Radio frequency identification devices, remote communication devices, identification systems, communication methods, and identification methods

• US 7,602,287 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Keystone Technology Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Trosper, Scott T.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US11/847,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20070290852A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/539.13, 340/572.1, 340/10.1, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/5.92, 340/10.3, 340/10.32, 340/10.4, 340/10.41, 340/10.42, 340/825.71
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0095 Testing the sensing arrangement, e.g. testing if a magnetic card reader, bar code reader, RFID interrogator or smart card reader functions properly testing of electrical circuits G01R31/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0222 Message structure or message content, e.g. message protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units

Abstract

The present invention provides radio frequency identification devices, remote communication devices, identification systems, communication methods, and identification methods. A radio frequency identification device according to one aspect includes a substrate; communication circuitry coupled with the substrate and configured to receive a wireless signal including an identifier, to process the identifier of the wireless signal and to output a control signal responsive to the processing of the identifier; and indication circuitry coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to receive the control signal and to indicate presence of the radio frequency identification device responsive to the control signal. A communication method according to another aspect includes providing a radio frequency identification device; receiving a wireless signal including an identifier within the radio frequency identification device; processing the identifier; generating a control signal after the processing; and indicating presence of the radio frequency identification device using indication circuitry of the radio frequency identification device responsive to the control signal.

Claims

1. A method of tracking inventory, the method comprising:

placing one or more items at a first location, the one or more items having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached thereto;

providing one or more interrogators to communicate with the RFID tag;

broadcasting by the one or more interrogators a first message, the first message comprising a tag identifier and a command;

receiving by a plurality of RFID tags the first message;

communicating by a first RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags a second message in response to the command, the first RFID tag being identified by the tag identifier, the first RFID tag having the first location;

receiving by the one or more interrogators the second message; and

providing on the first RFID tag a human perceptible indication of the first location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication includes a visual indication of the first location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the visual indication includes a light.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicating includes backscattering the second message.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message further includes a preamble.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first message further includes a check sum.

7. A system to track inventory, the system comprising:

one or more items placed at a first location, the one or more items having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached thereto;

one or more interrogators configured to read information associated with the RFID tag, the one or more interrogators configured to broadcast a first message comprising a tag identifier and a command;

a plurality of RFID tags configured to receive the first message, a first RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags configured to communicate a second message to the one or more interrogators in response to the command, the first RFID tag having the first location and being identified by the tag identifier, the first RFID tag configured to provide a human perceptible indication of the first location.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the indication includes a visual indication of the first location.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the visual indication includes a light.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the visual indication includes flashes of light.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first RFID tag is configured to backscatter the second message.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the first RFID tag includes a light emitting diode (LED) to indicate the first location.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the first RFID tag includes an audible device to provide the indication of the first location.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the first message includes a preamble and a check sum.

15. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a memory to store a tag identifier;

a microprocessor coupled to the memory to process commands;

a receiver and a transmitter coupled to the microprocessor to receive and transmit messages; and

an indication circuit coupled to the microprocessor;

wherein the RFID tag is configured to be attached to one or more items placed at a first location; and

when the receiver receives a first message that includes a command and the tag identifier identifying the RFID tag, the transmitter is to provide a second message to one or more interrogators in response to the command and the indication circuit is to provide a human perceptible indication of the first location.

16. The RFID tag of claim 15, wherein the indication includes a visual indication of the first location.

17. The RFID tag of claim 16, wherein the visual indication includes a light.

18. The RFID tag of claim 15, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the second message via backscattering.

19. The RFID tag of claim 15, wherein the indication circuit includes a device to provide an audible signal.

20. The RFID tag of claim 15, wherein the indication circuit includes a light emitting diode (LED) to indicate the first location.

21. The RFID tag of claim 15, wherein the indication circuit includes an audible device to provide the indication of the first location.