Method and apparatus pertaining to module-based scanning of RFID tags
These teachings comprise accessing an identifier as corresponds to a given module of RFID-tagged items and then using that identifier to filter the RFID tag readings. By one approach, one can obtain this identifier for the module by reading an optical code as corresponds to the given module of items. By another approach, one can obtain this identifier by reading an RFID tag that specifically correlates to the given module of items. By yet another approach, one can obtain this identifier by receiving the identifier as entered by an end user who is participating in the RFID tag reading process. If desired, this identifier can serve to recall corresponding information that can serve, directly or indirectly, as filter criterion to use when processing the RFID tag responses.
1. A method for use with modules of items comprising physically discrete displays of the items in a retail display area, where at least a plurality of the items each have a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising:
at a control circuit that is remotely located from but operably coupled to a handheld portable RFID-tag reader:
accessing an RFID identifier that is mounted to a given one of the modules of items, which RFID identifier uniquely identifies the given one of the modules of items and wherein the RFID identifier is technologically different from the RFID tags that correspond to the items and uses a signaling scheme that is different from the RFID tags that correspond to the items;
receiving RFID tag information from the handheld portable RFID-tag reader, both for items that correspond to the given one of the modules of items as well as for items that do not correspond to the given one of the modules of items to provide received RFID tag information;
using the RFID identifier to identify a plurality of stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers that are correlated with the optical code identifier;
using the plurality of SKU numbers as filter criteria to filter the received RFID tag information by discarding any of the received RFID tag information for the items that do not correspond to a SKU number that is correlated with the given one of the modules of items and thereby retain any of the RFID tag information for items that correspond to the given one of the modules of items to thereby provide filtered RFID tag information;
only providing feedback to an end user regarding readings of RFID tags that are a part of the filtered RFID tag information, and hence that correlate to the given one of the modules of items, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of:
a count of read RFID tags;
an indication to the end user that reading of the RFID tags is concluded.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of SKU numbers that are correlated with the identifier constitute three SKU numbers.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein using the RFID identifier to identify a plurality of SKU numbers that are correlated with the RFID identifier comprises using the RFID identifier to access a look-up table to identify the SKU numbers that are correlated with the RFID identifier.