Package content control

• US 8,317,084 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2009
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Bagai, Hitesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): TARDIF, DAVID P
• Application Number:
  US12/561,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20110062227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4216 Cards, coupons or the like formed integrally with, or printed directly on, the container or lid

Abstract

A package for items, the package having a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly receive identification information from data transmitters corresponding to the items within the package to which the apparatus is associated. The package further has a display and a processor configured to collect received identification information and to cause the display to display identification information of the items in the package. The wireless communication unit, the display and the processor are integrated into the structure of the package.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to wirelessly receive identification information from data transmitters corresponding to items within a package with which the apparatus is associated;

a display laminated between a corrugated board and an exterior paper lining of the package, the display being observable through the exterior paper lining; and

a processor configured to cause collecting of the received identification information and to cause displaying of the identification information of the items in the package on the display.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the items is a mobile communication device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the identification information comprises an international mobile equipment identity of the mobile communication device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted for integrating into a structure of the package.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display comprises a flat light emitting diode element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a memory configured to store identifications of originally packaged items and to select identification of the originally packaged items for display while corresponding identification information is received.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to detect if the identification of an originally packaged item is no longer received and to cause displaying of an indication that the originally packaged item may be missing from the package.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause displaying of an indication of changed items on the display.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to display the identification information until the package is opened or at least one of the originally packaged items is removed from the package.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to wirelessly power the data transmitters.

11. A package for items, the package comprising:

a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly receive identification information from data transmitters corresponding to the items within the package with which the apparatus is associated;

a display laminated between a corrugated board and an exterior paper lining of the package, the display being observable through the exterior paper lining; and

a processor configured to cause collecting of received identification information and to cause the display to display identification information of the items in the package;

wherein the wireless communication unit, the display, and the processor are integrated into a structure of the package.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication unit, the display and the processor are integrated into a common apparatus.

13. A method comprising:

wirelessly receiving identification information from data transmitters corresponding to items within a package; and

collecting received identification information; and

displaying the identification information of the items within the package on a display laminated between a corrugated board and an exterior paper lining, the display being observable through the exterior paper lining.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising detecting if the identification of an originally packaged item is no longer received and displaying an indication that the originally packaged item may be missing from the package.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying of an indication of changed items.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying of the identification information until the package is opened or at least one of the originally packaged items is removed from the package.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the wireless communication unit being configured to wirelessly power the data transmitters.

18. A computer program comprising computer executable program code configured to cause an apparatus to perform, when executing program:

wirelessly receiving identification information from data transmitters corresponding to items within a package; and

collecting received identification information; and

causing displaying of the identification information of the items in the package on a display laminated between a corrugated board and an exterior paper lining, the display being observable through the exterior paper lining.