RF-ID product tracking system with privacy enhancement
First Claim
1. In connection with a system that uses electronic tags on products for storing information related to the products, a method comprising:
- providing an electronic tag having information loaded thereon that relates to a product to which the tag is attached;
upon purchase of the product by a consumer;
reading the information from the tag,generating an associated unique identifier that uniquely identifies the product relative to other similar products,storing, using a computer, information read from the tag in an electronic database, together with the associated unique identifier that uniquely identifies the product relative to other similar products,erasing at least some product information from the electronic tag, andstoring the associated unique identifier on the electronic tag; and
maintaining the electronic tag on the product after purchase;
wherein the associated unique identifier is readable from the electronic tag in connection with a post sale transaction or inquiry, and wherein information on the product is accessible from the electronic database using the associated unique identifier in order to assist with processing of the post sale transaction or inquiry.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for using electronic product identification devices to track product sales and enable sales transactions to be registered in an electronic registration (ER) system without causing privacy or security concerns for the purchasers. RF-ID devices are placed on products being sold and include detailed information about the products. When the products are purchased, the detailed information is loaded into an ER database and all but a limited amount of information is removed from the RF-ID device. The limited information is sufficient to enable the detailed information to be located in the ER database by authorized individuals in connection with a return transaction or the like.
188 Citations
18 Claims
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1. In connection with a system that uses electronic tags on products for storing information related to the products, a method comprising:
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providing an electronic tag having information loaded thereon that relates to a product to which the tag is attached; upon purchase of the product by a consumer; reading the information from the tag, generating an associated unique identifier that uniquely identifies the product relative to other similar products, storing, using a computer, information read from the tag in an electronic database, together with the associated unique identifier that uniquely identifies the product relative to other similar products, erasing at least some product information from the electronic tag, and storing the associated unique identifier on the electronic tag; and maintaining the electronic tag on the product after purchase; wherein the associated unique identifier is readable from the electronic tag in connection with a post sale transaction or inquiry, and wherein information on the product is accessible from the electronic database using the associated unique identifier in order to assist with processing of the post sale transaction or inquiry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification