RFID functions for point of sale lanes

A system and method for selectively activating a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reader within a venue having a point of sale (POS) lane. In various aspects, a first detector detects a POS lane activity state of the POS lane, where the POS lane activity state comprises an active state or an inactive state. A second detector detects a presence of a person in the POS lane, such that a processor, operatively connected to the first detector and the second detector, activates a first a first RFID reader, the first RFID reader having a reading range that extends over the POS lane, the activation occurring upon an indication by the first detector that the POS lane activity state has the inactive state and upon a further indication by the second detector that the person is present within the POS lane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retail stores generally include several point of sale (POS) lanes used to facilitate consumer checkout and purchase processes. In certain cases, for example when not operating at full capacity, a store with multiple POS lanes may have one or more closed POS lanes. Such closed POS lanes typically have no cashier, or other purchase process, available for a consumer to interact with. Often a closed lane has no barricade that would otherwise prevent shoppers from entering or exiting the store through the closed lane. In addition, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers of closed lanes can typically be turned off to avoid possible interference with RFID readers in adjacent, open lanes.

This can create issues because, when customers pass through a closed POS lane, items tagged with an RFID tag are not read. For example, RFID tagged items that were not paid for, and that exit through a closed POS lane, may not be detected as a shrink (also referred to as “theft”) attempt/event. It is often critical that any theft attempt event be identified early enough to allow store personnel to respond to the event before the item or items are carried out of the store. Furthermore, stolen items can adversely affect inventory counts which can be crucial to conducting an efficient retail operation.

Second, when entering a store through a closed POS lane or other area of the store, shoppers may be carrying or wearing tagged items that were previously purchased from that store or, in some cases, from another store. In such instances, the tagged item may be read by an RFID reader in the store, forcing the store's system to determine the state of the tagged item, but without having the information that the item was actually introduced from the outside (and was not otherwise an item already in stock at the store). This can create issues because inventory accuracy correction systems (e.g., tracking the count of inventory of the item of the store) may be based on the lack of information, incorrectly assign the state of the tagged item and, thereby, introduce error into any related inventory control or tracking system.

Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods directed to improved RFID functions for associated with point of sale lanes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure utilize smart RFID readers, camera systems, and other similar devices, networked within a retail store or other venue to create intelligent systems and methods to address the issues associated with closed POS lanes. As described herein, assuming the availability of smart RFID detectors, camera detectors, and other such detectors/sensors, systems and methods can be implemented that identify moving objects (e.g., with video capture or moving RFID tags), and provide the association information to the smart system as items or products enter or are detected within the POS area or within other regions of the venue. Such detection can be used to signal a possible theft or shrink alert at, for example, a closed POS lane. This alert may be sent before the items are carried to an exit of a retail venue, thereby giving store personal time to act.

As described herein, the embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for selectively activating a radio frequency RFID reader within a venue having a POS lane. The venue may be, for example, a retail store with one or more POS lanes. The systems and methods may include a first detector for detecting a POS lane activity state of a POS lane. In various embodiments, the POS lane activity state may be either an active state or an inactive state, where, for example, the inactive state can indicate a closed POS lane.

The systems and methods may further include a second detector for detecting a presence of a person in a POS lane and a first RFID reader having a reading range that extends over the POS lane. In some embodiments, the first RFID reader may be positioned between the POS lane and another POS lane.

In various embodiments, a processor that is operatively connected to the first detector, the second detector, and the first RFID reader, may activate the first RFID reader upon an indication by the first detector that the POS lane activity state has an inactive state and upon a further indication by the second detector that a person is present within the POS lane.

In some embodiments, the processor may be further configured to generate an alert upon the first RDIF reader reading an RFID tag with the POS lane. In certain embodiments, the alert may be transmitted to a security module for security systems or security associated with the venue to take appropriate action.

In various embodiments, the second detector may include a video camera. The video camera may be configured to track the person in the POS lane and obtain positional data associated with the person. In some embodiments, the processor may be further configured to cause the first RFID reader to transmit an interrogation signal at a power level, the power level being based at least in part on the positional data. In at least one embodiment, the processor may adjust the power level in response to a change in the positional data. In another embodiment, the processor may adjust the power level in response to the positional data being static. In a further embodiment, the processor may adjust the power level in response to an RF noise level associated with the positional data.

