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.

1 - 73 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         74 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an antenna for performing RFID scanning, said antenna being movably mounted on a portion of said apparatus; and    an antenna moving unit that is configured to move said antenna.    
     
     
         75 . An apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein said antenna is mounted on a pivot, and said antenna moving unit causes said antenna to pivot.  
     
     
         76 . An apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein said apparatus is a freezer.  
     
     
         77 . An apparatus according to  claim 76 , wherein said antenna is movably mounted within a door of said freezer.  
     
     
         78 . An apparatus according to  claim 76 , wherein said antenna performs RFID scanning to detect an RFID tag positioned within said freezer.  
     
     
         79 . An apparatus according to  claim 78 , wherein the RFID tag is positioned on a shelf within said freezer.  
     
     
         80 . An apparatus according to  claim 78 , wherein the RFID tag is positioned in a drawer within said freezer.  
     
     
         81 . An apparatus according to  claim 77 , wherein there is more than one said antenna.  
     
     
         82 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an RFID scanning unit mounted on a portion of said apparatus, said RFID scanning unit being configured to perform RFID scanning of an area within said apparatus,    wherein said RFID scanning unit comprises (a) a movable part configured to change an arrangement of an electromagnetic field in the area, and (b) means for controlling the motion of said movable part.    
     
     
         83 . An apparatus according to  claim 82 , wherein said movable part is an antenna.  
     
     
         84 . An apparatus according to  claim 83 , wherein said antenna is mounted on a pivot.  
     
     
         85 . An apparatus according to  claim 82 , wherein the area comprises a drawer of said apparatus.  
     
     
         86 . An apparatus according to  claim 82 , wherein the area comprises a shelf of said apparatus.  
     
     
         87 . An apparatus according to  claim 82 , wherein said apparatus is a freezer.  
     
     
         88 . A method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus having an RFID scanning unit mounted on a portion thereof, the RFID scanning unit being configured to perform RFID scanning of an area within the apparatus, wherein the RFID scanning unit comprises (a) a movable part configured to change an arrangement of an electromagnetic field in the area, and (b) means for controlling the motion of the movable part; and    moving the movable part to change an arrangement of the electromagnetic field in the area.    
     
     
         89 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a first antenna;    a second antenna, said first antenna and said second antenna being used to perform RFID scanning; and    means for activating said first antenna and said second antenna at different times to perform the RFID scanning.    
     
     
         90 . A method comprising: 
 providing plural antennae for performing RFID scanning; and    activating a first antenna of the plural antennae and a second antenna of the plural antennae at different times to perform the RFID scanning.    
     
     
         91 . A method comprising: 
 performing a RFID scan of an area, the RFID scan generating a result;    comparing the result to a predetermined integrity level; and    performing a subsequent RFID scan in accordance with the comparison.    
     
     
         92 . A method according to  claim 91 , wherein said step of performing a subsequent scan in accordance with the comparison is a step of performing a subsequent scan in accordance with a determination that the result is less than the predetermined integrity level.  
     
     
         93 . A method according to  claim 91 , further comprising repeating said step of performing a subsequent scan in accordance with comparison of a result of the subsequent scan to the predetermined integrity level.  
     
     
         94 . An apparatus comprising: 
 means for performing an RFID scan and obtaining a result;    means for comparing the result to a predetermined integrity level; and    means for performing a subsequent RFID scan in accordance with the comparison.    
     
     
         95 . A method of distributing a plurality of products from an area, the method comprising: 
 providing each product with a radio frequency identification tag;    positioning at least one antenna within the area, the at least one antenna configured to emit a signal at at least one predefined frequency and generate at least one electromagnetic field within the area;    positioning the plurality of products within the area;    performing a first scan of the area using the at least one antenna, the scan generating a first result;    comparing the first result to a predetermined integrity level; and    performing one or more subsequent scans if the first result does not equal or exceed the predetermined integrity level.    
     
     
         96 . A method as claimed in  claim 95 , wherein each subsequent scan generates a subsequent result; the performing of one or more subsequent scans continuing until at least one of the subsequent results equals or exceeds the integrity level, the method further comprising: 
 determining a number of the plurality of products; and    determining a change in the number of plurality of products by subtracting a value based on the first result or one of the subsequent results from the number of the plurality of products.    
     
     
         97 . A method as claimed in  claim 95 , the method further comprising cloaking one or more of the plurality of tags during the first scan or one of the subsequent scans.  
     
     
         98 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an RFID scanning unit that is configured to perform an RFID scan of a space within said apparatus,    wherein said apparatus has a non-flat reflective surface disposed on an interior wall of said apparatus.    
     
     
         99 . An apparatus according to  claim 98 , wherein the non-flat reflective surface is on a member attached to the interior wall of said apparatus.  
     
     
         100 . An apparatus according to  claim 99 , wherein the member has a saw-tooth cross-section.  
     
     
         101 . An apparatus according to  claim 98 , further comprising a reflector attached to the interior wall of said apparatus, said reflector having the non-flat reflective surface.  
     
     
         102 . An apparatus according to  claim 101 , wherein the non-flat reflective surface comprises a sawtooth pattern.