# US 2013/0155815 A1 · Method and apparatus for verifying information associated with electronic labels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0155815 A1 - Document ID: US20130155815A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/329,847 - Filed: 2011-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: Symbol Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas E. Wulff; Robert Sanders - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130155815A1 ## CPC - G06K 19/0728: {the arrangement being an optical or sound-based communication interface} - G01S 15/46: Indirect determination of position data - 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} - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## 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 ### Claim 1 A method in a host system for determining and verifying a location of an electronic label, the method comprising: exchanging information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication; identifying a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique; and verifying, within the host system, 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic data communication comprises receiving information from the electronic label and transmitting information to the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic data communication comprises receiving electronic label data from the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system and transmitting the electronic label data to the electronic label via the access points. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: broadcasting an encoded ultrasonic waveform from multiple 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. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic label functionality includes electronic article surveillance functionality. ### Claim 9 A system configured to determine and verify a location of an electronic label, the system comprising: at least one electronic label affixed or attached to one of a product, a display object, enterprise infrastructure, or a merchandise; and a host system configured to exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication, identify a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique, and verify that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of a merchandise associated with the electronic label. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic label includes an ultrasonic transceiver, processor module, information display, and a power source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the host system is configured to receive information from the electronic label and transmit information to the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the host system is configured to receive electronic label data from the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system and to transmit the electronic label data to the electronic label via the access points. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique. ### Claim 15 A host system configured to determine and verify a location of an electronic label, the host system comprising: a communication unit configured to exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication; an identifying unit configured to identify a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique; and a verifying unit configured to verify that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of a merchandise associated with the electronic label. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The host system of claim 15, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive information from the electronic label and transmit information to the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The host system of claim 15, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive electronic label data from the electronic label via multiple access points connected to the host system and to transmit the electronic label data to the electronic label via the access points. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The host system of claim 15, wherein the ultrasonic location technique is a trilateration technique. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The host system of claim 15, wherein ultrasonic location technique is a quadlateration technique.