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WO2020206181A1 - Association d'identifiants d'actifs corrélés - Google Patents

Association d'identifiants d'actifs corrélés Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020206181A1
WO2020206181A1 PCT/US2020/026475 US2020026475W WO2020206181A1 WO 2020206181 A1 WO2020206181 A1 WO 2020206181A1 US 2020026475 W US2020026475 W US 2020026475W WO 2020206181 A1 WO2020206181 A1 WO 2020206181A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tag
identifier
reader
asset
association
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2020/026475
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English (en)
Inventor
Erik Volkerink
Ajay Khoche
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Trackonomy Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Trackonomy Systems Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Trackonomy Systems Inc filed Critical Trackonomy Systems Inc
Publication of WO2020206181A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020206181A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/083—Shipping
    • G06Q10/0833—Tracking

Definitions

  • a supplier and a company may manage different aspects of a task, such as shipping goods to the company’s customers.
  • the company may have its own information technology process for identifying assets (or items) being shipped that is different from the supplier’s parcel’s tracking identification system.
  • the company and the supplier may use different asset identification technologies, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies and barcode technologies.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • the invention features a reader system that correlates identifiers based on their temporal or spatial proximity to one another.
  • the reader system includes a radio frequency reader configured to read a first tag attached to an asset and including a first identifier, where the radio frequency reader is configured to advertise its presence to the first tag and establish a wireless
  • the reader system includes a second reader configured to read a second tag attached to the asset and including a second identifier, where the second reader is configured to direct first electromagnetic waves at the second tag to receive second electromagnetic waves including the second identifier.
  • the reader system also includes an association module configured to store an association between the first identifier and the second identifier predicated on the first tag and the second tag satisfying a temporal or spatial proximity condition.
  • the invention also features apparatus operable to implement the method described above and computer-readable media storing computer-readable instructions causing a computer to implement the method described above.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system for reading and correlating asset identifiers.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of an example wireless communications adhesive product storing an identifier.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a network for implementing an example system for reading and correlating asset identifiers.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an example process for correlating asset identifiers.
  • FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrammatic views of example techniques for reading and correlating asset identifiers.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of an asset conveyor system that includes different components for reading asset identifiers.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example computer apparatus.
  • Example embodiments described herein generally relate to
  • identification systems and methods for automatically associating two or more identifiers that bridge different identification systems relate to systems, methods, and computer program instructions for automatically associating identifiers for shipping, tracking, logistics, and other purposes.
  • data object refers to an addressable data file or a subset thereof.
  • the term“metadata” include information about data objects or characteristics thereof.
  • module refers to hardware, software, or firmware, or a combination thereof.
  • a supply chain involves a company and its suppliers and customers.
  • the suppliers provide goods or services, or both, to the company.
  • the suppliers and the company manage different aspects of a task, such as shipping goods to the company’s customers.
  • the company has its own information technology process for identifying assets (or items) being shipped.
  • the company may use a particular parcel tracking identification system that is different from the supplier’s parcel’s tracking identification system.
  • the company and the supplier may use different asset identification technologies, including radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies and barcode technologies. What are needed are automated identification techniques that seamlessly and accurately bridge the differences between the company’s and the supplier’s identification systems to enable more useful and advanced product and service offerings such as realtime tracking of shipment location and status.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example system 10 for reading and correlating identifiers relating to an asset.
  • the system 10 includes an association module 12.
  • the association module 12 is communicably connected to each of a first reader 14, a second reader 16, a third reader 18, and a camera 20.
  • An asset 22 may be any type of good or other item.
  • the asset 22 is depicted as a box containing one or more goods or other assets. In general, the asset 22 may be any type of item.
  • the asset 22 is associated with tags, including a first asset tag 24, a second asset tag 26, and a wireless adhesive product 28 that includes a first adhesive product tag 30 and a second adhesive product tag 32.
  • the first and second asset tags 24, 26 typically are associated with the company and the wireless adhesive product tags 30, 32 typically are associated with the supplier.
  • each of the first asset tag 24 and the second asset tag 26 may include either a RFID tag that is associated with a respective a globally unique identification number or a barcode that is associated with a respective a globally unique identification number.
  • the barcode may include any type of one-dimensional barcode (also referred to as a linear barcode) or any type of two-dimensional barcode (also referred to as a matrix barcode).
  • the first asset tag 24 is a RFID tag
  • the second asset tag 26 is a barcode
  • the first wireless adhesive product tag 30 may be any type of RF wireless communications tag
  • the second wireless adhesive product tag 32 may be any type of RFID tag.
  • the first reader 14 may be, for example, a wireless RF scanner device that is configured to communicate with the first adhesive product tag 30 of the wireless adhesive product 28.
  • Example wireless RF scanner devices include a Bluetooth scanner (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy scanner), a near field communication (NFC) scanner, a LoRaWAN scanner, and a cellular scanner.
  • a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) scanner is configured to locate and communicate with BLE adhesive product tags within the scanner’s range. In this process, the BLE scanner advertises its presence with a specific authentication identifier and credentials.
  • a BLE adhesive product tag When a BLE adhesive product tag receives data from the BLE scanner, the BLE adhesive product tag establishes a handshake with the BLE scanner on the corresponding advertisement channel. Then the BLE adhesive product tag hands off communication with the BLE scanner to a data channel (e.g., a BLE data channel).
  • the BLE adhesive product tag learns the BLE scanner’s product identification number (PIN) and type identification number (TIN) and transmits that information to a network service to let the network service know that the BLE scanner is communicating with the BLE adhesive product tag.
  • PIN product identification number
  • TIN type identification number
  • Scanners and peripheral adhesive product tags for LoRaWAN, cellular, ZigBee, and other wireless communications operate in accordance with analogous communications protocols.
  • the second reader 16 may be, for example, a RFID reader that is configured to interrogate the second wireless adhesive product tag 32, which is a RFID tag.
  • the RFID tag 32 may be configured with a fixed packet of read-only data that can be transmitted to a RFID reader (e.g., RFID reader 16) within range of the RFID tag 32.
  • the RFID tag 32 typically can be reprogrammed with different data, as needed.
  • the RFID reader 16 may read the RFID tag 32.
  • the typical range of the RFID reader 16 may be 10 centimeters to 100 centimeters from the RFID tag 32.
  • the range of the RFID reader 16 is approximately 5 centimeters to 20 centimeters from the RFID tag 32.
  • data is transmitted on modulated radio frequency electromagnetic waves between the RFID reader 16 and the RFID tag 32.
  • the RFID reader 16 transmits an electric or magnetic field that is sensed by the RFID tag 32.
  • the RFID tag 32 transmits data (including a globally unique identification number) that typically is stored in a microchip associated with the RFID tag 32.
  • the RFID tag 32 may be an active RFID tag or a passive RFID tag.
  • Active RFID tags include local power sources (e.g., batteries) for sending data packets to a RFID reader.
  • Passive RFID tags do not require any local power sources to transmit data packets to a RFID reader; instead, passive RFID tags are powered by inductive or capacitive coupling between the RFID reader and the RFID tag.
  • a passive RFID tag is configured to couple to the magnetic fields generated by a RFID reader.
  • each of the RFID reader and the RFID tag includes a respective set of one or more electrically conducting coils.
  • the RFID reader uses its power source to generate an electric current in the set of coils to generate magnetic fields that induce a current in the set of coils in the RFID tag.
  • the induced current powers the RFID tag to generate a wireless RFID signal that is transmitted to the RFID reader.
  • a passive RFID tag is configured to capacitively couple with a corresponding RFID reader through capacitive coupling plates. In this process, the RFID reader generates an alternating electric field that causes the RFID tag to transfer data to the RFID reader.
  • capacitively coupled RFID readers and tags can only transfer information across short distances and therefore are typically limited to near-field applications.
  • the third reader 18 may be, for example, a barcode reader that is configured to read the second tag 26 that includes a barcode.
