Method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags

• US 20050092823A1
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motedata Corporation
• Original Assignee: Jay Kesan, Peter Lupoli
• Inventors: Lupoli, Peter, Kesan, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,388,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90 Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/903 Querying for retrieval from the web G06F16/953
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10257 arrangements for protecting the interrogation against piracy attacks computer security in general G06F21/00; jamming of communication, countermeasures H04K3/00; secret communication H04K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

This invention relates generally to a method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags that are associated in some manner to any type of object. More particularly, the present invention writes data to these tags, reads data from these tags, and manages data that is written to and/or read from these tags.

Claims

1. A system for storing, retrieving and managing data for one or more objects comprising:

one or more tags associated with the one or more objects;

one or more components communicating with at least one of said tags;

at least one receiver for receiving control data and information data from at least one of said components into at least one of said tags wherein said information data is about the object that is associated with said at least one tag;

at least one transmitter for transmitting at least a portion of said information data to at least one of said components in accordance with said control data; and

at least one communication network for facilitating said communicating among said components and said tags;

wherein at least one of said components transmits at least one query to receive at least a portion of said information data about said object associated with said at least one tag.

2. A system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 1 wherein said information data for said associated object comprises one or more members of the set consisting of:

the identity of people that came into contact with said associated object, at least one measurement of at least one environmental condition to which said associated object was exposed, the academic performance of said object, the athletic performance of said object, at least one measurement of the medical condition of said object, authentication data for said object, the price history of said object, and the movement of said object.

3. A system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 1 wherein said one or more components comprises:

at least one database for receiving said information data from said at least one tag and for managing said information data.

4. A system for storing, retrieving and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 1 wherein said control data specifies at least one of said one or more components from which said at least one tag may receive data.

5. A system for storing, retrieving and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 1 wherein said control data specifies one or more data types that said at least one tag is authorized to received.

6. A system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 1 wherein said one or more components comprises one or more members of the set consisting of a client computer, a database, a server computer, an input utility, and a sensor.

7. A system for storing, retrieving and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 1 wherein said one or more tags are micro-devices that transmit and receive radio-frequency signals.

8. A method for storing, retrieving and managing data for one or more objects comprising the steps of:

associating one or more tags with the one or more objects;

communicating with at least one of said tags from one or more components;

receiving control data and information data from at least one of said components into at least one of said tags wherein said information data is about the object that is associated with said at least one tag;

transmitting at least a portion of said information data from said at least one tag to at least one of said components in accordance with said control data; and

transmitting from said at least one of said components at least one query to receive at least a portion of said information data about said object associated with said at least one tag.

9. A method for storing, retrieving, and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 8 wherein said information data for said associated object comprises one or more members of the set consisting of:

the identity of people that came into contact with said associated object, at least one measurement of at least one environmental condition to which said associated object was exposed, the academic performance of said object, the athletic performance of said object, at least one measurement of the medical condition of said object, authentication data for said object, the price history of said object, and the movement of said object.

10. A method for storing, retrieving, and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

receiving said information data from said at least one tag; and

managing said information data.

11. A method for storing, retrieving and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 8 wherein said control data specifies at least one of said one or more components from which said at least one tag may receive data.

12. A method for storing, retrieving and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 8 wherein said control data specifies one or more data types that said at least one tag is authorized to received.

13. A method for storing, retrieving, and managing data for one or more objects as in claim 8 wherein said one or more components comprises one or more members of the set consisting of a client computer, a database, a server computer, an input utility, a sensor, and a tag.

14. A method for managing one or more children comprising the steps of:

associating one or more tags with the one or more children;

transmitting control data and information data to said one or more tags;

receiving said information data into said one or more tags, said information data comprising one or more of the following;

the identity of people that came into contact with the one or more children;

at least one measurement of at least one environmental condition to which the one or more children was exposed, the academic performance of the one or more children, the athletic performance of the one or more children, at least one measurement of the medical condition of the one or more children; and

transmitting at least a portion of said information data from said one or more tags in accordance with said control data.

15. A method for managing one or more children as in claim 14 wherein said control data specifies at least one of said one or more tags from which said at least one tag may receive data.

16. A method for managing one or more children as in claim 14 wherein said control data specifies one or more data types that said at least one tag is authorized to receive.

17. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags comprising the steps of:

receiving a message of a first type;

reading an identifier of a tag that sent said messages from said message; and

incrementing a number of encounters for said read tag identifiers.

18. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 17 further comprising the step of storing said number of encounters in a data structure of a first type.

19. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 18 further comprising the step of creating an entry for said retrieved tag identifier in said data structure if said retrieved tag identifier is not already within said data structure of said first type.

20. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 18 wherein said storing step is performed only if a signature of said read tag identifier in said message of said first type verifies.

21. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 18 wherein said incrementing step is performed only if a time in said message of said first type is within a predetermined time period.

22. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 21 wherein said predetermined time period is not more than one minute from a current time.

23. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 18 further comprising the step of transmitting said data structure of said first type upon receiving a message of a second type.

24. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 23 wherein said transmitting step is performed only if a signature in said message of said second type verifies.

25. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 23 further comprising the step of encrypting said data structure of said first type.

26. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a timer interrupt;

creating a message of said first type; and

sending said message of said first type.

27. A method for checking the proximity of one or more tags as in claim 17 wherein said message of said first type comprises one or more of the following:

a signature of a tag that sent said message, an identifier of a tag that sent said message, and a current time.

28. A method for generating an alarm when one or more tags fall outside of a proximity comprising the steps of:

receiving a message of a first type;

reading an identifier of a tag that sent said message from said message; and

resetting an alarm counter for said read identifier.

29. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 28 wherein said resetting step is performed only if a signature of said read tag identifier in said message of said first type verifies.

30. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 28 wherein said resetting step is performed only if a time in said message of said first type is within a predetermined time period.

31. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 30 wherein said predetermined time period is not more than one minute from a current time.

32. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 28 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a timer interrupt;

incrementing an alarm counter; and

sounding an alarm if said alarm counter is greater than a predetermined limit.

33. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 32 wherein said incrementing step and said sounding step are performed only when said tag receiving said interrupt is enabled.

34. A method for generating an alarm when one or more tags fall within a proximity comprising the steps of:

receiving a message of a first type;

reading an identifier of a tag that sent said message of said first type; and

sounding an alarm if said read identifier is in a list of sensitive tags.

35. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 34 wherein said sounding an alarm step is performed only if a signature in said message of said first type verifies.

36. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 34 wherein said sounding an alarm step is performed only if a time in said message of said first type is within a predetermined period.

37. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 36 wherein said predetermined period is not more than one minute from a current time.

38. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 34 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a message of a second type;

reading a tag identifier from said message of said second type; and

adding said tag identifier to said list of sensitive tags.

39. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 38 wherein said adding step is performed only if a signature in said message of said second type verifies.

40. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 34 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a message of a third type;

reading a tag identifier from said message of said third type; and

removing said tag identifier from said list of sensitive tags.

41. A method for generating an alarm as in claim 40 wherein said removing step is performed only if a signature in said message of said third type verifies.

42. A method for managing inventory including one or more objects comprising the steps of:

associating one or more tags with the one or more objects;

transmitting control data and information data to said one or more tags;

receiving said information data into said one or more tags, said information data comprising one or more of the following;

a location of the one or more objects, a time at which the one or more objects was at the location, the identity of people that took or released possession of the one or more objects, the identity of people that came into contact with the one or more objects, at least one measurement of at least one environmental condition to which the one or more objects were exposed, a weight of the one or more objects, a time at which the one or more objects had the weight, dimensions of the one or more objects, and a time at which the one or more objects had the dimensions; and

transmitting at least a portion of said information data from said at least one tag in accordance with said control data.

43. A method for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 42 wherein said control data specifies at least one of the one or more tags from which said one or more tags may receive data.

44. A method for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 42 wherein said control data specifies one or more types of data that said one or more tags is authorized to receive.

45. A method for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 42 further comprising the steps of:

receiving said information data from said at least one tag; and

managing said information data.

46. A method for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 42 wherein said transmitting control data and information step is performed by one or more components, said components comprising one or more members of the set consisting of a client computer, database, a server computer, an input utility, a sensor and a tag.

47. A method for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 46 further comprising the step of:

transmitting from said at least one of said components at least one query to receive at least a portion of said information data about said object associated with said at least one tag.

48. A system for managing inventory including one or more objects comprising the steps of:

one or more tags associated with the one or more objects;

one or more components transmitting control data and information data to said one or more tags;

at least one receiver for receiving said control data and said information data from at least one of said components into at least one of said tags wherein said information data comprises one or more of the following;

a location of the one or more objects, a time at which the one or more objects was at the location, the identity of people that took or released possession of the one or more objects, the identity of people that came into contact with the one or more objects, at least one measurement of at least one environmental condition to which the one or more objects were exposed, a weight of the one or more objects, a time at which the one or more objects had the weight, dimensions of the one or more objects, and a time at which the one or more objects had the dimensions; and

at least one transmitter for transmitting at least a portion of said information data from said at least one tag in accordance with said control data.

49. A system for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 48 wherein said control data specifies at least one of the one or more tags from which said one or more tags may receive data.

50. A system for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 48 wherein said control data specifies one or more types of data that said one or more tags is authorized to receive.

51. A system for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 48 wherein said components comprise one or more members of the set consisting of a client computer, a database, a server computer, an input utility, a sensor and a tag.

52. A system for managing inventory including one or more objects as in claim 48 wherein said control data comprises at least one query to receive at least a portion of said information data about said object associated with said at least one tag.