RFID whiteboard

• US 20070176780A1
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Inventors: Hart, Matt
• Granted Patent: US 7,471,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Systems and methods for using radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology in display boards such as whiteboards, corkboards, and bulletin boards are disclosed. An RFID tag is affixed to each object that is placed on the display board. Each tag uniquely identifies the object to which it is affixed. RFID readers are placed in proximity to the board so that the position and identity of the tagged objects on the board can be determined. RFID readers can quickly convey this information to a computing device. Optionally, receipt of the position and identity information at the computing device can trigger other events such as the output of notifications.

Claims

1. A system for electronically recording information posted on a display board comprising:

a display board;

an object placed at a location on a surface of the display board,

an RFID tag affixed to the object;

a first RFID reader for reading the RFID tag affixed to the object; and

a computing device communicatively coupled to the RFID reader;

wherein the

computing device determines the location and identity of the object from the reading of the RFID tag.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the display board is one selected from a group consisting of a whiteboard, a corkboards, and a bulletin board.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the display board represents one selected from a group consisting of a calendar, a workflow, and a flowchart.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the display board is comprised of a material through which RFID signals can be transmitted.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader is positioned on the opposite surface of the display board from the object.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader is embedded in the display board.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is a read-write tag.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a visual status indicator.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second RFID reader for reading the RFID tag; and

a third RFID reader for reading the RFID tag.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the location of the object on the display board is determined using signal strength triangulation from the readings of the first, second, and third RFID readers.

11. A method of electronically recording information posted on a display board comprising:

reading an RFID tag affixed to an object placed at a location on a surface of a display board;

communicating information from the tag reading to a computing device; and

responsive to receipt of the information from the tag reading, determining the location and identity of the object placed on the display board.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising triggering the output of a notification in response to the determined location and identity of the object placed on the display board.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the display board is one selected from a group consisting of a whiteboard, a corkboard, and a bulletin board.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the display board represents one selected from a group consisting of a calendar, a workflow, and a flowchart.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the display board is comprised of a material through which RFID signals can be transmitted.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein reading the RFID tag affixed to an object comprises using signal strength triangulation from readings of a first, second, and third RFID readers.

17. A computer program product for recording information posted on a display board, the computer program product stored on a computer readable medium and adapted to perform the operations of:

receiving information from a reading of an RFID tag affixed to an object placed at a location on a surface of a display board; and

responsive to receipt of the information from the tag reading, determining the location and identity of the object placed on the display board.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, further adapted to perform the operation of triggering the output of a notification in response to the determined location and identity of the object placed on the display board.