RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags

Abstract

A method and system for providing point-of-sale and point-of-delivery and/or distribution of products in a restricted access unit near the customer. The method and system utilize products equipped with radio frequency tags and reduce the effects of energy sharing, shadowing, and nulls. In one embodiment, a plurality of RF tagged products are placed within a refrigerator, cabinet, or other micro-warehouse that has a door or opening that can detect access to the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, one or more antennas are positioned within the door. Each antenna may have a transmission line of sight and be configured to emit a signal at predefined frequencies. Each antenna generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, the products are positioned in one or more bins, compartments, or similar devices located within the micro-warehouse such that at least two of the plurality of products are spaced a distance from each other to reduce energy sharing. The electromagnetic field is moved or altered within the micro-warehouse through the use of reflectors, devices that move the antennas, or other mechanisms.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the RFID cabinet comprising:
 a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a second side, a third side, a bottom and at least one locking lockable door; 
 an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on items placed within the cabinet; and 
 a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, 
 wherein the computer controls is configured to control unlocking and locking of the locking lockable door, wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and wherein the computer is configured to at a plurality of times record data read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector. 
 
     
     
       2. The RFID cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet is manufactured of a material so that an RFID field produced by the RFID detector is within the interior of the RFID cabinet. 
     
     
       3. The RFID cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID detector scans is configured to scan each item placed within the cabinet, such that the RFID cabinet may determine if an item is removed from the interior of the RFID cabinet. 
     
     
       4. The RFID cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the computer has a connection chosen from a group comprising Internet and wireless. 
     
     
       5. The RFID cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the input that identifies a user is chosen from a group comprising a password, an RFID badge, voice recognition, a mag card, or biometrics. 
     
     
       6. The RFID cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID detecting device is coupled to a network, through the computer, wherein a database provides inventory of each of the items placed within the cabinet. 
     
     
       7. The RFID cabinet of  claim 6 , wherein an inventory control module software enables is configured to enable the RFID detecting device to scan items in the cabinet and to generate a message regarding items taken. 
     
     
       8. The RFID cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the a means for accessing the RFID cabinet comprises an RFID badge, wherein the locking lockable door of the RFID cabinet unlocks is configured to unlock in response to the RFID badge coming into proximity. 
     
     
       9. The RFID cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein there is a strong enough field within the cabinet such that all items can be read using the RFID detector. 
     
     
       10. A method for removing items having an RFID tag from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
 providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item placed within the cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking lockable door; reading an input that identifies a user; 
 receiving the input that identifies a user at the computer; 
 unlocking the door to the RFID cabinet if the user is allowed access; and 
 at a plurality of times scanning all the items in the RFID cabinet to determine if any items have been removed by the user. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising disabling the RFID detector when the door to the RFID cabinet is open. 
     
     
       12. A method for scanning items having an RFID tag in an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
 providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item placed within the cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking lockable door, and wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user allows access to the RFID cabinet; 
 reading the RFID tag associated with an item using an RFID field from the RFID detector; and 
 recording the resulting information in a database. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising sounding an alert if certain conditions programmed within the memory of the computer are satisfied. 
     
     
       14. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the RFID cabinet comprising:
 a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a second side, a top, a bottom and at least one locking lockable front door; 
 an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on items placed within the cabinet, the RFID detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet; and 
 a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, 
 wherein the computer controls is configured to control unlocking and locking of the locking lockable front door, 
 wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and 
 wherein the computer is configured to periodically record data read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector. 
 
     
     
       15. The RFID cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the cabinet is manufactured of a material that confines an RFID field produced by the RFID detector within the interior of the RFID cabinet. 
     
     
       16. The RFID cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the RFID detector scans is configured to scan each item placed within the cabinet in a time period, such that the RFID cabinet may determine if an item is removed from the interior of the RFID cabinet. 
     
     
       17. The RFID cabinet of  claim 16 , wherein the time period is a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
       18. The RFID cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the computer has a connection chosen from a group comprising Internet and wireless. 
     
     
       19. The RFID cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the input that identifies a user is chosen from a group comprising a password, an RFID badge, a bar code, voice recognition, a mag card, or biometrics. 
     
     
       20. The RFID cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the RFID detecting device is coupled to a network, through the computer, wherein a database provides inventory of each of the items placed within the cabinet. 
     
     
       21. The RFID cabinet of  claim 20 , wherein an inventory control module software enables is configured to enable the RFID detecting device to scan items in the cabinet and to generate a message regarding items taken. 
     
     
       22. The RFID cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the a means for accessing the RFID cabinet comprises an RFID badge, wherein the locking lockable front door of the RFID cabinet unlocks is configured to unlock in response to the RFID badge coming into proximity. 
     
     
       23. The RFID cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the material provides a shield sufficient to allow a strong enough field within the cabinet such that all items can be read using the RFID detector. 
     
     
       24. A method for removing items having an RFID tag from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
 providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item placed within the cabinet, the RFID detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking lockable front door; reading an input that identifies a user; receiving the input that identifies a user at the computer; 
 unlocking the door to the RFID cabinet if the user is allowed access; and 
 at least periodically scanning all the items in the RFID cabinet to determine if any items have been removed by the user. 
 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24 , further comprising disabling the RFID detector when the door to the RFID cabinet is open. 
     
     
       26. A method for scanning items having an RFID tag in an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
 providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and for identifying the data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item placed within the cabinet, the RFID detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls unlocking and locking of the locking lockable front door, and wherein the computer is configured to receive an input that identifies a user allows access to the RFID cabinet; 
 reading the RFID tag associated with an item using an RFID field from the RFID detector; and 
 recording the resulting information in a database. 
 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26 , further comprising sounding an alert if certain conditions programmed within the memory of the computer are satisfied. 
     
     
       28. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature information to the computer. 
     
     
       29. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, further comprising an internal temperature sensor configured to provide internal temperature information to the computer. 
     
     
       30. The RFID cabinet of claim 29, wherein the computer is further configured to control locking and unlocking of the door based upon internal temperature information provided by the internal temperature sensor. 
     
     
       31. The RFID cabinet of claim 29, wherein the computer is further configured to:
 determine, based on the internal temperature information, whether an internal temperature is within an appropriate range; and   maintain the door in a locked state in response to determining the internal temperature is not within the appropriate range regardless of whether the input identifies an authorized user.   
     
     
       32. The RFID cabinet of claim 29, further comprising an ambient temperature sensor configured to provide ambient temperature information to the computer. 
     
     
       33. The RFID cabinet of claim 29, wherein the computer is further configured to periodically read the internal temperature sensor and transmit internal temperature information. 
     
     
       34. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a refrigeration compressor configured to cool an interior space of the cabinet. 
     
     
       35. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is a refrigerator. 
     
     
       36. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is a freezer.