US 6,554,188 B1 · Terminal for an active labelling system

Abstract

This invention is for a reader/writer device (terminal) for accessing item-related data in rewritable tags of the “RF-ID” type wherein each tag includes non-volatile memory. In a farm animal application each animal is implanted with an identified tag. From time to time, the terminal can be given a selected security level by reading password-like and individual identity data from a special tag held by an individual. As a result the individual can gain “read” and/or “write” to selected fields in the data record held within the tag. Further information may be added from time to time by empowered individuals. Schemes are enabled for the enhanced management of animals having such tags include accurate descriptors, proving ownership, showing compliance with disease control programmes and withholding periods after possible treatments, traceability of meat products from the shop to the farm, breeding schemes and performance recording. The use of security levels and the traceability of entries adds to the reliability of the stored information.

Claims14

Dependent claims

For an active labeling system employing wireless-powered identification tags, a terminal including:

data processing means, program control means, data storage means and optionally a display and user control means;
the terminal having wireless communication means capable of reading from of writing to a wireless-powered identification tag;
and the identification tag including tag data storage means capable of storing more than one field of data within a record, characterised in that the terminal is capable of
a) acquiring data comprising a code sequence from an unprotected key area of data storage within a wireless-powered identification tag, and
b) if at least a part of the code sequence is recognised by the terminal as belonging to a set of predetermined security key sequences, then adopting a security rank selected in accordance with the key sequence from a range of predetermined security ranks;
the adopted security rank empowering the terminal to become capable of effective access to a predetermined set of one or more protected tag fields of data within the wireless-powered identification tag, so that the same terminal may serve different users at different times under different security ranks.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Terminal for an active labelling system

Life of this patent

Terminal for an active labelling system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14