Traceable RFID enable data storage device

• US 20080061979A1
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Imation Corporation (Glassbridge Enterprises, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Imation Corporation (Glassbridge Enterprises, Inc.)
• Inventors: Martin, Robert C., Rothermel, Stephen J., Gregg, Jody L., Hause, Curtis B., Rambosek, G. Phillip, Battles, Kevin G., Yip, Yung
• Application Number:
  US11/726,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061979A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

An RFID enabled data storage device configured to be traced by an electronic data storage device tracing system includes a housing defining an enclosure, data storage media disposed within the enclosure, a label coupled to the housing, and an RFID tag coupled to the housing. The label includes a VOLSER number configured to identify the contents of the data storage media, and the RFID tag is programmed with a unique identification number and at least the label VOLSER number. In this regard, the label and the RFID tag combine to uniquely identify an in-transit data storage device to the system.

Claims

1. An RFID enabled data storage device configured to be traced by an electronic data storage device tracing system, the data storage device comprising:

a housing defining an enclosure;

data storage media disposed within the enclosure;

a label coupled to the housing, the label including a VOLSER number configured to identify the contents of the data storage media; and

an RFID tag coupled to the housing, the RFID tag programmed with a unique identification number and at least the label VOLSER number;

wherein the label and the RFID tag combine to uniquely identify an in-transit data storage device to the system.

2. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna having a length greater than about 35 mm, a width less than about 15 mm, and a field strength of less than about 2 A/m rms.

3. The data storage device of claim 2, wherein the RFID tag comprises a field strength of less than about 1 A/m mms.

4. The data storage device of claim 2, wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna having a length greater than about 35 mm and a width less than about 10 mm.

5. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the label and the RFID tag are each coupled to an exterior surface of the housing.

6. The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the RFID tag is coupled to an exterior surface of the housing and the label is disposed over the RFID tag.

7. The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the housing includes a first housing section defining a cover surface and a second housing section defining a base surface, the first and second housing sections reciprocally mated along sides of the housing, the RFID tag coupled to an exterior surface of one of the sides of the housing and the label disposed over the RFID tag.

8. A kit of parts configured to enable a system to track a data storage device, the kit of parts comprising:

an RFID tag configured for attachment to a housing of the data storage device, the RFIG tag programmed with a unique identification number; and

a label including device data configured for attachment to the housing of the data storage device;

wherein the RFID tag is configured to be initialized with the device data such that the RFID tag and the label combine when attached to the housing to uniquely identify the data storage device to the system.

9. The kit of parts of claim 8, wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna having a length greater than about 35 mm, a width less than about 15 mm, and a field strength of less than about 2 A/m rms.

10. The kit of parts of claim 9, wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna having a field strength of less than about 1 A/m rms.

11. The kit of parts of claim 10, wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna having a length greater than 35 mm and a width less than about 10 mm.

12. The kit of parts of claim 8, further comprising:

a package containing the RFID tag and the label;

wherein the RFID tag is coupled to the label inside the package.

13. An RFID enabled data storage device configured to be traced by an electronic data storage device tracing system, the data storage device comprising:

a housing defining an enclosure;

data storage media disposed within the enclosure;

a label coupled to the housing, the label including a VOLSER number configured to identify the contents of the data storage media;

means for uniquely identifying the housing; and

means for tracing the data storage device by the uniquely identified housing and the label VOLSER number.

14. The data storage device of claim 13, wherein the means for uniquely identifying the housing comprises means for programming a tag attachable to the housing to include a unique identification number and at least the label VOLSER number.

15. The data storage device of claim 14, wherein the tag and the label are coupled to an exterior surface of the housing.

16. The data storage device of claim 15, wherein the RFID tag is coupled to the housing between the label and the housing.

17. The data storage device of claim 14, wherein the tag comprises an RFID tag including an antenna.

18. The data storage device of claim 17, wherein the antenna comprises a length greater than about 35 mm, a width less than about 15 mm, and a field strength of less than about 2 A/m rms.

19. The data storage device of claim 18, wherein the antenna comprises a field strength of less than about 1 A/m rms.

20. The data storage device of claim 18, wherein the antenna comprises a width of less than about 10 mm.

21. A device tag configured to enable a data storage device to be RFID traced by an electronic data storage device tracing system, the device tag comprising:

a label including a VOLSER number configured to identify electronic contents of the data storage device; and

an RFID tag programmed with a unique identification number and at least the label VOLSER number;

wherein the label and the RFID tag are configured to combine to uniquely identify an in-transit data storage device to the system.

22. The device tag of claim 21, wherein the RFID tag is coupled to a first side of the label and the first side of the label is configured to be coupled to a housing of the data storage device.

23. The device tag of claim 22, wherein the label defines an area that is greater than an area of the RFID tag, and further wherein the label is configured to be coupled to an end of the housing of the data storage device.

24. The device tag of claim 23, wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna having a length greater than about 35 mm, a width less than about 15 mm, and a field strength of less than about 2 A/m rms.

25. The device tag of claim 24, wherein the antenna comprises a high frequency antenna having a field strength of less than about 1 A/m nms.

26. The device tag of claim 21, wherein the RFID tag comprises a memory chip that is electronically programmed with the label VOLSER number.

27. The device tag of claim 26, wherein the memory chip comprises a check sum relative to the label VOLSER number.

28. The device tag of claim 26, wherein the memory chip is programmed to comprise an encrypted form of the label VOLSER number.