RFID tracking system for storing and retrieving data

Abstract

An apparatus has a communications device associated therewith. In another aspect of the present invention, a pallet is made from thermoformed polymeric sheets with an attached communications device. A further aspect of the present invention provides a radio frequency identification device attached to an apparatus. In still another aspect of the present invention, a communications device is incorporated into one or more sheets of a pallet or other container prior to forming. Methods of making and using a thermoformed pallet and container, having a communications device, are also provided.

1 . An RFID system for storing and retrieving data comprising: 
 a plurality of passive RFID tags,    a first plurality of interrogators for communicating with said plurality of passive RFID tags,    a second plurality of interrogators for communicating with said first plurality of interrogators,    an interrogation portal communicatively coupled with said second plurality of interrogators, and    wherein said interrogation portal transfers information from said second plurality of interrogators to the Internet.    
     
     
         2 . An RFID system as set forth in  claim 1  which includes: 
 a pallet,    at least one of said first plurality of interrogators being attached to said pallet,    a pallet transporting vehicle,    at least one of said second plurality of interrogators positioned on said pallet transporting vehicle, and    wherein said at least one of said plurality of RFID tags is attached to at least one of a plurality of objects positioned on said pallet, so that said pallet transporting vehicle moves said pallet within a pallet distribution system.    
     
     
         3 . An interrogator comprising: 
 a transmitter module,    a receiver module,    said transmitter module and said receiver module communicating with a passive RFID tag,    a data processing and control module coupled to said transmitter module and said receiver module to communicate with the passive RFID tag,    interface circuitry coupling said data processing and control module to a wireless communications device for communicating within a wireless network, and    wherein data is communicated between a data host and the passive RFID tag over the wireless network.    
     
     
         4 . An interrogator as set forth in  claim 3  which includes: 
 at least one antenna being coupled to the transmitter and receiver modules to power the passive RFID tags,    a GPS system coupled to the data processing and control module through said interface circuitry, and    wherein said at least one antenna, said transmitter module, said receiver module, said data processing and control module, said wireless communications device, said GPS system, and said interface circuitry are all integrated into a single circuit board with said circuit board being coupled to a battery.    
     
     
         5 . An interrogator as set forth in  claim 4  which includes: 
 said circuit board being encapsulated in a pallet.    
     
     
         6 . An interrogator as set forth in  claim 4  which includes: 
 said circuit board being encapsulated between two sheets of plastic material.    
     
     
         7 . A tracking system for storing and retrieving data comprising: 
 a plurality of passive RFID tags,    a first plurality of devices for communicating with said plurality of passive RFID tags,    a second plurality of devices for communicating with said first plurality of devices, and    a network portal communicatively coupled with said second plurality of devices to transfer information to the Internet.    
     
     
         8 . A tracking system as set forth in  claim 7  which includes: 
 a passive RFID tag attached to an object carried by a pallet,    at least one of said first and second plurality of devices being positioned within said pallet,    the pallet being transported on a vehicle, and    at least one of said second plurality of devices being positioned on said vehicle.    
     
     
         9 . A mobile communications device for attachment to a trackable apparatus comprising: 
 an interrogation module to communicate with RFID tags,    at least one RFID tag being attached to a product carried by the apparatus,    a communications module coupled to the interrogation module and operative to communicate within a wireless network, and    a processor controlling the operations of said modules and the movement of data between said modules and the device.    
     
     
         10 . A mobile communications device as set forth in  claim 9  which includes: 
 at least one antenna coupled to said interrogation module to power a passive RFID tag,    a GPS module to obtain position location data, and    said modules, said processor, and said at least one antenna being integrated into a single circuit board with said circuit board being coupled to a battery.    
     
     
         11 . A mobile communications device as set forth in  claim 10  which includes: 
 said circuit board being encapsulated in a pallet.    
     
     
         12 . A mobile communications device as set forth in  claim 11  which includes: 
 Said circuit board being contained in a sealed compartment located on said trackable apparatus.