System and method for reading and verifying RFID tags
A method for reading and verifying RFID tags includes reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items and comparing the read identifications to a list of RFID tagged items expected to be read. In operation an RFID reader is used to read the RFID tags. A communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to receive the read identifications and then communicate the received read identifications over a wireless interface to a central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to a list of RFID tags that were expected to be read.
1 . A method for determining whether a correct set of RFID tags were read at a location, the method comprising the steps of:
actuating an RFID reader, mounted on a mobile asset/vehicle, to read identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items; and
comparing the read identifications of the proximately located RFID tagged items to a predetermined list of RFID tagged items.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of comparing the read identifications to the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is performed by a central computer.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting data representative of the read identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items to a central computer.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of comparing the read identifications to the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is performed by a processor associated with the mobile asset/vehicle.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing read identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items on a memory device.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile asset/vehicle is a belt-loader.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is representative of one or more items on a cargo manifest.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is representative of one or more baggage items destined for a particular air flight.
10 . The mobile RFID portal of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
transmitting the predetermined list of RFID tagged items to an RFID portal.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a visual indicator to an operator of a mobile asset/vehicle associated with the RFID reader.
12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a visual indicator to an operator of the mobile asset/vehicle when an RFID tagged item is identified that is on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.
13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a visual indicator to an operator of the mobile asset/vehicle when an RFID tagged item that is not on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.
14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a visual indicator to an operator of the mobile asset/vehicle representative of an RFID tagged item that is not on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a visual indicator to an operator of the mobile asset/vehicle representative of a list of RFID tags that were read by the RFID reader that were not on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.
16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a visual indicator to an operator of the mobile asset/vehicle representative of a list of RFID tags that were expected to be read but were not read.
17 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving login data from an operator.
18 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving data representative of a flight number.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of accessing the predetermined list of RFID tagged items based on the data representative of a flight number.
20 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating an operator that has logged in with tags read by the RFID reader.
21 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating the tagged items read with a location at which they were read.
22 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating the tagged items read with a time at which they were read.
23 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating the tagged items read with operational characteristics of the mobile asset/vehicle at the time at which the tagged items were read.
24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of actuating an RFID reader is performed without human intervention.
25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of actuating an RFID reader is performed based on operational data associated with the mobile asset/vehicle.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the operational data is representative of vehicle motion data.
27 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the operational data is representative of a belt movement condition.
28 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the operational data is representative of a vehicle location.
29 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of activating a barcode reader to read a barcode associated with an item that was not identified by the RFID reader.
30 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting read identifications to a central computer via a wireless interface.
31 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of controlling operation of the mobile asset/vehicle if an RFID tagged item is identified that is not on the predetermined list of RFID tagged items.
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the step of controlling operation of the mobile asset/vehicle further comprises controlling operation of the mobile asset/vehicle by stopping movement of a belt associated with the mobile asset/vehicle.
33 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the step of controlling operation of the mobile asset/vehicle further comprises controlling operation of the mobile asset/vehicle by limiting movement of the mobile asset/vehicle.
34 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile asset/vehicle is a cargo container.
35 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising the step of reading identifications of items passing into the cargo container.
36 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising the step of transmitting data representative of the read identifications when the cargo container is closed.
37 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising the step of:
determining that an object is entering the cargo container; and
wherein the step of actuating the RFID reader is performed when it is determined that an object is entering the cargo container.
38 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising the step of:
determining that an object is exiting the cargo container; and
wherein the step of actuating the RFID reader is performed when it is determined that an object is exiting the cargo container.
39 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising the step of:
determining that an object is passing through an opening in the cargo container; and
wherein the step of actuating the RFID reader is performed when it is determined that an object is passing through an opening in the cargo container.
40 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving a request to initiate an RFID scan.
41 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving instructions for an operator to perform a task.
42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the operator is selected based on location data associated with the operator.
43 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting an operator based on the operator's proximity to one or more RFID tagged items to be manipulated.
44 . The method of claim 43 , further comprising the steps of:
receiving information about a baggage item that was identified in an incorrect location; and
receiving information about where the baggage item should be transported.
45 The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items is created as RFID tagged items are input for handling.
46 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile asset/vehicle is a fork-lift.
47 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the predetermined list of RFID tagged items identifies RFID tagged items associated with a pallet.
48 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the predetermined list of RFID tagged items as RFID tagged items are offloaded from an airplane.
49 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the predetermined list of RFID tagged items by adding items to the predetermined list when the items are read by a second RFID reader.