SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED PROGRAMING OF RFID TAGS USING MACHINE READABLE INDICIA
First Claim
1. A method of programming an RFID tag, the method comprising:
- storing item information in a memory structure, the item information including;
a bar code identifier; and
one or more data fields associated with the bar code identifier;
reading a bar code label with a bar code reader, wherein reading the bar code label includes;
generating a reflection pattern by illuminating the bar code label with a light beam from the bar code reader; and
converting the reflection pattern into a bar code identifier;
using the bar code identifier to retrieve the one or more data fields from the memory structure;
allowing a user to select whether or which of the one or more data fields are to be transmitted to the RFID tag;
transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, the RF signal including at least the selected one or more data fields; and
storing at least the selected one or more data fields contained in the RF signal in a memory device in the RFID tag,wherein the memory structure is external to the bar code reader and the RFID tag.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for automatically programming an RFID tag using machine readable indicia. A dual mode device performs a bar code scan of a bar coded label. Information obtained from the bar code scan is stored. This information may be used to query a database indexed by the bar code information that contains detailed product information. The bar code information as well as the detailed information may be transmitted in an RF signal by the dual mode device to an RFID tag to be stored in a memory structure in the tag. The dual mode device may perform a read operation on the tag after the write operation to confirm that the data was successfully stored and provide an indication thereof. The indication may be a visual indication, a textual indication, an audible indication or combinations of these.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of programming an RFID tag, the method comprising:
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storing item information in a memory structure, the item information including; a bar code identifier; and one or more data fields associated with the bar code identifier; reading a bar code label with a bar code reader, wherein reading the bar code label includes; generating a reflection pattern by illuminating the bar code label with a light beam from the bar code reader; and converting the reflection pattern into a bar code identifier; using the bar code identifier to retrieve the one or more data fields from the memory structure; allowing a user to select whether or which of the one or more data fields are to be transmitted to the RFID tag; transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, the RF signal including at least the selected one or more data fields; and storing at least the selected one or more data fields contained in the RF signal in a memory device in the RFID tag, wherein the memory structure is external to the bar code reader and the RFID tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of programming an RFID tag, the method comprising:
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storing information in a computing device, wherein the information stored in the computing device includes; identification information; and one or more data fields associated with the identification information; scanning a bar code with the computing device to obtain encoded information; allowing a user to select whether or which of the one or more data fields are to be transmitted to the RFID tag; using the obtained encoded information to retrieve at least the selected one or more of the data fields stored in the computing device; transmitting an RF signal from the computing device to the RFID tag, the RF signal containing at least the selected one or more data fields; and storing the information transmitted to the RFID tag in a memory structure in the RFID tag. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for programming RFID tags, the system comprising:
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a dual purpose bar code scanner and RFID reader/writer device; and a series of computer readable instructions stored in the dual purpose device adapted to cause the device to; activate a bar scanner operable to scan a bar code label to obtain a bar code input from the bar code label; store the bar code input; and transmit an RF write signal containing the bar code input and additional information; wherein the additional information is determined by allowing a user to select whether or which of one or more data fields are to be transmitted with the bar code input, and wherein the series of computer readable instructions are further adapted to cause the device to query a database of product information that is indexed by the bar code input, to retrieve at least a portion of the product information as additional information, and to transmit an RF write signal containing the additional information along with the bar code input to an RFID transponder tag. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for programming an RFID tag, the apparatus including:
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a storing unit configured to store information, wherein the information stored includes; identification information; and one or more data fields associated with the identification information; a scanning unit configured to scan a bar code to obtain encoded information; a selection unit configured to allow a user to select whether or which of the one or more data fields are to be transmitted to the RFID tag; a retrieval unit configured to use the obtained encoded information to retrieve at least the selected one or more of the data fields; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit an RF signal to the RFID tag, the RF signal containing at least the selected one or more data fields.
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19. An apparatus for programming an RFID tag, the apparatus including:
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storing means for storing information, wherein the information stored includes; identification information; and one or more data fields associated with the identification information; scanning means for scanning a bar code to obtain encoded information; selecting means for allowing a user to select whether or which of the one or more data fields are to be transmitted to the RFID tag; retrieval means for using the obtained encoded information to retrieve at least the selected one or more of the data fields; and transmitting means for transmitting an RF signal to the RFID tag, the RF signal containing at least the selected one or more data fields.
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20. A system for programming an RFID tag, the system comprising:
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storing means for storing item information in a memory structure, the item information including; a bar code identifier; and one or more data fields associated with the bar code identifier; reading means for reading a bar code label with a bar code reader, wherein reading the bar code label includes; generating a reflection pattern by illuminating the bar code label with a light beam from the bar code reader; and converting the reflection pattern into a bar code identifier; retrieval means for using the bar code identifier to retrieve the one or more data fields from the memory structure; selecting means for allowing a user to select whether or which of the one or more data fields are to be transmitted to the RFID tag; transmitting means for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, the RF signal including at least the selected one or more data fields; and storing means for storing at least the selected one or more data fields contained in the RF signal in a memory device in the RFID tag, wherein the memory structure is external to the bar code reader and the RFID tag.
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Specification