US20020008140A1 - Method and apparatus to perform a predefined search on data carriers, such as RFID tags - Google Patents
Method and apparatus to perform a predefined search on data carriers, such as RFID tags Download PDFInfo
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- US20020008140A1 US20020008140A1 US09/911,965 US91196501A US2002008140A1 US 20020008140 A1 US20020008140 A1 US 20020008140A1 US 91196501 A US91196501 A US 91196501A US 2002008140 A1 US2002008140 A1 US 2002008140A1
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- characteristic data
- data strings
- rfid tags
- reader
- memory
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
- G06K7/10019—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves resolving collision on the communication channels between simultaneously or concurrently interrogated record carriers.
- G06K7/10029—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves resolving collision on the communication channels between simultaneously or concurrently interrogated record carriers. the collision being resolved in the time domain, e.g. using binary tree search or RFID responses allocated to a random time slot
- G06K7/10039—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves resolving collision on the communication channels between simultaneously or concurrently interrogated record carriers. the collision being resolved in the time domain, e.g. using binary tree search or RFID responses allocated to a random time slot interrogator driven, i.e. synchronous
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
- G06K7/10366—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
- G06K7/10376—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications the interrogation device being adapted for being moveable
- G06K7/10386—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications the interrogation device being adapted for being moveable the interrogation device being of the portable or hand-handheld type, e.g. incorporated in ubiquitous hand-held devices such as PDA or mobile phone, or in the form of a portable dedicated RFID reader
Abstract
A data carrier reader is capable of executing a number of different reading methods. One method performs an inclusive search, identifying all RFID tags having a characteristic data string that appears on a list of characteristic data strings, for example, stored in a buffer. Another method performs and exclusive search, identifying any RFID tags having a characteristic data string that does not appear on the list. In each method, the data carrier reader provides a consistent and intuitive output the user to identify the successful and unsuccessful operations such as locating a desired RFID tag on the list or missing from the list.
Description
- This application relates to methods and apparatus for reading data carriers such as machine-readable symbols (e.g., barcode symbols, area and/or matrix code symbols) and wireless memory devices (e.g., RFID tags).
- A variety of methods exist for tracking and providing information about items. For example, inventory items typically carry printed labels providing information such as serial numbers, price, weight, and size. Some labels include data carriers in the form of machine-readable symbols that can be selected from a variety of machine-readable symbologies, such as bar code, and/or area or matrix code symbologies. The amount of information that the symbols can contain is limited by the space constraints of the label. Updating the information in these machine-readable symbols typically requires the printing of a new label to replace the old label.
- Data carriers such as memory devices provide an alternative method for tracking and providing information about items. Memory devices permit the linking of large amounts of data with an object or item. Memory devices typically include a memory and logic in the form of an integrated circuit (“IC”) and means for transmitting data to and/or from the device. For example, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag typically includes a memory for storing data, an antenna, an RF transmitter, and/or an RF receiver to transmit data, and logic for controlling the various components of the memory device. RFID tags are generally formed on a substrate and can include, for example, analog RF circuits and digital logic and memory circuits. The RFID tags can also include a number of discrete components, such as capacitors, transistors, and diodes.
- RFID tags can be passive, active or hybrid devices. Active devices are self-powered, by a battery for example. Passive devices do not contain a discrete power source, but derive their energy from an RF signal used to interrogate the RFID tag. Passive RFID tags usually include an analog circuit that detects and decodes the interrogating RF signal and that provides power from the RF field to a digital circuit in the tag. The digital circuit generally executes all of the data functions of the RFID tag, such as retrieving stored data from memory and causing the analog circuit to modulate the RF signal to transmit the retrieved data. In addition to retrieving and transmitting data previously stored in the memory, the RFID tag can permit new or additional information to be stored in the RFIL) tag's memory, or can permit the RFID tag to manipulate data or perform some additional functions. RFID tags are available from a number of manufacturers, including Texas Instruments, Dallas, Tex., and Omron of Japan.
- Another form of memory device is an optical tag. Optical tags are similar in many respects to RFID tags, but rely on an optical signal to transmit data to and/or from the tag.
- Additionally, touch memory data carriers are available, for example touch memory devices from Dallas Semiconductor of Dallas, Texas. Touch memory devices are similar to RFID tags but require physical contact with to store and retrieve data.
- A user typically secures a data carrier to an item, such as a good, product, or container by way of a pressure sensitive adhesive. The data carrier often encodes information specifically relating to the item such as identifying or destination information. An individual, such as a checkout or inventory clerk, can retrieve data about any given item, for example, by scanning the machine-readable symbol or interrogating the RF tag, optical tag, or touch memory device. Access to the data can be useful at the point of sale, during inventory, during transportation, or at other points in the manufacture, distribution, sale, or use of the tagged item.
- Relatively high cost is one of the drawbacks of memory devices, thus, many applications rely on the less expensive printed machine-readable symbols. Another significant drawback is the difficulty of identifying a particular memory device from a group of memory devices. It is particularly difficult to associate the information read from the RFID tag with a physical item or container. The ability to read data from different types of data carriers, for example machine-readable symbols and RFID tags, and/or to associate and manipulate such data can provide numerous benefits in the automatic data collection (“ADC”) industry.
- In one aspect a data carrier reader includes an RFID tag reading section and a machine-readable symbol reading section, which can contain some common components. The reader is operable in an RFID tag reading mode and/or a symbol reading mode. The reader provides a consistent and intuitive user interface within, and between, the operating modes. The user interface can include visual, aural and tactile indicators. The visual indicators can include a pattern displayed by indicators on the reader, or projected onto or near the data carrier.
- In another aspect, a data carrier reader is capable of executing a number of different reading methods. A method for reading single RFID tags can store read data to a buffer for eventual transmission to a host, and can suppress redundant data. Another method identifies all RFID tags having a characteristic data string that appears on a list. In contrast, another method identifies any RFID tags having a characteristic data string that does not appear on the list. Still another method associates data read from an RFID tag with a particular object or item using a data coded in a machine-readable symbol. In a further method, the machine-readable symbol is automatically read when the RFID tag is within a predetermined proximity of the reader. In each method, a consistent and intuitive output can be provided to the user to identify the successful and unsuccessful operations such as reading an RFID tag or machine-readable symbol.
- In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, various elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.
- FIG. 1 is a partial block diagram, partial front elevational view of a facility including a data carrier reader reading data carriers carried by a number of items, the reader communicate with a host through an interface.
- FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the reader according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the reader of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view of an alternative set of visual indicators for the reader of FIG. 2.
- FIGS.5A-5C together form a chart of selected input and output signals for operating the reader of FIG. 2 and the visual indicators of FIG. 4.
- FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a graphic display of the reader of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alpha-numeric display of the reader of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of reading single RFID tags.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method of determining when a reader is finished reading RFID tags.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of reading multiple RFID tags.
- FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a method of performing an inclusive search of RFID tags.
- FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a method of performing an exclusive search of RFID tags.
- FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a method of associating data from an RFID tag with an item using a machine-readable symbol.
- FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a method of automatically imaging a machine-readable symbol based on proximity to an RFID tag to associate data from an RFID tag with an item using the machine-readable symbol.
- In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with RFID tags, RFID tag readers, one- and two-dimensional symbologies, symbol readers, microprocessors and communication networks have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.
- The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.
- FIG. 1 shows a
data carrier reader 10 reading one or more of a number of data carriers, such as the RFID tags 12 on the containers oritems 14. Thereader 10 includes ahead 16, ahandle 18 and atrigger 20. Aninterface 22 can couple thereader 10 to ahost 23, such as a centralized computer, as described in detail below. - The
tags 12 can take the form of an RFID tag 12A that carries a machine-readable symbol 24A on a visible surface of the tag. Alternatively, thetags 12 can take the form of a separate RFID tag 12B and machine-readable symbol 24B. The separate RFID tag 12B and machine-readable symbol 24B can be physically associated, for example, securing each to the same physical object, such as theitem 14. The RFID tag 12A, 12B and machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B can contain logically associated information, for example information related to theitem 14 to which thetags 12 are secured, such as identifying and/or shipping information. - As shown in FIG. 2, the
reader 10 contains an RFIDtag reading section 30, asymbol reading section 32, auser input section 34, auser output section 36, and acommunications section 38 all coupled by abus 40. Thebus 40 provides data, commands and/or power to the various sections 30-38. Thereader 10 can include an internal power source such as a rechargeable battery (not shown) or can receive power from an external power source such as a wall outlet by way of an electrical cord (not shown). Each of these sections 30-38 will be described individually below, although in the illustrated embodiment some of these sections share common components. - FIG. 2 shows the RFID
tag reading section 30 of thedata carrier reader 10 including anantenna 42 coupled to aradio 44. Theradio 44 is coupled via thebus 40 to amicroprocessor 46 and a random access memory (“RAM”) 48. TheRAM 48 can include a characteristicdata string buffer 49 to temporarily store characteristic data strings, as will be explained in detail below. Alternatively, thereader 10 can include a discrete characteristic data string buffer (not shown). While FIG. 2 shows asingle microprocessor 46, thedata carrier reader 10 may include separate dedicated processors for each of the RFID tag andsymbol reading sections - While a
dipole antenna 42 is shown, thedata carrier reader 10 can employ other antenna designs. Of course, the antenna can be selected to achieve a particular focus, for example, a highly directional antenna can enhance the ability of thereader 10 to select asingle RFID tag 12 out of a group of RFID tags. Theradio 44 can take the form of a transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving at one or more of the frequencies commonly associated with RFID tags 12 (e.g., 350 kilohertz, 400 kilohertz, 900 kilohertz). While these frequencies typically fall within the radio frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum, theradio 44 can successfully employ frequencies in other portions of the spectrum. Antenna design and radios are generally discussed in The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs, 76th Ed., American Radio Relay League, Newington, Conn., U.S.A. (1999) (ISBN: 0-87259-181-6), and commonly assigned patent application U.S. Ser. No. 09/280,287, filed Mar. 29, 1999, entitled ANTENNA STRUCTURES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE, SUCH AS RFID TAG (Atty. Docket No. 480062.648). - A read only memory (“ROM”)50 stores instructions for execution by the
microprocessor 46 to operate theradio 44. As used in this herein, ROM includes any non-volatile memory, including erasable memories such as EEPROMs. The programmedmicroprocessor 46 can control theradio 44 to emit an interrogation signal, including any required polling codes or encryption, and to receive a return signal from an RFID tag 12A, 12B. The programmedmicroprocessor 46,RAM 48,radio 44 andantenna 42 thus form theRFID reading section 30. - FIG. 2 also shows the
symbol reading section 32 of thedata carrier reader 10 including animage sensor 52 and an illumination source, such as thelaser 53. Theimage sensor 52 can take the form of a one- or two-dimensional charge coupled device (“CCD”) array. Alternatively, thereader 10 can employ other known imaging devices, for example laser scanners or Vidicons. In certain embodiments, thedata carrier reader 10 can omit the illumination source, for example where theimage sensor 52 is a two-dimensional CCD array operable with ambient light. Alternatively, thedata carrier reader 10 can rely on other illumination sources, such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) or a strobe light, that can be positioned to illuminate a desired one of the machine-readable symbols 24A, 24B. Thereader 10 can employ suitable optics such as lens and mirrors (not shown) for directing light reflected from the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B to theimage sensor 52. - The
reader 10 includes an analog-to-digital (“A/D”)converter 54, to transform the analog electrical signals from theimage sensor 52 into digital signals for use by themicroprocessor 46. Thebus 40 couples the image data from the A/D converter 54 to themicroprocessor 46 and theRAM 48. A portion of theRAM 48 can form animage buffer 56 for temporarily storing data, such as a captured image data from theimage sensor 52. TheROM 50 contains instructions for themicroprocessor 46, that permit themicroprocessor 46 to control theimage sensor 52 to capture image data and to decode and/or manipulate the captured image data. The programmedmicroprocessor 46,RAM 48,image sensor 52, and A/D converter 54, thus form thesymbol reading section 32. - Symbol reading and decoding technology is well-known in the art and will not be discussed in further detail. Many alternatives for image sensors, symbol decoders, and optical elements that can be used in the
reader 10 are taught in the book, The Bar Code Book, Third Edition, by Roger C. Palmer, Helmers Publishing, Inc., Peterborough, N.H. U.S.A. (1995) (ISBN 0-911261-09-5). - The
communications section 38 includes a communications buffer 47 and acommunications port 49. The communications buffer 47 can temporarily store incoming and outgoing data and/or commands where the communications speed of thereader 10 does not match the communications speed of some external device, such as the interface 22 (FIG. 1). Thecommunications port 49 provides communications between the reader and external devices. While shown as a hardwire connection to the interface 22 (FIG. 1), the communications port can be a wireless interface, and can even employ theantenna 42 andradio 44 of the RFIDtag reading section 30. Additionally, thereader 10 can include theinterface 22 as an integral part of thereader 10. - The interface22 (FIG. 1) can provide communications over a
communications network 68 to thehost 23, allowing transmissions of data and/or commands between thereader 10 and thehost 23. Thecommunications network 68 can take the form of a wired network, for example a local area network (“LAN”) (e.g., Ethernet, Token Ring), a wide area network (“WAN”), the Internet, or the World Wide Web (“WWW”). Alternatively or additionally, thecommunications network 68 can be a wireless network, for example, employing infrared (“IR”), satellite, and/or radio frequency (“RF”) communications. - The
host 23 can receive from each of a number of thereaders 10, data collected from the RFID tags 12 and machine-readable symbols 24. Thehost 23 can use the data with a database, and can automatically manipulate the data, for example to automatically performing inventory or to track shipments. - The
host 23 can provide data and commands to each of a number of thereaders 10. For example, the host can share data between thereaders 10, such as providing a list of either located or missing identifiers, as will be discussed in more detail below in reference to inclusive and exclusive searches. Thehost 23 can provide a command to toggle thereader 10 between an RFID tag reading mode and a symbol reading mode, which is described below in further detail. Thus, thehost 23 can command, coordinate and share data between a number ofreaders 10. Commonly assigned patent application U.S. Ser. No. 09/, filed, 1999, entitled, “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING OR CONFIGURING A DEVICE, SUCH AS AN RFID READER” (Atty. Docket No. 480062.672) contains teachings that can be used to automatically control or configure thereader 10. - The
user input section 34 includes thetrigger 20, themode switch 34, and can include a user input device 58. Thebus 40 couples themode switch 34 to themicroprocessor 46. In response to selection of themode switch 34, themicroprocessor 46 switches between the symbol reading mode and the RFID tag reading mode, for example by toggling between the two operating modes. Thereader 10 can employ additional operating modes, or switching positions as desired, for example a switch position that places thereader 10 in an OFF state or a WAIT state to conserve energy. - In the symbol reading mode, the
microprocessor 46 operates theimage sensor 52 to image one of the machine-readable symbols 24A, 24B. Themicroprocessor 46 decodes the imaged symbol to retrieve the data encoded in the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B, such as a respective identifier. In the RFID tag reading mode, themicroprocessor 46 operates theradio 44 to emit an interrogation signal and to receive a response from one or more of the RFID tags 12A, 12B to the interrogation signal. Themicroprocessor 46 decodes the response signal to retrieve the data encoded in the RFID tag 12A, 12B, such as a respective identifier. - The
mode switch 34 can be a membrane switch, mounted to the exterior of thereader 10 for easy selection by the user. Themode switch 34 can additionally, or alternatively, be implemented in the software to supplement or replace the user selectable mode switch on the exterior of thereader 10. The software implemented switch is particularly useful where the host 23 (FIG. 1) controls the operating mode of thereader 10. Alternatively, themode switch 34 can be implemented as an icon on a touchsensitive display 74. In further alternatives, thetrigger 20 can function as themode switch 37. In one instance, the number of successive trigger pulls or activations can determine the operating mode. For example, two successive trigger pulls can select the symbol mode, while three successive trigger pulls selects the RFID mode; or a single trigger pull can cause thereader 10 to read a symbol while a double trigger pull toggles between the symbol and RFID modes. Alternatively, the duration of trigger activation can determine the operating mode. For example, a trigger pull of under 0.5 seconds can select the symbol mode, while a trigger pull of longer than 0.5 seconds can select the RFID mode; or a trigger pull of under 0.5 seconds can cause thereader 10 to read a symbol while a trigger pull of over 0.5 seconds toggles the reader between the symbol and RFID modes. Additionally, or alternatively, the mode switch can be context sensitive, switching modes based on data read from a previously read data carrier 12A, 12B, 24A, 24B. For example, a previously read RFID tag 12A can indicate the existence of a symbol 24A. In response, thedata carrier reader 10 can automatically switch into symbol mode and read the symbol 24A associated with the RFID tag 12A. - The
bus 40 also couples thetrigger 20 to themicroprocessor 46. In response to activation of thetrigger 20, themicroprocessor 46 can cause theimage sensor 52 to image one of the machine-readable symbols 24A, 24B when thereader 10 is operating in the symbol reading mode. In at least one embodiment, themicroprocessor 46 can also cause theradio 44 andantenna 42 to emit an interrogation signal in response to the activation of thetrigger 20 while in thereader 10 is operating in the RFID tag reading mode. - The user input device58 can take the form of a keypad 60 (FIG. 3), mouse, touch screen and/or other user operable device to input information and/or commands to the
reader 10. Thebus 40 couples the user input device 58 to themicroprocessor 46, to allow the user to enter data and commands. - The
user output section 36 includes human-perceptible visual andaudio indicators bus 40 couples the visual andaudio indicators microprocessor 46 for control thereby. Thevisual indicators 62 can take a variety of forms, for example: light emitting diodes (“LEDs”); a graphic display such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), and/or an alpha-numeric display such as a 7-segment display. Theaudio indicator 64 can take the form of one or more dynamic, electrostatic or piezo-electric speakers 66. Thespeaker 66 is operable to produce a variety of sounds (e.g., Clicks and Beeps), and/or frequencies (e.g., tones), and to operate at different volumes. Thereader 10 can also include tactile indicators such as a vibrating member. The specific operation of theuser output section 36 is discussed in more detail below. - FIG. 3 shows a portion of the user interface located on the
head 16 of thereader 10. The user interface includes the elements of theuser input section 34, such as thetrigger 20, themode switch 34 and thekeypad 60. The user interface also includes the elements of theuser output section 36 including the visual indicators 63 and thespeaker 66. In particular, thevisual indicators 62 in the illustrated embodiment include a set of RFID relatedLEDs 70, a set of machine-readable symbol relatedLEDs 72, and adisplay 74. - The
data carrier reader 10 can additionally, or alternatively, employ thelaser 53 as the visual indicator. The laser can be successively pulsed or flashed according to a set of predefined human-recognizable temporal patterns to provide information to the user, such as user indications corresponding to the various reader operations and/or the responses from the date carriers 12A, 12B, 24A, 24B. Employing thelaser 53 as a portion of the user interface provides a number of distinct benefits. For example, operating thelaser 53 to provide human-recognizable patterns can eliminate the need for othervisual indicators 62. Thedata carrier reader 10 can employ multiple illumination sources such aslasers 53 or LEDs of different colors, or an illumination source capable of producing a number of different colors to provide the appropriate user indications, as set out in FIGS. 5A-5C. As discussed in detail below, the human-recognizable patterns can take the form of a predefined sequence of laser flashes of one or more colors, separated by time (i.e., temporal pattern). - The visual and
audio indicators yellow LED 80 in the RFID tag related set 70 flashes during the reading of one of the RFID tags 12A, 12B (FIG. 1), while theyellow LED 82 in the machine-readable symbol related set 72 flashes during the reading of one of the machine-readable symbols 24A, 24B (FIG. 1). Thereader 10 responds to a successful read of the RFID tag 12A, 12B or machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B by illuminating the correspondinggreen LED red LEDs visual indicators 62 is consistent within, and across the RFID tag and symbol operating modes. Consistent feedback can reduce training time and costs, and can lead to more efficient operation of thereader 10. - Similar to the
visual indicators 62, thespeaker 66 provides consistent feedback within and across the operating modes. In the illustrated embodiment, thespeaker 66 emits a “beep” or a “click” sound, although thespeaker 66 can emit different and/or additional sounds. Thespeaker 66 can emit, for example, a single beep each time either an RFID tag 12A, 12B or a machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B is successfully read. When searching a field of RFID tags 12A, 12B for one or more particular tags, thespeaker 66 can emit a click for each non-match and a beep for each match. - The user interface can also include an ON/
OFF indicator 97, and/or aLow Power indicator 99 to identify the operating condition of thereader 10. - FIG. 4 shows an alternative set of visual indicators for the
reader 10. This alternative embodiment, and those alternative embodiments and other alternatives described herein, are substantially similar to previously described embodiments, and common acts and structures are identified by the same reference numbers. Only significant differences in operation and structure are described in detail below. - The
reader 10 of FIG. 4 employs only three LEDs to simplify switching while providing the human-perceptible visual indications. A two state LED serves as the machine-readable symbol relatedindicator 87. The machine-readable symbol indicator 87 produces no light in an OFF state and a Green light in an ON state. A three state LED serves as the RFID relatedindicator 89. The RFID relatedindicator 89 produces a Green light in first ON state, a Yellow light in second ON state, and NO light in an OFF state. A two state LED serves as the ON/OFF indicator 97. The ON/OFF indicator produces a Yellow light, or No light. The ON/OFF indicator is proximate the machine-readable symbol related and RFIDrelated indicators mode switch 34 takes the form of a toggle or slider switch, having a neutral position (center), a symbol mode position (left of center) and an RFID mode position (right of center). The positions are consistent with the correspondingvisual indicators - FIGS.5A-C describe a variety of input and outputs signals for the
reader 10, and particularly for theaudio indicator 64 andlaser 53 of FIG. 2, and for thevisual indicators Column 31 defines a reader status or error conditions corresponding to reader activities.Column 33 describes the operation of thevisual indicators column 35 describes the operation of theaudio indicator 64 in response to the various reader status orerror conditions 33.Column 37 describes the operation of the laser to produce the desired human-recognizable patterns corresponding to the various reader status or errors conditions 31.Column 39 describes messages for display on thedisplay 74 corresponding to the various reader status or errors conditions 31.Column 41 describes PDT/Host messages corresponding to the various reader status or errors conditions 31.Column 43 describes data and/or error codes sent to thehost 33, corresponding the various reader status or errors conditions 31. As discussed above, these user indications provide a consistent interface for the user within and across the operating modes, permitting the user to efficiently operate thereader 10. - The
display 74 can additionally, or alternatively, provide the user other visual indications. For example, a graphical display 88 (FIG. 6), can employ a first set oficons 90 to indicate RFID tag activities and a second set oficons 92 to indicate symbol reading activities. (Note, typically only a single icon will be displayed at a time, although multiple icons are shown in FIG. 6 for the convenience of this description.) For example,screen icons screen icons - Similarly, an alpha-numeric display94 (FIG. 7) can employ a first set of
words 96 to indicate RFID tag activities and a second set ofwords 98 to indicate symbol reading activities. (Again, typically only a single word will be displayed at a time, although multiple are shown in FIG. 7 for the convenience of this description.) Thedisplay 94 is self-explanatory and in the interest of brevity will not be further described. Other visual indications, as well as audio and tactile indications are of course possible. - Different methods of operating the
reader 10 or a reader having similar capabilities are disclosed below. As set out in the below methods, the intuitive and consistent operation of the user interface within and across operating modes can provide numerous benefits. While several methods are set out for illustration, other methods employing similar techniques are within the scope of the invention. Also, the following descriptions employ certain descriptions of user outputs (e.g., Beep, Click, Red LED, Yellow LED, and Green LED) for convenience of description. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other sounds, colors, visual, tactile indications, and/or other human-perceptible indications could be used. - FIG. 8 shows a
method 100 of reading RFID tags 12A-12B (FIG. 1) employing the reader 10 (FIGS. 1-3). Turning on thereader 10, or switching into the RFID tag reading mode, can automatically cause themicroprocessor 46 to start themethod 100 instep 102. Alternatively, or additionally, the user can cause themicroprocessor 46 to start the RFIDtag reading method 100 by selecting an appropriate key from thekeypad 60 or icon from thedisplay 74. Upon starting instep 102, themicroprocessor 46 can perform an initialization process, for example loading appropriate operating instructions from theROM 50 to theRAM 48, initializing the characteristicdata string buffer 49 and/or performing a series of systems checks on the various component and subsystems of thereader 10, as set out instep 104. - Under the instructions loaded in the
