Patent ID: 7225980

Claim:
A shopping cart with RFID capability for detecting a RFID tag located on RFID-tagged items, the shopping cart comprising: a) a frame having: i) an accommodating space having an opening on a top thereof and accommodating the RFID-tagged items; ii) a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to a bottom of the frame for supporting the frame and selectively facilitating a movement of the frame by a rotation of the plurality of wheels; and iii) a cover pivotally connected to the frame and selectively sealing the opening of the accommodating space, the cover is movable between open and closed positions; b) a reader unit having: i) a RFID reader connected to the frame; and ii) at least one antenna electrically connected to the RFID reader and located in the accommodating space of the frame; c) a memory unit connected to the frame and electrically connected to the RFID reader; d) a control unit having: i) an actuating device connected to the frame and the cover and selectively moving the cover between the open and closed positions; and ii) a sensing device connected to the frame and electrically connected to the RFID reader, the sensing device controlling the RFID reader through the at least one antenna, the sensing device turning the RFID reader on when the cover is located in the open position and turning the RFID reader off when the cover is located in the closed position; and e) a power unit providing power to the reader unit, the memory unit and the control unit.