Patent ID: 8844829
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: G06K,G08B

Abstract:
1. A method for tracking the removal of items from a storage area; substantially each item within said storage area including an RFID tag or being part of a manifest of items containing at least one item that includes an RFID tag; each RFID tag containing a programmable electronic ID specific to the entity utilizing the storage area for identifying each respective item, said method comprising the step of: providing at least one Portal for passing at a fixed egress location for said storage area, said Portal including at least one RF antenna for increasing the RF signal of each RFID tag, a computer processor being capable of activating each RFID tag and a RF reader capable of reading each RFID tag; and wherein the at least one Portal is adapted and configured with varying degrees of power levels; said power levels corresponding to whether an item is being brought in or out of the storage area; said at least one Portal performing the steps of: i. scanning for items with RFID tags, which are proximate to the at least one Portal; ii. activating each RFID tag for each item proximate to said at least one Portal; iii. reading each electronic ID for each proximate item; iv. determining whether said proximate item are on a predetermined manifest; v. providing a visual indicator on the at least one Portal or an electronic communication based on said determination step; vi. wherein the lower power level is only capable of reading RFID tags which are passed through the Portal, and; vii. wherein the higher power level is capable of reading RFID tags positioned on one side of the portal in addition to reading RFID tags which are passed through the Portal.