Radio frequency identification (rfid) system for manufacturing, distribution and retailing of keys

Abstract

An automated inventory control system including a merchandising rack for displaying one or more products that is located at a retail outlet store is disclosed herein. The merchandising rack receives or displays one or more products having associated electronic identification devices secured thereto. An electronic reading device automatically scans all of the one or more electronic identification devices and determines data related to the products without the need for a manual initiating a scan for each of the one or more electronic identification devices. A host computing device receives instructions to initiate a scan from the receiver, initiates the scan by, and receives the data from, an electronic reading device and causes data to be transmitted to a computer under the control of a distributor, supplier or manufacturer.

1 . An automated inventory control system comprising:
 a merchandising rack for displaying one or more products, wherein the merchandising rack is located at a retail outlet store;   an electronic identification device secured to one or more products displayed on the merchandising rack;   an electronic reading device associated with the merchandising rack;   the electronic reading device configured to automatically scan all of the one or more electronic identification devices and determine data related to the products displayed on the merchandising rack, without the need for a manual initiation of a scan for each of the one or more electronic identification devices;   a host computing device having a processer in electronic communication with the electronic reading device; a receiver and a transmitter;   the host computing device configured to receive instructions to initiate a scan from the receiver, initiate the scan by, and receive the data from, the electronic reading device and to transmit the data through the transmitter to a computer under the control of a distributor, supplier or manufacturer.   
     
     
         2 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the scanning is initiated from a computer under the control of a distributor, supplier or a manufacturer. 
     
     
         3 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the electronic identification device comprises a radio frequency identification device. 
     
     
         4 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 2  wherein the electronic reading device comprises a radio frequency identification device reader. 
     
     
         5 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more products comprise one or more key blanks. 
     
     
         6 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the merchandising rack comprises one or more spindles for holding the one or more products. 
     
     
         7 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the data related to the products includes a quantity of products. 
     
     
         8 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the data related to the products includes a type of product. 
     
     
         9 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the data related to the products is transmitted over the world wide web. 
     
     
         10 . The automated inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the host computing device is configured to alert a user that a product is placed in the wrong spot on the merchandising rack. 
     
     
         11 . An automated merchandising rack comprising:
 a plurality of spaces for displaying one or more products;   a radio frequency identification reader associated with the merchandising rack configured to read a plurality of radio frequency identification devices when one or more products having radio frequency identification devices are on the merchandising rack, without the need for a manual initiation of a scan for each of the one or more electronic identification devices;   a host computing processor in electronic communication with the radio frequency identification reader for initiating a scan of the one or more electronic identification devices and for obtaining data from the one or more radio frequency identification devices;   a receiving device in electrical communication with the host computing processor for receiving instructions from a remote source to initiate a scan;   a transmitting device in electrical communication with the host computing processor for transmitting the data from the host computing processor to a computer located at a site that is remote from the merchandising rack.   
     
     
         12 . The merchandising rack of  claim 11  wherein the instructions to initiate a scan are provided by a computer on behalf of a distributor, supplier, or manufacturer. 
     
     
         13 . The merchandising rack of  claim 11  further comprising one or more spindles located on the merchandizing rack. 
     
     
         14 . The merchandising rack of  claim 11  wherein the one or more products comprise key blanks. 
     
     
         15 . The merchandising rack of  claim 11  wherein the receiving device and transmitting device transmit and receive data over the world wide web. 
     
     
         16 . The merchandising rack of  claim 11  wherein data comprises a product quantity. 
     
     
         17 . An automated method of controlling inventory comprising:
 providing a merchandising rack at a retail outlet site;   providing a radio frequency identification device reader associated with the merchandising rack;   providing one or more products having one or more radio frequency identification devices secured thereto;   initiating a scan of the one or more radio frequency identification devices with the radio frequency identification device reader to obtain data relating to the quantity of products on the merchandising rack from a computing device located at a site remote from the retail outlet site; and   providing instructions to one of a distributor, a supplier, or manufacture to deliver additional products to the retail outlet.   
     
     
         18 . The method of controlling inventory of  claim 17  wherein the product is one or more key blanks. 
     
     
         19 . The method of controlling inventory of  claim 17  further comprising determining whether a user puts a product in an incorrect place on the merchandising rack. 
     
     
         20 . The method of controlling inventory of  claim 17  wherein initiating the scan of the one or more radio identification devices is initiated by a distributor, supplier or manufacturer.