Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Oleg Kantor

Tak Keung Joseph Lui

David Bruce McCalib, Jr

Alton Paul Werronen

Roman Shmulevich

Nelson Andres Ramon

Christopher Raymond Grajewski

Jeremy A Dashe

Maju Cheruvallil Kuruvilla

Joshua David Landry

David Henry Clark

Allan Scott Bathurst

Matthew Bartol

Will Seidelman

James Gergory Martin

Fabien Lepoutre

Mark G McDonald

Patrick Rubin

Embodiments herein describe aggregating RFID events before determining a location of an RFID tagged item. For example, a warehouse may be divided into different zones in which the RFID tagged item is tracked. An inventory tracking system may require that at least one RFID reader detect the RFID tagged item a threshold number of times before determining that the item is at the location corresponding to the reader. Thus, even if RFID readers at neighboring locations in the zone also detect the RFID tagged item, the inventory tracking system determines the location with the most RFID events is the most likely location of the package. By aggregating RFID events, the inventory tracking system can provide a more accurate location of the RFID tagged item in a noisy environment or an environment with a high density of RFID readers.

Aggregating RFID events to determine a location

Embodiments presented herein describe a location aware, RFID-enabled pallet mover for tracking inventory moving in a warehouse. The pallet mover includes a RFID system for detecting a pallet currently loaded on the pallet mover and a real-time location system (RTLS) tag for identifying a location of the pallet mover in the warehouse. In one embodiment, the RFID system includes an antenna and an RFID reader for detecting RFID tags in order to track inventory such as a pallet or packages. The RFID reader can communicate with the RFID tags in the environment to identify which pallet is currently loaded on the mover. In one embodiment, the RFID system waits until the pallet mover is moving before activating the RFID reader and monitoring a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of an RFID tag to determine whether the corresponding pallet is currently loaded onto the pallet mover.

RFID enabled and location aware pallet mover

Techniques for monitoring objects being placed onto a plurality of pallets. A controller is configured to analyze images captured by the plurality of camera devices to determine when a first object is placed onto a first one of the plurality of pallets. Upon determining that the first object has been placed onto the first pallet, the controller can determine a first identifier corresponding to the first object using the RFID reader corresponding to the first pallet and can determine an intended pallet corresponding to the first object. Upon determining that the first pallet onto which the first object was placed is not the intended pallet for the first object, the user is notified using the feedback mechanism.

Multi sensor domain&#x2014;multi tier camera system for package identification

Embodiments herein describe a package management system that uses two operation modes of RFID readers (i.e., an inventory mode and a search mode) to provide feedback to an associate when a package has been mis-sorted. In one embodiment, the RFID readers are attached to one or more RFID antennas which each are disposed overhead a respective container or storage location in a warehouse. For example, each of the antennas may have a beam pattern or read region that covers the container. Using the RFID antennas, the RFID reader can query the RFID tags in the container to identify the packages stored in the container. In one embodiment, the RFID reader switches to the search mode after a new package is identified. Using the search mode, the RFID reader can quickly identify when the package is stored in the container and provide prompt feedback to the associate.

Overhead RFID antenna

A method of interrogating a plurality of RFID tags comprises interrogating a first RFID tag with a read command comprising a masking value for a predefined portion of a User Memory Bank of the first RFID tag. The predefined portion stores state information for the first RFID tag. The masking value corresponds to a non-quiesced state relative to the read command interrogation. The method further comprises receiving a response from the first RFID tag that indicates that the first RFID tag is in the non-quiesced state. The method further comprises interrogating the first RFID tag with a write command that instructs the first RFID tag to write a predefined value to the predefined portion of the User Memory Bank, wherein writing the predefined value to the predefined portion places the first RFID tag in a quiesced state relative to a subsequent read command interrogation comprising the masking value.

Dynamic RFID tag singulation using state information masking

Embodiments herein describe an RFID reader tray which includes a receptacle for detecting RFID tags disposed on physical items. In one embodiment, a sidewall is disposed around the periphery of a bottom support structure and extends away from the bottom support structure to form the receptacle. The reader tray includes an RFID antenna disposed under the bottom support structure on which the items can be placed. The material of the bottom support structure is selected such that RFID signals emitted by the RFID antenna can radiate through the bottom support structure and reach RFID tags placed on items in the receptacle. In one embodiment, the reader tray includes a shield for reflecting the RFID signals so that the most of the RFID signals radiate through the bottom support structure and into the receptacle.

Mobile tray for performing RFID reads

The embodiments herein measure the tag to noise ratio (TNR) for a tag on an item (e.g., a package) to determine a location of the item in a warehouse. In one embodiment, the TNR is derived by comparing a measured performance parameter for a tag of interest to the combined measured performance parameters for other tags measured by the same reader or for the same tag when measured by a different RFID reader. The higher the TNR, the greater likelihood the tag is within an area assigned to the reader. In another embodiment, the TNR is derived from comparing the signal strength of a tag as measured by multiple RFID readers. In another example, respective TNR values for a plurality of tags detected by a reader can be compared to determine which tag is being carried by an associate.

RFID tag singulation in dense RFID environments

Embodiments presented herein describe an RFID system for detecting RFID tags in order to track inventory such as a pallet or individual packages. The RFID system includes at least one portal located in an inventory transport area. For example, the portal may be disposed at or near a dock door in a warehouse in order to detect when an RFID tag (and the corresponding inventory) passes through the door&#x2014;e.g., when the inventory is loaded onto a truck. In one embodiment, the portal defines at least two RFID detection regions. For example, the portal may generate a RFID sensing region and a RFID read region. In one embodiment, a wide beam antenna generates the RFID sensing region while a narrow beam antenna generates the RFID read region.

Pre-notification with RFID dock door portals

Techniques for determining an item location based on multiple RFID parameters from multiple read events are described. In an example, a computer system may access a first read event. A first RFID reader located within a first zone may have generated the first read event at a first time. The first read event may identify an RFID tag and may include first RFID parameters. The computer system may access a second read event. A second RFID reader located within a second zone may have generated the second read event at a second time within a predefined amount of time from the first time. The second read event may identify the RFID tag and include second RFID parameters. The computer system may determine whether the item location falls within the first zone or the second zone based on two or more first RFID parameters and two or more second RFID parameters.

Determining a location based on radio frequency identification (RFID) read events

Disclosed embodiments relate to a rapid inventory management system that comprises an RFID reader, an antenna with an antenna shape, a high-conductive material, and RFID tags attached to items. In some embodiments, an inventory management system tracks inventory by interrogating RFID tags with an RF wave of a wavelength generating an RFID field and receiving data from the RFID tags that include information on the item. The high-conductive material may disposed at a distance of a quarter wavelength from the antenna. The antenna may comprise a particular shape of bends and arms, the arms at a distance of a quarter wavelength from each other.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) inventory management system

Features are disclosed for a wearable scanning device that can passively initiate scanning for wireless identifiers such as RFID tags. The wearable scanning device may include a force sensor, an accelerometer, or a motion activated switch that can initiate the scanning when detecting an action performed by an associate (e.g., lifting) without an express intent from the associate to scan.

Wearable passive scanning device

Features are disclosed for collecting wireless identifier signals such as from RFID tags to accurately determine the location of items associated with the wireless identifier. Carefully coordinating when to begin and end collection of the signals and analysis of the signals and signal characteristics (e.g., received signal strength) allow a carried item to be identified and its location determined. Additional features are described to further validate the location of the item.

Growing community of inventors

Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Oleg Kantor