System and method for electronic inventory

A tag for use in conducting an inventory of passenger bags, wherein each bag is attached to a tag and each tag is permanently assigned a tag identification number (Tag ID) and a manufacturer number, the tag comprising:

• means for receiving a wake-up signal followed by at least one first clock signal;
• means for incrementing a first tag count in response to said at least one first clock signal;
• means for transmitting the Tag ID assigned to the tag when said Tag ID corresponds to said first tag count;
• means for receiving at least one second clock signal;
• means for incrementing a second tag count in response to said at least one second clock signal;
• and
• means for transmitting the manufacturer number assigned to the tag when said manufacturer number of said each tag corresponds to said second count.

A reader for conducting an inventory of passenger bags, wherein each bag is attached to a tag and each tag is permanently assigned a tag identification number (Tag ID) and a manufacturer number, the reader comprising:

• means for transmitting a wake-up signal followed by at least one clock signal;
• means for incrementing a first reader count in response to said at least one first clock signal,
• means for receiving a Tag ID transmitted by a tag in response to one of said at least one first clock signal;
• means for storing a given first reader count when more than one tag responds to one of said at least one first clock signal that corresponds to said given first reader count;
• means for transmitting said given first reader count followed by at least one second clock signal;
• and
• means for receiving a manufacturer number transmitted by a tag in response to one of said at least one second clock signal.

A system for conducting an inventory of tags, wherein each tag is assigned a permanent identification number, the system comprising:

• at a tag reader, means for transmitting a wake-up signal followed by at least one clock signal;
• and
• at each tag,
• means for incrementing a tag count in response to said at least one clock signal, and
• means for transmitting the permanent identification number assigned to said each tag when said permanent identification number of said each tag corresponds to said tag count.

A method for conducting an inventory of tags, wherein each tag is assigned a permanent identification number, the method comprising the steps of:

• at a tag reader, transmitting a wake-up signal followed by at least one clock signal;
• and
• at each tag,
• incrementing a tag count in response to said at least one clock signal, and
• transmitting the permanent identification number assigned to said each tag when said permanent identification number of said each tag corresponds to said tag count.

A system for conducting an inventory of tags, wherein each tag is assigned a permanent identification number, the system comprising:

• at a tag reader,
• means for transmitting a wake-up signal followed by at least one clock signal, and
• means for incrementing a reader count in response to said at least one clock signal;
• at each tag,
• means for incrementing a tag count in response to said at least one clock signal, and
• means for transmitting a response signal when said permanent identification number of said each tag corresponds to said tag count;
• at said tag reader,
• means for recording said reader count when one of said response signals is received, thereby recording the presence of the tag that transmitted said one of said response signals.

A method for conducting an inventory of tags, wherein each tag is assigned a permanent identification number, the method comprising the steps of:

• at a tag reader,
• transmitting a wake-up signal followed by at least one clock signal, and
• incrementing a reader count in response to said at least one clock signal;
• at each tag,
• incrementing a tag count in response to said at least one clock signal, and
• transmitting a response signal when said permanent identification number of said each tag corresponds to said tag count;
• and
• at said tag reader,
• recording said reader count when one of said response signals is received, thereby recording the presence of the tag that transmitted said one of said response signals.

A method for producing a tag for use in electronic inventory, comprising the steps of:

• manufacturing an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) including inventory response circuitry;
• programming said ASIC with a permanent identification number;
• preprinting an antenna pattern and bonding pads on a flexible substrate using a conductive material;
• and
• flip-chip bonding said ASIC to said bonding pads using a conductive adhesive.