Radio-frequency tags for sorting post-consumption items

Abstract

An apparatus and method of selectively sorting post-consumption items that are associated with radio-frequency tags based on data received from the RF tag. One embodiment includes a conveyor, a picker arm, and an RF reader. Another embodiment includes an RF reader and a receptacle for selectively holding post-consumption items based on data retrieved from the associated RF tag.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for selectively sorting commingled post-consumption items, comprising: 
 determining data corresponding to a post-consumption item of a plurality of commingled post-consumption items based on a radio-frequency (RF) tag associated with the post-consumption item;    selectively sorting the post-consumption item based on the determined data.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein determining data comprises receiving an RF signal from the RF tag and determining a composition of the post-consumption item based on the received RF signal  
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein sorting the post-consumption item comprises transferring the item to a selected one of a plurality of locations based on the determined composition of the item.  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein sorting the post-consumption item comprises transferring the item to a selected one of a plurality of conveyors based on the determined composition of the item.  
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein sorting the post-consumption item comprises determining an estimated location of the post-consumption item by triangulation among a plurality of RF receivers.  
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein sorting the post-consumption item comprises retrieving the post-consumption item based on the estimated location of the post-consumption item.  
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein retrieving the post-consumption item comprises gripping the item.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein retrieving the post-consumption item comprises magnetically securing the item.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for selectively sorting commingled post-consumption items, comprising: 
 a first conveyor that conveys commingled post-consumption items;    a radio-frequency (RF) reader that reads data corresponding to a post-consumption item of a plurality of commingled post-consumption items based on an RF tag associated with the post-consumption item; and    a picker arm that removes the post-consumption item from the conveyor based on the read data.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a computing device in communication with the RF reader and the picker arm, the computing device processes data received from the RF tag and controls the picker arm.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the picker arm further comprises a sensor for locating the post-consumption item by triangulation.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the picker arm comprises a magnet that magnetically secures a magnetic post-consumption item.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the picker arm comprises a suction device that secures the post-consumption item.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the picker arm comprises a pointed device that secures the post-consumption item by piercing the item.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of second conveyors located proximate the first conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of second conveyors conveys post-consumption items of a particular composition.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the further comprising a computing device in communication with the RF reader and the picker arm and the computing device causes the picker arm to transfer the post-consumption item to one of the plurality of second conveyors based on a composition of the post-consumption item determined from the read data.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for storing post-consumption items, comprising: 
 a receptacle for containing a post-consumption item having an associated radio-frequency (RF) tag; and    an RF reader associated with the receptacle that receives data from the RF tag; and    a controller in communication with the RF reader, the controller responds to the data received from the RF tag.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of compartments and a diverter that diverts between the plurality of compartments and wherein the controller causes the diverter to divert the post-consumption item to a particular compartment based on the data received from the RF tag.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the RF reader receives an indication of a composition of the post-consumption item from the RF tag and wherein the controller causes the diverter to divert the post-consumption item to a particular compartment based on the indication of the composition received from the RF tag.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the receptacle comprises a door and a latch and the controller causes the door to unlatch based on the data received from the RF tag.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising an audible alarm in communication with the controller and wherein the controller causes the audible alarm to alarm based on the data received from the RF tag.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the controller causes the audible alarm to alarm if the received data indicates that the item does not have a predefined composition.