RAM 48, themicroprocessor 46 activates theradio 44 instep 106. Instep 108, theradio 44 receives data from the RFID tags 12A, 12B. Theradio 44 can emit an interrogation signal to cause the RFID tags 12A, 12B to respond, or, theradio 44 can simply receive signals from RFID tags 12A, 12B that emit signals without interrogating the RFID tags. A variety of passive, active and hybrid RFID tags 12A, 12B are known in the art and will not be discussed in further detail. A discussion of RFID tags can be found in commonly assigned patent applications: U.S. Ser. No. 09/173,539, filed Oct. 15, 1998, entitled WIRELESS MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE (Atty. Docket No. 480062.630); U.S. Ser. No. 09/164,203, filed Sep. 30, 1998, entitled MEMORY TAG AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE (Atty. Docket No. 480062.632); U.S. Ser. No. 09/173,137, filed Oct. 15, 1998, entitled RF TAG HAVING STRAIN RELIEVED STIFF SUBSTRATE AND HYDROSTATIC PROTECTION FOR A CHIP MOUNTED THERETO (Atty. Docket No. 480062.635); and U.S. Ser. No. 09/164,200, filed Sep. 30, 1998, entitled CHIP PLACEMENT ON SMART LABELS (Atty. Docket No. 480062.642). - In
step 110, themicroprocessor 46 determines whether duplicate tag data should be suppressed. If suppressed, previously read or acquired data will not be stored or reported a second time. Suppression can be a user selection, or can be a selection transferred from thehost 23, or can be preset, for example by the reader manufacturer or owner. If suppression is not active, thereader 10, instep 112, automatically transmits the read data, for example to thehost 23, and provides an indication to the user that the data has been received and transmitted. To provide the indication, thereader 10 activates thespeaker 66 to emit a single “beep” and activates the Green RFID relatedLED 76 for a short time, insteps step 118. - If suppression is active, the
microprocessor 46, compares a characteristic data string from the received data to other characteristic data strings stored in the characteristicdata string buffer 49, instep 120. The characteristic data string can be any string of characters stored in the RFID tags 12A, 12B that permit thereader 10 to determine whether a particular RFID tag 12A, 12B has been read more than once. For example, the characteristic data string can be a unique identifier programmed into each of the RFID tags 12A, 12B. Alternatively, the characteristic data string can be the entire set of data stored in the RFID tag 12A, 12B, or can be any subset or field of data recognizable by position, offset, delimiter or other such field identifier. Themicroprocessor 46 branches atstep 122 based on the determination of whether the received characteristic data string corresponds, or matches, any of the stored data strings. - If the received characteristic data string corresponds to, or matches, any of the stored characteristic data strings, the
reader 10 provides an indication that the RFID tag 12A, 12B has been read again, activating thespeaker 66 to emit a single “click” and activating or “flashing” the Red RFIDrelated LED 84 insteps microprocessor 46 determines instep 128, if thereader 10 is finished reading RFID tags 12A, 12B, as described in detail below. - If the received characteristic data string does not correspond to, or match any of the stored data strings, the
microprocessor 46 updates the characteristicdata string buffer 49 containing the read characteristic data strings, for example storing the newly received characteristic data string to thebuffer 49 instep 130. Thereader 10 can automatically transmit the read data instep 132, for example to the host 23 (FIG. 1). Thereader 10 also provides an indication that a new RFID tag 12A, 12B has been read (e.g., read for the first time since thebuffer 49 was initialized), activating thespeaker 66 to emit a “beep” instep 134 and activating the Green RFID relatedLED 76 instep 136. Control passes to the end of the routine 100 instep 118. - FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a
method 200 of determining when areader 10 is finished reading. Themicroprocessor 46 can execute thismethod 200 in place of each step labeled “DONE” in the various other methods, such as atstep 128 of FIG. 8 (discussed above), or in the other Figures (discussed below). As set out in the Figures, themethod 200, starting atstep 202, acts as a function or subroutine, returning a Boolean value (e.g., TRUE/FALSE, YES/NO, or DONE/NOT DONE conditions). While themethod 200 could be implemented as an integral part of the other methods discussed herein, it is set out separately for ease of discussion. - At
step 240, themicroprocessor 46 determines whether thetrigger 20 has been released. A trigger release indicates that the user is finished reading. If thetrigger 20 has been released, themicroprocessor 46 sets the Boolean value to “DONE” atstep 242, and passes control to an end of the routine 200 atstep 218, returning the appropriate Boolean value. For example, when returning to the method 100 (FIG. 8), the condition “DONE” can cause thereader 10 to stop interrogating RFID tags 12A, 12B. - If the
trigger 20 has not been released, themicroprocessor 46 instep 244 determines whether a timeout condition has been exceeded. For example, thereader 10 can assume that all RFID tags 12A, 12B have been read if a new (e.g., not previously read) tag is not found after some length of time or some number of consecutive repeatedly read RFID tags 12A, 12B. While the length of time or number of repeated reads can be preset, the length or number of repeats can also be determined during the reading, for example as a function of RFID tag density (e.g., number of RFID tags per unit time). Themicroprocessor 46 can rely on an internal clock or a separate clock circuit (not shown) in measuring the timeout period. Employing RFID tag density to calculate the stopping condition “on the fly” reduces the likelihood of ending a search prematurely . - If the timeout condition is exceeded, the
reader 10 considers reading to be finished, sets the Boolean value to “DONE” atstep 242, and passes control to the end of themethod 200 atstep 218, producing the appropriate Boolean value for determining the next operation, such as turning the radio OFF. If the timeout condition is not exceeded, themicroprocessor 46 determines whether a stop command has been received from thehost 23 instep 246. If a stop command has been received, the Boolean value is again set to “DONE” atstep 242, and control passes to the end of themethod 200 atstep 218. If a stop command has not been received from thehost 23, themicroprocessor 46 atstep 248, determines whether all RFID tags 12A, 12B have been read. If all RFID tags 12A, 12B have been read, the Boolean value is set to “DONE” atstep 242 and control passes to the end of themethod 200 atstep 218, returning the appropriate response. If all RFID tags 12A, 12B have not been read, the Boolean value is set to “NOT DONE” atstep 250 and control passes to theend 218, thereby returning the appropriate Boolean value. - FIG. 10, shows an additional, or alternative embodiment of operating under the present invention. Similar steps in the methods are assigned reference numerals that have the two least significant digits in common (e.g., the “Start” step is respectively numbered:102, 202, 302, . . . , 702 in FIGS. 6-12, respectively).
