Container-classification identification using directional-antenna RFID

Method of identifying a classification of a container using a mobile station including a controller, an image capture device, and an RFID reader having a reader antenna, the method comprising:

• using the image capture device, capturing one or more image(s) of the container to provide captured image data, wherein the container has two RFID tags affixed thereto at respective, different tag locations, each tag including a respective directional antenna steered in a respective, different direction, so that respective directional propagation patterns are defined and a reader location is defined in an intersection of the propagation patterns;
• the controller automatically determining, using the captured image data, whether the mobile station is in a candidate reader location;
• and
• when the mobile station is in the candidate reader location, the controller activating the RFID reader to attempt to read both tags, so that if both tags are read while the mobile station is in the candidate reader location, the controller determines the classification of the container is a classification corresponding to the candidate reader location;
• disposing each container within the space at a respective container position;
• so that the propagation patterns of the tags for each container intersect to define a respective per-container reader location with respect to the respective container position, and the tag locations, antenna directions, and container positions are selected so that the respective per-container reader locations for each container disposed in the space at least partially overlap to define a reader location.