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Information processing apparatus, document management system and method, and computer program |
US20060246984A1 (en) * | 2005-03-18 | 2006-11-02 | Walker Jay S | Security methods and apparatus for a tangible medium containing wagering game outcomes |
US20060252551A1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2006-11-09 | Walker Jay S | Methods and apparatus for facilitating remote viewing of gaming outcomes |
US20060290472A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2006-12-28 | Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Adjusting data tag readers with feed-forward data |
US20070023518A1 (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2007-02-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Reader-writer array and reader-writer array unit |
US20070030152A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Xerox Corporation | Direction signage system |
US20070055686A1 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2007-03-08 | Imation Corp. | Tracking physical inventory of data storage media |
US20070063030A1 (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2007-03-22 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Wireless tag information management device |
US20070085681A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2007-04-19 | Fred Sawyer | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US20070102529A1 (en) * | 2005-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | Macsema, Inc. | Information devices |
US20070138251A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2007-06-21 | Jay Mattlin | System and method for rfid-based printed media reading activity data acquisition and analysis |
US20070176937A1 (en) * | 2006-01-27 | 2007-08-02 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Document processing operation system |
US20080065676A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2008-03-13 | Hause Curtis B | System and method for tracing data storage devices |
US20080061979A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2008-03-13 | Hause Curtis B | Traceable RFID enable data storage device |
US20080106415A1 (en) * | 2006-11-08 | 2008-05-08 | Macsema, Inc. | Information tag |
US20080122623A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2008-05-29 | Hause Curtis B | System and method for tracing data storage devices |
US20080177591A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2008-07-24 | Jay Mattlin | System and method for rfid-based printed media reading activity data acquisition and analysis |
US20080198022A1 (en) * | 2007-02-21 | 2008-08-21 | Imation Corp. | Inkjet printable RFID label and method of printing an inkjet printable RFID label |
US20080300786A1 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2008-12-04 | Daniel Ezra Greenberg | System and method for tracking media |
US20090037146A1 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2009-02-05 | Trowbridge Jr Jack I | System and methods for testing, monitoring, and replacing equipment |
EP2021971A1 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2009-02-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and systems for localizing objects using passive rfid tags |
US7496521B1 (en) * | 2000-11-16 | 2009-02-24 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Prescription order identification system |
US20090058609A1 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2009-03-05 | Clayman Henry M | Coupon provided with rfid tag and method of using the same |
US20090139336A1 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2009-06-04 | Trowbridge Jr Jack I | Systems and methods for monitoring system performance |
US20090195384A1 (en) * | 2008-02-01 | 2009-08-06 | Honeywell International Inc. | System and method for inventory management |
US20090294531A1 (en) * | 2004-04-01 | 2009-12-03 | Kantrowitz Allen B | Containerized inventory management system utilizing identification tags |
US7661591B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2010-02-16 | Promega Corporation | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
US7710275B2 (en) | 2007-03-16 | 2010-05-04 | Promega Corporation | RFID reader enclosure and man-o-war RFID reader system |
US20100141395A1 (en) * | 2007-09-25 | 2010-06-10 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for communicating with rfid tag |
US7735732B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2010-06-15 | Promega Corporation | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products |
US20100156613A1 (en) * | 2007-09-28 | 2010-06-24 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for communicating with rfid tag |
US7747477B1 (en) | 2000-11-16 | 2010-06-29 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Pharmacy supply tracking and storage system |
US20100214064A1 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2010-08-26 | Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated | Transient routing slips and inter-office envelopes |
US7784690B1 (en) * | 2006-08-31 | 2010-08-31 | Symantec Operating Corporation | Mobile device application for managing media and media devices |
US20100223147A1 (en) * | 2009-03-02 | 2010-09-02 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Commodity settlement system, method therefor and mobil terminal |
US7887146B1 (en) | 2001-08-18 | 2011-02-15 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Suspended storage system for pharmacy |
US20110072700A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | Dominick Theresa | Color Coded Marking System for all formats of USB Flash Drives and SD Memory Cards |
US7953433B2 (en) | 2007-04-24 | 2011-05-31 | Imation Corp. | Data storage device and data storage device tracing system |
US8016194B2 (en) | 2008-03-06 | 2011-09-13 | Imation Corp. | Mobile data storage device reader having both radiofrequency and barcode scanners |
US8068011B1 (en) * | 2010-08-27 | 2011-11-29 | Q Street, LLC | System and method for interactive user-directed interfacing between handheld devices and RFID media |
US8224664B1 (en) | 2000-11-16 | 2012-07-17 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Portable prescription order distribution cart and tracking system |
US8479988B2 (en) | 2000-11-16 | 2013-07-09 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | System for pharmacy tracking and customer id verification |
US20130228134A1 (en) * | 2010-10-11 | 2013-09-05 | Innovive, Inc. | Rodent containment cage monitoring apparatus and methods |
WO2014062457A1 (en) * | 2012-10-19 | 2014-04-24 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Method and apparatus for stocking and/or restocking an item |
WO2014171955A1 (en) * | 2013-04-19 | 2014-10-23 | Curio Ltd. | Rfid disruption device and related methods |
US20150035681A1 (en) * | 2013-08-01 | 2015-02-05 | Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. | Point-to-Multipoint Polling in a Monitoring System for an Electric Power Distribution System |
US20150054620A1 (en) * | 2013-08-20 | 2015-02-26 | Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited | Method for setting up a beacon network inside a retail environment |
US9066494B2 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2015-06-30 | Innovive, Inc. | Containment systems and components for animal husbandry |
US20150227884A1 (en) * | 2014-02-07 | 2015-08-13 | Oracle International Corporation | Ranged item indicator |
US9155283B2 (en) | 2007-04-11 | 2015-10-13 | Innovive, Inc. | Animal husbandry drawer caging |
US9265229B2 (en) | 2005-06-14 | 2016-02-23 | Innovive, Inc. | Cage cover with filter, shield and nozzle receptacle |
US20160117530A1 (en) * | 2014-10-28 | 2016-04-28 | Avery Dennison Retail Branding and Information Solutions | Methods for scanning and encoding a plurality of rfid tagged items |
US9336700B2 (en) | 2006-06-07 | 2016-05-10 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Light feedback on physical object selection |
EP3029612A1 (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2016-06-08 | The Boeing Company | Locating luggage with rfid tags |
CN105788038A (en) * | 2016-01-28 | 2016-07-20 | 南京南车浦镇工业物流有限公司 | Tool management method |
US20160239689A1 (en) * | 2013-05-15 | 2016-08-18 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Company | Method for Deploying Large Numbers of Waste Containers in a Waste Collection System |
CN106055626A (en) * | 2016-05-27 | 2016-10-26 | 立德高科(昆山)数码科技有限责任公司 | Method for processing file pockets in storage based on specific images |
US20160379166A1 (en) * | 2014-10-14 | 2016-12-29 | Hand Held Products, Inc. | Identifying inventory items in a storage facility |
