Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, LLC

Other

Avery Dennison Information Services LLC

Paxar Corporation

Mark W Roth

Donald A Morrison

Jason Reichard

Stephen F Sagan

John M Walsh

Joseph Bradford Wells

Frederick Bleckmann

Dan Rock

Curtis T Stackable

In some embodiments, a mobile tote system includes a closeable mobile tote comprising an enclosure that includes a first radio-frequency-reflective surface and at least one radio-frequency-transparent layer. The system may include an engagement component that includes an RFID scanner having an RFID antenna. The engagement component may be configured to engage the mobile tote and to align the RFID scanner with the at least one radio-frequency-wave-transparent interface of the mobile tote to permit transmissions between the RFID antenna and the interior of the enclosure to pass through the radio-frequency-wave-transparent interface.

RFID tote systems and methods

Systems and methods of using multiple read area zones to generate more accurate item-level data are described herein. In some embodiments, the systems and methods involve a local read area in combination with a wide read area. In some embodiments, a local area read device alone, or in combination with a wide area read device, is used to detect the removal or return of a product from a merchandising location or area in retail establishment. In some embodiments, a local area read alone, or in combination with a wide area read device, is used to detect the removal or return of a product from a merchandising location or area in retail establishment by detecting/reading a digital trigger on the product.

Systems containing multiple read zones and methods of use thereof

A system for reading RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket includes a chamber sized and configured to receive a shopping cart or basket. The chamber includes a portal sized and configured to accommodate a shopping cart or basket, along with an associated closure that is movable between open and closed conditions. At least one antenna coupled to an RFID reader is associated with an interior of the chamber and oriented to send signals to and receive signals from RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket within the chamber. The chamber and the closure are configured to prevent signals sent to and from RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket within the chamber from exiting the chamber. A transport mechanism may be provided to automatically move the shopping cart or basket through the chamber.

Shopping cart/basket reader systems and methods

In some embodiments, a monitoring system may include an RFID reader mounted to a support structure. The RFID reader may be configured for continuously scanning for RFID tagged items within a field and issuing an alert when an alert condition has been triggered.

RFID monitoring systems and methods

In some embodiments, an RFID system for product identification may include a compartment having a first wall and a second wall that extend toward each other and that together define at least part of a cavity and a channel. The cavity may extend laterally along a first direction and may be configured to contain a suspended package and having a first width may extend along a second direction. The channel may extend laterally along the first direction and having a second width may extend along a second direction, the channel being in fluid communication with the cavity, the channel may be configured to limit movement along the second direction of a support that extends downward through the channel and into the cavity to support the suspended package, the second width of the channel being narrower than the first width of the cavity.

Systems and methods for using RFID technology to identify products

In some embodiments, a product management system includes at least one receiving location configured to receive a product associated with at least one smart device encoded with a unique identifier. The product management system further includes a reader system configured to receive a first signal transmitted from the at least one smart device, determine a time measurement, determine a state of the product based at least in part on a time measurement, and transmit a second signal based on the state of the product. The product management system further includes at least one display associated with the product and configured to receive the second signal from the reader system, and generate a visual indication of the state of the product based at least in part on the second signal.

Integration of RFID technology into management of products

Some embodiments include a kit for forming a radio frequency container. The kit may include a top panel, a bottom panel having a raised support, at least one side panel configured to connect the top panel and the bottom panel, and an RF antenna configured for attachment to an interior surface of the container. The top panel, the bottom panel, and the at least one side panel may be configured to reflect and contain RF signals within the radio frequency container.

Kit for forming a radio frequency signal isolating container

In some embodiments, an RFID device includes an RFID chip, a first antenna coupled to the RFID chip, and a cardboard substrate. The RFID chip may be at least one of attached to the cardboard substrate at a position and embedded within the cardboard substrate at the position. The cardboard substrate may form at least part of a carton blank configured to cover the RFID chip position with at least one layer of cardboard when the carton blank has been assembled into a closed box.

RFID and packaging substrate systems and methods

A process for RFID certification of carton content. Cartons may be packed with a number of RFID-tagged items and sealed. A carton may then be placed in the proximity of a scanner, which may verify the number and type of items present in the container. The carton ID information and measured RFID data of the carton contents may then be compared to a database, and an RFID pack certification label prepared for the carton if there is no mismatch. Cartons may then be scanned after unloading at a distribution center and again after they are reloaded, for example by passing them through a door portal. Such a method may substantially reduce the costs of scanning and tracking items in a supply chain.

