Interrogation, monitoring and data exchange using RFID tags
First Claim
1. An apparatus for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data relating to, products moving along a distribution path, comprising:
- an RFID tag mountable to a product, or product carrier, a plurality of interrogators spaced apart along said distribution path, wherein each interrogator of said plurality of interrogators cooperates in RF communication with said RFID tag when said RFID tag is in proximity to said each interrogator along said distribution path, wherein said each interrogator interrogates said RFID tag during said RF communication so as to obtain unique data, unique to said RFID tag, wherein said each interrogator communicates said unique data to a central data base, a central database processor cooperating with said central database and communicating with said plurality of interrogators so as to obtain up-to-date data, including said unique data, from said RFID tag as said RFID tag progresses along said distribution path, distributed processors along said distribution path also in communication with said central database processor so that said distributed processors may obtain feedback information and data from said central database no matter where said RFID tag is along said distribution path so as to obtain up-to-date product status data from said up-to-date data including said unique data, wherein said RFID tag and said each interrogator each comprises a transceiver and memory, said memory cooperating with said transceiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data relating to, products moving along a distribution path, including at least one RFID tag mountable to a product, or product carrier, and a plurality of interrogators spaced apart along the distribution path, wherein each interrogator of the plurality of interrogators cooperates in RF communication with the RFID tag when the RFID tag is in proximity to the each interrogator along the distribution path. Each interrogator interrogates the RFID tag during the RF communication so as to obtain unique data, unique to the RFID tag. The RFID tag and each interrogator each includes a transceiver and memory, the memory.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data relating to, products moving along a distribution path, comprising:
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an RFID tag mountable to a product, or product carrier, a plurality of interrogators spaced apart along said distribution path, wherein each interrogator of said plurality of interrogators cooperates in RF communication with said RFID tag when said RFID tag is in proximity to said each interrogator along said distribution path, wherein said each interrogator interrogates said RFID tag during said RF communication so as to obtain unique data, unique to said RFID tag, wherein said each interrogator communicates said unique data to a central data base, a central database processor cooperating with said central database and communicating with said plurality of interrogators so as to obtain up-to-date data, including said unique data, from said RFID tag as said RFID tag progresses along said distribution path, distributed processors along said distribution path also in communication with said central database processor so that said distributed processors may obtain feedback information and data from said central database no matter where said RFID tag is along said distribution path so as to obtain up-to-date product status data from said up-to-date data including said unique data, wherein said RFID tag and said each interrogator each comprises a transceiver and memory, said memory cooperating with said transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21, 23)
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11. An apparatus for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data relating to, products moving along a distribution path, comprising:
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an RFID tag mountable to a product, or product carrier, a plurality of interrogators spaced apart along said distribution path, wherein each interrogator of said plurality of interrogators cooperates in RF communication with said RFID tag when said RFID tag is in proximity to said each interrogator along said distribution path, wherein said each interrogator interrogates said RFID tag during said RF communication so as to obtain unique data, unique to said RFID tag, wherein said RFID tag and said each interrogator each includes a transceiver and memory, said memory cooperating with said transceiver, and wherein said RFID tag further includes a data gathering sensor cooperating with said memory. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24)
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Specification