EMBEDDING ITEMS WITH RFID TAGS FOR TRACKING AND CALIBRATION

• US 20100023429A1
• Filed: 04/13/2006
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tagent Corp.
• Original Assignee: Tagent Corp.
• Inventors: Zawolkow, Geoff A., Bolander, Jarie G., Judelson, Teri E., Lovoi, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,667,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

RFID tags of very small size are embedded in products or composed of products in a manufacturing process. The system employs different read and write modes to enable auto-tracking of material, some assembly, assembly and component items through various stages of the manufacturing process. As each item passes special predetermined points in the manufacturing process, the embedded tag is activated and placed in track mode. The tag transmits its ID and a track count representing the number of stations passed. The tag'"'"'s track count is incremented and the updated track count is stored in non-volatile memory in the tag. The tags can be programmed so that once the count exceeds a predetermined count, a status bit is set in the tag'"'"'s memory indicating that the item has been completely through the manufacturing process. Thus, the system can determine whether an item or product has been completed. After manufacture the same RFID tag can be used for tracking, inventory and item authentication.

Claims

1. A method for tracking progress of products or components of products as to operations performed in a manufacturing process, comprising:

attaching an RFID tag to each of a plurality of the products or components, the RFID tag being of the passive type without onboard battery and which derives power to operate from an interrogating RF signal from a reader,

at each of a plurality of stations in the manufacturing process, sending an interrogating RF signal to a product or component bearing an RFID tag,

the interrogating RF signal at a particular station containing a triggering signal that, when the RF signal powers up the tag, causes the tag to respond with the tag'"'"'s unique ID and with a track count representing a number of stations which the tag has passed through up to that point prior to the particular station,

and the RFID tag incrementing its track count to reflect presence at the particular station, and storing the incremented track count in a non-volatile memory before the tag discharges.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incrementing of the track count is triggered by the receipt of a second discrete triggering powering-up signal by the RFID tag.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering signal comprises the interrogating RF signal being of much higher power than used in reading of the RFID tag for other, or normal, purposes such as inventory track, item calibration or item authentication.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag on a product or component carries a calibration for the particular product or component, in a case where calibration will vary from component to component, and wherein the triggering signal causes the tag to respond with the component'"'"'s calibration as well as with the tag'"'"'s unique ID and a track count.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the products or components are glucose test strips, and wherein the calibration data relate to the calibration of the glucose test strip for the measurement of blood sugar.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the calibration carried by the tag is used to represent the performance of an integrated circuit.

7. The method of claim 1, further including, prior to completion of the manufacturing process, leaving the RFID tag attached to the product or component and using the RFID tag in a normal read mode for purposes of inventory control, tracking or authentication of the products or components.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the products or components are glucose test strips or dry reagent test strips, wherein the calibration data relate to the calibration of the glucose test strip for the measurement of blood sugar, and further including, following the manufacturing process, using the calibration data later at a post-manufacturing facility, by reading the calibration data and applying the data for calibration of a blood sugar test on a living individual.

9. The method of claim 4, further including use of the calibration of the product or component in a post-manufacturing procedure wherein the product is used with its calibration known, in order to produce an accurate result for the product or component.

10. The method of claim 1, further including use of the RFID tag on the product or component following the manufacturing process, for inventory, theft control, authentication or product tracking purposes.

12. The article of claim 1, wherein the tag further carries data identifying a calibration for the article.

11. An article of manufacture with an RFID tag attached, and the RFID tag being of the passive type without onboard battery and which derives power to operate from an interrogating RF signal from a reader, and the RFID tag carrying data including a readable unique ID code for the tag and a track count contained in non-volatile memory, the track count being capable of incrementing upon receipt by the tag of a signal from a reader, whereby the track count can verify that the article has been through a plurality of stations having such readers.

13. The article of claim 11, wherein the article is in an uncompleted manufactured state, whereby the tag'"'"'s track count can verify the article has been through a desired number of operations.

14. (canceled)