In some embodiments, the processor may cause the first RFID reader to transmit an interrogation signal in a direction, where the direction is based at least in part on the positional data. In at least one embodiment, the processor may adjust the direction in response to a change in the positional data.

In other embodiments, the video camera may be configured to track the person prior to the person entering the POS lane to obtain a set of data, where the processor may determine a confidence level of a shrink event based at least in part on the set of data. In some embodiments, the processor may generate an alert upon the RDIF reader reading an RFID tag and the confidence level exceeding a threshold level. In another embodiment, the processor may generate an alert upon the first RDIF reader reading an RFID tag, where the alert includes an indication of the confidence level.

In various embodiments, a second RFID reader may be configured to detect at least one incoming RFID tag, where the incoming RFID tag is a tag that is brought into the venue from outside of the venue. In such embodiments, the processor may generate an alert upon the second RFID reader reading the incoming RFID tag. In an alternative embodiment, the processor may generate an alert upon the first RFID reader reading an RFID tag in the POS lane and determining that the RFID tag in the POS lane is different from the at least one incoming RFID tag.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view, as seen from above, of a retail venue100illustrating an arrangement for selectively activating a radio frequency RFID reader within the retail venue having multiple POS lanes in the venue in which detector stations30are deployed. In the example embodiment ofFIG. 1, the retail venue includes a backroom112that has a centralized controller16. The retail venue also includes a fitting room110, and a retail sales floor102with various retail items (e.g.,104and106), and two POS stations (108and138) that each have respective POS lanes (POS lane1and POS lane2). Each of the POS stations (108and138) may include various equipment. For example, POS station108may include a computer system116and an interface128that may include, for example, an optical scanner, touchpad, keypad, display, and data input/output interface connecting to the computer system116. The computer system116may be operated by store personnel24, which may be, for example, an employee, contract worker, owner, or other operator of the retail store. POS station138may similarly include a computer system136and an interface148that may include, for example, an optical scanner, touchpad, keypad, display, and data input/output interface connecting to the computer system136. POS station138is not operated by store personnel and, therefore, at least in some embodiments may represent a closed, inactive, or otherwise empty POS lane or station.

The venue100further includes the centralized controller16which may comprise a networked host computer or server. The centralized controller16may be connected to a plurality of detector stations30positioned throughout the venue100via the network switch18. As further described herein, the detector stations30are able to detect targets including, for example, people, such as store personnel24or consumers within the store (not shown), as well as the various retail products or items being offered for sale on the floor102, e.g., clothes106, handbags104, etc., that are arranged on shelves, hangers, racks, etc. In addition, each such product may be tagged with a RFID tag for detection as described herein, where consumers carrying the products can be tracked via RFID readers.

Each of the computer systems116and136may comprise one or more processors and may be in electronic communication with centralized controller16via the network switch18and/or via wired, wireless, direct, or networked communication with one or more of the detector stations30, where the detector stations30may transmit and receive wired or wireless electronic communication to and from the computer systems116and136. Similarly, each of the detector stations30may either be in either wired or wireless electronic communication with centralized controller16via the network switch18. For example, in some embodiments, the detector stations30may be connected via Category 5 or 6 cables and use the Ethernet standard for wired communications. In other embodiments, the detector stations30may be connected wirelessly, using built-in wireless transceiver, and may use the IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) and/or Bluetooth standards for wireless communications. Other embodiments may include detector stations30that use a combination of wired and wireless communication.