  • the barcode reader 18 includes a terminal device 34 and a decoder processing unit.
  • the terminal device 34 may include a light source, a lens, and a light sensor that converts optical impulses reflected from the barcode into electrical signals that are input into a decoder circuit in the decoder processing unit.
  • the decoder circuit processes the barcode image data captured by the light sensor to generate electrical output data, which may include, for example, a globally unique identification number associated with the barcode.
  • the decoder processing unit is incorporated into the local terminal device 34. In other embodiments, the decoder processing unit is incorporated into a separate processing system (e.g., a network server system).
  • the camera 20 may be, for example, a still image camera and/or a video camera.
  • the camera 20 is configured to capture images of at least a portion of the asset 22.
  • the camera 20 is configured to capture an image of a view of each asset moving on an automated conveyor system.
  • the camera 20 is configured to automatically detect the locations of tags on the asset 22 and to automatically capture images of one or more views of the tags.
  • the camera 20 is configured to capture an image of the second adhesive product tag 32 and the first asset tag 24 on one side of the asset 22 within the camera view 36.
  • Other examples may include multiple cameras to capture one or more images of one or more views of the asset 22.
  • two or more of the first reader 14, the second reader 16, the third reader 18, and the camera 20 may be integrated into a single component.
  • the first reader 14 and the second reader 16 may be integrated into a RF scanning component configured to communicate with and read data from the wireless adhesive product 28 and the RFID tag 24 (l.e., the“First Tag”), and the third barcode reader 18 (including the terminal device 34) and the camera 20 may be incorporated into an imaging component of the system 10.
  • camera 20 may be configured to capture images of the barcodes and send the captured barcode images to an image processing module (e.g., the association module 12 or an intermediate decoder module) that is configured to analyze and process the captured barcode images to generate output data including, for example, the globally unique identification numbers encoded within the barcodes.
  • an image processing module e.g., the association module 12 or an intermediate decoder module
  • the camera 20 would perform the imaging functions of the third reader 18 (including the terminal device 34), and the association module 12 would perform the analyzing and decoder processing functions to generate the output data.
  • the wireless adhesive product 28 can perform a variety of functions including, for example, adhesive tape functions (e.g., sealing assets) or adhesive label functions (e.g., labeling assets), sensing functions (e.g., monitoring or sensing the status or state of a shipment), and wireless
  • the supplier provides the company with the wireless adhesive product 28, as well as tracking and reporting services.
  • the wireless adhesive product 28 can be divided into segments, where each segment of the wireless adhesive product includes at least one respective globally unique identifier stored in an memory device embedded in the wireless adhesive product.
  • the company and the supplier use different systems of identifying assets that are packaged and shipped.
  • the company utilizes RFID or barcode tags to identify the company’s assets
  • the supplier utilizes a wireless adhesive product in the form of a tape or a label that includes a globally unique identifier stored in a memory embedded in the tape or label, along with other components including wireless communications components, data processing components, locationing components, and sensing components.
  • the association module 12 receives output data generated by two or more of the first reader 14, the second reader 16, the third reader 18, and the camera 20.
  • the association module 12 associates the tag data received from two or more of the tags predicated on the tags satisfying a temporal or spatial proximity condition with respect to the asset 22.
  • temporal and spatial proximity conditions include: (1 ) a determination that one tag and another tag are both physically associated with the same asset; (2) a determination that one tag and another tag both appear in a single image of the asset; (3) a determination that one tag and another tag are read contemporaneously; and (4) a determination that a tag from one source (e.g., the supplier) and a tag from a different source (e.g., the company) are read consecutively where, in some embodiments, the association module 12 generates an error message in response to a determination that that two consecutive tag reads are from the same source (i.e., at least two tags sourced from the supplier are read consecutively, or at least two tags sourced from the company are read consecutively).
  • the determination that one tag and another tag are both physically associated with an asset can be made using short-range scanners that have limited ranges for scanning tags on the asset 22 (e.g., 5 centimeters to 20 centimeters, depending on the size of the asset 22).