US20170169672A1 (en) * | 2015-12-15 | 2017-06-15 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Illuminating containers in an inventory system |
CN107009332A (en) * | 2016-01-28 | 2017-08-04 | 南京南车浦镇工业物流有限公司 | A kind of Intelligent toolbox system |
US20170244488A1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-08-24 | Electronics & Telecommunications Res Inst | Smart label and optical network management apparatus using the same |
CN107422713A (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2017-12-01 | 北京融安特智能科技股份有限公司 | File administration data interaction system |
US10044205B1 (en) | 2015-09-04 | 2018-08-07 | Borroughs Corporation | Wireless charging cart and charging rack |
US10331923B2 (en) | 2015-06-10 | 2019-06-25 | Avery Dennison Retail Information Services Llc | RFID isolation tunnel with dynamic power indexing |
USRE47599E1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2019-09-10 | Promega Corporation | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
US10448612B2 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2019-10-22 | Innovive, Inc. | Process for replacing a cage in a rodentcontainment system for animal husbandry |
US10501264B2 (en) | 2008-11-07 | 2019-12-10 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Method and apparatus for monitoring waste removal and administration |
US10585964B2 (en) | 2007-02-21 | 2020-03-10 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | System for monitoring a container |
US10729098B2 (en) | 2013-07-01 | 2020-08-04 | Innovive, Inc. | Cage rack monitoring apparatus and methods |
US10820568B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2020-11-03 | Innovive, Inc. | Metabolic caging |
US10842124B2 (en) | 2014-07-25 | 2020-11-24 | Innovive, Inc. | Animal containment enrichment compositions and methods |
US10922504B2 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2021-02-16 | Biolog-id | Device for storing elements |
US11074557B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2021-07-27 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Systems and method for interrogating, publishing and analyzing information related to a waste hauling vehicle |
US11132641B2 (en) * | 2018-08-27 | 2021-09-28 | Robert Marshall Ellis | RFID inventory system and method |
US11244747B2 (en) | 2014-10-16 | 2022-02-08 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Pharmacy security system |
US11714975B2 (en) | 2014-10-28 | 2023-08-01 | Avery Dennison Retail Information Services Llc | High density read chambers for scanning and encoding RFID tagged items |
Families Citing this family (80)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7071824B2 (en) * | 1999-07-29 | 2006-07-04 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Radio frequency identification devices, remote communication devices, identification systems, communication methods, and identification methods |
DE19950145C1 (en) * | 1999-10-18 | 2001-05-10 | Lucatron Ag Baar | Process for reading and writing RFID transponders |
US6943678B2 (en) * | 2000-01-24 | 2005-09-13 | Nextreme, L.L.C. | Thermoformed apparatus having a communications device |
WO2001090849A2 (en) | 2000-05-22 | 2001-11-29 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Trackable files and systems for using the same |
JP3896827B2 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2007-03-22 | 株式会社デンソー | Information code decoding method and decoding system |
US7614065B2 (en) | 2001-12-17 | 2009-11-03 | Automated Media Services, Inc. | System and method for verifying content displayed on an electronic visual display |
US20030229549A1 (en) | 2001-10-17 | 2003-12-11 | Automated Media Services, Inc. | System and method for providing for out-of-home advertising utilizing a satellite network |
EP1609710B1 (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2010-03-17 | HONDA MOTOR CO., Ltd. | Motor vehicle mounted with ic tag and control system for the same |
US8154409B2 (en) * | 2004-01-16 | 2012-04-10 | Sensormatic Electronics, LLC | Systems for and methods of assigning priority to reader antennae |
US7233246B2 (en) * | 2004-04-14 | 2007-06-19 | Smartguard, Llc | Hard cover product with spine-disposed concealed security device |
US7557717B2 (en) * | 2004-04-14 | 2009-07-07 | Smartguard, Llc | Hard cover product with concealed security device |
US8072330B1 (en) | 2004-04-14 | 2011-12-06 | Smartguard, Llc | Hard cover product with concealed printed security device |
US7411499B2 (en) | 2004-04-14 | 2008-08-12 | Smartguard, Llc | Hard cover product with concealed security device |
US7183918B1 (en) | 2004-04-14 | 2007-02-27 | Smartguard, Llc | Intermediate cover board with concealed security device for hard cover product |
US7114655B2 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2006-10-03 | Printronix | EPC data manager |
US7114654B2 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2006-10-03 | Printronix | RFID encoder and verifier |
JP2006028838A (en) * | 2004-07-14 | 2006-02-02 | Denso Corp | Vehicle door remote control system |
JP4550059B2 (en) * | 2004-07-29 | 2010-09-22 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Wireless tag reading system, wireless tag reader, and wireless tag |
US7118029B2 (en) * | 2004-08-27 | 2006-10-10 | Sdgi Holdings, Inc. | Smart instrument tray RFID reader |
SE0402922L (en) * | 2004-11-24 | 2005-07-26 | Electrotech Ab | Measuring device for condition control during patrol |
US7295120B2 (en) * | 2004-12-10 | 2007-11-13 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Device for verifying a location of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on an item |
US7295113B2 (en) * | 2004-12-20 | 2007-11-13 | Sap Aktiengesellschaft | Controller for accessing multiple radio frequency identification (RFID) readers |
US7506813B2 (en) * | 2005-01-06 | 2009-03-24 | Quad/Graphics, Inc. | Resonator use in the print field |
JP2006209497A (en) * | 2005-01-28 | 2006-08-10 | Seiko Epson Corp | Rfid tag, print sheet, printer device and rfid system |
US7624918B2 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2009-12-01 | Philip Morris Usa Inc. | Wireless identification based display |
JP2006272056A (en) * | 2005-03-28 | 2006-10-12 | Toshiba Tec Corp | Radio tag reader/writer |
US7413124B2 (en) * | 2005-07-19 | 2008-08-19 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | RFID reader supporting one-touch search functionality |
US7830259B2 (en) * | 2005-10-11 | 2010-11-09 | Nanonation Incorporated | Method and apparatus for RFID initiated interactive retail merchandising |
US7541925B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2009-06-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Mapping system and method for determining optimal radio transponder placement |
JP2007172139A (en) * | 2005-12-20 | 2007-07-05 | Toshiba Tec Corp | Wireless id detection device and wireless id detection method |
EP1972169A4 (en) * | 2005-12-20 | 2011-06-01 | Panifare Union Llc | System and/or method for interactive merchandising of digital content |
JP4805670B2 (en) * | 2005-12-28 | 2011-11-02 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Radio tag communication method and radio tag communication apparatus |
US20100219952A1 (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2010-09-02 | Totoku Electric Co., Ltd. | Property Retrieving System |
SG135989A1 (en) * | 2006-03-14 | 2007-10-29 | Sembcorp Logistics Ltd | A tracking system |
US7757947B2 (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2010-07-20 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | R.F.I.D. enabled storage bin and method for tracking inventory |
US7772980B2 (en) * | 2006-04-12 | 2010-08-10 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and systems for localizing objects using capacitively coupled RFIDs |
US8179265B2 (en) | 2006-06-21 | 2012-05-15 | Neology, Inc. | Systems and methods for breakaway RFID tags |
US7468650B2 (en) * | 2006-06-30 | 2008-12-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Methods and systems to improve RFID inventory polling accuracy |
US7385510B2 (en) * | 2006-06-30 | 2008-06-10 | International Business Machines Corporation | Container manifest integrity maintenance system and method |
US20100007494A1 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2010-01-14 | Zakrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo 'kasiss' | A security alarm device |
US8570172B2 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2013-10-29 | Intelleflex Corporation | RFID system with distributed transmitters |
CA2848429A1 (en) * | 2006-10-03 | 2008-04-10 | Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp | Easy load sheet product dispenser |
WO2008045941A1 (en) * | 2006-10-10 | 2008-04-17 | Estar, Inc. | A multi-tasked human resources and payroll accounting system |
US7855643B2 (en) * | 2006-11-10 | 2010-12-21 | Round Rock Research, Llc | Tracking systems, passive RFIDs, methods of locating and identifying RFIDs, and methods of tracking items |
US7965186B2 (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2011-06-21 | Corning Cable Systems, Llc | Passive RFID elements having visual indicators |
US7848348B2 (en) * | 2007-04-13 | 2010-12-07 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | System and method for managing network traffic |
US20080290159A1 (en) * | 2007-05-23 | 2008-11-27 | Fast Track Medical Response Systems, Llc | System and Method for Recording Attendance in Restricted Areas, Recording Personnel Involved in an Emergency Medical Situation, and Displaying Victim's Critical Medical Information |
US20080320377A1 (en) * | 2007-06-25 | 2008-12-25 | France Telecom | Document management system |
CN101359358B (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2013-01-02 | 日电(中国)有限公司 | Label recognizing system, label accessing device and label sposition determining method |
US20110187533A1 (en) * | 2007-08-13 | 2011-08-04 | Mti Wireless Edge Ltd. | Antenna for Near Field Radio-Frequency Identification and Method and System for Use Thereof |
JP4978794B2 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2012-07-18 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Wireless tag communication device |
US20090102610A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2009-04-23 | The Stanley Works | Rfid antenna selection system and method |
US20090108991A1 (en) * | 2007-10-31 | 2009-04-30 | Intellident Ltd | Electronically Detectable Display and Monitoring System |
US20090167502A1 (en) * | 2007-12-31 | 2009-07-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Device for verifying a location and functionality of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on an item |
US8068031B2 (en) * | 2008-02-08 | 2011-11-29 | Avery Dennison Corporation | RFID devices and methods for overlapped objects |
GB0812540D0 (en) * | 2008-07-09 | 2008-08-13 | Hughes Thomas F | Laboratory sample archiving apparatus and method |
JP2010066838A (en) | 2008-09-08 | 2010-03-25 | Brother Ind Ltd | Document management system |
US20100099398A1 (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2010-04-22 | Bauchot Frederic J | Call management system |
US8081076B2 (en) * | 2008-10-17 | 2011-12-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for visually locating short distance emission RFID tags to locate items in a container |
US8026817B2 (en) * | 2008-10-17 | 2011-09-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | RFID tag positional addressing |
US8174392B1 (en) * | 2008-10-27 | 2012-05-08 | WaveMark, Inc. | RFID medical item hanging storage system |
BRPI0901977A2 (en) * | 2009-02-11 | 2010-11-16 | Dabi Atlante Ltda | radio frequency inventory picking system |
US20110139877A1 (en) * | 2009-12-14 | 2011-06-16 | Szakelyhidi David C | Radio Frequency Identification Tag for Use on Metal Objects |
JP5011405B2 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2012-08-29 | 東芝テック株式会社 | RF tag reader / writer |
JPWO2011135886A1 (en) * | 2010-04-27 | 2013-07-18 | 日本電気株式会社 | Wireless tag sensor system and calibration method thereof |
TWI417805B (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2013-12-01 | Univ Dayeh | Inquiring, guiding and managing system for library and method thereof |
US9747478B2 (en) * | 2014-05-28 | 2017-08-29 | Astoria Solutions Pte Ltd. | Low cost, wide area RFID system |
WO2015191720A1 (en) * | 2014-06-10 | 2015-12-17 | Rapid Response System I/P, Llc | Response system and method |
US9171448B1 (en) * | 2014-06-11 | 2015-10-27 | Target Brands, Inc. | RFID tags for locating products |
US9460323B2 (en) * | 2014-06-23 | 2016-10-04 | Sony Corporation | Tag powersave |
US9418329B2 (en) | 2014-10-30 | 2016-08-16 | WaveMark, Inc. | Product holder |
CN104555220B (en) * | 2014-12-03 | 2016-08-24 | 西安科技大学 | Small-sized stereo garage based on RFID and cargo storage control method thereof |
FR3036213B1 (en) * | 2015-05-13 | 2019-11-08 | Icare Technologies | RING IDENTIFICATION DEVICE PROVIDED WITH A RADIOFREQUETIAL TRANSPONDER |
US20180235383A1 (en) * | 2015-08-10 | 2018-08-23 | Ground Star Llc | Modular rfid shelving |
US20170228688A1 (en) * | 2016-02-10 | 2017-08-10 | Tri-8, Inc. | System and method for strategic rfid tag reading using physically dispersed barcodes and supplemental automated inventory management through mobile rfid readers |
US10115073B2 (en) | 2016-03-09 | 2018-10-30 | WaveMark, Inc. | Medical cabinet communication system and methods |
JP7018457B2 (en) * | 2017-02-14 | 2022-02-10 | サフラン パッセンジャー イノベーションズ, エルエルシー | Systems and methods for maneuvering wireless network traffic in vehicles |
US20210085428A1 (en) * | 2017-08-04 | 2021-03-25 | Stryker Corporation | A surgical article and method for managing surgical articles during a surgical procedure |
CN107358566A (en) * | 2017-08-09 | 2017-11-17 | 无锡南理工科技发展有限公司 | library management system based on RFID |
US10932089B1 (en) * | 2020-05-15 | 2021-02-23 | DeCurtis LLC | Beacon reader with reduced network data traffic |
Family Cites Families (118)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3750167A (en) * | 1971-07-22 | 1973-07-31 | Gen Dynamics Corp | Postal tracking system |
US4153931A (en) * | 1973-06-04 | 1979-05-08 | Sigma Systems Inc. | Automatic library control apparatus |
JPS6010967B2 (en) * | 1977-03-15 | 1985-03-22 | 株式会社伊藤喜工作所 | Automatic individual removal and storage device for file folders |
FR2466810A1 (en) * | 1979-10-05 | 1981-04-10 | Kott Jacques | SYSTEM FOR SEARCHING CLASSIFIEDLY CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS |
US4457016A (en) * | 1980-10-10 | 1984-06-26 | Datafile Limited | File label reading system |
US4636950A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1987-01-13 | Caswell Robert L | Inventory management system using transponders associated with specific products |
US4658357A (en) * | 1983-10-04 | 1987-04-14 | B.I. Incorporated | Time and accounting system |
US4862160A (en) * | 1983-12-29 | 1989-08-29 | Revlon, Inc. | Item identification tag for rapid inventory data acquisition system |
US4688026A (en) * | 1984-05-15 | 1987-08-18 | Scribner James R | Method of collecting and using data associated with tagged objects |
US4636634A (en) * | 1984-08-28 | 1987-01-13 | Veeco Integrated Automation, Inc. | Apparatus with intelligent bins indicating the presence and identity of stored coded articles |
DE3664447D1 (en) * | 1985-04-04 | 1989-08-24 | Sekisui Jushi Kk | Inquiry system for detecting a selected object |
US4835372A (en) * | 1985-07-19 | 1989-05-30 | Clincom Incorporated | Patient care system |
JPS6346572A (en) * | 1986-08-13 | 1988-02-27 | Toshiba Corp | Retrieving device |
US4879756A (en) * | 1986-09-22 | 1989-11-07 | Stevens John K | Radio broadcast communication systems |
US4829297A (en) * | 1987-05-08 | 1989-05-09 | Allen-Bradley Company, Inc. | Communication network polling technique |
HU212136B (en) * | 1987-10-27 | 1996-03-28 | Cedcom Network Systems Pty Ltd | Communication system |
US5063380A (en) * | 1988-02-24 | 1991-11-05 | Kabushiki Kaisha Asahi Denshi Kenkyujyo | Discrete object searching apparatus for search of discrete files and the like |
US4870391A (en) * | 1988-04-05 | 1989-09-26 | Knogo Corporation | Multiple frequency theft detection system |
US5369699A (en) * | 1988-08-29 | 1994-11-29 | Bi Incorporated | Adaptable personnel supervisory system with automatic fee collection |
US4952928A (en) | 1988-08-29 | 1990-08-28 | B. I. Incorporated | Adaptable electronic monitoring and identification system |
US5204670A (en) * | 1988-08-29 | 1993-04-20 | B. I. Incorporated | Adaptable electric monitoring and identification system |
US4973086A (en) * | 1989-03-06 | 1990-11-27 | Donnelly Donald D | Records management apparatus for constructing and maintaining a file folder-based document filing and retrieval system |
US5225825A (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1993-07-06 | Meridian Incorporated | Electronic interlock for storage assemblies |
US5334822A (en) * | 1990-05-21 | 1994-08-02 | Universal Computer Technologies Inc. | Method and system for inventoring a distributed plurality of items on a supply |
US5640151A (en) * | 1990-06-15 | 1997-06-17 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Communication system for communicating with tags |
US5426284A (en) * | 1990-12-12 | 1995-06-20 | Engineered Data Products, Inc. | Apparatus for locating and tracking information storage items using predefined labels |
JP3100716B2 (en) * | 1991-01-04 | 2000-10-23 | シーエスアイアール | Identification device |
US5231273A (en) * | 1991-04-09 | 1993-07-27 | Comtec Industries | Inventory management system |
US5151684A (en) * | 1991-04-12 | 1992-09-29 | Johnsen Edward L | Electronic inventory label and security apparatus |
US5287414A (en) * | 1991-06-21 | 1994-02-15 | Esselte Pendaflex Corporation | Coded file locator system |
US5339074A (en) * | 1991-09-13 | 1994-08-16 | Fluoroware, Inc. | Very low frequency tracking system |
US5450070A (en) * | 1992-03-17 | 1995-09-12 | Massar; Sheppard | Electronic missing file locator system |
US5276431A (en) * | 1992-04-29 | 1994-01-04 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Security tag for use with article having inherent capacitance |
US5288980A (en) * | 1992-06-25 | 1994-02-22 | Kingsley Library Equipment Company | Library check out/check in system |
US5327115A (en) * | 1992-07-29 | 1994-07-05 | Remi Swierczek | Programmable document clip |
US5493392A (en) * | 1992-12-15 | 1996-02-20 | Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation | Digital image system for determining relative position and motion of in-flight vehicles |
CA2093393A1 (en) * | 1993-04-05 | 1994-10-06 | James Gauvin | Method and apparatus for labelling and tracking medical specimens |
US5459657A (en) * | 1993-06-21 | 1995-10-17 | Mirage Resorts Incorporated | Employee time entry and accounting system |
US5424858A (en) * | 1993-09-03 | 1995-06-13 | Or-An Company International, Inc. | Apparatus for locating file folders |
FR2711821B1 (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1995-12-29 | Cogema | Industrial installation monitoring system. |
US5434775A (en) * | 1993-11-04 | 1995-07-18 | The General Hospital Corporation | Managing an inventory of devices |
JPH07230563A (en) * | 1994-02-17 | 1995-08-29 | Fujitsu Ltd | Management system provided with id tag device |
US5455410A (en) * | 1994-05-03 | 1995-10-03 | Schneider; Eric D. | Filing system scanner and improved bar code |
US5581707A (en) | 1994-07-27 | 1996-12-03 | Psc, Inc. | System for wireless collection of data from a plurality of remote data collection units such as portable bar code readers |
US5682142A (en) * | 1994-07-29 | 1997-10-28 | Id Systems Inc. | Electronic control system/network |
US5541585A (en) * | 1994-10-11 | 1996-07-30 | Stanley Home Automation | Security system for controlling building access |
US5751221A (en) * | 1995-01-27 | 1998-05-12 | Steelcase Inc. | Electronic system, components and method for tracking files |
US5635693A (en) * | 1995-02-02 | 1997-06-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for tracking vehicles in vehicle lots |
US5799302A (en) * | 1995-03-30 | 1998-08-25 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method and system for minimizing attribute naming errors in set oriented duplicate detection |
US5708423A (en) * | 1995-05-09 | 1998-01-13 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Zone-Based asset tracking and control system |
US5651548A (en) * | 1995-05-19 | 1997-07-29 | Chip Track International | Gaming chips with electronic circuits scanned by antennas in gaming chip placement areas for tracking the movement of gaming chips within a casino apparatus and method |
US5794213A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1998-08-11 | Markman; Herbert L. | Method and apparatus for reforming grouped items |
US5798693A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1998-08-25 | Engellenner; Thomas J. | Electronic locating systems |
US6075441A (en) * | 1996-09-05 | 2000-06-13 | Key-Trak, Inc. | Inventoriable-object control and tracking system |
US5785181A (en) * | 1995-11-02 | 1998-07-28 | Clothestrak, Inc. | Permanent RFID garment tracking system |
SE506449C2 (en) * | 1996-02-12 | 1997-12-15 | Rso Corp | Article Surveillance systems |
US5689238A (en) * | 1996-03-08 | 1997-11-18 | Lucent Technologies, Inc. | Object locator system and methods therefor |
US5991742A (en) * | 1996-05-20 | 1999-11-23 | Tran; Bao Q. | Time and expense logging system |
US5923848A (en) * | 1996-05-31 | 1999-07-13 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for resolving names in an electronic messaging environment |
US5929981A (en) * | 1996-06-18 | 1999-07-27 | Ohmeda Inc. | System for monitoring contamination of optical elements in a Raman gas analyzer |
US5804810A (en) * | 1996-06-26 | 1998-09-08 | Par Government Systems Corporation | Communicating with electronic tags |
US5887176A (en) * | 1996-06-28 | 1999-03-23 | Randtec, Inc. | Method and system for remote monitoring and tracking of inventory |
US5745036A (en) * | 1996-09-12 | 1998-04-28 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Electronic article security system for store which uses intelligent security tags and transaction data |
US5771003A (en) * | 1996-09-24 | 1998-06-23 | Elenco Electronics, Inc. | Locating system and process |
US5814797A (en) * | 1996-11-04 | 1998-09-29 | A Rifkin Co. | Transponder system for monitoring and logging depository transactions |
ZA9710865B (en) * | 1996-12-04 | 1998-06-23 | Frederic Pagnol | A method of monitoring and programming a plurality of transponders simultaneously, and apparatus for implementing the method. |
US6151531A (en) | 1996-12-12 | 2000-11-21 | Charles Frankel Et Al | System and method for managing the alteration of garments |
US5920261A (en) * | 1996-12-31 | 1999-07-06 | Design Vision Inc. | Methods and apparatus for tracking and displaying objects |
US5883582A (en) * | 1997-02-07 | 1999-03-16 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Anticollision protocol for reading multiple RFID tags |
US5886634A (en) * | 1997-05-05 | 1999-03-23 | Electronic Data Systems Corporation | Item removal system and method |
IT1295569B1 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 1999-05-13 | Open Knowledge Snc Di Pignat P | PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR LOCALIZING OBJECTS |
IL121250A (en) * | 1997-07-07 | 2000-01-31 | Hi G Tek Ltd | Tag system |
FI104667B (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 2000-04-14 | Nokia Networks Oy | Implementation of access service |
US6023225A (en) * | 1997-07-17 | 2000-02-08 | Jeffrey V. Boley | Golf equipment inventory device |
US5963134A (en) * | 1997-07-24 | 1999-10-05 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Inventory system using articles with RFID tags |
US6025780A (en) * | 1997-07-25 | 2000-02-15 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | RFID tags which are virtually activated and/or deactivated and apparatus and methods of using same in an electronic security system |
WO1999010839A1 (en) * | 1997-08-25 | 1999-03-04 | El-Moslimany, Samia | Intelligent filing system |
US6141649A (en) * | 1997-10-22 | 2000-10-31 | Micron Electronics, Inc. | Method and system for tracking employee productivity via electronic mail |
AU1367699A (en) * | 1997-11-03 | 1999-05-24 | Arial Systems Corporation | Personnel and asset tracking method and apparatus |
US5936527A (en) * | 1998-02-10 | 1999-08-10 | E-Tag Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for locating and tracking documents and other objects |
US6154137A (en) * | 1998-06-08 | 2000-11-28 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Identification tag with enhanced security |
BR9815965A (en) * | 1998-06-08 | 2004-06-08 | St Logitrack Pte Ltd | Monitoring system |
WO2000002236A2 (en) | 1998-07-07 | 2000-01-13 | Memc Electronic Materials, Inc. | Radio frequency identification system and method for tracking silicon wafers |
EP1110163B1 (en) | 1998-08-14 | 2003-07-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Application for a radio frequency identification system |
EP1145189B1 (en) * | 1998-08-14 | 2008-05-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Radio frequency identification systems applications |
ATE352829T1 (en) * | 1998-08-14 | 2007-02-15 | 3M Innovative Properties Co | APPLICATION FOR RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS |
US6232876B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2001-05-15 | Key-Trak, Inc. | Mobile object tracking system |
US6204764B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2001-03-20 | Key-Trak, Inc. | Object tracking system with non-contact object detection and identification |
US6100804A (en) * | 1998-10-29 | 2000-08-08 | Intecmec Ip Corp. | Radio frequency identification system |
JP3643488B2 (en) * | 1998-10-30 | 2005-04-27 | 株式会社日立製作所 | IC card |
US6260049B1 (en) * | 1998-11-10 | 2001-07-10 | Electronic Paper Solutions, Inc. | Automated shelf management system and process for tracking and purging file folders in a file storage facility |
DE19856763C2 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2001-06-21 | Axel Bartsch | Electronic archiving device for objects, in particular files |
DE19856762A1 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2000-05-31 | Axel Bartsch | Electronic archiving device for files on shelf transmits visual light beam to transponder on required file |
JP2000207459A (en) * | 1999-01-11 | 2000-07-28 | Hitachi Ltd | Work supporting method and work supporting device |
US6137928A (en) * | 1999-01-29 | 2000-10-24 | Albrecht; Richard E. | Optical fiber light distribution system and method of manufacture and illumination |
JP2000251038A (en) * | 1999-03-03 | 2000-09-14 | Toshiba Corp | Radio information storage medium and method for arranging radio information storage medium |
GB9911878D0 (en) | 1999-05-22 | 1999-07-21 | Marconi Electronic Syst Ltd | Identification tag |
JP2000357251A (en) * | 1999-06-14 | 2000-12-26 | Sharp Corp | Article management system |
AU5769400A (en) * | 1999-07-01 | 2001-01-22 | Intermec Ip Corp. | Methods of placing rfid transponders in densely spaced media |
US6714121B1 (en) * | 1999-08-09 | 2004-03-30 | Micron Technology, Inc. | RFID material tracking method and apparatus |
DE20013622U1 (en) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-12-07 | Schreiner Gmbh & Co Kg | Data exchange label |
US6608551B1 (en) * | 1999-09-13 | 2003-08-19 | Intermec Ip Corp | Low-cost radio replacement utilizing RFID technology |
US6318636B1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2001-11-20 | Intermec Ip Corp. | Method and apparatus to read different types of data carriers, such RFID tags and machine-readable symbols, and a user interface for the same |
US6595418B1 (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2003-07-22 | Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. | Enhanced article management system and method |
JP2001097512A (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2001-04-10 | Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc | Article control system |
JP2001114405A (en) * | 1999-10-15 | 2001-04-24 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Article search support system |
US6496806B1 (en) | 1999-12-16 | 2002-12-17 | Samsys Technologies Inc. | Method and system for tracking clustered items |
US6354493B1 (en) * | 1999-12-23 | 2002-03-12 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | System and method for finding a specific RFID tagged article located in a plurality of RFID tagged articles |
US6400997B1 (en) * | 2000-01-06 | 2002-06-04 | Roy Rapp, III | Paperless tablet automation apparatus and method |
ES2351549T3 (en) | 2000-03-21 | 2011-02-07 | Mikoh Corporation | A RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION LABEL WITH INDICATION OF INDEBIT HANDLING. |
EP1139278A3 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2001-10-17 | Hitachi, Ltd. | A method of reading information from a data carrier attached to stacked objects |
AU2001254551A1 (en) * | 2000-04-20 | 2001-11-07 | Cogiscan Inc. | Automated manufacturing control system |
US20010037259A1 (en) * | 2000-05-11 | 2001-11-01 | Sameer Sharma | System and method for rapid ordering of business supplies |
WO2001090849A2 (en) * | 2000-05-22 | 2001-11-29 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Trackable files and systems for using the same |
WO2002045029A2 (en) * | 2000-11-03 | 2002-06-06 | Vistant Corporation | Method and apparatus for associating the movement of goods with the identity of an entity moving these goods |
US7136832B2 (en) * | 2000-12-07 | 2006-11-14 | Savi Technology, Inc. | Supply chain visibility for real-time tracking of goods |
US7100052B2 (en) * | 2001-02-01 | 2006-08-29 | Loran Technologies, Inc. | Electronic vehicle product and personal monitoring |
US20020158761A1 (en) * | 2001-04-27 | 2002-10-31 | Larry Runyon | Radio frequency personnel alerting security system and method |
-
2001
- 2001-06-05 US US09/874,749 patent/US20020180588A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2002
- 2002-05-20 US US10/153,124 patent/US7511601B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-06-03 KR KR1020037015956A patent/KR100959428B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-06-03 SG SG200507268-1A patent/SG161096A1/en unknown
- 2002-06-03 EP EP06014155A patent/EP1710728A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-06-04 AR ARP020102067A patent/AR036078A1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2004
- 2004-03-29 AR ARP040101032A patent/AR043946A2/en active IP Right Grant
-
2008
- 2008-08-05 JP JP2008202434A patent/JP5243141B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (187)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040093187A1 (en) * | 2000-07-21 | 2004-05-13 | Dames Andrew N | Multiple tag interrogation system |
US7661591B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2010-02-16 | Promega Corporation | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
US7942321B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2011-05-17 | Promega Corporation | Radio frequency identification method and system of disturbing products |
USRE46326E1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2017-02-28 | Promega Corporation | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
US8231053B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2012-07-31 | Promega Corporation | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products |
USRE47599E1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2019-09-10 | Promega Corporation | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
US8113425B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2012-02-14 | Promega Corporation | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
US7791479B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2010-09-07 | Promega Corporation | RFID point of sale and delivery method and system |
US7967199B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2011-06-28 | Promega Corporation | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products |
US7784689B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2010-08-31 | Promega Corporation | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products |
US7735732B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2010-06-15 | Promega Corporation | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products |
US8025228B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2011-09-27 | Promega Corporation | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
US8479988B2 (en) | 2000-11-16 | 2013-07-09 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | System for pharmacy tracking and customer id verification |
US7747477B1 (en) | 2000-11-16 | 2010-06-29 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Pharmacy supply tracking and storage system |
US8584941B2 (en) | 2000-11-16 | 2013-11-19 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Pharmacy tracking system with automatically-entered customer transaction information |
US8224664B1 (en) | 2000-11-16 | 2012-07-17 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Portable prescription order distribution cart and tracking system |
US7496521B1 (en) * | 2000-11-16 | 2009-02-24 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Prescription order identification system |
US9047992B2 (en) | 2001-08-18 | 2015-06-02 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Suspended storage system for pharmacy |
US8474716B2 (en) | 2001-08-18 | 2013-07-02 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Suspended storage system for pharmacy |
US7887146B1 (en) | 2001-08-18 | 2011-02-15 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Suspended storage system for pharmacy |
US20030069815A1 (en) * | 2001-10-10 | 2003-04-10 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | RFID time tracking |
US20090295582A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2009-12-03 | Frederick Sawyer | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US20090278686A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2009-11-12 | Frederick Sawyer | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US8842013B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2014-09-23 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US7834766B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2010-11-16 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US8866615B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2014-10-21 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US7834765B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2010-11-16 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US8896449B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2014-11-25 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US8279069B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2012-10-02 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US10152620B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2018-12-11 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US9619679B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2017-04-11 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US20070085681A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2007-04-19 | Fred Sawyer | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US8742929B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2014-06-03 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US7551089B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2009-06-23 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US10496859B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2019-12-03 | Automated Tracking Solutions, Llc | Method and apparatus for tracking objects and people |
US6861993B2 (en) * | 2002-11-25 | 2005-03-01 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Multi-loop antenna for radio-frequency identification |
US20040100413A1 (en) * | 2002-11-25 | 2004-05-27 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Multi-loop antenna for radio-frequency identification |
US20040183742A1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2004-09-23 | Goff Edward D. | Multi-loop antenna for radio frequency identification (RFID) communication |
US7489231B2 (en) * | 2003-05-20 | 2009-02-10 | Panasonic Corporation | Electromagnetic wave reception device, electromagnetic wave transmission device, and vehicle |
US20050247088A1 (en) * | 2003-05-20 | 2005-11-10 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. | Radio wave reception device, radio wave transmission device, and vehicle |
WO2005045701A1 (en) * | 2003-11-10 | 2005-05-19 | Easy International S.R.L. | Apparatus and process for distributed autonomous managing of documents and electronic means |
US20070255728A1 (en) * | 2003-11-10 | 2007-11-01 | Valerio Abate | Apparatus and Process for Distributed Autonomous Managing of Documents and Electronic Means |
US7421245B2 (en) | 2004-02-20 | 2008-09-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Field-shaping shielding for radio frequency identification (RFID) system |
US20050186902A1 (en) * | 2004-02-20 | 2005-08-25 | Lieffort Seth A. | Field-shaping shielding for radio frequency identification (RFID) system |
US7417599B2 (en) | 2004-02-20 | 2008-08-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Multi-loop antenna for radio frequency identification (RFID) communication |
US20050268798A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2005-12-08 | Neuhauser Alan R | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US8849182B2 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2014-09-30 | The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US20050272016A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2005-12-08 | Jensen James M | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US7408460B2 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2008-08-05 | Arbitron, Inc. | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US20050272019A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2005-12-08 | Crystal Jack C | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US20080010110A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2008-01-10 | Neuhauser Alan R | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US7650793B2 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2010-01-26 | Arbitron, Inc. | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US7443292B2 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2008-10-28 | Arbitron, Inc. | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US7272982B2 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2007-09-25 | Arbitron Inc. | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US20050272015A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2005-12-08 | Jensen James M | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US7463144B2 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2008-12-09 | Arbitron, Inc. | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US20050272018A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2005-12-08 | Crystal Jack C | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US7962315B2 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2011-06-14 | Arbitron Inc. | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US9132689B2 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2015-09-15 | The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc | Gathering data concerning publication usage |
US20060003732A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2006-01-05 | Neuhauser Alan R | Programming data gathering systems |
US7268687B2 (en) | 2004-03-23 | 2007-09-11 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Radio frequency identification tags with compensating elements |
US20050212707A1 (en) * | 2004-03-23 | 2005-09-29 | Egbert William C | Radio frequency identification tags with compensating elements |
US20090294531A1 (en) * | 2004-04-01 | 2009-12-03 | Kantrowitz Allen B | Containerized inventory management system utilizing identification tags |
US7132946B2 (en) | 2004-04-08 | 2006-11-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Variable frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) tags |
US20050237198A1 (en) * | 2004-04-08 | 2005-10-27 | Waldner Michele A | Variable frequency radio frequency indentification (RFID) tags |
US20070057797A1 (en) * | 2004-04-08 | 2007-03-15 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Variable frequency radio frequency identification (rfid) tags |
US7304577B2 (en) | 2004-04-08 | 2007-12-04 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Variable frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) tags |
US8135606B2 (en) | 2004-04-15 | 2012-03-13 | Arbitron, Inc. | Gathering data concerning publication usage and exposure to products and/or presence in commercial establishment |
US20050234774A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-10-20 | Linda Dupree | Gathering data concerning publication usage and exposure to products and/or presence in commercial establishment |
US20060252551A1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2006-11-09 | Walker Jay S | Methods and apparatus for facilitating remote viewing of gaming outcomes |
US6968994B1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2005-11-29 | Nortel Networks Ltd | RF-ID for cable management and port identification |
US20060007000A1 (en) * | 2004-07-07 | 2006-01-12 | Rosita Yap | File indexing and retrieval system employing RFID visual indicators |
US20060087407A1 (en) * | 2004-10-27 | 2006-04-27 | Intelleflex Corporation | Master tags |
US7646300B2 (en) | 2004-10-27 | 2010-01-12 | Intelleflex Corporation | Master tags |
US20060092014A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2006-05-04 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Self-adjusting portals with movable data tag readers for improved reading of data tags |
US7221269B2 (en) | 2004-10-29 | 2007-05-22 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Self-adjusting portals with movable data tag readers for improved reading of data tags |
US20060290472A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2006-12-28 | Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Adjusting data tag readers with feed-forward data |
US7623036B2 (en) | 2004-10-29 | 2009-11-24 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Adjusting data tag readers with feed-forward data |
US10448612B2 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2019-10-22 | Innovive, Inc. | Process for replacing a cage in a rodentcontainment system for animal husbandry |
US9066494B2 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2015-06-30 | Innovive, Inc. | Containment systems and components for animal husbandry |
US8115619B2 (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2012-02-14 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Information processing apparatus, document management system and method, and computer program |
US20060167906A1 (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2006-07-27 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Information processing apparatus, document management system and method, and computer program |
US20060246984A1 (en) * | 2005-03-18 | 2006-11-02 | Walker Jay S | Security methods and apparatus for a tangible medium containing wagering game outcomes |
US7753797B2 (en) * | 2005-03-18 | 2010-07-13 | Igt | Security methods and apparatus for a tangible medium containing wagering game outcomes |
US9265229B2 (en) | 2005-06-14 | 2016-02-23 | Innovive, Inc. | Cage cover with filter, shield and nozzle receptacle |
US10314287B2 (en) | 2005-06-14 | 2019-06-11 | Innovive, Inc. | Cage cover with filter, shield and nozzle receptacle |
US9888667B2 (en) | 2005-06-14 | 2018-02-13 | Innovive, Inc. | Cage cover with filter, shield and nozzle receptacle |
US9706752B2 (en) | 2005-06-14 | 2017-07-18 | Innovive, Inc. | Cage cover with filter, shield and nozzle receptacle |
US20070023518A1 (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2007-02-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Reader-writer array and reader-writer array unit |
US20070030152A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Xerox Corporation | Direction signage system |
US7375634B2 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2008-05-20 | Xerox Corporation | Direction signage system |
US20070055686A1 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2007-03-08 | Imation Corp. | Tracking physical inventory of data storage media |
US7660812B2 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2010-02-09 | Imation Corp. | Tracking physical inventory of data storage media |
US20070063030A1 (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2007-03-22 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Wireless tag information management device |
US7210626B2 (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2007-05-01 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Wireless tag information management device |
US20070102529A1 (en) * | 2005-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | Macsema, Inc. | Information devices |
US7908118B2 (en) | 2005-11-14 | 2011-03-15 | Macsema, Inc. | System and methods for testing, monitoring, and replacing equipment |
US20090037146A1 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2009-02-05 | Trowbridge Jr Jack I | System and methods for testing, monitoring, and replacing equipment |
US20090139336A1 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2009-06-04 | Trowbridge Jr Jack I | Systems and methods for monitoring system performance |
US7680625B2 (en) | 2005-11-14 | 2010-03-16 | Macsema, Inc. | Systems and methods for monitoring system performance |
US20100174508A1 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2010-07-08 | Trowbridge Jr Jack I | Systems and methods for monitoring system performance |
US20080177591A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2008-07-24 | Jay Mattlin | System and method for rfid-based printed media reading activity data acquisition and analysis |
US7959086B2 (en) | 2005-12-15 | 2011-06-14 | Gfk Mediamark Research & Intelligence, Llc | System and method for RFID-based printed media reading activity data acquisition and analysis |
US8033478B2 (en) | 2005-12-15 | 2011-10-11 | GFK Mediamark Research and Intelligence, LLC | System and method for RFID-based printed media reading activity data acquisition and analysis |
US20070138251A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2007-06-21 | Jay Mattlin | System and method for rfid-based printed media reading activity data acquisition and analysis |
US7740179B2 (en) | 2005-12-15 | 2010-06-22 | Mediamark Research, Inc. | System and method for RFID-based printed media reading activity data acquisition and analysis |
US20070176937A1 (en) * | 2006-01-27 | 2007-08-02 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Document processing operation system |
EP2021971A1 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2009-02-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and systems for localizing objects using passive rfid tags |
US9336700B2 (en) | 2006-06-07 | 2016-05-10 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Light feedback on physical object selection |
EP2030189B1 (en) * | 2006-06-07 | 2016-11-09 | Philips Lighting Holding B.V. | Light feedback on physical object selection |
US7784690B1 (en) * | 2006-08-31 | 2010-08-31 | Symantec Operating Corporation | Mobile device application for managing media and media devices |
US20080122623A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2008-05-29 | Hause Curtis B | System and method for tracing data storage devices |
US20080061979A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2008-03-13 | Hause Curtis B | Traceable RFID enable data storage device |
US20080065676A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2008-03-13 | Hause Curtis B | System and method for tracing data storage devices |
US20080106415A1 (en) * | 2006-11-08 | 2008-05-08 | Macsema, Inc. | Information tag |
WO2008130386A1 (en) * | 2006-11-08 | 2008-10-30 | Macsema, Inc. | Information tag |
US11461424B2 (en) | 2007-02-21 | 2022-10-04 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Waste container monitoring system |
US10585964B2 (en) | 2007-02-21 | 2020-03-10 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | System for monitoring a container |
US11017049B2 (en) | 2007-02-21 | 2021-05-25 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Waste container monitoring system |
US20080198022A1 (en) * | 2007-02-21 | 2008-08-21 | Imation Corp. | Inkjet printable RFID label and method of printing an inkjet printable RFID label |
US11907318B2 (en) | 2007-02-21 | 2024-02-20 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Waste container monitoring system |
US8258961B2 (en) | 2007-03-16 | 2012-09-04 | Promega Corporation | RFID reader enclosure and man-o-war RFID reader system |
US7710275B2 (en) | 2007-03-16 | 2010-05-04 | Promega Corporation | RFID reader enclosure and man-o-war RFID reader system |
US8031072B2 (en) | 2007-03-16 | 2011-10-04 | Promega Corporation | RFID reader enclosure and man-o-war RFID reader system |
US9155283B2 (en) | 2007-04-11 | 2015-10-13 | Innovive, Inc. | Animal husbandry drawer caging |
US7953433B2 (en) | 2007-04-24 | 2011-05-31 | Imation Corp. | Data storage device and data storage device tracing system |
US20080300786A1 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2008-12-04 | Daniel Ezra Greenberg | System and method for tracking media |
US8131421B2 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2012-03-06 | Fujifilm Recording Media U.S.A., Inc. | System and method for tracking media |
US20090058609A1 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2009-03-05 | Clayman Henry M | Coupon provided with rfid tag and method of using the same |
US20100141395A1 (en) * | 2007-09-25 | 2010-06-10 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for communicating with rfid tag |
US20100156613A1 (en) * | 2007-09-28 | 2010-06-24 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for communicating with rfid tag |
US20090195384A1 (en) * | 2008-02-01 | 2009-08-06 | Honeywell International Inc. | System and method for inventory management |
US8016194B2 (en) | 2008-03-06 | 2011-09-13 | Imation Corp. | Mobile data storage device reader having both radiofrequency and barcode scanners |
US10501264B2 (en) | 2008-11-07 | 2019-12-10 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Method and apparatus for monitoring waste removal and administration |
US11767164B2 (en) | 2008-11-07 | 2023-09-26 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Method and apparatus for monitoring waste removal and administration |
US11267646B2 (en) | 2008-11-07 | 2022-03-08 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Method and apparatus for monitoring waste removal and administration |
US11286108B2 (en) | 2008-11-07 | 2022-03-29 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Method and apparatus for monitoring waste removal and administration |
US20100214064A1 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2010-08-26 | Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated | Transient routing slips and inter-office envelopes |
US8344854B2 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2013-01-01 | Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated | Transient routing slips and inter-office envelopes |
US20100223147A1 (en) * | 2009-03-02 | 2010-09-02 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Commodity settlement system, method therefor and mobil terminal |
US20110072700A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | Dominick Theresa | Color Coded Marking System for all formats of USB Flash Drives and SD Memory Cards |
US9858455B2 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2018-01-02 | Q Street, LLC | System and method for interactive user-directed interfacing between handheld devices and RFID media |
US8068011B1 (en) * | 2010-08-27 | 2011-11-29 | Q Street, LLC | System and method for interactive user-directed interfacing between handheld devices and RFID media |
US9516857B2 (en) | 2010-10-11 | 2016-12-13 | Innovive, Inc. | Rodent containment cage monitoring apparatus and methods |
US9516858B2 (en) * | 2010-10-11 | 2016-12-13 | Innovive, Inc. | Rodent containment cage monitoring apparatus and methods |
US10278361B2 (en) | 2010-10-11 | 2019-05-07 | Innovive, Inc. | Rodent containment cage monitoring apparatus and methods |
US20130228134A1 (en) * | 2010-10-11 | 2013-09-05 | Innovive, Inc. | Rodent containment cage monitoring apparatus and methods |
US11430554B2 (en) | 2011-02-14 | 2022-08-30 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Pharmacy stock supply tracking system |
WO2014062457A1 (en) * | 2012-10-19 | 2014-04-24 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Method and apparatus for stocking and/or restocking an item |
US9483717B2 (en) | 2012-10-19 | 2016-11-01 | Symbol Technologies, Llc | Method and apparatus for stocking and/or restocking an item |
US9525510B2 (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2016-12-20 | Curio Ltd. | RFID disruption device and related methods |
US10572790B2 (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2020-02-25 | Curio Ltd. | RFID disruption device and related methods |
US9870527B2 (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2018-01-16 | Curio Ltd. | RFID disruption device and related methods |
WO2014171955A1 (en) * | 2013-04-19 | 2014-10-23 | Curio Ltd. | Rfid disruption device and related methods |
US9965714B1 (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2018-05-08 | Curio Ltd. | RFID disruption device and related methods |
US10019663B1 (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2018-07-10 | Curio Ltd. | RFID disruption device and related methods |
US11144736B2 (en) | 2013-05-15 | 2021-10-12 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Method for deploying large numbers of waste containers in a waste collection system |
US10635864B2 (en) * | 2013-05-15 | 2020-04-28 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Company | Method for deploying large numbers of waste containers in a waste collection system |
US11640575B2 (en) | 2013-05-15 | 2023-05-02 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Method for deploying large numbers of waste containers in a waste collection system |
US20160239689A1 (en) * | 2013-05-15 | 2016-08-18 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Company | Method for Deploying Large Numbers of Waste Containers in a Waste Collection System |
US10729098B2 (en) | 2013-07-01 | 2020-08-04 | Innovive, Inc. | Cage rack monitoring apparatus and methods |
US20150035681A1 (en) * | 2013-08-01 | 2015-02-05 | Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. | Point-to-Multipoint Polling in a Monitoring System for an Electric Power Distribution System |
US20150054620A1 (en) * | 2013-08-20 | 2015-02-26 | Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited | Method for setting up a beacon network inside a retail environment |
US9245160B2 (en) * | 2013-08-20 | 2016-01-26 | Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. | Method for setting up a beacon network inside a retail environment |
US20150227884A1 (en) * | 2014-02-07 | 2015-08-13 | Oracle International Corporation | Ranged item indicator |
US10842124B2 (en) | 2014-07-25 | 2020-11-24 | Innovive, Inc. | Animal containment enrichment compositions and methods |
US20160379166A1 (en) * | 2014-10-14 | 2016-12-29 | Hand Held Products, Inc. | Identifying inventory items in a storage facility |
US9792582B2 (en) * | 2014-10-14 | 2017-10-17 | Hand Held Products, Inc. | Identifying inventory items in a storage facility |
US11244747B2 (en) | 2014-10-16 | 2022-02-08 | Gsl Solutions, Inc. | Pharmacy security system |
US11714975B2 (en) | 2014-10-28 | 2023-08-01 | Avery Dennison Retail Information Services Llc | High density read chambers for scanning and encoding RFID tagged items |
US20160117530A1 (en) * | 2014-10-28 | 2016-04-28 | Avery Dennison Retail Branding and Information Solutions | Methods for scanning and encoding a plurality of rfid tagged items |
EP3029612A1 (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2016-06-08 | The Boeing Company | Locating luggage with rfid tags |
US10331923B2 (en) | 2015-06-10 | 2019-06-25 | Avery Dennison Retail Information Services Llc | RFID isolation tunnel with dynamic power indexing |
US10044205B1 (en) | 2015-09-04 | 2018-08-07 | Borroughs Corporation | Wireless charging cart and charging rack |
US9928698B2 (en) * | 2015-12-15 | 2018-03-27 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Illuminating containers in an inventory system |
US20170169672A1 (en) * | 2015-12-15 | 2017-06-15 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Illuminating containers in an inventory system |
CN107009332A (en) * | 2016-01-28 | 2017-08-04 | 南京南车浦镇工业物流有限公司 | A kind of Intelligent toolbox system |
CN105788038A (en) * | 2016-01-28 | 2016-07-20 | 南京南车浦镇工业物流有限公司 | Tool management method |
US20170244488A1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-08-24 | Electronics & Telecommunications Res Inst | Smart label and optical network management apparatus using the same |
US11727363B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2023-08-15 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Company | Systems and method for interrogating, publishing and analyzing information related to a waste hauling vehicle |
US11074557B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2021-07-27 | Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co. | Systems and method for interrogating, publishing and analyzing information related to a waste hauling vehicle |
CN106055626A (en) * | 2016-05-27 | 2016-10-26 | 立德高科(昆山)数码科技有限责任公司 | Method for processing file pockets in storage based on specific images |
US10922504B2 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2021-02-16 | Biolog-id | Device for storing elements |
US11602122B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2023-03-14 | Innovive, Inc. | Metabolic caging |
US10820568B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2020-11-03 | Innovive, Inc. | Metabolic caging |
CN107422713A (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2017-12-01 | 北京融安特智能科技股份有限公司 | File administration data interaction system |
US11132641B2 (en) * | 2018-08-27 | 2021-09-28 | Robert Marshall Ellis | RFID inventory system and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
SG161096A1 (en) | 2010-05-27 |
US20020196126A1 (en) | 2002-12-26 |
KR20040006021A (en) | 2004-01-16 |
KR100959428B1 (en) | 2010-05-25 |
AR043946A2 (en) | 2005-08-17 |
JP2008285331A (en) | 2008-11-27 |
EP1710728A3 (en) | 2008-06-11 |
EP1710728A2 (en) | 2006-10-11 |
US7511601B2 (en) | 2009-03-31 |
JP5243141B2 (en) | 2013-07-24 |
AR036078A1 (en) | 2004-08-11 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7511601B2 (en) | Radio frequency identification in document management | |
CA2449301C (en) | Radio frequency identification in document management | |
AU2002303964A1 (en) | Radio frequency identification in document management | |
US7113095B2 (en) | Trackable files and systems for using the same | |
EP1185953B1 (en) | Storage system | |
US7023344B2 (en) | Smart documents and process for tracking same | |
JP2006124123A (en) | Filing security system and article security system | |
CN101223542A (en) | Electronic label provided with means for reading and displaying a rfid chip content | |
JP2009116907A (en) | Method of inquiring of radio frequency identification tag related to object item | |
Dhanalakshmi et al. | RFID based library management system | |
Bansode et al. | Implementation of RFID technology in University of Pune Library | |
JPH1179328A (en) | Control system for lending article | |
JP2006259800A (en) | Data acquisition device | |
EP3816894A1 (en) | Method and system for discrete object tracking | |
Shinde et al. | Automated Book Management and Tracking System for Libraries Using RFID | |
Bansal | RFID System in Library: Application of Library Management System | |
JP2003216744A (en) | Library and library automation system | |
Saha | A Case Study on Pre and Post Implementation Phase of EM-RFID Technology in Bidhan Chandra Roy Memorial Library of IIM Calcutta | |
Vyas et al. | Emergence of best security systems for libraries: RFID | |
WO2005121832A1 (en) | Method, system and apparatus for document management | |
JP2000289813A (en) | Management tag, stock management system, and method thereof |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, MINNESOTA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ERICKSON, DAVID P.;KELLIHER, WILLIAM J., JR.;SAINATI, ROBERT A.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:012268/0958 Effective date: 20011003 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: EXPRESSLY ABANDONED -- DURING EXAMINATION |