Radio frequency identification device with visual indicator
First Claim
1. A RFID device, comprising;
- a chip;
an antenna connected to the chip; and
a display coupled to the chip,wherein the display includes a visual indicator for providing human and/or machine readable visual indication of an operative state of the RFID device,wherein the visual indication selectively displays or obscures underlying visual elements for allaying privacy-based concerns regarding the RFID device, andwherein the visual elements include at least one of letters, numbers, signs, and symbols.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RFID device includes a chip, an antenna operatively coupled to the chip, and a visual indicator operatively coupled to the chip. The visual indicator provides a visual indication of an operative state of the device. The visual indication may be human readable and/or machine readable, and may provide visual indication that is dependent on a change in an operative state of the device. The operative state that triggers the visual indication may include a state in which the chip has temporarily or permanently been rendered inoperative or disabled, that is, in which the chip no longer responds to, or otherwise interacts with, ordinary incoming RF signals such as from a device reader. The visual indicator may be included in a display that functions by any of a variety of suitable mechanisms, such as by use of electrochromic materials, thermochromic materials, liquid crystals, or chemically-reactive materials.
3 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A RFID device, comprising;
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a chip; an antenna connected to the chip; and a display coupled to the chip, wherein the display includes a visual indicator for providing human and/or machine readable visual indication of an operative state of the RFID device, wherein the visual indication selectively displays or obscures underlying visual elements for allaying privacy-based concerns regarding the RFID device, and wherein the visual elements include at least one of letters, numbers, signs, and symbols. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a RFID device for merchandise authentication, comprising the steps of:
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providing the RFID device, the RFID device having a chip, an antenna connected to the chip and a display coupled to the chip, the display including a visual indicator for providing human and/or machine readable visual indication of an operative state of the RFID device; providing power to activate the visual indication of the display to indicate a change of state of the operation of the RFID device; and providing the visual indication that selectively displays or obscures underlying visual elements for allaying privacy-based concerns regarding the RFID device, and wherein the visual elements include at least one of letters, numbers, signs, and symbols. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A RFID device, comprising;
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a chip; an antenna connected to the chip; a visual indicator coupled to the chip, the visual indicator further comprising at least two separately actuatable elements that selectively display or obscure underlying visual elements; and wherein the combination of the separately actuatable elements indicates operability of the RFID device, and wherein the visual elements include at least one of letters, numbers, signs and symbols.
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Specification