Method and system for location-centric information retrieval from wireless devices using RFID coding

• US 20060022030A1
• Filed: 07/28/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aftercad Software Incorporated (Meggabyte Software, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Primaci Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Boothroyd, Christopher Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,397,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

The present invention provides an RFID device and RFID reader to obtain an ID string from the device which is then transmitted over the internet to a remote system that uses the ID string to retrieve information related to that ID string. The remote system prepares a ‘menu’ of information which may or may not contain complete data entries for each found data item related to the ID String. The menu is transmitted back through the internet to the RFID reading apparatus or any other device and presented to the user. The user can then select a data item from the menu and view its contents.

Claims

1. A method of using a global computer network to provide information to a user in respect of a target fixed geographic location, comprising:

a) providing an RFID transponder carrying a unique RFID code;

b) providing a database accessible to a user on the Internet and comprising an Internet accessible server adapted to store data about the geographic location corresponding to said unique RFID code and to interactively communicate information to said user;

c) constructing said database by storing data associated with said unique RFID code;

d) providing an RFID interrogator for interrogating said RFID transponder and receiving said unique code;

e) constructing a query including said unique code;

f) communicating said query to said server over the Internet;

g) retrieving data stored in said database in response to said query; and

h) communicating and displaying to said user information relating to said data retrieved based on said query.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of relatively fixed RFID transponders each carrying a unique RFID code is provided.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said plurality of RFID transponders are geographically fixed.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said user accesses said database from a wireless device.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said communication to said user is by display on said device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said user accesses said database from a computer terminal.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said user accesses said server from a wireless telephone.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said data includes CAD files.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said data includes GIS files.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said data includes a form for completion and storage by the user.

11. The method of claim 1 including the further step of the user communicating updated information to said server for storage in said database.

12. The method of claim 4 wherein said wireless device is selected from the group cellular telephone, mobile phone, smart phone, pager, vehicle onboard data terminal and personal digital assistant.

13. A system for providing information to a user in respect of a target fixed geographic location over a global computer network comprising

a) an RFID transponder carrying a unique RFID code;

b) a server accessible to a user on the Internet and comprising an Internet accessible server adapted to

i) provide a database accessible to a user on the Internet and store data about the geographic location corresponding to said unique RFID code and to interactively communicate information to said user;

c) an RFID interrogator for interrogating said RFID transponder and receiving said unique code;

d) means for constructing a query including said unique code and communicating said query to said server over the Internet and interactively displaying to said user information based on the data stored in said database in association with said query.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein a plurality of relatively fixed RFID transponders each carrying a unique RFID code is provided.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said plurality of RFID transponders are geographically fixed.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein said user accesses said database from a wireless device.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said communication to said user is by display on said device.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein said user accesses said database from a computer terminal.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein said user accesses said server from a wireless telephone.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein said data includes CAD files.

21. The system of claim 13 wherein said data includes GIS files.

22. The system of claim 13 wherein said data includes a form for completion and storage by the user.

23. The system of claim 13 including the further step of the user communicating updated information to said server for storage in said database.

24. The system of claim 16 wherein said wireless device is selected from the group cellular telephone, mobile phone, smart phone, pager, vehicle onboard data terminal and personal digital assistant.