U.S. patent application number 11/366499 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for apparatus for and method of using an intelligent network and rfid signal router.
Invention is credited to Richard J. Campero, Thomas Cocotis, Steve Trivelpiece, Tim von Kaenel.
Application Number | 20060220874 11/366499 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36941847 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060220874 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campero; Richard J. ; et
al. |
October 5, 2006 |
Apparatus for and method of using an intelligent network and RFID
signal router
Abstract
Apparatuses, systems for, and methods of transporting digital
signals and radio-frequency ("RF") signals are disclosed. In
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an
intelligent network (e.g., a combination router) and corresponding
method are provided for transporting RF signals to, for example, an
RFID antenna and transporting digital signals to, for example, a
controller. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent network is
implemented with a manager unit for controlling a plurality of
network devices to facilitate the efficient management of
RFID-enabled devices. The network devices may include a combination
router/switch, which has the capability of switching both digital
data and RF data, RFID readers, RFID reader/writer pads, and other
devices. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the intelligent
network allows enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for
interrogation of RFID antennae.
Inventors: |
Campero; Richard J.; (San
Clemente, CA) ; Cocotis; Thomas; (San Diego, CA)
; Trivelpiece; Steve; (Irvine, CA) ; von Kaenel;
Tim; (Coto De Caza, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP
1825 EYE STREET NW
Washington
DC
20006-5403
US
|
Family ID: |
36941847 |
Appl. No.: |
11/366499 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60657709 |
Mar 3, 2005 |
|
|
|
60673757 |
Apr 22, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/572.7 ;
340/10.1; 340/572.1; 709/220; 713/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 70/166 20180101;
H04L 29/12226 20130101; H04L 67/18 20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801;
Y02D 70/144 20180101; H04L 41/0213 20130101; H04L 69/14 20130101;
H04W 88/14 20130101; H01Q 1/2225 20130101; H04L 61/2015 20130101;
G06K 17/0022 20130101; H04L 67/125 20130101; H04W 40/02 20130101;
Y02D 70/30 20180101; G06K 7/0008 20130101; G06K 7/10079 20130101;
G06K 7/10316 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/572.7 ;
709/220; 713/153; 340/010.1; 340/572.1 |
International
Class: |
G08B 13/14 20060101
G08B013/14 |
Claims
1. A method of transporting signals to an RFID reader antenna, the
method comprising the steps of: selecting a first communication
route for transporting at least one RF signal from an RFID reader
to at least one RFID antenna; selecting a second communication
route for transporting at least one digital signal from a first
controller to a second controller; transporting the at least one RF
signal to the RFID antenna along the first communication route; and
transporting the at least one digital signal to the second
controller along the second communication route.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of selecting a first
and second communication route respectively comprises selecting a
communication route in accordance with a routing method.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the routing method is selected
from the group consisting of: operational readiness, RIP, IGRP,
OSPF and EIGRP.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of selecting a first
communication route and selecting a second communication route
result in selection of first and second communication routes
sharing substantially the same communication route for transporting
both digital signals and RF signals.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of selecting a first
communication route and selecting a second communication route
result in selection of first and second communication routes
substantially different for transporting digital signals than for
transporting RF signals.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of dividing the
digital signal into data packets for transporting over the second
communication route.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of dividing the
data packets into smaller packets.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of combining
the data packets into larger data packets.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a first
controller is performed by a controller selected from the group
consisting of a shelf controller, a gondola controller, and a
primary controller.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of providing a
combination router for performing the steps of transporting the at
least one RF signal and transporting the digital signal from the
combination router to the second controller.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising transporting the at
least one digital signal to a third controller; and wherein the
combination router switches a plurality of routes at the same
time.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one digital signal
comprises at least one data signal.
13. A method of transporting signals to an RFID reader antenna
through a network, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a
first communication route for transporting at least one RF signal
output from an RFID reader to at least one RFID antenna; selecting
a second communication route for transporting at least one digital
signal from a first controller to a second controller; transporting
the at least one RF signal to the RFID antenna along the first
communication route; transporting the at least one digital signal
to the second controller along the second communication route;
detecting the at least one RF signal output at at least one
location in the network; and controlling the RFID reader based on
the detecting step.
14. The method of transporting signals as recited in claim 13,
wherein: the detecting step detects, at the location of the at
least one RFID antenna, the signal characteristics of the at least
one RF signal output from the RFID reader and received at the at
least one RFID antenna; and the controlling step comprises
controlling RF power level of the output from the RFID reader based
on the detecting step.
15. The method of transporting signals as recited in claim 14,
wherein the detecting step uses a sensor located at the location of
the at least one RFID antenna to detect the signal characteristics
of the at least one RF signal output from the RFID reader.
16. The method of transporting signals as recited in claim 13,
wherein the controlling step comprises controlling a frequency of
activation of the RFID reader based on the detecting step.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Nos. 60/657,709, filed Mar. 3, 2005; and
60/673,757, filed Apr. 22, 2005, which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
[0002] This application also expressly incorporates the following
U.S. Patent Applications by reference in their entirety: U.S.
patent application Ser. Nos. 10/338,892, filed Jan. 9, 2003; Ser.
No. 10/348,941, filed Nov. 20, 2003; and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Nos. 60/346,388, filed Jan. 9, 2002; 60/350,023, filed
Jan. 23, 2002; 60/469,024, filed May 9, 2003; 60/479,846, filed
Jun. 20, 2003; and 60/571,877 filed May 18, 2004.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems typically use
one or more reader antennae to send radio frequency (RF) signals to
items comprising RFID tags. The use of such RFID tags to identify
an item or person is well known in the art. In response to the RF
signals from a reader antenna, the RFID tags, when excited, produce
a disturbance in the magnetic field (or electric field) that is
detected by the reader antenna. Typically, such tags are passive
tags that are excited or resonate in response to the RF signal from
a reader antenna when the tags are within the detection range of
the reader antenna.
[0004] The detection range of the RFID systems is typically limited
by signal strength over short ranges, for example, frequently less
than about one foot for 13.56 MHz systems. Therefore, portable
reader units may be moved past a group of tagged items in order to
detect all the tagged items, particularly where the tagged items
are stored in a space significantly greater than the detection
range of a stationary or fixed single reader antenna. Alternately,
a large reader antenna with sufficient power and range to detect a
larger number of tagged items may be used. However, such an antenna
may be unwieldy and may increase the range of the radiated power
beyond allowable limits. Furthermore, these reader antennae are
often located in stores or other locations where space is at a
premium and it is expensive and inconvenient to use such large
reader antennae. Alternatively, multiple small antennae may be
used. However, such a configuration may be awkward to set up when
space is at a premium and wiring is preferred or required to be
hidden.
[0005] Current RFID reader antennae are designed to maintain a
maximum read range between the antenna and associated tags, without
violating FCC regulations regarding radiated emissions. When tagged
items are stacked, the read range of an antenna can be impeded due
to "masking" of the stacked, tagged items. As a result, the masking
limits the number of tags that an antenna may read at a given time,
and consequently affects the number of products that may be
read.
[0006] Resonant reader antenna systems are currently utilized in
RFID applications, where numerous reader antennae are connected to
a single reader. Each reader antenna may have its own tuning
circuit that is used to match to the systems characteristic
impedance. However, multiple reader antennae (or components
thereof) cannot be individually controlled when they are connected
by a single transmission cable to a reader unit.
SUMMARY
[0007] Apparatuses, systems for, and methods of transporting
digital signals and radio-frequency ("RF") signals are disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an
intelligent network, a device, and corresponding methods and
systems are provided for transporting RF signals to, for example,
an RFID antenna and transporting digital signals to, for example, a
controller. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent network is
implemented with a manager unit for controlling a plurality of
network devices to facilitate the efficient management of
RFID-enabled devices. The devices may include a combination
router/switch, which has the capability of switching both digital
data and RF data, RFID readers, RFID reader/writer pads, and other
devices (e.g., antennae). In accordance with preferred embodiments,
the intelligent network allows enhanced flexibility in controlling
systems for interrogation of RFID antennae.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates the front side of a display fixture in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary antenna
system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary
antenna system incorporating primary, gondola, and shelf
controllers to select antennae in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary
antenna system further incorporating additional gondola controllers
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary
antenna system further incorporating multiple RFID readers in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
combination router in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
switching apparatus for routing RF signals in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 7B is a simplified block diagram illustrating an
exemplary switching apparatus for routing RF signals in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system
for routing data and RF signals in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for
routing data and RF signals in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention; and
[0018] FIGS. 10-13 illustrate schematic representations of an
exemplary implementation of a process in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention for determining an RF network
topology; and
[0019] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an exemplary IntelliRouter.TM.
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0020] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an exemplary IntelliSwitch.TM.
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an exemplary IntelliPad.TM. in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary deployment of
IntelliManager.TM. across several sites in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of hardware and software
components in an exemplary implementation of a preferred
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an RFID Read Process
in accordance with an exemplary implementation of a preferred
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a Read process in accordance with
an exemplary implementation of a preferred embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a Reader Instance Manager in
accordance with an exemplary implementation of a preferred
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 22 illustrates the creation of an RF path in accordance
with an exemplary implementation of a preferred embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 23 illustrates the destruction of an RF Path in
accordance with an exemplary implementation of a preferred
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 24 is a block schematic illustration of an exemplary
implementation of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0030] FIG. 25 illustrates the response of an IntelliManager.TM. to
faults on the network in accordance with an exemplary
implementation of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Preferred embodiments and applications of the invention will
now be described. Other embodiments may be realized and changes may
be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. Although the preferred
embodiments disclosed herein have been particularly described as
applied to the field of RFID networks, devices, methods, and
systems, and other signaling networks, devices, methods, and
systems (e.g., DC pulse communications, and voltage-level based
communications (Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL), etc.)), it
should be readily apparent that the invention may be embodied in
any technology having the same or similar problems.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a display fixture,
incorporating three backplanes 1, 2, and 3 with attached shelves 4
and 5. In the examples herein, antennae will be described that may
be placed in, for example, approximately horizontal planes as at
positions 6 and 7 in accordance with preferred embodiments of the
invention. This display fixture may be useful for monitoring
inventory of RFID tagged items, or other marked or tagged items,
such as optical disk media 8 (shown on the shelves). As used
herein, the term "RFID tagged item" refers to an item marked or
tagged in any manner capable of detection, including, but not
limited to, RFID, DC pulse communications, and voltage-level based
communications (TTL, etc.). As used herein, the term "RFID system,"
"RFID antennae system," "RFID reader," "reader antennae," or "RFID
feed system" refers to any system or device capable of transporting
signals related to detection of marked or tagged items including,
but not limited to, RFID, DC pulse communications, and
voltage-level based communication systems. It is understood that
any RFID tagged item can be used in place of optical disk media 8.
Preferably optical disk media 8 has an attached RFID tag 9 that can
be detected by an RFID system. The display fixture of FIG. 1 is an
exemplary implementation of a preferred embodiment, but it should
be understood that other fixtures or non-fixtures may embody the
invention, and that antennae described here can be used in
orientations other than the exemplary horizontal orientation.
[0033] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
a multiple RFID antenna system is illustrated in FIG. 2. The
exemplary antenna system includes reader antennae 10, with
associated antenna boards 20, gondola controllers 30, shelf
controllers 40a, 40b, 40c, and an RFID reader 50. The antenna
boards 20 may not be needed for some antenna designs. If present,
antenna boards 20 may include tuning components (e.g., tuning
circuitry) and other components (e.g., gondola controllers 30,
shelf controllers 40a, 40b, 40c) and may include logic and
switching controls as necessary to perform the operations described
herein. In one embodiment, the antenna board may comprise reader
antenna 10.
[0034] The RFID feed system shown in FIG. 2 incorporates an RFID
reader 50 and a feed line 45 (e.g., a coaxial cable) leading to a
structure 70 (e.g., a store display fixture or "gondola"). When
additional gondolas are used, the additional gondolas (e.g.,
gondola 71) may be joined into the circuit as described below.
[0035] The RF signal in cable 45 may be routed by gondola
controller 30 so that it is sent to shelves on gondola 70, or
bypasses gondola 70 and continues on to additional gondolas such as
gondola 71. In one preferred embodiment, the term "RF signal"
refers to radio frequency signals used, for example, to interrogate
an RFID reader antenna or group of antennae. However, it is
understood that the term "RF signal" also refers to any other
signals capable of being used with the exemplary devices, systems,
and methods including, but not limited to, DC pulse communications,
or voltage-level based communications (TTL, etc.).
[0036] In this embodiment, the term "shelf" refers to one shelf or
a group of shelves served by a single shelf controller 40a, 40b,
40c, and the term "gondola" refers to a structure including one or
more shelves. The terms "shelf" and "gondola," however, are not
meant to be limiting as to the physical attributes of any structure
that may be used to implement embodiments of the invention, but
used merely for convenience in explaining this embodiment. Any
known structure for storing, housing, or otherwise supporting an
object may be used in implementing the various embodiments of the
invention. For example, an RF switch 31 may either cause the RF
signal to bypass the gondola 70, and continue on through connection
80a to gondola 71 (or through connection 80b), or the RF switch 31
may cause the RF signal to feed into gondola 70. It is to be
understood that the term "RF switch" refers to any switch capable
of transmitting a signal including, but not limited to, RF, DC
pulse communications, or voltage-level based communications (ITL,
etc.) signals. Furthermore, one or more additional RF switches 32
may route the RF signal to a particular shelf, for example, through
connections 61a, 61b, or 61c to shelves 21a, 21b, or 21c upon
gondola 70. In a preferred embodiment, a shelf controller (e.g.,
controller 40a) may switch the RF signal to one or more of the
antenna boards 20 and then to antenna 10. It will be appreciated
that while FIG. 2 shows three shelves on gondola 70, and eight
antennae per shelf, any suitable number of shelves and antennae per
shelf may be used in accordance with preferred embodiments of the
invention. Furthermore, RF switch 32 can also switch the RF signal
to an individual antenna. For example, RF switch 32 can transport
the RF signal to antenna 11 (through connection 61d and antenna
board 12).
[0037] In one embodiment, the use of RF switch 31 may result in an
"insertion loss." That is, some RF power may be lost as the signal
passes through the switch. Thus, the level of RF power reaching
gondola 71 and successive additional gondolas may be less than the
RF power reaching gondola 70. It is to be understood that the term
"RF power" refers to any power source capable of being used with
the devices, systems, and methods described herein including, but
not limited to, RF, DC pulse communications, or voltage-level based
communication (TTL, etc.) power. In one embodiment, however, the RF
power may be approximately equal at each antenna 10. For example,
it may be desired to set the RF power level at a given antenna 10
high enough to read all RFID tags attached to items resting on the
given antenna 10, but not so high as to read RFID tags attached to
items resting on adjacent antennae. RF attenuators can be used in
accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention to adjust
and/or equalize the power level at each antenna 10. For example, RF
attenuators (not shown) could be placed between a shelf controller
(e.g., controller 40a) and each antenna 10 and used to regulate the
RF power at each gondola. It is to be understood that the term "RF
attenuator" refers to any attenuator capable of adjusting and/or
equalizing the power level at each antenna including, but not
limited to, RF, DC pulse communications, or voltage-level based
communication (TTL, etc.) power. The RF attenuators may be chosen,
for example, to attenuate the RF power more at gondola 70 and less
at gondola 71 and successive additional gondolas. In one
embodiment, RF attenuators may be placed at other locations within
the circuitry (e.g., in connections 61a, 61b, 61c, or between
switches 31 and 32) to achieve the same result, as will be apparent
to those skilled in the art. In another embodiment, a variable
attenuator can be placed between the reader 50 and the switch 30
such that the power can be digitally controlled for each antenna
10. In another embodiment, the reader 50 may be capable of variable
RF power output. Placing an RF power detection circuit on the shelf
controllers (e.g., RF power detection circuit 41 located on
controller 40a) permits control of the RF power delivered to
antenna 10.
[0038] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
a plurality of antennae 10 optionally having associated antenna
boards 20, shelf controllers 40a, 40b, 40c, gondola controllers 30,
and associated wiring, may all be contained in or on a physical
structure, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2 as gondola 70 and
gondola 71.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment with the reader
50 being controlled by a primary controller 100 that sends commands
or control signals along control cable 105 to select which antenna
is active at any time. In one preferred embodiment, the control
signal is a digital signal. The term "digital signal" refers, in
one preferred embodiment, to any binary signal encoding data that
can be transported via any suitable carrier (e.g., CAN bus, RS-232,
RS-485 serial protocols, Ethernet protocols, Token Ring networking
protocols, etc). Between gondolas (70, 71, etc.), the commands or
control signals (e.g., digital signals) may be carried on control
cable 81a and 81b. Within a shelf, the commands or control signals
may be carried by cable or cables 35. The primary controller 100
may be a processing device (e.g., microprocessor, discrete logic
circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
programmable logic circuit, digital signal processor (DSP), etc.).
Furthermore, the shelves may also be configured with shelf
controllers 40a, 40b, 40c, and the gondola controller 30 with
circuitry 34 for communicating with the primary controller 100 to,
for example, select antennae 10. The shelf controllers 40a, 40b,
40c and gondola controllers 30 may also be microprocessors (or
other processing devices) with sufficient input/output control
lines to control the RF switches connected to their associated
antennae.
[0040] In one preferred embodiment, primary controller 100 may
selectively operate any of the switches by sending commands (e.g.,
via digital signals) containing a unique address associated with
antenna 10 through, for example, a digital data communication cable
105. The addresses could be transmitted through the use of
addressable switches (e.g., switches identical or functionally
equivalent to a Dallas Semiconductor DS2405"1-Wire.RTM."
addressable switch). Each such addressable switch, for example,
provides a single output that may be used for switching a single
antenna. Preferably, the primary controller 100 may selectively
operate any or all the switches by utilizing one or more gondola
controllers 30 and/or shelf controllers 40a, 40b, 40c. For example,
these controllers may be a processing device, which can provide
multiple outputs for switching more than one antenna (e.g., all the
antennae 10 in proximity to the shelf controller 40a, 40b, 40c).
The primary controller 100 may also be any processing device.
Communications between the primary controller 100 and the gondola
controller 30, for example, can be implemented by using
communication signals in accordance with well known communication
protocols (e.g., CAN bus, RS-232, RS-485 serial protocols, Ethernet
protocols, Token Ring networking protocols, etc.). Likewise
communications between the gondola controller 30 and shelf
controller 40a, 40b, 40c may be implemented by the same or
different communication protocols.
[0041] The term "intelligent station" generally refers to
equipment, such as a shelf, which may include controllers, switches
and/or tuning circuitry, and/or antennae. More than one intelligent
station may be connected together and connected to or incorporated
with an RFID reader. A primary controller can be used to run the
RFID reader and the intelligent stations. The primary controller
itself may be controlled by application software residing on a
computer. In one embodiment, an "intelligent station" is an
"intelligent shelf."
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent shelf system is
controlled through an electronic network 120, as shown in FIG. 3.
The network can include, for example, the Internet, Ethernet, a
local network, Controller Area Network (CAN), serial, Local Area
Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN). A controlling system that
controls the intelligent shelf system will send command data to the
primary controller 100 via Ethernet, RS-232, or other signaling
protocol. These commands include, but are not limited to,
instructions for operating the RFID reader unit 50 and switches
associated with gondola controllers 30 and shelf controllers 40a,
40b, 40c. The primary controller 100 is programmed to interpret the
commands that are transmitted through the unit. If a command is
intended for the reader unit 50, the primary controller 100 passes
that command to the reader unit 50. Other commands could be used
for selecting antennae 10, and these commands will be processed if
necessary by primary controller 100 to determine what data should
be passed through digital data communication cable 105 to the
gondola controllers 30 and, for example, on to the shelf
controllers 40a, 40b, 40c.
[0043] Likewise, the shelf controllers 40a, 40b, 40c, and the
gondola controllers 30 can transport data signals to the primary
controller 100, as can the reader unit 50. In one preferred
embodiment, primary controller 100 transports result data back to
the controlling system through the electronic network 120. The
inventory control processing unit 130, shown in FIG. 3, is one
example of such a controlling system. As discussed further herein
with respect to the intelligent shelf system, the electronic
network and controlling system are used interchangeably to depict
that the intelligent shelf system may be controlled by the
controlling system connected to the intelligent shelf system
through an electronic network 120.
[0044] Primary controller 100 of FIG. 3 can determine whether a
command from the electronic network 120 should be sent via a
digital signal to reader 50, or should be sent through the
communication cable 105. Primary controller 100 can relay data it
receives from the communication cable 105, and from reader unit 50,
back to the electronic network 120. In one preferred embodiment,
the electronic network issues a command to read one or more
antennae. In this embodiment, the primary controller 100 can send a
digital signal to (a) set the proper switch or switches for that
antenna, (b) activate the reader, (c) receive data back from the
reader, (d) deactivate the reader, and (e) send the data back to
the electronic network 120. Further details of the processing of
command signals from a host by the controller can be found in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/338,892 (filed Jan. 9, 2003), which
has been incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the primary controller 100 can be
placed between the electronic network 120 and the reader as shown,
for example, in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, a variety of reader
types (e.g., readers 50) can be used as needed. For example, the
commands from the electronic network 120 to the controller 100 may
be transported using generic control data (e.g., not
reader-specific), thus allowing for expanded uses by various types
of readers. In this preferred embodiment, the electronic network
120 can send a "read antennae" command to a controller 100. The
controller 100 in turn can then translate this command into the
appropriate command syntax required by each reader unit 50.
Likewise, the controller 100 can also receive the response syntax
from the reader unit 50 (which may differ based on the type of the
reader unit), and parse it into a generic response back to the
electronic network 120. The command and response syntax may differ
for each type of reader unit 50, but the primary controller 100
makes this transparent to the electronic network 120.
[0046] In FIG. 3, a portion of the control cable 81a that extends
beyond shelf 70, and a portion of the RF cable 80a extends beyond
shelf 70, are shown outside of the shelf. However, as would be
recognized by those skilled in the art, these extended portions of
the cables may also be contained within the shelf or another
structure. Additional extended control cable portions 81b and
additional extended RF cable portions 80b may be used to connect to
more shelves or groups of shelves. Likewise, additional shelves
(not shown) may be added to groups of shelves, for example, to
gondolas 70 or 71 as would be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
[0047] The item information data collected by the reader units 50
from each of the intelligent shelves may be transmitted to an
inventory control processing unit 130. The inventory control
processing unit 130 is typically configured to receive item
information from the intelligent shelves. The inventory control
processing unit 130 is typically connected to the intelligent
shelves over an electronic network 120 and is also associated with
an appropriate data store 140 that stores inventory related data
including reference tables and also program code and configuration
information relevant to inventory control or warehousing. The
inventory control processing unit 130 is also programmed and
configured to perform inventory control functions that are well
known to those skilled in the art. For example, some of the
functions performed by an inventory control (or warehousing) unit
include: storing and tracking quantities of inventoried items on
hand, daily movements or sales of various items, tracking positions
or locations of various items, etc.
[0048] In operation, the inventory control system would determine
item information from the intelligent shelves that are connected to
the inventory control processing unit 130 through an electronic
network 120. In one preferred embodiment, one or more intelligent
shelves are controlled by inventory control processing unit 130.
Inventory control processing unit 130 can determine when the reader
units 50 are under control of primary controller 100 and poll the
antennae 10 to obtain item inventory information. In an alternate
embodiment, the controller(s) 100 may be programmed to periodically
poll the connected multiple antennae for item information and then
transmit the determined item information to the inventory control
processing unit 130 using a reverse "push" model of data
transmission. In a further embodiment, the polling and data
transmission of item information by the primary controller 100 may
be event driven, for example, triggered by a periodic replenishment
of inventoried items on the intelligent shelves. In each case, the
primary controller 100 would selectively energize the multiple
antennae connected to reader 50 to determine item information from
the RFID tags associated with the items to be inventoried.
[0049] Once the item information is received from the reader units
50 of the intelligent shelves, the inventory control processing
unit 130 processes the received item information using, for
example, programmed logic, code, and data at the inventory control
processing unit 130 and at the associated data store 140. The
processed item information is then typically stored at the data
store 140 for future use in the inventory control system and method
of the invention.
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing parts of
the system that connect to several gondola controllers 30, 30b,
30c, 30d, 30e, and 30f. Other parts of a system that may be
associated with a gondola 70, 71, as shown in FIG. 3, for
simplicity are not repeated in FIG. 4 (or if repeated, are not
described where the structural and functional aspects are
substantially the same as in FIG. 3). FIG. 4 illustrates how an
RFID reader 50 may send RF signals along connection 45 to gondola
controller 30 and how the RF signals may then be directed to
additional gondola controllers along connections 80a, 80b, 80c,
80d, 80e, and 80f. Likewise primary controller 100 may send
commands or control signals along cable 105 to gondola controller
30, and from there on to additional gondola controllers through
connections 81a, 81b, 81c, 81d, 81e, and 81f. In a preferred
embodiment, the command or control signals (e.g., digital signals)
can select a communication route for sending an RF signal (e.g.,
from RFID reader 50 to connection 61c through switches 31 and
32).
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing parts of
the system that connect to several gondola controllers 30, 30b,
30c, 30d, 30e, and 30f. Other parts of a system that may be
associated with a gondola, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, for
simplicity are not repeated in FIG. 5 (or if repeated, are not
described where the structural and functional aspects are the same
as in FIG. 3 or 4). FIG. 5 illustrates how a second RFID reader 51
can send RF signals along connection 46 to gondola controller 30d
and how the RF signals may then be directed to additional gondola
controllers along connections 80d, 80e, and 80f. Likewise another
primary controller 101 may send commands or control signals along
cable 106 to gondola controller 30d, and from there on to
additional gondola controllers through connections 81d, 81e, and
81f. In another preferred embodiment, using more than one
controller 100, 101 or RFID reader 50, 51 may improve reliability
and speed.
[0052] The architecture of the Internet is an example of technology
where digital data traveling between two computers is typically
routed along a path that may pass through several intervening
computers (also known as routers). Furthermore the path may change
from time to time, or even during a single transmission. Routing
methods have been developed to control the data path so that
orderly and simultaneous transmissions may occur between multiple
computers. Some of the routing methods that may be used include
distance-vector types such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol)
and (Cisco's) IGRP (Interior Gateway Routing Protocol), and
link-state methods such as OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and
(Cisco's) EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing protocol). These
routing methods are well known and are used as examples only, but
the concept of a router is not limited by the routing method used
to choose the data path.
[0053] While the concept of a digital data router is known, one
preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a combination
router that routes both RF and digital signals. The router, in one
embodiment, can transport an RF signal from an RFID reader 50, 51
along one or more paths to a particular antenna or group of
antennae. Such an RF router may be used, for example, to provide
redundancy or backup capability for the RF signal paths. In another
preferred embodiment, the router is capable of transporting command
or control signals (e.g., digital data) between a primary
controller 100, 101 and an antenna or antennae 10. In yet another
embodiment, a switching system is provided for selecting
communication routes (e.g., predetermined data pathways and through
predetermined nodes or routers) for RF signals (e.g., between an
RFID reader and antenna(e)) and for data signals. In this
embodiment, the RF signals and data signals can be transported
along an RF pathway following substantially the same communication
route as the pathway for digital signals. In one preferred
embodiment, the communication routes for RF signals and for digital
signals are different. In order to determine which pathways are
available for RF signals, in one embodiment the combination router
may communicate RF or non-RF "neighbor query" signals over the
available RF pathways. By using neighbor query signals, each
combination router may determine which other combination routers or
other devices are connected to the combination router, and the
system may then determine all available RF pathways.
[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary combination router 600 for
RF signals as well as command or control signals in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the invention. Additional description of
such a router can be found in U.S. Patent Application No.
60/657,709, which has been incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. Preferably, the combination router 600 may comprise one
or more logical units 605 that cooperate with a data router 610,
and an RF router 650. It should be understood that such an
exemplary combination router can comprise any suitable number of
logical units 605, data routers 610 and RF routers 650. In an
exemplary embodiment, the data router 610 and RF router 650 are
located proximate to one another, for example, within combination
router 600. For simplicity in the following discussion, one or more
data routers such as 610 may be designated "D", and one or more RF
routers such as 650 may be designated "R". Furthermore for
simplicity, logical units 605 with a combination router may be
omitted from some drawings. Data router 610 may operate according
to established routing methods such as RIP, OSPF, or any other
routing method. In this example data router 610 has multiple ports
that each may have bidirectional capabilities. For illustrative
purposes, two such ports have been labeled as inputs 611 and 612,
although more or fewer inputs may be used. Other ports have been
labeled as outputs 621, 622, 623, and 624, although more or fewer
outputs may be used. RF router 650 may operate such that the RF
signals follow essentially the same routes as the data signals, or
RF router 650 may send RF signals along routes that are similar or
even different from the data signals. In this example, RF router
650 has two inputs 631 and 632 and four outputs 641, 642, 643, and
644, although more or fewer inputs and outputs may be used. It is
understood the terms "input" and "output" are used for convenience
herein, and that RF and data communications may take place in
either direction. For example, data signals and RF signals can be
transported from a controller and an RF antenna respectively
through the "outputs" of the combination router and out the
"inputs" to their destination (e.g., a primary controller 100, 101
and an RFID reader 50, 51, respectively). In addition, devices
(e.g., reader) which may be connected in some portions of the
network to an "input" port may be attached to an "output" port
without limiting the functionality or capabilities of the devices
in the system or the configuration of the system. Similarly, other
devices (e.g., antenna) which may be connected in some portions of
the network to an "output" port may be attached to an "input" port
without limiting the functionality or capabilities of the devices
in the system or the configuration of the system.
[0055] Data router 610 may be a "router" such as is used on the
Internet or on other digital networks, or it may be any device
which accomplishes the task of routing digital data. It is well
known that digital data may be divided into "packets" for
transmission over networks. In passing through a data router 610,
the data may temporarily be placed in local memory while data
switching is being done. "Switching" may occur such that data
received through an "input" is then routed to one or more
"outputs," or back out a second "input." However, for explanation
purposes here it will be assumed that data is received in one input
and are routed to one output.
[0056] In one preferred embodiment, RF router 650 is configured so
that one input is routed to one and only one output, although a
plurality of switching devices may be provided to switch individual
signals. FIG. 7A shows an example where an RF signal entering on
input connection 631 is routed through RF switch 6510 to output
connection 643. Also, an RF signal entering on input connection 632
is routed through RF switch 6520 to output connection 641. In FIG.
7B, the diagram is simplified by the use of a crossover ("X") 6530
to denote the RF path, without showing the details of RF switches
6510 and 6520. The RF switches 6510, 6520, 6530 may include any
number and type of devices capable of switching an RF signal, for
example, PIN diodes or other RF switching devices.
[0057] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary system for routing data and
RF signals in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention. An electronic network 120 may be used with connection
121 to a primary controller 100, and an RFID reader 50 may be
connected to primary controller 100. One or more additional primary
controllers may be used, such as primary controller 101 (connected
to the electronic network 120 through connection 122 and having an
RFID reader 51 connected. As described herein, the readers 50, 51
may be controlled by the primary controllers 100, 101. One or more
combination routers 600, 601, 602, etc. may be provided to route
data and RF signals. For example, primary controller 100 may be
connected via connection 105 to a data input on the data ("D") part
of combination router 600, and may also be connected to a data
input on the data ("D") part of another combination router 601.
Also, for example, RFID reader 50 may be connected via connection
45 to an RF input on the RF ("R") part of combination router 600,
and may also be connected to an RF input on the RF ("R") part of
another combination router 601. Each combination router 600, 601,
602, etc. can comprise any suitable number of logical units 605,
data routers 610, and RF routers 650.
[0058] Similarly, additional primary controller 101 may be
connected via connection 106 to a data input on the data ("D")
router of combination router 600, and may also be connected to a
data input on the data ("D") router of another combination router
601. Also for example, RFID reader 51 may be connected via
connection 46 to an RF input on the RF ("R") router of combination
router 600, and may also be connected to an RF input on the RF
("R") router of another combination router 601 via connection 46.
The data inputs 105 and 106 are understood to be connected to
different inputs on the combination routers, as are the RF inputs
45 and 46.
[0059] Additional combination routers may be provided, such as
combination router 602. Further, the combination routers may be
connected to other combination routers (such as the output of
combination router 600 being connected to the input of combination
router 602). Further the combination routers may be connected to
other devices such as antenna systems 651, 652, 653, 654, and 655.
Furthermore, as taught herein, other devices connected to the
combination router may connect to additional devices.
[0060] FIG. 8 further illustrates several preferred embodiments
with alternate connection options. For example, combination router
600 can be configured with switch paths "a" connected and switch
paths "c" disconnected and with combination router 601 configured
with switch paths "b" connected and with switch paths "d"
disconnected. In this illustration, the data signals from primary
controller 100 and the RF signals from RFID reader 50 are routed
through connected switch paths "b" in combination router 601 to
antenna system 655, while the data signals from primary controller
101 and the RF signals from RFID reader 51 are routed through
connected switch paths "a" in combination router 600 to antenna
system 651.
[0061] In another example (not illustrated), combination router 600
may be configured with switch paths "c" connected, and switch paths
"a" disconnected and combination router 601 is configured with
switch paths "d" connected and with switch paths "b" disconnected.
Further, for example, combination router 602 may be configured with
switch paths "e" and "f" connected and with switch paths "g"
disconnected. In this case, the data signals from primary
controller 100 and the RF signals from RFID reader 50 are routed
through switch paths "c" and "f" to antenna system 654, while the
data signals from primary controller 101 and the RF signals from
RFID reader 51 are routed through switch paths "d" and "e" to
antenna system 653.
[0062] Not all available (or possible number of) switch pathways
are illustrated in FIG. 8. As shown previously as an example in
FIG. 7A, each of the two data signals input to a combination router
600, 601, 602 may be sent along any one of the four exemplary
through paths, or along no path at all. Any number of paths and/or
ports may be used. Likewise each of the two RF signals input to a
combination router 600, 601, 602 may be sent along any one of four
through paths, or along no path at all. Preferably, a data signal
and its associated RF signal (e.g., data signal along connection
105 and RF signal along connection 45) will follow a path through
the same combination routers. It is therefore possible using the
system illustrated in FIG. 8 to have primary controller 100 and its
associated RFID reader 50 communicate with any of the antenna
systems (e.g., 651, 652, 653, 654, 655). Likewise primary
controller 101 and its associated RFID reader 51 may communicate
with any of the antenna systems.
[0063] In an illustrated operation of the exemplary embodiment
represented by the system of FIG. 8, the electronic network 120 may
provide a command to read antenna system 654. The system may then
determine a method to read the desired antenna system 654. Methods
of routing such as the RIP method and the OSPF method (or other
methods) may be utilized to determine a path for digital data
between the electronic network 120 and antenna system 654. As an
example, the logical unit 605 (FIG. 6) within each combination
router 600, 601, 602 may communicate with other combination routers
600, 601, 602 and with the primary controllers 100, 101 and
electronic network 120 to establish a suitable data path.
Parameters such as the operating readiness of the combination
routers 600, 601, 602 may be considered by the system in
determining a suitable data path. When a suitable data path has
been established through one or more combination routers 600, 601,
602, the RF path may be set along a path through the same
combination routers 600, 601, 602, or additional parameters such as
the operating readiness of RF switching components may be
considered to determine if the proposed route would be suitable for
the RF path. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the primary
controller 100, 101 may be configured to establish the data path
using known routing methods such as OSPF or RIP. In a preferred
embodiment, the electronic network 120 may also have some
intelligence, for example, to send control messages to the primary
controller 100, 101 to assist in setting up the path.
[0064] If no data path can be determined, an alternate pathway can
be determined. For example, as an alternative the RF operational
readiness parameters may be considered as factors in the initial
pathway selection algorithm or other methodology utilized by the
primary controller 100, 101.
[0065] It should be noted that additional devices may be attached
to the exemplary system shown in FIG. 8. For example, a device such
as gondola controller 630 (as previously described) may be
connected to one of the outputs of combination router 602. When an
appropriate pathway (not shown but designated "g") is provided,
digital data may be provided to gondola controller 630, and may
continue to other devices along connection 681. Likewise, RF
signals may be connected to gondola controller 630, and may
continue to other devices along connection 680. The other devices
may include other gondola controllers or other combination
controllers.
[0066] In a preferred embodiment, one or more system components
(e.g., combination router 600, 601, 602) may include circuitry to
determine the operation (e.g., the RF power, active status, fault
status, etc.) at one or more devices (e.g., readers) at various
locations in the system. The RF power of such devices (e.g., of a
reader), for example, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the invention, can be adjusted or attenuated so that a desired
power level is obtained at the component (e.g., combination router
600, 601, 602, a particular one or more antennae 10, etc.). In a
preferred embodiment, the system component (e.g., combination
router 600, 601, 602) may also comprise circuitry to measure the
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) when a particular antenna is
selected, in order to gain information about the antenna or the RF
connection between the router and the antenna. Ideally, the VSWR is
1.0, but it can be greater than 1.0 if the antenna is disconnected
or is not optimally tuned. In accordance with a preferred
embodiment, the system may use the VSWR information measured by the
component to provide alerts about suboptimal operation, or to cause
the antenna tuning to be adjusted, for example, through variable
tuning components such as varactors (voltage controlled
capacitors).
[0067] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
operating a system using combination routers 600, 601, 602 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment. For exemplary purposes
only, the path described is from the electronic network 120 through
RF reader 50 and/or primary controller 100, to antenna system 653.
In step 900, the combination routers 600, 601, 602 may perform a
self-check and determine their status. Such a self-check could
comprise an integrity check (e.g., a determination of which input
and output ports on data router 610 were functional or were
connected to or in communication with other devices as is well
known in the art). The combination routers 600, 601, 602 as
described previously may contain a logic unit 605 that may be a
microcomputer device programmed to routinely perform integrity
checks and communicate their status to other devices.
[0068] In addition to the integrity checks, the combination routers
600, 601, 602 may also check the integrity of the RF router 650 in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Such an integrity
check may, for example, determine whether the RF switches (e.g., RF
switches 6510, 6520, 6530) are functioning properly through a test
or from recent logged data. These checks may also include
determining the type of device that is connected to the output
ports (e.g., antenna 10, router 602, RF switches 6510, 6520, etc.).
The diagnostics can also determine if the antennae 10 connected to
the device are within operational parameters.
[0069] In step 905, the combination router 600 may communicate its
status to other components of the system (e.g., combination routers
601, 602, electronic network 120, etc.). The combination routers
600, 601, 602 and/or the electronic network 120 may then store the
status information for use in determining available routes for data
and RF signals.
[0070] In step 910, the next antenna 10 to be read is determined
from, for example, a table, an ordered list, a priority queue, a
schedule, a user input, other factors, or a combination of some or
all factors.
[0071] In step 915, the available routes by which a reader 50
and/or primary controller 100 may communicate with the desired
antenna system 653 are determined by a variety of factors (e.g.,
the stored status information, recent history such as the outcome
of earlier attempts to communicate with the desired antenna 10,
etc.).
[0072] In step 920, if applicable, a data route may be selected
from the available data routes. (If not applicable, flow advances
to step 940.) Such selection may be based on criteria such as a
routing method, for example, RIP or OSPF, or on other criteria
suitable for determining a data route.
[0073] In step 925, a data connection may be established between a
primary controller 100 and the desired antenna 10. For example, the
data connection may be established by causing the appropriate data
switches (not shown) to be set in one or more combination routers
600, 601, 602.
[0074] In step 930, that the data connection has been established
may be verified between the primary controller 100 and the desired
antenna 10. This verification could, for example, be by a
"handshake" communication between the primary controller 100 and
the antenna system 653.
[0075] In step 935, the acceptability of the data connection may be
decided. If the data connect is not acceptable, the flow returns to
step 920 to select an alternate data route. If the data connection
is acceptable, the flow next moves to step 940.
[0076] In step 940, an available RF route may be selected.
Preferably, this route will be through the same combination routers
600, 601, 602 as the data connection. Thus the data routing method
(augmented by RF integrity checks in step 900) may be used to
select the RF route as well.
[0077] In step 945, the appropriate RF switches 6510, 6520, 6530
may be set in one or more combination routers 600, 601, 602 in
order to provide an RF connection between the RFID reader 50 and
the antenna system 653.
[0078] In step 950, that the RF connection has been established may
be verified between the RFID reader 50 and the desired antenna 10.
This verification could, for example, be by a confirmation from the
combination router(s) 600, 601, 602 that the appropriate RF
switch(es) 6510, 6520, 6530 had been set, or could be, as another
example, through a VSWR check to ensure the RF connection is
operating within allowable limits.
[0079] In step 955, the acceptability of the RF connection is
decided. If the RF connection is not acceptable, the flow returns
to step 940 to select an alternate RF route. Alternately, the flow
may return to step 920 and select a different data route. If the RF
connection is acceptable, the flow moves to step 960.
[0080] In step 960, the RFID reader 50 is turned on, if it has been
off or on standby during the previous operations. Having the RFID
reader 50 off or on standby may save power, reduce extraneous RF
transmissions, and prevent damage to RF switches 6510, 6520, 6530
during state changes.
[0081] In step 965, the RFID tags (e.g. RFID tag 9) are read (e.g.,
by the connected antenna system 653).
[0082] In step 970, any data obtained from the RFID tags 9 may be
stored.
[0083] In step 975, the RFID reader 50 may be turned off (or placed
on standby).
[0084] In step 980, the time for status updates is determined. If
it is time for a status update, the flow may return to step 900 and
continue from there. Alternately, the combination routers 600, 601,
602 independently may continuously or periodically check status per
steps 900-905. If a status check is not needed, or after a status
check is performed, the flow continues in step 910 by determining
which antenna 10 to read next.
[0085] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
an intelligent network may be implemented to facilitate
transportation of signals. In an RFID-based system, for example,
where RFID signals are to be transported, such an intelligent
network may be used to manage the transportation of RFID signals to
and from RFID-enabled devices. Preferably, the intelligent network
employs one or more manager units used to manage the network. The
manager units may incorporate one or more microprocessors or other
processing devices used to execute the operations described herein.
In particular, the manager units control the network processing of
signals over the network and coordinate the inclusion/exclusion of
devices on the network.
[0086] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the intelligent
network further includes one or more network devices that use the
signals transported over the network or facilitate transportation
of such signals. The network devices may include one or more
combination routers and/or combination switches, as described
above, that have the capability of processing and facilitating the
transporting of both RF data and digital data signals. Like the
manager unit, the network devices may incorporate one or more
microprocessors or other processing devices to execute the
operations described herein. The network devices may further
include RFID readers used to read RFID-enabled devices, as well as
RFID reader/writer pads used to read and write RFID-enabled
devices.
[0087] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the intelligent
network operates to automatically and dynamically reconfigure its
network topology as network devices are included or excluded during
operation. Preferably, when any network device attempts to be added
to the intelligent network, its presence in the network is detected
by the manager unit. In a preferred embodiment, for example, a new
network device when activated on the intelligent network may issue
a notification to the manager unit (directly or through other
network devices). The manager unit upon receiving the notification
reconfigures its map of the network topology.
[0088] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a new network
device may also be detected by its neighboring network devices.
Neighboring network devices may detect the notification sent by the
new network device and alert the manager unit of the location of
the new network device. In accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the invention, neighboring network devices detect each other
preferably by detecting and exchanging information over the same
line for which RF signals will travel. This alert causes the
manager unit to be alerted of the new network device, the RF
topology and other aspects of the network, and allows the manager
unit to reconfigure its map of the network topology.
[0089] By continuously maintaining and reconfiguring a network
topology, the manager unit is able to more efficiently set up and
control the paths of the RF and digital data signals that are
transported through the network from one network device to
another.
[0090] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the system provides information regarding one or more network
devices (e.g., reader, antenna, etc.) or their ports to determine
their status (e.g., fault), characteristics (e.g., power level),
etc. The information may be provided by the network devices
themselves, neighboring network devices, or other devices (e.g.,
sensors) located throughout the network. Based on such information
one or more components (e.g., manager unit) may be designated to
control the operation of the devices (or the routing of information
to such devices) to facilitate ultimate operation of the
network.
EXAMPLES
[0091] The following descriptions of FIGS. 10-25 illustrate
exemplary implementations of preferred embodiments of the invention
as applied to an RFID-enabled system.
[0092] IntelliNetwork.TM.
[0093] The intelligent network in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention may be implemented using a network
known, in this example, as "IntelliNetwork.TM.," which is a
flexible and scalable network of intelligent devices that provide
RF signal routing and switching. The names used herein are for
exemplary purposes only. An exemplary use of the IntelliNetwork.TM.
is for building RFID systems. One or more RFID readers may be
connected into an RF communication network comprising the
intelligent devices connected together by RF communication means
(for example coaxial cable). RFID signals may thus be communicated
from the RFID reader, through the IntelliNetwork.TM., to one or
more antennae. The intelligent devices (or "IntelliDevices.TM.")
themselves, besides helping convey the RF signal, also are
connected together by a digital data network used for controlling
and monitoring the IntelliDevices.TM..
[0094] The intelligent devices include IntelliRouters.TM.,
IntelliSwitches.TM., and IntelliPads.TM.. These devices will be
described first, followed by the IntelliManager.TM. software that
controls the intelligent devices.
[0095] Preferably, the IntelliNetwork.TM. devices have several
capabilities for facilitating their management and use in a network
environment. They may use DHCP Client implementation, that is, the
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, an Internet protocol for
automating the configuration of computers that use TCP/IP
communications. They may use SNMP (Simple Network Management
Protocol), which has become a de facto standard for Internet work
management. The intelligent devices may use DHCP tags, a standard
method of communicating certain operating instructions with DHCP.
They may also support UART (universal asynchronous
receiver-transmitter) communication preferably through the RF
connections to discover from neighbor devices the MAC (Media Access
Control) address, a standardized hardware address that uniquely
identifies each node of a network, usually being assigned
specifically to the NIC (network device such as a network interface
card) of the device.
[0096] When an intelligent device is powered up, its operating
system boots a network device, acquires a DHCP IP address, and
automatically configures its internal subnet by DHCP and Autosubnet
services provided by the IntelliManager.TM.. The devices register
themselves automatically by sending an SNMP cold boot notification
to the IntelliManager.TM., so the IntelliManager.TM. may identify
and query the device, obtaining from it information about the
network topology that may be displayed on-screen for the user to
view, and may be used for setting up RF pathways between readers
and antennae.
[0097] For network operations, the intelligent devices,
particularly the IntelliRouter.TM., may support Subnet Masking and
a routing protocol such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol), OSPF
(Open Shortest Path First), IGRP (Interior Gateway Routing
Protocol), EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol), or
any other routing protocol.
[0098] Boot-Up and Autodiscovery of IntelliDevices.TM.
[0099] FIG. 10 illustrates how, communicating using a standard
protocol server such as DHCP Server 1000, a group of intelligent
devices boot up after being plugged in, connected to the network,
and switched on. Each of the intelligent devices acquires a network
Internet Protocol address from the DHCP server 1000. The
intelligent devices include an IntelliRouter.TM. 1 (1001) at a
first level, connected to additional IntelliRouters.TM. 2 and 3
(1002 and 1003) at a second level. Furthermore IntelliRouter.TM. 2
is connected to a series of three IntelliSwitches.TM. (1011, 1012,
1013). During this initial IP address acquisition,
IntelliManager.TM. 1020 does not yet have any information about the
intelligent devices, so its network map 1025 is blank. As an
example, LAN subnets may be allocated to IntelliRouter.TM. LAN
ports.
[0100] FIG. 11 illustrates how the intelligent devices each attempt
to communicate through each of their RF connections (RF input ports
and RF output ports). If any other IntelliDevices.TM. are connected
to these ports, then each IntelliDevice.TM. sends its MAC address
to nearby IntelliDevices.TM., allowing them to discover what
IntelliDevices.TM. they are connected to on the RF network. For
example, IntelliRouters.TM. 1 and 2 (1001 and 1002) swap their MAC
addresses, as do all other devices that are interconnected through
RF ports.
[0101] FIG. 12 illustrates how the IntelliDevices.TM. each send a
`cold boot` SNMP message to the data network to announce their
existence to IntelliManager.TM. 1020, and to announce that they are
ready to be queried.
[0102] The IntelliManager.TM. picks up the MAC addresses from the
cold boot messages, and creates objects inside the Object Manager
to represent the devices. IntelliManager.TM. stores a list of
devices from which it received announcements. The
IntelliManager.TM. list of devices 1025 now contains list objects
1001a, 1002a, 1003a (representing the IntelliRouters.TM.) and list
objects 1011a, 1012a, and 1013a (representing the
IntelliSwitches.TM.).
[0103] FIG. 13 illustrates how the IntelliManager.TM. sends a query
to each device to get the network topology (neighboring device)
information. Each device in turn responds with information about
what MAC addresses are connected to its RF ports. The
IntelliManager.TM. builds a representation 1025 of the network
topology using the information it receives from the
IntelliDevice.TM. queries. Thus representation 1025 is identical to
the RF topology of the IntelliNetwork.TM.. The representation is
then used by IntelliManager.TM. for RF network route planning.
[0104] IntelliRouter.TM.
[0105] FIG. 14 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary
IntelliRouter.TM. 1050. An IntelliRouter.TM. is a combination
digital data router and RF signal router, or combination router, as
described previously herein. The IntelliRouter.TM. includes a
microcontroller 1055, and may be controlled from outside for
example by a computer such as a workstation or server,
communicating to the IntelliRouter.TM. by a digital data network
comprised of wired or wireless means, such as a standard LAN, MAN,
or WAN. Communication may be over the Internet. The
IntelliRouter.TM. may communicate digital data in turn to
additional IntelliRouters.TM. or IntelliSwitches.TM., or these
additional devices may communicate separately via the digital data
network. In the example shown, the IntelliRouter.TM. has a digital
communication capability 1060 with an input D0 and four outputs
D1-D4. "Input" and "output" are used for convenience in describing
the IntelliRouter.TM.; normally D0-D4 may all be bidirectional. It
is understood that any suitable number of ports can be used in
accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0106] The IntelliRouter.TM. is capable of automatic setup using
standard DHCP protocols and uses a specialized algorithm for
address allocation. It can route digital data as network data
packets. It uses SNMP as its main command and control language. It
supports network communications to IntelliSwitches.TM. as well as
additional IntelliRouters.TM., or other devices. It is capable of
receiving data packets from the IntelliManager.TM. and routing them
in TCP/IP or other serial data formats to an RFID reader, for
instance if the RFID reader does not itself support network
communications. The IntelliRouter.TM. has a switch that can be
activated manually to send a signal to the IntelliManager.TM.,
identifying the particular IntelliRouter.TM. so that it may be
highlighted on a configuration table or graphic to help with field
setup or troubleshooting. The IntelliRouter.TM. monitors itself and
its RF signals or connections, and forwards status and diagnostic
information to the IntelliManager.TM..
[0107] One of the capabilities of an IntelliRouter.TM. is its
support for the creation and destruction of RF paths through the
IntelliRouter.TM., which is usually used within a network of
IntelliRouters.TM. and IntelliSwitches.TM.. For example,
IntelliRouter.TM. 1050 has one RF input port R0 and four RF output
ports R1-R4. The terms "input" and "output" are used in convenience
in describing the IntelliRouter.TM.. In a preferred embodiment,
R0-R4 may all be bidirectional. RF switching circuitry is provided
as shown by the exemplary block 1065, which is meant to be symbolic
and not limiting as to the switch circuitry design. The switching
circuitry 1065 is under control of microcontroller 1050, which
typically follows commands from the IntelliManager.TM..
[0108] The IntelliRouter.TM. supports neighbor-to-neighbor
identification over the RF path through ports R0-R4. The
IntelliRouter.TM. exchanges MAC address (or other form of unique
identification) information with its neighbors over the RF paths,
and then sends this information to the IntelliManager.TM. which can
construct a map of the RF network.
[0109] Each of the IntelliRouter.TM. outputs may be connected to
another IntelliRouter.TM. or IntelliSwitch.TM., or may be connected
directly to an RFID antenna. The IntelliRouter.TM. may have
circuitry 1070 for measuring the tuning characteristics of RF ports
to determine whether an output port should be utilized (i.e. it
will not be used if nothing is connected, or if tuning
characteristics are outside defined parameters).
[0110] The circuitry 1070 may also measure RF power being applied
to an RF antenna port, enabling diagnostics to be performed
automatically by the IntelliDevice.TM. or by the IntelliManager.TM.
software. This also enables the IntelliManager.TM. to adjust the RF
power to an appropriate level, for example by sending a command to
an RFID reader. The IntelliRouter.TM. may have additional circuitry
(not shown) for measuring such variables as temperature, voltage,
current, etc., and capability to report such measurements to the
IntelliManager.TM..
[0111] The IntelliRouter.TM. may also deliver DC power (for
example, 300 milliamps at +12V (not shown)) through the RF output
ports when instructed to do so by the IntelliManager.TM. software.
This current, for example, may be used to drive circuitry connected
to the antenna.
[0112] For a typical IntelliRouter.TM. 1050, the digital
communication block 1060 may have one (typically) or more WAN (Wide
area network, such as Internet) ports, several (typically four) LAN
(Local area network) ports (for connecting to other
IntelliRouters.TM. or IntelliSwitches.TM.), one or more RF Input
ports R0 (typically two), several (typically four) RF output ports
R1-R4, as well as (not shown) RS232, PS/2, parallel, USB, or other
IO ports, and ports for input and output power (with the output
power being controlled on demand by the IntelliManager.TM.).
[0113] For example, an RFID reader (not shown) may be connected to
an IntelliRouter.TM. input port such as R0, and an antenna (not
shown) may be connected to one of its output ports such as R2.
However, between the RFID reader and the RF input port R0, or
between the RF output port R2 and the antenna, there may be
additional IntelliRouters.TM. and/or IntelliSwitches.TM.. When a
given reader is to be connected to a given antenna, the
IntelliManager.TM. route manager passes out instructions to each
router and switch on the network via SNMP to create a path for the
RF to follow from reader to antenna. As a node on the
IntelliNetwork.TM., each router receives its own individual
internal switching commands for its own RF switching circuitry 1065
to correctly set the node on the RF Path. Some of the
IntelliRouter.TM. multiple RF input and output ports R0-R4 may
serve either as inputs or outputs.
[0114] The router may send out SNMP messages to the
IntelliManager.TM. about the general status of the
IntelliRouter.TM.. These messages may, for example, include the
following types.
[0115] A switch notification when a pushbutton is pressed, to send
a message to the IntelliManager.TM., which may then highlight this
device on the GUI network map for use during installations or
diagnostics.
[0116] A critical voltage notification, sent if the
IntelliRouter.TM. power supply exceeds minimum or maximum limits.
The IntelliManager.TM. is able to set these limits, and to provide
a graphical display of any devices out of limits.
[0117] An external power supply error notification, sent if the
routers' external power supply has a problem (too much current, too
little current, etc.). The IntelliRouter.TM. also supplies power to
connected devices such as readers. It may also monitor the power
connections to other devices for voltage, current, and other
conditions, and can send error notifications to the
IntelliManager.TM. if a malfunction is detected in the power
connection or supply.
[0118] A temperature alarm, if the maximum allowed temperature has
been reached.
[0119] An RF output fault notification, when there is an RF signal
problem.
[0120] An output port disconnected notification, when an output
port state is changed from connected to disconnected.
[0121] A VSWR limit notification, when an RF port has exceeded the
high or low VSWR limit.
[0122] A neighbor device output port change notification, when the
RF output port neighbor has changed. The IntelliManager.TM.
indicates if the neighbor MAC address is changed or the neighbor
device is disconnected.
[0123] A neighbor device input port change notification, when the
RF input port neighbor has changed. The IntelliManager.TM.
indicates if the neighbor MAC address is changed or the neighbor
device is disconnected.
[0124] The IntelliRouter.TM. has the ability to query other RF
network devices immediately connected to it. It does this by
passing preferably over the RF cable its own MAC address and or the
MAC address of the neighbor device.
[0125] When a device is connected or removed, it sends an alert to
the IntelliManager.TM. so that the network topology map can be
automatically updated.
[0126] IntelliSwitch.TM.
[0127] FIG. 15 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary
IntelliSwitch.TM. 1100. The design, capabilities, and operation of
the IntelliSwitch.TM. are in most respects similar to those of the
IntelliRouter.TM.. The IntelliSwitch.TM. includes a microcontroller
1105, and combines a digital data capability 1110, and RF data
switching capability 1115. It may include RF measurement capability
1120. Typically the RF switching may "bypass" the RF signal onto
additional IntelliSwitches.TM. in a daisy-chain fashion, for
example connecting RF input port R0 to RF bypass port Rx, or may
connect the RF power to one of several RF antennae connected to the
IntelliSwitch.TM., for example connecting RF input port R0 to RF
output port R5. Its RF ports are typically one input port R0, one
bypass port Rx, and sixteen output or "antenna" ports, shown in
this example as ports R1-R8 for simplicity. The invention is not
meant to be limited to sixteen ports, but may have fewer or more as
appropriate. For example, thirty-two ports may be used. However,
the bypass port Rx could lead instead to another IntelliRouter.TM.,
and one or more of the output ports R1-R8 could be connected to
another IntelliRouter.TM. or IntelliSwitch.TM..
[0128] IntelliPad.TM.
[0129] FIG. 16 shows a simplified block diagram of an exemplary
IntelliPad.TM. 1150. An IntelliPad.TM. may be considered an
alternative version of the low profile pad described in previous
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/466,760, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An IntelliPad.TM.
may share many of the configuration capabilities of the
IntelliRouter.TM. and IntelliSwitch.TM., including a
microcontroller 1155, digital communications capability 1160, and
RF measurement circuitry 1170. The IntelliPad.TM. also contains one
or more antennae, for instance a High Frequency antenna,
represented by loop antenna 1180, and an Ultra High Frequency
antenna, represented by patch antenna 1190). Thus the
IntelliPad.TM. may be used for reading and writing RFID tags. The
IntelliPad.TM. shown in FIG. 16 includes an HF input port (RH) and
an UHF input port (RU) which are connectable to external readers
(not shown). The IntelliPad.TM. may also measure the power/current
levels, etc. as other devices can.
[0130] The IntelliPad.TM. can be connected to the
IntelliNetwork.TM. (or an IntelliManager.TM. or other controller)
for control, to an RF reader, and to a barcode scanner gun. The
user may read and/or write EPC and barcode information to and from
RFID tags that are placed on the IntelliPad.TM. or scanned via the
scanner gun.
[0131] The IntelliPad.TM. is designed to handle "hands-on" work,
such as passing RFID tags over the pad surface to perform various
inventory management functions. The IntelliPad.TM. is preferably
read on demand when a user places an item on it. Therefore, a
reader may be dedicated to the IntelliPad.TM., or shared by a few
IntelliPads.TM., or the IntelliPad.TM. may incorporate
interrupt-driven events to cause a "read-on-demand." IntelliPad.TM.
transactions include an event notification is raised whenever the
user triggers a barcode scanner attached to the IntelliPad.TM., and
a read-on-demand in response to the event notification.
[0132] Sensors
[0133] The intelligent devices, as described previously, may have
sensors (1070, 1120, 1170) for use in determining RF power and
allowing control of the RF power remotely, measuring RF transmitted
power and/or RF reflected power for determining system
connectivity, performance, and tuning measurements, to be used to
remotely tune components or to make decisions whether a circuit or
an antenna should be used. Centralized RF signal power management
is a part of the IntelliNetwork.TM., allowing antennae at different
distances from a reader to still have equal or otherwise optimized
power.
[0134] The IntelliDevices.TM. may also have temperature measurement
sensors, for example to monitor the proper operation of the
IntelliDevice.TM.. Voltage and current measurement sensors may
likewise be provided to monitor proper operation of various
circuitry. Out-of-limits measurements may be reported to the
IntelliManager.TM..
[0135] IntelliManager.TM. Software
[0136] The IntelliNetwork.TM. is controlled by a software component
called the IntelliManager.TM.. This software runs on a computer
such as a workstation, or on a server, or both. The
IntelliManager.TM. coordinates automatic discovery and notification
as new devices are deployed on the network and provides GUI based
configuration of RFID devices for ease of deployment. The
IntelliManager.TM. is able to set and update custom arrangements of
products on shelves. The IntelliManager.TM. also provides measuring
and reporting of inventory as determined through the RFID
capabilities of the IntelliNetwork.TM..
[0137] The IntelliManager.TM. maps the network hardware to a site
layout for easy recognition of devices. IntelliManager.TM. also
handles automatic RF route management and switching, allowing for
sharing of a reader over many antennae, and providing fault
tolerant reads in case of an RF reader fail-over or other system
problems. Upon receiving the fail-over recognition the
IntelliManager.TM. may automatically redirect requests from the
failed or down device or system to other available devices or
systems. It incorporates "plug and play" functionality to
auto-announce and identify new devices on the network. If the RF
reader supports power adjustments, the IntelliManager.TM. may
control the reader output power to provide optimal RF power levels
to any antenna, regardless of physical distance from the
reader.
[0138] FIG. 17 depicts a simplified exemplary deployment of
IntelliManager.TM. across three sites. An "Enterprise" or
centralized IntelliManager.TM. 1200 is shown on a higher level with
a database 1205 for inventory data and network configuration
information. Also shown at the higher level is "ItemAuthority"
software 1210 which manages the distribution and registration of
unique EPC numbers, as described, for example, previously in U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/466,760 which is incorporated
by reference in its entirety herein. Also shown at the higher level
is "ItemTrack" software 1220 for "track-and-trace" functionality as
described, for example, in previous U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/545,100, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. Local or site versions of
IntelliManager.TM. 1241, 1242, and 1243 are shown at a lower level,
along with databases 1246, 1247, and 1248, respectively, and their
collections of network devices 1251, 1252, and 1253,
respectively.
[0139] Also at a relatively high level in the hierarchy, as shown,
for example, in FIG. 17, are the IntelliServices.TM. 1230, a set of
web services providing a variety of functions that are used by the
IntelliManager.TM. at either the Enterprise or Site level, or both.
Some of the IntelliServices.TM. may also open to the third party
users. IntelliServices.TM. 1230 are typically available over the
Internet, for example through the SNMP and TCP/IP layer 1235.
[0140] FIG. 18 shows an exemplary "stack" of hardware and software
components as they relate to each other in the
IntelliNetwork.TM..
[0141] The IntelliServices.TM. 1230 are web services and other
software that provide a user interface, reporting features, and the
ability for third party software to access filtered item-level
data. IntelliServices.TM. also maintain a configuration database
used for certain functions of internal IntelliManager.TM.
components (such as the Object Manager 1320 and Route Manager
1330).
[0142] Data Manager 1300 contains a database of current and
historical data read from RFID tags, as well as some configuration
information used for reporting.
[0143] The Network Device Manager 1310 consists of three functional
parts. Configuration manager 1340 creates a Reader/Writer Instance
(program object) for each physical reader in the network, so that
the reader may then be controlled through the Instance telling the
reader when to turn on and when to turn off, while the Instance
receives RFID data from the reader and passes it to the Data
Manager 1300.
[0144] Route Manager 1330 determines RF routes that exist between
readers and antennae, and chooses a route from an RF reader to each
antenna that it serves. The Route Manager also frees up the
switched paths after each use, and synchronizes the activity of
multiple readers for the most efficient operation.
[0145] The Object Manager 1320 is responsible for the discovery of
new network devices 1390, and maintains status and configuration
information for all devices, including interconnection information.
It provides an exemplary software `network diagram` used by the
Route Manager to determine RF routes.
[0146] Reader Instance Manager 1350 and Writer Instance Manager
1360 send requests to the Route Manager 1330 requesting an RF path
from a reader to a specific antenna, allowing use of a reader for
multiple antennae by networking connections from one antenna to
another.
[0147] The SNMP interface 1370 sends commands to all network
devices using the Simple Network Management Protocol, an industry
standard method of controlling and monitoring networked devices.
Communications with TCI/IP (1380) may be used in some cases, for
example, between a Reader Instance and a reader. Network Devices
1390 include RF Readers, as well as IntelliRouters.TM.,
IntelliSwitches.TM., IntelliPads.TM., and shelf assemblies with
antenna configurations tailored to the actual fixtures (shelves,
storage racks, bins, etc).
[0148] FIG. 19 shows a block diagram of certain interactions of the
Network Device Manager 1310 that pertain to reading tags. The NDM
handles communications to IntelliNetwork.TM. devices including
IntelliRouter.TM., IntelliSwitch.TM., and IntelliPad.TM.. When an
IntelliManager.TM. starts up, the NDM will request from the
IntelliServices.TM. 1230 any information that has been stored about
previously discovered devices. However, the NDM also provides
active device discovery through the IntelliNetwork.TM.. At startup,
the routers and switches are detected (discovered) as described
previously, as depicted by arrows (1) and (2). Each device
determines its neighboring devices, and transfers this information
to the NDM (arrow 3). During operation the NDM continues to monitor
the devices to be aware of any new devices added to the
IntelliNetwork.TM., or any devices that become disconnected.
Besides maintaining device discovery information, the NDM also
provides commands to the IntelliNetwork.TM. devices to cause RFID
data to be read by the system.
[0149] The Route Manager 1330 acts as a traffic controller managing
the available routes between readers and antennae. It
`intelligently` determines and maps the most efficient method of
routing RF from a reader to any desired antenna which can be
connected to that reader. After the read process is complete for
the antenna, the Route Manager releases the path to make other
pathways available for the next antennae to be read. The Route
Manager synchronizes multiple readers so that they may read
simultaneously in the most efficient manner.
[0150] The Object Manager 1320 controls discovery of new devices on
the network, and for each device, maintains a record of current
status and all necessary device information. When the
IntelliNetwork.TM. powers up, and during its operation, the Object
Manager oversees an auto-discovery process. Individual devices
methodically communicate with each other to determine their
neighboring devices, and then communicate this information to the
Object Manager, a process which results in automatic device
discovery and network mapping. The system literally knows how
devices are connected to each other across the RF network.
[0151] Thereafter, the Object Manager 1320 holds a representation
of every physical device on the IntelliNetwork.TM., along with a
table or map of the interconnections between devices. The Route
Manager 1330 consults this table or map to determine an RF route to
connect a reader to an antenna. This diagram is also used to
provide graphical representations of the IntelliNetwork.TM. during
system configuration.
[0152] As shown by arrow 4, the Configuration Manager 1340
instructs the Reader Instance Manager 1350 to creates a Reader
Instance 1355 (a software representation of a reader) for each
physical reader in the network, and sends setup information to the
reader instance. Thereafter, the Reader Instance controls the
reader, telling the reader when to turn on and when to turn off.
The turn on/turn off sequence is synchronized with several other
factors--first the IntelliRouters.TM. and IntelliSwitches.TM. must
create an RF path to a desired antenna. Then the reader may be
turned on and instructed to read all tags in view. After the
IntelliManager.TM. determines that all tag data has been collected,
the reader is turned off, and the RF path through the
IntelliRouters.TM. and IntelliSwitches.TM. is "destroyed" (the
switched paths are opened).
[0153] The Reader instance manager 1350 first sends configuration
data to each reader instance 1355, (also step 4) indicating which
antennae to read and when to read them. Each reader instance then
may operate autonomously as denoted by arrow 5. In step 6 the
reader instance asks the Route Manager 1330 to provide an RF path
from the reader to a specific antenna. Each instance thus may
direct its reader's attention toward multiple antennae in sequence
(zone sets), while the Route Manager arranges for RF connections to
be made to the desired antenna. The Route Manager initially creates
a table of routes, then updates this table as needed, for example
if RF connections are changed. The Route Manager may cooperate
(step 7) with the configuration manager 1340 for this and other
operations. When a reader instance requests an RF path, the Route
Manager having determined a suitable path then in step 8 tells the
Object manager 1320 what path is needed. In step 9 the Object
Manager sends instructions through SNMP layer 1370 to network
devices 1390, instructing the network devices on how to set up the
RF path. In step 10, the Reader Instance 1355, in control of its
reader (not shown) via TCP/IP 1380 or other protocol, performs an
RFID read operation for all tags within range of the antenna. The
reader instance receives back the EPC data, and in step 11 passes
it on to the Data Manager. It may also instruct the reader to turn
off or go to standby.
[0154] FIG. 20 shows a flow chart of a read operation, which starts
in step 1400 with a request to read a zone (that is, a space served
by a particular antenna or antennae). This zone is assigned in step
1405 to a particular reader instance (or it may have been
previously assigned). In step 1410 the Reader Instance asks the
Route Manager for a path to the antenna.
[0155] In step 1415, the Route Manager determines (or has already
determined) an appropriate RF path between the reader being used,
and the specified antenna. In step 1420 the network devices are
instructed to set up the RF path. These instructions and several
which follow are passed through object manager 1320, and SNMP layer
1370, to the Network devices 1390.
[0156] SNMP commands are sent to each IntelliDevice.TM. along the
RF path, indicating which ports to connect to create the path. The
IntelliRouter.TM.(s) and IntelliSwitch.TM.(es) create the requested
path to the antenna. In step 1425, a verification is made that the
path has been set correctly. In step 1430, the reader instance is
informed that the path is ready, at which time the reader is given
a read command. In step 1435, the read occurs, with the RF signal
traveling through the created RF pathway. Tag data, received back
to the reader, is passed to the Reader Instance and from there to
the Data Manager.
[0157] In step 1440, the Reader Instance Manager having finished
the read, sends a path destruction request to the Route Manager,
which in turn sends SNMP disconnect commands to IntelliDevices.TM.
on the path. The IntelliRouters.TM. and IntelliSwitches.TM. along
the path route the SNMP commands. The path is destroyed, and in
step 1450 the read is finished and the IntelliDevices.TM. are
available for another read.
[0158] Zone Management
[0159] FIG. 21 shows a block diagram of two reader instances each
reading a different set of zones. Reader instance 1350 has, in the
example, created two reader instances 1351 and 1352. Reader
instance 1351 is assigned to read a zone set 1353 comprised of
eight antennae, while reader instance 1352 is assigned to read a
zone set 1354 also comprised of eight antennae. The reader
instances, each with its own reader, may operate independently,
while the Route Manager provides the RF paths and prevents path
contention (e.g., signals competing for the same path).
[0160] FIG. 22 shows a block diagram illustrating RF path creation.
Reader instance manager 1350 again is shown with two reader
instances 1351 and 1352. In the example, reader instance 1351
requests an RF path to antenna 1015. The Route manager 1330 on
receiving the request sends instructions through the SNMP layer
1370 to the devices that it has determined to be on the RF path,
that is, IntelliRouter.TM. 1004 and IntelliSwitch.TM. 1014. The
appropriate circuits are set within these devices to create an RF
path from Reader 50, through IntelliRouter.TM. 1004, through
IntelliSwitch.TM. 1014, and then to Antenna 1015.
[0161] FIG. 23 shows a block diagram illustrating RF path
destruction. When the reader instance 1351 finishes with reading
antenna 1015, it requests that the RF path to antenna 1015 be
released. The Route manager 1330 on receiving the request sends
instructions through the SNMP layer 1370 to the devices on the RF
path, that is, IntelliRouter.TM. 1004 and IntelliSwitch.TM. 1014.
The appropriate circuits are released within these devices to
"destroy" the RF path that was just used. The devices are then
ready for another read request.
[0162] A graphical user interface (GUI) permits user to view the
IntelliNetwork.TM. through a representation of "real world"
devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, configuration files 1500
such as XML files define the physical layout of a site such as a
retail store, down to the shelf and zone level. During
configuration of the system, the user defines which devices (such
as IntelliRouters.TM. (not shown), IntelliSwitches.TM. (1014, 1018,
1019), Antennae (1015, 1016), etc, are associated with display
fixtures such as shelves in a store. The IntelliManager.TM.
provides a GUI representation 1510 so that the user may view the
configuration and inventory results in a format (display fixtures,
shelves) familiar to them, rather than as an electrical
diagram.
[0163] Fault reporting supported in IntelliManager.TM. captures
problems that prevent reading item level tags. For example,
IntelliManager.TM. supports a set of notifications that let it
detect problems specifically affecting tag reading. More
importantly, because of the mapping of antennae to specific
hardware, IntelliManager.TM. is able to apply business context to
the errors that are received. For example, where an EMS is able to
report a fault with a specific device, the IntelliManager.TM. is
able to provide a layer of context that shows which particular
physical shelf assembly and products currently on the shelf (such
as DVDs) are affected by the fault.
[0164] During installation, the ports of the IntelliRouters.TM. and
IntelliSwitches.TM. are mapped to the actual ports and antennae of
the shelf assemblies. At installation, the shelf assemblies are
mapped to the IntelliRouter.TM. and IntelliSwitches.TM. to which
they are connected.
[0165] When messages from the network devices arrive, the system is
able to show the faults on the IntelliManager.TM. user interface in
the form of color-coded network device faults, as well as showing
the shelves affected by the faults.
[0166] FIG. 25 illustrates how any faults on the network devices
1390 are reported through the SNMP layer 1370, and the Network
Device Manager 1310, up through IntelliServices.TM. 1230 (including
web services 1231). The fault notifications arrive at the
IntelliManager.TM. GUI 1235 which can display them to a user in
"real-world" fashion 1515, for example, showing exactly which
gondola, shelf, or zone is faulty.
[0167] A zone management interface handles the configuration of the
antenna network to provide the user with the ability to control the
way individual zones operate. The antennae of item level shelf
assemblies are by necessity close to each other, to be able to give
an accurate location resolution for each item. Because shelf
designs and product types are different sizes and shapes depending
on the application (DVD shelves are one size, music CDs another),
the density of antennae may also change. When the antennae are very
close to each other, it is possible, due to the nature of the RF
field, for more than one antenna to power and interrogate the same
passive tag as the read cycle progresses. For example, if three
antennae were powering and reading a single tag, the system would
show the same product in three different zones. To correct this
inaccuracy IntelliManager.TM. applies sophisticated filtering
algorithms at the reader instance level. The reader instance will
often read multiple zones before sending the resulting read data on
to the Network Device Manager.
[0168] The user is able to increase accuracy by sampling the read
data multiple times before confirming that the product reporting at
that location is accurate. The IntelliManager.TM. user interface
provides sampling and read threshold controls the user can adjust,
allowing control over the sampling process. For example, with
Samples per Read set to 5 and Hits per Read set to 4, the reader
instance will read the zone 5 times one after the other, capturing
the product reported at the zone. Any of the item level products
that are reported at least 4 times, are reported as present to the
data manager.
[0169] Related Zones are described in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/568,847 which is incorporated by reference in
its entirety herein. Related zones describe which antennae are
close to each other and may be able to read the tags of a zone
nearby. Each assembly configuration will include some obvious
internal related zones but may not include less obvious related
zones on separate shelf assemblies or shelves. The user is able to
select a zone and then mark which zones are considered related by
selecting two assemblies and associating them with each other.
[0170] Hot zones may also be defined, which are represented by a
zone that will be read more often than another zone. In a given
reader cycle, each zone is by default read with equal priority. It
is possible within the application to specify that a zone is read
more than once per cycle.
[0171] Inventory Reporting--Replenishment
[0172] As the customers in the store take goods from the shelf, the
store staff uses the replenishment report to identify which
products need to be gathered from the back room. It also informs
them where in the front of the store to place these items to bring
the shelves to full inventory. Because of the graphical
interpretation, it is easy to see what parts of the store are
affected.
[0173] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, other kinds of
electrical power (e.g., direct current (DC)) may be used by the
antenna system in addition to (or substitution for) RF power. For
example, direct current (DC) may be used by the gondola controller
30, as well as by the shelf controllers 40a, etc. and the antenna
boards 20. One or more dedicated wires may provide such electrical
power, or it may be incorporated into the digital communication
highway or with an RF cable. An RF cable may be configured using
two conductors (e.g., coaxial cable), wherein both the center
conductor and the sheath conductor are utilized in the system.
While the RF cable carries an RF signal, a DC voltage may be
superimposed on the RF signal, in the same RF cable, to provide DC
power to intelligent stations. Voltage regulators may subsequently
be used to control or decrease excessive voltages to within usable
limits. The RF and data communications could also be combined into
a single cable that would carry the RF and digital data. This
combination could be accomplished by converting the digital data
into an RF signal that is at a frequency that does not interfere
with the RFID reader. The RF signal could then be received by the
routers and converted back into the digital data stream. The RF,
data, and power lines could also all be combined into a single
communication channel.
[0174] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described and illustrated, it should be apparent that many
modifications to the embodiments and implementations of the
invention can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. Any combination of the router or switching
functionality in between a reader and antenna can be used in
accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention. Any number
of the same or combination of different antenna systems or
structures (e.g., loop, serpentine, slot, etc., or variations of
such structures) may be implemented on an individual shelf, antenna
board, shelf back, divider or other supporting structure.
[0175] Although embodiments have been described in connection with
the use of a particular exemplary shelf structure, it should be
readily apparent that any shelf structure, rack, etc. (or any
structure) may be used in selling, marketing, promoting,
displaying, presenting, providing, retaining, securing, storing, or
otherwise supporting an item or product or used in implementing
embodiments of the invention.
[0176] Although specific circuitry, components, or modules may be
disclosed herein in connection with exemplary embodiments of the
invention, it should be readily apparent that any other structural
or functionally equivalent circuit(s), component(s) or module(s)
may be utilized in implementing the various embodiments of the
invention.
[0177] The modules described herein, particularly those illustrated
or inherent in, or apparent from the instant disclosure, as
physically separated components, may be omitted, combined or
further separated into a variety of different components, sharing
different resources as required for the particular implementation
of the embodiments disclosed (or apparent from the teachings
herein). The modules described herein, may, where appropriate
(e.g., reader 50, primary controller 100, inventory control
processing unit 130, data store 140, combination routers 600, 601,
602, logical unit 605, data router 610, RF router 650, etc.) be one
or more hardware, software, or hybrid components residing in (or
distributed among) one or more local and/or remote computer or
other processing systems. Although such modules may be shown or
described herein as physically separated components (e.g., data
store 140, inventory processing unit 130, primary controller 100,
reader 50, gondola controller 30, shelf controller 40a, 40b, 40c,
etc.), it should be readily apparent that the modules may be
omitted, combined or further separated into a variety of different
components, sharing different resources (including processing
units, memory, clock devices, software routines, etc.) as required
for the particular implementation of the embodiments disclosed (or
apparent from the teachings herein). Indeed, even a single general
purpose computer (or other processor-controlled device such as an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), whether connected
directly to antennae 10, antenna boards 20, gondolas 70, or
connected through a network 120, executing a program stored on an
article of manufacture (e.g., recording medium such as a CD-ROM,
DVD-ROM, memory cartridge, etc.) to produce the functionality
referred to herein may be utilized to implement the illustrated
embodiments.
[0178] One skilled in the art would recognize that inventory
control processing unit 130 could be implemented on a general
purpose computer system connected to an electronic network 120,
such as a computer network. The computer network can also be a
public network, such as the Internet or Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN), or other private network, such as a corporate Local Area
Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN), Bluetooth, or even a
virtual private network. A computer system includes a central
processing unit (CPU) connected to a system memory. The system
memory typically contains an operating system, a BIOS driver, and
application programs. In addition, the computer system contains
input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, and output devices
such as a printer and a display monitor. The processing devices
described herein may be any device used to process information
(e.g., microprocessor, discrete logic circuit, application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic circuit, digital
signal processor (DSP), MicroChip Technology Inc. PICmicro.RTM.
Microcontroller, Intel Microprocessor, etc.).
[0179] The computer system generally includes a communications
interface, such as an Ethernet card, to communicate to the
electronic network 120. Other computer systems may also be
connected to the electronic network 120. One skilled in the art
would recognize that the above system describes the typical
components of a computer system connected to an electronic network.
It should be appreciated that many other similar configurations are
within the abilities of one skilled in the art and all of these
configurations could be used with the methods and systems of the
invention. Furthermore, it should be recognized that the computer
and network systems (as well as any of their components) as
disclosed herein can be programmed and configured as an inventory
control processing unit to perform inventory control related
functions that are well known to those skilled in the art.
[0180] In addition, one skilled in the art would recognize that the
"computer" implemented invention described herein may include
components that are not computers per se but also include devices
such as Internet appliances and Programmable Logic Controllers
(PLCs) that may be used to provide one or more of the
functionalities discussed herein. Furthermore, while "electronic"
networks are generically used to refer to the communications
network connecting the processing sites of the invention, one
skilled in the art would recognize that such networks could be
implemented using optical or other equivalent technologies.
Likewise, it is also to be understood that the invention utilizes
known security measures for transmission of electronic data across
networks. Therefore, encryption, authentication, verification, and
other security measures for transmission of electronic data across
both public and private networks are provided, where necessary,
using techniques that are well known to those skilled in the
art.
[0181] Moreover, the operational flow and method shown in, and
described with respect to, FIG. 9, for example, can be modified to
include additional steps, to change the sequence of the individual
steps as well as combining (or subdividing), simultaneously
running, omitting, or otherwise modifying the individual steps
shown and described in accordance with the invention. Numerous
alternative methods may be employed to produce the outcomes
described with respect to the preferred embodiments illustrated
above or equivalent outcomes.
[0182] It is to be understood therefore that the invention is not
limited to the particular embodiments disclosed (or apparent from
the disclosure) herein, but only limited by the claims appended
hereto.
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