Systems and methods for RFID surveillance
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag monitoring system for tracking multiple RFID tags as they are used, the system comprising:
- a radio frequency reader for collecting data from at least one RFID tag associated with an item, wherein the radio frequency reader comprises;
a radio;
a memory for storing instructions; and
a processor for processing the stored instructions;
wherein the stored instructions configure the radio frequency reader to;
transmit a signal from the radio frequency reader to the RFID tag;
receive by the radio frequency reader a reply signal from the RFID tag, wherein the reply signal includes at least one RFID tag record pertaining to an identity of the RFID tag and directly or indirectly to an identify of a manufacturer and/or owner of the RFID tag;
provide location and/or time data associated with a location of the radio frequency reader, or associated with a time and date of receiving the RFID tag record;
transmit from the radio frequency reader, by wireless or wired means, the RFID tag record and the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date;
a computing device that comprises;
computer memory for storing computer instructions;
an RFID tag database comprising a list of authorized RFID tags that have been licensed by an intellectual property owner or licensee; and
,at least one computer processor coupled to the computer memory and to the RFID tag database, and configured to receive the transmitted the RFID tag record and the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date;
wherein the stored computer instructions configure the computing device to;
compare the RFID tag record with the list of authorized RFID tags;
analyzed the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date, wherein the analyzing includes reviewing data from previously reported RFID tags; and
,determine whether the RFID tag is authorized by a rights holder based at least in part on the comparing and the analyzing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A RFID monitoring system, which can be used to track and identify RFID tags and tag readers as they are used, can include a computing device including an RFID tag database for storing a list of authorized RFID tags that have been licensed by an intellectual property owner or licensee. The monitoring system may be configured to receive transmitted RFID tag data relating to the location, date, and/or time of detection of tags and other devices. Based on a statistical analysis of this data, the system can determine whether RFID tags and devices are authorized by a rights holder. Other features and embodiments are also disclosed.
7 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag monitoring system for tracking multiple RFID tags as they are used, the system comprising:
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a radio frequency reader for collecting data from at least one RFID tag associated with an item, wherein the radio frequency reader comprises; a radio; a memory for storing instructions; and a processor for processing the stored instructions; wherein the stored instructions configure the radio frequency reader to; transmit a signal from the radio frequency reader to the RFID tag; receive by the radio frequency reader a reply signal from the RFID tag, wherein the reply signal includes at least one RFID tag record pertaining to an identity of the RFID tag and directly or indirectly to an identify of a manufacturer and/or owner of the RFID tag; provide location and/or time data associated with a location of the radio frequency reader, or associated with a time and date of receiving the RFID tag record; transmit from the radio frequency reader, by wireless or wired means, the RFID tag record and the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date; a computing device that comprises; computer memory for storing computer instructions; an RFID tag database comprising a list of authorized RFID tags that have been licensed by an intellectual property owner or licensee; and
,at least one computer processor coupled to the computer memory and to the RFID tag database, and configured to receive the transmitted the RFID tag record and the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date; wherein the stored computer instructions configure the computing device to; compare the RFID tag record with the list of authorized RFID tags; analyzed the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date, wherein the analyzing includes reviewing data from previously reported RFID tags; and
,determine whether the RFID tag is authorized by a rights holder based at least in part on the comparing and the analyzing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a wireless surveillance system having a radio frequency reader for collecting data from a wireless memory device associated with an item and at least one data object identifying the wireless memory device, the method comprising:
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at a computer device, receiving from the radio frequency reader at least one data object pertaining to an identity of the wireless memory device, wherein the at least one data object pertaining to the identity of the wireless memory device is provided to the wireless memory device by the wireless memory device; at the computer device, comparing the at least one data object pertaining to the identity of the wireless memory device with a list of data objects of wireless memory devices that have been licensed by an intellectual property owner or a licensee of the intellectual property owner, wherein the intellectual property owner owns intellectual property associated with technology in or used by the wireless memory device; and
,determining whether the wireless memory device is a licensed wireless memory device based on the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable medium storing or encoding instructions that when implemented on a computer perform a method to determine authenticity of a wireless memory device read by a radio frequency reader that collects data from the wireless memory device, the method comprising:
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receiving, directly or indirectly from the wireless memory device, a signal having at least one data object associated with an origin or identity of the wireless memory device; associating additional data with the at least one data object associated with the wireless memory device, wherein the additional data comprises evidence of wireless memory device usage; comparing the data object associated with the wireless memory device with data of authorized wireless memory devices; analyzing the evidence of wireless memory device usage with data of wireless memory devices that already have been previously reported; and determining whether the wireless memory device is an authorized wireless memory device based at least in part on the comparing and the analyzing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for operating a wireless surveillance system having a wireless radio frequency reader for collecting data from a wireless memory device and an access point associated with the wireless radio frequency reader, the method comprising:
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means for receiving, over a computer or telecommunications network, at least one data object pertaining to an identity of the reader, to an identity of the wireless memory device, or both; means, coupled to the means for receiving, for respectively comparing the data object pertaining to the identity of the reader, to an identity of the wireless memory device, or both, with a list of data objects of wireless radio frequency readers that have been licensed by an intellectual property owner or licensee, a list of data objects of wireless memory devices that have been licensed by an intellectual property owner or licensee, or both; and means, coupled to the means for comparing, for determining whether the wireless radio frequency reader is a licensed wireless memory device, the wireless memory device is a licensed wireless memory device, or both. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A wireless memory apparatus for use in a wireless surveillance system, wherein the wireless surveillance system includes at least one wireless radio frequency reader for collecting data from the wireless memory apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
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a tag antenna for wirelessly receiving signals from and transmitting signals to a remote tag reader; an analog circuit for transferring data to the tag antenna; a non-volatile tag memory for storing a unique tag serial number identification, wherein the non-volatile tag memory further stores a unique user identification number assigned to end users, a unique manufacturer identification number assigned to manufacturers, or both; and a digital circuit for transferring the unique tag serial number identification from the memory to the analog circuitry in preparation for transmission by the tag antenna; wherein the digital circuit is further configured for transferring the unique user identification number assigned to end users, the unique manufacturer identification number assigned to manufacturers, or both, to the analog circuitry in preparation for transmission by the tag antenna.
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Specification