METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF USING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAGS

• US 20090051501A1
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Tuttle, John R.
• Application Number:
  US11/841,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20090051501A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.510
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 the reader being an RFID reader

Abstract

Method and system of using radio frequency identification tags. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising receiving an item for purchase, reading RFID tag on the item to identify the item at checkout, and writing data to the RFID tag indicative of parameters associated with the purchaser.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving an item selected for purchase by a purchaser;

reading a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on the item to identify the item at check-out; and

writing data to the RFID tag indicative of parameters associated with the purchaser.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising, prior to the writing, receiving from the purchaser personal information to be written to the RFID tag.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein writing data further comprises writing data to the RFID tag during the check-out process.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein writing data further comprises writing data to the RFID tag using a RFID read/write system in the purchaser'"'"'s home or office.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein writing data further comprises writing using a personal computer controlling a RFID tag read/write device.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein writing data further comprises writing to the RFID tag at least one selected from the group consisting of:

purchaser identification information;

proof of ownership;

purchase date;

registration information;

warranty contact information;

warranty expiration date.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein writing data further comprises storing the data in a write-protected bank of memory on the RFID tag.

8. The method as described in claim 1 wherein writing further comprises password-protecting at least some of the data stored on the RFID tag.

9. A method of registering a purchased item with the item'"'"'s manufacturer, comprising:

reading a radio frequency identification tag (RFID) tag associated with the purchased item to obtain information specific to the purchased item;

obtaining information specific to the purchaser of the purchased item; and

providing to the manufacturer information specific to the purchased item and information specific to the purchaser.

10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein registering further comprises registering to fulfill warranty requirements.

11. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein information specific to the purchaser further comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

manually entering the information specific to the purchaser by the purchaser;

retrieving the information specific to the purchaser from a purchaser'"'"'s identification card; and

retrieving information specific to the purchaser from a purchaser'"'"'s credit card.

12. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein providing to the manufacturer further comprises sending an electronic registration form to the manufacturer through at least one selected from the group consisting of:

electronic mail; and

world-wide web-based registration form.

13. A system comprising:

means for reading a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with a purchased item;

means for executing a computer program, the means for executing configured to;

acquire product information from the RFID tag associated with a purchased item;

acquire personal information from a purchaser of the purchased item;

associate the product information with the personal information; and

register the purchased item with at least one selected from the group consisting of;

a manufacturer;

a vendor; and

a supplier.

14. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the means for executing further comprises a means for acquiring personal information through at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a prompt for user input;

a purchaser identification card; and

a purchaser credit card.

15. The system as defined in claim 14 wherein the purchaser identification card is a RFID tag containing personal information requisite to the product registration process.

16. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the means for executing is further configured to format the product information and personal information to provide to a product registration form.

17. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the means for executing is further configured to register via the Internet.

18. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the means for executing is further configured to store purchaser information for product registration

19. A computer-readable media storing a program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:

acquire product information from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with a purchased item;

acquire personal information from a purchaser of the purchased item;

associate the product information with the personal information; and

register the purchased item with at least one selected from the group consisting of;

a manufacturer;

a vendor; and

a supplier.

20. The computer-readable media as defined in claim 19 wherein when the processor acquires product information the program causes the processor to acquire product information through a RFID tag read/write device.

21. The computer-readable media as defined in claim 19 wherein when processor acquires personal information the program causes the processor to acquire through at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a prompt for user input;

a purchaser identification card; and

a purchaser credit card.

22. The computer-readable media as defined in claim 19 wherein when the processor associates the program causes the processor to format the product information and personal information for a product registration form.

23. A system comprising:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to read an RFID tag associated with a purchased item;

an electronic system coupled to the RFID reader, the electronic system configured to;

acquire product information from the RFID tag associated with a purchased item;

acquire personal information from a purchaser of the purchased item;

associate the product information with the personal information; and

register the purchased item with at least one selected from the group consisting of;

a manufacturer;

a vendor; and

a supplier.

24. The system as defined in claim 23 wherein the electronic system further comprises is further ea means for acquiring personal information through at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a prompt for user input;

a purchaser identification card; and

a purchaser credit card.

25. The system as defined in claim 24 wherein the purchaser identification card is a RFID tag containing personal information requisite to the product registration process.

26. The system as defined in claim 23 wherein the electronic system is further configured to format the product information and personal information to provide to a product registration form.

27. The system as defined in claim 23 wherein the electronic system is further configured to register via the Internet.

28. The system as defined in claim 23 wherein the electronic system is further configured to store purchaser information for product registration