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Rfid Receiving Process For Use With Enterprise Resource Planning Systems

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) receiving method for use with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is provided. The method includes reading, at a receiving point, information from RFID tags included on delivered items, which are not recorded on an Advanced Shipment Notification (ASN). An item arrival journal including item arrival lines is generated. By calling a mapping form, the item arrival lines are displayed along with RFID tag information indicative of delivered items. Then, mapping form logic is used to automatically map at least some of the delivered items corresponding to the RFID tags to item arrival lines to thereby match delivered items with ordered items.

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Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence

Patent Information

Application #
Filing Date
23 August 2007
Publication Number
26/2008
Publication Type
INA
Invention Field
COMMUNICATION
Status
Email
Parent Application

Applicants

MICROSOFT CORPORATION
ONE MICROSOFT WAY, REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052-6399

Inventors

1. GREGERSEN, FLEMMING
ONE MICROSOFT WAY, REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052-6399
2. PUGGAARD, KENNETH
ONE MICROSOFT WAY, REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052-6399, USA.
3. VEST, THOMAS
ONE MICROSOFT WAY, REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052-6399, USA.

Specification

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and systems for utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags with ERP systems. Enterprise resource planning (or ERP) is a phrase used to describe a broad set of activities supported by multi-module application software that helps a manufacturer or other business manage the important parts of its business, including product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, order tracking, interacting with suppliers, providing customer service, finance, human resources, etc. Often, an ERP system uses or is integrated with a relational database system. An example of an ERP system is Microsoft® Business Solutions-Axapta®. Axapta provides functionality to support many needs of a business, for example including: manufacturing; distribution, supply chain management, project management, financial management, human resource management, business analysis, enterprise portal, commerce gateway, etc. There is an ongoing effort to introduce transmitters, such as RFID tags, into consumer goods. In particular, RFID tags are being used to identify products. An RFID tag is energized when it is placed in the proximity of an RFID tag reader. This causes circuitry within the RFID tag to transmit digital data which is received by the tag reader and stored in memory. The data can be used to identify the goods associated with the RFID tag. RFID tags can be placed on the individual goods themselves, and/or they can be placed on pallets or containers used to ship the goods. Ideally, RFID tags can be used to assist in automating the inventory and supply chain processes. With a wide range of capabilities, RFID tags are a growing area in tracking technology. Unlike barcodes, RFID tags can be read through thick packaging and are unaffected by moisture and heat making them highly effective in manufacturing and distribution environments. RFID tags enable automatic identification with no physical contact. Depending on the specific type of RFID tag employed, the read range extends from a few inches to hundreds of feet. In general terms, RFID is a means of identifying an object using a radio frequency transmission, typically 125kHz, 13.56 MHz or 800-900MH2. RFID has been extensively used in applications such as toll collection, access control, ticketing, and car immobilization devices (also called immobilizers). In recent years, the technology has received increased attention due to a confluence of actions including technology advancement, heightened security concerns, supply chain automation, and a continuing emphasis on cost control within industrial systems. The AIDC (Automatic Identification Data Capture) industry is moving rapidly towards the use of RFID in a number of high-value and high-volume market segments. The primary benefit of RFID tags over barcodes is their ease of use and reliability. RFID tags can be read or written at distances up to several feet, while in motion, in any orientation, regardless of dirt or smudges, and through intervening objects. Perhaps most significant is the fact that many RFID tags can be read at once automatically, while barcodes have to be scanned manually, one by one. An RFID tag will only communicate when it is in range of a read/write device (a transceiver, a transmitter/receiver, or a reader) and can be accessed at anytime. RFID tags are durable and have a long life span, no battery requirement with most tag types, and large data memory capacity. RFID tags are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes. In construction an RFID tag has a microchip attached to an antenna. RFID tags are developed using a frequency according to the needs of the system including read range and the environment in which the tag will be read. Tags are either active or passive. Active RFID tags are powered by an internal battery and are typically read/write devices. Active RFID tags are more expensive and larger than passive RFID tags. However, they are also more powerful and have a greater read range. Passive RFID tags are powered by the field generated by the reader. Passive tags are typically much lighter than active tags, less expensive, and offer a virtually unlimited operational lifetime. However, they have shorter read ranges and require a higher-powered reader than active tags. An RFID reader, usually connected to a personal computer, serves the same purpose as a barcode scanner. It can also be battery-powered to allow mobile transactions with RFID tags. The RFID reader handles the communication between the, information system and the RFID tag. An RFID antenna connected to the RFID reader, can be of various sizes and structures, depending on the communication distance required for a given system's performance. The antenna activates the RFID tag and transfers data by emitting wireless pulses. While RFID tags can be used to collect additional data related to a supply chain process, fully using this data can present problems, particularly in existing ERP systems. For example, while an RFID tag can provide information which identifies the particular goods associated with the tag, it does not provide information which would allow a purchaser to know which of multiple like or identical products a particular received item corresponds to. For instance, in a supply chain when a manufacturer regularly orders (through purchase orders) the same item, when a shipment including a pallet containing that item arrives, if an Advanced Shipment Notification (ASN) is not received as well, it is not readily apparent which purchase order the received item corresponds to. Other obstacles exist which may prevent the RFID tag information from being fully utilized to improve the process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Using RFID tags to streamline business processes requires integrating the information into business software such that the information is useful as well as is not disruptive to the existing functionality of the software. The invention provides formats, schemas and processes to enter the information into business software supply chain and inventory control software without affecting other functionality. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) receiving method for use with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is provided. The method includes reading, at a receiving point, information from RFID tags included on delivered items, which are not recorded on an Advanced Shipment Notification (ASN). An item arrival journal including item arrival lines is generated. By calling a mapping form, the item arrival lines are displayed along with RFID tag information indicative of delivered items. Then, mapping form logic is used to automatically map at lea.st some of the delivered items corresponding to the RFID tags to item arrival lines to thereby match delivered items with ordered items. Other features and benefits that characterize embodiments of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one computing environment in which the present invention may be practiced. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an en.vironment in which methods of the present invention can be implemented. FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an example Electronic Product Code (EPC) number. FIG. 4 is a diagramimatic illustration of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) receive process, used with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a screen shot of an example embodiment of an arrival form used in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a screen shot of an example embodiment of an arrival lines form used in the present invention. FIG. 7 is a screen shot of an example embodiment of a default values form used in the present invention. FIG. 8 is a screen shot of an example embodiment of a mapping form used in the present invention. FIG, 9 is a flowchait showing steps of a RFID receiving method for use ERP system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a screen shot of an example embodiment of a pallet table. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a technology which can aid manufacturers and distributors to gain im-proved visibility into their supply chain, by increasing the number of data capture points in their supply chain. The aim is to put RFID tags on pallets, cases or items so they can be uniquely identified and tracked in the supply chain. The tracking can be done by collecting the data about when a unique pallet/case/item was registered at a specific location. This data can then be collected by an RFID middleware application (an RFID server) and fed to an ERP system, where it will be processed accordingly using methods of the present invention. By introducing RJFID into ERP systems such as Axapta®, processes related to receiving and shipping items and pallets will be more streamlined and optimized. Using RFID tags to streamline business processes requires integrating the information into business software such that the information is useful as well as is not disruptive to the existing functionality of the software. The present invention provides formats, schemas and processes to enter the information into business software supply chain and inventory control software without affecting other functionality. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a suitable computing system environment 100 on which the invention may be implemented. The computing system environment 100 is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment 100. The invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use wath the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, han

Documents

Application Documents

# Name Date
1 3696-chenp-2007-pct.pdf 2011-09-04
1 3696-CHENP-2007_EXAMREPORT.pdf 2016-07-02
2 3696-chenp-2007-form 5.pdf 2011-09-04
2 3696-chenp-2007-abstract.pdf 2011-09-04
3 3696-chenp-2007-form 3.pdf 2011-09-04
3 3696-chenp-2007-assignement.pdf 2011-09-04
4 3696-chenp-2007-form 26.pdf 2011-09-04
4 3696-chenp-2007-claims.pdf 2011-09-04
5 3696-chenp-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf 2011-09-04
5 3696-chenp-2007-form 1.pdf 2011-09-04
6 3696-chenp-2007-description(complete).pdf 2011-09-04
6 3696-chenp-2007-drawings.pdf 2011-09-04
7 3696-chenp-2007-description(complete).pdf 2011-09-04
7 3696-chenp-2007-drawings.pdf 2011-09-04
8 3696-chenp-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf 2011-09-04
8 3696-chenp-2007-form 1.pdf 2011-09-04
9 3696-chenp-2007-claims.pdf 2011-09-04
9 3696-chenp-2007-form 26.pdf 2011-09-04
10 3696-chenp-2007-form 3.pdf 2011-09-04
10 3696-chenp-2007-assignement.pdf 2011-09-04
11 3696-chenp-2007-form 5.pdf 2011-09-04
11 3696-chenp-2007-abstract.pdf 2011-09-04
12 3696-CHENP-2007_EXAMREPORT.pdf 2016-07-02
12 3696-chenp-2007-pct.pdf 2011-09-04