Method, System, and Apparatus for an Indicator Driven by an RFID Tag for Localization Purposes

• US 20130107042A1
• Filed: 11/02/2012
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Inventors: FORSTER, Ian J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,490,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07705 the visual interface being a single light or small number of lights capable of being switched on or off, e.g. a series of LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07707 the visual interface being a display, e.g. LCD or electronic ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07713 the interface, upon reception of an interrogation signal, being capable of signaling to indicate its position to a user or a detection device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/246 Check out systems combined with EAS, e.g. price information stored on EAS tag anti-theft systems in point of sale systems G07G3/003
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

According to one exemplary embodiment a system, method and apparatus for an indicator driven by a RFID tag for localization purposes may be disclosed. An RFID tag may be disposed on an item. The RFID tag may have an indicator element. A RFID reader may be in communication with the RFID tag such that the indicator element can be activated in order to localize the item.

Claims

1. A system for an indicator driven by a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for localization purposes, comprising:

an item;

a RFID tag disposed on the item, the RFID tag having an indicator element;

a RFID reader in communication with the RFID tag, the RFID reader operable to signal the RFID tag to activate the indicator element.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the item is among a plurality of similar items.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the item is any one of a box, package, pallet or product container.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the item is any one of a document, file or folder.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the RFID reader is in wireless communication with the RFID tag.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the indicator element is a visual indicator.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

wherein the visual indicator is a light emitting diode, electro-luminescent panel or other emissive visual indicator.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the indicator element is an audio indicator.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the indicator element is an infra-red indicator.

10. A system for an indicator driven by a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for localization purposes, comprising:

an item;

a RFID tag disposed on the item, the RFID tag having an indicator element;

a camera operable to detect the indicator element of the RFID tag.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

wherein the indicator element is an infra-red element, and the camera is equipped with an infra-red filter.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

wherein the item is any one of a security badge, security pass, ticket or sensitive document.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

wherein the camera may record information about the RFID tag when the RFID tag is within a range of the camera.

14. A method for an indicator driven by a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for localization purposes, comprising:

associating a unique RFID tag with an item, the RFID tag having an indicator element;

transmitting a signal from a RFID reader to the unique RFID tag;

activating the indicator element of the RFID tag upon receiving the signal from the RFID reader;

localizing the item by means of the indicator element.