Single RFID Antenna Self-Checkout Using Dynamic Object Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
RFID technologies in self-checkout systems are prone to errors due to cross-interference and shadowing issues, which affect accuracy and efficiency, requiring manual labor and computing resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with a single RFID antenna that moves objects along a product pathway to different positions relative to the antenna, allowing multiple scans at various angles to mitigate interference and ensure accurate identification of items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single RFID antenna is used for scanning objects, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to cross-interference and shadowing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the relative position between the RFID antenna and objects by moving objects along the product pathway to different positions relative to the antenna. This dynamic repositioning allows the single antenna to scan objects from multiple angles, mitigating shadowing and cross-interference issues while maintaining identification accuracy without requiring multiple antennas.
2Speed
If objects are scanned at a single position relative to the RFID antenna, then scanning speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to shadowing and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning at the first position to identify objects in the first set. Based on this preliminary identification, objects are then moved to a second position for additional scanning. This preliminary action approach allows the system to quickly identify most objects while performing targeted repositioning only when needed, balancing scanning speed with reliability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple RFID antennas are deployed to eliminate shadowing, then identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more antennas in the same spatial dimension, the system moves objects along the product pathway to different positions relative to the single antenna. This effectively utilizes the temporal and spatial dimension of object movement to achieve multi-angle scanning, providing the benefits of multiple scanning perspectives without the complexity of multiple antennas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy and speed of self-checkout processes while reducing manual labor and computing resources by ensuring reliable scanning of items, even when they are shadowed or closely positioned.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, via a single RFID antenna, a first energization signal; receiving, by the single RFID antenna at a first time, a first set of identifier signals in response to the first energization signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for radio frequency identification in self-checkout via a first product pathway; a single Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) antenna, having a first scanning zone aligned with the first product pathway; wherein the first product pathway is configured to: position a first set of objects within the first scanning zone at a first position relative to the single RFID antenna at a first time; and position the first set of object within the first scanning zone at a second position relative to the single RFID, different than the first position, at a second time; and wherein the single RFID antenna is configured to: receive, at the first time, a first set of identifier signals associated with at least some of the first set of objects; and receive, at the second time, a second set of identifier signals associated with at least some of the first set of objects.