BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure is directed to an entire plug and play Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system to identify and track equipment and assets in many different environments that traditionally require extensive scientific and technical expertise, more specifically with radio frequency identification, RFID devices and deployment of RFID systems and the effects of physics on radio waves. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a self-contained mobile RFID tracker that is movable by a single human operator from one location to another and is configured to be ready for use without requiring technical expertise or an extensive setup procedure.

Background Information

RFID systems typically include an RFID reader that is capable of reading RFID tags that are provided on products. RFID systems well known within the art typically require that many different components be selected, tested, and integrated with each other to produce a working system for an asset to be tracked. The term “asset” will be used herein to denote a product, piece of equipment, packaging, person, or any other item that has been provided with an RFID tag. A high level of scientific, technical, mechanical, and electrical expertise is normally required to achieve a successful working RFID system. In addition, it has traditionally been imperative that this expertise be physically on site at the installation of the system into a facility.

Because of the level of expertise required in installing such RFID systems, in most settings RFID systems are permanent installations. This arrangement requires that, in a production facility, for example, the products be taken through the permanent RFID system installation in order to read the RFID tags on those tagged assets. In some instances, this requires that the products be removed from a production line or be specially diverted to a different part of the facility in order for the RFID tags to be read, adding to the time and cost of using RFID tags on the products.

Several solutions have been offered in the prior art to address this situation. Smith et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,041,269) discloses a plug-in network appliance that converts power received from a plug-in in a first format to power in a second format for powering various components. Smith discloses that passive RFID systems are only able to detect the presence of an article or item that is within range of an RFID portal or interrogator. A query signal is sent out by the RFID interrogator or portal and any RFID tag that is located within the interrogator or portal's range will responds. Smith further states that RFID systems, whether active or passive, will typically require that a dedicated infrastructure of portals or interrogators for tracking be installed and that this infrastructure may be difficult and/or expensive to deploy. Additionally, such infrastructure typically lacks flexibility. The plug-in network applicant disclosed by Smith is provided to address the downside of permanent RFID system installations. Smith's system includes a mesh network that is useful for tracking objects within an indoor facility. The mesh network includes a plurality of network appliances that are in wireless communication with one another. Each of the network appliances is located in a different but fixed location within the facility. Each network appliance includes an RFID transceiver and has a power connection to an electrical outlet. A signal from an RFID tagged object is received by more than one of the network appliances and the difference in time of flight of the signal between the various network appliances is used to determine the location of the tagged object within the facility. While this system negates the need for transporting tagged objects to a specific location within a facility in order to be read by an RFID interrogator or portal, the system is still complex and requires expertise to set up and run.

Ehrman et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,120,467—hereafter “Ehrman”) discloses a mobile RFID portal that must be attached to a mobile vehicle such as a forklift or truck. The vehicle is used to transport RFID tagged items from one location within a facility to another. The RFID portal draws power from the vehicle itself and includes a controller with software that activates an RFID reader on the portal when certain vehicle events occur. For example, the RFID reader may be activated when the forklift lifts an RFID tagged item and/or when the forklift again places the RFID tagged item back on the ground. The RFID reader interrogates the RFID tag on the item and temporarily stores data from the interrogated RFID tag in a data storage unit that is provided as part of the RFID portal. When the vehicle approaches a gateway to a remote central processing unit, the stored date is communicated from the portal's data storage unit to the central processing unit via a communication device provided on the portal. Ehrman's system is designed so that the vehicle carrying RFID tagged items from one location to another in a facility simultaneously will interrogate the RFID tags, thereby avoiding the need for the vehicle to pass through a fixed RFID portal provided at the facility. Ehrman's system removes the need for RFID tagged items to be specially transported to a fixed location in a facility for reading by an RFID interrogator, however, the RFID tagged items need to be carried by the mobile vehicle itself in order to be interrogated.

Grimaux (U.S. Pat. No. 10,572,702) discloses an RFID portal for a temporary event utilizing an RFID reader to read tagged assets moving through a static but temporary read zone. People attending the temporary event are provided with a wristband or anklet including an RFID tag encoded with relevant information to permit entry of the wearer into the event. The RFID portal includes a housing in which the RFID reader is contained. Specifically, the RFID reader is located proximate a side wall of the housing at a height suitable for reading either wristbands or anklets. The RFID reader is operatively linked to a server that includes a list of valid user IDs, i.e., user identification information, pertaining to the event. When a person walks normally through the temporary read zone, the RFID reader reads their RFID tag and displays on two opposed screens on an upper region of the housing whether entry into the event is permitted or not. One of the screens faces security personnel and the other screen faces the person entering the event. The portal may include a light and/or an emitter for generating sounds that help to indicate to security personnel whether entry for that particular person is permitted or not. Grimaux's RFID portal can be moved to a location where it is desired to interrogate RFID tags, however, the portal itself is somewhat limited in that it requires the RFID tags to be presented to it in a specific manner or the interrogation cannot take place successfully.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a self-contained, mobile, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracker which provides a customer-installed and configurable RFID mobile solution that does not require the expertise and physical presence of expert installers to achieve success. The RFID asset tracker disclosed herein is able to be easily moved between different locations in a facility and is easily adjusted to accommodate conditions at the various locations. Furthermore, the disclosed RFID asset tracker does not require any expertise to set up for use. The tracker simply needs to be provided with power and once booted up can be used immediately by personnel who do not possess expertise in RFID setup and installation. As indicated above, accepted practice in the RFID scientific and engineering communities frequently requires expertise in physics, engineering, software development, and/or systems integration to successfully install a functional RFID system. In addition, “on-site” testing is typically required to configure and set parameters and hardware required for a successful RFID system install. The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for self-setup and self-monitoring.

The RFID mobile asset tracker stand and hardware assembly disclosed herein includes an adjustable frame mounted on lockable swivel casters which provide a mobile platform for an RFID reader and other electrical equipment to be mounted. An electronics control box mounted on the mobile frame houses an RFID reader, a custom Printed Circuit Board (PCB) control module, a communications device in the form of a cellular and WIFI modem, and a power source. The electronics control box also includes Input/Output (I/O) ports and cabling extending to an indicator assembly and a passive Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID antenna. The indicator assembly and RFID antenna are mounted on the frame external to the electronics control box.

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a self-contained mobile Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracker comprising a frame configured for movement across a surface; an electronics control box mounted on the frame; an RFID reader housed within the electronics control box, said RFID reader being adapted to interrogate an RFID tag on an item; and an RFID antenna mounted on the frame outside of the electronics control box, said RFID antenna being coupled with the RFID reader; wherein said RFID reader is configured to interrogate RFID tagged items that come into a field of view of the RFID antenna.

In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise a power source housed within the electronics control box, said power source being operatively engaged with the RFID reader and the RFID antenna. In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise a communications device housed within the electronics control box, said communications device being coupled with the RFID reader and being adapted to communicate with a remote central processing unit. In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise a power source operatively engaged with the RFID reader, the RFID antenna, and the communications device, wherein the power source is housed within the electronics control box. In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) control module housed within the electronics control box and operatively engaged with the RFID reader and with the RFID antenna, wherein programming is provided in the PCB control module and is configured to control operation of the RFID reader and the RFID antenna. In one embodiment, the PCB control module may include a memory for data storage, and wherein interrogated data retrieved by the RFID reader is at least temporarily stored in the memory. In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise a power source housed within the electronics control box, wherein the power source is operatively engaged with the RFID reader, the RFID antenna, and the PCB control module.

In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise an indicator assembly coupled with the RFID reader and the PCB control module, said indicator assembly being configured to provide one or both of a visual indicator and an audible indicator to an operator when the RFID reader interrogates an RFID-tagged item. In one embodiment, the indicator assembly may be engaged with the frame outside of the electronics control box. In one embodiment, the indicator assembly may comprise a light stack having one or more lights provided therein. In one embodiment, the one or more lights of the light stack may comprise at least two lights of different colors. In one embodiment, the indicator assembly may comprise a display screen.

In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise a barcode scanner operatively engaged with the frame and located outside of the electronics control box, wherein the barcode scanner is coupled with the PCB control module. In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise a mounting assembly which operatively engages the RFID antenna to the frame a distance from the electronics control box; wherein the mounting assembly is configured to permit the RFID antenna to be oriented at a range of different angles relative to the frame. In one embodiment, the mounting assembly may include at least one ball and socket joint that enables pivotal motion of the RFID antenna about a center point. In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise an RFID writer that is provided as an integral part of the RFID reader or is separate from the RFID reader and is housed within the electronics control box. In one embodiment, the asset tracker may further comprise a plurality of casters provided on the frame, said plurality of casters enabling rolling movement of the frame across the surface. In one embodiment, the asset tracker may be sufficiently light in weight as to be rolled across a floor surface by a single human operator pushing or pulling the frame. In one embodiment, a position of the electronics control box and the RFID antenna on the vertical strut may be selectively adjustable.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a self-contained mobile asset tracker comprising a frame configured for rolling movement across a surface; an electronics control box mounted on the frame; an RFID reader writer housed with the electronics control box; an RFID antenna mounted on the frame a distance apart from the electronics control box; said RFID antenna being coupled with the RFID reader writer; a PCB control module housed within the electronics control box, wherein said PBC control module is coupled with the RFID antenna and the RFID reader writer; wherein under control of programming provided in the PCB control module, said RFID reader writer is adapted to interrogate an RFID tag on an item that comes into a field of view of the RFID antenna and/or to write data on the RFID tag.

In one embodiment, the self-contained mobile asset tracker may further comprise a barcode scanner mounted on the frame outside of the electronic control box, said barcode scanner being coupled with the PCB control module and being adapted to scan barcode IDs that come into a range of the barcode scanner. In one embodiment, the self-contained mobile asset tracker may further comprise a communications module housed within the electronics control box, wherein the communications module is coupled with the PCB control module, wherein the communications module is adapted to communicate with electronic devices remote from the self-contained mobile asset tracker. In one embodiment, the self-contained mobile asset tracker may further comprise an indicator assembly mounted on the frame and coupled with the PBC control module, wherein the indicator assembly is configured to provide one or both of a visual indicator and an audible indicator to an operator.

In another aspect, and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a system comprising a device for holding, carrying or transporting RFID tagged articles; a mobile RFID asset tracker that is selectively independently movable into proximity of the device; said mobile RFID asset tracker comprising a frame that is movable across a surface; an electronic control box mounted on the frame; an RFID antenna mounted on the frame outside of the electronics control box; an RFID reader housed within the electronics control box, said RFID reader coupled to the RFID antenna and being configured to interrogate an RFID tag on an article on the device that is in the field of view of the RFID antenna; and a communications device coupled with the RFID reader and adapted to be operably linked to a remote computing device.

In another aspect, and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method of reading a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag on an article comprising moving a mobile RFID asset tracker into a vicinity of the article that includes the RFID tag; sending a query signal from an RFID reader housed within an electronics control box of the mobile RFID asset tracker to an RFID antenna mounted on a frame of the mobile RFID asset tracker a distance from the electronics control box; sending the query signal from the RFID antenna to the RFID tag on the article; reading data encoded on the RFID tag with the RFID reader.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise coupling the RFID reader and the RFID antenna with a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) control module housed within the electronics control box; and saving the read data into a memory of the PCB control module. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise coupling the RFID reader and the RFID antenna with a PCB control module housed within the electronics control box; coupling the PBC control box with a communications device housed within the electronics control box; and transmitting the read data to a remote electronics device with the communications device. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise generating an indicator with an indicator assembly provided on the tracker when the RFID reader reads the RFID tag on the article. In one embodiment, the generating of the indicator may include one or more of illuminating a light on light stack mounted on the frame outside of the electronics control box, displaying text or an image on a display screen mounted on the frame outside of the electronics control box, and generating a sound with a sound generator located inside or outside of the electronics control box.

19. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise powering the RFID antenna, the RFID reader, the PCB control module, and the indicator assembly with a power source housed within the electronics control box. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise adjustably mounting one or both of the electronics control box and the RFID antenna on the frame of the mobile RFID asset tracker. In one embodiment, the moving of the mobile RFID asset tracker may include rolling the mobile RFID asset tracker across a floor of a facility on casters. In one embodiment, the moving of the mobile RFID asset tracker may be accomplished by a single human operator pushing or pulling the mobile RFID asset tracker by hand. In one embodiment, the RFID reader may include or be coupled with an RFID writer and the method further comprises writing data to the RFID tag.

