System and method for detecting access to an article or opening of a package
First Claim
1. A system for detecting access to an article, comprising:
- an RFID tag;
a reader located in the proximity of a vending machine, the reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication;
a container including conductive material, the container enclosing the article, the conductive material surrounding the RFID tag and substantially preventing wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless said container is opened;
a memory in the RFID tag, the memory containing information associated with the article;
a memory in the reader, the memory receiving the information associated with the article via wireless communication;
a host computer in communication with the reader, the host computer receiving the information associated with the article from the memory in the reader;
a second reader located inside the vending machine, the second reader detecting the RFID tag only if the RFID tag is placed inside the vending machine; and
a second RFID tag located outside the conductive material, the wireless communication between the external RFID tag and the reader being substantially unaffected by the container being closed or open.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting access to an article, including an RFID tag, a reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication, and a container including conductive material is described. The container encloses the article. The conductive material surrounds the RFID tag and substantially prevents wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless the container is opened. Detection of the RFID tag may indicate that the container has been opened or the article has been accessed. A host computer may be notified of the detection and may receive from the RFID tag information associated with the article for inventory and accounting purposes.
55 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A system for detecting access to an article, comprising:
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an RFID tag;
a reader located in the proximity of a vending machine, the reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication;
a container including conductive material, the container enclosing the article, the conductive material surrounding the RFID tag and substantially preventing wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless said container is opened;
a memory in the RFID tag, the memory containing information associated with the article;
a memory in the reader, the memory receiving the information associated with the article via wireless communication;
a host computer in communication with the reader, the host computer receiving the information associated with the article from the memory in the reader;
a second reader located inside the vending machine, the second reader detecting the RFID tag only if the RFID tag is placed inside the vending machine; and
a second RFID tag located outside the conductive material, the wireless communication between the external RFID tag and the reader being substantially unaffected by the container being closed or open.
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2. A system for detecting access to an article, comprising:
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an RFID tag;
a reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication; and
a container including conductive material, the container enclosing the article, the conductive material surrounding the RFID tag and substantially preventing wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless said container is opened. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for detecting access to an article, comprising:
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bringing the article into proximity of a reader, the article being enclosed in a container including conducting material, the conductive material surrounding an RFID tag and substantially preventing wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader;
opening the container;
after the container is opened, detecting the RFID tag by the reader; and
transmitting an indication that the RFID tag has been detected. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A computer-readable medium, storing thereon program instructions that, when executed, cause an executing system to:
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detect an RFID tag, the RFID tag being located in proximity of an article, the detection of the RFID tag being substantially prevented by a container surrounding the RFID tag until the container is opened, the container enclosing an article; and
transmit an indication that the RFID tag has been detected and the container has been opened. - View Dependent Claims (56)
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Specification