Method and apparatus for verifying information associated with electronic labels

• US 9,390,361 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Wulff, Thomas E., Sanders, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Ratcliffe, Luke
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ndure Jobe, Amienatta M
• Application Number:
  US13/329,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20130155815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• Field of Search: 367/99, 367/89, 367/100, 367/87, 367/101, 367/103, 367/105, 367/107, 367/123, 367/127, 367/131, 367/139, 367/159, 367/173, 367/4, 367/7, 367/93, 337/01, 731/142.8, 732/90.R, 736/32, 836/97, 114/121, 114/144.R, 114/152, 114/321, 156/281, 235/385, 235/375, 235/378, 235/383, 235/462.46, 250/491.1, 250/208.1, 250/336.1, 250/395, 257/E29.324, 257/416, 310/322, 310/334, 310/335, 310/345, 340/5.1, 340/5.91, 340/8.1, 340/10.32, 340/10.4, 340/10.52, 340/3.7, 340/505, 340/539.32, 341/176, 342/42, 342/44, 342/51, 342/118, 342/124, 342/146, 342/22, 342/357.24, 342/357.26, 342/70, 345/156, 348/E7.085, 348/135, 348/77, 356/0.01, 356/601, 356/614, 356/5.01, 356/623, 356/72, 376/245, 381/190, 404/72, 404/84.5, 422/513, 600/437, 600/449, 701/16, 701/2, 701/21, 701/23, 701/300, 701/428, 701/50, 702/150, 702/155, 702/55, 707/609, 707/722, 707/769, 901/46
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/46 Indirect determination of position data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2015/465 by Trilateration, i.e. two transducers determine separately the distance to a target, whereby with the knowledge of the baseline length, i.e. the distance between the transducers, the position data of the target is determined
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0728 the arrangement being an optical or sound-based communication interface

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining and verifying a location of an electronic label. A host system exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication. The host system also identifies a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique. The host system also verifies that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label.

Claims

1. A method in a host system for determining and verifying a location of an electronic label, the method comprising:

establishing known locations of merchandise;

exchanging information between with the electronic label and at least one ultrasonic access point among multiple ultrasonic access points in the host system via ultrasonic data communication in encoded ultrasonic waveforms;

calculating a single location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique using distances calculated for an ultrasonic data communications signal received by said multiple ultrasonic access points from the electronic label; and

verifying that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing the calculated single location of the electronic label with the known location of the merchandise associated with the electronic label; and

reporting a discrepancy for correction if the known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label is different from the calculated single location of the electronic label.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying includes verifying that correct information is displayed on the identified electronic label.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

broadcasting an encoded ultrasonic waveform from said multiple ultrasonic access points connected to the host system; and

updating information displayed on the electronic label at least in part according to decoded information obtained from the encoded ultrasonic waveform.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic label is affixed or attached to one of a product, a display object, enterprise infrastructure, or the merchandise.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic label functionality includes electronic article surveillance functionality that includes ultrasonic electronic sensors that can be deactivated or detached at a point of sale system when the merchandise attached with the ultrasonic label is purchased.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic label includes a piezo electric element configured to generate sound waves in the ultrasonic range above 18,000 hertz.

8. A system configured to determine and verify a location of an electronic label, the system comprising:

at least one electronic label affixed to merchandise at known locations; and

a host system including a host device and multiple ultrasonic access points wherein at least one ultrasonic access point that is configured to exchange information between with the electronic label and said at least one ultrasonic access point in the host system via ultrasonic data communication in encoded ultrasonic waveforms, wherein the host device is configured to calculate a single location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique using distances calculated for an ultrasonic data communications signal received by said multiple ultrasonic access points from the electronic label, verify that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing the calculated single location of the electronic label with the known location of the merchandise associated with the electronic label, and report a discrepancy if the known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label is different from the calculated single location of the electronic label.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the electronic label includes an ultrasonic transceiver, processor module, information display, and a power source.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the host device system is configured to verify that correct information is displayed on the identified electronic label.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique.

13. A host system configured to determine and verify a location of an electronic label, the host system comprising:

multiple ultrasonic access points wherein at least one ultrasonic access point is configured to exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication in encoded ultrasonic waveforms; and

a host device configured to establish known locations of merchandise, calculate a single location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique using distances calculated for an ultrasonic data communications signal received by said multiple ultrasonic access points from the electronic label,

verify that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing the calculated single location of the electronic label with the known location of the merchandise associated with the electronic label, and report a discrepancy if the known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label is different from the calculated single location of the electronic label.

14. The host system of claim 13, wherein the host device is configured to verify that correct information is displayed on the identified electronic label.

15. The host system of claim 13, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique.

16. The host system of claim 13, wherein ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique.