Integration of product tag with general information about product

• US 20060124722A1
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: epcSolutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: epcSolutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Kail, Kevin J., Williams, Charles B.
• Application Number:
  US11/235,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20060124722A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce

Abstract

A computer program product, tangibly embodied in an information carrier, for use in a commercial data processing environment using at least one RFID/EPC readers and antennae for data collection. The computer program is able to read and collect tag data as it is read, create integrated product information and to alert designated parties upon the occurrence of a specific event determined by designated rules.

Claims

1. A RFID tag data integration system for use in a commercial data processing environment comprising at least one RFID/EPC reader and antenna for data collection from an RFID tag placed on a product, computer means with a software program being able to read and collect RFID tag data from a reader and to integrate the product tag with general information about the tagged product and to have these two streams of data integrated into a single stream of data for access and reporting.

2. A RFID tag data integration system of claim 1 wherein the computer program is further operable to retrieve the correct barcode data from the RFID/EPC tag data.

3. A RFID tag data integration system of claim 1 wherein said computer program product provides integration between a product GTIN and the bar code for the product.

4. A RFID tag data integration system of claim 1 wherein the tags are radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, each RFID tag carrying an electronic product code (EPC) as the unique tag identifier.

5. A RFID tag data integration system of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is further operable to display the product identification data in a human-readable format to a remote display device.

6. A RFID tag integration system as claimed in claim 1 including an external computer that stores or provides data needed by the system.

7. A RFID tag integration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said computer means sends alerts to designated persons about the tagged product based on predetermined rules.

8. A notification system for objects identified by an RFID tag comprising computer means to receive product identification data from said RFID tag, compare product identification data over the internet with stored meta data pertaining to the product, and retrieve said meta data, a relationship repository containing a series of prescribed rules for handling specific events directed toward the conduct of a specific business and requirements for same, said relationship repository reviewing said rules to provide appropriate alerts and notifications for specific businesses so that when events defined by the rules occur, a message network sends out messages to at least one designated person.

9. A notification system as claimed in claim 8 where said messages consist of one or more messages relating to product depletion, location or product safety.

10. A notification system as claimed in claim 8 including a plurality of readers to read said objects RFID tag and transmit identification data to said computer means.

11. A notification system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said messages are sent in real time using instant messaging.

12. A notification system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said messages are sent in batch using email.

13. A notification system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said messages are escalated by retransmission or noticing other parties if no response is given back within a specified time period.

14. A notification system as claimed in claim 8 including means to provide for at least one alert if the message to said at least one designated person is not responded to by that designated person.

15. A notification system as claimed in claim 8 including means to provide for a plurality of alerts if at least one of said messages to said at least one designated person is not responded to by that designated person.

16. A RFID tag data information system for use in a commercial data processing environment comprising at least one RFID/EPC reader and antenna for data collection from an RFID tag placed on a product, each RFID tag carrying an electronic product code (EPC) as the unique tag identifier, a communication server receiving data from said at least one RFID/EPC reader and antenna, a process engine for processing all machine to machine and machine to human data events that occur with the system, and applying a series of prescribed rules for handling such event, said process engine being able to read and collect RFID tag data and provide integration and correlation between a product GTIN and the bar code for the product, and to integrate the product tag with general information about the product and to display the product identification data in a human-readable format to any display device.

17. A RFID tag data information system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said product display consists of one or more alerts and events via e-mail, internet messaging, SMS and popup box.

18. A RFID tag data information system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said RFID/EPC reader and antenna are at a remote location from said process engine.

19. A RFID tag data information system as claimed in claim 16 including a communication middleware component for communication between and among the component of the system and for communicating with a device external to the system.

20. A RFID tag data information system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said process engine delivers alerts and events via at least one of e-mail, internet messaging, SMS and popup box.