- FIG. 10 shows a
method 300 of reading multiple RFID tags 12A, 12B (FIG. 1) employing the reader 10 (FIGS. 1-3). In a similar fashion to themethod 100, themicroprocessor 46 starts executing themethod 300 atstep 302, initializing thereader 10 atstep 304, turning ON theradio 44 instep 306, and receiving responses from the RFID tags 12A, 12B instep 308. Instep 320, themicroprocessor 46 compares a characteristic data string from the received data to other characteristic data strings stored in the characteristicdata string buffer 49 to determine whether thereader 10 has read the particular RFID tag 12A, 12B before. Themicroprocessor 46 branches atstep 322 based on the determination of whether the received characteristic data string corresponds, or matches, any of the stored data strings. - If the received characteristic data string corresponds to, or matches, any of the stored characteristic data strings, the
microprocessor 46 adds the read characteristic data string to the characteristicdata string buffer 49, atstep 330. Thereader 10 provides an indication that the read RFID tag 12A, 12B has been previously read, activating thespeaker 66 to emit a single “click” and activating or “flashing” the Red RFIDrelated LED 84 atsteps step 356, themicroprocessor 46 examines a counter (“Retry”) to determine whether a maximum number of iterations has been exceeded without finding a “new” (e.g., not previously read) RFID tag 12A, 12B. If the number of iterations without encountering a new RFID tag 12A, 12B has been exceeded, control passes to an end of themethod 300 atstep 318. If the number of iterations without encounter a new RFID tag 12A, 12B has not been exceeded, themicroprocessor 46 increments the Retry counter instep 358, and determines instep 328 whether thereader 10 is finished reading RFID tags 12A, 12B, as described in detail above with respect to method 200 (FIG. 9). Themicroprocessor 46 returns to receiving RFID tag responses instep 308, or passes control to the end of themethod 300 atstep 318 based on the Boolean value returned by the method 200 (FIG. 9). - If the received characteristic data string does not correspond to, or match any of the stored data strings, the
microprocessor 46 resets the Retry counter instep 360, and adds the read characteristic data string to the characteristicdata string buffer 49 instep 362. Thereader 10 instep 364, automatically transmits the read data, for example to thehost 23. Thereader 10 also provides an indication that a new RFID tag 12A, 12B has been read (e.g., read for the first time since thebuffer 49 was initialized), activating thespeaker 66 to emit a “beep” instep 314 and activating the Green RFID relatedLED 76 instep 316. Themicroprocessor 46 determines instep 328 whether thereader 10 is finished reading RFID tags 12A, 12B, as described in detail above with respect to method 200 (FIG. 9). Themicroprocessor 46 returns to receiving RFID tag responses instep 308 or passes control to the end of themethod 300 instep 318 based on the condition returned by themethod 200. - The
reader 10 can perform an “inclusive” search, such as finding all RFID tags 12A, 12B on a list of RFID tags 12A, 12B. FIG. 11 shows amethod 400 for performing an inclusive search. The user can start theinclusive search 400 by, for example, selecting an appropriate key or icon as instep 402. Themicroprocessor 46 performs an initialization atstep 404, for example loading a list of characteristic data strings for the RFID tags 12A, 12B to be located or identified into the characteristicdata string buffer 49. The list of characteristic data strings can, for example, be downloaded from thehost 23 viainterface 22. Themicroprocessor 46 turns ON theradio 44 atstep 406. - In
step 408, theradio 44 interrogates the RFID tags 12A, 12B to receive response signals containing the respective characteristic data strings. Alternatively, theradio 44 can receive the response signals without interrogating if the RFID tags 12A, 12B are active and periodically transmit data without requiring initiation by an interrogation signal. Instep 420, themicroprocessor 46 compares the received characteristic data string with the characteristic data strings stored in the characteristicdata string buffer 49. Themicroprocessor 46 branches atstep 422, based on the determination of whether the received characteristic data string corresponds, or matches, any of the stored data strings. - If the read characteristic data string corresponds to, or matches any of the stored characteristic data strings, then one of the RFID tags12A, 12B has been found and the
reader 10 reports such to the user and/orhost 23. Thereader 10 provides the user indication by activating thespeaker 66 to “beep” instep 414 and activating or “flashing” the Green RFID relatedLED 76 instep 416. If the read characteristic data string does not correspond to, or match any of the stored characteristic data strings, then one of the RFID tags 12A, 12B has not been found, and thereader 10 reports such to the user, and/orhost 23. Thereader 10 provides the user indication by activating thespeaker 66 to “click” instep 424 and activating or “flashing” the Red RFIDrelated LED 84 instep 426. - After providing the user indications, the microprocessor determines whether the reader is finished reading, in
step 428. If the reading is finished, the returned Boolean value (i.e., DONE) causes control to pass to an end of theinclusive search routine 400 instep 418. If the reading is not finished, the returned Boolean value (i.e., NOT DONE) causes theradio 22 to continue receiving response signals, passing control to step 418. - The
reader 10 can perform an “exclusive” search, such as finding any RFID tags 12A, 12B not on a list of RFID tags 12A, 12B. FIG. 12 shows amethod 500 for performing an exclusive search. The user can start theexclusive search 500 atstep 502 by, for example, selecting an appropriate key or icon. Themicroprocessor 46 performs an initialization atstep 504, for example loading a list of characteristic data strings for the RFID tags 12A, 12B to be located. Atstep 506, the microprocessor turns ON theradio 44. - In
step 508, the radio interrogates the RFID tags 12A, 12B to receive response signals containing the respective characteristic data strings. Alternatively, the radio can receive the response signals without interrogating if the RFID tags 12A, 12B are active and periodically transmit without requiring an interrogation signal. Instep 520, themicroprocessor 46 compares the received characteristic data string with the characteristic data strings stored in the characteristicdata string buffer 49. Themicroprocessor 46 branches atstep 566, based on the determination of whether the received characteristic data string does not correspond, or match, any of the stored data strings. - If the read characteristic data string does not correspond to, or match any of the stored characteristic data strings, then one of the RFID tags12A, 12B missing from the list has been found, and the
reader 10 reports such to the user and/orhost 23. Thereader 10 provides the user indication by activating thespeaker 66 to “beep” instep 514, and activating or “flashing” the Green RFID relatedLED 76 instep 516. If the read characteristic data string corresponds to, or matches any of the stored characteristic data strings, then one of the RFID tags 12A, 12B missing from the list has not been found, and thereader 10 reports such to the user, and/orhost 23. Thereader 10 provides the user indication by activating thespeaker 66 to “click” instep 524, and activating or “flashing” the Red RFIDrelated LED 84 instep 526. - After providing the user indications, the
microprocessor 46 determines whether thereader 10 is finished reading, instep 528. If the reading is finished, the returned Boolean value (i.e., DONE) causes control to pass to an end of theexclusive search routine 500 instep 518. If the reading is not finished, the returned Boolean value (i.e., NOT DONE) causes the radio to continue receiving response signals, passing control to step 508. - Often a user desires to make a physical association between the data read from one of the RFID tags12A, 12B and a particular object or item 14 (FIG. 1). While the RFID tag 12A, 12B may be attached to, or contained with the item, it can be difficult to identify the particular RFID tag 12A, 12B that is being read. For example, trying to identify one or more bags in a cargo hold, or cargo container on an airliner is difficult and time consuming using only RFID tags 12A, 12B. Each bag would have to be isolated and the RFID tag 12A, 12B read to ensure that the read data came from the RFID tag 12A, 12B associated with the particular bag. At least one proposed solution involves placing human-perceptible indicators on each of the RFID tags, as disclosed in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 09/, filed, 1999, and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HUMAN-PERCEPTIBLE IDENTIFICATION OF MEMORY DEVICES, SUCH AS RFID TAGS” (Atty. Docket No. 480062.663). This solution can be relatively expensive since each RFID tag 12A, 12B requires its own human-perceptible indicator which complicates RFID tag manufacture.
- FIG. 13 shows a
method 600 of associating the read data from the RFID tag 12A, 12B with a particular one of theitems 14. Theassociation method 600 assumes that an RFID tag 12A, 12B has already been read, a characteristic data string retrieved and stored, for example, in the characteristicdata string buffer 49. The user can start theassociation method 600 instep 602, as discussed generally above. Alternatively, thereader 10 can be configured to automatically start theassociation method 600 atstep 602. Instep 668, themicroprocessor 46 enters the symbol reading mode. The user activates thetrigger 20 instep 670, causing themicroprocessor 46 to activate theimage sensor 52 to read the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B at which thereader 10 is directed. Instep 672, theimage sensor 52 acquires data from the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B by scanning, digitizing, or by any commonly known methods in the relevant art. As part of acquiring the data, themicroprocessor 46, or a dedicated processor (not shown), decodes the image to acquire a characteristic data string encoded in the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B. Methods and apparatus for acquiring data from machine-readable symbols are commonly known in the art, and are specifically taught in The Bar Code Handbook 3rd Ed, by Palmer, Roger C, Helmers Publishing, Inc. (ISBN 0-911261-09-5), and, in the interest of brevity, will not be described in further detail. - To determine whether the machine-readable symbol24A, 24B that the
reader 10 is pointing at is associated with the RFID tag data read by thereader 10, themicroprocessor 46 compares a characteristic data string read from the RFID tag 12A, 12B with the characteristic data string read from the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B, instep 620. The user can visually associate the RFID tag 12A, 12B with the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B since the RFID tag 12A includes the machine-readable symbol 24A, or the RFID tag 12B and machine-readable symbol 24B are carried by thesame item 14, or can be visually associated is some other manner. The user can therefore determine that the data is from a particular RFID tag 12A, 12B when a match is indicated by thereader 10. - If the characteristic data string from the machine-readable symbol24A, 24B corresponds to, or matches, the characteristic data string from the RFID tag 12A,12B, the
reader 10 provides an indication that an association exists. To provide the indication, themicroprocessor 46 Activates thespeaker 66 to emit a single “beep” instep 614 and activates or “flashes” the Green RFID relatedLED 76 and the Green symbol relatedLED 78 instep 674. The RFID related and the symbol relatedLEDs - In
step 676, themicroprocessor 46 can turn OFF theimage sensor 52 after having found an association. Instep 612, thereader 10 can report the data, for example transmitting the RFID data to thehost 23 via thecommunications port 38 andinterface 22. Instep 676, thereader 10 can receive a direction or command from thehost 23 via theinterface 22 and thecommunications port 38. Instep 678, themicroprocessor 46 determines whether the buffer should be modified based on the command from thehost 23. If the buffer is to be modified, themicroprocessor 46 modifies the buffer atstep 680, and passes control to an end of theassociation method 600 instep 618. Otherwise, themicroprocessor 46 passes control directly to the end of the association method, instep 600, without modifying the buffer. - If the characteristic data string from the machine-readable symbol24A, 24B does not correspond to, or match the characteristic data string from the RFID tag 12A,12B, the
reader 10 provides an indication that an association does not exist. To provide the indication, themicroprocessor 46 activates thespeaker 66 to emit a three “Beeps” instep 682, and activates or “flashes” the Red RFIDrelated LED 84 and the Green symbol relatedLED 78 insteps LED 78 is flashed to indicate that a symbol has been successfully read, while the Red RFID related 84 is flashed to indicate that the data is not associated with the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B, further providing consistency across the user interface. Themicroprocessor 46 proceeds to the end of themethod 600, instep 618. - FIG. 14 shows a
method 700, in which thereader 10 automatically reads the machine-readable symbol when thereader 10 is within a defined proximity of the RFID tag 12A, and hence within the defined proximity of the machine-readable symbol 24A. The automated symbol reading feature provides numerous benefits, for example the automated symbol reading feature can simplify operation of the reader, and/or reduce the probability of user error. The automated symbol reading feature can also reduce the amount of labor required to operate thereader 10, and can even eliminate the need for a human operator. Themethod 700 of FIG. 14 can be used as part of, or with, many of the previously described methods. - The
antenna 42 in thereader 10 can be directionally sensitive. The directionallysensitive antenna 42 has a directional range, in other words, the antenna is more sensitive in certain directions than other directions. As thereader 10 approaches a particular RFID tag 12A, 12B, that RFID tag 12A, 12B spends a higher percentage of time within the range of thereader 10. In contrast, other RFID tags 12A, 12B are in the range a lower percentage of time. Thus, as thereader 10 comes within a predefined proximity of the RFID tag 12A, 12B, the number of “hits” (i.e., reading an RFID tag having a desired characteristic data string) will increase, and the number of “misses” (i.e., reading RFID tags not having the desired characteristic data string) will decrease. The user may recognize this from an increase in the number of “Beeps” and a decrease in the number of “Clicks” emitted by thereader 10. Themicroprocessor 46 in thereader 10, can keep track of the number of hits and the number of misses for some unit length of time, steps 786, 788, respectively. Themicroprocessor 46 can determine a ratio of the number of hits per unit of time and the number of misses per unit of time. Alternatively, thehost 23 can process the same information. - In
step 790, themicroprocessor 46 determines whether the ratio of hits to misses exceeds a symbol reading threshold. If the ratio does not exceed the symbol reading threshold, themicroprocessor 46 returns to step 786 and thereader 10 continues to read the RFID tags 12A, 12B, continually revising and checking the ratio against the threshold. - If the ratio exceeds the symbol reading threshold, the
microprocessor 46 turns theimage sensor 52 ON, for example, switching from the RFID reading mode to the symbol reading mode instep 768. Themicroprocessor 46 controls theimage sensor 52 to image and decode the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B in 772. Instep 774, themicroprocessor 46 turns theimage sensor 52 OFF, thereby conserving power. Instep 720, themicroprocessor 46 compares the characteristic data string-from the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B to the characteristic data string from the RFID tag 12A, 12B. - If the characteristic data string from the machine-readable symbol24A, 24B corresponds to, or matches, the characteristic data string from the RFID tag 12A, 12B, the
reader 10 provides an indication that an association exists. To provide the indication, themicroprocessor 46 activates thespeaker 66 to emit a single “Beep” instep 714 and activates or “flashes” the Green RFID relatedLED 76 and the Green symbol relatedLED 78 instep 774. The RFID related and the symbol relatedLEDs - In712, the
reader 10 can report the data, for example automatically transmitting the RFID data to thehost 23 via thecommunications port 38 andinterface 22. Instep 776, thereader 10 can receive a direction or command from thehost 23 via theinterface 22 and thecommunications port 38. Instep 778, themicroprocessor 46 determines whether the characteristicdata string buffer 49 should be modified based on the command from thehost 23. If thebuffer 49 is to be modified, themicroprocessor 46 modifies the buffer atstep 780, and passes control to an end of theassociation method 700 atstep 718. Otherwise, themicroprocessor 46 passes control directly to the end of theassociation method 700 atstep 718 without modifying the characteristicdata string buffer 49. - If the characteristic data string from the machine-readable symbol24A, 24B does not correspond to, or match the characteristic data string from the RFID tag 12A,12B, the
reader 10 provides an indication that the association does not exist. Themicroprocessor 46 activates thespeaker 66 to emit three “Beeps” instep 782, and activates or “flashes” the Green symbol relatedLED 78 and the Red RFIDrelated LED 84 insteps LED 78 is flashed to indicate that a symbol has been successfully read, while the Red RFID related 84 is flashed to indicate that the data is not associated with the machine-readable symbol 24A, 24B, further providing consistency across the user interface. - The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above U.S. patents, patent applications and publications referred to in this specification are incorporated by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
- Although specific embodiments of and examples data carrier readers and reading are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein of the invention can be applied to any data carrier reader, not necessarily the exemplary combination RFID tag and symbol reader generally described above.
- For example, some of the structures and methods can be used with readers capable of reading only RFID tags. Some of the structures and methods can be used with readers capable of reading only machine-readable symbols. Some of the structures and methods can be suitable with readers for other data carriers, such as optical tags and touch memory devices. The methods and structures are generally applicable with other wireless memory devices, not just radio frequency, and the term RFID as used herein is meant encompass wireless memory devices operating in all ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, not only the radio frequency portion. Similarly, the structures and methods disclosed can work with any variety of modulation techniques, including, but not limited to, amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation and/or pulse width modulation. The structures and methods can also be applied to various machine-readable symbologies, including, but not limited to, bar codes, stacked codes, area and/or matrix codes. The
image sensor 52 can be any type of image capture device, including laser scanners, one- and two-dimensional charged coupled devices, Vidicons, and the like. - These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all apparatus and methods that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.
Claims (34)
1. A method of automatically searching RFID tags, comprising:
storing a number of characteristic data strings in a memory;
reading respective characteristic data strings from each of a number of RFID tags;
comparing each of the read characteristic data strings to the characteristic data strings stored in the memory; and
producing a first human-perceptible indication each time one of the read characteristic data string matches one of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the comparing a first one of the read characteristic data strings occurs before the reading a second one of the characteristic data strings.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the comparing a first one of the read characteristic data strings occurs after the reading at least a second one of the characteristic data strings.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication each time one of the read characteristic data strings do not match at least one of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication if each of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory matches at least a respective one of the read characteristic data strings.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication if each of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory matches at least a respective one of the read characteristic data strings; and
producing a third human-perceptible indication alert if at least one of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory does not match at least one of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting an enable signal to a first one of the RFID tags that has a respective characteristic data string that matches one of characteristic data strings stored in the memory, the enable signal comprising a command to activate a human-perceptible indicator on the first one of the RFID tags.
8. A method of automatically searching RFID tags, comprising:
storing a number of characteristic data strings in a buffer;
reading a respective characteristic data strings from each of a number of RFID tags; and
identifying the RFID tags having the respective characteristic data strings that correspond to the characteristic data strings stored in the buffer.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein identifying the RFID tags includes comparing at least a portion of each of the read characteristic data strings to at least one of the characteristic data strings stored in the buffer.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the identifying a first one of the RFID tags occurs before the reading a second one of the RFID tags.
11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
producing a human-perceptible indication corresponding to the number of identified RFID tags.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
producing a human-perceptible indication for each of the identified RFID tags.
13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
producing a human-perceptible indication having a characteristic that varies corresponding to the number of identified RFID tags.
14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication each time one of the read characteristic data strings matches at least one of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory.
15. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication if all of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory match at least a respective one the read characteristic data strings.
16. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
relaying data from the identified RFID tags to a host computer.
17. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
transmitting an enable signal to a first one of the RFID tags that has a respective characteristic data string that matches one of characteristic data strings stored in the memory, the enable signal comprising a command to activate a human-perceptible indicator on the first one of the RFID tags.
18. A method of automatically searching RFID tags, comprising:
storing a number of characteristic data strings in a memory;
reading a respective characteristic data string from each of a number of RFID tags;
comparing each of the read characteristic data strings to the characteristic data strings stored in the memory; and
producing a first human-perceptible indication each time one of the read characteristic data string does not matches at least one of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the comparing a first one of the read characteristic data strings occurs before the reading a second one of the characteristic data strings.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the comparing a first one of the read characteristic data strings occurs after the reading at least a second one of the characteristic data strings.
21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication each time one of the read characteristic data strings matches at least one of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory.
22. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication if none of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory match any of the read characteristic data strings.
23. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication if none of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory match any of the read characteristic data strings; and
producing a third human-perceptible indication if each of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory matches at least a respective one of the read characteristic data strings.
24. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
transmitting an enable signal to a first one of the RFID tags that has a respective characteristic data string that does not match any of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory, the enable signal comprising a command to activate a human-perceptible indicator on the RFID tag.
25. A method of automatically searching RFID tags, comprising:
storing a number of characteristic data strings in a buffer;
reading a respective characteristic data string from each of a number of RFID tags; and
identifying the RFID tags having characteristic data strings that do not correspond to the characteristic data strings stored in the buffer.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein identifying the RFID tags includes comparing each of the read characteristic data strings to each of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein the identifying a first one of the RFID tags occurs before the reading a second one of the RFID tags.
28. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
producing a human-perceptible indication corresponding to the number of identified RFID tags.
29. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
producing a human-perceptible indication for each of the identified RFID tags.
30. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
producing a human-perceptible indication for each of the identified RFID tags.
31. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication each time one of the read characteristic data strings matches at least one of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory.
32. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
producing a second human-perceptible indication if none of the characteristic data strings stored in the memory match any of the read characteristic data strings.
33. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
relaying data from the identified RFID tags to a host computer.
34. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
transmitting an enable signal to a first one of the RFID tags that has a respective characteristic data string that does not match one of characteristic data strings stored in the memory, the enable signal comprising a command to activate a human-perceptible indicator on the first one of the RFID tags.
Priority Applications (1)
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US09/911,965 US20020008140A1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2001-07-23 | Method and apparatus to perform a predefined search on data carriers, such as RFID tags |
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US09/401,363 US6286762B1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 1999-09-21 | Method and apparatus to perform a predefined search on data carriers, such as RFID tags |
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US09/401,363 Division US6286762B1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 1999-09-21 | Method and apparatus to perform a predefined search on data carriers, such as RFID tags |
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US09/401,363 Expired - Lifetime US6286762B1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 1999-09-21 | Method and apparatus to perform a predefined search on data carriers, such as RFID tags |
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