Combination barcode reader and radio frequency identification read/write device

1. A system comprising:

a barcode reader component configured to:

scan a barcode of an item to generate barcode information; and

communicate the barcode information;

a processing component configured to:

receive the barcode information from the barcode reader component; and

evaluate the barcode information and responsively generate a serialization number corresponding to the barcode information; and

communicate the serialization number; and

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) read/write (R/W) component configured to:

receive, from the processing component, the serialization number; and

write the serialization number to an RFID tag on the item.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an item receiver configured to receive the item.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the item receiver comprises a window through which the barcode reader is configured to scan the barcode of the item when the item is located in the item receiver.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein, when the item is located in the item receiver, only a barcode of interest is visible to the barcode reader.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the RFID R/W component comprises a near-field antenna.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the serialization number comprises an EPC.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader component is configured to provide audible feedback indicating a code has been captured.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the barcode includes formats comprising at least one of retail, supply chain, and 2D codes.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the RFID R/W component employs an adjustable RF power level.

10. A method for operating a system including a barcode reader, an RFID R/W component, and a processor configured to execute a software application, the method comprising:

scanning, with the barcode reader, a barcode of an item to generate barcode information;

communicating, by the barcode reader, the barcode information;

receiving, by the processor from the barcode reader, the barcode information;

evaluating, by the software application, the barcode information;

in response to said evaluating, responsively generating, by the application, a serialization number corresponding to the barcode information;

communicating, by the processor, the serialization number;

receiving, by the RFID R/W component from the processor, the serialization number; and

writing, with the RFID R/W component, the serialization number to an RFID tag of the item.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising verifying, using the RFID R/W component, that the serialization number has been written to the RFID tag of the item.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein an item receiver is configured to receive the item before the scanning step.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the item receiver comprises a window through which the barcode reader scans the barcode of the item when the item is located in the item receiver.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein, when the item is located in the item receiver, only a barcode of interest is visible to the barcode reader.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the RFID R/W component comprises a near-field antenna.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the serialization number comprises an EPC.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the method is performed automatically without user intervention.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the barcode reader component provides at least one of audible or visible feedback indicating a code has been captured.

19. The method of claim 10 , wherein the barcode reader component is configured to read a plurality of barcode formats, including at least one of retail, supply chain, or 2D codes.

20. The method of claim 10 , wherein the RFID R/W component employs an adjustable RF power level.