Radio Frequency Identification Devices, Remote Communication Devices, Identification Systems, Communication Methods, and Identification Methods

• US 20070290851A1
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Inventors: Trosper, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,737,851 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0095 Testing the sensing arrangement, e.g. testing if a magnetic card reader, bar code reader, RFID interrogator or smart card reader functions properly testing of electrical circuits G01R31/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0222 Message structure or message content, e.g. message protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units

Abstract

The present invention provides radio frequency identification devices, remote communication devices, identification systems, communication methods, and identification methods. A radio frequency identification device according to one aspect includes a substrate; communication circuitry coupled with the substrate and configured to receive a wireless signal including an identifier, to process the identifier of the wireless signal and to output a control signal responsive to the processing of the identifier; and indication circuitry coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to receive the control signal and to indicate presence of the radio frequency identification device responsive to the control signal. A communication method according to another aspect includes providing a radio frequency identification device; receiving a wireless signal including an identifier within the radio frequency identification device; processing the identifier; generating a control signal after the processing; and indicating presence of the radio frequency identification device using indication circuitry of the radio frequency identification device responsive to the control signal.

Claims

1-50. -50. (canceled)

51. A system for locating an item in inventory, the system comprising:

an interrogator configured to transmit a first message including identifying information via one or more antennas, the identifying information being related to one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags;

a first RFID tag corresponding to the identifying information, the first RFID tag being configured to communicate one or more responses when receiving the first message from the interrogator; and

a display device configured to provide an indication of a location of the first RFID tag.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the display device is co-located with the first RFID tag.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the display device comprises a light-emitting diode.

54. The system of claim 51, wherein the first RFID tag includes a microprocessor and the display device is communicatively coupled to the microprocessor.

55. The system of claim 51, wherein the first RFID tag includes a battery.