Object tracking rfid systems and methods

Abstract

A method of verifying whether an object to be transported has reached its intended destination. In one aspect, an interrogator transceiver at a first destination interrogates an RFID tag transceiver on the object, and in response the tag transmits its intended destination. The interrogator verifies that the RFID tag transceiver and the object are being routed to the intended destination. Devices and systems associated with the above-referenced methods are also disclosed.

1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A radio frequency identification (RFID) system configured to track a plurality of objects having respective RFID tags attached thereto, the system comprising:
 a sorting apparatus, the sorting apparatus comprising:
 a conveyor system, the conveyor system configured to route objects to a plurality of shipment destinations; and 
 a plurality of interrogators configured to track objects routed to the plurality of shipment destinations, the interrogators further configured to verify that a given object is routed to an intended destination; 
   wherein the interrogators are operatively coupled to a computer system that stores data received from the interrogators, the stored data tracking the routing of the plurality of objects having respective RFID tags attached thereto.   
     
     
         29 . The RFID system of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of interrogators verify that a given object is routed to an intended destination by at least receiving information regarding an object's destination, and comparing this information regarding the object's destination to the intended destination. 
     
     
         30 . The RFID system of  claim 29 , wherein the RFID system is further configured to signal personnel in the event that there is a discrepancy between the information regarding the object's destination and the intended destination. 
     
     
         31 . The RFID system of  claim 28 , wherein the computer system comprises a substantially centralized computer system that is further configured to provide an object's status in response to an inquiry. 
     
     
         32 . The RFID system of  claim 31 , wherein the inquiry comprises an inquiry regarding a lost object. 
     
     
         33 . The RFID system of  claim 28 , wherein the objects comprise luggage, and the respective RFID tags are configured to attach to at least handles on said luggage. 
     
     
         34 . The RFID system of  claim 33 , wherein the respective RFID tags further comprise a memory, the memory configured to store information regarding the respective luggage's intended destination. 
     
     
         35 . The RFID system of  claim 34 , wherein the stored information includes two or more of: (1) a flight number associated with the luggage; (2) a flight time associated with the luggage; (3) a name of an owner for the luggage; and (4) an intended destination associated with the luggage. 
     
     
         36 . A radio frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:
 a plurality of RFID tags configured to be attached to respective objects;   a sorting apparatus configured to route objects to a plurality of shipment destinations;   a plurality of interrogators configured to track the movement of objects associated with the RFID tags, the interrogators configured to facilitate the routing of objects to an intended destination; and   a computer system operatively coupled to the interrogators and configured to store data received from the interrogators.   
     
     
         37 . The RFID system of  claim 36 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of interrogators are configured to be worn by an operator. 
     
     
         38 . The RFID system of  claim 37 , wherein an interrogator worn by a given operator has a limited communication range, the limited communication range configured such that the interrogator only communicates with an RFID tag currently being handled by the operator. 
     
     
         39 . The RFID system of  claim 36 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of interrogators are configured to be operated by an operator. 
     
     
         40 . The RFID system of  claim 39 , wherein the interrogators configured to be operated by an operator are further configured to convey information to the operator regarding an object being handled by the operator. 
     
     
         41 . The RFID system of  claim 40 , wherein the conveyed information comprises an indication that the objecting being handled by the operator is being routed incorrectly. 
     
     
         42 . The RFID system of  claim 41 , wherein the indication comprises a visually displayed indication. 
     
     
         43 . The RFID system of  claim 42 , wherein the indication comprises an audible indication. 
     
     
         44 . The RFID system of  claim 40 , wherein the conveyed information comprises an indication that the objecting being handled by the operator is being routed correctly. 
     
     
         45 . The RFID system of  claim 44 , wherein the indication comprises a visually displayed indication. 
     
     
         46 . The RFID system of  claim 45 , wherein the indication comprises an audible indication. 
     
     
         47 . The RFID system of  claim 37 , wherein an interrogator configured to be worn by an operator is configured to be attached to the operator so as to leave the operator's hands free during object handling. 
     
     
         48 . A method of operating radio frequency identification (RFID) system configured to track a plurality of objects having respective RFID tags attached thereto, the system comprising a sorting apparatus having a conveyor system configured to route the objects to a plurality of shipment destinations, and a plurality of interrogators, the interrogators being operatively coupled to a computer system, the method comprising:
 using the plurality of interrogators to track the objects routed to the plurality of shipment destinations and generate data related thereto;   providing the generated data to the computer system for storage thereon;   using at least the generated data to track the routing of the plurality of objects; and   verifying that a given object is routed to an intended destination.   
     
     
         49 . A method of operating radio frequency identification (RFID) system configured to track a plurality of objects each having at least one RFID tag attached thereto, the system comprising a routing apparatus having a conveyor system configured to route objects to a plurality of shipment destinations, and a plurality of interrogators, the interrogators being operatively coupled to a computer system, the method comprising:
 using the plurality of interrogators to cause the routing apparatus to route objects to respective ones of the plurality of shipment destinations, and generate data related thereto;   storing the generated data to the computer system;   using at least the generated data to track the routing of the plurality of objects, and
 to verify that a given object is routed to an intended destination.