METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRONIC LABELS

• US 20130155815A1
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Published: 06/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Wulff, Thomas E., Sanders, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,390,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/99
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/46 Indirect determination of position data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2015/465 by Trilateration, i.e. two transducers determine separately the distance to a target, whereby with the knowledge of the baseline length, i.e. the distance between the transducers, the position data of the target is determined
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0728 the arrangement being an optical or sound-based communication interface

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining and verifying a location of an electronic label. A host system exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication. The host system also identifies a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique. The host system also verifies that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label.

Claims

1. A method in a host system for determining and verifying a location of an electronic label, the method comprising:

exchanging information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication;

identifying a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique; and

verifying, within the host system, that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic data communication comprises receiving information from the electronic label and transmitting information to the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic data communication comprises receiving electronic label data from the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system and transmitting the electronic label data to the electronic label via the access points.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

broadcasting an encoded ultrasonic waveform from multiple access points connected to the host system; and

updating information displayed on the electronic label at least in part according to decoded information obtained from the encoded ultrasonic waveform.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic label is affixed or attached to one of a product, a display object, enterprise infrastructure, or the merchandise.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic label functionality includes electronic article surveillance functionality.

9. A system configured to determine and verify a location of an electronic label, the system comprising:

at least one electronic label affixed or attached to one of a product, a display object, enterprise infrastructure, or a merchandise; and

a host system configured to exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication, identify a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique, and verify that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of a merchandise associated with the electronic label.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic label includes an ultrasonic transceiver, processor module, information display, and a power source.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the host system is configured to receive information from the electronic label and transmit information to the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the host system is configured to receive electronic label data from the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system and to transmit the electronic label data to the electronic label via the access points.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique.

15. A host system configured to determine and verify a location of an electronic label, the host system comprising:

a communication unit configured to exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication;

an identifying unit configured to identify a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique; and

a verifying unit configured to verify that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of a merchandise associated with the electronic label.

16. The host system of claim 15, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive information from the electronic label and transmit information to the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system.

17. The host system of claim 15, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive electronic label data from the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system and to transmit the electronic label data to the electronic label via the access points.

18. The host system of claim 15, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique.

19. The host system of claim 15, wherein ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique.