RFID TAG READER STATION WITH IMAGE CAPABILITIES

• US 20140320649A1
• Filed: 07/07/2014
• Published: 10/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: STARR, Johanas L., SCHUSTER, Tom, JORGENSON, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,930,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19667 Details realated to data compression, encryption or encoding, e.g. resolution modes for reducing data volume to lower transmission bandwidth or memory requirements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• 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 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

A system and method is provided for image surveillance of areas of interest for items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. These areas of interest are often times unmonitored due to privacy concerns. The present invention discloses an image surveillance system and method, that upon indication of an RFID tag coming within proximity of a portal system having an RFID reader, records one or more images of the area of interest, so as to capture a subject associated with the RFID tagged item moving into or through the area of interest. Such applications for embodiments of the present invention are directed to monitor items of interest in retail stores, restaurants, shipping and receiving locations, and other public areas.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring an area of interest for a presence of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag;

recording one or more images of at least the area of interest in response to determining the presence of the RFID tag is within the area of interest; and

transmitting, to a monitoring system, an indication of the presence of the RFID tag within the area of interest in response to determining the presence of the RFID tag is within the area of interest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the indication of an RFID tag occurs through audible alarm, visual alarm, or text-based message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting at least the one or more images to a memory component of a processor.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

modifying the one or more images through one or more enhancement options, the one or more enhancement items comprising at least one of;

providing still images;

focusing on a particular image;

increasing image resolution;

increasing quantity of images recorded per second;

changing the images from black and white to color and vice versa;

changing the images to infrared;

enabling motion of the video surveillance device; and

inserting a time and date stamp into the images.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising panning the image surveillance device and tracking the RFID tag based on the radio frequency of the RFID tag within the area of interest until a second image surveillance device records one or more images of at least the area of interest, wherein the second image surveillance device is configured to monitor the area of interest.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein tracking the position includes active movement of an image surveillance and a physical location tracking.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking a position of the RFID tag within the area of interest based on the presence of a radio frequency of the RFID tag.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a selection of an enhancement option to the one or more images, from a user;

modifying the one or more images according to the selection of the enhancement option; and

processing the enhancement option of the one or more images through a processing unit while recording through the first image surveillance device.

9. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag surveillance system comprising:

an RFID tag reader in communication with a surveillance device,

wherein the surveillance device comprises;

a radio frequency tracking component; and

at least one recording component for capturing one or more images of an area of interest in response to an RFID tag being within a proximity of the RFID reader.

10. The surveillance system of claim 9, wherein at least the recording component of the video surveillance system is located proximate to the RFID tag reader.

11. The surveillance system of claim 9, wherein the RFID tag reader is coupled to the processing unit through a wired, wireless, or partially-wired network.

12. The surveillance system of claim 9, further comprising a portal system located adjacent to the area of interest, wherein the portal system comprises the RFID reader.

13. A data and image surveillance system comprising:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader that reads an RFID tag in response to a triggering event;

a surveillance device that is in communication with the RFID reader and that records one or more images of an area where the RFID tag is located in response to the triggering event; and

transmitting the one or more recorded images to a monitoring system.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the RFID reader is located within a portal system.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a portal system in communication with the RFID reader, wherein the portal system communicates across a wired, wireless, or partially-wired network.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a processor that modifies the one or more images through one or more enhancement options, the one or more enhancement items comprising at least one of;

providing still images;

focusing on a particular image;

increasing image resolution;

increasing quantity of images recorded per second;

changing the images from black and white to color and vice versa;

changing the images to infrared;

enabling motion of the video surveillance device; and

inserting a time and date stamp into the images.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein a selection from a user of an enhancement option to the one or more images is received, wherein the selection includes one or more instructions for processing the one or more images while being recorded.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the triggering event occurs when an item having the RFID tag is within a proximity of the RFID reader or crosses through a threshold established by a portal system associated with the RFID reader.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising an alarm that is activated upon the triggering event.

20. The system of claim 13, further comprising one or more portal systems located proximate to the area, wherein each of the one or more portal systems has a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader.