METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A TAG

• US 20110291815A1
• Filed: 01/10/2010
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jeroen Van Bemmel
• Original Assignee: Jeroen Van Bemmel
• Inventors: Bemmel, Jeroen van
• Application Number:
  US13/143,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20110291815A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.6
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A source is able to configure a tag, such as an RFID tag, associated with it such that, when the tag is read, a responsive action is initiated. The responsive action may be detectable by the source or may be a message shown to a person reading the tag, for example. In one example, information is provided concerning delivery of a physical object from the source to a destination. The source may associate the tag with the physical object. The tag may be configured such that, when the tag is read at the destination, it causes a responsive action, which is detectable by the source.

Claims

1. A method of configuring a tag associated with a source, comprising:

the source configuring the tag such that, when the tag is read, a responsive action is initiated.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the responsive action is detectable by the source.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein information is provided concerning delivery of a physical object from the source to a destination, including the source associating the tag with the physical object, the tag being configured such that, when the tag is read at the destination, it causes a responsive action, the responsive action being detectable by the source.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source configures the tag via a remote access.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the responsive action is directed to the source.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the responsive action is directed to a location other than the source and the location is accessible by the source.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the responsive action is at least one of:

an acknowledgement of receipt of the tag at a destination;

sending information about the location where the tag has been read;

informing the source that the tag has been read;

informing a destination that the tag has been read;

displaying a message to a person reading the tag.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source configures the tag with information that includes at least one of:

information about the source;

information about the context of the tag; and

information about a destination.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source configures the tag such that, when the tag is read, a responsive action is initiated, and the responsive action is dependent on the identify of an entity reading the tag.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tag is configured to be read by a mail delivery system.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tag is configured with a communication link that may be activated by an intended recipient.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tag is configurable online.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tag is an RFID tag.

14. A tag for use with the method as claimed in claim 1.

15. A home gateway for implementing the method as claimed in claim 1.