RFID tag reader station with image capabilities
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- monitoring a portal adjacent to a predefined area of interest for a presence of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag by sending an interrogation signal from an RFID reader located the portal, the predefined area of interest being an area that is not monitored by video;
determining whether a user has entered the predefined area of interest through the portal with the RFID tag in response to the RFID reader receiving a response from the RFID tag to the interrogation signal;
recording surveillance videos of at least the portal when the user with the RFID tag is determined to be within the area of interest;
determining that the user has exited the portal based on the surveillance videos but that the RFID tag did not exit through the portal; and
transmitting, to a monitor, an indication of the presence of the RFID tag within the area of interest.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method is provided for image surveillance of areas of interest for items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. These areas of interest are often times unmonitored due to privacy concerns. The present invention discloses an image surveillance system and method, that upon indication of an RFID tag coming within proximity of a portal system having an RFID reader, records one or more images of the area of interest, so as to capture a subject associated with the RFID tagged item moving into or through the area of interest. Such applications for embodiments of the present invention are directed to monitor items of interest in retail stores, restaurants, shipping and receiving locations, and other public areas.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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monitoring a portal adjacent to a predefined area of interest for a presence of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag by sending an interrogation signal from an RFID reader located the portal, the predefined area of interest being an area that is not monitored by video; determining whether a user has entered the predefined area of interest through the portal with the RFID tag in response to the RFID reader receiving a response from the RFID tag to the interrogation signal; recording surveillance videos of at least the portal when the user with the RFID tag is determined to be within the area of interest; determining that the user has exited the portal based on the surveillance videos but that the RFID tag did not exit through the portal; and transmitting, to a monitor, an indication of the presence of the RFID tag within the area of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag surveillance system comprising:
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an RFID reader that is located at a portal that is adjacent to an area of interest and that sends an interrogation signal to an RFID tag that passes through the portal, wherein a user is determined to have entered the predefined area of interest through the portal with the RFID tag in response to the RFID reader receiving a response from the RFID tag to the interrogation signal; an image surveillance device that records surveillance video of the portal when the user with the RFID tag is determined to be within the area of interest; and a transmitter that transmits a notification when the user is determined to have exited the portal based on the surveillance videos but that the RFID tag did not also exit through the portal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A data and image surveillance system comprising:
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a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader that reads an RFID tag entering an area via the portal, wherein a user is determined to have entered an area via a portal system with the RFID tag in response to the RFID reader reading the RFID tag; an image surveillance device that is in communication with the RFID reader and that records one or more images of an area where the RFID tag is located when the user with the RFID tag is determined to be within the area of interest; and transmitting the one or more recorded images to a monitoring system when the user is determined to have exited the portal based on the surveillance videos but that the RFID tag did not also exit through the portal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification