Japanese retail automation company AsReader has been granted a US patent that will let it expand its RFID basket-reading technology to the entire North American market.

The technology can speed consumers through self-checkout lanes as they won’t need to scan every item, and it should help retailers with more accurate checkouts, thereby reducing loss of missed items in carts.

Asterisk-subsidiary AsReader says the US patent approval strengthens its technology platform for retail apparel, grocery and automation applications while enhancing consumers’ buying experience. While Asterisk has previously obtained multiple US patents related to RFID technologies, this latest patent is significant because it provides broad patent protection for RFID basket-reading technology in retail operations in environments such as apparel stores, supermarkets and other retail applications.

Called the RFID Reading Tub (asreader.com/products/asa-211at-v2/), the PoS device has been developed, tested and implemented in Japan by Asterisk. AsReader’s RFID technology enables retailers to identify instantly multiple tagged items placed together inside a shopping basket, tote, container or checkout area. The technology has been deployed in apparel and specialty retail environments where RFID-based inventory management and checkout systems have become widely adopted, but not approved for use in North America until now.

An advantage to consumers and retailers is the proprietary RFID reading architecture, which creates a controlled reading zone capable of accurately identifying tagged items placed inside the basket while reducing unintended reads from surrounding products. This enables both high read accuracy and operational reliability in busy retail environments.

“Our goal is to bring proven RFID technologies from Japan to retailers throughout North America,” said Paul Whitney, vice president of AsReader. “Retailers are increasingly looking for ways to improve customer experience, reduce labour requirements and gain real-time inventory visibility. RFID enables all three.”

AsReader will work directly with retailers while also expanding partnerships with PoS providers, RFID tag manufacturers, system integrators and technology partners throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico.

“The broadscope patent strengthens the intellectual property framework supporting RFID Reading Tub deployments and reinforces AsReader’s long-term competitive position in one of the world’s largest RFID markets,” said Whitney.

While retail apparel remains one of the fastest-growing RFID sectors due to its already established RFID infrastructure, AsReader also sees significant opportunities in grocery, supermarket, healthcare, logistics, warehouse and supply-chain applications.

The company believes advances in RFID technology will carve a path for a new generation of checkout and inventory management systems, helping retailers improve efficiency while delivering a more seamless customer experience.

AsReader (asreader.com) has its US base in Oregon and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japanese firm Asterisk. Founded in 2006, Asterisk (www.asx.co.jp) is headquartered in Osaka with additional offices in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya in Japan, Dalian and Shenzhen in China, and Portland in Oregon.