Patents by Inventor James N. Cox

James N. Cox has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7857221
    Abstract: A system for applying radio frequency identification tags on which are disposed respective barcodes includes a processor and a plurality of representations of the items accessible by the processor. Each representation is associated with at least one of the barcodes and includes an indication of a predetermined position for placement of the radio frequency identification tag on an item corresponding to the barcode. A barcode reader and a display are in communication with the processor. When the barcode reader detects a first barcode on a first item, the barcode reader outputs a first signal to the processor identifying the first barcode. The processor receives the first signal, identifies a first representation that is associated with the first barcode, and outputs to the display a second signal associated with the first representation. The display receives the second signal associated with the first representation and displays the first representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kuhno, Troy R. Herman, Anthony M. DiMauro, James N. Cox
  • Patent number: 7586411
    Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, at least one first antenna, at least one second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, and a processor. The processor associates a first signal with a first item if the processor receives the first signal from the receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a first area that includes at least part of a second area into which the antenna radiates radio frequency signals. The first antenna radiates radio frequency signals if at least one item is in the path of travel within a third area that includes, and is larger than, the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Cox
  • Patent number: 7557713
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a plurality of antennas proximate a conveyor path of travel that radiate radio frequency signals into a first area and receive responses to radio frequency signals from radio frequency identification tags on items on the conveyor. A detector detects a height of items. A processor receives response signals from the receiver and controls a transmitter to drive respective antennas in a predetermined sequence, associate a response with a first item if the processor receives the response signal while at least a portion of the first item is within a second area that includes at least part of the first area, and based on signals from the detector, eliminate at least one of the plurality of antennas from the predetermined sequence if the height of the first item is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Cox
  • Patent number: 7554447
    Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. A first antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the first antenna radiates first radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass. A second antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the second antenna receives first responses to the first radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags. The information identifies a class protocol. A third antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel downstream from the first antenna and the second antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Cox
  • Patent number: 7548162
    Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame and a conveyor disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. A plurality of antennas are disposed proximate the path of travel so that the plurality of antennas radiate radio frequency signals into first areas through which the items pass and receive responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items. A first antenna is offset with respect to the path of travel from a second antenna so that the radio frequency signals from the second antenna generally do not interfere with reception of responses by the first antenna from radio frequency identification tags located within a predetermined second area along the path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Cox
  • Patent number: 7545273
    Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed comprises a frame and a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. At least one antenna is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass and receives responses to the radio frequency signals from radio frequency identification tags on the items passing through the path of travel. A radio frequency transmitter drives the antenna. A radio frequency receiver receives the signals corresponding to the responses and outputs the first signals corresponding to the responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Cox
  • Patent number: 7492259
    Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, at least one first antenna, at least one second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, and a processor. The processor is programmed to associate information included in a first signal corresponding to a response from a radio frequency identification tag with a first item if the processor receives the first signal while at least a portion of the first item is within a first area that includes at least part of a second area into which the first antenna radiates radio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Cox