Networked Loyalty Cards

• US 20090212117A1
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Griffin, Robert, Stevens, John K., August, Jason, Cassidy, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,714,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/004 with electronic identification means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/008 incorporating GPS
• 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: 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

Abstract

A networked card for identifying and tracking animate and inanimate objects and personnel, the card including: a radio frequency modem operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding one megahertz, the modem including a full duplex transmitter and receiver; a loop antenna operatively coupled with the radio frequency modem, the antenna operable within a range of hundreds of feet; a programmable microprocessor operatively coupled with the radio frequency modem and fully programmable within a network; a memory operatively coupled with the programmable microprocessor, the memory holding identification data; and a battery for providing power to the microprocessor.

Claims

1. A networked card for identifying and tracking animate and inanimate objects and personnel, said card comprising:

a radio frequency modem operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding one megahertz, said radio frequency modem comprising a full duplex transmitter and receiver;

a loop antenna operatively coupled with the radio frequency modem, said antenna operable within a range of hundreds of feet;

a programmable microprocessor operatively coupled with the radio frequency modem, wherein said programmable microprocessor is fully programmable within a network;

a memory operatively coupled with the programmable microprocessor, said memory comprising identification data for identifying the animate and inanimate objects and personnel; and

a battery for providing power to the microprocessor.

2. The networked card of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency modem is operable to transmit and receive signals at a radio frequency under 300 kilohertz.

3. The networked card of claim 2 wherein the radio frequency modem comprises four micron complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology.

4. The networked card of claim 2 wherein the receiver of the radio frequency modem is operable to receive low radio frequency signals all the time.

5. The networked card of claim 1 wherein the antenna comprises thin wire wrapped around an outside edge of an inside housing of said networked card.

6. The networked card of claim 1 wherein the programmable microprocessor comprises four bit complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology.

7. The networked card of claim 1 wherein the battery is a small lithium battery.

8. The networked card of claim 1 wherein the memory is operable for storing more than one kilobyte of the identification data.

9. The networked card of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the identification data comprises biometric data.

10. The networked card of claim 1 further comprising:

a display driver; and

an onboard display visible at a front surface of said networked card, said onboard display for presenting the identification data, wherein said onboard display is operatively coupled with the programmable microprocessor.

11. The networked card of claim 10 wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

12. The networked card of claim 10 wherein the display comprises light-emitting diodes.

13. The networked card of claim 10 further comprising at least one button disposed on a front surface of said networked card, said at least one button for use by a user of said networked card to manipulate the identification data displayed on the display.

14. The networked card of claim 13 wherein the display comprises a scroll feature operable by the at least one button.

15. The networked card of claim 1 further comprising at least one compliant knob disposed on a back surface of said networked card.

16. The networked card of claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor disposed on a surface of said networked card, said at least one sensor operable to detect a specified condition.

17. The networked card of claim 16 wherein the at least one sensor emits an alarm upon detecting the specified condition, wherein said alarm is able to be perceived by a user of said networked card.

18. The networked card of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency modem operates on a simple polled protocol.

19. The networked card of claim 1 wherein said networked card embodies a small, lightweight form factor no larger than a standard credit card.

20. The networked card of claim 19 further comprising a small hole formed through front and back surfaces of said networked card, said hole for facilitating attachment of said networked card.

21. The networked card of claim 1 further comprising a magnetic strip disposed on a back surface of said networked card, said magnetic strip recorded with identification data.

22. The networked card of claim 1 wherein the identification data is transmitted from a remote data storage.