Abstract: A system and method for multi-reading RFID codes is disclosed. The system may comprise a portal, a RFID reader, an entrance sensor, an exit sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the RFID code data and the read timestamp for each article, receive the start trigger timestamp and the stop trigger timestamp, determine a read area time range based on the start trigger timestamp and the stop trigger timestamp, determine an active read area timeframe based on the read area time range as adjusted by a pre-read offset and a post-read offset, associate RFID code data with the first group if the read timestamp associated with the RFID code data occurred during the active read area timeframe, and process the RFID code data of the first group and transmit a result of the processing of the first group to an output interface.

Abstract: An RFID portal reads multiple associated RFID tags on articles in groups moved through an RFID code reader having interrogation/charging and receiving/detection antennas concentrated on the group when in a reading zone. The articles are movable through a passage between the reading zone and an outside area. The passage has conductive walls at the reading zone associated with antennas for applying and collecting focused RF signals, and the walls define a vestibule lined with broadband or specific stopband electromagnetic damping structures as well as elongating signal paths into and/or out of the reading zone. Attenuation by one or more of broadband and stopband damping and signal path elongation can achieve 10 dB attenuation or more, sufficient to minimize interaction with stray RFID tagged articles that may be outside of the group in the reading zone.

Abstract: An RFID portal reads multiple associated RFID tags on articles in groups moved through an RFID code reader having interrogation/charging and receiving/detection antennas concentrated on the group when in a reading zone. The articles are movable through a passage between the reading zone and an outside area. The passage has conductive walls at the reading zone associated with antennas for applying and collecting focused RF signals, and the walls define a vestibule lined with broadband or specific stopband electromagnetic damping structures as well as elongating signal paths into and/or out of the reading zone. Attenuation by one or more of broadband and stopband damping and signal path elongation can achieve 10 dB attenuation or more, sufficient to minimize interaction with stray RFID tagged articles that may be outside of the group in the reading zone.

Abstract: An inventory control and reporting system especially for retail drycleaners includes a data input keyboard having key blocks corresponding to information for identification and calculation of processing costs of laundry articles to be cleaned, a data processor adapted to calculate pricing information and to generate reports based upon such data input, the processor being connected to a printer and the processor and printer producing sequential multiple part bar code records and tags for attachment to the laundry articles in sequential transactions, and also as hard copies for the customer and for the establishment. The bar code portions of the records are generated by a dot matrix printer operating in a high resolution mode, the bar code portions being generated for a transaction contemporaneously with the transaction. The bar code tags are attached to articles of clothing and are used with scanning apparatus to facilitate generation of reports according to various management needs.