  • short-range scanners include short-range RFID scanners and near field communications (NFC) scanners, which have ranges on the order of 5 centimeters to 20 centimeters, for example.
  • NFC near field communications
  • a determination that one tag and another tag are both physically associated with the asset 22 can be made by applying image processing techniques (e.g., barcode decoding techniques) to detect features in an image of the asset 22 that correspond to the two tags.
  • image processing techniques e.g., barcode decoding techniques
  • a determination that one tag and another tag are read contemporaneously can be made when consecutive timestamp data corresponding to the read times of the tags satisfy a temporal proximity condition (e.g., the difference between the read times of the tags is within a specified period of time).
  • a determination that a tag from one source (e.g., the supplier) and a tag from a different source (e.g., the company) are read consecutively can be made by analyzing a sequence of the timestamp data from a one of the tags to another one of the tags, and determining whether or not an
  • the wireless adhesive product 28 instead of associating the identifier of the wireless adhesive product 28 directly with the identifier in the company’s RFID tag 24 on the asset 22, the wireless adhesive product 28 includes an RFID tag 32 that can be read contemporaneously with other RFID tags within range of the RFID scanner that are being scanned (e.g., the RFID identifier stored in the first tag 24).
  • the identifier of the wireless adhesive product 28 and the identifier of the RFID tag 32 are embedded in the same segment of the supplier’s wireless adhesive product 28.
  • the supplier typically stores the association between the identifier of the wireless adhesive product 28 and the identifier of the RFID tag 32 in its own association database 38, which may be stored by the supplier in cloud storage or in the memory of the wireless adhesive product 28 (e.g., the tape or label).
  • the association module 12 can associate the identifier of the RFID tag 32 with the identifier of RFID tag 24 predicated on the RFID tags 24, 32 satisfying a temporal or a spatial proximity condition with respect to the asset 22.
  • a determination that the RFID tags 24 and 32 are both physically associated with the asset 22 can be made by applying image processing techniques to detect features in a single image of the asset 22 that correspond to the two RFID tags 24, 32.
  • a determination that the RFID tags 24 and 32 are read contemporaneously can be made when consecutive timestamp data corresponding to the read times of the RFID tags 24 and 32 satisfy a temporal proximity condition (e.g., the difference in the read times of the tags are within a specified period of time).
  • the third reader 18 may be a barcode reader that is configured to read the second tag 26, which includes a barcode.
  • the association module 12 can associate the barcode identifier of the second tag 26 with the RFID identifier of the first tag 24 based on an image of the asset 22 that is captured by the camera 20 and includes the first and second tags 24, 26 within the captured image.
  • the association module 12 stores the determined chain of associations between the different identifiers in a table 40 of a database 38.
  • the table 40 may be used by an asset management system to track assets, monitor the status or state of a particular asset, and report the status and condition of an asset.
  • the association database 38 includes a table 40 of identifiers organized in a set of rows. Each row of identifiers is associated with a respective asset. For example, row 1 corresponds to the identifiers that are associated with asset 1 , and row 2 corresponds to the identifiers that are associated with asset 2, and so on.
  • Each row of associated identifiers enables the supplier, for example, to generate a report of the location, status, and condition of the associated asset as the asset travels through an asset management network by associating, for example, a scanned bar code identifier or a transmitted RFID data packet with the corresponding wireless adhesive product identifier.
  • FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an example segment 102 of the wireless adhesive product 28 that includes a respective set of the components of a wireless transducing circuit.
  • the flexible adhesive tape platform segment 102 includes an adhesive layer 112, an optional flexible substrate 110, and an optional adhesive layer 114 on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate 110. If the bottom adhesive layer 114 is present, a release liner (not shown) may be weakly adhered to the bottom surface of the adhesive layer 114.
  • the adhesive layer 114 includes an adhesive (e.g., an acrylic foam adhesive) that has a high bond strength that is sufficient to prevent removal of the adhesive segment 102 from a surface on which the adhesive layer 114 is adhered without destroying the physical or mechanical integrity of the adhesive segment 102 and/or one or more of its constituent components.
  • the optional flexible substrate 110 is implemented as a prefabricated adhesive tape that includes the adhesive layers 112, 114 and the optional release liner. In other examples, the adhesive layers 112, 114 are applied to the top and bottom surfaces of the flexible substrate 110 during the fabrication of the adhesive tape platform 100.
  • the adhesive layer 112 bonds the flexible substrate 110 to a bottom surface of a flexible circuit 116, that includes one or more wiring layers (not shown) that connect the processor 90, one or more antennas connected to a wireless communications interface 81 (e.g., a low power interface, such as Zigbee or Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) interfaces, or other communications interfaces, such as LoRaWAN and cellular interfaces), a timer circuit 83, transducing and/or energy harvesting component(s) 94 (if present), a memory 96 that stores an identifier (ID) of the wireless adhesive product 28, an energy storage component 92, and other components in a device layer 122 that are interconnected through the flexible circuit 116. These components enable the transducing, tracking and other functionalities of the flexible adhesive tape platform segment 102.
  • the wireless communications interface 81 typically includes one or more of the antennas 84, 88 and one or more of the wireless circuits 82, 86.
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a network 200 that administers wired and wireless network communications between an asset management service 202 and a wireless RF reader 204 and an imaging device 206.
  • the network 200 may include one or more of the internet, a private network, a cellular network, a LoRaWAN network, a Bluetooth Low Energy network, and any other suitable communications networks.
  • the wireless RF reader 204 is configured to read data from one or more types of wireless devices.
  • the wireless RF reader 204 is configured to retrieve an identifier (ID) 206 of the wireless adhesive product 208 on an asset 210.
  • the wireless RF reader 204 executes the process by stepping through the appropriate communications protocol to read the ID 206 stored in the wireless adhesive product.
  • the wireless RF reader 204 typically includes one or more processors, memory, one or more communications interfaces, and one or more antennas that collectively operate to implement the reading process.
  • the imaging device 212 may be any suitable type of still image camera or video camera that is configured to capture an image of the asset 210 that includes one or both of the barcodes 214, 216.
  • the imaging device 212 is capable of decoding the barcodes 214, 216 that are captured in the one or more images.
  • the imaging device 212 is configured to transmit the captured images of the barcodes 214, 216 to the network service 202 for processing.
  • the network service 202 is configured to analyze and decode the barcodes appearing in the images 214, 216.
  • the asset management service 202 controls the operations of the wireless RF reader 204 and the imaging device 212.
  • the asset management service 202 also typically manages the process of associating identifiers with one another.
  • the asset management service 202 is the same entity as the supplier of the wireless adhesive product 208 described above. Therefore, since the supplier/asset management service 202 manufactured the wireless adhesive product 208, the asset management service 202 readily can associate the identifiers of the wireless adhesive product 208 and the barcode 214.
  • the asset management service 202 is configured to store an association between the identifier 206 of the wireless adhesive product 208 and the barcode 214 in the database 218.
  • the asset management service 202 also is operable to link the wireless adhesive product identifier 206 with the company’s bar code 216 on the asset 210. Such a link would associate the wireless adhesive product identifier 206 with the identifier that is used by the company for the asset and thereby enable the supplier to use the company’s identifier associated with the barcode 216 to report information regarding tracking shipment location, status, and other related information.
  • a determination that the supplier’s barcode tag 214 and the company’s barcode tag 216 are both physically associated with the asset 22 can be made by applying image processing techniques (e.g., barcode decoding techniques) to detect features that correspond to the two barcode tags 214, 216 in a single image of the asset 210.
  • image processing techniques e.g., barcode decoding techniques
  • a determination that a tag from one source (e.g., the supplier) and a tag from a different source (e.g., the company) are read consecutively can be made by analyzing a sequence of the timestamp data from one of the tags to the other and determining whether or not an intervening tag was read at a time between the read times of the two tags.
  • FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of an example process of associating identifiers associated with different sources.
  • a radio frequency reader is directed to read a first tag attached to an asset and including a first identifier (FIG. 4, block 250).
  • the radio frequency reader is directed to advertise its presence to the first tag and establish a wireless communications channel with the first tag to retrieve the first identifier from the first tag.
  • a second reader is instructed to read a second tag attached to the asset and including a second identifier (FIG. 4, block 252).
  • first electromagnetic waves are directed toward the second tag to receive reflected second electromagnetic waves comprising the second identifier.
  • An association between the first identifier and the second identifier is stored predicated on the first tag and the second tag satisfying a temporal or spatial proximity condition (FIG. 4, block 254).
  • FIGS. 5A-5C show various exemplary systems and methods of reading and correlating identifiers on assets.
  • FIG. 5A shows an example wireless RF reader 300 that includes a RFID transceiver 302 configured to read data from a first RFID tag 304 adhered to an asset 306 and a second RFID tag 308 embedded in a wireless adhesive product 310 adhered to the same asset 306.
  • Each of the RFID tags 304, 308 may be configured with a respective fixed packet of read-only data (including, e.g., a respective tag identifier) that can be wirelessly transmitted to the RFID transceiver 302 of the wireless RF reader 300.
  • the wireless RF reader 300 When the wireless RF reader 300 is moved within range of one or both of the RFID tags 304, 308 and communicates in the same radio-frequency range as the RFID tags 304, 308, the wireless RF reader 300 may read the respective identifier and other data from the RFID tags 304, 308 contemporaneously or consecutively.
  • the wireless RF reader transmits the data its reads from the RFID tags 304, 308 to the network service 202 (see FIG. 3).
  • the wireless RF reader 300 transmits the data to the wireless adhesive product 310, which stores the data read by the wireless RF reader 300 in the memory component and transmits the stored data to the network service 202.
  • either the wireless RF reader 300 or the wireless adhesive product 310 transmits the data read by the wireless RF reader 300 to the network service 202.
  • the network service 202 is configured to create an association between the RFID tags 304, 308 predicated on the tags satisfying a temporal or spatial proximity condition with respect to the asset 306, as explained herein. Based on a determination that the proximity condition is satisfied, the network service 202 may store the association in the association database 218 or in the memory of the wireless adhesive product adhered to the asset 306. In some examples, during manufacture of the wireless adhesive product 310, the network service 202 stores an association between the identifier of the RFID tag 308 and the identifier stored in the wireless adhesive product 310 in the association database 218 or in the memory of the wireless adhesive product 310. In some examples, the wireless RF reader 300 also is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless adhesive product 310 and read the identifier stored in the memory component of the wireless adhesive product 310.
  • FIG. 5B shows an example of an imaging device 320 that is configured to capture images of visible features on an asset 322.
  • the asset 322 includes a first barcode 324 adhered to the asset 322 and a second barcode 326 that is incorporated on the wireless adhesive product 326.
  • Each of the barcodes 324, 326 includes markings that encode respective identifiers and potentially other information.
  • the imaging device 320 is configured to capture a respective image of each barcode 324, 326.
  • the imaging device 320 also includes processing circuitry and processor executable instructions to read the respective barcodes 324, 326.
  • the imaging device 320 is operable to transmit the captured barcode images to the network service 202 to be decoded.
  • the imaging device 320 is operable to communicate with the wireless adhesive product 328, store the captured barcode images in the memory component of the wireless adhesive product, and transmit the captured barcode images or the decoded data to the network service 202.
  • either the imaging device 320 or the wireless adhesive product 328 transmits the image data or the decoded image data to the network service 202.
  • the network service 202 is configured to create an association between the barcodes 324, 326 predicated on the tags satisfying a temporal or spatial proximity condition with respect to the asset 322, as explained herein. Based on a determination that the proximity condition is satisfied, the network service 202 may store the association in the association database 218 or in the memory of the wireless adhesive product 328 adhered to the asset 322. In some examples, during manufacture of the wireless adhesive product 328, the network service 202 stores an association between the identifier of the barcode 326 and the identifier stored in the memory component of the wireless adhesive product 328 in the association database 218 or in the memory component of the wireless adhesive product 328. In some examples, the camera 320 also is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless adhesive product 328 and read the identifier stored in the memory component of the wireless adhesive product 328.
  • FIG. 5C shows an example of an imaging device 350 that is configured to capture images of visible features on an asset 352.
  • the imaging device 350 has a 180 degree field of view.
  • the asset 352 includes a RFID tag 354 adhered to the asset 352 and a barcode 356 that is incorporated on the wireless adhesive product 358.
  • Each of the RFID tag 354 and the barcode 356 stores respective identifiers and potentially other information.
  • the wireless RF reader 351 includes a RFID transceiver 353 that is configured to read data from the RFID tag 354 adhered to the asset 352.
  • the RFID tag 354 may be configured with a respective fixed packet of read-only data (e.g., a respective tag identifier) that can be wirelessly transmitted to the RFID transceiver 353 of the wireless RF reader 351.
  • the wireless RF reader 351 may read the respective identifier and other data from the RFID tag 354 contemporaneously or consecutively
  • the imaging device 350 is configured to capture a respective image of the barcode 356.
  • the imaging device 350 also includes processing circuitry and executable instructions to read the barcode 356.
  • the imaging device 350 is operable to transmit the captured barcode image to the network service 202 to be decoded.
  • the imaging device 350 is operable to communicate wirelessly with the wireless adhesive product 358, store the captured barcode image in the memory component of the wireless adhesive product 358, and transmit the captured barcode image or the decoded barcode data to the network service 202.
  • either the imaging device 350 or the wireless adhesive product 358 may transmit the image data or the decoded image data to the network service 202.
  • the network service 202 stores an association between the identifier of the barcode 356 and the identifier of the RFID tag 354 in the association database 218 or in the memory of the wireless adhesive product 328.
  • the imaging device 350 also is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless adhesive product 328 and read the identifiers stored in the memory component of the wireless adhesive product 358.
  • FIG. 6 shows a conveyor system 370 configured to convey assets through a scanning zone 372 configured with a wireless RF reader 374 and an imaging device 376 to implement an automated process for reading and associating asset identifiers.
  • the wireless RF reader 374 and the imaging device 376 are configured to perform one or more of the reader operations and identifier
  • the system memory 424 may include a read only memory (ROM) that stores a basic input/output system (BIOS) that contains start-up routines for the computer apparatus 420, and a random access memory (RAM).
  • ROM read only memory
  • BIOS basic input/output system
  • RAM random access memory
  • the system bus 426 may be a memory bus, a peripheral bus or a local bus, and may be compatible with any of a variety of bus protocols, including PCI, VESA, MicroChannel, ISA, and EISA.
  • the computer apparatus 420 also includes a persistent storage memory 428 (e.g., a hard drive, a floppy drive, a CD ROM drive, magnetic tape drives, flash memory devices, and digital video disks) that is connected to the system bus 426 and contains one or more computer-readable media disks that provide non-volatile or persistent storage for data, data structures and computer-executable instructions.
  • a persistent storage memory 428 e.g., a hard drive, a floppy drive, a CD ROM drive, magnetic tape drives, flash memory devices, and digital video disks
  • a user may interact (e.g., input commands or data) with the computer apparatus 420 using one or more input devices 430 (e.g. one or more keyboards, computer mice, microphones, cameras, joysticks, physical motion sensors, and touch pads). Information may be presented through a graphical user interface (GUI) that is presented to the user on a display monitor 432, which is controlled by a display controller 434.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the computer apparatus 320 also may include other input/output hardware (e.g., peripheral output devices, such as speakers and a printer).
  • the computer apparatus 420 connects to other network nodes through a network adapter 336 (also referred to as a“network interface card” or NIC).