The interfaces128and148may provide a human/machine interface, e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI) or screen, that presents information in pictorial and/or textual form (e.g., representations of bearings of the RFID-tagged products104,106). Such information may be presented to the store personnel24, or to other store personnel such as security personnel (not shown). The computer systems (116,136) and the interfaces (128,148) may be separate hardware devices and include, for example, a computer, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, and various other hardware peripherals, or may be integrated into a single hardware device, such as a mobile smartphone, or a portable tablet, or a laptop computer. Furthermore, the interfaces (128,148) may be in a smartphone, or tablet, etc., while the computer systems (116,136) may be a local computer, or a remotely hosted in a cloud computer. The computer systems (116,136) may include a wireless RF transceiver that communicates with each detectors station30, for example, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

FIG. 2is a block diagram representative of an embodiment of centralized controller16ofFIG. 1. The centralized controller16is configured to execute computer instructions to perform operations associated with the systems and methods as described herein, for example, implement the example operations represented by the block diagrams or flowcharts of the drawings accompanying this description. The centralized controller16may implement enterprise service software that may include, for example, Restful (representational state transfer) API services, message queuing service, and event services that may be provided by various platforms or specifications, such as the J2EE specification implemented by any one of the Oracle WebLogic Server platform, the JBoss platform, or the IBM WebSphere platform, etc. As described below, the centralized controller16may be specifically configured for performing operations represented by the block diagrams or flowcharts of the drawings described herein.

The example centralized controller16ofFIG. 2includes a processor202, such as, for example, one or more microprocessors, controllers, and/or any suitable type of processor. The example centralized controller16ofFIG. 2further includes memory (e.g., volatile memory or non-volatile memory)204accessible by the processor202, for example, via a memory controller (not shown). The example processor202interacts with the memory204to obtain, for example, machine-readable instructions stored in the memory204corresponding to, for example, the operations represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure. Additionally, or alternatively, machine-readable instructions corresponding to the example operations of the block diagrams or flowcharts may be stored on one or more removable media (e.g., a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, removable flash memory, etc.), or over a remote connection, such as the Internet or a cloud-based connection, that may be coupled to the centralized controller16to provide access to the machine-readable instructions stored thereon.

The example centralized controller16ofFIG. 2may further include a network interface206to enable communication with other machines via, for example, one or more computer networks, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet. The example network interface206may include any suitable type of communication interface(s) (e.g., wired and/or wireless interfaces) configured to operate in accordance with any suitable protocol(s), e.g., Ethernet for wired communications and/or IEEE 802.11 for wireless communications.

The example centralized controller16ofFIG. 2includes input/output (I/O) interfaces208to enable receipt of user input and communication of output data to the user, which may include, for example, any number of keyboards, mice, USB drives, optical drives, screens, touchscreens, etc.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an example implementation of an embodiment of a detector station30. In the illustrated example, the detector station30includes three example detectors31,35, and37, as further described herein. For example, a detector in the form of a RFID tag reader31is operative for reading a target (e.g., a RFID tag associated with a product or person). In one embodiment, for example, an RFID tag attached to product resting on a shelf may be read and detected by its attached RFID tag. Similarly, an RFID tag associated with a product that a person has picked up may be detected and tracked as the person moves through the venue100.

More particularly, as shown inFIG. 3, each RFID reader31includes an RFID tag reader module32that has a controller, a memory, and an RF transceiver, which are operatively connected to a plurality of RFID antenna elements34, which are energized by the RFID module32to radiate RF energy (also referred to herein as a beam) over an antenna beam pattern. As those of skill will recognize, an antenna and its beam pattern can be characterized by the antenna's beam width (i.e., the antenna's half power beam width). The RF reader31is operated, under the control of the tag reader module32, to transmit RF beam or wave energy to the tags, and to receive RF response signals from the tags, thereby interrogating and processing the payloads of the tags that are in a reading zone of the RF transceiver. The RFID reading zone for a detector station30may be a 360° zone defined by the RFID antenna elements34and their collective beam patterns. In various embodiments, a detector30may include eight RFID antenna elements34, each maintained in a fixed position and each having a beam pattern extending in a different direction. During operation, the RF transceiver may capture payload data or target data that identifies the tags and their associated products (e.g., retail items104and/or106). The centralized controller16may be configured to control the overhead RFID readers in the plurality of detector stations30to read the tags on the products (e.g., retail items104and/or106) in a reading mode of operation in accordance with a set of reading parameters.

Referring toFIG. 1, store personnel24may hold, carry, and operate any mobile device such as, a mobile phone, or as illustrated by way of non-limiting example, a handheld, portable, mobile RFID tag reader22(not shown) during his/her movement within the venue100. As described below, the store personnel24himself/herself and/or the tag reader22, may each be considered, either individually or jointly, as a mobile target to be located and tracked in the venue. The mobile reader22has a controller, a memory, and an RF transceiver operatively connected to an RFID antenna (e.g., RFID antenna34), which are together operative for reading the product tags associated with products (e.g.,104and/or106) in the venue100. The store personnel24may be any individual, employee, operator, or associate authorized to operate the handheld, mobile reader22. In some embodiments, to initiate reading, the store personnel24may actuate an actuator or trigger on the mobile reader22. More than one mobile reader22may be present and/or movable in the venue100at a time.

Each detector station30may include another sensing detector, as shown inFIG. 3. For example, an ultrasonic locationing detector35may be operative for locating, for example, a phone, a mobile device, or by way of non-limiting example, the mobile reader22, by transmitting an ultrasonic signal to an ultrasonic receiver, e.g., a microphone, on the mobile reader22or phone. More particularly, the locationing detector35includes an ultrasonic locationing module36having control and processing electronics operatively connected to a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters, such as voice coil or piezoelectric speakers38, for transmitting ultrasonic energy to the microphone on the mobile reader22. The receipt of the ultrasonic energy at the microphone locates the mobile reader22. Each ultrasonic speaker38periodically transmits ultrasonic ranging signals, preferably in short bursts or ultrasonic pulses, which are received by the microphone on the mobile reader22. The microphone determines when the ultrasonic ranging signals are received. The locationing module36, under the control of the centralized controller16, directs all the speakers38to emit the ultrasonic ranging signals such that the microphone on the mobile reader22will receive minimized overlapping ranging signals from the different speakers38. The flight time difference between the transmit time that each ranging signal is transmitted and the receive time that each ranging signal is received, together with the known speed of each ranging signal, as well as the known and fixed locations and positions of the speakers38on each detector station30, are all used to determine the location (i.e., position) and/or direction of travel of the microphone and of the mobile reader22, using a suitable locationing technique, such as triangulation, trilateration, multilateration, etc. Such locationing and direction of travel may be determined by analyzing data from multiple detector stations30and centralized controller16. In some embodiments, some detectors may be configured to determine location, while other detectors may be configured to determine direction of travel.

In the illustrated example ofFIG. 3, the detector station30may further include a video detector37operative for detecting or locating a target by capturing an image of the target in the venue100, such as a person moving through venue100or an item sitting on a shelf of venue100. More particularly, the video detector37may be mounted in each detector station30and may include a video module40having a camera controller that is connected to a camera42, which may be, for example, a wide-angle field of view camera for capturing the image of a target. In some embodiments, the camera42may be a high-bandwidth, video camera, such as a moving picture expert group (MPEG) compression camera. In other embodiments, the camera may include wide-angle capabilities such that camera42would be able to capture images over a large area to produce a video stream of the images. As referred to herein, the image capture devices or video cameras (also referred to as image sensors herein) are configured to capture image data representative of the venue or an environment of the venue. Further, the image sensors described herein are example data capture devices, and example methods and apparatuses disclosed herein are applicable to any suitable type of data capture device(s). In various embodiments, the images or data from the images may be synchronized or fused with other data, such as RFID data, and used to further describe, via data, the venue or environment of the venue. Such synchronized or fused data may be used, for example, by the centralized controller16to make determinations or for other features as described herein.

As described, each of the detector stations30may collect locationing and direction of travel information from its one or more detectors, such as the RFID reader31and/or the ultrasonic detector35. That information is correlated with the video detector37to capture and filter video images based on the location and/or direction of travel of the target, such as a product or person. In particular, a detector station30may filter captured video to segment out from the captured wide-angle video, images of the target near the target sensing station, as the target is moved through the venue. That segmenting may result in discarding video images that do include the target or discarding portions of the wide-angle video that extend beyond an area of interest surrounding and including the target itself.

In various embodiments, focusing, image tilting, and image panning procedures may be determined by first performing image processing on the target in the wide-angle video stream. For example, in some embodiments, a detector station30may perform target identification procedures over the determined field of view, procedures such as edge detection to identify the target, segmentation to segment out the target's image from other objects in the video stream, and a determination of any translational, rotational, shearing, or other image artifacts affecting the target image and that would then be corrected for before using the captured target image.

Any of the detector stations30, including alone, together, or some combination thereof, may transmit electronic information, including any RFID, Ultrasonic, video, or other information, to the centralized controller16for processing. For example, the central controller16ofFIG. 2may include a network communication interface206communicatively coupled to network communication interfaces82of the detector stations30to receive sensing detector data, such as RFID information and/or ultrasonic locationing information, and video stream data, such as a video stream from the wide-angle camera42. The detector stations30may also receive information, commands, or execution instructions, including requests to provide additional sensory or detection information from the centralized controller16in order to perform the features and functionally as described herein.

FIG. 4is a flow chart of a method400for selectively activating a radio frequency RFID reader within a venue having a POS lane. As described herein, the venue may be, for example, a retail store with one or more POS lanes, such as POS lanes1and2as depicted inFIG. 1. The method400may begin (402) at block404where a first detector detects a POS lane activity state of the POS lane. For example, with reference toFIG. 1, the first detector may be a video camera42associated with detector station30C that identifies the lane activity state of POS lane1. The POS lane1activity state may be either an active state or an inactive state. For example, the POS lane1of POS station108may be in an active state because it is being operated by store personnel24and is available to execute consumer transactions. The active state may be determined for example, by a video detector37, including camera42, of detector station30C imaging that the store personnel is operating POS station108. In another embodiment, the active state may be detected by any of a toggle switch, timer, presence sensor, motion sensor, pressure mat (e.g., store personnel24standing on the mat), such that the activity state is transmitted to centralized controller16for storage and association of the active state with POS station108. In other embodiments, an operator of centralized controller may send a command signal from centralized controller16indicating that the POS station108and POS lane1has an active state.

As another example, the first detector may be a video camera42or RFID reader32associated with detector station30D that detects the lane activity state of POS lane2. The POS lane2activity state may also be either an active state or an inactive state, and may be indicated in the same manners as described for POS lane1. However, the POS lane2of POS station138may, for example, be in an inactive state because it is not being operated by any store personnel and, therefore, is unavailable to execute consumer transactions. For example, the camera42of detector station30D may produce electronic imaging frames of the POS station138that lack store personnel or the camera42of detector station30D may produce electronic imaging frames of the POS station138that include a “closed” light or sign associated with POS station138. In each example embodiment, the electronic image frames may be sent to central controller16that would indicate that the inactive state for POS station138and POS lane2.

At block406a second detector may be configured to detect a presence of a person in the POS lane. For example, the second detector may be a camera42or RFID reader32of detector station30A, where the detector of detector station30A detects a person, e.g., via video image capture and/or via an RFID signal received from an RFID tag associated with a product (e.g.,104or106) that the user has selected for purchase, checking out at POS station138in POS lane1.

As an additional example, the second detector may be a camera42of detector station30B associated with POS station138, where the detector station30D detects a person, e.g., via video image capture showing a person and product (e.g.,104or106) that the user has picked up from the sales floor102, moving through POS lane2of POS station138. In other embodiments, the second detector may be a motion sensing device (e.g., attached to POS station138) or a pressing sensing mat or tile (e.g., placed on the floor of POS lane2) that detects the presence of a person moving through POS lane2.

At block408a processor, such as processor202of centralized controller16, may activate a first RFID reader, such as an RFID reader31of detector station30B, upon an indication by the first detector that the POS lane2activity state has the inactive state and upon a further indication by the second detector, e.g., the camera42of detector station30B, that a person is present within POS lane2. For example, the processor may be one or more processors of centralized controller16as described forFIG. 2, that, upon receiving video images from the camera42of detector station30B of a person moving through POS lane2of POS station138and upon determining that POS lane2is associated with an inactive state, may activate an RFID reader of either detector station30D or30B. In any event, the activated RFID reader includes a reading range that extends over the POS lane, e.g., POS lane2. Once activated, the RFID reader may determine whether an RFID tag is present on the person or an item that the person is carrying. The RFID reader may be an RFID reader31of the same detector30B that had the camera42that detected the presence of the person in POS lane2, or it may be an RFID reader of a different detector, such as a detector of detector station30D, or it may be a separate RFID reader positioned near the POS lane or near the POS itself. In another example, the RFID reader may be positioned within the housing of a bi-optic scanner used at the POS such that its read zone is over the scanner in an area where products are expected to be placed or swiped.

In some embodiments, the first RFID reader may be positioned between the POS lane and another POS lane, for example, in an embodiment where an RFID reader of detector station30C were activated by the processor202, where detector station30C is positioned between POS lane1and POS lane2.

In some embodiments, the processor, such as processor202of centralized controller16ofFIG. 2, may be further configured to generate an alert upon the first RFID reader reading an RFID tag. In certain embodiments, the alert may be transmitted to a security module for security systems or security personnel associated with the venue to take appropriate action. For example, the security module (not shown) could be included as part of central controller16, as security software executing on process202of central controller16, that could, e.g., alert store personnel of a possible theft or shrink event.

In various embodiments, the second detector may include a video camera, such as camera42as described herein. The video camera may be configured to track the person in the POS lane and obtain positional data associated with the person. In some embodiments, the processor (e.g., processor202) may be further configured to cause the first RFID reader to transmit an interrogation signal at a certain power level, where the power level is based on at least in part on the positional data. In at least one embodiment, the processor may adjust the power level in response to a change in the positional data. In another embodiment, the processor may adjust the power level in response to the positional data being static. In a further embodiment, the processor may adjust the power level in response to an RF noise level associated with the positional data.

For example, in certain embodiments, multiple inactive POS lanes can be employed based on the relative location of the detected motion near the inactive POS lanes. In such an embodiment, for example, the centralized controller16may analyze data from each RFID reader associated with the inactive POS lanes and may build a list of static tags in its environment when read at multiple power levels (low, medium, high). When a person is determined to be passing through a certain inactive POS, as described herein, the minimum power level necessary to read any tags on that person based on their estimated distance to the reader may be selected, e.g., by the centralized controller16. This would maximize the chance of reader a tag on the person of interest while minimizing the chance of interfering with any nearby active POS lanes. In addition, if a person is within range of multiple inactive RFID readers, the interrogations from those readers can be timed to read at a specific time and power level so as to not interfere with each other while providing multiple attempts to read tags on the person of interest passing through an inactive lane.

In other embodiments, the processor (e.g., processor202) may cause the first RFID reader to transmit an interrogation signal in a direction, the direction being based at least in part on the positional data. In at least one embodiment, the processor may adjust the direction in response to a change in the positional data.

In other embodiments, a video camera, such as a camera42in a detector station30, may be configured to track the person prior to the person entering the POS lane2to obtain a set of data, where the processor202may determine a confidence level of a shrink event based at least in part on the set of data.

In some embodiments, the processor202may generate an alert upon an RFID reader reading an RFID tag and the confidence level exceeding a threshold level. The processor may generate an alert upon the first RFID reader reading an RFID tag, where the alert includes an indication of the confidence level. For example, a confidence level above a threshold level of 90% of the occurrence of shrink event may cause the alert to be sent to store personnel24. The confidence level may be determined based on a number of factors, e.g., the direction of the person (e.g., is the person heading toward an exit) which can be determined on two readings from two detectors to determine a position at a first time and a next position at a second time, whether the person is carrying a product, which can be determined based on an RFID tag associated with a product (e.g.,104or106) that a person is carrying, etc.

In various embodiments, a second RFID reader may be configured to detect at least one incoming RFID tag, where the incoming RFID tag is a tag that is brought into the venue from outside of the venue. In such embodiments, the processor (e.g., processor202) may generate an alert upon the second RFID reader reading the incoming RFID tag. In an alternative embodiment, the processor (e.g., processor202) may generate an alert upon the first RFID reader reading an RFID tag in the POS lane and determining that the RFID tag in the POS lane is different from the at least one incoming RFID tag. In some embodiments, the second RFID reader may be positioned by a points of ingress or egress (e.g., entrances or exits) of venue100typically used by customers or other individuals. In such embodiments, RFID tags brought into the venue100by customers or other individuals may be detected and tracked regardless of whether the customers or individuals pass through a POS lane or not.