A sales data processing device includes a controller that acquires article identification information from a wireless tag on an article. The controller interrogates a server for information corresponding to the acquired article identification information. The server stores information concerning individual articles handled at a first store at which the sales data processing device is located and a second store. The controller determines, based on the information returned from the server, whether the article matching the article identification information read from the wireless tag is listed as being is in stock at the first store. If the article is in stock, the controller registers the article identification information in a sales transaction, then updates the information on the first server to indicate that the article is no longer in stock.

A wireless tag reading device of an embodiment that is for reading tag information of a wireless tag attached to an article housed in a housing portion, including: a bottom surface portion; and a plurality of side surface portions erected upward from an end of the bottom surface portion, the housing portion being surrounded by the bottom surface portion and the side surface portions, in which the wireless tag reading device includes: inside the side surface portions, an antenna that radiates a radio wave into the housing portion; a radio wave reflecting unit that is provided outside the antenna and that reflects the radio wave radiated from the antenna toward the housing portion; and a radio wave absorbing unit that is provided at an upper portion of the radio wave reflecting unit and that absorbs the radio wave radiated from the antenna.

An improved automated inventory system is herein disclosed. The improved automated system (AIS) can comprise an enclosure for storing one or more items, one or more RFID readers, and a control system. Each of the items are tagged with an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag. The enclosure can comprise a plurality of of interior surfaces that defines an interior space within said enclosure. The enclosure can also comprise one or more access points within the interior surfaces that allow access to the items within the enclosure. Each of the RFID readers can be capable of reading the RFID tag. The control system can be in communication with the one or more RFID readers.

An article registration apparatus (100) includes: a reading unit (102) that reads article identification information from an IC tag associated with an article by using at least one of a plurality of antennas; a control unit (106) that controls the reading unit (102); a judgement unit (104) that judges whether a reading result of the reading unit (102) satisfies a criterion; and a determination unit (108) that determines the article identification information read by the reading unit (102), wherein the control unit (106) causes the reading unit (102) to read the article identification information by using a first antenna, the judgement unit (104) judges whether a reading result of the first antenna satisfies the criterion, the control unit (106) causes the reading unit (102) to read the article identification information by using a second antenna different from the first antenna when the reading result of the first antenna satisfies the criterion, and the determination unit (108) determines the article identification information to be output, by using the article identification information read by using the first antenna and the second antenna.

Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. In an embodiment, the system comprises transport conveyor(s) and storage conveyors, wherein each storage conveyor comprises a plurality of segments configured to hold at least one item, and a portion that is aligned with a portion of a transport conveyor, such that items are moveable from the storage conveyor to the transport conveyor. Software module(s), executed by a processor, receive an instruction to collect item(s) at a single destination location, and, for each of the item(s), identify a segment on a storage conveyor on which the item is held, control that storage conveyor to align the segment with the transport conveyor, move the item from the segment onto the transport conveyor, control the transport conveyor to align the item with the destination location, and move the item from the transport conveyor to the destination location.

Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. In an embodiment, the system comprises transport conveyor(s) and storage conveyors, wherein each storage conveyor comprises a plurality of segments configured to hold at least one item, and a portion that is aligned with a portion of a transport conveyor, such that items are moveable from the storage conveyor to the transport conveyor. Software module(s), executed by a processor, receive an instruction to collect item(s) at a single destination location, and, for each of the item(s), identify a segment on a storage conveyor on which the item is held, control that storage conveyor to align the segment with the transport conveyor, move the item from the segment onto the transport conveyor, control the transport conveyor to align the item with the destination location, and move the item from the transport conveyor to the destination location.

An RFID-enabled storage container and systems and methods for assembly and use thereof. The RFID-enabled storage container may include adjustable shelving with built-in antennas, such that the shelving may be customized as may be needed. The system may include a storage container, an inventory management system, and one or more point of use terminals. The storage container may identify and check inventory stored thereon, and provide such information to the inventory management system. The storage container may notify the inventory management system when a product is no longer detected within its inventory, and the inventory management system may monitor the one or more point of use terminals to determine if the undetected product has been used at one of the point of use terminals. The inventory management system may also predict inventory needs as well as maintain age and other data for inventory and provide feedback via an illumination indication.

A hub includes a hub body around which a magnetic tape is wound, and a noncontact storage medium provided in the hub body, in which the noncontact storage medium stores hub specification information for specifying the hub body, and the hub specification information is associated with hub change characteristic information indicating a change characteristic of the hub body.

Access control electronics tor wireless locks comprise one or more battery operated radios that receive access control codes. The wireless accessed locks locate the electronic components, circuits, sensors and antennas and many of the lock components away from the container being secured and closer to the operator/user. The disclosed access control electronics combine a proximity detection circuit comprising sensor pads and a capacitive sensing circuit and one or more short-range radio frequency antennas for reading RFID devices. The proximity sensor pads are in close proximity with the antennas, without the antennas interfering with the proximity sensing process, and the sensor pads to not attenuate the signals between the RFID devices and the antennas after the RFID devices are detected.

A data capture device for a building system has a housing in which a display device, an optical reading device, and a first reading device are arranged and which are communicatively connected to a control device arranged in the housing. The optical reading device is embodied to optically detect information from a first information carrier, wherein the optical reading device is arranged in such a way that light from the direction of the front side of the housing, which is accessible to a user, can be captured by an image sensor of the optical reading device. The first reading device has a first antenna in order to detect information from a second information carrier by means of radio communication, the first antenna comprising an air coil which has an inner space. The image sensor of the optical reading device is arranged entirely or partially in the inner space of the air coil.