  • a number of program modules may be stored in the system memory 424, including application programming interfaces 438 (APIs), an operating system (OS) 440 (e.g., the Windows® operating system available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington U.S.A.), software applications 441 including one or more software applications programming the computer apparatus 420 to perform one or more of the steps, tasks, operations, or processes of the hierarchical classification systems described herein, drivers 442 (e.g., a GUI driver), network transport protocols 444, and data 446 (e.g., input data, output data, program data, a registry, and configuration settings).
  • APIs application programming interfaces 438
  • OS operating system
  • software applications 441 including one or more software applications programming the computer apparatus 420 to perform one or more of the steps, tasks, operations, or processes of the hierarchical classification systems described herein
  • drivers 442 e.g., a GUI driver
  • network transport protocols 444 e.g., input data, output data, program data, a registry, and configuration settings
  • Examples of the subject matter described herein can be implemented in data processing apparatus (e.g., computer hardware and digital electronic circuitry) operable to perform functions by operating on input and generating output. Examples of the subject matter described herein also can be tangibly embodied in software or firmware, as one or more sets of computer instructions encoded on one or more tangible non-transitory carrier media (e.g., a machine readable storage device, substrate, or sequential access memory device) for execution by data processing apparatus.
  • data processing apparatus e.g., computer hardware and digital electronic circuitry
  • Examples of the subject matter described herein also can be tangibly embodied in software or firmware, as one or more sets of computer instructions encoded on one or more tangible non-transitory carrier media (e.g., a machine readable storage device, substrate, or sequential access memory device) for execution by data processing apparatus.
  • tangible non-transitory carrier media e.g., a machine readable storage device, substrate, or sequential access memory device

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Abstract

Selon la présente invention, un système de lecture (10) corrèle des identifiants sur la base de leur proximité temporelle ou spatiale l'un par rapport à l'autre. Un lecteur radiofréquence (14) lit une première étiquette (24) fixée à un actif (22) et comprend un premier identifiant. Le lecteur radiofréquence (14) annonce sa présence à la première étiquette (24) et établit un canal de communication sans fil avec la première étiquette (24) pour récupérer le premier identifiant à partir de la première étiquette (24). Un deuxième lecteur (18) lit une seconde étiquette (26) fixée à l'actif (22) et comprend un second identifiant. Le deuxième lecteur (16) dirige des premières ondes électromagnétiques au niveau de la seconde étiquette (26) pour recevoir des secondes ondes électromagnétiques comprenant le second identifiant. Un module d'association (12) mémorise une association entre le premier identifiant et le second identifiant prédits sur la première étiquette (24) et la seconde étiquette (26) satisfaisant une condition de proximité temporelle ou spatiale.
PCT/US2020/026475 2019-04-04 2020-04-02 Association d'identifiants d'actifs corrélés Ceased WO2020206181A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201962829627P 2019-04-04 2019-04-04
US62/829,627 2019-04-04

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WO2020206181A1 true WO2020206181A1 (fr) 2020-10-08

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110139871A1 (en) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-16 Carefusion 303, Inc. Methods and systems for tracking inventory using an rfid tag tape
US20120256728A1 (en) * 2011-04-08 2012-10-11 Savi Technology, Inc. Hierarchical fast collection procedure
US20140159869A1 (en) * 2012-12-07 2014-06-12 Hand Held Products Inc. Reading rfid tags in defined spatial locations
US9305283B1 (en) * 2014-12-17 2016-04-05 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Association of item identifiers
US20170011606A1 (en) * 2015-07-07 2017-01-12 Stefano Ceccon Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Transactions

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110139871A1 (en) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-16 Carefusion 303, Inc. Methods and systems for tracking inventory using an rfid tag tape
US20120256728A1 (en) * 2011-04-08 2012-10-11 Savi Technology, Inc. Hierarchical fast collection procedure
US20140159869A1 (en) * 2012-12-07 2014-06-12 Hand Held Products Inc. Reading rfid tags in defined spatial locations
US9305283B1 (en) * 2014-12-17 2016-04-05 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Association of item identifiers
US20170011606A1 (en) * 2015-07-07 2017-01-12 Stefano Ceccon Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Transactions

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