Item identification using electronic tags

• US 7,188,766 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2003
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Fontijn, Wilhelmus Franciscus Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haupt; Kristy A.
• Application Number:
  US10/531,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20060016886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/492
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for identifying an item (1) to which a radio frequency tag is attached by means of a radio frequency tag detector (101), wherein radio frequency contact is established between the tag and the detector (101) and information associated with the item (1) and being stored by the tag is received by the detector (101) The invention is based on the idea that the data stored by the tag is mapped against a unique item identifier. This unique item identifier is then presented for a user of the detector (101). By employing the present invention, it is possible to identify an item (1) by attaching a small tag to it. This is particularly advantageous in the case where the item (1) to which the tag is attached is very small, such that it is practically difficult to write information on the item (1) itself or on the item casing.

Claims

1. A method for identifying an item to which a radio frequency tag is attached by means of a radio frequency tag detector, wherein radio frequency contact is established between the tag and the detector and information identifying the item and being stored by the tag is received by the detector, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

mapping a unique item identifier against the information stored by the tag and received by the detector; and

presenting the unique item identifier for a user of the detector, the method further comprising housing items to which a radio frequency tag is attached in a holder, wherein the holder includes a plurality of slots, each slot comprising a radio frequency detector and a selecting means for indicating to a first means which item is to be identified and presented by a second means, the holder being arranged with a displaying device comprising said first means and said second means.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the unique item identifier comprises an audio signal.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the unique item identifier comprises a displayable signal.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

generating a list of the information identifying each item and presenting the unique item identifier corresponding to the information stored by the tag attached to each item to a user.

5. A system for identifying an item to which a radio frequency tag is attached, the system comprising a radio frequency tag detector arranged to establish radio frequency contact with the tag and being arranged to receive information stored by the tag identifying the item, the system being characterized in that it comprises:

a first means arranged to map a unique item identifier against the information stored by the tag and received by the detector; and

a second means arranged to present the unique item identifier for a user of the detector, further including a holder comprising a plurality of slots in which items can be housed, each slot comprising a said radio frequency detector and a selecting means for indicating to said first means which item is to be identified and presented by said second means, the holder being arranged with a displaying device comprising said first means and said second means.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the unique item identifier comprises an audio signal.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the unique item identifier comprises a displayable signal.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein said radio frequency detector, said first means and said second means is comprised in a slipcase in which said item can be housed.

9. The system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a third means arranged to generate a list of the information identifying each item and arranged to present the unique item identifier corresponding to the information stored by the tag attached to each item to a user.

10. A method for identifying an item to which a radio frequency tag is attached by means of a radio frequency tag detector, wherein radio frequency contact is established between the tag and the detector and information identifying the item and being stored by the tag is received by the detector, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

mapping a unique item identifier against the information stored by the tag and received by the detector; and

presenting the unique item identifier for a user of the detector, the method further comprising housing items to which a radio frequency tag is attached in a holder, wherein the holder includes at least one radio frequency detector and a selecting means for indicating to a first means which item is to be identified and presented by a second means, the holder being arranged with a displaying device comprising said first means and said second means.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the unique item identifier comprises an audio signal.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the unique item identifier comprises a displayable signal.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of:

generating a list of the information identifying each item and presenting the unique item identifier corresponding to the information stored by the tag attached to each item to a user.

14. A system for identifying an item to which a radio frequency tag is attached, the system comprising a radio frequency tag detector arranged to establish radio frequency contact with the tag and being arranged to receive information stored by the tag identifying the item, the system being characterized in that it comprises:

a first means arranged to map a unique item identifier against the information stored by the tag and received by the detector; and

a second means arranged to present the unique item identifier for a user of the detector, further including a holder in which items can be held, the holder comprising at least one said radio frequency detector and a selecting means for indicating to said first means which item is to be identified and presented by said second means, the holder being arranged with a displaying device comprising said first means and said second means.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the unique item identifier comprises an audio signal.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the unique item identifier comprises a displayable signal.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein said radio frequency detector, said first means and said second means is comprised in a slipcase in which said item can be housed.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein said holder further comprises a plurality of slots in which items can be housed, each slot comprising a said radio frequency detector and a selecting means for indicating to said first means which item is to be identified and presented by said second means.

19. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a third means arranged to generate a list of the information identifying each item and arranged to present the unique item identifier corresponding to the information stored by the tag attached to each item to a user.