Consumer-controlled data access to shared RFID data

#The field of the invention relates in general to radio frequency identification (RFID). More particularly, the field of the invention relates to consumer-controlled access to sensor-related data such as Electronic Product Code (EPC) data and/or RFID data that is shared across enterprises/organizations.

#Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is being used at an expanding rate by manufacturers, retailer, logistics providers, and other users to replace or supplement a variety of traditional systems. Most notably, RFID technology may be implemented as a part of a supply chain management system to facilitate tracking, securing, and managing of items from manufacturing to retail.

#In essence, RFID works by enabling a wireless exchange of information between a tagged object and a reader/writer, which in turn allows a host to process the information associated with the tagged object. FIG. 1 shows one example of such an RFID system. Three components are included in this basic RFID system 100. First, one or more tags 102 or transponders may be deposited on an item to be tracked. The item may be any suitable item known to those skilled in the art upon which an RFID tag may be attached, such as retail merchandise. The tags 102 may vary in shapes, sizes, and materials to suit the conditions of the item. Each RFID tag 102 may include two components, a computer chip 106 and an antenna 108. Appropriate information associated with the tagged item, including, for example, item name, description, or any other suitable item-related information, may be stored on the computer chip 106 and/or a server away from the tag.

#Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several Figures, aspects of the present invention and the exemplary operating environment will be described.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative RFID system for facilitating reading and writing to a read/write RFID tag.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the relationships within an EPCglobal Architecture Framework.

#The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar parts. While several exemplary versions and features of the invention are described herein, modifications, adaptations and other implementations are possible, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the components illustrated in the drawings, and the exemplary methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

#Consistent with the principles of the present invention, a method and system is provided in connection with an Electronic Product Code Information Service (EPCIS) or another suitable service to enable participating enterprises/organizations and its associated sub-organizations and/or individuals to share Electronic Product Code-related data (e.g., obtained from RFID tags) through a role-based access scheme. It will be understood that while EPCIS is provided as specific example, any other suitable service based on any other suitable standard may be implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

#At a high level, the Electronic Product Code Information Service (EPCIS) specifies a standard interface for accessing EPC-related information. EPC-related information may be any suitable information that has been associated with an object bearing an Electronic Product Code (EPC), which usually involves a unique serial number that is assigned to the object via an RFID tag.