RFID tag with environmental sensor

• US 9,030,295 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2013
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Allen, Ira L., Clevenger, Lawrence A., Petrarca, Kevin S., Radens, Carl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US13/772,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20140232519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.9, 340/780.07, 3405721-5729, 340/870.07, 340/10.4, 340/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/5.9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

In a method for controlling pricing of a product, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having at least one processor is attached to a monitored product. A value indicative of a degree of exposure to an environmental condition is obtained. The obtained value is compared with a predetermined value range. A price of the monitored product is adjusted when the result of the comparison falls outside the predetermined value range.

Claims

1. A method for controlling pricing of a product, the method comprising:

attaching a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having at least one processor to a monitored product;

measuring a value indicative of a degree of exposure to an environmental condition using the RFID tag;

the at least one processor comparing the measured value of the environmental condition with a predetermined value range stored on the RFID tag wherein the RFID tag comprises an environmental sensor configured to measure exposure to the environmental condition;

generating a price value based on the degree of exposure to the environmental condition using the at least one processor on the RFID tag, the price value includes comparing the predetermined value range with recorded environmental data, the price value further including comparison of the degree of exposure to the environmental condition and predetermined upper and lower threshold limits stored on the RFID tag; and

adjusting a price of the monitored product based on the price value using the at least one processor when the result of the comparison falls outside the predetermined value range.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental condition comprises at least one of gamma radiation, x-ray radiation, extreme temperature, smoke plume, pressure, vacuum, vibration, shock, humidity, moisture, light, air, and a chemical to which the monitored product has been subjected.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the adjusted price to an RFID interrogator.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the price value includes determining the monitored product is not suitable for use, or a discount value for the monitored product, or the monitored product is not discounted.

6. A computer program product for controlling pricing of a monitored product using a radio frequency identification (RFID) attached to the monitored product is provided, the computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices, the program instructions executable by the RFID tag, the program instructions comprising:

program instructions to measure a value indicative of a degree of exposure to an environmental condition using the RFID tag;

program instructions to compare the measured value of the environmental condition with a predetermined value range stored on the RFID tag wherein the RFID tag comprises an environmental sensor configured to measure exposure to the environmental condition;

generating a price value based on the degree of exposure to the environmental condition using the at least one processor on the RFID tag, the price value includes comparing the predetermined value range with recorded environmental data, the price value further including comparison of the degree of exposure to the environmental condition and predetermined upper and lower threshold limits stored on the RFID tag; and

program instructions to adjust a price of the monitored product based on the price value using the at least one processor when the result of the comparison falls outside the predetermined value range.

7. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

8. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag.

9. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the environmental condition comprises at least one of gamma radiation, x-ray radiation, extreme temperature, smoke plume, pressure, vacuum, vibration, shock, humidity, moisture, light, air, and a chemical to which the monitored product has been subjected.

10. The computer program product of claim 6, further comprising program instructions to transmit the adjusted price to an RFID interrogator.

16. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the price value includes determining the monitored product is not suitable for use, or a discount value for the monitored product, or the monitored product is not discounted.

11. A computer system for controlling pricing of a monitored product using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to the monitored product is provided, the computer system comprising the RFID tag having one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, the program instructions comprising:

program instructions to measure a value indicative of a degree of exposure to an environmental condition using the RFID tag;

program instructions to compare the measured value of the environmental condition with a predetermined value range;

generating a price value based on the degree of exposure to the environmental condition using the at least one processor on the RFID tag, the price value includes comparing the predetermined value range with recorded environmental data, the price value further including comparison of the degree of exposure to the environmental condition and predetermined upper and lower threshold limits stored on the RFID tag; and

program instructions to adjust a price of the monitored product based on the price value using the at least one processor when the result of the comparison falls outside the predetermined value range.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the environmental condition comprises at least one of gamma radiation, x-ray radiation, extreme temperature, smoke plume, pressure, vacuum, vibration, shock, humidity, moisture, light, air, and a chemical to which the monitored product has been subjected.

17. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the price value includes determining the monitored product is not suitable for use, or a discount value for the monitored product, or the monitored product is not discounted.