Object recognition and localization service using RFID

• US 8,725,777 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2012
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Deking, Alois Ludwig, Iyer, Prakash, Pappu, Ravikanth Srinivasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleurantin, Jean B
• Application Number:
  US13/475,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20130311519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 724 Days
• Field of Search: 707/770, 707/803, 707/822, 707/825
• US Class Current: 707/803
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A method of creating and managing a database of meta_data sets for a plurality of objects is provided. The meta-data set is configured to characterize an object. The meta_data set for a “j”-object is selected from the group consisting of: a first item; a second item; an “i”-th item; and ID-j tag; wherein “i” and “j” being integers. The method comprises: (A) identifying a meta_data set for at least one object; (B) collecting a meta_data set for at least one object; (C) creating the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects; (D) storing the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects; and (E) accessing the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects.

Claims

1. An apparatus for creating and managing a database of meta-data sets for a plurality of objects performed by at least one processor comprising:

(A) at least one identity sensor configured to identify a meta-data set for at least one object;

said meta-data set is configured to characterize a “

j”

-object;

said meta-data set selected from the group consisting of;

a first item;

a second item;

an “

i”

-th item; and

ID-j tag;

“

i” and

“

j”

being integers;

(B) at least one sensor configured to locate at least one “

j”

-object in said identified meta-data set;

(C) at least one sensor configured to collect a meta-data set for said at least one identified and located object;

and

(D) a computer means configured to create said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects;

wherein said identity sensor (A) further comprises;

(A1) an ID tag attached to at least one said object;

wherein said ID tag is selected from the group consisting of;

a quick response code (QR code) attached to said object;

an RFID tag;

a low power RFID tag;

a barcode; and

an infra-red tag; and

an ultra sound tag.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

(E) a computer storage means configured to store said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said computer means (E) further comprises:

(E1) an access code to said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

(F) a computer means configured to access said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said meta-data set for at least one object further comprises:

(A2) a meta-data set of said object comprising a plurality of items;

at least one said item selected from the group consisting of;

a 3-D picture of said object;

a 2-D picture of said object;

position coordinates of location of said object;

a material of which said object has been made;

an explicit functional value of said object;

an implicit functional value of said object;

a purpose of said object;

a brand of said object;

an age of said object;

a weight of said object; and

dimensions of said object.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor (B) further comprises:

(B1) a position sensor configured to determine the position coordinates of said at least one object.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said sensor (B1) further comprises:

(B1,

     1) at least one said position sensor selected from the group consisting of;

a radio-based position sensor; and

an image-capturing position sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor (C) further comprises:

(C1) a plurality of sensors configured to collect a meta-data set for at least one said object.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor (C1) further comprises:

(C1,

     1) at least one said sensor selected from the group consisting of;

an ID tag reader;

an image-capturing sensor;

a material probing sensor;

a 3-D scanner including a scale; and

an intelligent engine.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor (C1) further comprises:

(C1,

     2) at least one said sensor selected from the group consisting of;

a radio transmitter/receiver RFID tag reader;

an optical transmitter/receiver bar code reader;

an IR tag reader; and

an ultra sound tag reader.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor (C1) further comprises:

(C1,

     3) at least one said sensor selected from the group consisting of;

a digital camera;

a digital video camera;

a digital camcorder;

a stereo digital camera;

a stereo video camera;

a motion picture camera;

a television camera; and

a non-photometric 3-D scanner.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor (C1) further comprises:

(C1,

     4) at least one said sensor selected from the group consisting of;

a laser sensor;

a contact and proximity sensor; and

a magnetic resonance sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor (C1) further comprises:

(C1,

     5) at least one said sensor selected from the group consisting of;

a probe material analyzer;

a bio organic sensor;

a bio inorganic sensor;

a nano organic sensor;

a nano inorganic sensor;

a micro-electrochemical sensor;

a bio-electrochemical sensor; and

an integrated analytical system.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor (C1) further comprises:

(C1,

     6) a functional intelligent engine selected from the group consisting of;

a manual functional intelligent engine configured to assign an explicit functional value of said object;

a manual functional intelligent engine configured to assign an implicit functional value of said object;

an automatic functional intelligent engine configured to assign an explicit functional value of said object; and

an automatic functional intelligent engine configured to assign an implicit functional value of said object.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein computer means (D) further comprises:

(D1) a computer means configured to track at least one said object in said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects by using an access code.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said computer means (D) further comprises:

(D2) a computer means configured to provide a reminder service for at least one said object in said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects;

wherein said reminder service is selected from the group consisting of;

expiration of warranty reminder for a selected object;

service intervals reminder for a selected object; and

factory call-backs reminder for a selected object.

17. A method of creating and managing a database of meta-data sets for a plurality of objects performed by at least one processor comprising:

(A) identifying a meta-data set for at least one object;

said meta-data set is configured to characterize a “

j”

-object;

said meta-data set selected from the group consisting of;

a first item;

a second item;

an “

i”

-th item; and

ID-j tag “

i” and

“

j”

being integers;

(B) at least one sensor configured, locating at least one said “

j”

-object identified in said identified meta-data set;

(C) collecting a meta-data set for said at least one identified and located object; and

(D) creating said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects;

wherein said identity sensor (A) further comprises;

(A1) an ID tag attached to at least one said object;

wherein said ID tag is selected from the group consisting of;

a quick response code (QR code) attached to said object;

an RFID tag;

a low power RFID tag;

a barcode; and

an infra-red tag; and

an ultra sound tag.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

(E) storing said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

(F) accessing said database of meta-data sets for said plurality of objects.