Active-tag based dispensing
First Claim
1. A method of sensing dispensation of a product from a storage device having an antenna, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first product with a first wireless tag within a service area of the antenna;
establishing wireless communication between the first wireless tag and the antenna, comprising;
establishing a first wireless link between the first wireless tag of the first product and a second wireless tag of a second product; and
establishing a second wireless link between the second wireless tag and the antenna;
monitoring the wireless communication; and
determining, responsive to the monitoring, when the wireless communication has ceased to establish when the first product has been dispensed from the storage device,wherein each of the first wireless tag and the second wireless tag is at least one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, Bluetooth tag, or near field communication (NFC) tag.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of sensing dispensation of a product from a storage device having an antenna is provided. The method comprises providing a product with a wireless tag within a service area of the antenna, establishing wireless communication between the wireless tag and the antenna, monitoring the wireless communication, and determining, responsive to the monitoring, when the wireless communication has ceased to establish when the product has been dispensed from the storage device. A dispensation-sensing system is also provided. The system comprises a securable storage area, an antenna operable to receive and transmit signals within the securable storage area, and a processor. The processor is configured to establish wireless communication between the antenna and a wireless tag of a product disposed within the securable storage area, monitor the wireless communication, and determine, responsive to the monitoring, when the wireless communication has ceased to establish when the product has been dispensed from the securable storage area.
43 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of sensing dispensation of a product from a storage device having an antenna, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first product with a first wireless tag within a service area of the antenna; establishing wireless communication between the first wireless tag and the antenna, comprising; establishing a first wireless link between the first wireless tag of the first product and a second wireless tag of a second product; and establishing a second wireless link between the second wireless tag and the antenna; monitoring the wireless communication; and determining, responsive to the monitoring, when the wireless communication has ceased to establish when the first product has been dispensed from the storage device, wherein each of the first wireless tag and the second wireless tag is at least one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, Bluetooth tag, or near field communication (NFC) tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of sensing dispensation of a product from a storage device having an antenna, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of products within a service area of the antenna, each of the plurality of products including a wireless tag; establishing a first wireless link between the antenna and at least one of the plurality of wireless tags; establishing a plurality of second wireless links between the plurality of wireless tags, the plurality of second wireless links being coupled to the first wireless link; monitoring the first wireless link and the plurality of second wireless links; and determining, responsive to the monitoring, when one of the plurality of second wireless links has been lost to establish when a corresponding one of the plurality of products has been dispensed from the storage device, wherein the plurality of wireless tags comprise radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, Bluetooth tags, or near field communication (NFC) tags.
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18. A dispensation-sensing system, comprising:
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a securable storage area; an antenna operable to receive and transmit signals within the securable storage area; and a processor configured to; establish wireless communication between the antenna and a first wireless tag of a first product disposed within the securable storage area, comprising; establish a first wireless link between the first wireless tag of the first product and a second wireless tag of a second product; and establish a second wireless link between the second wireless tag and the antenna; monitor the wireless communication, and determine, responsive to the monitoring, when the wireless communication has ceased to establish when the first product has been dispensed from the securable storage area, wherein the first wireless tag and the second wireless tag are at least one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, Bluetooth tag, or near field communication (NFC) tag. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification