Radio frequency identification system for inventory handling, tracking, and checkout
US8448857B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07G1/0009
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
One embodiment provides a method of handling for-sale items while shopping at a brick-and-mortar store, including inventorying, tracking, and scanning the for-sale items at checkout. Customers select and bag items while they shop. Each item includes an RFID tag uniquely identifying the item or category of item. The customer brings the shopping cart to an unloading zone of a checkout station. Another, empty shopping cart is positioned in an unloading zone. The customer may receive electronic guidance in positioning the shopping carts. As the customer moves the bags from the shopping cart in the unloading zone to the shopping cart in the loading zone, the bags are scanned by the RFID scanner without removing the items from the bags. Redundant RFID scanners may be provided to increase reliability, and a UPC scanner may be provided as a backup. The shopping carts at the loading zone and unloading zone may be weighed and the weights compared, to guard against possible theft of goods.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.