Probabilistic inventory rfid method and system

Abstract

An example apparatus to monitor a space is disclosed. The example apparatus includes a database to record a time when a first data signal is received from a first RFID tag of a plurality of RFID tags and record data contained in the first data signal from the first RFID tag. The example apparatus further includes one or more processors to attempt to match the first RFID tag to sales information based on the time and the data contained within the first data signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to monitor a space, the apparatus comprising:
 a database to:   
       record a time when a first data signal is received from a first RFID tag of a plurality of RFID tags; 
       record data contained in the first data signal from the first RFID tag; and
 one or more processors to attempt to match the first RFID tag to sales information based on the time and the data contained within the first data signal. 
 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are to perform an inventory analysis of objects carrying the RFID tags based on a confidence probability curve. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more processors are to:
 calculate in-store probabilities for the RFID tags based on the confidence probability curve; and   sum the in-store probabilities.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more processors are to calculate the in-store probabilities for the RFID tags based on the time when the first data signal of the data signals was received. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more processors are to not sum probabilities for RFID tags detected by an exit RFID reader. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein one or more processors are to:
 calculate probabilities for contra-electronic product codes (contra-EPCs) based on the confidence probability curve; and   subtract the contra-EPCs based on the sum of the in-store probabilities.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein objects carrying the RFID tags correspond to one or more object categories, the one or more objects including a uniform product code (UPC) and the data contained in the data signals includes an electronic product code (EPC). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are to generate a contra-EPC when the first RFID tag is not detected within a threshold period of time. 
     
     
         9 . A computer readable storage disc or storage device comprising instructions which, when executed, cause one or more processors to at least:
 record a time when a first data signal is received from a first RFID tag of a plurality of RFID tags;   
       record data contained in the first data signal from the first RFID tag; and
 attempt to match the first RFID tag to sales information based on the time and the data contained within the first data signal. 
 
     
     
         10 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to perform an inventory analysis of objects carrying the RFID tags based on a confidence probability curve. 
     
     
         11 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 10 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to:
 calculate in-store probabilities for the RFID tags based on the confidence probability curve; and   sum the in-store probabilities.   
     
     
         12 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to calculate the in-store probabilities for the RFID tags based on the time when the first data signal of the data signals was received. 
     
     
         13 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to not sum probabilities for RFID tags detected by an exit RFID reader. 
     
     
         14 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to:
 calculate probabilities for contra-electronic product codes (contra-EPCs) based on the confidence probability curve; and   subtract the contra-EPCs based on the sum of the in-store probabilities.   
     
     
         15 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 10 , wherein the objects correspond to one or more object categories, the one or more objects including a uniform product code (UPC) and the data contained in the data signals includes an electronic product code (EPC). 
     
     
         16 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to generate a contra-EPC when the first RFID tag is not detected within a threshold period of time. 
     
     
         17 . A computer readable storage disc or storage device comprising instructions which, when executed, cause one or more processors to at least:
 record (a) times when data signals are received from corresponding ones of a plurality of RFID tags carried by objects;   
       record data contained in the data signals;
 record sales information in a database for sales of the objects; 
 monitor an exit RFID reader a data signal from a first RFID tag in the plurality of RFID tags; 
 if the first RFID tag is detected, match the sales information to the RFID tag; and 
 if the first RFID tag is not detected, create a contra-EPC associated with an object corresponding to the first RFID tag. 
 
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to:
 calculate in-store probabilities for the plurality of RFID tags based on (a) a confidence probability curve and (b) the recorded times.   
     
     
         19 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 18 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to:
 calculate an in-store probability for respective RFID tags of the plurality of RFID tags based on the confidence probability curve;   calculate a probability for respective contra-EPCs based on the confidence probability curve;   sum the in-store probabilities; and   subtract the contra-EPCs from the sum.   
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage disc or storage device of  claim 19 , wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to not sum probabilities for RFID tags detected by the exit RFID reader.