Method of transacting objects

• US 7,899,708 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2006
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Frenel; Vanel
• Assistant Examiner(s): GLASS, RUSSELL S
• Application Number:
  US11/488,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20070022045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06009 with optically detectable marking G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G09C 5/00 Ciphering apparatus or methods not provided for in the preceding groups, e.g. involving the concealment or deformation of graphic data such as designs, written or printed messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/321 involving a third party or a trusted authority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures

Abstract

A method of transacting objects is provided. Each object comprises an identifier identifying an object identity. The method comprises, in a computer system, the steps of: (a) receiving transaction data from a data reader, the transaction data identifying the object identity; (b) identifying a transaction history for the object identity; (c) determining whether the object identity has been transacted in a previous transaction; and either: (i) allowing the transaction and updating the transaction history in the event that the object identity has not been previously transacted, or (ii) sending transaction history data to the data reader in the event that the object identity has been previously transacted.

Claims

1. A method of transacting objects, each object comprising an identifier identifying an object identity, said method comprising the steps of:

performing a potential transaction interaction with one of the objects by reading the identifier using a data reader;

generating transaction data in the data reader, said transaction data identifying the object identity;

sending the transaction data from the data reader to a computer system, thereby enabling the computer system to identify a transaction history for the object identity and determine whether the object identity has been transacted in a previous interaction; and

if the object identity has been previously transacted;

receiving, in the data reader, the transaction history data and

displaying, via a display screen of the data reader, the received transaction history data to a user in response to performing the potential transaction interaction;

otherwise if the object identity has not been previously transacted;

transacting the object in response to performing the potential purchasing transaction,

wherein the transaction history data identifies when at least one previous transaction of the object identity was made, said transaction history data enabling a user to conclude whether the object is second-hand or the identifier is a duplicate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction history data identifies where the previous transaction was made.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction history data identifies a data reader used for recording the previous transaction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction history data identifies a user to whom ownership of the object identity is recorded.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein recordation of ownership is allowable only once in the transaction history for each object identity.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein recordation of ownership is allowable only after an initial purchasing transaction in the transaction history.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the object comprises an interactive element specifically for recording ownership.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the interactive element is masked by a tamper-proof mechanism.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction data identifies a user identity, said user identity being contained in the data reader.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the transaction history records ownership of the object identity with the user identity, in the event that the object identity has not been previously transacted.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises or is contained in any one of:

coded data disposed in or on a surface of the object;

an RFID tag;

a linear barcode;

a 2D barcode.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises one of a plurality of tags disposed on or in a surface of the object, each tag containing coded data identifying the object identity.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each tag identifies its own location on the surface.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier identifies a serial number and/or an Electronic Product Code (EPC).

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier further identifies a digital signature for the object identity, and the transaction data identifies the digital signature.

16. A data reader for transacting objects, each object comprising an identifier identifying an object identity, said data reader being configured for:

performing a potential purchasing transaction by reading the identifier;

generating transaction data identifying the object identity;

sending the transaction data to a computer system, thereby enabling the computer system to identify a transaction history for the object identity and determine whether the object identity has been transacted in a previous interaction; and

if the object identity has been previously transacted;

receiving the transaction history data and

displaying, on a display screen of the data reader, the transaction history data to a user in response to performing the potential transaction interaction;

otherwise if the object identity has not been previously transacted;

transacting the object in response to performing potential purchasing transaction,

wherein the transaction history data identifies when at least one previous transaction of the object identity was made, said transaction history data enabling a user to conclude whether the object is second-hand or the identifier is a duplicate.