Methods and Apparatus for Managing RFID and Other Data
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
- an RFID communication unit for communicating with RFID tags; and
a controller for managing the operation of the RFID communication unit, the controller further operating to manage communication with additional data input devices used to collect information for use in a transaction and to coordinate data received from the additional data input devices and the RFID tags.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques for coordinating data received from radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and additional data input devices. An RFID reader communicates with RFID tags and also receives data from additional input devices that may be correlated with the RFID data. The reader correlates information received from various data sources. Correlation may include validation of RFID data with corresponding data received from other devices. Once data has been received and correlation has been performed, transaction entries are prepared based on the correlated and validated data. Transaction entries may be passed to a data station for processing or logging, or to allow the data station to indicate appropriate actions to be taken. Appropriate software modules used by the reader are changed in response to changes to data input devices or the data station used with the reader.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
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an RFID communication unit for communicating with RFID tags; and a controller for managing the operation of the RFID communication unit, the controller further operating to manage communication with additional data input devices used to collect information for use in a transaction and to coordinate data received from the additional data input devices and the RFID tags. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A point of sale system, comprising:
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a point of sale terminal for receiving transaction information and passing the transaction information to one or more central data repositories; a plurality of data input devices for receiving data relating to transactions for which information is received by the point of sale terminal; and an RFID reader for communicating with and receiving data from RFID tags in the vicinity of the point of sale terminal, the RFID reader also receiving data from the data input devices and coordinating data from the RFID tags and the data input devices and furnishing transaction information to the point of sale terminal.
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8. A system for management of data inputs, comprising:
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a plurality of data input devices; and one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, each RFID reader communicating with one or more of the data input devices, and with one or more RFID tags in the vicinity of the reader, each reader coordinating data received from one or more of the data input devices and RFID tags to prepare data elements conveniently usable by data stations with which the RFID reader may communicate. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of data management, comprising the steps of:
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reading radio frequency identification (RFID) data from an RFID tag; constructing an information element identifying an entity with which the RFID data is associated; receiving data from additional data input devices, the data from the additional data input devices being furnished to the RFID reader; and preparing transaction entries based on the RFID data and the data received from the additional input devices. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification