Smart device programmable electronic luggage tag

• US 9,224,084 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2014
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ViewTag, Co.
• Original Assignee: Vanguard Identification Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Warther, Richard O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mikels, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US14/516,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20150122893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 235/487, 235/492
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06187 with magnetically detectable marking
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07707 the visual interface being a display, e.g. LCD or electronic ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07716 the record carrier comprising means for customization, e.g. being arranged for personalization in batch
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07726 the record comprising means for indicating first use, e.g. a frangible layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/12 the marking being sensed by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications

Abstract

A programmable luggage tag has a rigid, flat case containing a bistable visual display assembly, a BLE, NFC or other comparable short range, radio receiver and a processor configured to convert short range radio image control signals detected by the receiver into commands to modify the image on the display. A manual input switch on the case activates circuitry with a battery in the case for a time sufficient to receive the control signals and modify the image. A multilayer plastic, resiliently flexible thin flap is fixed with the case extending away from the case generally in a common plane with the case. The flap includes an encapsulated passive RFID transponder and mounting holes distal to the housing permitting the tag to be resiliently secured to the handle of a piece of luggage.

Claims

1. A programmable luggage tag comprising:

a bistable, programmable electronic visual display assembly including a display screen;

a radio receiver;

a processor operably connecting the display assembly with the radio receiver so as to permit reprogramming of an image shown on the screen in response to image commands received through the radio receiver;

a case having first and second opposing major outer sides, the case containing the display assembly, the radio receiver and the processor and the first major outer side of the case having a through opening revealing the display screen;

a planar flap fixedly connected directly with the case so as to extend outwardly away from the case from between the opposing major outer sides;

at least a first, closed perimeter, tag mounting opening extending completely through the flap including first and second opposing major planar sides of the flap; and

a radio frequency identification transponder assembly encapsulated between the first and second opposing major planar major sides of the flap.

2. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the flap is fixedly secured to the case within the case.

3. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein only a proximal edge portion of the flap is located and mechanically captured within the case.

4. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the case has a given thickness between the first and second opposing major outer sides and wherein the flap has a thickness between the opposing first and second major planar sides less than the given thickness between the opposing major sides of the case.

5. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the case has a given stiffness to force applied to the second major side and the flap has a stiffness before connection with the case to force applied to either of the opposing major planar sides of the flap less than the given stiffness.

6. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the case is formed from one of a combination of metal pieces, a combination of high impact plastic pieces and a combination of metal and plastic pieces.

7. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the display screen is made of glass.

8. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the case further contains a battery and an input device exposed sufficiently for manual operation, the input device being configured to operably connect the battery with at least the processor and the radio receiver.

9. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the radio receiver and the processor are configured for Bluetooth communication.

10. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the radio receiver is configured for operation only at locations less than one hundred meters away from a compatible radio signal source.

11. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency identification transponder assembly is configured for Ultra High Frequency operation.

12. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency identification transponder assembly is electrically isolated from the case.

13. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency identification transponder assembly is located in a portion of the flap physically outside the case.

14. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency identification transponder assembly is passive and powered only from an external interrogation signal.

15. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 further comprising a second closed perimeter mounting opening extending completely through the flap including the first and second, opposing major planar sides of the flap, the second closed perimeter opening being located proximal the first closed perimeter opening at an end of the flap remote from the case.

21. The programmable luggage tag of claim 1 wherein the case further contains:

a battery power supply; and

an input device at least partially exposed on the case for manual activation, the input device being configured to selectively connect the battery power supply with at least one of the radio receiver and the processor in response to manual activation.

22. The programmable luggage tag of claim 21 wherein:

the planar flap has a maximum thickness between the first and second opposing major planar sides less than any given thickness of the case between the first and second opposing major outer sides; and

the case has a given stiffness to force applied to the second major side and the flap has a stiffness before connection with the case to force applied to either of the opposing major planar sides of the flap less than the given stiffness.

23. The programmable luggage tag of claim 22 wherein:

the case is hollow and formed from one of a combination of metal pieces, a combination of high impact plastic pieces and a combination of metal and plastic pieces; and

the planar flap is a solid lamination and includes at least first and second core strips of flexible, microporous polymer material fixedly and permanently joined together around the radio frequency identification transponder assembly, microporosity being provided by micron sized pores located substantially throughout the microporous polymer material.

24. The programmable luggage tag of claim 23 wherein:

the case is formed by two outer cover pieces and a center piece located between the two outer cover pieces, the center piece being configured to at least support and limit flexure of the display assembly within the case; and

only a captured proximal edge portion of the planar flap is located within the case and the radio frequency identification transponder assembly is located within a portion of the flap physically outside of the case.

16. A programmable luggage tag comprising:

a first component including a planar flexible sheet core having major planar opposing first and second sides, the core including at least first and second core strips of flexible, microporous polymer material fixedly and permanently joined together, microporosity being provided by pores located substantially throughout the microporous polymer material;

a first radio frequency identification transponder assembly operating at a first frequency integrally embedded between the first and second core strips, the first transponder assembly including at least a non-volatile memory containing a non-alterable permanent code uniquely assigned to the transponder assembly;

a separate case permanently secured with only an edge portion of the first component;

an electronic bistable visual display assembly within the case, the display assembly including a display screen visible through an opening in the case; and

a communication receiver within the case configured for data connection with an external smart device also having communication connectivity with a remote data source over a public wireless communication network, the communication receiver being configured to receive data from the smart device to alter an image being displayed by the display assembly.

17. A programmable luggage tag comprising:

a bistable, programmable visual display assembly including a display screen;

a short range, no-network radio receiver;

at least one processor operably connecting the display assembly with the radio receiver so as to permit reprogramming of the image shown on the screen in response to commands received through the radio receiver;

a battery power supply;

a manual input device configured to selectively connect the battery power supply with the radio receiver and the processor; and

a radio frequency identification transponder assembly operating independently of the display, radio receiver, processor, battery power supply and input device.

18. The programmable luggage tag of claim 17 wherein the display assembly, the radio receiver, the processor, the battery power supply and the manual input device are located together in a single housing.

19. The programmable luggage tag of claim 18 wherein the housing is resiliently flexible and the radio frequency identification transponder assembly is also located within the housing.

20. The programmable luggage tag of claim 18 wherein the housing is made from one of a combination of high impact plastic pieces, a combination of metal pieces, and a combination of metal and plastic pieces, and wherein the tag further comprises a planar flap made from flexible polymer sheet materials, fixedly connected with the housing so as to extend away from the housing, the planar flap containing the radio frequency identification transponder assembly outside the housing.