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

摘要

A method and system for providing point-of-sale and point-of-delivery and/or distribution of products in a restricted access unit near the customer. The method and system utilize products equipped with radio frequency tags and reduce the effects of energy sharing, shadowing, and nulls. In one embodiment, a plurality of RF tagged products are placed within a refrigerator, cabinet, or other micro-warehouse that has a door or opening that can detect access to the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, one or more antennas are positioned within the door. Each antenna may have a transmission line of sight and be configured to emit a signal at predefined frequencies. Each antenna generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, the products are positioned in one or more bins, compartments, or similar devices located within the micro-warehouse such that at least two of the plurality of products are spaced a distance from each other to reduce energy sharing. The electromagnetic field is moved or altered within the micro-warehouse through the use of reflectors, devices that move the antennas, or other mechanisms.

主权项

1. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the id="REI-00003" date="20170228" RFID id="REI-00003" cabinet comprising:
a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a second side, a third side, a bottom and at least one lockinglockable door; an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on items placed within the cabinet; and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controlsis configured to control unlocking and locking of the lockinglockable door, wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and wherein the computer is configured to at a plurality of times record data read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector.