Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7865398?dq=7,446,777
Timestamp: 2014-08-23 15:38:45
Document Index: 466734718

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'Application No. 200410083116', 'Application No. 04']

Patent US7865398 - Radio frequency identification tag on picking container and display of ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA method of filling an order in a warehouse or store. An order is received at a product moving device, and is filled with items in the warehouse. The order is displayed as a picklist that includes data about each item, including the number of the item desired, and any special loading considerations....http://www.google.com/patents/US7865398?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7865398 - Radio frequency identification tag on picking container and display of picklist to order fillerAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7865398 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/675,591Publication dateJan 4, 2011Filing dateSep 30, 2003Priority dateSep 30, 2003Also published asCN1624715A, EP1521194A1, US20050071234Publication number10675591, 675591, US 7865398 B2, US 7865398B2, US-B2-7865398, US7865398 B2, US7865398B2InventorsBjarne Sch�nOriginal AssigneeMicrosoft CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (18), Non-Patent Citations (7), Referenced by (4), Classifications (25), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetRadio frequency identification tag on picking container and display of picklist to order fillerUS 7865398 B2Abstract A method of filling an order in a warehouse or store. An order is received at a product moving device, and is filled with items in the warehouse. The order is displayed as a picklist that includes data about each item, including the number of the item desired, and any special loading considerations. As items are placed on the device, an RF reader on the device detects the item, and removes the item from the picklist. If an item not on the list is loaded on the device, the system detects the item, and notifies the operator. The item must be removed, or allowed to remain, before any other items are loaded.
What is claimed is: 1. A method of filling an order using a product moving device that engages and supports a pallet in a store, comprising:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to filling an order in a warehouse or other inventory sensitive area. In particular, the present invention relates to a radio frequency identification system used in a warehouse to register items as they are placed on a pallet and to reflect those items on the order.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses at least some of the needs of warehouse managers to know what items are going out of the warehouse in specific orders. In contrast to previous systems, the present invention uses the RF tags in combination with an order or picklist to fill an order.
RF readers 380 are readers that are located around the warehouse 200 or other location where the present invention is implemented. Generally, there are a plurality of these RF readers 380 located strategically around the warehouse, such that there is never a �dead zone� for any RF tag such as tag 372, located in the warehouse 200. The RF reader 380 allows the master computer system 320 to communicate with all of the RF tags that are located within the warehouse 200. In one embodiment each RF reader 380 is hardwired to the master computer system 320. However, other means of linking each RF reader 380 to the master computer system 320 can be used, such as a wireless connection. Further, RF reader 380 can be separated into a separate RF receiver and a separate RF transmitter.
The items in the grocery store 600 are identified with an RF tag, that includes information related to the specific item. The RF tag for an item can be preinstalled on the item at the manufacturer, or it can be added when the item is stocked by the store 600. The RF tags also provide the store 600 with up-to-date information related to the inventory, and can also be used to track shoppers' habits. As the shopper 610 moves through the store 600, and places items in the cart 660, the RF reader 662 on the shopping cart logs the item into the carts �inventory.� Once the item is in the cart 660, the order management system removes the item from the shopping list. The shopper will notice that the item is no longer on the shopping list 612 displayed on the display screen 664. If the shopper had more than one of the item on the shopping list, such as 3 cans of peas, the present invention will not remove the item from the list, but will deduct the number of the item present from the total needed. In an alternative embodiment items that are present on the list are crossed off, using strikeout or other features, similar to the method commonly used by shoppers with a paper shopping list as illustrated at line 712.
During the course of shopping the shopper may select an item on the list and place it in the cart. At the time the product is placed in the cart the present invention can indicate to the shopper information about that item or related items in the information area 750. Illustratively, if the shopper placed macaroni and cheese in the cart 660 the information area 750 could display information related to another brand of macaroni and cheese. For example the display could read, �You have selected ABC Macaroni and Cheese for $0.99. However, XYZ Mac and Cheese is on sale this week for $0.19.� In another example the shopper 610 placed tortilla chips in the cart 660, but did not have salsa on the list. In this example the screen could display �You have selected Tortilla Chips, do you want salsa with that?� This feature acts as a reminder for the shopper 610 in the event they forgot a related item from their shopping list.
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