Tracking systems, methods of locating and identifying rfids, and methods of tracking items
AssigneeRound Rock Research, LLC
InventorJohn R. Tuttle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments include observable properties triggered upon interrogation of RFIDs. The RFIDs can be passive RFIDs, and the observable properties can be visible changes that require little power to generate, and little or no power to maintain. The visible information can include information about items tracked with the RFIDs, such as shipping information. Some embodiments include passive RFIDs utilizing a single antenna to power an integrated-circuit chip and a visual identifier. Some embodiments include methods of locating interrogated RFIDs. Some embodiments include methods of tracking items.
Claims34
A tracking system, comprising:
- an interrogator;
- and
- a plurality of passive RFIDs, at least one of the passive RFIDs being configured to change an observable visible property responsive to interrogation by the interrogator, the observable visible property being a transient change that ceases without power input.
A tracking system, comprising:
- an interrogator;
- and
- a plurality of RFIDs configured to change an observable property in the same way upon being interrogated by the interrogator.
A tracking system, comprising:
- an interrogator;
- and
- at least one RFID which is configured to display a bar code responsive to interrogation by the interrogator.
A tracking system, comprising:
- an interrogator;
- and
- at least one RFID which is configured to display shipping information responsive to interrogation by the interrogator.
A method of locating interrogated RFIDs, comprising:
- providing an interrogator and a plurality of passive RFIDs, at least one of the passive RFIDs being configured to change an observable visible property responsive to interrogation by the interrogator;
- the observable visible property change being a transient change that has a duration of less than 0.5 seconds;
- and
- interrogating said at least one of the passive RFIDs with the interrogator to trigger the observable visible property.
A method of identifying interrogated RFIDs, comprising:
- providing an interrogator and a plurality of RFIDs, all of said RFIDs being configured to change an observable property in the same way upon being interrogated by the interrogator;
- and
- interrogating at least some of the RFIDs to trigger the observable property change within all of the interrogated RFIDs.
A method of tracking items, comprising:
- providing an interrogator;
- providing RFIDs associated with the items;
- and
- interrogating the RFIDs to cause the RFIDS to display bar codes which provide information regarding the items associated with the RFIDs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.