Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Robert Jerome Colwill

Aaron M McDaniel

Nirmal Doshi

Yuxing Tang

Nathan Pius O'Neill

Alpeshkumar Manubhai Vaghasia

Nathan P O'neill

Storage units including platforms that are outfitted with RFID antennas and auxiliary sensors detect changes in loading on the platforms based on changes in loading determined by the auxiliary sensors or changes in signals received by the RFID antennas. The platforms include surfaces for receiving items tagged with RFID transmitters thereon, such as items of common types and variable weights. An interaction involving the placement of an item on the platform, or the removal of the item from the platform, is detected by the auxiliary sensors. The energization of an RFID field is triggered in response to the detected interaction, and an item is identified where an RFID signal transmitted by the item is present at one time and absent at another time.

Detecting interactions with storage units based on RFID signals and auxiliary signals

This disclosure describes systems for enabling a just-walk-out (JWO) facility in which users may enter the facility, physically pick one or more items, and walk out of the facility to rent, purchase, or otherwise acquire the items without needing to perform a manual checkout for the items. In some instances, a tag, such as an RFID tag, may attach to each item in the facility, which may include an exit system that includes RFID readers for detecting when a tag exits the facility. The exit system may also include one or more additional sensors to help identify which of multiple checkout lanes the tag and item exited through for ensuring that the item is associated with the proper user account and/or the appropriate payment instrument is charged.

Increasing accuracy of RFID-tag transactions

Growing community of inventors

Bainbridge Island, WA, United States of America

Robert Jerome Colwill