US 12,002,337 B1Granted

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

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsAaron M. McDaniel, Nathan P. O'Neill, Nirmal Doshi, Yuxing Tang, Robert Jerome Colwill

Life of this patent

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Abstract

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.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a computer system;
a shelf;
a plurality of sensors, wherein each of the sensors is provided in association with the shelf, and wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate a signal indicative of a force applied to the sensor;
and
a platform resting on each of the plurality of sensors, wherein the platform further comprises:
a plurality of RFID antennas, wherein each of the plurality of RFID antennas is configured to emit an RF field and to receive RFID signals;
an RFID reader;
at least one computer processor;
and
a transceiver in communication with the RFID reader and the computer system,
wherein the computer system is programmed with one or more sets of instructions that, when executed, cause the computer system to at least:
receive, from the platform by way of the transceiver, a first set of data determined from a first set of RFID signals transmitted by a first set of RFID transmitters at a first time;
receive, from the sensors, a first set of signals generated in response to forces supplied to the sensors at approximately the first time;
determine a first weight on the platform at the first time based at least in part on the first set of signals;
identify a first set of items based at least in part on the first set of data and the first weight;
and
in response to identifying the first set of items,
store at least one indication that at least the first set of items is on the platform at the first time.

15 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, by at least one RFID antenna associated with a first platform, a first set of RFID signals, wherein each of the first set of RFID signals is transmitted by one of a first set of RFID transmitters, and wherein each of the first set of RFID transmitters is associated with one of a first set of items at a first time;
determining that the first set of items is provided on the first platform at the first time based at least in part on the first set of RFID signals;
receiving, by the at least one RFID antenna, a second set of RFID signals, wherein each of the second set of RFID signals is transmitted by one of a second set of RFID transmitters, and wherein each of the second set of RFID transmitters is associated with one of a second set of items at approximately a second time;
determining that the second set of items is provided on the first platform at approximately the second time based at least in part on the second set of RFID signals;
and
identifying an item based at least in part on a difference between the first set of items and the second set of items,
wherein the item is in one of the first set of items or the second set of items.

4 more elements

A system comprising:

a shelf;
a plurality of sensors resting on the shelf, wherein each of the sensors is configured to generate a signal indicative of a force applied to one of the sensors;
a platform, wherein the platform rests on each of the plurality of sensors;
and
an assembly provided in association with the platform, wherein the assembly comprises:
at least one RFID antenna;
an RFID reader in communication with the at least one RFID antenna;
one or more computer processors;
and
a transceiver in communication with the one or more computer processors and at least one computer system external to the platform,
wherein the RFID reader is configured to at least:
receive a first set of signals from at least some of the plurality of sensors, wherein each of the first set of signals is generated by one of the plurality of sensors at approximately a first time;
determine a first weight on the platform at approximately the first time based at least in part on the first plurality of signals;
receive a second set of signals from the plurality of sensors, wherein each of the second set of signals is generated by one of the plurality of sensors at approximately a second time;
determine a second weight on the platform at approximately the second time based at least in part on the second plurality of signals;
determine that the second weight is not equal to the first weight;
and
in response to determining that the second weight is not equal to the first weight,
cause the at least one RFID antenna to emit an RF field at approximately a third time;
receive a first RFID signal by the at least one RFID antenna at approximately the third time, wherein the first RFID signal is transmitted by an RFID transmitter associated with an item within the RF field at approximately the third time;
identify the item based at least in part on the first RFID signal and an absolute value of a difference between the first weight and the second weight;
transmit an indication that the item was placed on the platform not later than the third time to the at least one computer system.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/059,144Filed 28 Nov 2022 · continuation
Priority: 10 Dec 2020
Granted: 4 Jun 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G08B 13/1472
By lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles: with force or weight detection
G08B 13/2417
Using inductive tags: having a radio frequency identification chip
G08B 13/246
Specific applications combined with EAS: check out systems combined with EAS, e.g. price information stored on EAS tag
G08B 13/248
Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags: eAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS…

Family

Application17/118,417Parent of this continuation · filed 10 Dec 2020
US 11,514,766 B1Parent of this continuation
US 12,002,337 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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