Method and device for obtaining item information using RFID tags

• US 8,791,794 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC (BT Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC (BT Group PLC)
• Inventors: Soppera, Andrea, Burbridge, Trevor
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): OBINIYI, PAULSON IDOWU
• Application Number:
  US12/295,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20090273451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,696 Days
• Field of Search: 340 101- 106, 3405721-5729, 235375-385
• US Class Current: 340/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs

Abstract

Methods and devices for enabling a user to obtain item information relating to an item (10), the item having associated therewith an item identification means (12) and an RFID response means (14) arranged to provide a predetermined response on being subjected to a currently applicable trigger signal; the method comprising steps of: establishing from the item identification means (12) item identification information; using the item identification information to determine from an item information source (30) a currently applicable trigger signal for the RFID response means (14); subjecting the RFID response means (14) to the currently applicable trigger signal; receiving a predetermined response from the RFID response means (14); and using the predetermined response to obtain item information from the item information source (30); wherein the RFID response means (14) is arranged to generate a new currently applicable trigger signal and a new predetermined response associated therewith following subjecting of the RFID response means (14) to the currently applicable trigger signal.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining from an item information source item information relating to an item, said item having associated therewith an item identification means providing item identification information and an RFID response means arranged to provide a predetermined RFID response on being subjected to a currently applicable RFID trigger signal;

said method comprising;

establishing from said item identification means item identification information;

using said item identification information to determine from said item information source a currently applicable RFID trigger signal for said RFID response means;

subjecting said RFID response means to said currently applicable RFID trigger signal;

receiving a predetermined RFID response from said RFID response means; and

using said predetermined RFID response to obtain item information from said item information source;

wherein the RFID response means is arranged to generate a new currently applicable RFID trigger signal and a new predetermined RFID response associated therewith following the subjecting of said RFID response means to said currently applicable RFID trigger signal;

wherein the RFID response means and the item information source are each arranged to generate the new currently applicable RFID trigger signal in step with one another by performing at least one of the following;

selecting and using a next member from a predetermined sequence of currently applicable RFID trigger signals;

applying a predetermined one-way function or hash-function to the currently applicable RFID trigger signal; and

applying a pseudorandom function to the currently applicable RFID trigger signal; and

wherein the RFID response means and the item information source are each arranged to generate the predetermined RFID response associated with the new currently applicable RFID trigger signal in step with one another by performing at least one of the following;

selecting and using a next member from a predetermined sequence of predetermined RFID responses;

applying a predetermined one-way function or hash-function to an existing predetermined RFID response; and

applying a pseudorandom function to an existing predetermined RFID response.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said item information source comprises at least one online database.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said item information source comprises a limited-access item information source.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said item information source holds restricted-access RFID trigger signals.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said item information source holds restricted-access item information.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said item identification means and said RFID response means are provided on an item label, in conjunction with item packaging, or in conjunction with the item itself.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said item identification means provides visually observable item identification information.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said item identification means provides electronically readable item identification information.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said electronically readable item identification information is provided by means of said RFID response means or a second RFID response means.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said item identification means provides item identification information by means of a barcode, 2-D code, or matrix-code.

11. a method according to claim 1, wherein said RFID response means is a passive RFID tag.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined RFID response is provided by said RFID response means only in the event that said RFID response means is subjected to a currently applicable RFID trigger signal.

13. A device for enabling a user to obtain from an item information source item information relating to an item, said device comprising an item identification means for providing item identification information, and an RFID response means, wherein:

said item identification means comprises means from which can be established item identification information in dependence on which a currently applicable RFID trigger signal for said RFID response means can be determined from said item information source; and

said RFID response means comprises means arranged to provide a predetermined RFID response on being subjected to said currently applicable RFID trigger signal, in dependence on which predetermined response item information can be obtained from said item information source;

said RFID response means further comprising means arranged to generate a new currently applicable RFID trigger signal and a new predetermined RFID response associated therewith following the subjecting of said RFID response means to said currently applicable RFID trigger signal;

said RFID response means being arranged to generate the new currently applicable RFID trigger signal in step with said item information source by performing at least one of the following;

selecting and using a next member from a predetermined sequence of currently applicable RFID trigger signals;

applying a predetermined one-way function or hash-function to the currently applicable RFID trigger signal; and

applying a pseudorandom function to the currently applicable RFID trigger signal; and

wherein said RFID response means is arranged to generate the predetermined RFID response associated with the new currently applicable RFID trigger signal in step with said item information source by performing comprises means arranged to perform at least one of the following;

selecting and using a next member from a predetermined sequence of predetermined RFID responses;

applying a predetermined one-way function or hash-function to an existing predetermined RFID response; and

applying a pseudorandom function to an existing predetermined RFID response.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said item information source comprises at least one online database.

15. A device according to claim 13, wherein said item information source comprises a limited-access item information source.

16. A device according to claim 13, wherein said item information source holds restricted-access RFID triggers signals.

17. A device according to claim 13, wherein said item information source holds restricted-access item information.

18. A device according to claim 13, wherein said item identification means and said RFID response means are provided on an item label, in conjunction with item packaging, or in conjunction with the item itself.

19. A device according to claim 13, wherein said item identification means provides visually observable item identification information.

20. A device according to claim 13, wherein said item identification means provides electronically readable item identification information.

21. A device according to claim 20, wherein said electronically readable item identification information is provided by means of said RFID response means or a 10 second RFID response means.

22. A device according to claim 13, wherein said item identification means comprises a barcode, 2-D code, or matrix-code.

23. A device according to claim 13, wherein said RFID response means is a passive RFID tag.

24. A device according to claim 13, wherein said RFID response means is arranged to provide said predetermined RFID response only in the event that said RFID response means is subjected to a currently applicable RFID trigger signal.