CN101976377A

CN101976377A - Inventory management system

Info

Publication number: CN101976377A
Application number: CN2010101241261A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·G·鲍尔; R·J·坎佩罗; P·B·拉斯班德; M·D·维尔
Original assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC
Current assignee: Adt Services LLC; Tyco Fire and Security GmbH
Priority date: 2002-01-23
Filing date: 2003-01-23
Publication date: 2011-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-23
Also published as: EP1468473A4; JP2005515947A; RU2004125583A; AU2003214872B2; CN101976377B; CN1643731A; AU2008221531B2; KR20040089123A; JP4445265B2; JP2009280405A; EP1468473A2; CA2474254C; CA2474254A1; AU2008221531A1

Abstract

Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with certain aspect s related to the present invention collect item information from RFID tags attached to items in an inventory, and uses the collected item information to perform various inventory management processes. In one aspect, the inventory management processes may include determining, reporting, and/or providing corrective actions for one or more events associated with at least one of depletions of items in the inventory, change s in the design of items in the inventory, defects with one or more items, misplaced items, the movement of an unusual umber of items within a short period of time (i.e., shrinkage), and malfunctions of one or more components includes in the environment.

Description

Inventory management system

The application is to be application number the dividing an application for the application of " inventory management system " that be 03806792.7 denomination of invention on January 23rd, 2003 applying date.

Technical field

The present invention relates to inventory management system, more specifically, relate to being used for carrying out and use intelligent station to follow the tracks of and/or check the system and method for the stock control process of the article that have radio frequency identification (RFID) label.

Background technology

Stock control becomes more and more important in the economy of the growth of today.New product constantly is developed and puts on market, buys for the consumer.Though this growth provides for the more selection of selecting extensive stock and service to the consumer, commercial (for example, retailer, wholesale dealer or the like) affords the stock's of this growth of management burdensome task.

In order to manage the product inventory of growth, the permanent type inventory management system has been implemented in the shop, these systems are to use point of sale (POS) data, invoice data and relevant Stock Check or the cycle about production marketing (for example to add up, the cyclical stock of product statistics) historical data is determined the system of existing tank farm stock in retail shop.The POS data typically refer to the data that generate at the system place that checks out (that is cash register).According to the inventory level in retail shop, can subscribe product again from manufacturer.Alternatively, manufacturer and retailer can order protocols having, and it preferentially sends product according to the project guide manufacturers of agreement.Ideally, the stock is replenished in this wise, so that stock article arrives retail shop before existing inventory level is just emptied.

Some burden when though the permanent type inventory management system relaxes the big stock of management, but reservation, the shipping of misguidance and/or the unusual sale speed (that is, production marketing carries out too soon or be too slow) again of the inexactness of the management introducing cycle that they adopt statistics, POS scan-data, redundancy.The result be the actual tank farm stock level in short supply of the product (for example, having the product on term of validity date) paid close attention to for the product of special sales promotion or for security purpose up to 11-12%, or even much higher.

Another shortcoming relevant with the perpetual inventory control system comprises stock's reduction, is also referred to as because the stock that the no sale situation causes reduces.For example, reduction can take place at any point of distribution chain, and it originates from issue voucher mistake, seller's malpractices, the shipping of misguidance, the retail shop employee steals and the consumer steals.If calculate stock's (that is, use permanent type inventory management techniques) as described above, then economy (amounting to several percentage points sales volume) can cause not the meeting of stock of theoretical stock (that is stock suggestion or plan) and reality.Another problem of permanent type inventory management system is the uncertainty relevant with the validity of merchandising.For example, if not really understand relation between price and stock's speed, be also referred to as price elasticity, then the sales promotion meeting causes condition in short supply, and this will influence customer satisfaction and loyalty negatively.Alternatively, when being subscribed, too many stock do not estimate well with price elasticity or during tolerance, sales promotion can't reach the tank farm stock of wanting and reduce.

And, another relevant problem of traditional inventory management system be related to retail shelf or similarly on the load bearing unit misplacing of stock put.The goods producer mint of money expend sell some product to the consumer on.In some cases, this sale may comprise and rival's competition of making similar products like.Because wishing to present tank farm stock as much as possible usually, the retailer supplies to sell, so some employee is filling with relevant product on the shelf of product in short supply to the consumer.In some cases, Xiang Guan product can comprise the product by rival's production of manufacturer.This can cause losing the sale of manufacturer, and reduces satisfaction of customers in some cases.This also can violate the agreement between retailer and manufacturer or their dealer.

In order to overcome the shortcoming of traditional inventory management system, commerce begins to quote the stock that wireless identification device class helps management product.This progressive expection is attached to radio frequency identification (RFID) label on the product during manufacture or when product is stored in the warehouse.Each RFID label comprises an integrated circuit (IC), and it makes label can have unique identifier.So for example when product took out from the warehouse or is placed on the retail shelf, product can be scanned, and provides comprehensive stock.And the expection of RFID label technique is provided at the distribution stock control between manufacturer and the retailer.For example, each product locates can use when being sold information on the RFID label that is stored in product the retailer, reminds manufacturer by the internet.Manufacturer uses this information to come the retailer is forecast additional complete list then, to prevent situation in short supply.

Though the exploitation of above-mentioned RFID label helps to overcome some shortcoming of traditional permanent type inventory management system, these exploitations lack the ability that almost any point provides in real time or approaching real-time integrated storage is managed in supply chain.Therefore, comprehensive investigation that need provide the intelligent inventory management system to be provided at stock in the particular environment is arranged.

Summary of the invention

Be provided for the stock's of management article process according to method, system and the manufacturing thing of some relevant aspect of the present invention, each article is placed on the relevant position in the environment and interrelates with corresponding wireless identification device.In one aspect of the invention, processing can comprise that an Item Information relevant with each article offers each corresponding wireless identification device.According to Item Information, process can be carried out the stock control process, so that the real-time information relevant with the stock of article to be provided.The stock control process can comprise at least one following process: control procedure in short supply, reduction (shrinkage) identifying, quick product are recalled (recall) process, remind monitoring process and are sold optimization procedures.Each process in these processes can be carried out the stock's who is used for the article in the management environment various tasks, inventory level such as monitored item, detection misplaces the article of putting in environment, and provide the feedback information (for example, according to the sales data of replacement position to(for) the suggestion of some article) relevant with article according to the incident that detects.

To set forth bells and whistles of the present invention in the following description, and will partly understand these characteristics, or can learn these characteristics by practice of the present invention from this explanation.

Description of drawings

Will be understood that above-mentioned general remark and following detailed description be exemplary and only be exemplary, rather than for the restriction of the present invention as claim.Accompanying drawing is cited and constitutes the part that present technique illustrates, and specifies several embodiments of the present invention together with this explanation, is used for illustrating principle of the present invention.In these accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the block scheme according to the example system of some relevant aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the block scheme according to the exemplary environments of some relevant aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the process flow diagram according to exemplary EPC register (writer) process of some relevant aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is the block scheme according to the example interface conversion of some relevant aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is the process flow diagram according to the exemplary inventory analysis process of some relevant aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is the process flow diagram according to the exemplary reduction process of some relevant aspect of the present invention; And

Fig. 7 is the process flow diagram according to the example revocation process of some relevant aspect of the present invention,

Fig. 8 is the block scheme of key concept of the explanation prior art rfid system of annex A,

Fig. 9 is the block scheme that the explanation of annex A has the prior art rfid system of a plurality of antennas that are connected to the reader unit,

Figure 10 A is the block scheme of the explanation of annex A according to the embodiment of system of inventory control of the present invention, as to use intelligent station,

Figure 10 B is the block scheme of the explanation of annex A according to another embodiment of system of inventory control of the present invention, as to use intelligent commodity shelf,

Figure 10 C and 10D are the process flow diagram of the explanation of annex A according to process of the present invention, that carried out by the control module of system of inventory control,

Figure 10 E is the block scheme of the explanation use of annex A with another embodiment of the system of inventory control of the intelligent station of multiple-series configuration,

Figure 10 F is the block scheme of the explanation use of annex A with another embodiment of the system of inventory control of the intelligent station of another kind of multiple-series configuration,

Figure 10 G is the block scheme of explanation T switch of use in the multiple-series configuration of annex A,

Figure 10 H is the block scheme of explanation on-line switch of use in the multiple-series configuration of annex A,

Figure 10 I is the illustrative methods of RF and digital communication is carried in the explanation of annex A in cable a block scheme,

Figure 10 J is the block scheme of the minimized method of undesired influence of the RF cable of the explanation of the annex A antenna that uses switch to make to extend through selection,

Figure 11 A is that the explanation of annex A represents to have the block schemes a plurality of antennas, one embodiment of the present of invention that are connected to the reader unit,

Figure 11 B is the synoptic diagram of the display logic switch of annex A,

That Figure 12 and 13 is that the demonstration of annex A has is a plurality of antennas, the block scheme of the embodiment of replacement of the present invention,

Figure 14 is the block scheme of explanation an alternative embodiment of the invention of annex A, wherein two transmission cables of separating send modulation with unmodulated RF signal to a plurality of antennas, each antenna has several rings,

Figure 15 is the block scheme of the explanation alternative embodiment of the present invention of annex A, wherein modulation use same each and every one antenna loop with unmodulated RF system,

Figure 16 A is the synoptic diagram of illustrative switch of embodiment shown in Figure 15 of the be used in annex A of annex A,

Figure 16 B is the synoptic diagram of another illustrative switch of embodiment shown in Figure 15 of the be used in annex A of annex A,

Figure 17 A is being used in of an annex A circuit diagram various embodiment of the present invention, that use the switch of PIN diode,

Figure 17 B be the demonstration antenna of annex A how by the circuit diagram of " off resonance ",

Figure 17 C is the demonstration antenna quilt circuit diagram of another method of " off resonance " of annex A,

Figure 17 D is the demonstration antenna quilt circuit diagram of another method of " off resonance " of annex A,

Figure 18 A is the figure of the various layouts of explanation reader unit on shelf of annex A,

Figure 18 B is the figure of the explanation of annex A in the use of shelf interior label,

Figure 19 is that the figure of a method of metal wire antenna is made in the explanation of annex A,

Figure 19 A-C is that the explanation of annex A is fixed on the figure of the method for on-chip replacement to the end of line,

Figure 20 is the figure of the method for the explanation of the annex A replacement of making metal wire antenna,

Figure 20 A is the figure of metal wire antenna shape of the various replacements of explanation of annex A,

Figure 21 is that the figure of another method of metal wire antenna is made in the explanation of annex A,

Figure 22 is that the explanation of annex A is added to the figure that forms the apparatus and method of sheet metal antenna on netted or the planar substrates to the sheet metal band,

Figure 23 be the explanation of annex A on substrate the depositing electrically conductive passage with the figure of another method of forming the sheet metal antenna,

Figure 24 is the figure of the xsect of the explanation of the annex A applicator 2200 that is used for the depositing electrically conductive passage,

Figure 25 is that the explanation of annex A is laid the figure of the method for simple rectangular conductive passage by the equipment shown in Figure 22 that uses annex A,

The metal foil slip that the explanation of Figure 25 A-B annex A is folding,

Conductive trace 2300 and the former overlapping embodiment of conduction rail bar that the demonstration of Figure 26 annex A is wherein laid,

Figure 27 is the rhythmo structure that comprises the sheet metal strip antenna of annex A,

Figure 28 is that the explanation of annex A uses milling machine to form the figure of the perforate of substrate.

Embodiment

The following description of embodiments of the invention is with reference to accompanying drawing.In suitable occasion, identical reference numbers is meant same or similar unit on the different figure.

Foreword

System and method according to some relevant aspect of the present invention makes the intelligent inventory management process can monitor and collect and be included in the relevant information of stock of the article (for example, product) in the environment.Article as term used herein, can be to be made by farm mechanism, exploitation, plantation and by manufacturer, commercial entity, individuality, individual group or the like provides, the product of any kind of.For example, article can be food (for example product, dairy produce, can food or the like), clothes, and plant or similar gardening product are used for the mechanical component of machine, sports goods or the like.And article can be related to animal alive or fish, such as the domestic animal (for example, ox) of being raised and be sold to the domestic animal processing mechanism by domestic animal supplier.Alternatively, article can be the animals of raising and train that raise and train or non-, such as dog or the Reptilia being raised and/or safeguarded by animal supplier or protective tissue (for example, pet shop, zoo or the like).

The information of collecting can be used for carrying out various stock control processes, it makes the user can control the stock of article, monitor reduction, simplification and identification are included in the article that recall or defective among the stock, misplacing of article put in the management environment, and reception and the relevant reminder message of various article inventory conditions, such as safety conditions, condition in short supply or the like.

In one aspect of the invention, the system of the structure that environment (for example retail shop or the like) use RFID enables such as shelf unit, follows the tracks of the stock of article.Such system is in the U.S. Patent Application Serial Number of submitting to corresponding on January 9th, 2003: _ _ _ _ _ _ annex A in describe.System and method according to some relevant aspect of the present invention makes the data relevant with article repeatedly to be collected by data gathering system.The user-operable user interface, it provides based on the Item Information that requires (that is, when the user asks it) or based on the Item Information of exception (, when unusual or noticeable some thing takes place).According to the data of collecting, the intelligent inventory management is used and/or the user can manage article in short supply, monitors reduction, carries out and recalls function fast, with the prompting of sending relevant noticeable incident.

System architecture

Fig. 1 is the high-level block diagram according to exemplary stock's management system 100 of some relevant aspect of the present invention.As shown in the figure, system 100 can comprise by the interconnected one or more environment 110-1 of network 180 to 110-N.Environment 110-1 also can be connected directly by the direct communication path (not shown) between environment to 110-N.Network 180 can be represented the communicate configuration of any kind, allows environment 110-1 to the 110-N exchange message.For example, network can be a Local Area Network, and the combination of wide area network (WAN) and network is such as the internet.And network 180 can comprise foundation structure, allows environment 110-1 to pass through based on wireless communication exchange information to 110-N.

Environment 110-1 respectively can representative and commercial entity or the relevant environment of non-commercial entity to 110-N.In one aspect of the invention, each environment 110 can comprise, or relate to the physical arrangement of manufacturing, production, maintenance, storage and/or merchandising.For example, environment 110-1 can represent the retail shop of merchandising to 110-N, the warehouse of purchase, storage, maintenance and/or items of freight, and the storeroom of storage supply, or the like.Environment 110-1 also can represent main commercial office entity to 110-N, manages sale in other environment 110 and article sale, produces, and stores or the like.For example, several environments (for example, 110-1) can be represented retail outlet shop, give the consumer (promptly such as the direct marketing commodity, the user) supermarket, and environment 110-N can represent the stock of each environment in the management several environments and the main office of other commercial aspects.According to some aspect of the present invention, one or more environment (for example, 110-1) can be carried out the intelligent inventory management according to the Item Information of being collected by the automatic service of carrying out in environment.

In order to carry out the intelligent inventory management service according to some relevant aspect of the present invention, each environment 110-1 can comprise intelligent inventory management system (IIMS) 105 to 110-N, data gathering system (DCS) 160 and article inventory 170.IIMS 105 can represent one or more computing systems, such as server, and personal computer, workstation, notebook computer, or technical any other known similar computer system are carried out the one or more processes according to some relevant aspect of the present invention.Though Fig. 1 shows the IIMS 105 that is positioned at each environment, some aspect of the present invention makes IIMS 105 also can be positioned at the outside of environment.For example, department store's link can make several shops be connected to single IIMS 105 by network.

DCS 160 can be the configuration of execution according to hardware, firmware and/or the software of the data collection function of some aspect of the present invention.On the one hand, DCS 160 comprises by using the one or more article of RFID technology from be included in article inventory 170 to collect the parts of Item Information.Article inventory 170 is positioned at one or more article of each environment 110 on can represents physical.Article inventory 170 also can comprise the article of one or more types, and they aspect characteristic, size, price, local flavor, function or the like can be or can not be similar.For example, represent in the example in supermarket at environment 110-1, article inventory can comprise the F﹠B of different types, and every type article comprise a plurality of article.Therefore, in above example, environment 110-1 can comprise beverage and other edible article of the type that thousands of are different.Alternatively, if environment 110-1 is relevant with improvement warehouse retail shop of family, then article inventory 170 can comprise the instrument of different types, machine, utensil or the like.

For the purpose of explanation in this application, article described herein are relevant with Retail commodity, suppose that commodity are placed on the shop shelf, and shelf comprise the RFID antenna that is included in each environment 110.Each article can be relevant with the RFID label, and label comprises the Item Information relevant with each article.For example, the RFID label can comprise the identifying information of the uniqueness of the article that label is attached to, such as sequence number or price number.Alternatively, the RFID label can comprise Item Information, represents the type of article and/or relevant characteristic, and the message identification of the environment that is positioned at of RFID label (for example, being positioned at situation beyond the environment for IIMS 105).DCS 160 can be configured to from be stored in article inventory 170 the relevant RFID label search Item Information of each article, and provide information to IIMS 105.

The Information Retrieval Mechanism of other types can be implemented in the environment 110-1 relevant with antenna, comprises suspension type display, clothes shelf, the terminal display of shelf, cubicle, control stand, inner room or warehouse shelf, display case and point of sale or checkout lane equipment.And, though the following description of some aspect of the present invention relates to the overhead baggage rack unit based on RFID, but it will be understood to those of skill in the art that the present invention also can use together with the RFID reader relevant with POS position (for example, checkout lane), warehouse shelf, porch zone or the like.The speed that antenna characteristics (for example, form factor) and antenna are read out may need to regulate, so that be used in the application except shelf.For example, warehouse applications may require long range of readings and not too frequent Data Update, and the range of readings that may require unusual fast data to upgrade and may be lower is used in the point of sale.Based on can in annex A, describing with type and the function of the RFID of parts of finishing according to method and system of the present invention and system.

Exemplary environments 110-1

As mentioned above, system 100 allows one or more environment 110 management article stock 170 intelligently.Fig. 2 shows the block scheme according to the exemplary environments 110-1 of some characteristic of the present invention.As shown in the figure, environment 110-1 can comprise IIMS 105, request response management device (RRM) 220 and DCS 160.

IIMS 105 can comprise CPU 201, storer 202, display 204 and database 215.CPU 201 can be the processor of technical known any kind.CPU 201 can be configured to the execution command with according to relevant some principle implementation of the present invention.Though Fig. 2 only shows a CPU 201 and be included among the IIMS 105, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that a plurality of different structures can be by being implemented according to the article about method, system and the manufacturing of some principle of the present invention.For example, CPU 201 can replace or replenish with a plurality of processors, and one or more processors are carried out a plurality of tasks and/or the operation of a plurality of processing procedure.Display 204 can be that presentation information is given the display device user, any kind, such as workstation, notebook computer, and dumb terminal unit, the computer screen in the operator's console etc.

Database 215 can be one or more memory device systems, and its storage is carried out according to intelligent inventory management characteristic of the present invention by the information that IIMS 105 uses.Database 215 can such as sql database server, be controlled by the database server (not shown).And Java database connectivity (JDBC) driver that is used for sql server can be used for inserting the sql server database.Database 215 can store be included in the RFID label in the relevant information of each identifier.Therefore, for each goods holding unit (SKU) (promptly, make by certain manufacturer, reflect certain type of product information (for example type of items), relevant with article at least, in certain size, colored, style or the like aspect), the Item Information that is stored in the database 215 can be selected from following project:

(1) general price sign indicating number (UPC) and/or electrovalence trellis code (EPC).Should be pointed out that the article of colour or the like can have all identical UPC by certain size that has of certain manufacturer's making, but each has unique EPC.Below with reference to title is the joint of " EPC register (writer) ", provides the further instruction of EPC.

(2) the current price of article.

(3) the seasonal designator of article.Seasonal designator can represent article and different incident or season (such as, festivals or holidays, time period of certain date front and back of special incident (for example, supercup football game) or the like) relation between relevant time interval.For example, soap products can have the seasonal designator of the no Seasonal Characteristics of representative, and such as " no season ", " garland " can have " Christmas Day " designator, and charcoal can have " summer " designator or the like.And, Promotional Items (for example) by special those article sold of manufacturer or retailer can have with the time period (such as, " in July, 2003 " etc.) relevant seasonal designator.Seasonal designator can be used for determining when some article of removing or be stored in again in the article inventory 170 by ISSA 200 and/or user.

(4) storage life of article.Storage life can be that the permission article are placed on the time interval in the article inventory 170.For example, perishable product such as milk, may have the limited time interval, and in this time interval, they can be presented on and be sold to the consumer on the shelf.Nonperishable product also can have the limited time interval that appears among the stock 170 according to one or more factors, the former sale of these factors such as similar type article, section or the like limited the promotion period.

(5) historical data of the sale speed of relevant every type article.Historical sales data can certain time interval of rollback, such as the fate of certain number or hour or the like.The historical sales data can be formatted, so that this sample loading mode of quantity of the article of the sale that is reflected in type given in a time interval is provided, such as form, comprises that a charge off sells data, has 168 row, represents 7 days and multiply by 24 hours.Be less than 24 hours environment for every day work, such as retail shop or be not the commercial office of opening the door in 24 hours, these row can have less row.And database 215 can comprise the additional additional column about the sale speed data of article, for example, represents certain condition, and such as standard price, promotional price in season festivals or holidays, is brought down stocks condition or the like.Can be (for example, Christmas Day) or short (the falling in battle soldier's commemoration day July 4, International Labour Day or the like) that prolongs season festivals or holidays.Other situations that can produce unusual sale pattern (for example, quickening to sell pattern) comprise " supercup ", or the date before the expection inclement weather, such as snowstorm or typhoon.

(6) data in short supply of the history of the one or more conditions of representative when one type article can not provide in article inventory 170.

(7) represent article to be removed the historical data that the back does not have to buy the number of times of being put back to shelf again.

(8) represent shelf " volume " size of article of peculiar size of the individual packaging unit of article.This peculiar size can be measured the cube that surrounds for straight line, or by the geometric space by the other types of expression and manipulation on the process mathematics of computing machine and/or user's execution.For the article that can not pile up mutually, that the shelf volume size can be considered to expand to is adjacent with it, current another shelf that are placed with article on it.

(9) in the environment 110-1, preferably be placed with one or more positions of article, such as shelf number, or warehouse location.

(10) information of general introduction reduction is reflected in the environment 110-1 moving for the article of the specific some of when and where.For example, reduction information can be relevant from the condition that shelf are taken away in the time of short-term with certain type wherein a large amount of article.

(11) be summarized in the interior information of environment 110-1 for the specific incident in short supply of when and where.

In addition, collect (for example, the independent box of the article of any kind) for certain type article, database can be stored the Item Information from following project choice:

(1) EPC of article.

(2) relate to the UPC of the article of getting back to above-mentioned SKU information.

(3) information of other types is not directly known from SKU (for example, colour, style, size).

(4) sequence number (if be different from EPC) relevant with article.

(5) article are for the commercial entity relevant with environment 110-1, such as the retailer, cost.

(6) article are placed on the position in the environment 110-1 date of (such as, specific shelf) for the first time.

(7) term of validity of article (if any).

(8) represent the article position information (if or being sold the position of knowing at last of article) of the current physical location of article in the environment 110-1.

(9) article of the Xiao Shouing price (if selling) of being sold.

(10) article date (if selling) of being sold.

(11) buyer's preferred client number (if selling), the number of uniqueness that purchase maybe may be bought the user of the article that are positioned at environment 110-1 is distributed in representative.

Database can be configured to various data layouts and database configuration storage data.For example, database 215 can be stored one or more forms, comprises by ISSA 200 making the information that is used for carrying out some function relevant with the present invention.These forms can comprise:

(1) tblAlert-stores the prompting relevant with some incident in the environment 110-1 and reminds the table of confirming.

(2) tblCompany: storage has, rents, manages about it and/or the table of the information of the commercial entity (for example, company) relevant with environment 110-1.

(3) table of the information of the relevant position given in environment 110-1 of tblCurEPC-storage (for example, given shelf) current EPC.

(4) tblEPC: storage is EPC sign indicating number and product information, such as manufacturer, and the information of SKU and other types relevant, the table of the information that interrelates with product (for example, article).

(5) tblEPCReader-stores the table of the information of relevant EPC readout device (such as, reader 262).

(6) table of the stock's of the relevant basic horizontal that is used for EPC readout device (such as, reader 262) and any type of items relevant of tblEPCSkuBase-storage information with reader.

(7) table of the relevant current theoretical stock's who provides by the inventory system of enterprise resource planning (EPR) or other types of tblEPRlnv-storage stock stock's plan that contrast, that in environment 110-1, should exist or suggestion of reality (for example, with) information.The EPR system is a business management system, and its merges commercial many aspects, comprises plan, makes, sell, and marketing, and such as by SAP, those EPR systems that Oracle and PeopleSoft provide.

(8) tblInventoryAlertConflg: storage is used for the configuration item purpose table of stock's prompting work (for example, by the task that IIMS 105 carries out, it provides reminder message according to one or more stock's conditions).

(9) tblInventoryRemoveAlertConflg: storage is used for the table that the stock removes the configuration data of reminder process.

(10) table of the tblManu-storage information relevant with the one or more manufacturers of article in being included in stock 170.

The table of the information of (11) the executable action of tblReaderType-store predetermined EPC reader (for example, read, open/turn-off display, regulate power level or the like).

(12) the tblReaderTypeAction-storage is for the table of the inventory of the possible action of given EPC reader.

(13) the tblRelatedEPC-storage is for the table of the identifying information of any EPC reader relevant with another (for example, being connected to public overhead baggage rack unit, relevant with community antenna).

(14) tblRemEPC-stores the table of the EPC (for example, no longer on the frame of appointment) of the given position that no longer is positioned at environment 110-1.

(15) the Agent position of tblRequestBroker-store predetermined request and relevant port are (for example.The table of information TCP/IP port identification symbol).

(16) tblSku-preserves the table of the information of relevant article SKU information.

(17) tblSkuCat-storage is about the table for the information of one or more catalogues of various article.

(18) tblStore-stores the table of the information of relevant environment 110-1.

(19) tblUser-storage is authorized to insert the table of inventory of the Any user of ISSA 200.

(20) tblVirtualCommands-stores the table of the inventory of the dummy command that is used for the EPC reader.This order inventory can comprise the order that can be sent to the RFID reader, and guiding RFID carries out one or more operations, such as stores information.

It will be understood to those of skill in the art that table listed above is exemplary, and do not plan to limit.Database 215 can comprise the table more or less that is configured to store various types of information of being used by ISSA 200.

Storer 202 can be the memory storage of storage by the one or more known type of the data of IMMS 105 uses.Storer 202 can be, but is not limited to, the memory storage of the type of magnetic, semi-conductive and/or light.Storer 202 also can be the memory storage that allows CPU 201 RAD (rapid access data), such as ultra-high access memory.In a configuration according to the characteristic of the selection relevant with the present invention, storer 202 can store data and/or programmed instruction (for example, using) is implemented the method according to some characteristic relevant with the present invention.In the middle of the software in can being included in storer 202, intelligent commodity shelf software application (ISSA) 200 is arranged.

ISSA?200

ISSA 200 can be an application program, and such as the application software by the web network-enabled, it provides information to the user, or gives the EPR system.Therefore, ISSA 200 can be configured to from user or EPR system reception data and provide data to user or EPR system (or business management system of other types).ISSA 200 can be stored in database 215 to the data of collecting from DCS 160 temporarily before partial data is sent to user and/or ERP system.In one aspect of the invention, user customizable ISSA 200 is managed and is stored in database 215 to determine how many inventory datas, and how inventory data to be stored in and to be positioned at another environment, such as environment 110-N, the ISSA system in.

In addition, ISSA 200 can carry out and/or move the one or more privacy procedures that are configured to control the function that is linked into ISSA200.For example, ISSA 200 can carry out needs the user to provide effective user's name and password (or other forms of identification) so that the privacy procedure of the characteristic (comprising those characteristics of being carried out by ISSA 200) that is provided by IIMS105 to be provided.Moreover ISSA 200 can distribute one or more tasks to give the user.According to the task of distributing, ISSA 200 (or be included among the IIMS 105 any other application and/or process) can determine corresponding user can insert which task (for example, the program of being carried out via CPU 201 by ISSA 200).Moreover whether ISSA 200 may command users will receive the prompting of some type, and these promptings can be to be received from the miscellaneous part in the environment 110-1 by ISSA 200, such as DCS 160, reception.In addition, ISSA 200 can comprise a process, and it is created when being carried out by CPU 201 and the log file of any affairs of keeping being carried out by the user, such as adding data, request msg and/or revising data in the database 215.

ISSA 100 can comprise one or more user interfaces 210, and it allows user and ISSA200 exchange message, such as passing through display 204.User interface 210 allows the form request msg of user with order or inquiry, and these orders or inquiry are handled by business logic/affairs machine 230.

Business logic/affairs machine 230 can be a software, and management is according to one or more tasks of some relevant characteristic of the present invention (, process) when this software is carried out by CPU 201.On the one hand, these tasks can comprise control task 231 in short supply, and reduction monitor task 232 is recalled task 233, EPC register (writer) task 234, other characteristic tasks 235 and reminding task 239 fast.

Task 231 in short supply

Control task 231 in short supply provides the management function relevant with article inventory 170 for ISSA 200.For example, control task 231 in short supply can be carried out the stock and handle, and it is according to order and/or determine to be included in the physical inventory of the article in some and the complete inventory 170 periodically, such as the current stock who is in the reality of the article on the shop shelf.Task 231 can allow to ask and watch with corpse (for example, client, employee or the like) result of the library procedure of (such as peripherals 255 or display 204) on display device.Task 231 can determine whether any type of items short supply (for example, can not offer purchase of customer, because such article are not placed on the position that client can collect and buy).Task 231 can be created the inventory of these type of items in short supply, and press precedence according to one or more factors and arrange them, such as since type of items in former time interval (for example, last month) in short supply lose profit, since type of items when determining condition in short supply short supply lose profit, other places are (for example in environment 110-1, storeroom in the back) during availability and the reduction (for example, the popular DVD of new issue, snowplow reduction or the like during the snowstorm).

In addition, control task 231 in short supply can be carried out article and misplace the process of putting, and this creates when being placed on wrong shelf when article, is placed on the record of any article of the interior incorrect position of environment 110-1.Moreover when article were confirmed as wrong the placement, task 231 can generate and/or transmit to misplace put reminder message.In addition, task 231 can be carried out shelf count value threshold process, and this shelf count value that allows user and/or ISSA 200 to have in any type of items receives the indication of this type of items when being lower than for the threshold value of given position and/or is alerted.The shelf count value represents in fact to be present in the number of certain type article of the given position relevant with type of items.For example, in the supermarket, certain shelf can be assigned to one type article (for example, canned soup).The shelf count value of exemplary items type represents to have the article of how many specific types to be positioned at the shelf of appointment.In one aspect of the invention, threshold value can be determined and/or can be calculated according to one or more conditions by ISSA 200 by the user, such as before certain type the article before a week on the same day during, from present time until environment 110-1 no longer to client open till or time durations till the getting in stocks again of the expection next time of type of items from removed how many article in given position.In addition, threshold value can be by representative some conditioned disjunction external condition relevant with article, such as type of items whether be subjected to do shopping sales promotion, festivals or holidays season, be conditioned corresponding to one or more factors of the time period influence of special incident (for example, supercup, weather condition or the like).

Except feeding back to ISSA 200 and/or the user about the stock condition relevant with the one or more type of items in the stock 170 is provided, control task 231 in short supply also can be according to the article of short supply (for example, can not offer purchase of customer) as the function in certain time interval (for example, Sun Shi income per hour) determines loss how many incomes (for example, money).In addition, control task 231 in short supply can determine to influence one or more factors of sale of the article of specific type.These factors can include, but not limited to the price of the article of type of items, sell relevant Seasonal Characteristics with article, and the sale that is included in the article of the other types among the stock 170.

Control task 231 in short supply also can be determined in environment 110-1 and/or the position of outside one or more replacements, and one type article can be according to the sale before relevant with type of items and/or this type of items in short supply being reapposed whether in this position.Moreover when a kind of type of items was confirmed as short supply, task 231 can generate the message of a reflection condition in short supply, is displayed on the display device.Message in short supply also can comprise other information, such as (for example apologizing, providing for condition in short supply for the another kind of types of articles that is similar to type of items in short supply, the discounting of the selling price product shop or that belong to plate together), for the confirmation slip of article in short supply and be directed to the article of the same type that comprises the stock and the environment (for example, Lin Jin shop) of the replacement of article price.

Reduction task 232

Reduction task 232 can be carried out the process of reduction that management is included in the article among the stock 170, such as since the stock's that stealing causes loss, errors of book entry and misplacing put.One aspect of the present invention, reduction task 232 can be carried out one and determine and/or allow that the user receives the shelf stock of reflection reality and/or the process when theoretical shelf stock differs the information of certain percentage.Theoretical shelf stock representative is 200 that determine by ISSA, corresponding to the stock's of the article of the certain location that should be arranged in environment 110-1 numerical value.For example, under the situation of high-value transactions, the user may like to know that when the actual tank farm stock with theory differs only unit.Moreover reduction task 232 can be carried out one and determine and/or allow that the user watches which position of environment 110-1 to stand the process of maximum reduction.In addition, task 232 can be carried out one and determine and/or allow that the user watches or is alerted, and article are when with predetermined quantity (such as the quantity by director of store's regulation) removed process from the shelf.Predetermined quantity can be represented removed a large amount of article in the relatively short time, and this may represent the stealing condition.Yet, take the good transaction that large numbers of items also may be represented the exception of worth transaction business immediately away.Therefore, reduction task 232 can be the reduction condition record that detects documentarily, and the signal that can send interruption is to one or more peripherals, such as flashlamp, camera or image time-stamp or the audio frequency " thank you message " of silent alert, lorry.Moreover reduction task 232 can be created and give information to user (for example, employee of shop-assistant, environment 110-1 or the like), and it comprises the information of the user being sent the zone of offering help for " valuable client ".

Recall task 233 fast

Recall task 233 fast and can carry out and allow user or commercial entity's (for example, retailer, article manufacturer or the like) according to critical data, such as lot number, during or the like follow the tracks of one or more processes of article.Task 233 can be determined and relevant may need to take off from shelf or because the information of the article that its sale of other reasons should be accelerated is provided.For example, the article of some type can have the relevant term of validity date of determining by their manufacturing, such as medicine, health ﹠ beauty product and perishable goods (for example, food).Though some these article still is safe (and medicine still is effective) surpassing in some time on term of validity date, the convention of acceptance may be the term of validity day of article after date do not sell these article.So reduction task 233 can be discerned the article and the information of expression term of validity date terms that reach the term of validity date and offer the user.Moreover, task 233 can provide the suggestion of these article of sales promotion in the term of validity of article before the date, (for example sell such as determining in environment 110-1 or having higher article in addition, the other position of the history front at shelf), and/or the suggestion of selling these article with lower price.

In addition, task 233 can when the expired information of the term of validity offers the user article, so that article can be removed from stock 170.Recall task 233 fast the information relevant with the purchase plan of type of items also is provided.For example, selling badly in the corresponding term of validity of article the type of items of (for example, the sale of article does not come up to the expectation) before the date can be the expression excess on hand.Therefore, task 233 can provide the information of the relation of the term of validity between the date of the article of the former sale that is reflected in type of items and this type of items.

In addition, recall task 233 fast and can insert database 215, collect the storage life information relevant with each article among the stock 170.Storage life information can be represented the approximate term of life of article, and it can be determined according to the term of validity date of certain type article.Alternatively, the storage life can be represented the common switching time of article, and let it be between the operating period or the term of validity date.Task 233 can determine when article surpass its storage life, and the indication of this condition is offered the user via display device (for example, display 204).

Recall task 233 fast and also can insert database 215, collect the temperature data that add the time marking relevant with some article among the stock 170.Temperature data can reflect the close environment 110-1 that is stored in, such as, the temperature value in the zone of the one or more article in the refrigerated shelf unit.Recall task 233 fast and can the serviceability temperature data calculate the corruption of the article that storage life of reducing or prediction depend on temperature, such as milk.Moreover when the temperature that task 233 could provide and/or transmit the specific zone (for example, refrigerated shelf unit) of reflection is lower than for the reminder message of the situation of the acceptable level of any article that is stored in this zone is given the user.

And for any article of some type with storage life and term of validity date, recalling task 233 fast can provide prompting in the environment 110-1 or outside one or more positions, as the additional security feature of antagonism Database error.For example, reminder message (for example, sound and/or display message) can be in the POS position or record keeping passage place provide, allow cashier's double check term of validity date in the POS position, be printed on usually these term of validity days on the packing of the article of wanting purchased.

Recall task 233 fast and can determine that also manufactured merchant of which article or supplier revise, and determine, provide reflection can help the information of mobile older stock's possible action according to this.For example, product (that is, article) meets style sometimes and changes, such as new packing style, different size, color change, local flavor change etc.Though existing product still is good, because client may be reluctant to buy sensuously older product, the retailer may want to sell out as quickly as possible existing older goods.Therefore, recall task 233 fast and allow retailers to place the goods of such redesign, and it is moved on to the better position of market, such as sell layer at a bargain, in the front of shelf, and/or provide goods with the price that gives a discount, move older goods from stock 170.

Article also may be defective when arriving environment 110-1.Under the situation of medicine, take off article immediately to prevent possible health risk, may be indispensable.These article may be destroyed at environment 110-1 place, or be returned to manufacturer.And the article of defective may be recalled by manufacturer.Therefore, the article that took off defective from stock 170 before article are purchased can be saved time for retailer and client, and allow article intactly to return to manufacturer with its original packing.Recall task 233 fast and can carry out one or more processes of the situation that relates to these types.For example, in some cases, article may have defective, make it not too costly, though do not constitute health or security risk, such as the article with part of losing, cosmetic defect, unmatched part or the like.After these article were delivered to environment 110-1, manufacturer may discern these article according to the identifier (for example, lot number) relevant with transmission.Yet, in case large numbers of items by storehouse reservation and/or by shipping, different batches just become and mix, and the retailer has and do not unpack and the affected problem of identify objects.Yet by the RFID tag feature relevant with some aspect of the present invention, manufacturer can discern the scope of the RFID sequence number of being packed improperly.The article that environment 110-1 can receive these sequence numbers and allow the defective among the ISSA 200 identification stocks 170.Recall task 233 fast and can carry out search database 215 and find and the relevant article of defective article sequence number that receive, and perhaps this information is offered the user by display 204 or other peripherals.The user can offer the various purchases of client then to be stimulated, and removes the article of defective from stock 170.The discount of the defective article of buying same as before for example, can be provided for client.When production marketing, perhaps the cashier writes down client's name and address, and this information is handed to manufacturer, perhaps can give client a cipher key number, uses this number again, such as the part of losing to the free reservation of manufacturer by the internet.Alternatively, the known part of losing can shipping arrive the retailer, as free " safeguarding packing " distribution.Such a program process is saved manufacturer's shipping and the processing cost that involves when returning whole packing.And, retailer even can use this characteristic for being ready to buy " cartoon of opening " or providing special discount such as the client of the product that returns by another client (it may not be because the shortage article that the mistake of manufacturer causes).Add the article of RFID label by use, the retailer can provide special discount for the packing of damaging in retailer stock 170, and does not worry that not careful client damages the good box on the shelf, and seeks to obtain to give a discount.

In addition, the article of some type such as software product, usually comprise known wrong or " program mal " of " the correction patch " that need remedy.For example, comprise that the readable medium of one or more programs or data computing machine (for example, CD-ROM, DVD, disk or the like) may need to include only the revision of several megabyte, it can be downloaded by the internet.Recall the article that task 233 can be discerned the defective of these types by the RFID label among the use stock 170 280 fast.Therefore, retailer and/or manufacturer can provide little discount for the client who buys " out-of-date " or " program mal " product, and client knows that this product has and specify, and need the code that cost time a few minutes proofreaies and correct by the Internet download.And environment 110-1 can provide one or more workstations, and the user can utilize these workstations to download the code of proofreading and correct at environment 110-1.

EPC register 234

EPC register 234 can be one and be used for helping ISSA 200 EPC to be written to the process of specific RFID label 280.One aspect of the present invention, EPC register 234 can insert database 215 and obtain for the identifier that will add the specific article of EPC at RFID label 280, such as UPC.The further instruction of these aspects of the present invention is described with reference to " EPC register " joint below.

Other characteristic tasks 235

Other characteristic tasks 235 can execution with advertisement, price sensitivity, sale optimization, the relevant one or more application of lattice and Customer Information and service of fixing a price automatically.

One aspect of the present invention, other characteristic tasks 235 comprise advertisement, price sensitivity and sell optimization (APSSO) and use, its determine reflection advertisement (for example, sell and/or represent article) and/or price how to influence be presented on to the relation of the sale of the client's of stock's 170 interactions article or type of items or possible sale.This application can be on request or create the notion how certain type article move from their current position practically periodically in the stock 170 that is everlasting, such as taking off and during by replacement from shelf when article.Therefore, APSSO uses the cycle stock renewal of the current stock's that can ask and receive the article among the reflection stock 170 inventory data.APSSO uses and can promote task 231 collection inventory informations in short supply, or alternatively sends a command to stock's request interface 250, acquisition of information itself, and the stock read the shelf content in every at least several seconds such as request.APSSO use the inventory information that can relatively collect with sale speed data corresponding to the relevant article of the inventory information of collecting, check the indication (for example, ratio) of the number of incident with the article that each single purchase events is provided.This indication or ratio can be described article and obtain the degree that client is concerned about, contrast article buying rate.These data can interrelate with the article location information related, for example, article whether the eyes scope, on the terminal display of shelf, be positioned at the shop the front, be positioned on the display of sales promotion, be positioned at the behind in shop or the like.

As term eyes scope used herein, can refer to that article are demonstrated for buying there, and are high such as 5 to 7 feet from one or more distances of the ground extension of environment 110-1.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that term eyes scope do not plan by this exemplary distance range restriction.Offing normal can interrelate with term eyes scope in any distance of the bottom of the structure of the ground of environment 110-1 upper support article, and does not deviate from scope of the present invention.And the distance relevant with term eyes scope can be according to the type of environment 110-1 representative.For example, dress manufacturer and/or retailer can determine that the eyes scope refers to be lower than the distance by the distance of food retailer regulation.

In addition, APSSO uses and can determine article how long with in pairs, and three or the like mode is purchased.And, be lower than given type of items, APSSO uses other article of the type that can discern other, they be article taking given type of items away simultaneously or almost simultaneously (for example, at several seconds, in a few minutes), be called as the relevant time buying, their the current position carrying from environment 110-1 is come.APSSO uses the article that also can determine which given type, and if any, each position from them is not handled upside down in the official hour interval.Alternatively, or additionally, APSSO uses the article that can determine the type what is given and is handled upside down and is replaced (that is, not by the article of purchase of customer) at official hour at interval.Simultaneously, APSSO uses and can be identified in the former time interval, such as one day of the past, any article of the given type that price changes take place in a week, one month or the like.APSSO uses the inventory of the article that can generate these prices changes, and this inventory is offered the user via peripherals (for example, equipment 255) and/or display 204.Moreover APPSO uses the article that can change according to the price of identification, determines that these article and article check the relation of the number centre of incident (for example, when client picks up article and it is put well again).

One aspect of the present invention, APSSO use can with expert system (IIMS 105 inside or outside) interaction, analyze between relevant article or relevant sale, sale speed (promptly, how soon the exhausting of each stock of the sale of article and they have or be how slow), price (for example sells susceptibility, relation between a kind of former sale of type of items and the selling price incident of this type of items), seasonal or the like historical data, to propose the improvement of shop arrangement and shelf organizational aspects.Just, expert system and/or APSSO use and can determine to offer the user for the suggestion of the layout of the replacement of the article of some type and these suggestions via peripherals according to the information of above analysis.

Other characteristic tasks 235 also can comprise automatic price application (APP), and its carries out the process of the selling price of management article.One aspect of the present invention, APP can receive and/or collect Pricing Program from database 215 (or any other storage arrangement of storage Pricing Program), and be automatically updated in display device (for example, be installed on the shelf of holding articles LCD) and go up the object displayed selling price.Pricing Program can be represented among the stock 170 the price complete list of some or all type of items, and it is to be generated by the Pricing Program process that computing equipment (for example, IIMS 105) is carried out, or generate by user (for example, the manager of retail shop).For example, the Pricing Program of example can comprise the sales promotion of arrangement, and its suggestion reduces the price of some type of items according to these sales promotion.Moreover Pricing Program can be considered the condition of the season or the time of depending on, such as festivals or holidays, meteorological condition or the like, to determine how to revise the price of type of items.For example, the Pricing Program process can be collected periodically weather information from server system, near the current weather data of the peripheral region (for example, 50 to 100 mile radius, city scope or the like) this server system access and the storage environment 110-1.Whether Pricing Program can use the weather information of collection, should regulate with the selling price of determining some article (for example, snow cave shovel, former blunt bolt or the like).Alternatively, user's (for example, the director of store) can collect, or automatic reception, and selling price is regulated by Pricing Program process and/or APP in weather information and artificially.

APP also can be in real time the price of target item with life-span of the shelf stock relevant with target item, with theoretical stock in the identical type of target item amount of commodity with and to sell be that the sale speed of other type of items relevant with the sale of target item is correlated with.APP can generate this relevant report of reflection, and on request or by the principle of arranging this report is offered peripherals (for example, memory storage, display device, printer or the like).

Other characteristic tasks 235 also can comprise Customer Information and special business application (CISSA), and CISSA is implemented as the user process of searching the help of interested article under various specialized environment is provided.One aspect of the present invention, CISSA also can provide article inventory availability information to remote subscriber (that is client).For example, be positioned at user away from environment 110-1 and can insert network address with interrelating by the server admin of working by network 180 and environment 110-1.By utilizing this network address, the user can ask to be provided at one or more article (for example, article among the stock 170) of the one or more types in environment 110-1 place.CISSA can receive the request from computer server, and determines whether the article of request are available in stock 170.One aspect of the present invention.CISSA can insert database 215, to collect the inventory information of being collected by task 231 in short supply.Alternatively or additionally, CISSA can be by being provided to one or more orders RRM 220 and DCS 160, and the article of request searching request in entire environment 110-1.

Moreover CISSA can generate in (for example, the environment 110-N request of the availability of the article of) request, and receive back whether available replying of article that are illustrated in these each position requests of one or more distal environments.Whether in this case, distal environment can be carried out the local inventory search procedure, current in stockit is available to determine these article.According to local search results, distal environment can provide the response message of an expression local search results (for example, whether can provide these article in this position) to give environment 110-1.Alternatively, distal environment they can periodically be provided current inventory data to environment 110-1.ISSA 200 can receive the information of this reception, and it is stored into database (for example, database 215), inserts when needed for CISSA.

According to these article of expression information of available reception whether, CISSA can (via computer server and network 180) offers the user to the article of expression request at environment 110-1 and/or the replying of real-time availability located at the environment of replacing (the retail shop outlet of liking such as the user or the outlet of hithermost three or four replacements).

In addition, CISSA can provide above-mentioned identical article availability function by the computing equipment (for example, being positioned at the operator's console in shop) that is positioned at environment 110-1.For example, find specific article and know that these article are in short supply and when disappointed, client can be positioned at the availability of the operator's console request article in shop by use when client arrives shop (for example, environment 110-1) expectation.Except there were article the address, shop of one or more replacements in oddment, operator's console can be shown to client to the discount offers of inconvenience (for example, for these article or the reward voucher of the cents off of another article perhaps).Client can, for example, the simple code word/number of the selection by they are provided, and accept this discount.This discount will be effectively in the limited time interval, and customer need was only used word/number of selecting in 24 or 48 hours, and this code word/number makes them enjoy this discount in qualified shop in replacement.And CISSA also can be provided at display device on the shelf that are installed in holding articles or article group to the positional information of replacing.For example, for not being any article in short supply, display device can show current place and/or the direction that comprises the position (for example, shop) of the hithermost replacement of these article in the stock.For not being any article in short supply, display device can show the price of article, rather than the position of replacing.As mentioned above, can or carry out the article that the stock searches for this request on request, determine the position of replacing according to these positional cycle ground.

Remind monitor 239

Prompting monitor 239 can be carried out the one or more processes some event notice user.One aspect of the present invention reminds the monitor 239 can be by Email, pager, cell phone, the untill further notice users such as signal that maybe can see that can hear.Remind monitor 239 can comprise appropriate software, so that with other equipment, software and/or comprise that foundation structure is to help the computing system interaction of communicating by letter by specific medium.Just, remind monitor 239 can send reminder message to output interface, it is this message conversion one-tenth and forwards or the compatible mutually form of supply system (for example wireless network equipment or the like).Remind monitor 239 can receive reflection, and reminder message is formatd thereupon from the incident of interface 250 and/or the data of other processes (such as one of task 231-234).The data that receive can reflect the known article of locating in the position (for example, inner room) of replacing co-pending, and like this, user (for example, retail shop shop-assistant) can take retail floor to the goods of free time.If can not replenish article in short supply from the position of replacing, then user and/or ISSA 200 can subscribe this article again.Moreover the data of reception can reflect the fault of one or more parts (such as antenna 270) in the environment 110-1.

One aspect of the present invention reminds monitor 239 to move by the principle of " exception ".Just,, provide reminder message, represent to take place the time of some unusual thing to the user along with an incident is found.In addition, remind the monitor 239 can be by the principle operation of rising step by step, wherein repeat or prolonged incident provide with higher right of priority.For example, no matter when article near situation in short supply or when single shelf broke down, storehouse the office worker be alerted.And, if the article short supply of several types, if situation in short supply continued more than one day, and if lorry stop using, then the departmental manager is alerted.

ISSA 200 also can comprise one or more stock's request interfaces 250 of collecting RFID tag reader incident, and receives data and/or request from business layer 230 and request-reply manager 220.Typical information flow is represented in the exchange of order in environment 110-1, data and/or information, it can be relevant with the entity (such as stock's request interface 250) of higher level, and this entity sends a command to more low-level entity (such as DCS 160) and receives data from DCS 160 conversely.Moreover information flow also can turn around.For example, DCS160 can such as the antenna tuning data, or can report some incident to ISSA 200, such as the fault in one or more parts (for example, antenna 270) to ISSA 200 solicited messages.Interface 250 can be active server page or leaf (ASP), and other application can send HTTP information by it.Interface 250 can receive the EPC data from RRM 220, and sends the extendible SGML of EPC (XML) data to be the message queue that each reader 262 is set up in DCS 160.

ISSA 200 can be configured by the structure of using different types.For example, one aspect of the present invention, ISSA 200 can be configured to three layers general structure, and it comprises the top layer that interrelates with user interface 210, the middle layer that interrelates with business logic/affairs 230, and the bottom layer that interrelates with database 215.

Top layer user interface 210 can be at web browser, such as the software of going up operation from the Internet Explorer (v5.0 or higher) of Microsoft.User interface 210 can send request and receive from computer system, such as replying of server (for example, Microsoft's internet information servers (IIS)) when being carried out by CPU 201.Server can return to user interface 210 to XML and XSL (extendible style language) information.By one of many text object modules (DOM) technology (for example, the DOM of Microsoft), XML and XSL information can be used for user interface 210 together.When XML and XSL were used by user interface 210, the content that presents in HTML (supertext SGML) can be displayed on the display 204 by the browser of being carried out by IIMS 105.Though above example is described the business based on XML and HTML, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that the data processing that under the condition that does not deviate from scope of the present invention, can implement many types and present language.

Middle or business logic layer 230 makes business logic be subjected to the effect of ISSA 200.The business logic parts for example can be by using the .NET Class of Microsoft, and VB.NET of Microsoft or C# develop.And .NET Class parts can be created in ASP.NET Web business.These classifications can be borderless and multilinked, unless in addition by business logic 230 regulations.

Database layer 215 can be stored the data that are used for carrying out according to one or more stock control processes of some characteristic of the present invention.One aspect of the present invention can be without any business logic at this layer, and this layer makes IIMS 105 can implement polytype database.Database 215 can be access in by the database language that uses different types, depends on the structure that database is configured to thereon.For example, the query language of structure (SQL) carries out order by transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) via the datum target (ADO) and/or the Open Database Connectivity ODBC (ODBC) of working.Moreover for preventing the mistake management of information, database can be configured to for 215 layers only be inserted by business logic layer 230.

RRM?220

RRM 220 can be the application of being carried out by computing system (for example, RRM system (not shown)), is used to provide at high-level components (software for example, such as ISSA 200) and the lower level parts are (for example, hardware/firmware is such as DCS 160) between bridge joint (that is interface).Though Fig. 2 is shown as parts separately to RMM 220, RRM 220 can be stored in storer 202 and be carried out by CPU 201.One aspect of the present invention, RRM 220 can be at stock's request interface 250 and the one or more master controllers 260 that are arranged in DCS 160, or the master controller in RRM 220 acts on behalf of between the (not shown) and communicates, and these master controllers agency carries out data processing or analysis for the information of collecting from stock 170 RFID label 280.RRM 220 can comprise the user interface that allows the user to watch the current state of RRM 220.User interface can insert from the IIMS 105 that carries out RRM 220.

One aspect of the present invention, RRM 220 can load the XML configuration file from the RRM configuration interface (not shown) being included in ISSA 200.Configuration file can comprise one or more event lists and/or order inventory, and they are respectively event lists that is provided by DCS 160 and the order inventory that is provided by ISSA 200.RRM 220 can be from the configuration XML document creation that provided by ISSA 200 (for example, stock's request interface 250) the request broker program 222 for each event lists in the configuration file.Alternatively, RRM 220 can create for the master controller of each event lists and act on behalf of (not shown).Master controller the agency will be described further with respect to DCS 160 and master controller 260 below.In addition, RRM 220 can create and be used for handling from one or more Agents 224 of replying of replying one or more master controllers 260 or that be included in the master controller agency in the RRM 220.Reply that Agent 224 also can send certainly and/or failure information to request broker program 222, whether expression correctly receives from master controller 260 and replys.One aspect of the present invention, replying Agent 224 can start object-oriented classification according to receiving sense data and it being transformed into the reader 262 of EPC XML.Reply Agent 224 and also can send EPC XML file, if available words to ISSA 200.If at this moment ISSA 200 can not provide, then replying Agent 224 can be EPC XML file storage in formation, until ISSA 200 become available till.

When request broker program 222 was started by RRM 220, it can send the inventory from the order of ISSA 200.Request broker program 222 can insert the inventory of reception and carry out each order.After each order was performed, request broker program 222 can wait for from replying replying of Agent 224, such as replying of sure or failure.If (it can be stipulated in the inventory in order) be not from replying replying of Agent 224 in certain time interval, or return a failure information,, can carry out another order then in response to this failure.On the other hand, if receive affirmative acknowledgement from replying Agent 224, the Next Command of request broker program 222 in can the fill order inventory then.In case all orders in the order inventory all are performed, request broker program 222 just can re-execute the order in the order inventory by original execution order.

Replying Agent 224 monitors by master controller 260 or by being included in any replying that RRM 220 interior master controller agencies provide.When replying when arriving, replying Agent 224 can definite response Internet protocol (IP) address, and creates chain cable and handle replying of reception, and continues to monitor any additional replying of entering simultaneously.According to replying of the reception that comes autonomous controller 260, reply Agent 224 and can offer suitable request broker program 222 to the sure or failure information of the solicited status of representing Agent.Suitable request broker program 222 can be to carry out corresponding to the order of replying that receives or the Agent of request

Replying under the situation that comprises data of receiving, reply Agent 224 and can dynamically start target is analyzed data according to the XML of configuration method.Each classification that is activated can be returned similar EPC XML data.Replying Agent 224 can be placed on each EPC XML data of returning in the data structure such as form.Reply Agent 224 and can also retrieve one or more sequences (for example, retrieving a read command sequence of EPC information) of reading that be used for given reader 262 from form from some RFID label 280.

Determine in the formation of current reader 262, to have stayed EPC XML data if reply Agent 224, then reply Agent 264 and can send data to ISSA 200.One aspect of the present invention is replied the EPC XML data that Agent 224 can send the formation in specific sequence, such as the oldest to up-to-date.In case the EPC XML data of queuing are provided to ISSA 200, reply Agent 224 and can send the current EPC XML that is received then.On the other hand, if there are not EPC XML data in the formation of current reader 262, then current EPC XML data are sent to ISSA 200.At this moment, if ISSA 200 can not provide, then replying Agent 224 can be placed on current EPC XML in the formation.

One aspect of the present invention, ISSA 200 can be on request (for example, the request of several seconds or response time still less) or periodically request msg is (for example, read command is provided), such as schedule (for example, per minute by setting, hour, day, or the like) automatically actuated request.DCS 160 can obtain the data of request by one or more antennas 270 from RFID label 280.The speed of obtaining of data can be according to the number that is included in the RFID label 280 among the stock 170.Therefore, for example, DCS 160 can collect the data of the request in several seconds of the stock that is used to comprise a hundreds of tagged article, or is used for the data such as the request in a few minutes of the much bigger stock who comprises thousands of the article that add the RFID label.The responsibility of RRM 220 is the collection by the component management data of operation in DCS 160.For example, RRM220 can be configured to the queue sequence of the data that are used to ask ground is offered several RFID tag reader devices (for example, reader 262), and being used for collecting, oneself is positioned at the Item Information of the RFID label of the different position of environment 170.

DCS 160 and RFID label data are collected

DCS 160 can be the set of hardware, firmware and/or software, and they carry out data collection function according to some aspect of the present invention.DCS 160 can comprise master controller 260, one or more reader 262 and one or more assistant controller 266.DCS 160 can control with its on place relevant (for example mounted thereto) one or more antennas 270 of corresponding supporting construction (for example, overhead baggage rack unit) of one or more article.Article among the stock 170 respectively are carried out RFID label 280, comprise Item Information on the label, such as, reflect the EPC of the various characteristics relevant with each article.When corresponding antenna 270 is driven by DCS 160, can retrieve information, and it is provided to DCS 160 at any RFID label 280 of the readable near zone that is positioned at driven antenna.RGID label 280 is replied for being made by the RF energy of antenna 270 emission, and this replys and be read out device 262 and read, and reader 262 turns back to master controller 260 to the Serial No. data.The Serial No. data can be analyzed by master controller 260, are returned to then to reply Agent 224, further handle for ISSA 200.

Master controller 260 can be to monitor and from the request of request broker program 222 (for example receive, order), thereby generate device and/or process for the specific a series of corresponding orders of reader 262, these orders can be made by environment 110-1 and be used for inserting article specific among the stock 170.One aspect of the present invention can be formatted according to procotol (for example ICP/IP protocol) by the order that request broker program 222 provides.Master controller 260 can send to reader 262 and/or one or more assistant controller 266 to the order that receives (for example, TCP/IP grouping).Another aspect of the present invention, controller 260 can communicate commands to reader 262 and/or one or more assistant controller 266 with the form of the serial communication protocol of RS-485 or other types.Table I shows that master controller 260 can be provided to the exemplary command inventory of reader and/or assistant controller 266.

Exemplary command
	Select antenna 270
Reader 262 is set to mode of operation
	The power level of the reader 262 of the antenna 270 that adjusting is used to select
Carry out first read operation
	Which determine to be read out for EPC number
Prevent that during the current read cycle label of reading from replying again

[0174]?

Carry out additional read operation until no longer include be read out for EPC number till
	Reader 262 is set to standby mode
The selected antenna 270 of cancellation
	The next antenna 270 that continuation will be read out

The exemplary master controller order of Table I

Master controller 260 monitors also that from the replying of reader 262 and/or assistant controller 266 it is the one or more orders that send.According to whether receiving the type of replying and replying, master controller 260 can generate and send sure, non-(for example, failure) certainly and/or read into the information of replying Agent 224.The information of reading can comprise the EPC information relevant with the RFID label 280 among the stock 170.For example, master controller 260 is finished when reading to move at reader 262 at every turn, can provide one or more EPC numbers to replying Agent 224.Alternatively, master controller 260 can be stored in the storage arrangement (not shown) to EPC number temporarily.In case being used for the RFID label 280 of certain number of one or more antennas 270 is read out device 262 and (for example reads, all labels, part label etc.), master controller 260 just can be carried out batch transmission process, it is provided to the data (for example, EPX data) of reading in a lump or group by group and replys Agent 224.

Another aspect of the present invention, master controller 260 can be regulated for the order of the reception of reader 262 uniquenesses or any difference in the data stream, and like this, controller can be used for from RFID label 280 sense informations.Master controller 260 can use the reader 262 of any number, as long as in fact selecteed reader 262 can drive one or more antennas 270.Each antenna 270 can be configured to compatible mutually with the reader 262 of one or more different types.One aspect of the present invention, given antenna 270 can carry out optimization (that is, by tuning) for a frequency, and like this, antenna 270 can be used in combination any reader 262 of identical frequency and work together.Therefore, any given antenna 270 of more than one reader 262 in can drive environment 110-1 is as long as the frequency that reader 262 is tuned to this given antenna 270 by use provides its signal.

As mentioned above, though Fig. 2 shows the part of master controller 260 as DCS 160, the software master controller that controller 260 may be implemented as in the RRM 220 is acted on behalf of (not shown).Therefore, come the communication of autonomous controller agent software can leave RRM 220, and be transformed into the RS-485 data communication by device and/or the process (not shown) that separates as the TCP/IP order.

Reader 262 can be one or more any kinds of providing by many different manufacturers from the RFID of frame reader, such as by

The I-CODE reader that provides.More than one reader 262 can be implemented in DCS 160, as long as master controller 260 device of the equivalence of communicate by letter (or be exclusively used in) with reader 262 (data that for example, provide effective order and suitable decipher to return) are configured to communicate by letter with reader 262.Though Fig. 2 is shown as parts that separate in the DCS 160 to reader 262, in fact master controller 260 and reader 262 can be combined into single electronic entity.The type that depends on environment 110-1 and/or article inventory 170, one, several, hundreds of or the like reader 262 can be made the Item Information that is used for collecting from stock 170 by DCS 160.Though each reader 262 can be relevant with its master controller 260 own, single master controller 260 can be designed to work with one or more readers 262, so that collect from stock 170 Item Information.

Assistant controller 266

Except communicating with reader 260, master controller 260 is also communicated by letter with one or more assistant controllers 266.Assistant controller 266 is calculation element and/or process, and it can play the effect driving of switch or turn-off corresponding antenna 270 by the control electronic unit, and selects one or more antennas 270.In fact each assistant controller 266 can be positioned near one group of antenna 270 and be connected to these antenna, such as the several antennas that are comprised in the positioning fixture that shelf or storage be included in the article among the stock 170.For example, environment 110-1 can have into hundred assistant controllers 266 and thousands of antenna 270.And assistant controller 266 also can receive one or more orders back operation peripherals 255 of autonomous controller 260, and demonstration is from the Item Information that is included in the RFID label 280 in the article inventory 170 and/or provide inventory information to the user.For example, peripherals 255 can be the display that is installed on the leading edge of the shelf that support one or more article.Alternatively, peripherals 255 can be directly connected to the serial data bus of communicating by letter between master controller 260 and assistant controller 266.Moreover peripherals 255 can be connected to and assistant controller 266 (for example, USB) unrelated private bus.Except such as the such output device of display, peripherals 255 can comprise input-output apparatus, maybe can be inserted into the equipment of shelf with convenient other types from the article collection/retrieve data that has or do not have RFID label 280 such as bar code reader.For example, the user can use such bar code scanner to collect and read the UPC number of article, and EPC number and the UPC number in database are interrelated.Therefore, do not had under the situation that the environment 110-1 of RFID label 280 receives at one or more article, scanner can be used for convenient the article of no label and UPC or EPC being interrelated.In addition, peripherals 255 can be the surveillance equipment that is connected to the interface that is installed in overhead baggage rack unit.Surveillance equipment can be carried out checking function, such as any antenna on the check overhead baggage rack unit and the state that is placed on the article on the shelf.

One aspect of the present invention, one or more peripherals 255 can be communicated by letter with one or more assistant controllers 266.For example, peripherals 255 can be represented a plurality of proximity sensors, and each sensor is in the existence of the predetermined proximity intra domain user (for example, client) of equipment 255.(for example whether be in the adjacent domain according to user or other entities, several inches, several feet or the like), equipment 255 can generate can be simulated by being had and/or the processor device of digital processing ability and/or the signal (for example, simulation or discrete signal, digital signal or the like) of the process monitoring that computing machine is carried out.Alternatively, equipment 255 can be in one or more shelf or the camera of installing in its vicinity, the purpose that is used to supervise.When assistant controller determines that greater than article of certain threshold number or a plurality of article from certain location when removed, camera can receive from the signal of assistant controller 266 (for example, interrupting).Camera can be driven by this signal, the continuous recording video image, or only when signal is received, take rest image.

A task of assistant controller 266 can be to switch to be installed in storage from the antenna 270 in the single shelf unit (or similar support unit) of one or more article of stock 170.In addition, assistant controller 266 can be used for to from user (for example, client, retail shop employee or the like) transmission information.For example, assistant controller 266 can receive relevant known to the Item Information by each article on the shelf of assistant controller 266 services from ISSA 200 (via database 215).Item Information can comprise current price, size, weight, unit price and/or distribution state (for example, the discount on current selling price).Item Information can be displayed on the peripherals 255, such as the display of shelf-edges.If at shelf the article of an above type are arranged, then can have a plurality of shelf-edges displays to be installed near shelf or the shelf.Alternatively, for the information of every kind of type of items can be on individual monitor sequential loop, before proceeding next type of items, suspend several seconds.The shelf-edges display can be equipped with user interface buttons, when being depressed by the user, temporarily stops to show the additional information of circulation and the relevant product that shows of request.In addition, if ISSA 200 is removed from the shelf according to the data perception article that provided by DCS160, then it can instruct assistant controller 266 to show the information relevant with these article on peripherals 255.

Assistant controller 266 also can be configured to be convenient to carry out the interaction operation between ISSA 200 and client.One aspect of the present invention, client can be equipped with the customer card based on RFID, and it comprises the RFID label of the information that wherein comprises relevant or sign client.Customer identification information can be related to the database 215 that keeps Customer Information or the information in other storage arrangements of being stored in, such as by client (via internet and browser software, operator's console equipment or the like) the current purchase inventory that provides, and the data information relevant with client and/or client's kinsfolk (for example, suit length, plate of liking or the like).When the client who has client's rfid card enters environment 110-1 and when mobile therein everywhere, the existence of customer card can make signal or data be sent to ISSA 200 by master controller 260 near the shelf that are equipped with the RFID antenna relevant with assistant controller 266.In response to signal or data the time, it is relevant to the information that detects the article on the shelf of customer card that ISSA 200 can instruct assistant controller 226 to show, such as passing through peripherals 255.In this case, ISSA 200 can insert database 215, collects and the relevant any Customer Information of identifier corresponding to the customer card of detection.ISSA200 can determine to be arranged in the shelf that detect customer card then or whether near any article or type of items is related to the Customer Information that is stored in database 215.For example, ISSA 200 can determine whether article are included in the shopping list of being set up by client and/or whether relate to client's preferred product inventory, and, ISSA 200 can provide additional information to arrive assistant controller 266, so that on peripherals 255, show, such as the availability of client's size under the situation of clothes article, the availability of the returning of article, and the availability of the sale of other article or returning.

The illustrative properties relevant with assistant controller is not limited to the customer card based on RFID.Method and system according to some aspect of the present invention also can allow employee relevant with environment 110-1 or similarly individual user to be assigned with the employee's card based on RFID.For example, the shop-assistant of retail shop can be equipped with the card based on the employee of RFID, this employee's card can be positioned at any overhead baggage rack unit of being included in the retail shop or similarly the antenna 270 in the structure detect.Existence based on employee's card of RFID in the adjacent domain of the shelf relevant with assistant controller 226 can make ISSA 200 that order is provided to DCS 160 and finally offers assistant controller 266, the information of the relevant shelf of its instruction peripherals 255 demonstration.For example, shown information can comprise the data of discerning following article: any out-of-date article that must remove from shelf, can be reapposed over the shelf front, move on to another position (for example, sales promotion zone) and/or the article that provide with the price that reduces, critical stock position and shop (environment 110-1) in, place the article at additional unit article place and misplace the article of putting and in the shop, reapposing them and locate near the term of validity date.For tank farm stock low but article that third-party vendor (such as the warehouse) can not provide, ISSA 200 can instruct the message of expection date of delivery of the new goods of assistant controller 226 display notifications.Moreover this message also can be reported the article that lose shop or away from the availability of the position of the replacement of environment 110-1 nearby.

ISSA 200 and RRM 220 also can be positioned at the POS position, such as checkout lane, DCS 160 communication.In these positions, ISSA 200 can with POS system interaction, convenient some sales transactions.For example, ISSA 200 can register the article with manufacturer's letter of guarantee automatically, by using the sequence number information that obtains from the EPC number of article and/or the customer identification information (for example, name, address or the like) of collecting from RFID (or traditional) customer card.Client can be given a selection: whether accept registration at the checkout lane place, or after postponing till.

The RFID label of being carried out by DCS 160 reads optimization

One aspect of the present invention, reader 262 can pass through the antenna 270 that RF bus (for example, cable) sends to the RF energy assistant controller 266.Individual antenna 270 or adjacent to each other and one group of antenna 270 of working together can be activated and in given time service according to the signal that is provided by assistant controller 266 and/or reader 262.The working time of given antenna 270 can be that basis is from being positioned at the time quantum that near antenna 270 RFID label 280 acquisition of informations are spent at interval.Each antenna 270 can be selected and start to assistant controller 266 successively under the guiding of master controller 260.Antenna 270 selecteed order can be optimized, so that reader 262 can be by shared between many antennas.The shared DCS 160 that can allow of reader 262 more or less collects inventory data termly, and on the antenna 270 that moving of one or more therein article of focusing one's attention on immediately.One aspect of the present invention, ISSA 200 can determine which antenna 270 is activated according to one or more polarization factors.These factors comprise:

(1) is positioned near the RFID label 280 nearest interpolation or that move antenna 270;

(2) be positioned near the one or more antennas 270 with nearest action antenna 270;

(3) be known as during particular time interval the relevant antenna 270 of one or more article that (for example time in one day or a week) has high sales volume in history;

(4) with from the relevant antenna 270 of client's button request for information, show peripherals 255 such as the interaction that is installed on the shelf that comprise antenna 270;

(5) has the antenna 270 of the rfid card (for example, customer card or employee card) of the read range that is positioned at them;

(6) antenna 270 that in the preset time interval, is not activated;

(7) one or more article that are easy to steal are arranged in their read range, such as the antenna 270 of high-grade goods (for example, jewelry or the like);

(8) such as asking as the user to reflect that desired articles is " on shelf " or when the available information of stock's storeroom of back, expection has user (for example, employee or the client) antenna 270 of interested product immediately;

(9) with the relevant antenna 270 of one or more article that in the preset time interval, passes through POS terminal (for example, POS sells recently); And

(10) antenna 270 relevant with one or more article in the storage life of approaching them.

It will be understood to those of skill in the art that, the table of above factor of arranging by precedence does not plan limit, and ISSA 200 and/or user can determine other factors by the precedence arrangement according to one or more variablees relevant with the characteristic of article among the stock 170 and weighting factor.

The performance supervision ability of DCS 160

One aspect of the present invention, the hardware/software components of DCS 160 comprises master controller 260, reader 262 and assistant controller 266, can carry out from monitoring and the self diagnosis operation, to determine and to report that the problem of any operation arrives ISSA 200.For example, in order to carry out the self diagnosis operation, overhead baggage rack unit can comprise at least one RFID label, so that the self-checking function to be provided in antenna 270 read ranges of shelf.Therefore, though when shelf are empty (, do not have article on the shelf), still have at least a RFID label to read by the antenna 270 that is included on the shelf.One aspect of the present invention, at least one such RFID label can be embedded near being included near the center of the antenna 270 in the shelf, or in another position of being read by antenna 270 easily, and another RFID label can be embedded in the read range limit near antenna 270.Assistant controller 266 can be periodically or according to the order from ISSA 200, sends test timing signal/order the antenna 270 of target shelf, and monitor any replying that the embedded RFID from be included in corresponding overhead baggage rack unit collects.Do not receive under the correct situation of replying at assistant controller 266 from the RFID label of one or more embeddings, controller 266 (or other equipment, such as master controller 260) can determine fault may take place.

In order to search the source of trouble, DCS 160 can carry out various self-test read operations by the parts adjacent with target overhead baggage rack unit and/or target antenna 270.For example, if another antenna 270 that is driven by same assistant controller 266 still can be read out, then DCS 160 can interrelate fault and target antenna 270.On the other hand, if by all antennas 270 of given assistant controller 266 service not in response to the command signal of coming self-controller (that is, not discerning any RFID label), then DCS 160 can interrelate fault and assistant controller 266.Moreover if do not read out data from assistant controller 266 by all antennas 270 of given master controller 260 service and reader 262, then problem is mostly in master controller 260 or reader 262 scopes.For which parts of determining these parts are sources of trouble, DCS 160 can determine master controller 260 diagnostic data of whether still can communicating by letter with one or more assistant controllers 266.If DCS 160 can interrelate fault and reader 262.In addition, if use RS-485 serial data communication technology between master controller 260, reader 262 and one or more assistant controller 266, then DCS 160 can be provided in the sequential order of the assistant controller 266 that master controller 260 can communicate with during the label read operation.Therefore, if the RS-485 data cable connects in the disconnection somewhere of length along it, then be provided in advance to represent along the master controller 260 of the order information of the order of the assistant controller 266 of RS-485 link, can determine which point at the RS-485 link disconnects to connect.On the one hand, the affirmation bidding protocol can be carried out by master controller 260 and determine which assistant controller 266 does not have response command.Just, can comprise the order of being confirmed by the receiving entity on the link, and the disappearance of confirming is another means that draw the problem that where takes place along the communication of RS-485 link.

The example software object that is used for ISSA 200

One aspect of the present invention, ISSA 200 can carry out some function relevant with the present invention by using object-oriented programming structure and technology.For example, ISSA 200 some function that can utilize Network to carry out to relate to aspect of the present invention.Table II shows the example software Object table that can be implemented by ISSA 200, and they can be used by one or more processes (for example, task 231-239), and with the one or more exemplary table interactions that are included in the database 215.

Table II. the example software object

Work 240

Work 240 can be one or more processes of internally and/or externally carrying out from ISSA 200, and it can be used for triggering remind and retrieval from remote location, such as the network address of manufacturer, or from the information of the entity that is positioned at environment 110-1.Be included in each process or the work of work 240, can be by using known programming language, such as JAVA programming language and the JDBC that provides by Sun Microsystems, Inc., and known dispatcher software, such as Microsoft's scheduler, be developed.

One aspect of the present invention, work 240 can comprise stock's maximal work, it move periodically (for example, per 60 seconds) and according to be provided with by the user interface that in interface 210, provides by the user and be stored in configuration in the allocation list in the database 215, monitor inventory level.If stock article is found to be the border that exceeds with respect to the bottom line stock (for example, current tank farm stock is higher than and/or is lower than predetermined value), then this work can generate stock's prompting that oversteps the extreme limit.This prompting can be generated such as the professional ISSAserv/Alert.asmx/NewInventoryAlertJob method of the example networks of describing in Table II by using based reminding method.The stock is taken place at every turn and is overstepped the extreme limit when reminding in one aspect of the present invention, and stock's maximal work can instruction message supply business send an email to one or more predetermined user.

Work 240 also can be worked by the execution error shelf, and it can move and monitor the article of putting that misplace that are on the wrong shelf continuously.If ISSA 200 determines article and is placed on the wrong shelf, 240 reminder message that can generate article (that is, misplacing the glove product) of then working corresponding to the type, and it is inserted on the table in the database 215, such as reminding table (for example, tblAlerts).One aspect of the present invention, when misplacing the prompting of glove product, the work of mistake shelf can instruction message supply business send an email to one or more predetermined user at every turn.

Work 240 also can be carried out and takes maximal work away, it can move continuously and monitor by the user by the quantity of user interface 210 regulations and on the time interval from the removed article of appointed positions (for example shelf) of article.Take that maximal work can generate the information relevant with removed article away and this information stores in the table of database 215, take table away (for example, tblInventoryRemove) such as the stock.Moreover if this work quantity and time interval numerical value is according to the rules determined removed one or more article, then the new reminder message relevant with this condition created in this work, and it is inserted into the prompting table (for example, tblAlerts).

Work 240 also can be carried out the product work that goes beyond the time limit, it can every day at preset time (for example, 12:01 a.m.) moves and whether any article of determining to be arranged in stock 170 meet or exceed their the corresponding term of validity limit (for example, term of validity date).Product work is found to have gone beyond the time limit or will be near the article on term of validity date if go beyond the time limit, and then it can create corresponding reminder message, and it is inserted into the prompting table (for example, tblAlerts).

In addition, work 240 can be carried out SKU and upgrade work, and it is (for example, per 10 minutes) operation periodically, and any new article that sign is added to environment 170 (for example, SKU).This work can be from the new article relevant Item Information of network address by using XML to ask and identify of ERP system or manufacturer.

In addition, work 240 can be carried out manufacturer and upgrade work, and it can be periodically (for example, per 10 minutes) operation, the table in the monitor database 215 is when by the manufacturer that does not register to ISSA 200 (promptly, when new manufacturer) article that provide were included in stock 170, this table was updated.This renewal work can be from the external data source retrieval message relevant with new manufacturer of manufacturer's network address or other types.

The EPC register

Along with the RFID label industry is constantly grown up, the expection article can be coupled with " source label ".Just, can be added to RFID label 280 on the article and by manufacturer and write on the label EPC.Yet, when the article of the article that do not comprise the source label are included stock 170, can some example.Therefore, environment 110-1 can carry out EPC register process, is designed to EPC is write on the label 280.Because the EPC process can be configured to data on the specific label of access one at a time, this process can be carried out by a system that separates with ISSA 200.Alternatively, ISSA 200 can comprise the independent EPC register process of being carried out by IIMS 105 (except EPC register task 234, or replacing EPC register task 234).

EPC register process can be the executable process of form, and it can use .NET serial embodiment to communicate by letter with reader 262.The EPC register can be stored in document location being written to for the number of the last EPC of the RFID label of given manufacturer and its SKU information (for example, type of items information).Moreover EPC register process can be stored a row sequence number, SKU information and the ID of manufacturer for EPC, and the storer that this EPC information is written to one or more RFID labels 280.In addition, the EPC register can such as the PhilipsSLRM900 technical manual, write the RFID label according to the standard of the type that depends on the RFID label of being implemented by environment 110-1.Alternatively, the EPC register can write label by using RS232 or other serial interface communication agreements.

One aspect of the present invention, stock 170 can comprise the shelf that one or more RFID can work, these shelf comprise the communication compatibility with peripherals 155 (such as bar code reader).Therefore, each shelf can be at least provisionally or periodically, ad hoc with EPC register procedure communication.For example, one group certain type article can be placed on the shelf by user (for example, storehouse personnel).Article are scanned by bar code reader, to determine its corresponding UPC number.The information that the EPC register then can be by reference draws from the UPC number and sequentially specify EPC number each article to this group,

Difference between general UPC and the EPC is shown on the Table III.UPC can be made up of the decimal system (that is, 10 numeral systems) data, and these data comprise manufacturer's number, destination number and check digit, altogether 12 unitss.EPC comprises binary data, and these data can comprise title, manufacturer's number, destination number and Electronic Serial Number.In UPC and EPC, manufacturer's number can be specified by regulator (such as price sign indicating number standard regulator).Target classification (comprising the order label) can be specified by manufacturer.Under the situation of EPC, sequence number also can be specified by manufacturer.

Difference between Table III UPC and the EPC

Manufacturer does not have under the designated situation with the EPC manufacturer code therein, and the EPC register can use arbitrary numbers to specify, till the EPC manufacturer code is designated.Alternatively, can use existing EPC manufacturer code in the EPC manufacturer field of directly packing into bigger.In addition, in the EPC aiming field that existing UPC target classification can be packed into bigger.

Regulator does not also specify under such situation of manufacturer code therein, the EPC register can be used in the arrangement of any pseudo-EPC field, the arrangement of this pseudo-EPC field is used in initial stock's operation, such as quoting current UPC field numerical value or any number trial stock control process as manufacturer code.Yet if the arrangement of standard EPC field is implemented, the EPC register can be made by environment 110-1 and be used for guaranteeing that article are correctly tagged.In addition, if the arrangement of standard EPC field comes forth, then the EPC register can be used by retailer, marketing center or manufacturer, might be used for limited product line.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that, tagging to become more extensive and add " source label " by manufacturer at RFID becomes under the general situation, the use of EPC register can reduce at the retail location place and increase at place, manufacturing source, and this can implement method, system and manufacturing thing according to some aspect of the present invention.

If the arrangement of pseudo-EPC field is implemented as described above, the number of determining (for example, three) of the field by being given for pseudo-EPC number then, environment 110-1 can specify the EPC code.For example, pseudo-EPC number can be arranged to 8 bit header (1111,1111), corresponding to the type title of EPC; 52 bit UPC fields, it is divided into 13 son fields of each 4 bit; And 36 bit sequence number field, such as sequence number 0 to 68,719,476,735.The size of data sementation can change among the EPC, and does not deviate from scope of the present invention.

The UPC number uses each digital binary representation by how to form to 13 numerals, nib of each UPC numeral.Just, 0 is 0000,1 to be 0001,2 to be 0010 ... and 9 be 1001.Each packing of given article can be assigned with the sequence number with uniqueness, till reaching greater than 68,700,000,000 packings.Should be pointed out that when transforming to binary representation how UPC number and sequence number are had difference by EPC register and environment 110-1 processing aspect.Under the situation of UPC number, each UPC numeral (how to 13 numerals) is assigned to the nib of EPC.Binary translation can digitally be carried out one by one by the EPC register, keeps the specific tens digit corresponding to specific EPC nib.Yet, under the situation of EPC sequence number, can carry out Direct Transform from decimal sequence number to binary-coded serial numbers, this binary-coded serial numbers is by the EPC field record with 36 bits.

For example, consideration is filled the pseudo-EPC code of exemplary 96 bits with the exemplary bar codes that is used for type of items (for example, 10 fl oz bottles of compound flu/influenza abirritant).Bar code can be 23900,00296 (or 13 bit digital forms 000,23900,00296).34782 sequence number can be allocated such that the packing that is used for this type of items is unique.With binary representation, 34782 is 0100,0011,1110,1111.Table IV shows corresponding EPC and the UPC data relevant with this exemplary items type.

Table IV. be used for the exemplary UPC and the EPC code of exemplary items type

For the ease of suitable pseudo-EPC number assignment being given tagged article, when designated and RFID label 280 was added to the packing of article when sequence number, the EPC register can write down the UPC number of 12 or 13 numerals electronically.Fig. 3 shows the process flow diagram of the exemplary EPC register process that can carry out above-mentioned RFID label process.As shown in the figure, can obtain will be by the inventory (step 310) of tagged SKU (type of items) for EPC register process.This inventory comprises the character string for the UPC number of each type of items and sign article, and can be stored in the SKU table, and this SKU table can be filled the bar code with any known type of scanning software and/or hardware.One aspect of the present invention, SKU table can comprise three fields, the UPC number field, manufacturer name field and comprise universal description information (such as, size, taste or the like) character string.

When RFID label 280 will be assigned to article, EPC register process can be called the EPC register task 234 as the operation of the distribution module among the ISSA 200.This calls and can instruct task 234 access SKU tables (it can be stored in the database 215) and location for the corresponding UPC (step 320) that is included in each SKU in the inventory that obtains in the step 310.For example, EPC register task 234 can generate inquiry, and search SKU table is found out manufacturer and/or Item Title.

In case UPC is positioned for corresponding SKU, UPC register task 234 just can provide back EPC register process this information.In case receive, the EPC register just can use UPC that whole pseudo-EPC number is written on the RFID label of each packing of type of items, for example by using an order of being carried out by the RFID reader is written to label (step 330).This step is given each label unique serial number assignment.Moreover EPC register process can be recorded in pseudo-EPC on the form during this processing procedure, such as the table (step 340) that is stored in the database 215.

One aspect of the present invention, RFID label 280 can comprise sequence number that is assigned to unique RFID said tag and the pseudo-EPC number that is encoded as excessive data.Though pseudo-EPC number comprises the information that identifies article, sequence number can be read out the device software/hardware to read quickly compared with pseudo-EPC number.For example, the anticollision select command that is provided by certain bar code reader (such as the Philips reader) can be returned the RFID tag serial number automatically.The type of items that is arranged in therein on the specific shelf is read to run under the very little situation of another operational process change from a RFID label, at local ultra-high access memory device (not shown), the read cycle that is used to obtain pseudo-EPC number can be modified by storage EPC information and corresponding sequence number information.Therefore, reader can send the anticollision select command when attempting to read RFID label 280 and the initial RFID of reception tag serial number.Reader can determine then whether tag serial number is positioned at local cache buffer memory device.If then reader can be retrieved corresponding EPC number from cache buffer memory device.If label is not stored in cache buffer memory device, then reader can be read tag data block, to obtain pseudo-EPC number.Can be added to cache buffer memory device then, be used for the later read cycle for RFID tag serial number and EPC number.Environment 110-1 can carry out reset procedure, and this reset procedure can be removed the label information that is comprised in the cache buffer memory device by the periodicity principle.This can provide and the reasonable type database similar data access performance that comprises tag serial number and EPC with little data management time-delay.

The user interface page or leaf

User interface 210 can provide content-based interface to the user, this make the user can ask with import with according to the relevant information of the intelligent inventory management function of some aspect of the present invention.Fig. 4 shows example interface conversion 400, and it provides ISSA 200 enforceable frameworks, so that reply inquiry from the user via user interface 210.Each square can be represented the paging process of being carried out by user interface 210 among conversion Figure 40 0, allows user's request and/or reception information.Can check the privacy key that carries in the speech channel that is used for current user for every page, determine whether to allow the user to be linked into corresponding page or leaf.Moreover every page can be posted to ISSA 200 to the XML file, and retrieval XML information.In addition, by the style page or leaf is added to XML from the COM+ component for every page of description, content can be displayed on display device (for example, display 204).Moreover, the page or leaf process in conversion 400 can be included among the ISSA 200 corresponding one or more processes (for example, task 231-239) and work 240 interactions.

As shown in the figure, Fig. 4 comprises homepage 402, and it allows the user to navigate to other pages or leaves that shown by the page or leaf process in the conversion 400.In these pages centre user's log in page 410 is arranged, allow the user to input user name and password.This page or leaf 410 can start login process then, such as WebService ISSAserv/Login.asmx/Login method.If the user is a validated user, then the log in page process can guide user interface 210 to carry out homepage process 402.Otherwise log in page 410 can be asked user name and password once more.

File page 408 guiding users are as 410 logins of new user page, and this allows user's establishment and Edit Profile and sets up and remind and subscribe (for example, regulation want some type of being reported prompting).The page or leaf 412 of logging off allows the user to log off from current logon process.

Tank farm stock level control page or leaf 414 allows the user to insert various inventory level information by guiding the user for example to watch real-time stock's page or leaf 416.This page allows the user to watch the stock of the current reality of locating in certain location (such as, shelf).By using the various field by user interface 210 regulations, user Ke Sheng is to become an inquiry.The Table V explicit user can make the inventory of the examplar search field that is used for screening search.In case inquiry is imported by the user, interface just can show the Search Results for real-time stock's page or leaf 416, this stock's page or leaf starts permission user search and the process of watching the information relevant with article (for example, WebService ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/GetInventoryXML).This process allows the information of user's reception from another page, such as article details page or leaf (not shown).Whether one aspect of the present invention can allow limited this locality or far-end to insert as the user who is included in the seller who sells among the environment 110-1 and watch real-time stock's page or leaf 416, be that agreement is shown according to setting in advance with the article of determining them.For example, the seller can determine whether their article are present on the shelf surface layer of the some that is positioned at the shop certain location, whether their article are placed on the preferred positions in one group of shelf, such as watching level at eyes, neither higher level that neither be lower.

Table V. search field

Article details page or leaf (not shown) can be carried out and allow the user to watch the information relevant with article, determines which place and article that these article are currently located at environment 110-1 are placed on the process of the time of this position.If article are read by single reader antenna 270, then article can be looked at as and (for example be positioned at specific physical locations, specific shelf), if or article are read by a plurality of reader antennas 270 that the form with relation table (such as the tblRelatedEPC table that is included in the database 215) interknits, then article are on " virtual shelf ".

Watching SKU to go beyond the limit of page or leaf 418 allows the user to watch and the current relevant information of one or more type of items that surpasses or be lower than the bottom line stock percentage of permission.The user can screen search by the field of using Table V to show.In case the information of screening is imported by the user, user interface just can show that SKU goes beyond the limit of the Search Results (not shown) of page or leaf.This page can start the process (for example, WebService ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/OutofLimitsSKUXML) that the current stock of the given article of current position or type of items is shown to the user.And this process also can provide in the bottom line value of inventory of these article of the position of regulation and the difference that the Current Library storage deviates from the bottom line stock who is higher or lower than hope.And this process can show the percentage of the permission that surpasses or be lower than of the SKU that is lower than regulation and position.This information of going beyond the limit of can by ISSA 200 make be used at first according to by the user and/or the marketing information that produces the expection that the software processes process of this information provides advise which goes beyond the limit of article and stocks up.But ISSA 200 also access is stored in current and sales data history in the storage arrangement (for example, database 215), and each article of generation forecast may become the report of expeced time in short supply.In addition, ISSA 200 can use various factors (such as list price, seasonality or the like) that the information of forecasting that provides in the report is provided.

Watch the relevant information of type of items that sale page or leaf 420 can allow the user to watch and lose sale owing to short supply that loses.The user can inquire for the search of these SKU by using the field filter of listing on the Table V.In case the information of screening is imported by the user, user interface 210 just can show the Search Results (not shown) that loses the sale page or leaf.This page can start the user is given in demonstration owing to the sale valuation (for example, in dollar) of losing in short supply of the article of this type of items sale estimation procedure.Traditional correlativity of selling event that by the estimation of selling estimation procedure and providing can be the article of comparison, sales volume (current and historical) and similar type according to inventory level is made.For example, ISSA 200 can access from the inventory data of database 215, marketing information or the like, to carry out the comparison of using by the marketing information process.Estimation of losing sale in short supply also can be fully according to the factor that is provided by user (for example, administration staff, Retail Store Manager or the like), describe the replacement speed relevant with similar type of items.Alternatively, ISSA 200 can be configured to that it trains it oneself by the identification trend relevant with the former sale of these type of items with from comprising similar database of information extraction.

Misplace and put SKU page or leaf 422 and can allow the user to watch and the current relevant information of article that is placed on the position of the mistake in the environment 110-1.The user can be by the field filter on the use Table V for the search that misplaces the article of putting.In case the information of screening is provided by the user, interface 210 just can show and misplaces the Search Results of putting the SKU page or leaf.This page can start the process (for example, WebService ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/MisplacedSKUXML) that demonstration is misplaced any current article put and their current positions in environment 110-1.The user can be by using article for example SKU information on being displayed on display device, select article so that watch the inventory of position of SKU of selection.

Inventory level safeguards that page or leaf 424 guiding users dispose and/or watch the page or leaf (for example, 426 and 428) of stocking arrangement current among the environment 110-1 to the permission user.Watch rack arrangement page or leaf 428 can allow the user to watch information about any article among the stock 170 and their corresponding current appointed positions in shelf 110-1.The user can be by using the field filter search on the Table V.In case the information of screening is imported by the user, user interface 210 just can show current rack arrangement page or leaf (not shown).This arrangement page or leaf can be carried out the process (for example, WebService ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/SKUArrangement) of the position (for example, being assigned to the position of each article in environment 110-1) that shows that article and they allow.ISSA 200 can and/or sell speed data from database (for example, database 215) accessing article price, and the interior preferential position of the environment 110-1 that provides some type of items to be placed, so that promote the sale of increase and/or flowing of these article.

Certain location scope (for example, passage, lorry and/or shelf) in article that environment arrangement page or leaf 426 can allow the user position, goods categories of the article of some type to be set, to be provided by some manufacturer, special SKU number and the environment 110-1 is set.This page 426 also can allow the user that the bottom line stock of each type of items is set.Moreover environment 110-1 can implement planimetric map software, it be describe product should how to be placed on retail shelf and be placed on shelf where with the plane (for example, figure, image or the like) of array.The planimetric map analysis space utilizes, and the business that Money Data is provided and allows retailer and manufacturer to plan, develop and manage them effectively makes maximized other reports of serviceability of retail space.Therefore, rack arrangement being set also can be downloaded from the planning chart program of being carried out by environment 110-1.Similarly, ISSA 200 can allow the current inventory information of planning chart program updates by page interface page information that the inventory data that provides provides by conversion 400 is provided.In addition, the planning chart subroutine can be incorporated into ISSA 200, carries out for IIMS 105.

Reduction control page or leaf 430 guiding users are to the reduction information that is provided by page or leaf 432 and 434.Watch certain location (for example, passage, lorry and specific shelf) in the article that stock's page or leaf 432 of too taking away can allow the user to be provided by each article, goods categories, by specific manufacturer, be in the position in the environment 110-1 SKU number, environment 110-1 and the screening article.This page 432 can allow the user to watch in by user-defined certain time interval with the article of definite quantity from the removed request of their appointed positions.It also shows too takes stock's result page (not shown) away.This page can start first article of article of display position, Item Information, certain number time removed from last article of the article of removed time of appointed positions, certain number from appointed positions and the removed process of how many article (for example, WebService ISSAserv/Shrinkage.asmx/MajorPullXML) was arranged in this time interval.

Watch actual stock's page or leaf 434 to ERP can allow the user receive be arranged in environment 110-1, have above and/or be lower than the relevant information of article of user-defined percentage difference of the inventory level of regulation.The user can each ground by goods categories ground, by providing by specific manufacturer article, by being in SKU number of position in the environment 110-1 (such as passage, lorry and specific shelf), the search of screening these article.Stock's page or leaf 434 can show the actual result page (not shown) to ERP.This result page can start the stock that can show the reality that exists among the stock 170, such as the stock who is positioned at those article on the shelf, business rules (for example, the ERP stock) and the process of the percentage difference between the two (for example, WebService ISSAserv/Shrinkage.asmx/InventoryCompareXML).

Recall fast page or leaf 436 can guide the user to provide with perhaps expired or near the relevant information of the article on term of validity date one or more page (for example, 438-442).Watch expired SKU page or leaf 438 can allow each ground of user by goods categories ground, by providing by specific manufacturer article, by being in SKU number screening article of the position in the environment 110-1 (such as passage, lorry and specific shelf).This page or leaf 438 can show expired SKU result page (not shown), those dated items of current position that this result page can start the position that shows item description, article out of date and be positioned at them are since the process (for example, WebService ISSAserv/RapidRecall.asmx/ExpiredProductsXML) in their time interval of the corresponding term of validity since the date.

Watch expired SKU page or leaf 440 on the horizon can allow each ground of user by goods categories, by providing by specific manufacturer article, by being in SKU number screening article of the position in the environment 110-1 (such as passage, lorry and specific shelf).This page or leaf 440 can allow the user to receive about the information at interior article that will be expired of certain time interval (for example, a few minutes, several hours, several weeks etc.).Moreover this page or leaf 440 can show expired SKU result page (not shown) on the horizon.This result page can start and can show for the process (for example, WebService ISSAserv/RapidRecall.asmx/ExpiredproductsXML) of given product owing to the position of relevant article expired in certain time interval according to user-defined The selection result.

Finding out sequence number page or leaf 442 can allow the user to watch article in certain sequence number range.The user can be by using the field filter search on the Table V.In case the information of screening is provided by the user, user interface 210 just can show the Search Results of real-time stock's page or leaf recited above.This page can start to be provided about having in the process (for example, WebService ISSAserv/OutofStock.asmx/GetInventoryXML) by the information of the article of the corresponding sequence number in the user-defined scope.

Remind page or leaf 444 can guide the user to arrive and allow user's reception and/or setting to remind one or more pages or leaves (for example, page or leaf 446-452) of relevant information with the stock of one or more types.The SKU stock is set reminds page or leaf 446 can allow the user that the prompting configuration that is lower than or rises to the article of the bottom line stock percentage that surpasses regulation for being reduced to is set.Remind page or leaf 446 can allow the user to be provided with, be provided with and remind configuration for article all among the stock 170, for the article of specific type, for goods categories, for the article that provide by manufacturer with for specific SKU number that is placed on certain location (such as passage, lorry and specific shelf) in the environment 110-1.Remind process that page or leaf 446 can start the supervision of wanting that execution is provided with by the user (for example, WebServiceISSAserv/Alert.asmx/NewInventoryAlertJob).

Watch the SKU stock to remind page or leaf 448 can show for current by the article of stock's reminder process supervision and the prompting configuration of their corresponding positions in environment 110-1.The stock that this page 448 allows the user to remove and no longer need reminds configuration.

The stock is set to be taken away and reminds page or leaf 450 can allow the user that prompting configuration for the removed situation of the article that wherein ascertain the number in the time interval of determining is set.This page 450 can allow the user to be provided with for each article for all article, for goods categories, for the article that provided by specific manufacturer with for SKU number the article of having that are in a position (such as passage, lorry and specific shelf) in the environment 110-1, and the prompting configuration of these types is set.This page 450 can start carry out above-mentioned configuration process (for example, WebServiceISSAserv/Alert.asmx/NewInventoryRemovalJob).

Watch the stock to take page limit 452 away and can show the prompting configuration of taking the article of limit process monitoring and their corresponding positions in environment 110-1 away for current by the stock.This page allows the user to remove the configuration that the stock who no longer needs takes the limit away.

It will be understood to those of skill in the art that Fig. 4 shows with page or leaf described above be exemplary, and do not plan to limit.Environment 110-1 can implement still less or the other page or leaf of type, the various functions of these pages execution are possible or not necessarily with to relate to stock control of the present invention aspect relevant.For example, user interface 210 can be included as provides one or more pages of processes of general and/or special help aspect the page or leaf that the user provides by interface 210 in navigation.Moreover interface 210 can comprise that the permission user is provided with, watches and/or revise the various characteristics relevant with each article or type of items, such as one or more pages or leaves of price, dimensional characteristic, defect state or the like.In addition, interface 210 can comprise that the permission user watches the relevant information of client, such as one or more pages of processes of the client's data information that uses in conjunction with client ID card.

The stock control process

As mentioned above, environment 110-1 comprises ISSA 200, carries out according to relating to some aspect of the present invention, one or more intelligent inventory management processes.In these stock control processes each can be performed via user interface 210 access ISSA 200 and/or in response to the request that starts from non-user source (such as another task, process and/or computational entity) in response to the user.Fig. 5-7 shows the process flow diagram according to the various exemplary stock's process that can be carried out by environment 110-1 that relates to some aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows can be according to relating to the exemplary inventory analysis process that some aspect of the present invention is carried out.At the beginning, environment 110-1 can carry out the stock's who determines the article among the stock 170 process (step 510).This step can be activated via interface 210 with reference to the page or leaf that Fig. 4 describes by the user.Alternatively, by the process of ISSA 200 execution or the work of carrying out by work 240, can start the collection inventory information periodically.In addition, step 510 can be started by the incident that the one or more sensors that the are arranged in environment 110-1 sensor of software and/or hardware (for example, based on) detect.In case environment 110-1 collects inventory information (for example, being included in the number of every type article among the stock 170), it just can be stored in database 215, is provided with the back and inserts.Moreover inventory information can be made by ISSA 200 and be used for producing a report and/or content, and it is offered the user by various types of medium (such as printer, webpage, telephone message or the like).

Environment 110-1 can determine also whether the number of the article of any kind among the stock 170 is lower than predetermined level (step 520).Environment 110-1 can carry out above-mentioned suitable process (for example, via watching SKU to go beyond the limit of page or leaf 418, control task in short supply 231 or the like) and come the tank farm stock of the article of definite and identification any kind to drop into the predetermined level that is lower than for the type article.If words (step 520; Be), then can carry out suitable article and be lower than storage level process (step 530).This process can comprise via output device (for example, display 204, pager, cell phone or the like) provides reminder message to the user, represents which type of items need be stocked up again and this exhausts the article position at environment 110-1.In case the user is apprised of, he just determines that in other position (such as the room, the inside) locate whether to have any other article of the type that exhausts.Alternatively, ISSA 200 can represent whether the other stock of this type of items is arranged to the user in environment 110-1.Therefore, other if desired article, user or ISSA 200 can order goods in advance again.Moreover step 530 can be included on the position that exhausts the stock that wherein defines article or near the shelf display client is provided message.An aspect, director of store or ISSA 200, for example, and can be according to exhausting the message that the tank farm stock notice generates customization, this message provides various information to the client who just in time watches the shelf display.The discount that provides can be provided the message of customization, for address information of another environment of the article that disappearance is arranged among the purchase of delaying to use single (rain check) of article in short supply, the stock or the like.

Environment 110-1 also can determine whether to have any article of putting (step 540) that misplace in stock 170.Environment 110-1 can carry out above-mentioned suitable process (for example, putting SKU page or leaf 422 and control task in short supply 231 or the like via misplacing) with any article of putting that misplace among definite and the identification stock 170.If wrong placement article (step 540; Be), then environment 110-1 can carry out the suitable glove product processes (step 550) that misplace.This process can comprise provides information to the user, and this information comprises the position that lacks article and/or its precalculated position (that is the place of these article under in the shop).User's (for example, the storehouse personnel) can be directed into the current position that misplaces the glove product, and like this, they can turn back to these article in the environment 110-1 their appointed positions.

In addition, environment 110-1 can according to disappearance among the stock 170 and misplace the definite information (step 550) relevant of the article put with the sale of any loss.This step can comprise according to what type of items short supply or that have the article that exhaust number generated and provided reflection loss income and loses Sales Reports (for example, via task 231 in short supply).Moreover, the report of influenced sale can be generated by ISSA 200, and offering the user, this report comprises various factors (for example, sale of article price, seasonal factor, other article or the like) and the information with former and current sale mutual relationship of the type of items that exhausts the stock.The user can use the report of influenced sale need to determine whether any adjusting, subscribes schedule or the like such as the position, price, the stock that the article that exhaust type of items are moved to other.

Fig. 6 shows can be according to the process flow diagram that relates to the reduction process of carrying out some aspect of the present invention.Environment 110-1 begins can determine whether to occur reduction incident (step 610).As discussed above, the reduction incident is relevant from the removed condition in their current position in the preset time interval with the article of wherein predetermined number.Therefore, if the article of a large amount of same types are removed from the shelf in a few minutes, then according to be provided with by the user, for predetermined number of articles and the value of setting in the time interval and the affected type of items of such reduction incident, the reduction incident may appear.If (step 610 takes place in such incident; Be), then environment 110-1 can carry out reduction event procedure (step 620).If the reduction incident does not take place, then this process finishes.

Step 620 comprises the various processes of being carried out by user and/or ISSA 200, as former with reference to reduction page or leaf 430-434 and/or 232 explanations of reduction process.For example, environment 110-1 can provide the reminder message that comprises for the reduction incident information specific of determining (for example, event location, removed type of items and in which) to give the user time period.Therefore, store employee can receive reminder message and be directed into the position of carrying out various tasks, such as duty of secrecy and/or customer service function.In addition, step 620 can start one or more privacy devices, system or the like, monitors reduction incident position on every side.For example, environment 110-1 can start camera record by the user the position that the reduction incident takes place or near the action of any physics of execution.

Fig. 7 shows can be according to the process flow diagram of the example revocation process that relates to some aspect of the present invention.Environment 110-1 can carry out aforesaid suitable process (for example, via recalling page 436-442 fast and recalling task 233 fast) with handle be included in stock 170 in the relevant any incident of recalling of article.On the one hand, environment 110-1 can determine whether to detect stock time limit or expired incident (step 710).This step can be whether to comprise having the corresponding stock time limit and/or surpassed the term of validity date and/or approached to surpass any article of (for example, in a day, in several days, in the week or the like) with definite stock 170.If detect such incident (step 710; Be), then carry out suitable stock time limit/term of validity process (step 720).This step can comprise notifies the user (for example, the shop-assistant of store employee, POS position, manager of home office or the like) and/or in ISSA 200 another software process: stock 170 comprises or out of date or soon expired one or more article, their stock time limit and/or term of validity date.Notice can comprise identify each article information (for example, SKU information), they in stock 170 corresponding position, whether the interchangeable stock with effective stock time limit and/or term of validity date is arranged in environment 110-1, and/or (for example for the instruction of any processing events, take away from shelf, article are moved on to the front of shelf or store locations or the like).The user of reception incident and/or ISSA 200 can use the information of reception to carry out the instruction of one or more suggestions, and carry out other processes remedy stock time limit/expired incident.These other work can comprise the price that changes the one or more article relevant with this incident.Moreover, environment 110-1 can on the POS terminal and/or be installed in the article place relevant with this incident or near display device on show a message, warning client and employee: some article may surpass their stock time limit or term of validity date.

Moreover environment 110-1 can determine whether to occur temperature incident (step 730).The temperature incident can be with wherein around the specific article group or near the temperature in zone change and make that the condition of the article that may damage this group is relevant.For example, if the freezing unit in environment 110-1 breaks down, and temperature drops into and is lower than certain numerical value, and any product that is stored in this unit can be damaged and be considered to be unsuitable for to sell.If occurrence temperature incident (step 730; Be), then carry out temperature course (step 740).One aspect of the present invention, temperature course can comprise the position among this temperature incident, the environment 110-1 relevant with this incident, how to handle the explanation of this incident, with being included in any article in the zone that is subjected to this events affecting relevant Item Information (for example, SKU information), this incident has taken place and/or untill further notice user such as occurent time interval.It is (for example, in the firm time of taking place of incident) of buying safety with any article that assurance is subjected to this events affecting that the user can take suitable action.The user can reappose these article the position of working temperature control correctly among the environment 110-1, is provided with the back and buys.Moreover user and/or ISSA 200 can provide user or the use location of maintenance message to appointment, ask to keep in repair to break down and cause the unit of temperature incident.

Environment 110-1 also can determine any article among the stock 170 whether with defective one or more type of items relevant (step 750) by manufacturer's report.This step can comprise the inventory from the defective article Item Information of shown in Figure 5, real-time stock's collection step of determining and reception, that provided by manufacturer is compared.If in environment 110-1, have any article of certain type and the article that in the defect information that provides by manufacturer, find to be complementary, then can carry out defective process (step 760).This process can comprise the article of defective among the stock 170, their position with about the information of defective (for example, defect type, article still whether whether safety/have defective operation, POS must recall article and items for merchandising not) notifies the user.On the one hand, notified user can be that be in can be so that handle and be about to by the locational shop-assistant of the sale of the article of the defective of purchase of customer.For example, depend on the seriousness of the defective of describing in the defect information that provides in notice, the shop-assistant can stop these article of purchase of customer.Alternatively, if add-on parts or software by being provided by manufacturer, article still may reach technical specification, then shop-assistant's part/information of software that can be forwarded to this information client and the correction of the article that how to obtain this purchase is provided.Moreover ISSA200 can provide the discount of the selling price of these defective article automatically.The selling price that reduces may be displayed on the POS position or is presented at and is installed near the display in the position relevant with these one or more defective article.In addition, environment 110-1 can provide the client who allows purchase defective article to proofread and correct the service and/or the equipment of these article.For example, can provide workstation, the user can be used for proofreading and correct the defective on the program that is stored on the computer-readable medium from the software code of this workstation download necessity.Moreover, client may leave the article of buying for employee, carry out the necessary programs process by the employee and proofread and correct article, such as subscribe the part lose from manufacturer, download the software patch proofreaied and correct, part that disappearance is installed to the article of defective or the like, environment 110-1 can provide these services for client in this manner.

In addition, environment 110-1 can determine that also the design that whether has any article to stand to be made by their corresponding manufacturer changes (step 770) in stock 170.With step 750 similarly, environment 110-1 can compare with current inventory information inventory (perhaps being to provide via the process that the step 510 of Fig. 5 is carried out) and determines whether to take place the design change by the design that receives from manufacturer being changed information.If standing design, type of items changes (step 770; Be), then can carry out design change process (step 780).Design change process can comprise the position of any article of the type of reformed type of items, change, how handle the untill further notice users such as explanation (for example, employee) that this design changes incident.One aspect of the present invention, design change process can comprise older article are moved on to the position of replacing among the environment 110-1, move on to anterior locations such as the back location from shelf, so that their sale of promotion before the article that design changes.Moreover design change process can comprise the older article of removal from stock 170, and this can be under the guidance of manufacturer.

Though shown the step shown in the process flow diagram of Fig. 5-7 with specific order, but method, system and manufacturing thing according to aspects more of the present invention can be carried out each step with different orders, such as single step, with the various combinations of step and with more or less step or the like, and do not deviate from scope of the present invention.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, make that according to the article of the method that relates to some aspect of the present invention, system and manufacturing environment can be in real time or near carrying out the article inventory management process in real time and with such degree of quantization level, promptly, the business goal (for example, increasing sale) that reaches it for environment provides many selections.

The above explanation of embodiment of the present invention is presented and is used for the purpose of illustration and description.It is not to cover nothing left, neither be restricted to the accurate form that is disclosed to the present invention.It seems that from above instruction it is possible revising and changing, perhaps can obtain revising and changing from implementation of the present invention.Other correction of the present invention and variation, for example, may be, the embodiment of description comprises software, but the present invention can or only be implemented with hardware with the combination of hardware and software.The present invention can not only be implemented with object-oriented programing system but also with non-object-oriented programing system.

For example, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that the environment 110-1 by using many different types implements ability of the present invention.For example, except retail environment, aspect of the present invention can be applied to and comprise the target (for example, the tangible target of physics is such as the stock) that can add the RFID label and comprise any environment that is used for from the antenna of these label search information.For example, the present invention can be applied to the wherein commercial environment of wishing to follow the tracks of the individual in its whole business environment.Under such situation, business environment (for example, buildings) can be installed in antenna the position (for example, front door, elevator or the like) at each key.Send out rfid card can for each commercial employee, the spitting image of those cards (for example, client's rfid card) of former description.Therefore, ISSA 200 can according to when the employee moves through antenna from the information monitoring user of antenna reception/collection moving in business environment.

In addition, interface 210 can comprise the interface with the other types of the various process interplayeds of being carried out by ISSA 200.For example, various user interfaces can be worked, with EPC register process interplayed, allow the user not monoenergetic read and write EPC data from/to the RFID label 280 among the stock 170, and can monitor the state of such operation.For example, interface 210 can comprise interface as a result, and it presents to the user to the result window that comprises all lists of articles of importing via EPC register window.Result window can comprise that expression EPC writes the information whether operation is successfully carried out.Various interactive display messages can be provided for the user according to the result that any EPC writes.For example, result window can present the one or more error messages what unsuccessful reason expression EPC is written as and how might corrects the explanation of this problem.In addition, interface 210 can comprise bad label discoverer interface, and it makes the user can ask the information about the RFID label 280 of any fault.Bad label interface can be presented to the user to the ID of any bad label of identification, their position and the information of the relative article relevant with label.

Though aspect of the present invention is described to be stored in the storer, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that these aspects also can be stored in the computer-readable medium of other types, such as auxilliary memory storage, hard disk, floppy disk or CD-ROM; Carrier wave from internet or other communications medias; Or other forms of RAM or ROM.Scope of the present invention is by claim and equivalent regulation thereof.

Annex A

Use a plurality of RF antennas intelligent station and

Quote the system of inventory control and the method for this intelligent station

Invention field

The present invention relates generally to be added with the field of using a plurality of RF (radio frequency) antenna in the intelligent station of article of RFID (radio frequency identification) label in tracking.More specifically, the present invention is directed to and use to follow the tracks of and stock control is added with the method for inventory control and the system of intelligent station of the article of RFID label.

Background of invention

Radio frequency identification (RFID) system typically uses one or more reader antennas to send radio frequency (RF) signal to the article that are added with the RFID label.The use of such sign article or individual's RFID label is known technically.In response to the RF signal from the reader antenna, when the RFID label was energized, it produced the disturbance in magnetic field (or electric field), and this disturbance is read out the device antenna and receives.Typically, such label is a passive label, and when label was in the sensing range of reader antenna, this label was energized or resonance in response to the RF signal from the reader antenna.An example of such rfid system of the details that comprises suitable RF antenna has been described in U.S. Patent No. 6.094,173.In order to improve sensing range and expansion " overlay area ", use out of phase coplane antenna as everybody knows.Provide in the next comfortable U.S. Patent No. 6,166,706 of such antenna.

The sensing range of rfid system typically by signal strength limits in short distance, for example, for 13.56MHz, often less than about 1 foot.Because tagged item is typically stored in the space of the sensing range of static or fixing single reader antenna, so in order to detect all tagged item, portable reader cell moving is through tagged article group.Alternatively, can use reader antenna scope, big that has enough power and detect a large amount of tagged item.Yet such antenna may be not far behind, and the scope of radiation power is increased to above the admissible limit.And it is other very valuable positions that these reader antennas usually are placed on shop or its space, and to use so big reader antenna be expensive and inconvenience.In another solution, use a plurality of miniature antennas, but this configuration may be difficult to foundation, remember that the space usually is very valuable.

Yet the use of many antennas (or parts) has shortcoming, use many transmission cables to come that the reader unit is connected to a plurality of antennas and/or when a plurality of antennas all are connected to the reader unit by single transmission cable a plurality of antennas can not by each control.

As rudimentary knowledge, Fig. 8 is the block scheme that shows the key concept of prior art rfid system.Reader unit 100 typically can be connected to terminal 102 by RS-232 or similar digital communication equipment, such as terminal.Reader unit 100 is connected to reader antenna 200 by cable 203.This reader antenna 200 typically is made up of 201 and tuned circuits 202 of at least one ring.Though tuned circuit 202 is shown as the part of localization on Fig. 8, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that it can be to distribute around antenna loop 201.Reader antenna 200 is communicated by letter with one or more RFID labels 106 by low power radio waves 105 again, and this RFID label typically interrelates with article, target (biological or abiotic) or the individual that rfid system will be followed the tracks of.

Transmission cable 203 typically is characterised in that its impedance, represents with the form of simplifying, and approximately be the square root of the inductance L of transmission cable divided by capacitor C.For concentric cable, impedance is generally 50 or 75 ohm.

Usually, transmission cable 203, antenna loop 201 and tuned circuit 202 are joined together in such a way, promptly so that utilize RF power on the frequency of wanting most effectively, for using coil antenna, such as antenna 200, given rfid system, this frequency typically " height " frequently, such as 13.56MHz.Another " low " commonly used that often is used in rfid system is 125kHz frequently.In the RF scope, (UHF) frequently also can be used in different Antenna Design such as " superelevation " of 900MHz or 2.45GHz.

Use also is known by the system that a plurality of antennas and the use multiplexer switch of single reader unit power supply replaces between antenna.Such system illustrates on Fig. 9 conceptually, and wherein two antenna 200a that separate and 200b transmission cable 203a and the 203b by separately is connected to reader and multiplexor unit 101.The use of many antennas is room for improvement overlay area when reading label typically, and does not need more than one reader unit.The major defect of structure shown in Figure 9 is to need transmission cable separately to link each antenna.Because the space usually is very valuable, the use of the cable that these separate is disadvantageous, because need added space to install or place the cable that these separate.This shortcoming is increased the weight of when plural antenna is used in a reader unit, because the transmission cable that all these many antennas need separate.

Brief summary of the invention

On the one hand, the invention provides a kind of intelligent station of the RFID of tracking label, intelligent station comprises: the reader unit sends and receives the RF signal; The one RF antenna is connected to the reader unit by first switch via transmission cable; And one or more additional RF antennas, be connected to the reader unit by one or more each extra switch via the first identical transmission cable.Here use, term " intelligence " system of being meant can pass through radio signal transmission, obtains, stores and check the identifier of the uniqueness that data and supervision are relevant with traceable article.

On the other hand, each first with one or more additional RF antennas comprise a ring and a tuned circuit.

One aspect of the present invention, reader unit comprise be used for first with the tuned circuit of one or more additional RF antennas, tuned circuit by first transmission cable be connected to first with one or more additional RF antennas.

On the one hand, the present invention includes: the reader unit generates and receives the RF signal; And control module, be used for being connected to sensing element and first and one or more extra switch, wherein control module be configured to optionally handle first with one or more extra switch so that reader be connected respectively to first with one or more additional RF antennas.Reader unit and control module can be devices separately or be combined into individual unit.

Another aspect of the present invention, intelligent station also comprises second transmission cable, it is connected to auxiliary RF antenna loop to the reader unit, each auxiliary RF antenna loop be arranged near first and one or more additional RF antenna in a corresponding antenna.Auxiliary antenna receives to tag-powered unmodulated RF signal, and these labels are not powered when not having the RF signal usually.As used herein, term " unmodulated RF signal " is the RF signal that is not superimposed with data." modulated RF signal " is the RF signal that is loaded with the data of stack.

On the other hand, the reader unit comprises second tuned circuit near the reader unit, and second tuned circuit is connected to auxiliary RF antenna loop by second transmission cable.Second tuned circuit is configured to tuning auxiliary RF antenna loop.

Another aspect the invention provides second transmission cable, and it is connected first and one or more additional RF antenna to the reader unit by first with one or more extra switch respectively.The reader unit sends unmodulated RF signal to the first and one or more additional RF antenna by second transmission cable, and sends modulated RF signal to the first and one or more additional RF antennas by first transmission cable.

Another aspect of the present invention, first switch are configured to only be operated in three states: first state, first switch only send modulated RF signal to a RF antenna; Second state, first switch only send unmodulated RF signal to a RF antenna; And the third state, modulated RF signal and unmodulated RF signal be bypass the one RF antenna all.Second switch comprises multipole switch, is configured to only be operated in three states: first state, second switch only send modulated RF signal to the 2nd relevant RF antenna; Second state, second switch only send unmodulated RF signal to the 2nd relevant RF antenna; And the third state, modulated RF signal and unmodulated RF signal be the 2nd relevant RF antenna of bypass all.Each switch is Be Controlled independently of each other, and therefore, for example, first and second switches can be set to send respectively at the same time modulation and unmodulated signal.In addition, can use two utmost point switches, it is configured to operate at one of two states (state is to transmit modulated RF signal to relevant antenna, and another state is not transmit signal to relevant antenna).

On the other hand, the invention provides: additional RF antenna is connected to the reader unit by same first transmission cable; And extra switch, be arranged at respectively between first transmission cable and the additional RF antenna.

An aspect, RF transmission cable have the single branch that serves all antennas, and just, antenna is connected to the reader unit with the series connection form by the RF transmission cable.

On the other hand, the RF transmission cable has two or more branches, and each branch serves one or more antennas.Just, antenna is connected to the reader unit with the multiple-series form by the RF transmission cable, and each branch on the RF transmission cable is selectable by using switch.

On the other hand, intelligent station comprises the RF signal processing electronic equipment, to carry out the signal Processing that some is carried out alternatively by this reader.

Another aspect, each one or more extra switch comprises PIN type diode.

On the other hand, the invention provides that a kind of RFID of use label determines will be by the intelligent inventory control system of the Item Information of the article of stock control, and the intelligent inventory control system comprises one or more intelligent stations.Each intelligent station comprises a RF antenna, is connected to the reader unit by first switch via first transmission cable; And one or more additional RF antennas, be connected to the reader unit by corresponding one or more extra switch via same first transmission cable.The reader unit can be placed on away from one of intelligent station or in an intelligent station.System of inventory control also comprises the stock's controlled processing unit that is connected to data-carrier store, and its receives the Item Information from intelligent station, to upgrade about will be by the inventory information of the article of stock control.

Another aspect the invention provides a kind of stock's control and has the method for the article of RFID label, and method comprises: a plurality of intelligent stations are provided, and each intelligent station comprises: the reader unit sends and receive the RF signal; The one RF antenna is connected to the reader unit by first switch via transmission cable; And one or more additional RF antennas, be connected to the reader unit by corresponding one or more extra switch via the first identical transmission cable; Item Information by giving the article be used for determining being positioned at corresponding intelligent station, first selectively the powering of each intelligent station with one or more additional RF antennas, determining will be by the Item Information of the article of stock control; And handle determined Item Information, will be to upgrade by the inventory information of the article of stock control.

On the one hand, each station has its reader unit.Yet a reader unit also can be the work of many stations.

Another aspect of the present invention, method for inventory control comprise selectively control first with one or more extra switch come to first with one or more additional RF antennas power supplies, and detect from Item Information in the scope that is in the one or more additional RF antenna that is powered accordingly, that have the article of RFID label.

Another aspect of the present invention, method for inventory control comprise the RF power level that software control is generated by the reader unit.In a preferred embodiment, test job determines how much RF power the reader unit must provide, to reach for being placed on along the optimum of the antenna of each connection of the different distance of RF cable.This information for example is stored in look-up table or other index data store of equal value.After this, at run duration, the power level that is used for each antenna is set up according to this predetermined level that is stored in look-up table, like this, and can be in different distance antenna with the power operation that equates basically along the RF transmission cable.

In alternative embodiment, the power that is provided for each antenna also can be depending on additive factor, for example depends on the type of antenna.So, in alternative embodiment, the distance of antenna and type can be used for determining and storage for the optimum power level of concrete antenna.

Another aspect of the present invention, method for inventory control comprise the amplifier installation RF, such as RF wave filter amplifier, along (such as every N the shelf) placement periodically of RF transmission cable, to promote the RF signal intensity.

Another aspect of the present invention, method for inventory control comprise the Item Information of determining that is updated in article in the data storage.

Another aspect, the invention provides method for inventory control comprises, for each intelligent station, second transmission cable is provided, the reader unit be connected to be placed on first and the respective antenna of one or more additional RF antennas near, one or more auxiliary antenna rings, wherein the reader unit sends modulated RF signal and sends unmodulated RF signal by second transmission cable by first transmission cable.

Another aspect, comprise for each intelligent station according to method for inventory control of the present invention second transmission cable is provided, it is connected first and one or more additional RF antennas to the reader unit by first with one or more extra switch respectively, wherein the reader unit sends unmodulated RF signal to the first and one or more additional RF antennas by second transmission cable, and sends modulated RF signal to the first and one or more additional RF antennas by first transmission cable.

On the other hand, method for inventory control, for each intelligent station, first with one or more extra switch be configured to only be operated in three states: first state, only send modulated RF signal to each first with one or more additional RF antennas; Second state only sends corresponding antenna in unmodulated RF signal to the first and the one or more additional RF antennas; And the third state, modulated RF signal and unmodulated RF signal be corresponding antenna in bypass first and the one or more additional RF antennas all.

The accompanying drawing summary

The accompanying drawing that is introduced in and constitutes the part of technical descriptioon is used for explanation rather than restriction the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the above DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED in a word bright and given below that provides, is used for illustrating principle of the present invention.

Preferred embodiment is described in detail

Unless stipulate that in addition "-" is meant one or more.The invention provides the intelligent inventory control system that comprises one or more intelligent stations that can pass through a plurality of antenna detection RFID labels of use.The RFID label is attached on the article of wanting detected or following the tracks of.Here discuss, in some preferred embodiment, intelligent station system is designated as intelligence " shelf " system, because be suitable for following the tracks of the article on the shelf in shop or warehouse by intelligent station system provided by the invention, is used for stock's control or other follow the tracks of purposes.Yet, will be understood that, the invention is not restricted to intelligent commodity shelf system, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that its applicability for other purposes, such as, for example follow the tracks of the article in airtight surround, other storage spaces and specific space.Airtight surround like this or storage space comprise rather than limit, room, cubicle, chest, cabinet, refrigerator, household freezer, tool palette, clothes shelf, trailer, warehouse, supporting plate, sales counter and other similar confined spaces, space or shelf.Intelligent station can be used in gate, front door and other porch, floor or carpet or ceiling.Be appreciated that also intelligent station can use on the different orientation of typically relevant with shelf horizontal alignment.For example, intelligent commodity shelf can use on vertical orientation, for example on the wall of surround, or on the back side or side or surface of storage space.

For the use on the clothes shelf, the various embodiment of imagination comprise linear or circular shelf.Particularly, for circular shelf, imagination can be used two antennas, be placed on their mutually orthogonals circular shelf on intracardiac two vertical planes.Antenna can be driven by single reader, but the length of their lead-in cable preferably differs 1/4 RF wavelength mutually, or alternatively, uses two-way 90 degree power splitters (for example, MiniCircuits PSCQ-2-13), makes two antenna phases differ from 90 degree.As a result, press each RF wave period " rotation " once, can read out in circular shelf all RFID labels on every side like this by the magnetic direction that two antennas are set up.

For the use on the clothes shelf, another embodiment provides one or more antenna loop on the clothes shelf, for example be placed on or hang over the one or both ends of shelf, or is distributed as the clothes hanger of hanging clothes.If antenna loop is provided with the form of clothes hanger, then these antenna by lead by narrow (for example, 1/4 " 3/8 " diameter) thermoplastic pipeline, this pipeline of thermoforming antenna of making the clothes hanger shape is made then.Identical method can be used for making the self-supporting antenna of Any shape.

Flat plane antenna can be subject to its ability of reading label, and the orientation of these labels is parallel to the magnetic line of force that is produced by antenna.By antenna (being connected to the antenna of reader) that RF power supply is provided and the antenna that is not directly connected to one or more passive coupling of reader, read range is extended and overcome the label orientation limitations.The antenna of these passive connections is energized by the inductive coupling with the antenna of powering or powers.Best, the antenna phase that the antenna of these passive coupling has magnetic field and active coupling differs from 180 degree.Therefore, the orientation in the magnetic field that finally obtains will be vibrated, like this, even still can be read out at the RFID of disadvantageous orientation label.In one embodiment, the antenna of passive coupling may be provided in shelf itself, for example, is equipped with source antenna in the front of shelf and is antennas of passive coupling in the back of shelf, and all antennas are all on the shelf plane.Other embodiment is included in the antenna of the passive coupling on the vertical plane of behind of the end of shelf or shelf.Other embodiment comprises at least one active antenna that uses in the surround interior (such as box, cubicle or passage), and the antenna of one or more passive coupling provides better read range or provides better dirigibility for the label of reading that is arranged to any orientation.Other embodiment are included in the antenna of the passive coupling on the vertical plane of behind of the end of shelf or shelf.Other embodiment comprise for given shelf, the preferred just in time antenna of the passive coupling on the surface level of supine certain distance under the next shelf on shelf.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of antennas can be placed on and maybe can be embedded on the self-supporting shelf in the thin bed course that is placed on the existing shop shelf.

For example, shown in the block scheme of Figure 10 A, commodity shelf system 501a independently, 501b...501n and 502a, 502b...502n, each is equipped with a plurality of antennas 200, and each antenna is connected to reader unit 120 by transmission cable 222.Each reader unit 120 has controller or control module 124, and they use umbilical cable 221 to select which antenna is work at any time.Between shelf, cable 221 and cable 222 can be by connector 526 by interconnected.Though the embodiment that Figure 10 A is disclosed shows, every group of shelf have rfid system, this system has the reader unit 120 that is connected to a plurality of antennas 200, but it will be understood to those of skill in the art that, single reader unit can be configured to a plurality of antennas on the more than one shelf adjacent to each other are linked together, or each shelf can be configured to have its reader unit.

The block scheme of Figure 10 B shows alternative embodiment, each shelf 503a wherein, and 503b...503n is equipped with a plurality of antennas 200.Each is connected to reader unit 120 by transmission cable 222 a plurality of antenna 200.Each reader unit 120 has controller 124, and selecting which antenna all is work at any time.This controller 124 can be a microprocessor.And shelf can have assistant controller 125, and antenna is selected in it and controller 124 cooperations.Assistant controller 125 can be a microprocessor, has enough output and controls the interior all antennas of relevant shelf, and control output device 510, such as, be used to show shelf-edges display such as the such information of price.Output device 510 can show the information of that can see and the signal that can hear of use, just as understood by a person skilled in the art.Use assistant controller 125, can reduce the number of needed line in the connector 526 between shelf.

Control module 124 can for example pass through the address of the uniqueness of relevant each switch of transmission by means of sending order by the digital data communication cable, as possible, for example by using Dallas Semiconductor DS2405

Switch capable of addressing, and selectively operate any or all of switch.Each such addressable switch provides the single output terminal that can be used for switching individual antenna.Preferably, control module 124 can be by utilizing one or more assistant controllers unit 125, and selectively operate any or all of switch.For example, assistant controller unit 125 can be a microprocessor, such as Microchip Technology Incorporated

Microcontroller, it can be provided for switching a plurality of output terminals of more than one antenna (such as near all antennas assistant controller unit 125).Controller unit 124 also can be a microprocessor, such as Microchip Technology Incorporated

Microcontroller.Communicating by letter between control module 124 and auxilliary control module 125 can be implemented by using the digital communication signal according to the communication protocol of knowing (such as RS-232, RS-485 serial protocol or Ethernet protocol or Token Ring (token-ring network) networking protocol).By such communication of assistant controller unit 125, except the antenna of selecting to want, also comprise the order of handling bells and whistles.The example of such characteristic comprises display (for example, light emitting diode) is provided near the antenna, shows alphanumeric text by suitable image display, or near the information that output can be heard antenna.

In a preferred embodiment, intelligent commodity shelf system is by the electric network Be Controlled.The control system of control intelligent commodity shelf system will send order data to control module via RS-232 or similar agreement.These orders include but not limited to, be used to handle reader unit 120 instruction, be used for the instruction of steering antenna switch and the supplementary that will be shown by shelf (for example, have light, image shows or sound).Control module 124 is programmed these orders of decipher.If order is intended to reader unit 120, then control module 124 is sent to reader unit 120 to this order.Other orders can be to be used to select antenna or display message, and these orders should be sent to auxilliary control module 125 if necessary with 124 processing of Be Controlled unit by digital data communication cable 221 to determine which data.Similarly, auxilliary control module 125 can send back controller 124 to data, as reader unit 120 can be accomplished.Controller 124 sends back control system to result data by electric network then.Shown in Figure 10 A and 10B, stock's controlled processing unit 550 is examples of such control system.As further discussing for intelligent commodity shelf system here, electric network and control system can alternatively use wise can control by electric network by the control system that is connected to intelligent commodity shelf system by commodity shelf system.

Control module 124 must determine whether should be sent to reader 120 from the order of electric network at least, or should not send on cable for digital communication 221.Equally, control module 124 must be its data forwarding telegram in reply sub-network from cable for

digital communication

221 and 120 receptions from the reader unit.For example with the configuration of minimum, electric network is for example given an order and is read individual antenna.Control module 124 is provided for the suitable switch of this antenna with (a), (b) starts reader, (c) receives the data of returning from reader, (d) turn-offs reader and (e) data is beamed back electric network.

Figure 10 C is that explanation is by the process flow diagram of control module 124 exemplary process from the command signal of main frame.In step 330, control module 124 has determined whether that order gives control module 124 (it can accomplish this point by periodically inquiring memory cell).In step 332, control module 124 is determined this order then whether at reader 120, and if, in step 336, control module 124 these orders of decoding, and send appropriate instructions to assistant controller 125.After this, order reader if sent one in step 334, in step 338, control module 124 determines whether to receive from reader unit 120 to reply.Reply if received, then in step 340, control module 124 is replied this and is sent back main frame.Whether after this, in step 342, control module 124 is determined the instruction that sends in response in step 336, receive from assistant controller unit 125 and reply.If receive from assistant controller unit 125 in step 342 and to reply, then this is replied by the control module decipher in step 344, and sends to main frame.After this, step 330 is got back in processing controls, and wherein control module 124 determines whether to need to handle from another order of main frame.

Control module 124 also can be carried out some management function of being handled in addition by electric network.For example, electric network can be given an order, to seek some article on the whole commodity shelf system relevant with control module 124.Under such situation, control module will be managed a series of tasks, determine in its system how many antennas are arranged such as (a), (b) for first antenna suitable switch will be set, (c) start reader, (d) receive the data of returning from reader, and preserve it, (e) turn-off reader, (f) for next antenna suitable switch is set, till all antennas all are driven, and (g) start reader, till all antennas all are read out.In a preferred embodiment, when all antennas are read out, control module 124 or electric network (" main frame " or " control system ") will be analyzed its data of accumulation and the position of only back reporting desired articles.

Figure 10 D be explanation according to of the present invention, carry out the process flow diagram that exemplary administrative functions is handled by control module.In step 350, control module 124 receive from primary application program, the request counting is by the order of the sum of the antenna of control module 124 controls.So, in step 352, the number that control module 124 is determined by control module 124 directly actuated antennas.After this, in step 354, control module 124 is given an order to auxilliary control module 125, with the next antenna on the inventory that is chosen in them, and in the affirmation of step 356 wait from auxilliary control

module 125.In step

358 and 360, send " reading " and order reader 120, its wait and read out data from the antenna of selecting, and, these data are sent to primary application program in step 362.After this, in step 364, control module sends a " standby " command to reader 120, and determines whether to read all antennas in step 366.If determine to be read out at all antennas of step 366, then processing finishes.Otherwise the processing controls process turns back to step 354, and like this, control module 124 can issue commands to auxilliary control module, select on the inventory, nonoptional next antenna also.

The attendant advantages that control module 124 is placed between electric network and the reader unit is, can use the reader 120 of different types on demand.Order from the electric network to the control module can be general, rather than reader is specific.For example, electric network can send one " reading antenna " order and give control module.Control module can become the appropriate command sentence structure that is required by each reader unit to this command translation again.Similarly, control module can receive from the reader unit reply sentence structure (it can be different with the type of reader unit), and it be parsed into general replying send it back electric network.This order can be different with the type of reader unit 120 with sentence structure, but control module 124 makes that it is transparent for electric network.

The block scheme of Figure 10 E shows that its middle controller 124 and reader 120 are comprised in the alternative embodiment among the shelf 504a.Just as the skilled person will appreciate, also possible controller and reader are away from any shelf.Cable for digital communication 221 is connected to assistant controller 125 to controller 124, and RF transmission cable 222 is connected to antenna 200 to reader 120.Controller 124 can be handled branch switch 527, and this switch selects which shelf group (for example, 504b-504n, or 505b-505n) with selected.On Figure 10 E, branch switch 527 is used in assistant controller 125 by " multiple-series " method of attachment and is connected to the antenna of assistant controller 125.Just, replace controller 124 and reader 120 to arrange all shelf of lower-pilot at unitary series of operations, RF and digital communication line were branched (just, each branch is parallel to each other) before changeing by serial shelf 504b-504n with under by serial shelf 505b-505n.Parallel-to-serial configuration on Figure 10 E may be favourable for the passageway of shelf, and it typically has about 4 other shelf of level (each rank shelf can be connected in parallel), and each rank perhaps has a 10-20 connected in series overhead baggage rack unit.In some cases, arranged in series in parallel be it seems from the position of RF transmission and is also wished.For example, if the corridor has 4 other shelf of level, each rank has 12 overhead baggage rack units, and each overhead baggage rack unit has 4 antennas, arranged in series then in parallel 4 groups of 48 antennas that are connected in parallel, and the configuration of series connection one group of totally 192 antenna of having to be connected in series only.Therefore the RF transmission cable of the configuration that is used for only connecting becomes oversize and can not work effectively.

The block scheme of Figure 10 F shows that its middle controller 124 and reader 120 are arranged to the alternative embodiment away from any shelf.Digital transmission cable 221 is connected to assistant controller 125 to controller 124, and RF transmission cable 222 is connected to antenna 200 to reader 120.Controller 124 or assistant controller 125 can be handled T switch 528, and this switch selects which shelf or shelf group (for example, 506a or 507a-507b) with selected.T switch 528 can separate with shelf, maybe can be the part of shelf, just as understood by a person skilled in the art.On Figure 10 F, T switch 528 connects arrangement and use in conjunction with another " multiple-series ".Just, replace controller 124 and reader 120 to handle all shelf serially, RF and digital communication line be bifurcated out (that is, and with multiple spot or " T shape " arrange to be connected, each branch is arranged to parallel) to by the shelf of arranged in series or shelf group.This configuration allows the RF signal to be switched to shelf or shelf group by T switch 528, or bypass shelf or shelf group.The configuration of T shape shown in Figure 10 F or multiple spot can be used for reducing the number of the on-off element that the RF transmission cable passes through.

On Figure 10 F, the part 222a that extends to the part 221a of the umbilical cable beyond the shelf 506a and extend to the RF cable beyond the shelf 506a is beyond shelf.Yet just as the skilled person will appreciate, these extensions of cable can be comprised in the shelf.The umbilical cable part 221b of additional extension and the RF cable section 222b of the extension that adds can be used for being connected to more shelf or shelf group.Similarly, additional shelf (not shown) can be added to the shelf group, shelf 506a-506b for example, just as the skilled person will appreciate.

Figure 10 G is presented at the example T switch 528 on the exemplary shelf 507a.The T switch comprises a switch, for example PIN diode 207c.The assistant controller 125 relevant with shelf 507a can drive PIN diode 207c, allows the RF signal to enter shelf 507a from RF cable 222a, and this RF signal can be routed to antenna 200 by switch 214 therein.The RF energy also can continue to enter optional additional T switch along RF cable 222b, arrives terminal organ 215 at last.Therefore, antenna and terminal organ 215 that two shunt load-drivings are typically arranged on RF cable 222a.Circuit 217 (for example, isolator circuit well known to those skilled in the art) can be used for the impedance phase coupling with reader 120.

Figure 10 H represents to be used in the exemplary on-line switch 529 of exemplary shelf 507a.On-line switch comprises a switch, for example PIN diode 207d.The assistant controller 125 relevant with shelf 507a can drive PIN diode 207d, allows to continue to advance along RF cable 222b from the signal of RF cable 222a, or turn-offs PIN diode 207d, stops the RF signal to continue to advance along RF cable 222b.Preferably, T switch 528 and on-line switch 529 can make together and be used for a RF signal and be routed to shelf 507a or be routed to RF cable 222b.By using one or more on-line switches, such as on-line switch 529, isolator circuit 217 is unnecessary.Yet on-line switch 529 can cause some RF energy loss.

Figure 101 is presented at the illustrative methods that makes up RF and digital communication on the unit cable.Master controller 124 sends the digital command 250 that is intended for use intelligent station.The digital signal 252 that transducer 251 becomes to superpose digital data converting, it can be superimposed on the RF cable.For example, the numerical data of this stack can be with the different frequency of using by RFID reader 120 on.The digital signal of this stack can transmit by wave filter 253, such as the exemplary inductance 253 shown on Figure 10 I.Then, it is added on the RF cable.Another wave filter 254 can be used for stopping that the signal of stack arrives RFID reader 120.

The RF and the digital signal of combination are sent to one or more additional intelligence station 261,262,263 or the like (only showing 261 and 262 on Figure 10) along cable 222a.After reaching exemplary intelligent station 261, the signal of combination can transmit by another wave filter 255, and such as inductor, value is made and stopped that the RF signal is to the RFID reader.The digital communication of stack transmits by wave filter 255 and enters receiver circuit 256, its key numbers information and it is sent to assistant controller 125 and randomly arrives and add assistant controller 260.

Assistant controller 125 can send it back master controller 124 to information by transmitter circuitry 257, for example be operated on the frequency of the RF frequency that is different from reader 120, and randomly, be operated in the different frequency of using with communication of frequency from master controller (or control module) 124 to assistant controller (or control module) 125.Such information can be received by receiver circuit 258, is transformed into suitable digital signal 259, turns back to master controller 124 then.

A change example that is used for the method for the digital communication between master controller 124 and assistant controller 125 is, from a series of pulse transmission digital communications of master controller 124 with two or more dc voltages.Preferably, two voltages all are enough height, so that give and any circuit supply relevant with assistant controller 125, peripheral hardware 510 or the like that needs the DC power supply.These voltages can send from digital transmission machine circuit 251, and are received machine circuit 256 receptions, and this receiver circuit can be simple voltage comparator circuit.By making digital transmission machine circuit 257 provide the electric current of two different level to flow out or being carried on the telecommunication cable, for example, can provide the communication that turns back to master controller from assistant controller 125 by turning on and off transistor to the resistance feed.Such variation of the electric current that flows out is received machine circuit 258 perception then, is transformed into the numerical data that is used for master controller 124 then.

Figure 10 J shows the minimum illustrative methods of undesired influence of the RF cable that uses switch to make the antenna that extends beyond selection.Be appreciated that and come gauge tap by intelligent station system by using assistant controller (or control module) from aforesaid explanation.Figure 10 J shows the reader unit 370 that is connected to a series of antenna 371-377.This antenna series also is represented as No. 1, and No. 2, N number or the like.Each antenna and its circuit 380 interrelate.Circuit can comprise the concentric cable 381 that carries the RF signal.The center conductor that carries RF can be shorted to the concentric cable crust by paralleling switch 382, or is connected to tuned circuit, after this is connected to antenna 371 by selector switch 383.The concentric cable crust by line 384 be expressed as be electrically connected continuous.The concentric cable crust is ground connection typically.Coaxial center conductors is continuous equally.

Distance between antenna successively is the integral multiple of the approximate number of the wavelength of RF signal preferably.For example, RF signal that advance, 13.56MHz has about 12 feet quarter-wave in having the standard coaxial cable of polyethylene dielectric.Therefore, shown in Figure 10 J, 1 foot concentric cable length between antenna can be used for providing quarter-wave 1/12nd approximate number at interval.Other integral multiple approximate number also is possible, and for example, 1.5 feet concentric cable length between antenna can be used for providing eighth approximate number.

For this method is described, N antenna 373 can be by closed selector switch 385 the RF signal guidance to antenna 373 and selected.Equally, paralleling switch 386 is closed, and the RF signal is shorted to the concentric cable crust at antenna 375 places, and this antenna is positioned at along RF cable quarter-wave strong point.Be looked at as infinite-impedance in the short circuit along RF cable quarter-wave distance, this makes the RF cable extension minimize to the deleterious effect that surpasses the antenna of selecting.At the end of antenna sequence, additional paralleling switch is randomly arranged, be represented as 378 and 379.

In a preferred embodiment, intelligent station system is a standard form, uses the data of not too expensive element processing from a plurality of antennas.A plurality of antennas in shelf can start to sequential or randomly, have the phase place time-delay, strengthen their validity, as in those skilled in the art's limit of power.

With reference to accompanying drawing, Figure 11 A is the block scheme of explanation one embodiment of the present of invention, and it shows the rfid system with a plurality of antennas 200,210 (for convenience, only showing two) that are connected to reader unit 120.So the rfid system of Jie Shiing can be used for implementing intelligent station 501a-n or the 502a-n shown in Figure 10 A here.Figure 11 A does not plan to limit the present invention, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that its various corrections, replacement and change.And, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that the present invention and its structure and operation method also may be used on transmission and the detection on other frequencies, equally as long as the words that power and conventional requirement are satisfied.Rfid system can comprise that single shelf or a plurality of antenna can be arranged near the shelf and be connected to single reader unit by the connector that use is used for for example coaxial or other coupling arrangements.Shown in Figure 11 A, single RF transmission cable 222 is used for connecting antenna 200 and 210.Transmission cable 222 is with 215 terminating of traditional terminal organ.Reader unit 120 interrelates with control module 124, but does not have multiplexer.But controller 124 is designed to control respectively the switch 204 and 214 that is positioned at antenna 200 and 210 places.Control module 124 also can be communicated by letter with near the auxilliary control module 125 for example being positioned at antenna.Auxilliary control module 125 can comprise microprocessor or addressable device, and they can select antenna with control module 124 cooperations.

In one embodiment,

switch

204 and 214 is connected to control module 124 by the cable 221 that separates.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that other devices, comprise wireless device, or be superimposed on other frequency signals of the RF signal that carries on the cable 222, can be used for a control module 124 and be connected to switch 204 and 214.Switch 204,214 is controlled so as at any time, and only an antenna 200,210 is connected to reader unit 120 by cable 222.

Figure 11 B is the synoptic diagram of display logic switch 204, and this logic switch is beated opening between (dotted line) and the make-position, and it is powered to antenna.Such logic switch can be used in the embodiment that discusses for Figure 11 A.

Figure 12 is an alternative embodiment of the invention, and it is similar to the embodiment that discusses for Figure 11 A, except antenna 200 all is identical, as shown in figure 12.So tuned circuit 202 all is identical, this simplifies antenna and makes.So reader unit 120 is connected to each a plurality of identical antennas 200 by transmission cable 222 and switch 204 and 214.

Figure 13 is the block scheme of alternative embodiment, and its shows when the benefit of a plurality of antennas 200 when being identical.The part of tuned circuit 202 can be moved back into or near near the common tuned circuit 213 this reader unit 120 itself.So reader unit 120 is connected to a plurality of antennas 200 by the common tuned circuit 213 that provides at 120 places, reader unit.Just as the skilled person will appreciate, still can provide a

main tuning circuit

202 or 212 for each antenna 200.

Figure 14 is the block scheme of explanation an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein two transmission cables that separate 222 and 230 send modulation respectively with unmodulated RF signal to a plurality of antenna configurations, each antenna configurations comprises antenna loop 201 and 231.Control module 134 interrelates with reader unit 130.Reader unit 130 is designed to a RF signal branch and splits, allow unmodulated RF signal by the cable 230 that separates be transferred to the antenna loop 231 relevant with RF antenna 201 by tuned circuit 232.Each RF antenna 201 is relevant with each antenna loop 231.The same with the front, reader unit 130 also generates modulated RF signal, and this modulated RF signal is sent to a plurality of antennas by tuned circuit 212 and transmission cable 222.Each

switch

204 and 214 is connected to transmission cable 222 to each antenna 201, and also each antenna loop 231 is connected to transmission cable 230.

In one embodiment, unmodulated RF system comprises tuned circuit 232, cable 230 and antenna loop 231, can be powered continuously.On the contrary, reader antenna data ring 201 can once only be connected one by

gauge tap

204 and 214 suitably.Can be powered continuously because encircle 231, during data transmit, do not charged required start-up time for the RFID label.Such system can advantageously be used in the situation that the RFID labeling requirement frequently is read out.And this embodiment also allows hand-held reader unit to read label at any time, because in view of the continuous power supply of unmodulated RF system, label always is powered.Unmodulated cable 230 has terminal organ 216 at the end of cable 230.In the present context, should be appreciated that term " continuous " power supply can comprise percentage work ratio, if by legal or other requirement for restriction.Alternatively, unmodulated RF system can be driven in the past in the RF system that just drives the modulation that is used for each antenna.

Figure 15 is another embodiment that is similar to the embodiment that discusses for Figure 14.In the present embodiment, modulated RF signal by cable 222 and the unmodulated RF signal by cable 230 are routed to same antenna 201.

Switch

204 and 214 preferably is configured to make modulated RF signal 222, or unmodulated RF signal 230, or the neither one signal, is routed to given antenna 201.Just, switch 204 and 214 is designed to them can only be operated in three states: (I) first state, have only modulated RF signal to be transferred to antenna 201; (II) second state has only unmodulated RF signal to be transferred to antenna 201; And (III) third state, modulated RF signal and unmodulated RF signal bypass antenna 201.

Such switch operating can be implemented by one pole or multipole RF switches set.In when work, present embodiment allows antenna 201 to be turned off, till just before its transformation is by metamorphosis.At this moment, unmodulated RF signal can pass through tuned circuit 232, transmission cable 230 and suitable switch 204,214 and be switched to antenna 201, with near the RFID label " heating ".After this, modulated RF signal is switched to antenna 201 by tuned circuit 212, cable 222 and suitable switch 204,214, obtains the data of controlling oneself by the RFID label of " heating " effectively.

Figure 16 A is the synoptic diagram of the simplification that can use with the switch 205 of the embodiment that for example discusses for Figure 15.Figure 16 A does not plan to limit the present invention, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various restrictions, variation and alternative.When switch 205A is thrown the left side, it is connected to the center conductor of modulated RF signal concentric cable 222 to a utmost point of antenna loop 201, and another utmost point is connected to the crust of same cable, and modulated RF signal is transferred to antenna 201.If switch 205A is thrown the right side, then the signal in the cable 222 of modulation continues to be connected to another antenna.Switch 205B is shown as and throws the right side, and like this, unmodulated RF signal will continue to receive another antenna.If switch 205B is thrown the left side, then unmodulated RF signal will be sent to antenna 201.If switch A and B are thrown the right side, two signals are with the bypass antenna, and this antenna will not worked fully.Switch 205 is designed to switch 205A and 205B can not throw the left side.

Figure 16 B is the synoptic diagram of simplification that for example can be used in another switch 205C of the embodiment that discusses for Figure 15.Show on the figure public () line do not need to switch, and switch can the RF of branch cable, rather than directly and cable online.When switch 205C was thrown the left side, it was connected to the center conductor of modulated RF signal concentric cable 222 to a utmost point of antenna loop 201, and another utmost point is connected to the crust of same cable, and like this, modulated RF signal is transferred to antenna 201.If switch 205C is by the center of throwing, then unmodulated RF signal 230 will be sent to antenna 201.If switch 205C is thrown the right side, then any RF signal does not enter antenna, and this antenna will not worked fully.Attention is under the situation of switch 205C, and the RF signal also changes their cables separately down, is sent to antenna 201, and no matter the setting of switch 205C.

Figure 17 A shows the circuit diagram of the RF switch for example can be used as here previously the switch 204 discussed for various embodiment of the present invention or 214.Figure 17 A does not plan to limit the present invention, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various restrictions, variation and alternative.As shown in the figure, the RF switch utilizes PIN (P type, I type, N type) diode 207 (for example, Microsemi Part No. 900-6228), and it plays and is similar to conventional PIN diode effect, except when switch contact it can stop the RF signal when opening.When switch contact was closed, PIN diode 207 became forward bias, and conducting RF signal.Being used for selecting the control signal of antenna also can be added to (not shown) is used for reading on the RF signal of RFID label.Such control signal can be opened with the RF Signal Separation by bandpass filter, continues to enter addressable switch then, and it utilizes PIN diode selectively to drive the RF switch.On Figure 17 A, control signal is provided on the line that separates, rather than uses the RF signal cable.Though control signal is superimposed upon on the RF signal cable, can need less lead and/or connector between the antenna or between intelligent station, the electronic component that it need add is separated the signal at each antenna place.Therefore, it may be more effective using line separately for control signal.

Figure 17 B explanation is used to the circuit diagram that makes the antenna off resonance, and like this, if antenna is not selected as driving, then this antenna will can resonance when nearby antenna is selected.If antenna does not have selected, PIN diode 207a short circuit tuning capacity 211a then thus, changes the frequency of antenna, and like this, it is idle being used for that steering antenna reads on the frequency of RFID label.

Use PIN diode (such as 207a) to come the short circuit tuning capacity and make the antenna off resonance to mean that PIN diode 207a can move the sufficiently long time under the situation of power supply.This can generate heat and waste power.So system can be designed to only make and the closely adjacent antenna off resonance of the current antenna that is being read out.Adjacent antenna can be determined by SOME METHODS.For example, this can be prescribed during the design, or found by observing after assembling, or can be determined by the RFID reader at run duration, just as described further herein.

Figure 17 C shows that PIN diode 207b wherein is used for another circuit diagram of tuning loop.Here, loop is tuning when PIN diode 207b is powered.So, do not need to keep connecting less than PIN diode 207b when reading at this loop.This can save power and reduce heat and generate.

Though comprising, the example here use PIN diode to be used for switching and the off resonance function, but also can use other electronic component, such as, FET (field effect transistor) or MESFET (metal semiconductor FET) device for example, just as will be understood by the skilled person in the art.

Figure 17 D explanation is the switch in the resonance section of circuit wherein, and field effect transistor (FET) 208 for example is used for another circuit diagram of off resonance loop.Here, loop is not tuning when FET 208 does not power, and loop is off resonance when FET 208 power supply.Under power supply state, FET 208 extracts very little power.And under this position in circuit, when FET 208 was powered, it made loop antenna off resonance fully, and like this, RF can not be tending towards entering tuned circuit.So, needn't provide suitable FET or PIN diode to select loop.

Figure 17 B illustrates one aspect of the present invention, and variable capacitance (for example, the variable capacitance 211a-c shown in Figure 17 B) can be used for tuned antenna, that is, make it with from the identical frequency upper resonance of the RF signal of reader unit.Because the ambient of antenna can influence tuning, the any structure that surrounds tuned circuit preferably is designed to, for example the edge (such as shelf-edges) by they being placed on structure or make adjustable element remain can to insert from the outside by the access hole that is provided for tuner (such as servo-controlled screwdriver).

And, because tuned antenna can be the process of approaching one by one and be time-consuming that hope allows to finish automatically tuning.According to one aspect of the present invention, this finishes by the automatic tuning circuit (not shown) is provided, and this automatic tuning circuit is attached with the screwdriver of computer-controlled servo driving temporarily, regulates the screw relevant with adjustable capacitor.In order to reach optimum resonance, hands-off tuning unit (it can comprise the microprocessor that computing machine or other are suitably programmed) receives and is connected to by the feedback of tuning antenna from conduction, or from the feedback of RFID reader, which label this RFID reader detects is to be identified from the tag array of predetermined or known space (preferably, two dimension or three-dimensional) arrangement.Tuned cell according to experimental development or from one group of rule of experience exploitation, handle set screw to reach optimal tuning.Alternatively, controller or assistant controller can be by electronic control or for example by the long-range adjustable Piezocapacitor that is arranged in the tuned circuit, and regulate the tuning of each antenna.This method will reduce for using machinery or servocontrol to be used for the needs of tuning adjusting.Piezocapacitor in the tuned circuit also can be used for dumb aerial, like this when they are not selected for when reading their not resonance.

In one embodiment, the RFID label can be placed in the shelf itself, preferably one or more read ranges that are positioned at each antenna.When this antenna was read out during self-testing mode, these RFID labels provided known response for each antenna.Therefore, no matter whether shelf support the article of any RFID of adding label, should be found always in the scope of antenna, have the RFID label of at least one self-test.If do not find such RFID label, then control module 124 or auxilliary control module 125 can begin the self-tuning process.If behind self-tuning, still do not read the RFID label of self-test, then send a message to electric network, expression need be for shelf maintenance.Replacement is placed on the RFID label of self-test in the shelf, and they also can be placed on any one of scope of antenna, for example, and at the rear wall or the sidewall of shelf.

Figure 18 A is the figure of another the antenna loop configuration of explanation in single overhead baggage rack unit.Shelf 300 comprise individual antenna ring 301.Shelf 310 comprise antenna loop 311 and 312.More than one loop in the shelf has a plurality of mode of operations.For example, loop 311 can be work, or loop 312 can be work, or two loops can be that work simultaneously or idle.It is work simultaneously that the present invention plans two loops, and their input rf signal has a phase differential.Such phase differential can be introduced into by well known to those skilled in the art, various electronic installations.For example, by use antenna loop of coaxial cable feed, can introduce phase differential with the different length of comparing for another antenna loop feed.

As what understand from Figure 18 A, shelf 320 comprise three antenna loop 321-324.This is shown as an example, because can have greater or less than four antenna loop, and can use other configurations, will be understood that according to the disclosure here as those skilled in the art.Four ring 321-324 can be driven with different combinations, for example, encircle 321 and 322,321 and 323, or 321 and 324 can be driven simultaneously.Particularly, if a pair of loop is work, between the loop of work phase differential is arranged, then the RF field vector can be shifted, so that read the antenna tag that is in different physical orientation better.So when comparing with the ring of no phase differential, the use of dephased antenna loop can provide for better " covering " of reading label.

Figure 18 B explanation is at several shelf 400,410,420,430 of anchor clamps 460 upper supports, 440 and 450 top view.Each shelf for example has four antennas.For example, shelf 410 comprise antenna 411-414.And, in each shelf and near each antenna, one or more RFID labels are arranged.On Figure 18 B, each antenna has four labels, and label is marked as a-d.Label in shelf is as diversified function.Can use littler or the label of big figure more, just as the skilled person will appreciate.

For example, if antenna 411 is switched on relatively low power, then should read near the label 411c the center that is positioned at antenna 411 for example.Certainly, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that and depend on antenna and label design, can be with the label of low power use, because they can easily be read in the position of more close antenna conductor.Therefore, whether label 411c can be used for test antenna 411 and correctly work.If power increases, then antenna 411 also should be read near the label 411a that is positioned at antenna 411, b, and d on every side.By change power during diagnosis or self-checking pattern, system should determine the antenna 411 great power of need of work effectively.Shelf label can be arranged at the some distances from each center of antenna, so that this information is provided.

When the power that is added to antenna 411 increases, finally can read the shelf label 412b relevant with adjacent antenna 412.System can determine that

antenna

411 and 412 is adjacent.This information can be made by system and be used for determining which adjacent antenna may need off resonance when given antenna is being worked.When shelf 410 were made,

antenna

411 and 412 was that this adjacent fact is established.Yet, when several shelf are adjacent to be placed on retail shop, can not or inconvenient definite in advance which shelf be adjacent.After system was assembled, shelf label can be used for determining which shelf or antenna are adjacent.

For example, be operated in antenna 411 under the normal power and also can detect at adjacent shelf 400 (its position adjacent also was not determined before shelf are placed) and go up the shelf label 404d relevant with adjacent antenna 404, and on the adjacent shelf 440 (its position adjacent also had not been determined before shelf are placed) on opposite one side of lorry (or common support structure of shelf) the shelf label 441a relevant with adjacent antenna 441.

Can design, the antenna 411 that is operated under normal power or the higher a little power can further be read adjacent antenna area, for example reads shelf label 404c, 412c, and 441c.Therefore, function described herein can reach by only using the single shelf label at the center of each antenna.

Though shelf label is useful for above-mentioned purpose, their system responses that may slow down by the number that increases the label that will be read out.So desirable selection can be can just, not replied at normal operation period by the specific sequence number range of system bootstrap to " mourning in silence " pattern for the ID sequence number use of shelf label uniqueness, and is only diagnosing or setting up run duration and just reply.

One or more antennas can be involved or be hidden in each shelf.Antenna loop is made into by using conductive material.These conductive materials can comprise metallic conductor, such as metal wire or metal forming.Conductive material can be the tape or the screen (screen) of grid.In one embodiment, antenna loop can be by about 0.002 " thickness and 0.5 " Copper Foil of width makes.These rings can be contained in the thin stack material, such as the decoration lamination that is added on the back side of supporting the shelf material.These rings also can be stacked in the glass, and these rings also can be bonded in the outside of material, glass or other supporting constructions of lamination.If want to have additional load-carrying to support or rigidity, such support shelf material can be to support the shelf content, or any material of the rigidity of structure is provided, as what those skilled in the art will know that.Such examples of material comprises timber, plastics, rigid foam, glass, glass fibre or is designed to cardboard watt ridge formula or that stability is provided.The RF barrier material can be added to or be introduced in the bottom surface of shelf, if want, is used for preventing to detect the RFID label that is not on shelf but below shelf.Be to be understood that, here the intelligent station that is described to shelf also can be used on orientations vertical or other angles, and the RF barrier material is coupled with suitable orientation then, and the target labels label adjacent with other of planning to read kept apart better.

Be added to or be introduced in the bottom surface of shelf, or be placed on the RF barrier material in any underlying metal support (such as existing metal shelf), will stop the RF energy to enter " following " of shelf greatly.Alternatively, the RF barrier material also can be introduced in the inside of shelf.If wish the tagged article of a shelf perception shelf (top), then this method is favourable.Yet, the result of such RF barrier material is (no matter be deliberately to be provided in the shelf structure, still simultaneous as the shelf structure of depositing earlier) be, in the energy of RF below almost completely limiting shelf, the RF barrier material below shelf also reduces " read range " on shelf.In order to compensate this read range that reduces, can material layer afford redress being right after below antenna loop the end face of shelf structure (just near).Such material is non-conductive, and has high magnetoconductivity.Their example is Magnum Magnetics RubberSteel ^TMOr have magnetoconductivity, a flexible ferrite thin magnetic plate in the high plane.Magnetoconductivity is by using the isotropic ferrite thin slice rather than using traditional each to obtain to incorgruous ferrite lamina (it is perpendicular to thin slice by the magnetoconductivity of design) in the high plane like this.Have this compensative material layer between antenna and RF barrier material, making can have higher magnetic flux density between antenna and RF barrier material.As a result, the magnetic flux density above shelf can be higher, therefore provides better sensing scope (" read range ") for given shelf thickness.

Be stacked in the thin propping material or be attached antenna loop in thin propping material outside, can for example be deployed as crooked plate with nonplanar form, it can be used in some display situation, on some clothes shelf next door or be used for the passage reader that can use in checkout stations, or the like.

The example is here discussed loop antenna, and loop antenna typically is used in the reader that is operated in such as the 13.56MHz frequency.Possible, the article in the intelligent station can comprise and are operated in other different greatly frequencies, such as 915MHz, and 2.45GHz, or 125kHz.Intelligent station can be configured to by suitable antenna is provided, and for example is used for a plurality of loop antennas of 125kHz and is used for 915MHz or the dipole antenna of 2.45GHz, and read these or other frequency.Antenna in the intelligent station can be provided to be used for one or several such frequency.Each antenna preferably has its oneself independently switch and tuned circuit.Shared single public RF cable of all intelligent stations and single public umbilical cable.Intelligent station can be constructed such that all zones of each intelligent station can read all frequencies of wanting (promptly, each zone provides service by a plurality of antennas), or the different zone of given intelligent station can be equipped with the specific antenna that is used for specific frequency.The intelligent station that is operated in different frequencies can be interconnected.The intelligent station that is operated in more than one frequency need to be configured to operate at more than one frequency, so-called " frequency agility reader " unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the antenna loop of discussing in present patent application for example can be placed on the shelf, by their being introduced in the place mat be placed on the shelf, they be placed on product below.Therefore these rings are sealed in well known to those skilled in the art, appropriate rigidity or the soft substrate.The example of suitable substrate material comprise rhythmo structure material, silicon rubber, (urethane) rubber, glass fibre, plastics or other similarly, protection antenna loop and the material of some physics bias compensation is provided, it can prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) under antenna is placed on the situation on metal shelf, wall and surface.

Encapsulating material or shelf can provide perforate or be used to be suspended on the hook at vertical plane (such as the shelf back side).In alternative embodiment, encapsulating material also can provide pressure sensitive adhesives, helps to be attached to the surface of wanting." front " or " shelf " edge of encapsulation also can provide emission of low-power light or other display equipment, it can be by reader unit or sorting unit unit, such as the auxilliary control module in the shelf, connect, so that the operative scenario of specific display device can be coordinated with the operative scenario of the reader antenna of correspondingly placing visibly.Alternatively or in addition, display device also can be used for display additional information, such as price or discount.

Except reading the ability of RFID label, intelligent station can have additional " periphery " equipment, and it can transmit information by digital data cable.For example, intelligent station system can provide that the digital data communication highway is used to add or peripheral optional equipment, include but not limited to, terminal, display device, modulator-demodular unit, bar code reader, temperature sensor, be used for airtight or the rope be the locking device of goods, or the like.The digital data communication highway can be introduced in the connection system that sends digital control and data message between controller 124 and assistant controller 125, or it can be independently digital data communication highway one or more, that be made up of the line that runs through and connect between intelligent station, and these intelligent stations provide the port that connects that add or peripheral equipment.The convenient bidirectional data transfers between intelligent station system (comprising controller 124 and assistant controller 125) and electric network of digital data communication highway.Also can provide electric power for that add or peripheral equipment by the line that runs through intelligent station.

Should be appreciated that the still peripheral equipment that no matter uses interpolation, the electric power except RF power can be used by intelligent station, for example by assistant controller 125 with by the direct current (DC) of switch and the use of tuning electronic circuit.Such electric power can be provided by one or more dedicated connections, or it can be introduced in digital communication highway or RF cable.

As an example, the RF cable can comprise two conductors, for example center conductor in concentric cable and shielded conductor.The RF cable carries the RF signal.DC (direct current) voltage can be added on the RF signal in same RF cable, to provide DC power to intelligent station.If dc voltage, for example 18 volts of DC are higher than for the needed voltage of some device in the intelligent station (for example, 5 volts of DC), then can reduce voltage in spendable scope by the working voltage adjuster.

As another example, on same RF cable, can carry digital communication.For example, the dc voltage that is superimposed on the RF cable can switch between two DC level (for example, 18 volts of DC and 12 volts of DC), to finish the non-RF digital communication on the RF cable.So master controller can send information to assistant controller by using such digital communication.

As another example, assistant controller can be by turning on and off electric load, and send information to master controller with digital form on the RF cable, thus from RF cable discharging electric current.This again can be perceived at the master controller place successively.The use of voltage level and the use of load level can be carried out simultaneously, to realize by the non-RF communication of the bi-directional digital of RF cable.

As another example, in shelf embodiment, another equipment that can advantageously be introduced in the shelf is the plug-in type bar code reader, it can with assistant controller unit 125 interfaces.When shelf were stored goods, bar code reader can be used for scanning the encapsulation that is placed on the shelf.Bar code data is sent out the telegram in reply sub-network together with the RFID tag serial number of uniqueness then.If the product body by the bar code regulation did not have to interrelate with the RFID tag serial number of uniqueness in the past, then in data storing, finish this contact now.Otherwise bar code scanning can be used as the checking of data storing information.Even the use of barcode device also makes shelf also can provide benefit between the introductory phase stage by stage at the goods that adds the RFID label.Number (as what determine) by number (as discerning in conjunction with the simple numerical keyboard) that compares the article of on shelf, getting in stocks and the same article of selling by the existing scanner of cashier by bar code scanner, can determine approximately remain how many goods are arranged on the shelf, and whether must get in stocks again.Similarly, can be utilized to provide from the current pricing information of electric network retrieval with by the character display on shelf at the bar code scanning of shelf itself and show.

In another embodiment, shelf or intelligent station can be equipped with environmental sensor, are used for monitoring or measuring for example temperature, humidity, light luminance or other environmental parameters or factor.Because which article system can determine on shelf, system can follow the tracks of the environment of each article, and if environmental baseline exceed the limit for specific type of items, warning then is provided.The regulation limit separately can be used for the article of each group.

One or morely press close to sensor, for example infrared sensor or capacitance type sensor can be placed on the shelf, are used for detecting client's existence, and the read frequency that determines whether to be increased in this shelf place, when shelf are removed, provide client with convenient article and feed back fast.The device that detects client is placed on the front edge place of shelf, makes this device do not blocked by goods.Infrared or capacitance type sensor by detect from client's body heat or since client in the front of shelf, or client's hand or arm, or goods is in the change of moving this earth capacitance that causes near the shelf front, existence that can the perception client.Other the device that detects client's existence can comprise the visible or infrared light sensor, places along the front edge of shelf, is used for detecting the hand that reaches for the goods on the shelf or the shadow of arm.Light source can be the visible light of surrounding environment in this case, or from the visible light or the IR light that are positioned at the light source below the higher shelf that are right after, or from light source on the ceiling crown or the shop.The shop security cameras also can be used for detecting client's existence and guiding intelligent station raising read frequency.Similarly, when client is perceived and after this in some time, signal or the display that can hear/can see can be driven, rather than all are driven in all time, so that save power and component life.Similarly, can be forwarded the telegram in reply sub-network, help to analyze client's traffic pattern, or spend in the time span on the specific shelf about the information of the degree of approach of client and shelf.Client's position data can be fed to store security systems, so that use together in conjunction with the scan pattern of shop supervision camera.

Similarly, the carousel data that is forwarded the telegram in reply sub-network can be used for determining whether that the article of big figure are taken away from shelf suddenly singularly.If this situation takes place, then security cameras can be directed into the photo that shelf are taken the client who takes article away.If when client leaves the shop, do not pay, then take suitable action to stop stealing for these article.

Another equipment that can be introduced in shelf is existence of moving of Hall effect or other similar proximity type sensor labels or client.This information can be similar in front and be used as described in infrared sensor in the explanation.

Another use of shelf be detect relevant with client, can be used for helping client to seek the existence of " client's label " of predetermined purchase article, correct size such as the clothes article, the indicator that maybe can hear that can see on shelf thus is driven, and client is directed to the desired articles place.Equally, " client's label " is when to be placed on desired articles wherein be shelf in short supply, can be used for giving one of client " purchase that can delay to use single (rain check) " and/or when these article are got in stocks again for the discount of these article, or relevant these article are in the information of apotheca in another shop, or order.This follows the tracks of when client does not buy these article owing to short supply is useful.

Another use of shelf provides " feedforward " information, and when prediction needs more cashier in checkout lane, or when need more accumulator.For example can be by monitoring the car loading of taking away from shelf, and draw the car loading that arrives checkout lane thus, and accomplish this point.Storekeeper (storekeper) or director of store arrange to check out or deposit personnel thus, make their time spend optimization, help to arrange time of having a rest or the like.

Another use of shelf is to detect " inventory tag " or " employee's label ", or the existence of button or button list entries, the system of reminding shelf to deposit fully, and make database know that the current level of depositing is full or target level.This method can be used for upgrading target level when article stock pattern is changed.

Commodity shelf system can be used for according to price, portfolio and shelf space, advises best stock pattern for all shelf that covered by system, and it can relate to the object library storage that changes all article.Calculate such stock pattern effects and need be suitable for about how much quantity of every kind of SKU article the knowledge that given shelf area and how many shelf area are covered or the like by each shelf antenna.

One aspect of the present invention, commodity shelf system know that the position of the reality of each shelf is favourable, even and this point from the Ethernet of uniqueness or RS485 address or other networking addresses also not necessarily conspicuous.So the present invention plans the GPS transducer is incorporated into each shelf.Actual solution can provide portable GPS unit, and it can be inserted into USB part (or other similarly compatible mutually parts) on each shelf so that identify its position when shelf are assembled.For example, the GPS unit can at its back to be installed combined with the servounit regulon that is used for setting up shelf.

Alternatively, the GPS unit that has programmable RFID label can be placed on the shelf, and by rfid system the coordinate that shelf are positioned is sent back master controller.A method finishing this point is to use the gps system that is connected to special RFID label, and this RFID label has the extra storage piece that is used for the information except its sequence number of uniqueness.Such label uses integrated circuit, is connected to its label antenna, also is connected to telecommunication circuit, to receive the data from external source, such as gps system.Gps system can be configured to volume coordinate is written to the extra storage piece.Known sequences number or number can be used in special RFID label, and rfid system can inquired this label after detecting so special RFID label, with the volume coordinate of determining to be stored, and they and the shelf and the antenna that are being read out interrelated.

Antenna pattern not necessarily is limited to the monocycle antenna.The monocycle antenna is a shape coefficient, and it can typically be used in high RFID frequency, such as 13.56MHz.Multi-loop antenna 1215 can be used in the lower frequency such as 125kHz, or allows electric current operation lower on the high frequency such as 13.56MHz.The use of the antenna of lower electric current can allow to use lower power switch component.Form multi-loop antenna may be closely close mutually such as the such antenna element of toroidal conductor, so lead preferably insulate.

The tuned cell relevant with the RFID antenna for example rotates control capacittance or capacitance group, may need during use to insert.Suitable access, for example in shelf embodiment, can be by the removable cap device be provided, or the perforate on shelf and being provided.

Support lamination or other structures for the antenna material of conduction is attached to, can utilize various methods.For example, metal forming can be with grid configuration (such as the grid of cardboard) or plane form (such as cardboard sheet, the lamination sheet, plank or plastic plate or the like) use two dimension or three-dimensional localization mechanism by automatic machinery, metal forming is fed on the substrate from reel with the antenna pattern of wanting, and is laid on the substrate.

If propping material is a timber, then milling machine can be used for forming groove, therein can fixing cord, so that form antenna loop.If propping material is plastics, also can make to use the same method, or the pattern of heating can be pressed into and form groove in the plastics, therein can fixing cord.Plastic substrate can be moulded to the groove that is used for keeping lead, or plastic substrate can be moulded to the pattern that the straight line of the repetition of vertical trench surrounds, and allows to form to have the antenna loop of a large amount of patterns.In any method of these methods, through hole can be used for fixing the end of antenna conductor by boring, punching press or mold pressing.These through holes can extend through substrate to be become to insert and is used to connect or be inserted into the tuned circuit that is used for the tuned antenna ring.

Another method that forms antenna loop is to twine lead around a series of pins that are similar to protection tube, inserts protection tube then, and lead is pressed on the substrate.Substrate is adhesive stripe-coating in advance, holds lead when removing protection tube with box lunch.Alternatively, substrate can be enough soft, allows lead to be pressed into the surface of substrate.Alternatively, substrate can be thermoplastic, and lead can heat in advance, like this, and the substrate of their partial meltings contact, and become in the surface that is embedded into substrate.Forming the pin that uses on the protection tube of antenna loop randomly can be spring loaded, like this, when protection tube lead when being pressed on the substrate, pin randomly can reduce gets back to protection tube.

In more detail, Figure 19 shows a method of making metal wire antenna.Figure 19 does not plan to limit the present invention, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various corrections, replacement and change.Provide substrate 1100, such as timber, plastics, rubber, high-density foam or materials similar.Groove 1110 is provided on substrate, typically has lattice.These grooves can pass through machining, mold pressing, such as heat or cold pressing, or inject mold pressing, casting, and hot branded (for example, being used for timber) or the like made.Pressing method can use die plate (marking) or whirligig.Preferably, through hole 1130 can be provided at the point of crossing of groove by identical method or by boring or punching.Most of zone of substrate 1100 is still taken by the zone between groove 1120.Therefore, substrate 1100 still has flat basically upper surface, like this, and can carry load on this surface, and can add upper cover, film, lamination or scale board, so that the surface of finishing on plane to be provided.Zone 1120 also is considered to not to be taken by antenna conductor, and these zones can be provided to through hole by casting, boring, punching press or the like, to hold screw or bolt, is attached to other structures.Through hole also can be used in and adhere to, such as tool palette (pegboard) or display hook, or by through hole be used for online, ventilate, from the perforation of the sound of loudspeaker, place lampet, or the like.

Antenna loop 1200 is shown as that some groove 1110 forms by the lead of appropriate diameter is placed or is pressed into.The end 1201 of antenna loop is placed in position by they are fixed in the through hole 1130.Through hole can entirely be passed substrate 1100, and like this, they can be connected to the circuit on the another side of substrate.Similarly, antenna loop 1210 is shown as with the wire end 1211 that is fixed on a through hole and is shown as wire end 1212 formation of preparing to be fixed on another through hole.

Pass the through hole fixation ends except pushing nuditing wire simply, lead cuts into the length that needs in advance, and end adapts to grommet 1140, button, or be suitable for other mechanical hook-ups of through hole 1130.These grommets can be welded on the lead, for better conductance.Can have compared with the big slightly diameter of the width of groove 1110 as the alternative grommet that is inserted in the hole 1130, like this, grommet is only just adaptive at the place, point of crossing of two grooves, shown in Figure 19 A.Alternatively, during forming channel patterns, the point of crossing can be made into greater than groove width, shown in Figure 19 B, with fixing bigger grommet 1141.Grommet can be made into bar shaped (1142) or T shape (1143), to be suitable for the point of crossing, shown in Figure 19 C.They also can be made into X-shape.They can adapt to pin, protrude downwards and pass substrate 1100, or extend up to substrate 1100 outsides.Pin can adapt to socket or the through hole on the circuit board.Grommet (for example, 1140 or 1141) can be to hollow out to admit other leads or pin.They can introduce externally threaded pin or internal thread through hole.Grommet similarly can be introduced the hangnail of inside or outside or load onto the part that spring is packed into, makes them fixing in position, or helps to be connected to external circuit.The antenna conductor that is attached to grommet also can be fixed by hangnail.

Substrate 1100 can provide the recess (not shown), places the circuit (not shown) therein, and such circuit is installed in before or after the lead, and lead is by welding or use grommet, hangnail or the like to be attached to circuit.

Replace to allow the groove 1110 a plurality of antenna patterns, that form the pattern of conventional grid or decussation that to create, groove to be provided as with the form of " habitually practising " including only to want to be used for the groove of the antenna of the reality that will produce.Figure 20 shows such embodiment.Groove, for example 1220 and 1230, can be formed by the method identical described above with through

hole

1221 and 1231.

Because groove and through hole firmly fix lead, lead can easily be inserted into substrate with hand, or this process can mechanization.After all antennas of wanting were formed on substrate, the groove of any opening can be filled with plastics or any other suitable material.Lamination, film or other layers that cover can be added to the top of substrate then.This coverture can be the injection-embossed plies of material, or fusing-cast layer, or the liquid cast layer that solidifies by chemical reaction or heating (such as epoxide resin material or silicon compound) or evaporation (such as latex material).

The substrate and the coverture of combination comprise the antenna place mat then.Depend on material, the antenna place mat can be soft or rigidity.The antenna place mat also may be attached to the propping material plane or nonplanar, such as the plate of timber, plastics, glass fibre or the like.

Antenna pattern does not need to be restricted to the monocycle antenna.Figure 20 A shows

monocycle antenna

1200 and 1210, and form factor typically can be used in the RFID frequency of medium range, such as 13.56MHz.Show multi-loop antenna 1215 on the figure, typically can be used in lower frequency, such as 125kHz.Forming multi-loop antenna 1215 can need conductor loop close closely mutually, so lead preferably insulate.May wish has lead crossings on different level 1216, as shown in the figure, or does not have crossings on different level, shown in dotted line 1217.For multi-loop antenna, the distance possibility between the groove must be narrower.Also show the shape of dipole antenna 1218 on the figure, typically can be used in higher frequency, such as 915MHz or 2.45GHz.Be bent for the end shown in the dipole antenna 1219, expression is fixed the method for these lax ends by end being inserted into on-chip through hole during manufacture.

In the embodiment of Figure 19 and 20, before being set up in position, antenna conductor creates groove.Different embodiment are shown in Figure 21.Upper board 1300 is provided, has been useful on the pattern of the through hole 1301 that keeps pin 1302 on it.Pin can be added screw thread, and the through hole tap out, like this, and can fixing pin by their spirals are screwed into through hole.Therefore, the number of pin and placement can be changed.

Coupling hole 1311 is equipped with on the lower panel 1310.When

plate

1300 and 1310 is put together, be shown as arrow " A ", pin one 302 projectioies are passed through hole 1311.Pin one 302 can be used for being defined in the lower plate 1310 following bent angles that center on the metal wire antenna of pin winding then.For example, form antenna 1240 by using pin to hold lead three corners.The 4th corner, two wire ends 1241 are inserted into the perforate 1311 on the lower panel 1310.Another exemplary antenna 1250 is formed by the pin four corners.The grommet 1251 that is attached to the end of conductor loop is maintained on two additional pins.Replacement is fixed on wire end in the zone of plate, and these wire ends also can extend to outside the plate, shown in dotted line 1252.In this case, wire end is fixed with other device (not shown).

The assembly 1330 that has the combination of the upper board 1300 of the pin that adheres to, lead, grommet or the like and lower panel 1310 is inserted into substrate 1320 then, shown in arrow " B ".Antenna 1240 and 1250 by one or more following or similarly method be transferred to substrate 1320.

A) Nian Jie overlayer or film are added to substrate 1320.The assembly 1330 of combination is reduced on the substrate, and pushes lower panel 1310 with respect to

substrate.Antenna

1240 and 1250 is coated cementing agent.If upper board 1300 a little upwards promotes during pushing step, then pin one 302 does not penetrate substrate 1320.If keep the downward pressure for upper board 1300, then pin one 302 will cause perforate on substrate 1320.Any grommet 1251 will be forced in the substrate.After bonding, the assembly 1330 of combination is raised, and antenna pattern is attached to substrate 1320.

B) can using method a), enough pressure portion ground arranged below substrate 1320 or be added on the antenna conductor fully.This method for example, can be used in high-density foam substrate 1320, and it needs minimum power to push lead in surface underneath.

C) can using method b),

lead

1240 and 1250 and grommet 1251 be heated to the above temperature of softening point of substrate 1320, like this, under contact and pressure, substrate is softened or fusing a little, admittance lead and grommet.A method of heating wires be before pushing towards substrate or during, flow through an electric current therein.Upper board 1300 can discharge during pushing step, and pin one 302 is withdrawn and is not penetrated in the substrate 1320 like this.

D), at this moment can pass through the liquid Casting Chemistry, heat, evaporation or other setting materials, or be cast on the lead by the lower surface of injection moulding material to lower panel 1310 without the substrate 1320 of sturdy material.

Lower panel 1310 and pin one 302 can apply releasing agent in advance, cling preventing.Such releasing agent can add before lead is attached.In addition, lower panel 1310 can be non-adhesive material, for example, and Te Fulong, or coating is with the material of Te Fulong, or similar non-adhesive material.Inject mold pressing if use, then lower panel 1310 can be cooled off by the inner passage, quickens to inject the cooling of moulding material.

After these steps,

antenna

1240 and 1250 can by use wire end 1241 1252 or grommet 1251 be attached to circuit.

In all embodiment, be appreciated that lead can be (except fly-over junction) or the insulation of exposing.The cross section of lead can be firm right cylinder, as the typical situation of lead, but it also can be square, rectangle, ellipse, U-shaped or tunnel-shaped, V font, or the like.The major requirement of lead is a tube shape not, and it must conduct electricity, and must have a shape and X-section cohesiveness, impels it to remain in the groove.Lead can be uniconductor (being typically called " solid " conductor) or multiply.It can be stranded or braiding.It can be a concentric cable, and in this case, outside braid can be used as the effective conductor that is used for the RF signal.

Figure 22 be explanation according to of the present invention, the sheet metal band is added to grid or planar substrates form the figure of the apparatus and method of sheet metal antenna.Such sheet metal antenna has several purposes, and for example, they can be used as transceiver or the reader that is used for at the RFID label communication of the rfid system that is used in stock control.Figure 22 does not plan to limit the present invention, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various corrections, replacement and change.Substrate 2100 is provided.This can be a grid configuration, as shown in the figure, in this case, can provide extension pulley 2110 or other devices to come mobile grid.In example shown in Figure 22, such motion is discontinuous.Grid 2100 is distance of transposition forward, stop then, and one or more conductive channels is deposited on the substrate 2100 simultaneously.In case conductive channel is deposited over substrate 2100, just transposition forward again of grid, and repeat this circulation.

Below substrate, provide support plate 2120.This back up pad 2120 can be introduced vacuum and keep-downward system (not shown), and temporary fixed substrate 2100 is to back up pad 2120.Back up pad 2120 itself also can be in x and y direction movably, helps the process of depositing electrically conductive passage.

Applicator unit 2200 is provided, has been used for depositing electrically conductive passage 2300.This applicator will be described in the back in more detail.A cover x-y shelf that is used for mobile applicator 2200 is provided.The x-y shelf, can comprise framework 2401, along the mobile locating device 2402 of main substrate axle (" x " or " machine " direction), along Z-axis (" y " or " intersection " direction) the second mobile locating device 2403.Rotary positioning apparatus 2404 can be provided to rotate 2200 one-tenth any angles with respect to substrate 2100 of applicator, so that applicator 2200 operations.2100 motions of expection substrate and applicator 2200 motions will be controlled automatically by computer installation, and this computer installation except for the more control in the applicator 2200, is also controlled direct motor drive extension pulley 2110 and locating

device

2402 and 2403.

On Figure 22, x and

y locating device

2402 and 2403 are shown as the rack-and-pinion device, but it can comprise other devices, such as hawser, linear motor, stepper motor or reach repeatably other devices of location well.

Figure 23 is presented at depositing electrically conductive passage on the substrate to form another method of sheet metal antenna.Support component 2500 extends on substrate, holds two or more static locating devices 2501, and it is dressing support device 2200 again.Static locating device 2501 can move on support component 2500 with hand, for example is fixed in position with wing nut then.The enough static locating devices 2501 that have applicator 2200 are provided to lay many like that on demand conductive channels along its length 2301,2302 along machine direction (x).In the example that shows, conductive channel 2302 along its length is provided with the zone 2303 of skipping, and it is used for being connected to external circuit.

Support component 2510 extends on substrate, holds traversing gear 2511, and it supports another applicator 2200 according to the order of sequence again.Traversing gear 2511 can crisscross (y) moves in the substrate upper edge on request, the conductive channel 2304 and 2305 of deposition right-angled intersection, and they connect conductive channel 2301,2302 along its length.

So as follows according to operating to of Figure 23: substrate 2100 is moved forward by extension pulley 2110 (or by back up pad 2120 motions).Simultaneously, the applicator 2200 that is attached to static locating device 2501 deposits conductive channel 2301 and 2302 along its length on request, and they can comprise the zone 2303 of skipping.

At reasonable time, substrate 2100 motions are suspended, and like this, the applicator 2200 that is attached to traversing gear 2511 can deposit right-angled intersection conductive channel 2304,2305.The time-out of the x direction motion of substrate 2100 can take place at the middle of process of the one or more conductive channels 2301,2302 along its length of deposition.Alternatively, in order to deposit right-angled intersection conductive channel 2304,2305, applicator 2200 can be fixed in position, and Y direction motion is provided by the motion of back up pad 2120.

Several Factors is depended in the decision that mobile substrate 2100 with grid configuration still has the substrate of Boping form.Substrate can be helping the rolling form of Mesh Processing, or available to help the cutting form that thin slice handles.Some substrate is may be inadequately soft and can not handle with grid configuration, for example, the substrate of sheet or partly or entirely lamination and no longer can crooked substrate.

Use the decision of which applicator system also to make according to Several Factors.The single head applicator design of Figure 22 makes the applicator number minimize, but makes that the applicator location is complicated a little.It is also slow a little compared with a plurality of applicator designs.Yet from making the product viewpoint of customization, it is quite flexibly, because each conductive channel can be customized.A plurality of applicator system simplifications of Figure 23 the location of applicator, and the speed that can improve the long-term production operation of single design.

The mobile applicator of replacement shown in Figure 22 and 23, substrate itself can move in the x-y plane, helps to create conductive channel.Compared with mobile applicator, this typically needs more ground space, and if substrate be form to roll, then it is complicated.

Figure 24 shows the sectional view of the applicator 2200 that is used for the depositing electrically conductive passage.Figure 24 does not plan to limit the present invention, because it will be understood to those of skill in the art that various corrections, replacement and variation.Shown in the embodiment of Figure 24, applicator 2200 can move to the right side with respect to substrate 2100.Supply roller 2210 provides continuous conductive strip 2211 by a pair of supply roller 2212, and this supply roller 2212 is only provided continuous tape 2211 by computer control when requiring.Tape 2211 enters skewed slot 2213 and passes cutter 2214, and this cutter is by computer control, and it can be transferred to any angle, provides the angle cutting, if want.Tape 2211 continues forward and exceeds applicator 2200, and at this moment, optional release liner 2215 can be removed, and is wound into drawing capstan 2217 around the roller of adopting 2216.

The second optional supply roller 2220 provides continuous insulation tape 2221 by a pair of feed roller 2222, and this feed roller 2222 is only provided the tape 2221 that insulate by computer control when requiring.Tape 2221 enters skewed slot 2223 and passes by computer-controlled cutter 2224.Tape 2221 continues forward and exceeds applicator 2200, and at this moment, optional release liner 2225 can be removed, and is wound into drawing capstan 2227 around the roller of adopting 2226.

Pressure apparatus 2230 is provided to a

tape

2211 and or 2221 shifts onto on the substrate 2100.Pressure apparatus can be roller or a cylinder as shown in the figure, or slide unit, or reciprocal fastener.Pressure apparatus 2230 can be heated, and helps cementing agent is arranged on

tape

2211 or 2221, or is provided by the outside, just as described later.Pressure apparatus 2230 can be made figuratum or by annular knurl, for example helps

tape

2211 or 2221 by being pressed on the substrate 2100, or even

tape

2211 or 2221 is crimped onto a little in the material of substrate 2100.This when thin slice is presented operation, can remove the needs for cementing agent at least.Also imagining tape 2211 can be by punching, improves the bonding of the resin between each layer of substrate in last piling up, even exists in the zone of tape 2211.

Piercer 2240 is provided to punching on substrate 2100 on request, the perforate that generation can be electrically connected with conductive strip 2211 by it.Preferably, piercer 2240 is equipped with inner vacuum to connect, to remove the useless substrate material that produces during punch operation.

Cementing agent dispenser 2250 is provided to by pin hole spreading glue 2252, so that

tape

2211 or 2221 is fixed on the substrate.Preferably, cementing agent is fast dry substance, such as hot melt adhesive, hot dried glue or epoxy resin.This cementing agent on request by coated, is presented on

tape

2211 or 2221 times under computer control, if but do not deposit tape in given zone then coated with adhesive not.Should degasification when any cementing agent that can be used at high temperature is pressed, otherwise the globality of piling up may suffer damage.

Conductive strip 2211 or insulation tape 2221 also can be equipped with their tack coat, and it is attached to substrate 2100.

The cementing agent that is used for

tape

2211 and 2221 is attached to substrate 2100 is non-conductive typically, because the cementing agent of conduction is more expensive.Yet in some cases, the part that is electrically connected to conductive channel 2300 is necessary, for this reason, needs the cementing agent or the material of conduction.For simplicity, might determine to use the conductive strip 2211 that has whole conductive adhesive, but this is expensive.Another solution is the storage vault 2260 that the electroconductive binder that adds by the syringe needle 2261 with drop style 2262 is provided in applicator 2200.The cementing agent of conduction drips 2262 tops of former segmentation that can be added to conduction rail bar 2300, on the top of just in time former segmentation before the next segmentation of beginning.Then the effect of press device 2230 is, by heat and pressure, is electrically connected this two segmentations.It can be to have the form of low fusing or with the droplet of the brazing metal that hangs (any form is all passed through pressure apparatus 2230 refuses) that the cementing agent of conduction drips 2262.

Figure 25 illustrates the method for using equipment shown in Figure 22 to lay simple rectangular conductive passage.Concrete steps are as follows.

Substrate 2100 is advanced forward along the x direction by roller 2110.

By using x locating device 2402 and y locating device 2403, applicator 2200 moves to point " a " and " h ", and wherein piercer 2240 is got two holes on substrate 2100.

By using x locating device 2402, applicator 2200 navigates to point " b ".

The applicator 2200 that is moved by x locating device 2402 uses the conductive channel 2300 of interior arrangement 2210-2217 laying from " b " to " c ".In this operating period, cutter 2214 is at the moment cutting tape of accurately determining 2211, and like this, conductive channel 2300 is located to finish at point " c ".Notice that conductive channel 2300 is located beginning at point " b ", overlaps the hole that " a " locates to go out a little.

The binder applicator 2261 that x locating device 2402 is used for moving conduction is to point " c ", and wherein Dao Dian cementing agent drips 2262 ends that are placed on conductive channel 2300.

Rotary positioning apparatus 2404 revolves applicator 2200 and turn 90 degrees, and like this, it can move on crisscross y.

X and

y locating device

2402 and 2403 are used for an applicator 2200 and are placed on point " c ".

The applicator 2200 that is moved by y locating device 2403 uses the conductive channel 2300 of interior arrangement 2210-2217 laying from " c " to " d ".In this operating period, cutter 2214 is at the moment cutting tape of accurately determining 2211, and like this, conductive channel 2300 is located to finish at point " d ".

The binder applicator 2261 that y locating device 2403 is used for moving conduction is to point " d ", and wherein Dao Dian cementing agent drips 2262 ends that are placed on conductive channel 2300.

Rotary positioning apparatus 2404 revolves applicator 2200 and turn 90 degrees, and like this, it can move on machine direction x.

X and

y locating device

2402 and 2403 are used for an applicator 2200 and are placed on point " d ".

The applicator 2200 that is moved by x locating device 2402 uses the conductive channel 2300 of interior arrangement 2210-2217 laying from " d " to " e ".In this operating period, cutter 2214 is at the moment cutting tape of accurately determining 2211, and like this, conductive channel 2300 is located to finish at point " e ".

The binder applicator 2261 that x locating device 2403 is used for moving conduction is to point " e ", and wherein Dao Dian cementing agent drips the 2262 new ends that are placed on conductive channel 2300.

X and

y locating device

2402 and 2403 are used for an applicator 2200 and are placed on point " e ".

The applicator 2200 that is moved by y locating device 2403 uses the conductive channel 2300 of interior arrangement 2210-2217 laying from " e " to " f ".In this operating period, cutter 2214 is at the moment cutting tape of accurately determining 2211, and like this, conductive channel 2300 is located to finish at point " f ".

The binder applicator 2261 that y locating device 2403 is used for moving conduction is to point " f ", and wherein Dao Dian cementing agent drips the 2262 new ends that are placed on conductive channel 2300.

X and

y locating device

2402 and 2403 are used for an applicator 2200 and are placed on point " f ".

The applicator 2200 that moves by x locating device 2402 use interior arrangement 2210-2217 lay from " f " to " g " and conductive channel 2300.The decline of this passage 2300 is not finished on figure.In this operating period, cutter 2214 is at the moment cutting tape of accurately determining 2211, and like this, conductive channel 2300 is at point " g " locate to finish.Notice that the end that conductive channel 2300 is located at point " g " overlaps a little " h " second hole locating to go out.

For on the area exposed of substrate each to be added to substrate 2100 each the conduction rail bar 2300 repeat step 2-20.Then, from step 1, substrate is advanced forward once more.

Replacement forms conduction rail bar 2300 by the fragment of separating that connects metal foil slip 2211, and conduction rail bar 2300 can be formed by continuous bar 2211.Replace using the sheet metal 2211 of cutter 2214 cuttings between each corner segmentation, bar 2211 can automatically fold.For example, this can so that rail bar 2300 flattens in the corner, and be done by rotary positioning apparatus 2404 is turn 90 degrees and depress folding bent angle.

Figure 25 A shows this result.Folding bent angle has the maximal value of three overlapping thickness of sheet metal.If Figure 25 B shows sheet metal and is twisted the result of 180 degree upset tapes simultaneously.(this needs another locating device, and is not shown.If tape has the cementing agent of coating, the tape that then overturns may be undesirable, because cementing agent is not now towards substrate).Folding bent angle has the maximal value of two overlapping thickness of sheet metal.

Figure 26 shows the embodiment of the conduction rail bar 2300 overlapping conduction rail bars in the past that wherein are laid.

Before the overlapping segmentation of the second conduction rail bar 2300 was laid, the tape of non-conductive film " I " and " J " were laid on first rail bar by using applicator 2200.These insulation tapes " I " and " J " stop in that rail bar is 2300 that form by conducting electricity, electrically contacting between the conducting ring that separates.Similarly, can lay " crossings on different level " circuit.

Can expect to have the substrate 2100 of conduction rail bar 2300, no matter be thin slice or grid configuration, can be introduced in the rhythmo structure that can be used with shelf, flat board, box, space or other forms.The example of such rhythmo structure is shown in Figure 27, substrate 2100 can be paper or paper board material, it and the extra play 2600 and 2601 of similar and different material for example are submerged in the saturated kraft liner in the resin, and is linked together and form lamination 2610 under heating and pressure.Usually, exterior layer on the first surface opposite with substrate 2100 or multilayer 2601 are the ornament materials of " outside " of the product that is used for finally obtaining.The orientation that depends on outside substrate layer 2100, this lamination 2610 be at its second surface, or just in time in the inside on this surface, comprise the conduction rail bar of having described 2300.Lamination 2610 can be bonded in heavier support component 2620 then, such as the plate of being made by timber, plastics, particle board, watt ridge cardboard, Westvaco central layer or the like.The surface of the lamination 2610 of close conduction rail bar 2300 preferably is bonded to support component 2620.Therefore, the full depth of lamination 2610 protection conduction rail bar 2300 is not frayed between the operating period of, the unitized construction 2630 that finally obtains 2620 that form by lamination 2610 and support component.

Conduct electricity or the metal back side 2625 randomly can be added to the bottom of shelf, to stop that the RF energy enters the shelf bottom, therefore make shelf under approximately identical RF effect, work, and whether supported or be placed on the existing metal shelf by metal bracket regardless of it.

Figure 28 is presented at support component 2620 and how is glued to before the lamination 2610 preferably one or more electronic circuits of communicate by letter with conduction rail bar 2300 are placed on inside the support component, and perhaps this electronic circuit directly exposes, perhaps the perforation by having described.In order to hold electronic circuit, on the surface of support component 2620, mill out groove.CNC milling machine 2700 can be similar to the positioning system that is used for laying conduction system rail bar 2300, shown in Figure 22 in design and be used, and can by the position that is used for controlling groove and the degree of depth, same or similar computer control system operates.For example, the edge at support component 2620 shows the groove 2631 that is used to hold outside connector 2632.In support component 2620, show the groove 2633 that is used to hold electronic circuit 2634, such as switch and tuned circuit.Cross over support component 2620, show to be used to hold the lead of connecting circuit parts or the groove 2635 of cable.Electronic circuit 2634 can hold coil 2637 or the finger piece 2638 that spring is housed, so as with the substrate 2620 of the part of the lamination 2610 that is attached to support component 2620 on the electrically contacting of conduction rail bar 2300.It is described that to electrically contact can be by pressure, by conductive adhesive or glue, or the scolder by during the process of piling up, melting.Milling machine head 2700 can be used for making and be used for the groove 2639 that tuning instrument enters, such as the little screwdriver that is used for the vernier capacitor in the regulating circuit 2634.

Tuned cell in the circuit 2634, for example rotary vernier capacitor (not shown) may insert after assembling, and this can be provided by perforate, such as in the boring on lamination 2,610 2611 on Figure 27, or in the boring on support component 2,620 2612 on Figure 27 and 28.

Figure 10 A and 10B are the block scheme of explanation use according to the preferred embodiment of the system of inventory control of intelligent commodity shelf of the present invention.Shown in Figure 10 A, have a plurality of antennas 200 that are connected to reader unit 120 by single transmission cable 222 according to several intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n provided by the invention and 502a-502n.Reader unit 120 or sequentially or side by side use the work of the antenna 200 of phase differential control linkage, with determine from by the Item Information of the relevant RFID label of each article of stock control.So reader unit 120 can extract the relevant stock's of the article that add the RFID label that are used to be stored in each shelf information.For simplicity, Figure 10 A only shows two groups of shelf, and every group of shelf have its reader unit, and these two groups are respectively 501a-501n and 502a-502n.Yet the shelf that it will be understood to those of skill in the art that many such groups can be the parts by system of inventory control provided by the invention.For example, shelf all in one or more warehouses can be organized into groups, and to be provided as hundred even thousands of group of shelf, they can be joined together, and form as system of inventory control provided by the invention.

Be to be understood that, though the preferred embodiment utilization of system of inventory control and method is corresponding to many antenna RF ID detection system embodiment, that have single transmission cable 222 of Figure 13, the embodiment of all other of a plurality of antenna rfid systems of Jie Shiing can be used in according to system of inventory control of the present invention and method here.So for example, the RFID detection system that Figure 14 and 15 is disclosed also can be used in according to system of inventory control of the present invention and method.In such embodiments, for example, unmodulated RF system at first can be used for being used for adding thermal label before the RFID tag extraction data relevant with the stock in the RF system of modulation.

Shown in Figure 10 A, be sent to stock's controlled processing unit 550 from the item information data that each intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n and 502a-502n collect by reader unit 120.Stock's controlled processing unit 550 typically is configured to receive the Item Information from stock's controlled processing unit 550 of intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n and 502a-502n.Stock's controlled processing unit 550 typically is connected to intelligent commodity shelf by electric network, and this stock's controlled processing unit also interrelates with suitable data storage device 555, this data storage device stores comprises the relevant stock's of reference table data, and also program code stored with stock control or go into the relevant configuration information of storehouse management.Stock's controlled processing unit 550 also is programmed and is configured to carry out stock's control function well known to those skilled in the art.For example, some function of being carried out by stock's control (or going into the warehouse) unit comprises: store and follow the tracks of current stock's amount of commodity, flow the every day of various article or sale, follow the tracks of position of various article or the like.

When operation, system of inventory control is determined from be connected to the intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n of stock's controlled processing unit 550 and the Item Information of 502a-502n by electric network 525.In one embodiment, various intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n and 502a-502n are in the control of stock's controlled processing unit 550, stock's controlled processing unit 550 determine reader unit 120 when poll antenna 200 so that determine will be by the Item Information of stock's article.In alternative embodiment, reader unit 120 can be configured to a plurality of antennas of poll connection periodically to obtain Item Information, by opposite " promotion " model that uses data transmission the Item Information of determining is sent to stock's controlled processing unit then.In another embodiment, the poll and the data transmission of the Item Information of being carried out by the reader unit can be the incidents that drives, and for example, trigger by being replenished by the periodicity of the article of stock control on the intelligent commodity shelf again.Under every kind of situation, reader unit 2120 selectively powers for a plurality of antennas that are connected to it, with determine from by the Item Information of the relevant RFID label of the article of stock control.

In case receive Item Information from the reader unit 120 of intelligent commodity shelf 501a-501n of the present invention and 502a-502n, stock's controlled processing unit 550 is just by using the Item Information of handling reception in logic, code and the data of stock's controlled processing unit 550 and programming in relevant data storage device 555.The Item Information of handling typically is stored in data storage device 555 then, for being used in the future system of inventory control of the present invention and method.

It will be understood to those of skill in the art that stock's controlled processing unit 550 can be implemented being connected on the general-purpose computing system such as computer network of electric network 525.Computer network also can be a public network, such as internet or regional network (MAN), or other private, such as the Local Area Network or the wide area network (WAN) of cooperation, or even Virtual Private Network.Computer system comprises the CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) that is connected to system storage.System storage typically comprises operating system, BIOS driver, and application program.In addition, computer system comprises input equipment, such as mouse and keyboard, and output device, such as printer and display monitor.

Computer system generally includes the communication interface of communicating by letter with electric network 525, such as Ethernet card.Other computer systems also can be connected to electric network 525.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that above system description is connected to the typical parts of the computer system of electric network.Should be appreciated that many other similar configurations are in those skilled in the art's the limit of power, and all these configurations can be used in method and system of the present invention.And, should be appreciated that computer systems and networks described herein can be programmed and be configured to stock's controlled processing unit, carry out well known to those skilled in the art, with stock control function associated.

In addition, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that, the present invention that " computing machine " described herein implemented can comprise it itself not being the parts of computing machine, but comprise also that in essence it can be used for providing one or more function discussed here such as internet utensil and the such device of programmable logic controller (PLC) (PLC).And, though " electronics " network is commonly used to refer to connect the communication network in processing of the present invention place, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that such network can be implemented by making the technology of using up or other are of equal value.Similarly, should be appreciated that also the present invention utilizes known safety practice to be used for by the Network Transmission electronic data.So, encryption, checking, verification and other safety practices of the transmission that is used for the electronic data by public network and private are provided, where necessary, use technology well known to those skilled in the art.

By the technical descriptioon of the present invention of announcement here and the consideration of practice, other embodiment of the present invention will be conspicuous for those skilled in the art.This instructions is thought example, and true scope of the present invention and spirit are represented by following claim.

Annex A claim

1. the method that is used for the stock of management article, each article are placed on the interior position separately of environment and interrelate with corresponding wireless identification device, and method comprises:

The Item Information relevant with each article offered each corresponding wireless identification device; And

According to Item Information, carry out the stock control process, the stock's of relevant article real-time information is provided, the stock control process can comprise at least one following process:

Control procedure in short supply;

The reduction identifying;

Quick product revocation procedure;

Remind monitoring process; With

Sell optimization procedures.

2. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock of article comprises the article of one or more types, and control procedure in short supply comprises following at least one:

(i) according to information from the retrieval of one or more wireless identification devices, determine to be arranged in the current inventory count value of article of any kind of environment,

(ii) according to the information from the retrieval of one or more wireless identification devices, whether any article of determining any kind in environment are misplaced is put,

(iii) according to the information from the retrieval of one or more wireless identification devices, when the number of determining the article of any kind among the stock is reduced to and is lower than first threshold,

(iii) no longer be included in the stock's of article condition, determine the loss value of the income amount of reflection loss according to the article of each type,

(iv) definite one or more factors that influence the former sale of every type article among the stock who is included in article,

(determine that v) placement has position article history, certain type, that replace that sales volume is lower than second threshold value in environment,

(be arranged in position their article position separately, certain type of environment, that replace in vi) determining beyond environment, to be placed on greater than predetermined amount of time,

(vii) when certain type article no longer are positioned at their position separately, provide message in short supply to display device, and

(viii) determine and every type of stock's feature that article are relevant.

3. the method for claim 2, determine that wherein current inventory count value comprises:

From the Item Information of one or more wireless identification device retrievals corresponding to one or more article; And

According to the Item Information of retrieval, determine the count value of each article of one or more types.

4. the method for claim 2, determine that wherein current inventory count value comprises:

From the database retrieval Item Information relevant with each article; And

According to the Item Information of retrieval, determine the count value of each article of each type, wherein database is collected the process reception Item Information of Item Information periodically from each wireless identification device.

5. the method for claim 2 has determined whether wherein that any article are misplaced and has put to comprise:

Access is corresponding to one or more wireless identification devices of one or more article, to determine this one or more article position in environment; And

Be positioned at the judgement of the position of the appointed positions that is different from it according to the article for the first kind, the article of determining the first kind are misplaced to be put.

6. the method for claim 5 also comprises:

The indication that misplaces the article of putting is provided to user interface.

7. the method for claim 2, wherein first threshold is provided by one of user and threshold value deterministic process.

8. the method for claim 7, wherein the threshold value deterministic process comprises:

For every type article,

According to their removed various types of numbers in position separately in its environment, determine first threshold.

9. the method for claim 8, wherein the threshold value deterministic process comprises:

For every type article,

According to the seasonal factor various types of article, relevant with year of the position separately that is in them and with occurent, with take place or at least one factor in the relevant incident factor of event, regulate first threshold.

10. when the method for claim 3, the count value of wherein determining the article of any kind are reduced to and are lower than first threshold and comprise:

According to the inventory count value of determining, discern any kind article that a plurality of article that are positioned at environment are lower than first threshold; And

According to one of following project, carry out ordered by priorities to type of items:

According to having the profit value that some article are lower than the determined loss of type of items separately of first threshold,

Whether the overage of type of items another position in environment is available separately, and

For type of items be reduced to be lower than first threshold reason whether according to short-term requirement for this type of items.

11. the method for claim 2 determines that wherein the loss value comprises:

To no longer being positioned at each types of articles of environment,

Determine in the former time interval income amount that generates by the former sale of the article of type separately; And

According to the income of the generation of determining, determine loss value for the type of the article that no longer are positioned at environment.

12. the method for claim 2, one or more factors of the former sale of the article that wherein definite influence is every type comprise:

Be identified in the one or more external factor that exist during the time interval of the former sale that every type of article take place; And

Relatively identification, one or more external factor and former sale, how to influence former sale with definite each external factor.

In selling when 13. the method for claim 12, wherein one or more external factor comprise the article of the price of every type of article, seasonal factor and other types at least one.

14. when the method for claim 2, the number of wherein determining the article of any kind are reduced to and are lower than first threshold and comprise:

Adjusting is used for subscribing the cycle length of article and at least one of the quantity of the article subscribed from the supplier that the article that are reduced to the type that is lower than first threshold are provided.

15. the method for claim 2 determines that wherein the position of the replacement in the environment comprises:

Whether the article of determining specific type have the sales histories that is lower than second threshold value in the environment; And

According to the sales histories of the article relevant, determine in environment, to reappose the replacement position of the article that are included in the specific type of items among the stock with the position of replacing.

16. the method for claim 15, wherein relevant with replacing position sales histories comprises the sales histories that is positioned at the dissimilar article of replacing the position.

17. the method for claim 2 determines that wherein the outer replacement position of environment comprises:

Whether the article of determining one type have the sales histories that is lower than second threshold value in the environment; And

According to be placed on same type the relevant sales histories of other article of replacing the position, determine outside environment, to reappose the replacement position of the article of this type of items.

18. the method for claim 17 wherein provides message in short supply to comprise:

According to the inventory count value, determine whether certain type article no longer are positioned at their position separately; And

Generate message in short supply, message in short supply comprises at least one of following project: the indication of type of items short supply, for the quotation of the discount selling price of the article of certain type of items, for the indication of article replacement that may be positioned at, outside environment the position of the purchase of delaying to use single (rain check) of certain type article and certain type.

19. the method for claim 2, wherein display device is positioned on the structure of the article that support certain type in the past.

20. the method for claim 2, wherein stock's feature is the mathematical relation between the sale before the interior one type at interval article of preset time.

21. the method for claim 20, wherein the representative of this relation preset time at interval in this type article before sale be that happen suddenly or uniform.

22. the process of claim 1 wherein that the reduction identifying comprises:

Determine the numerical value when some article of certain type at the primary importance place reduce to determine in the time interval of setting; And

According to the judgement that reduces, carry out the reduction answering.

23. the method for claim 22 is wherein reduced answering and is comprised:

At least one item of the indication of primary importance to user and security monitoring process is provided.

24. the method for claim 23, wherein this indication also comprises the indication of certain type of items and this determined value.

25. the method for claim 22 is wherein reduced identifying and is comprised one of step below at least one:

Record on duty, certain type article and the numerical value of determining that when storage reflection number of articles is reduced by the value of determining;

Provide look-at-me to safety equipment; And

The message that the identification primary importance is provided is to interfacing equipment.

26. the method for claim 25, wherein safety equipment are one of at least one following equipment:

Warning system;

Be placed near the luminaire of primary importance;

The video supervisory systems, it is started by look-at-me, with the video in the record zone relevant with primary importance; And

The camera supervisory systems, it is started by look-at-me, with the photo in the record zone relevant with primary importance.

27. the method for claim 25, wherein this message comprises the information of guiding user to primary importance.

28. the process of claim 1 wherein that quick product revocation procedure comprises:

According to the environment temperature around the storage life relevant, article with article and with article at least one of relevant identifier, determine whether the article in the environment move from its current position.

29. the method for claim 28, wherein revocation procedure comprises fast:

Start Date be placed on the article of the time of its current position in the environment corresponding to these article and interrelate;

Determine the storage life of these article;

According to the comparative result between Start Date and storage life, provide the out of date or expired indication soon at once of storage life of these article.

30. the method for claim 29, wherein definite storage life comprises:

According to the term of validity date relevant, determine the storage life with these article.

31. the method for claim 28 determines wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

Read temperature value near the temperature measurement equipment the current position that is positioned at article; And

According to temperature value, determine that these article must remove from current position.

32. the method for claim 28 determines wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

Determine identifier whether with these article of reflection must remove from its current position to recall order relevant.

33. the method for claim 28 also comprises:

Just put when purchased when these article, the reflection indication that these article should be removed from article inventory is provided at point-of-sale terminal.

34. the method for claim 33, wherein this indication is included in the message point of sales terminal position display, surpass its storage life about these article.

35. the method for claim 28, wherein these article have first feature, and method also comprises:

According to for be similar to these article and by the judgement that the new article that same supplier provides have second feature that is different from first feature, determine that these article should be removed from its current position.

36. the method for claim 35, wherein first and second features are at least one of following project: new packaging type, size, color, the local flavor relevant with article separately and the price of article separately of article separately of article separately.

37. the method for claim 28 determines wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

According to the judgement that is included in for identifier in the identifier inventory relevant with the defective article that provided by supplier, it is defective indications that these article are provided.

38. the process of claim 1 wherein and remind monitoring process to comprise:

At least one according to following project provides an indication to the user:

(i) one or more article of the reflection type identical with the type of the article of the position separately that no longer is placed on it are the information that is positioned at the replacement position of environment;

The article that (ii) reflect the position separately that no longer is placed on it are unavailable information in environment;

The some article that (iii) reflect certain type are the information in the predetermined numerical range of stock threshold value; And

(iv) receive the fault of the parts of data from one or more wireless identification devices.

39. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock of article comprises the article of one or more types, and sell optimization procedures and comprise one of following at least step:

One or more article of determining specific type are removed and are placed back the number of times of their position separately from their position separately;

Article determining any kind are by the number of times of buying with article of another type;

Article determining any kind are by the number of times of buying with one or more article of same type;

Determine any type of items of being removed less than position separately at interval at preset time from them; And

Determine to be included in any type of items that has the article of selling price change in the determined time interval in the past.

40. being removed and being placed back some number of times of their position separately from their position separately, the method for claim 39, one or more article of wherein determining one or more types comprise:

Article for every type:

Carry out the inventory count of each article periodically, whether be removed from their position separately to determine any article.

41. the method for claim 40 also comprises:

Determine that article have been removed and have been placed back its number of times of position separately and the relation between the position of article from its position separately.

42. the method for claim 40, wherein the position of article can be one of following project: on support unit, be in the eyes eye-level the position, near the position of environment inlet, in environment in the high subscriber traffic zone the position and in environment the position in the low subscriber traffic zone.

43. the system of the intelligent inventory management information that is used for providing relevant with the stock's who is included in article article, each article comprises the RFID label, and this RFID label comprises and the corresponding relevant Item Information of article that system comprises:

Storage arrangement comprises data structure, and this data structure comprises:

The general price sign indicating number relevant with article,

The electrovalence trellis code relevant with article,

The pricing information relevant with article,

The information in season that reflects the Seasonal Characteristics relevant with these article,

The storage life designator relevant with article,

The historical sales information that reflects the former sale relevant with one or more other article that are similar to these article,

Be reflected in this position and comprise the information in short supply of the condition when some article of the article that are similar to placement are lower than predetermined threshold value,

The reflection article are removed and be taken back to the historical information of the number of times of this position,

The physical size shelf volume size information relevant of reflection article with the position,

The primary importance information of the physical location of reflection article,

The second place information of the physical location of liking of reflection article,

The reduction information relevant with other similar articles with article,

With article cost related information,

The reflection article are placed on the time-stamp information of the time of this position,

The term of validity date and time information on the date when the reflection article are should be from this position removed,

Reflection is similar to the marketing information of selling price of the article of date and time that the article of these article are sold and sale, and

With the client of the individual relating to persons of the article of buy selling number, and

Processor is used for the incoming memory device, carries out the stock control process relevant with article.

44. the method for inventory information is provided in the stock's who comprises article environment, each article is placed in the position separately in the environment and is relevant with corresponding wireless identification device, and by from each wireless identification device retrieve item information relevant with each article and the retrieval information stores database, stock's monitoring process is the inventory count of article in the execution environment periodically, and method comprises:

Receive request from the user for the availability of article in environment;

Item Information in the search database, whether available in this environment to determine the article of being asked; And

The indication of reflection Search Results is provided.

45. the method for claim 44 wherein receives this request and comprises:

Receive this request at the first treatment facility place relevant with this environment, the wherein user and the second treatment facility interfaces are to create this request.

46. the method for claim 46, wherein second treatment facility is the computer system by user's operation.

47. the method for claim 46, wherein this request is to be received by the network that is connected to first and second treatment facilities.

48. the method for claim 46, wherein this request is sent to first treatment facility by the internet.

49. the method for claim 46, wherein second treatment facility is the kiosk computer equipment that is positioned at environment.

50. the method for claim 46, wherein first treatment facility is positioned at environment.

51. the method for claim 46, wherein first treatment facility is positioned at outside the environment.

52. the method for claim 51, wherein first treatment facility is forwarded to request and is arranged in the 3rd treatment facility environment, that carry out search step.

53. the method for claim 44, wherein this indication comprises at least one of following project: the indication that these article can not provide in environment, for the quotation of the discount of the selling price of these article, for the selling price of replacing article the quotation of discount and the indication that reflection can provide one or more replacement environment of these article.

54. the method for claim 53, the indication that wherein reflects one or more replacement environment comprises the guiding for these one or more replacement environment.

55. the method for claim 44 wherein provides indication to comprise the message that shows near the display device of installing the position separately that is provided at article in the environment.

56. the method for claim 55, wherein this message comprises at least one of following project: the indication that these article can not provide in environment, for the indication of the quotation of the discount of the selling price of these article, one or more replacement environment that reflection can provide these article with for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

57. be used to the stock of article that the method for stock control is provided, each article adds the RFID label, the RFID label comprises each Item Information of article and at least one article characteristics separately of sign, and method comprises:

Receive from client, comprise that the e-file of client's inventory of interested one or more desired articles when buying is stored in the environment;

Determine the existence of client in environment;

According to electronic file stored, determine whether client is arranged near the position that environment comprises first article, these first article are to be included in the inventory of one or more desired articles; And

Determine according to this, the Item Information relevant with first article is presented on is placed on this position or near the display device.

58. the method for claim 57, wherein storage comprises:

E-file is provided to environment by the internet from client.

59. the method for claim 57, wherein storage comprises:

By client e-file is provided to environment by the computing equipment that is positioned at environment.

60. be used for the stock's of management article system, each article is placed on the interior position separately of environment and interrelates with corresponding wireless identification device, system comprises:

Be used for the device that an Item Information relevant with each article offers each corresponding wireless identification device; And

Be used for carrying out the device of stock control process with stock's that relevant article are provided real-time information according to Item Information, the device that is used to carry out the stock control process comprises the device that at least one is following:

Be used to carry out the device of control procedure in short supply;

Be used to carry out the device of reduction identifying;

Be used to carry out the device of quick product revocation procedure;

Be used to carry out the device of reminding monitoring process; With

Be used to carry out the device of selling optimization procedures.

61. the system of claim 60, wherein the stock of article comprises the article of one or more types, and the device that is used to carry out control procedure in short supply comprises the device that at least one is following:

(i) be used for according to information, determine to be arranged in the device of current inventory count value of article of any kind of environment from the retrieval of one or more wireless identification devices,

(ii) be used for determining according to information whether any article of any kind are misplaced the device of putting in environment from one or more wireless identification device retrievals,

(iii) be used for determining according to information when some article of any kind are reduced to the device that is lower than first threshold among the stock from one or more wireless identification device retrievals,

(iii) be used for no longer being included in the stock's of article condition, determine the device of the loss value of the income amount that reflection is lost according to the article of each type,

Be used for (iv) determining that influence is included in the stock's of article the device of one or more factors of former sale of every type article,

(v) be used to determine in environment, to place to have the device that sales volume is lower than position article history, certain type, that replace of second threshold value,

(device of position that vi) is used to determine the replacement beyond environment has been so that be positioned at their article position separately, certain type of environment in being placed on greater than predetermined amount of time,

(vii) be used for when certain type article no longer are positioned at their position separately, providing the device of message in short supply to display device, and

(viii) be used for determining the device of the stock feature relevant with every type of article.

62. the system of claim 61 is used for wherein determining that the device of current inventory count value comprises:

Be used for from device corresponding to one or more wireless identification device retrieve item information of one or more article; And

Be used for Item Information, determine the device of count value of each article of one or more types according to retrieval.

63. the system of claim 61 is used for wherein determining that the device of current inventory count value comprises:

Be used for from the device of the database retrieval Item Information relevant with each article; And

Be used for the Item Information according to retrieval, determine the count value of each article of each type, wherein database is collected the device of the process reception Item Information of Item Information periodically from each wireless identification device.

64. the system of claim 61 is used to wherein determine whether that the device that any article are misplaced to be put comprises:

Be used to insert the device of determining this position of one or more article in environment corresponding to one or more wireless identification devices of one or more article; And

Be used for determining that according to the judgement that is positioned at the position of the appointed positions that is different from it for the article of the first kind article of the first kind are misplaced the device of putting.

65. the system of claim 64 also comprises:

Be used for the indication that misplaces the article of putting is provided to the device of user interface.

66. the system of claim 61, wherein first threshold is provided with one of device that is used to carry out the threshold value deterministic process by the user.

67. the system of claim 66, the device that wherein is used to carry out the threshold value deterministic process comprises:

Be used for for every type article according in the environment their the removed some various types of article in position separately determine the device of first threshold.

68. the system of claim 66, the device that wherein is used to carry out the threshold value deterministic process comprises:

Be used for for every type article according to the seasonal factor various types of article, that year is relevant of the position separately that is in them and with occurent, with take place or at least one factor of the relevant incident factor of event regulate the device of first threshold.

69. the system of claim 63, when the count value that wherein is used for the article of definite any kind is reduced to the device that is lower than first threshold comprises:

Be used for being used to discern the device of any kind article that have been positioned at the some article that are lower than first threshold in the environment according to the inventory count value of determining; And

Be used for according to one of following project, type of items carried out device ordered by priorities:

According to the profit value of the determined loss of type of items separately with the some article that are lower than first threshold,

Whether the overage of type of items another position in environment can provide separately, and

70. the system of claim 61 is used for wherein determining that the device of loss value comprises:

Be used for for the article that no longer are located at each type in this environment, determine in the former time interval device of the income amount that generates by the former sale of the article of type separately; And

Be used for for the article that no longer are located at each type in this environment, determine device for the loss value of the type of the article that no longer are positioned at environment according to the income of the generation of determining.

71. the system of claim 61 is used for wherein determining that the device of one or more factors of former sale of the article of every type of influence comprises:

Be used to be identified in the device of the one or more external factor that exist during the time interval of the former sale that every type of article take place; And

Be used for one or more external factor of identification and former sale are compared, how influence the device of former sale to determine each external factor.

In selling when 72. the system of claim 71, wherein one or more external factor comprise the article of the price of every type of article, seasonal factor and other types at least one.

73. the system of claim 61, when the some article that wherein are used for definite any kind are reduced to the device that is lower than first threshold comprises:

At least one device of the quantity of the article that are used for regulating cycle length of being used to subscribe article and subscribe from the supplier that the article that are reduced to the type that is lower than first threshold are provided.

74. the system of claim 61, the device that wherein is used for the position of the replacement in definite environment comprises:

Whether the article that are used for determining a kind of specific type have the device that is lower than the sales histories of second threshold value in the environment; And

Be used for sales histories, determine in environment, to replace the position so that reappose the device of the article that are included in this specific type of items among the stock according to the article relevant with the position of replacing.

75. the system of claim 74, wherein relevant with replacing position sales histories comprises the sales histories that is positioned at the dissimilar article of replacing the position.

76. the system of claim 61 is used for wherein determining that the device of the replacement position outside the environment comprises:

Be used for determining the device whether one type article have the sales histories that is lower than second threshold value; And

Be used for according to and be placed on same type the relevant sales histories of other article of replacing the position, determine outside environment, to reappose the device of replacement position of the article of this type of items.

77. the system of claim 76 wherein is used to provide the device of message in short supply to comprise:

Be used for according to the inventory count value, determine whether certain type article no longer are positioned at the device of their position separately; And

Be used to generate the device of message in short supply, message in short supply comprises at least one of following project: type of items short supply, for the quotation of the discount selling price of the article of certain type of items, for the indication of article replacement that may be positioned at, outside environment the position of the purchase of delaying to use single (rain check) of certain type article and certain type.

78. the system of claim 61, wherein display device is positioned on the structure of the article that support certain type in the past.

79. the system of claim 61, wherein stock's feature is the mathematical relation between the sale before the interior one type at interval article of preset time.

80. the system of claim 79, wherein the representative of this relation preset time at interval in this type article before sale be that happen suddenly or uniform.

81. the system of claim 60 wherein is used to carry out the device that reduces identifying and comprises:

Be used to determine the device of the numerical value that in the time interval that some article of certain type at primary importance place are being set, when reduces to determine; And

Be used for carrying out the device of reduction answering according to the judgement that reduces.

82. the system of claim 81 wherein is used to carry out the device that reduces answering and comprises:

The indication that is used to provide primary importance is to the device one of at least of user and security monitoring process.

83. the system of claim 82, wherein this indication also comprises the indication of certain type of items and this determined value.

84. the system of claim 81 wherein is used to carry out the device that the device that reduces identifying comprises that at least one is following:

Be used to store the record on duty of the value when the reflection number of articles reduce to determine, certain type article and the device of the numerical value determined;

Be used to provide the device of look-at-me to safety equipment; And

Be used to provide the device of the message of identification primary importance to interfacing equipment.

85. the system of claim 84, wherein safety equipment are one of following at least equipment:

Warning system;

Be placed near the luminaire of primary importance;

86. the system of claim 84, wherein this message comprises the information of guiding user to primary importance.

87. the system of claim 60, the device that wherein is used to carry out quick product revocation procedure comprises:

Be used for according to the environment temperature around storage life relevant, the article with article and with article at least one of relevant identifier, determine whether article in the environment need the device that moves from its current position.

88. the system of claim 87, the device that wherein is used to carry out quick revocation procedure comprises:

Be used for Start Date be placed on the device that the article of the time of its current position of environment interrelate corresponding to these article;

The device that is used for the storage life of definite these article;

Be used for according to the comparative result between Start Date and storage life, provide storage life of these article out of date or at once with the device of expired indication.

89. the system of claim 88 is used for wherein determining that the device in storage life comprises:

Be used for determining the device in storage life according to the term of validity date relevant with these article.

90. the system of claim 87 is used for wherein determining that the device whether article of environment need to remove comprises:

Be used for reading the device of temperature value near the temperature measurement equipment the current position that is positioned at article; And

Be used for according to temperature value, determine the device that these article must be removed from current position.

91. the system of claim 87 is used for wherein determining that the device whether article of environment need to remove comprises:

Be used for determining that whether identifier recall the relevant device of order with these article of reflection must be removed from its current position.

92. the system of claim 87 also comprises:

Be used for when these article just when point of sales terminal is purchased, the device of the reflection indication that these article should be removed from article inventory is provided.

93. the system of claim 92, wherein this indication is included in message that point of sales terminal shows, surpass its storage life about these article.

94. the system of claim 87, wherein these article have first feature, and system also comprises:

Be used for according to for be similar to these article and by the judgement that the new article that same supplier provides have second feature that is different from first feature, determine the device that these article should be removed from its current position.

95. the system of claim 94, wherein first and second features are at least one of following project: new packaging type, size, color, the local flavor relevant with article separately and the price of article separately of article separately of article separately.

96. the system of claim 87 is used for wherein determining that the device whether article of environment need to remove comprises:

Be used for according to the judgement that the identifier inventory relevant with the defective article that provided by supplier is provided for identifier, it is devices of defective indication that these article are provided.

97. the system of claim 60 wherein is used to carry out and reminds the device of monitoring process to comprise:

Be used for providing the device of an indication according at least one item of following project:

(i) one or more article of the reflection type identical with the type of the article of the position separately that no longer is placed on it are positioned at the information of the replacement position of environment;

The article that (ii) reflect the position separately that no longer is placed on it are the information that can not provide in environment;

Reflect that (iii) some article of certain type are in the information in the predetermined numerical range of stock threshold value; And

98. the system of claim 60, wherein the stock of article comprises the article of one or more types, and is used to carry out the device of selling optimization procedures and comprises one of following at least device:

The one or more article that are used for determining specific type are removed and are placed back the device of some number of times of their position separately from their position separately;

Be used for determining the device of article of any kind with the number of times of an article purchase of another type;

Be used for determining the device of article of any kind with some number of times of one or more article purchases of same type;

Be used to determine the device of any type of items of being removed less than position separately at interval at preset time from them; And

Be used to determine to be included in the device of any type of items that has the article that selling price changes in the time interval before determined.

99. the system of claim 98, the one or more article that wherein are used for determining one or more types were removed and were placed go back to their position separately from their position separately the device of number of times comprises:

Be used for carrying out the inventory count of each article periodically to determine that whether any article are from the removed device in their position separately for every type article.

100. the system of claim 99 also comprises:

Be used for determining that article are removed and are placed back its number of times of position separately and the device of the relation between the position of article from its position separately.

101. the system of claim 99, wherein the position of article can be with one of upper/lower positions: on support unit, be in the eyes eye-level the position, near the position of environment inlet, in environment in the high subscriber traffic zone the position and in environment the position in the low subscriber traffic zone.

102. the system of inventory information is provided in the stock's who comprises article environment, each article is placed in the position separately in the environment and is relevant with corresponding wireless identification device, and stock's monitoring process by from each wireless identification device retrieve item information relevant with each article and the retrieval information stores database, the inventory count of article in the execution environment periodically, system comprises:

Be used for receiving device for the request of the availability of article in environment from the user;

Be used for the Item Information in the search database, with the article determining to be asked available device whether in this environment; And

Be used to provide the device of the indication that reflects Search Results.

103. the system of claim 102, the device that wherein is used to receive this request comprises:

Be used for receiving at the first treatment facility place relevant with this environment the device of this request, the wherein user and the second treatment facility interfaces are to create this request.

104. the system of claim 103, wherein second treatment facility is the computer system by user's operation.

105. the system of claim 104, wherein this request is to be received by the network that is connected to first and second treatment facilities.

106. the system of claim 104, wherein this request is sent to first treatment facility by the internet.

107. the system of claim 104, wherein second treatment facility is the kiosk computer equipment that is positioned at environment.

108. the system of claim 104, wherein first treatment facility is positioned at environment.

109. the system of claim 104, wherein first treatment facility is positioned at outside the environment.

110. the system of claim 109, wherein first treatment facility is forwarded to request and is arranged in the 3rd treatment facility environment, that carry out search step.

111. the system of claim 104, wherein this indication comprises at least one of following project: the indication that the available indication in environment of these article, these article can not provide in environment, for the quotation of the discount of the selling price of these article, for the selling price of replacing article the quotation of discount and the indication that reflection can provide one or more replacement environment of these article.

112. the system of claim 111, the indication that wherein reflects one or more replacement environment comprises the guiding for these one or more replacement environment.

113. the system of claim 104 wherein is used for providing the device of indication to comprise the message that shows near the display device of installing the position separately that is provided at the environment article.

114. the system of claim 113, wherein this message comprises at least one of following project: the indication that these article can not provide in environment, for the indication of the quotation of the discount of the selling price of these article, one or more replacement environment that reflection can provide these article with for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

115. be used to the stock of article that the system of stock control is provided, each article adds the RFID label, the RFID label comprises each Item Information of article and at least one article characteristics separately of sign, and system comprises:

Be used for receive from client, comprise that the e-file of client's inventory of interested one or more desired articles when buying is stored in the device of environment;

Be used to determine the device of client's existence in environment;

Be used for according to electronic file stored, determine whether client is arranged in environment and comprises that near the position of first article device, these first article are to be included in the inventory of one or more desired articles; And

Be used for according to should determining, the Item Information relevant with first article be presented on the device that is placed on this position or near the display device.

116. the system of claim 115, the device that wherein is used to store comprises:

Be used for e-file is provided to from client by the internet device of environment.

117. the system of claim 115, the device that wherein is used to store comprises:

Be used for e-file being provided to by the computing equipment that is positioned at environment the device of environment by client.

118. comprise the computer-readable medium of instruction, when carrying out this instruction, carry out the stock's who is used for management article method by processor, each article is placed on the interior position separately of environment and interrelates with corresponding wireless identification device, and method comprises:

Control procedure in short supply;

The reduction identifying;

Quick product revocation procedure;

Remind monitoring process; With

Sell optimization procedures.

119. the computer-readable medium of claim 118, wherein the stock of article comprises the article of one or more types, and control procedure in short supply comprises following at least one:

(iii) according to information from the retrieval of one or more wireless identification devices, determine when a plurality of article of any kind are reduced among the stock and be lower than first threshold,

Determine that (iv) influence is included in one or more factors of former sale of every type article of the stock of article,

(the position placement of v) determining the replacement in environment has article history, certain type that sales volume is lower than second threshold value,

(vi) determine the replacement position beyond environment, so that be placed on greater than certain type article that have been positioned at their position separately of environment in the predetermined amount of time,

(viii) determine and every type of stock's feature that article are relevant.

120. the computer-readable medium of claim 119 determine that wherein current inventory count value comprises:

121. the computer-readable medium of claim 119 determine that wherein current inventory count value comprises:

From the database retrieval Item Information relevant with each article; And

122. the computer-readable medium of claim 119 have determined whether wherein that any article are misplaced and have put to comprise:

123. the computer-readable medium of claim 121, wherein method also comprises:

124. the computer-readable medium of claim 119, wherein first threshold is provided by one of user and threshold value deterministic process.

125. the computer-readable medium of claim 124, wherein the threshold value deterministic process comprises:

For every type article,

According to their removed various types of some article in position separately in the environment, determine first threshold.

126. the computer-readable medium of claim 125, wherein the threshold value deterministic process comprises:

For every type article,

According to the seasonal factor various types of article, relevant with year of the position separately that is in them and with occurent, with take place or with at least one factor in the relevant incident factor of event, regulate first threshold.

127. when the computer-readable medium of claim 120, the count value of wherein determining the article of any kind are reduced to and are lower than first threshold and comprise:

According to the inventory count value of determining, identification has some any type of items that environment is lower than the article of first threshold that are positioned at; And

128. the computer-readable medium of claim 119 determine that wherein the loss value comprises:

For the article of each type that no longer is arranged in this environment,

129. the computer-readable medium of claim 119, one or more factors of the former sale of the article that wherein definite influence is every type comprise:

In selling when 130. the computer-readable medium of claim 129, wherein one or more external factor comprise the article of the price of every type of article, seasonal factor and other types at least one.

131. when the computer-readable medium of claim 119, the number of wherein determining the article of any kind are reduced to and are lower than first threshold and comprise:

132. the computer-readable medium of claim 119 determine that wherein the position of the replacement in the environment comprises:

133. the computer-readable medium of claim 132, wherein relevant with replacing position sales histories comprises the sales histories that is positioned at the dissimilar article of replacing the position.

134. the computer-readable medium of claim 119 determine that wherein the outer replacement position of environment comprises:

135. the computer-readable medium of claim 134 wherein provide message in short supply to comprise:

136. the computer-readable medium of claim 119, wherein display device is positioned on the structure of the article that support certain type in the past.

137. the computer-readable medium of claim 119, wherein stock's feature is the mathematical relation between the sale before the interior one type at interval article of preset time.

138. the computer-readable medium of claim 137, wherein the representative of this relation preset time at interval in this type article before sale be that happen suddenly or uniform.

139. the computer-readable medium of claim 118 wherein reduce identifying and comprise:

According to the judgement that reduces, carry out the reduction answering.

140. the computer-readable medium of claim 139 wherein reduce answering and comprise:

The indication that primary importance is provided to user and security monitoring process one of at least.

141. the computer-readable medium of claim 140, wherein this indication also comprises the indication of certain type of items and this determined value.

142. the computer-readable medium of claim 139 wherein reduce the step that identifying comprises that at least one is following:

Record on duty, certain type article and definite numerical value of the value when storage reflection number of articles reduces to determine;

Provide look-at-me to safety equipment; And

The message that the expression primary importance is provided is to interfacing equipment.

143. the computer-readable medium of claim 142, wherein safety equipment are at least one following equipment:

Warning system;

Be placed near the luminaire of primary importance;

144. the computer-readable medium of claim 142, wherein this message comprises the information of guiding user to primary importance.

145. the computer-readable medium of claim 118, wherein the product revocation procedure comprises fast:

146. the computer-readable medium of claim 145, wherein revocation procedure comprises fast:

Determine the storage life of these article;

According to the comparative result between Start Date and storage life, provide storage life of these article out of date or at once with expired indication.

147. the computer-readable medium of claim 146, wherein definite storage life comprises:

148. the computer-readable medium of claim 145 determine wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

149. the computer-readable medium of claim 145 determine wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

150. the computer-readable medium of claim 145, wherein method also comprises:

When these article just when point of sales terminal is purchased, the reflection indication that these article should be removed from article inventory is provided.

151. the computer-readable medium of claim 150, wherein this indication is included in message that point of sales terminal shows, surpass its storage life about these article.

152. the computer-readable medium of claim 145, wherein these article have first feature, and this method also comprises:

153. the computer-readable medium of claim 152, wherein first and second features are at least one of following project: new packaging type, size, color, the local flavor relevant with article separately and the price of article separately of article separately of article separately.

154. the computer-readable medium of claim 145 determine wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

155. the computer-readable medium of claim 118 wherein remind monitoring process to comprise:

At least one item according to following project provides an indication:

Reflect that (iii) the number of certain type article is in the predetermined interior information of numerical range of stock threshold value; And

156. the computer-readable medium of claim 118, wherein the stock of article comprises the article of one or more types, and sells the step that optimization procedures comprises that at least one is following:

One or more article of determining specific type are removed and are placed back some number of times of their position separately from their position separately;

Determine the number of times of article of any kind with an article purchase of another type;

Determine the number of times of article of any kind with one or more article purchases of same type;

157. being removed and being placed back some number of times of their position separately from their position separately, the computer-readable medium of claim 156, one or more article of wherein determining one or more types comprise:

Article for every type:

Carry out the inventory count of each article periodically, whether removed to determine any article from their position separately.

158. the computer-readable medium of claim 157 also comprise:

Determine that article are removed and are placed back its number of times of position separately and the relation between the position of article from its position separately.

159. the computer-readable medium of claim 157, wherein the position of article can be with one of upper/lower positions: on support unit, be in the eyes eye-level the position, near the position of environment inlet, in environment in the high subscriber traffic zone the position and in environment the position in the low subscriber traffic zone.

160. comprise the computer-readable medium of instruction, when carrying out this instruction by processor, execution is used for providing at the stock's who comprises article environment the method for inventory information, each article is placed in the position separately in the environment and is relevant with corresponding wireless identification device, and stock's monitoring process by from each wireless identification device retrieve item information relevant with each article and the retrieval information stores database, the inventory count of article in the execution environment periodically, method comprises:

Receive request from the user for the availability of article in environment;

The indication of reflection Search Results is provided.

161. the computer-readable medium of claim 160 wherein receive this request and comprise:

162. the computer-readable medium of claim 161, wherein second treatment facility is the computer system by user's operation.

163. the computer-readable medium of claim 161, wherein this request is to be received by the network that is connected to first and second treatment facilities.

164. the computer-readable medium of claim 162, wherein this request is sent to first treatment facility by the internet.

165. the computer-readable medium of claim 162, wherein second treatment facility is the kiosk computer equipment that is positioned at environment.

166. the computer-readable medium of claim 162, wherein first treatment facility is positioned at environment.

167. the computer-readable medium of claim 162, wherein first treatment facility is positioned at outside the environment.

168. the computer-readable medium of claim 167, wherein first treatment facility is forwarded to request and is arranged in the 3rd treatment facility environment, that carry out search step.

169. the computer-readable medium of claim 160, wherein this indication comprises at least one of following project: the indication that the available indication in environment of these article, these article can not provide in environment, for the quotation of the discount of the selling price of these article, for the selling price of replacing article the indication that provides and reflect one or more replacement environment that these article can be provided of discount.

170. the computer-readable medium of claim 169, the indication that wherein reflects one or more replacement environment comprises the guiding for these one or more replacement environment.

171. the computer-readable medium of claim 160 wherein provide indication to comprise the message that shows near the display device of installing the position separately that is provided at article in the environment.

172. the computer-readable medium of claim 171, wherein this message comprises at least one of following project: the indication that these article can not provide in environment, for the indication that provides, reflects one or more replacement environment that these article can be provided of the discount of the selling price of these article with for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

173. comprise the computer-readable medium of instruction, when carrying out this instruction by processor, execution is used to the stock of article that the method for stock control is provided, each article adds the RFID label, the RFID label comprises each Item Information of article and at least one article characteristics separately of sign, and method comprises:

Determine the existence of client in environment;

174. the computer-readable medium of claim 173, wherein storage comprises:

E-file is provided to environment by the internet from client.

175. the computer-readable medium of claim 173, wherein storage comprises:

176. be used to manage stock's the system of the article of one or more type of items, each article is placed in the position separately in the environment, and with comprise that the corresponding wireless identification device about the Item Information of article separately is relevant, system comprises:

Data gathering system is configured in response to one or more sense commands from one or more wireless identification device retrieve item information; And

The intelligent inventory management system is configured to generate one or more sense commands, and receives the Item Information from the retrieval of data gathering system, and the intelligent inventory management system comprises:

Database, Item Information and the characteristic information relevant that storage receives with each article; And at least one following device:

The stock control device, be used for being determined to the current tank farm stock count value of the article of one item missing any kind according to the Item Information that receives, mistake is placed on any article in the environment, near or with the article of any kind that reaches condition in short supply, in environment, place the replacement position of the article of any kind with the sales histories that is lower than threshold value

The reduction recognition device is used to determine when the numerical value that some article of being placed on each type of primary importance in the time interval of setting reduce to be scheduled to,

Recall device fast, be used for according at least one definite article of time, defective and the temperature profile relevant with article whether needs be removed from its current position, and

Remind monitoring arrangement, be used at least one the generation that misplaces glove product condition and fault condition of condition in short supply, article and one or more indications are provided according to type of items.

177. the system of claim 176, wherein data gathering system comprises:

Master controller is used for generating one or more control orders according to the one or more orders of reading that receive; And

Assistant controller is used for according to one or more control order driven antenna, and wherein antenna is configured to from one or more item retrieval Item Information.

178. the system of claim 176, wherein the stock control device also generates the display message in short supply that when condition in short supply takes place or reaching in reflection.

179. the system of claim 176, wherein system comprises near the safety feature that is positioned at the primary importance, and when the value that reduces to determine in the time interval that the number of certain type article that are placed on primary importance is being set, the reduction recognition device also drives safety feature.

180. the system of claim 176, wherein temporal characteristics is at least one item on relevant storage life with article and term of validity date.

181. the system of claim 176, wherein temperature profile is near the temperature value in the zone the current location of article.

182. the system of claim 176, wherein defect characteristic is with the article of losing part and comprises article at least one relevant of the part of defective.

183. the system of claim 176, wherein system comprises point of sale (POS) terminal, and has surpassed term of validity date and storage life at least one or recalled device fast when (ii) being the article of defective and also generate reminder message in the POS terminal when client attempts to buy (i).

184. comprise the environment of article, each article adds the label of wireless identification device and is placed on appointed positions that environment comprises:

Database comprises the information relevant with each article;

Storage unit, each comprises at least one antenna and has bracing or strutting arrangement, is used to support one or more article;

Computer system is used to provide order, is stored in database from wireless identification device retrieve item information with Item Information;

Data gathering system is used to drive corresponding antenna in the specific storage unit, from the item retrieval Item Information that is supported by the bracing or strutting arrangement specific storage unit, and Item Information is provided to computer system,

Wherein computer system comprises user interface, and it allows the user according to the Item Information request real-time inventory information relevant with one or more article in the environment with reception that is stored in the database.

185. the environment of claim 184, wherein computer system asks at least one item of following project is offered the user according to corresponding user:

The Current Library storage count value of the article of one or more types in the environment,

Mistake is placed on the position of the article in the environment,

Move replacement position article with the sales histories that is lower than predetermined threshold value, in the environment,

Move by replacement position certain type article of manufacturer's redesign, in the environment, and

The position of interested any article.

186. the environment of claim 184, wherein when article were confirmed as surpassing storage life and term of validity date at least one, computer system provided reminder message to the user.

187. the environment of claim 184, wherein when article were confirmed as defectiveness, computer system provided reminder message to the user.

188. the environment of claim 184, wherein when some article of certain type were lower than threshold value, computer system provided reminder message to the user.

189. the environment of claim 184, wherein when preset time at interval in when certain position is taken the article of some away, computer system provides reminder message to the user.

190. the environment of claim 184, wherein computer system is collected the information of the one or more article of reflection and condition when being put back into their appointed positions removed from their appointed positions.

191. the environment of claim 190, wherein computer system provides the information of this condition of reflection according to request.

192. the environment of claim 184, wherein computer system is determined the number of times that the article of any kind are bought with the article of another type.

Annex A

Summary

RFID label according to the article of article from be attached to the stock of method, system and the manufacturing of some relevant aspect unanimity of the present invention is collected Item Information, and uses the Item Information of collecting to carry out various stock control processes.That an aspect, stock control process can comprise is definite, report and/or provide corrective action for the one or more incidents relevant with the project below at least one: the defective of the change of the design of article, one or more article among the exhausting of article, the stock among the stock, misplace the article put, the moving (i.e. reduction) and be included in one or more unit failures in the environment of article of abnormal number in short time interval.

Claims

1. method that is used to use the computer system that is coupled to the wireless data collection system to come the stock of management article, described computer system is carried out the inventory management system program, each article is placed on position in a plurality of relevant positions in the environment and interrelates with corresponding wireless identification device, described environment comprises a plurality of relevant positions, described a plurality of relevant position comprises primary importance, the second place and inner room position, described primary importance makes client to check to be stored in those article wherein, the described second place has a plurality of shelf and is different from described primary importance, the described second place makes client to check to be stored in those article wherein, described inner room position is different from the described primary importance and the described second place and makes client to check those article that are stored in wherein, and described method comprises:

Use the Item Information relevant from each corresponding wireless identification device the wireless data collection system to offer described computer system with each article, described Item Information comprises article mark and article position, and described article position is discerned current in a plurality of relevant positions of each an article position; And

According to Item Information, by on described computer system, carrying out the inventory management system program, carry out the stock control process, with stock's that relevant article are provided management information, described stock control process comprises control procedure in short supply,

Wherein said control procedure in short supply comprises:

(i) according to Item Information from one or more wireless identification device retrievals, by on described computer system, carrying out the inventory management system program, for all article of any kind that is arranged in a plurality of relevant positions of environment are determined current stock's count value of each type of items, and

(ii) according to information, by on described computer system, carrying out the inventory management system program, determine for relevant position in the environment when the number of same type article among the stock is reduced to and be lower than first threshold from the retrieval of one or more wireless identification devices.

2. the process of claim 1 wherein and determine that current inventory count value comprises:

From the database retrieval Item Information relevant with each article, wherein database before received Item Information by the collection process of collecting Item Information from each wireless identification device; And

According to the Item Information of retrieval,, determine the count value of each type of items by on described computer system, carrying out the inventory management system program.

3. the process of claim 1 wherein that control procedure in short supply also comprises:

According to the Item Information from wireless identification device retrieval, by carry out the inventory management system program on described computer system, whether any article of determining any kind in environment are misplaced is put.

4. the method for claim 3, control procedure wherein in short supply also comprises:

By on described computer system, carrying out the inventory management system program, provide some message in short supply that is misplaced the glove product to display device.

5. the process of claim 1 wherein that control procedure in short supply also comprises:

By on described computer system, carrying out the inventory management system program, determine to be different from the environment replacement position of current location, have some article that sales volume is lower than the second threshold value history of current location with placement.

6. the method for claim 1, control procedure wherein in short supply also comprises by carry out planimetric map software on described computer system, determine such shelf location from a plurality of shelf of the second place: additional article that need be in this shelf location when the number of articles of other same type is reduced to and is lower than the shelf threshold value in the shelf location of determining the second place.

7. the process of claim 1 wherein that control procedure in short supply also comprises:

By on described computer system, carrying out the inventory management system program, determine whether to exist only to be positioned at the inner room position and not in any special article type of any other a plurality of positions of environment; And

Discern in the environment of other position outside the inner room position that some type in these special article types is used for being placed on a plurality of positions.

8. the method for claim 4 has determined whether wherein that any article are misplaced and has put to comprise:

Access is corresponding to one or more wireless identification devices of one or more article, to determine the current location of these one or more article in environment; And

According to the current location of the appointed positions that is different from it of the article of the first kind, by carry out the inventory management system program on described computer system, the article of determining the first kind are misplaced to be put.

9. the method for claim 8 also comprises:

10. the process of claim 1 wherein that first threshold is provided by one of user and threshold value deterministic process.

11. the method for claim 10, wherein the passing threshold deterministic process provides first threshold, and wherein the threshold value deterministic process comprises:

For every type article,

According to the number of the removed the sort of types of articles in the position of their previous identification in the environment of interim before predetermined, determine first threshold.

12. the method for claim 11, wherein the threshold value deterministic process also comprises:

Article for every type, according to the seasonal factor various types of article, relevant with year of the position separately that is in them and with occurent, with take place or at least one factor in the relevant incident factor of event, regulate first threshold.

13. the process of claim 1 wherein that determining that count value is reduced to is lower than first threshold and comprises:

According to the inventory count value of determining for each position, identification is arranged in any kind article that are lower than first threshold of a position of a plurality of positions of environment; And

Whether the another location that has outside the described position of overage determined inventory count value, the identical items type in environment that is lower than first threshold according to a position in described a plurality of positions can provide, and carries out ordered by priorities to type of items.

14. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock control process also comprises definite loss value, determines that wherein the loss value comprises:

To no longer being positioned at each types of articles of environment,

15. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock control process also comprises one or more factors of the former sale of the article of determining every type of influence, one or more factors of the former sale of the article that wherein definite influence is every type comprise:

16. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock control process also comprises the position of determining the replacement in the environment, determine that wherein the position of the replacement in the environment comprises:

17. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock control process also comprises provides message in short supply, wherein provides message in short supply to comprise:

18. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock control process also comprises the reduction answering, wherein reduce answering and comprise one of step below at least one:

Provide look-at-me to safety equipment; And

19. the method for claim 18, wherein reducing answering provides look-at-me to safety equipment, and wherein safety equipment are one of at least one following equipment:

Warning system;

Be placed near the luminaire of primary importance;

20. the method for claim 18, wherein reducing answering provides the message of discerning primary importance to interfacing equipment, and wherein this message comprises the information of guiding user to primary importance.

21. the method for claim 1, wherein stock control process also comprises quick product revocation procedure, wherein fast the product revocation procedure comprise according to the storage life relevant with article, around the article environment temperature and with article at least one of relevant identifier, determine whether the article in the environment need to move from its current position.

22. the method for claim 21 wherein according to the term of validity date relevant with these article, is determined the storage life.

23. the method for claim 21 determines wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

24. the method for claim 21 determines wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

25. the method for claim 21 also comprises:

26. the method for claim 21 determines wherein whether the article in the environment need to remove to comprise:

27. the process of claim 1 wherein that the stock control process also comprises the prompting monitoring process, wherein reminds monitoring process to comprise:

At least one according to following project provides indication to the user:

28. the method for claim 1, wherein stock control process also comprises the indication that the reflection data base querying relevant with inventory management system is provided, and wherein provides described indication to comprise and is provided at the message that shows near the display device of installing the position separately of the article of inquiry in the environment.

29. the method for claim 28, wherein this message comprises at least one of following project: the indication that the article of this inquiry can not provide in environment, for the indication of one or more replacement environment of the quotation of the discount of the selling price of the article of this inquiry, article that reflection can provide this inquiry with for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

30. the method for claim 1 also comprises providing about special article being indicated to user interface, supports on the structure of this special article before wherein user interface is positioned at.

31. the process of claim 1 wherein that described control procedure in short supply comprises stock's feature of determining some article, wherein stock's feature be preset time at interval in some article each before sale between mathematical relation.

32. the method for claim 31, wherein the representative of this mathematical relation preset time at interval in the type some article before sale be burst or uniform.

33. the method for claim 18 is wherein reduced identifying and is comprised:

According to the judgement that reduces, carry out the reduction answering.

34. the method for claim 33 is wherein reduced answering and is comprised:

35. system that is used for the stock of management article, each article is placed on position in a plurality of relevant positions in the environment and interrelates with corresponding wireless identification device, described environment comprises a plurality of relevant positions, described a plurality of relevant position comprises primary importance, the second place and inner room position, described primary importance makes client to check to be stored in those article wherein, the described second place has a plurality of shelf and is different from described primary importance, the described second place makes client to check to be stored in those article wherein, described inner room position is different from the described primary importance and the described second place and makes client to check those article that are stored in wherein, and described system comprises:

The wireless data collection system;

Computer system;

Be used for using the Item Information relevant from each corresponding wireless identification device the wireless data collection system to offer the device of described computer system with each article, described Item Information comprises article mark and article position, and described article position is discerned current in a plurality of relevant positions of each an article position; And

Be used for carrying out the device of stock control process by on described computer system, carrying out the inventory management system program with stock's that relevant article are provided management information according to Item Information, the device that is used to carry out the stock control process comprises the device that is used to carry out control procedure in short supply

The device that wherein is used to carry out control procedure in short supply comprises:

(i) be used for according to Item Information from the retrieval of one or more wireless identification devices, for all article of any kind that is arranged in a plurality of relevant positions of environment are determined the device of current stock's count value of each type of items, and

(ii) be used for determining for relevant position in the environment according to information when the number of same type article among the stock is reduced to the device that is lower than first threshold from one or more wireless identification device retrievals.

36. the system of claim 35 is used for wherein determining that the device of current inventory count value comprises:

Be used for from the device of the database retrieval Item Information relevant with each article, wherein database before received Item Information by the collection process of collecting Item Information from each wireless identification device; And

Be used for Item Information, determine the device of the count value of each type of items according to retrieval.

37. the system of claim 35, the device that wherein is used to carry out control procedure in short supply also comprises:

Be used for determining according to Item Information whether any article of any kind are misplaced the device of putting in environment from the retrieval of wireless identification device.

38. the system of claim 37, the device that wherein is used to carry out control procedure in short supply also comprises:

Be used to provide some to be misplaced the device of the message in short supply of glove product to display device.

39. the system of claim 35, the device that wherein is used to carry out control procedure in short supply also comprises:

Be used for determining to be different from the environment replacement position of current location, have the device of some article that sales volume is lower than the second threshold value history of current location with placement.

40. the system of claim 35, the device that wherein is used to carry out control procedure in short supply also comprises and is used to use the planimetric map process, determines the device of such shelf location from a plurality of shelf of the second place: additional article that need be in this shelf location when the number of articles of other same type is reduced to and is lower than the shelf threshold value in the shelf location of determining the second place.

41. the system of claim 35, the device that wherein is used to carry out control procedure in short supply also comprises:

Be used to determine whether to exist and only be positioned at the inner room position and not at the device of any special article type of any other a plurality of positions of environment; And

Some type that is used for discerning these special article types is used for being placed on the device in the environment of other position outside the inner room position of a plurality of positions.

42. the system of claim 38 is used to wherein determine whether that the device that any article are misplaced to be put comprises:

Be used to insert one or more wireless identification devices, to determine the device of the current location of these one or more article in environment corresponding to one or more article; And

Be used for current location, determine that the article of the first kind are misplaced the device of putting according to the appointed positions that is different from it of the article of the first kind.

43. the system of claim 42 also comprises:

44. the method for claim 35, wherein first threshold is provided by one of user and threshold value deterministic process.

45. the system of claim 44, wherein the passing threshold deterministic process provides first threshold, and wherein the threshold value deterministic process comprises:

For every type article,

Be used for number, determine the device of first threshold according to the removed the sort of types of articles in the position of their previous identification in the environment of interim before predetermined.

46. the system of claim 45, wherein the threshold value deterministic process also comprises:

Article for every type, be used for according to the seasonal factor various types of article, relevant with year of the position separately that is in them and with occurent, with take place or at least one factor of the relevant incident factor of event, the device of adjusting first threshold.

47. the system of claim 35 is used for wherein determining that count value is reduced to the device that is lower than first threshold and comprises:

Be used for discerning the device of any kind article that are lower than first threshold of a position that is arranged in a plurality of positions of environment according to being the definite inventory count value in each position; And

Be used for whether can providing, type of items is carried out device ordered by priorities according to the another location that has outside the described position of overage determined inventory count value, the identical items type in environment that is lower than first threshold in a position of described a plurality of positions.

48. the system of claim 35, wherein stock control process also comprise the device that is used for determining the loss value, are used for wherein determining that the device of loss value comprises:

To no longer being positioned at each types of articles of environment,

The device that is used for determining in the former time interval income amount that generates by the former sale of the article of type separately; And

Be used for income, determine device for the loss value of the type of the article that no longer are positioned at environment according to the generation of determining.

49. the system of claim 35, wherein stock control process also comprises the device of one or more factors of the former sale of the article that are used for determining every type of influence, is used for wherein determining that the device of one or more factors of former sale of the article of every type of influence comprises:

How external factor that be used for relatively discerning, one or more and former sale influence the device of former sale to determine each external factor.

50. the system of claim 35, wherein stock control process also comprise the device of the position that is used for the replacement in definite environment, the device that wherein is used for the position of the replacement in definite environment comprises:

Be used for determining whether the article of specific type have the device that is lower than the sales histories of second threshold value in the environment; And

Be used for sales histories, determine in environment, to reappose the device of the replacement position of the article that are included in the specific type of items among the stock according to the article relevant with the position of replacing.

51. the system of claim 35, wherein stock control process also comprise the device that is used to provide message in short supply, wherein are used to provide the device of message in short supply to comprise:

Be used to generate the device of message in short supply, message in short supply comprises at least one of following project: the indication of type of items short supply, for the quotation of the discount selling price of the article of certain type of items, for the indication of article replacement that may be positioned at, outside environment the position of the purchase of delaying to use single (rain check) of certain type article and certain type.

52. the system of claim 35, wherein stock control process also comprise the device that is used to carry out the reduction answering, the device that wherein is used to carry out the reduction answering comprise following at least one:

Be used to store record on duty that when the reflection number of articles reduced by the value of determining, certain type article and the device of the numerical value determined;

Be used to provide the device of look-at-me to safety equipment; And

53. the system of claim 52, the device that wherein is used to carry out the reduction answering comprises and is used to provide the device of look-at-me to safety equipment that wherein safety equipment are one of at least one following equipment:

Warning system;

Be placed near the luminaire of primary importance;

54. the system of claim 52, the device that wherein is used to carry out the reduction answering comprises and is used to provide the device of the message of identification primary importance to interfacing equipment that wherein this message comprises the information of guiding user to primary importance.

55. the system of claim 35, wherein stock control process also comprises the device that is used to carry out quick product revocation procedure, the device that wherein is used to carry out quick product revocation procedure comprise be used for according to the storage life relevant with article, around the article environment temperature and with article at least one of relevant identifier, determine whether article in the environment need the device that moves from its current position.

56. the system of claim 55 wherein according to the term of validity date relevant with these article, determines the storage life.

57. the system of claim 55 is used for wherein determining that the device whether article in the environment need to remove comprises:

58. the system of claim 55 is used for wherein determining that the device whether article in the environment need to remove comprises:

59. the system of claim 55 also comprises:

Be used for just putting when purchased, the device of the reflection indication that these article should be removed from article inventory is provided at point-of-sale terminal when these article.

60. the system of claim 55 is used for wherein determining that the device whether article in the environment need to remove comprises:

Be used to carry out the device of reminding monitoring process 61. the system of claim 35, wherein stock control process also comprise, wherein be used to carry out and remind the device of monitoring process to comprise:

Be used at least one device that the user is provided indication according to following project:

62. the system of claim 35, wherein stock control process also comprises the device that is used to provide the indication that reflects the data base querying relevant with inventory management system, wherein is used to provide the device of described indication to comprise the device that is used to be provided at the message that shows near the display device of installing the position separately of the article of inquiry in the environment.

63. the system of claim 62, wherein this message comprises at least one of following project: the indication that the article of this inquiry can not provide in environment, for the indication of one or more replacement environment of the quotation of the discount of the selling price of the article of this inquiry, article that reflection can provide this inquiry with for the guiding of these one or more replacement environment.

64. the system of claim 35 also comprises being used for providing the device that is indicated to user interface about special article, supports on the structure of this special article before wherein user interface is positioned at.

65. the system of claim 35, the wherein said device that is used to carry out control procedure in short supply comprises the device of the stock's feature that is used for determining some article, wherein stock's feature be preset time at interval in some article each before sale between mathematical relation.

66. the system of claim 65, wherein the representative of this mathematical relation preset time at interval in the type some article before sale be burst or uniform.

67. the system of claim 52 wherein is used to carry out the device that reduces identifying and comprises:

68. the system of claim 67 wherein reduces answering and comprises: