Inventory control using anonymous transaction tokens
First Claim
1. A method of controlling inventory of items having identification tags and stored at a location, comprising:
- performing a transaction authorizing some items to be removed from the location;
associating the items with the transaction; and
reprogramming, based on the associated transaction, at least one item identification tag with a reprogrammed code including an anonymous transaction identification.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for inventory control of items in a location. In an embodiment, this comprises an identification tag associated with a transaction authorizing some items to be removed from the location, such as a purchase, an identification tag reader configured to read the identification tag and placed to cover a portion of the location, and a computer configured to process information including the identification tag read by the reader and take action in response, such as issuing an alert. An identification tag reader having erase/reprogram capability may be provided to reprogram identification tags, and the reprogrammed code may include an identification of the transaction. The inventory control system may be further configured to detect when an identification tag is brought back into the location. In some embodiments, encryption is used in reprogramming the identification tag, and authentication is performed when the tag is detected at an egress to the location.
64 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of controlling inventory of items having identification tags and stored at a location, comprising:
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performing a transaction authorizing some items to be removed from the location; associating the items with the transaction; and reprogramming, based on the associated transaction, at least one item identification tag with a reprogrammed code including an anonymous transaction identification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer program product for controlling inventory of items having identification tags and stored at a location, comprising a computer usable medium having machine readable code embodied therein for:
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performing a transaction authorizing some items to be removed from the location; associating the items with the transaction; and reprogramming, based on the associated transaction, at least one item identification tag with a reprogrammed code including an anonymous transaction identification.
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Specification