Charles Ellis Black

US Patent:

20040111335, Jun 10, 2004

Filed:

Dec 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/309093

Inventors:

Charles Black - Ellicott City MD, US
Neil Amrhein - Jarrettsville MD, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/028000

Abstract:

Radio frequency tags having RFID elements are located in or on items situated in a given area of interest, and an antenna is automatically and virtually continuously moved around the proximity of the items to interrogate the presence of the items. When the RFID tags are interrogated by an RFID interrogation source, that source is then quickly able to gain information as to the presence or absence of the item, and the identity of the item, for comparison to a database. Thus, inventory can be conducted continuously, which is particularly useful in the sale of high priced items, (e.g., jewelry, automobiles) or voluminous items (e.g., library or apparel articles). The antenna assembly is automatically moved throughout all of the given area of interest, thereby a group of items may be read or scanned quickly in one operation using the mobile antenna. This enables a user to conduct continuous, unattended tracking and inventory of items. Thus, an operator can determine in real time what items are stored, sold, moved or displayed, etc., which would greatly simplify inventory assessments and reduce theft.