Process for RFID certification of carton content

An RFID reader apparatus designed to limit interference in a role of auditing individual RFID tagged or labeled items in areas of surrounding dense RIFD transponder populations. Such an RFID reader apparatus may include an RFID reader, a specialized antenna, and an enclosure, which may be constructed from ferrous material and which may be configured to hold the RFID reader and the specialized antenna in separate compartments. The enclosure may have one or more shelves, which may also be constructed from ferrous material. The RFID reader apparatus may also have a lid constructed from non-ferrous material. The RFID reader apparatus may be fitted to the bottom of an auditing workstation, for example with screws or other connectors, or may be placed within an auditing workstation specifically equipped to accommodate it.

Interference-reducing RFID reader

A method for recovering missed RFID tagged items in an RFID tunnel environment is disclosed. The method comprises using a dynamic RFID tunnel system comprised of a first RFID tunnel and a second RFID tunnel to inventory one or more containers of items having RFID tags. A first RFID read of the one or more containers is performed in the first RFID tunnel and compared to an expected containers' inventory stored in a database. If the comparison does not match, a second RFID read of the containers is performed in a second, subsequent RFID tunnel at a higher RFID read power and by moving the containers at a speed slower than a speed of movement of the containers into the first RFID tunnel. If a comparison of the second read to the expected containers' inventory still does not match, the containers may be recirculated through the tunnel system or may be diverted to an exceptions audit depending on how the system is configured.

Method for missed item recovery in RFID tunnel environments

High density read chambers are provided for scanning and/or encoding a plurality of RFID tagged items. Such chambers may include an enclosure with an interior defined by upper and lower surfaces, with a sidewall extending therebetween. An access (such as a door) may be associated with at least one of the surfaces or the sidewall, with the access being at least partially opened to access the interior of the enclosure from an outside location. The chamber further includes an antenna positioned within the interior of the enclosure and an RFID reader associated with the antenna. The RFID reader receives signals from and/or transmits signals to the antenna, while the antenna emits a scanning or encoding signal within the interior of the enclosure, with at least a portion of at least one of the surfaces or the sidewall including a signal-reflective material facing the interior of the enclosure.

High density read chambers for scanning and encoding RFID tagged items

A self-locking bolt assembly is provided having a short stroke allowing the assembly to be contained within the receiver. The assembly has a base plate, a recoil rod with a spring, a bolt body, a bolt and a locking mechanism. The bolt is internally (i.e. lockable onto itself) lockable when the bolt is in battery. The locking mechanism, for example, can be a roller bearing, a lever lock, a cam rotary lock or a roller. The locking mechanism engages to recoil rod and prevents rearward motion of the bolt. Blowback and reciprocation of the bolt are temporarily delayed after a shot is fired until after the bolt is unlocked. Rearward movement of the bolt body due to inertia causes the locking mechanism to be disengaged to unlock the bolt and to allow for reciprocation of the bolt.

Self-locking bolt system not requiring an external surface to lock to

A radio frequency identification (RFID) apparatus includes a housing, an RFID reader, and one or more RFID antennas disposed in the housing. The housing includes a first opening, a second opening, and a tunnel between the first and second openings. The housing is configured to be disposed over a track configured to transport a garment on hanger through the tunnel. The RFID antennas are configured to generate a first RFID signal substantially in the tunnel to interrogate an RFID tag associated with a garment on hanger as it transits through the tunnel. The RFID reader receives a second RFID signal transmitted by the RFID tag in response to receiving the first RFID signal. The RFID apparatus can include a segment of the track. The track can include a trolley configured to secure one or more garments on hangers. The trolley can include an RFID tag.

RFID reader for garments on hangers

A system of distributed printing for use with automated robotic sorting has at least one work cell including a robotic sorting station, and a plurality of locations that receive sorted items from the robotic sorting station, with each of the plurality of locations having a separate printer. Each printer is configured to print labels related to items received by the respective location, wherein the printers in the work cell are configured in a network that receives data relating to the labels to be printed in the respective locations. Also included is a method of using the system and operating the automated robotic sorting station to place items in the plurality of locations, and sending data to the work cell relating to the labels to be printed in the respective plurality of locations by the separate printers and in association with the items received by the respective plurality of locations.

Growing community of inventors

North Miami, FL, United States of America

Mark W Roth