Apparatus, System, and Method for Automated Item Tracking
AssigneeElement ID, Inc.
InventorsJohn E. Romaine, David L. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an automated item tracking method, comprising the steps of reading an RFID signal, obtaining a reported position of an RFID signal generator, measuring the strength of the read RFID signal, creating a read profile, obtaining a physical package profile, comparing the read profile to the physical package profile, and generating a weighted read profile to estimate an actual position of the RFID signal generator by comparing the weighted read profile with the physical package profile.
Claims9
An automated item tracking method, comprising the steps of:
- reading an RFID signal;
- obtaining a reported position of an RFID signal generator;
- measuring the strength of the read RFID signal;
- creating a read profile;
- obtaining a physical package profile;
- comparing the read profile to the physical package profile;
- and
- generating a weighted read profile to estimate an actual position of the RFID signal generator by comparing the weighted read profile with the physical package profile.
An automated item tracking system, comprising:
- means for reading an RFID signal;
- means for obtaining a reported position of an RFID signal generator;
- means for measuring the strength of the read RFID signal;
- means for creating a read profile;
- means for obtaining a physical package profile;
- means for comparing the read profile to the physical package profile;
- and
- means for estimating an actual position of the RFID signal generator by comparing the weighted read profile with the physical package profile.
An automated item tracking system, comprising:
- an RFID reader having an RF module, a processor, and an antenna;
- a package detector;
- a position indicator;
- and
- a processor, the processor operatively connected to the RFID reader, package detector, and position indicator.
An automated item tracking system calibration method, comprising the steps of:
- running a conveyor at a stable and measurable speed;
- placing a package of known dimensions on the conveyor, the package having an RFID signal generator in a predetermined position on the package;
- reading an RFID signal repeatedly and recording the change in distance of the RFID signal generator;
- calculating a package position based on the read RFID signal;
- and
- calculating an offset based on the difference between the known package position and the calculated package position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.