text:
This patent application claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 09/134,686, filed Aug. 14, 1998, now abandoned, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/344,758, filed Jun. 25, 1999, now abandoned, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/466,863, filed Aug. 24, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,471,205, issued Dec. 30, 2008, all of which were assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
This patent application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/466,863, filed Aug. 24, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,471,205, issued Dec. 30, 2008, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/296,711, filed Dec. 1, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,113,094, issued Sep. 26, 2006, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/828,070, filed Apr. 20, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,123,151 issued Oct. 17, 2006, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 10/152,255 filed May 20, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,768,419, issued Jul. 27, 2004, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/619,220 filed Jul. 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,780, issued Nov. 26, 2002, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/368,826 filed Aug. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,870, issued May 15, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/344,758, filed Jun. 25, 1999, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/134,686, filed Aug. 14, 1998, now abandoned.
The invention relates to applications for radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, and particularly to the use of such systems in libraries.
Electronic article surveillance ("EAS") systems detect the presence of small electronic devices placed on or in an article or carried by a person of interest, and are often used in retail or library environments to deter theft or other unauthorized removal of articles. These devices, which are commonly known as tags or markers, have in the past contained only information regarding the presence of an item. This information could be obtained by electronically interrogating the tag, either intermittently or continuously. At least four distinct types of EAS systems have evolved over the years, based on how this interrogation was carried out: magnetic, magnetomechanical, radio frequency (RF), and microwave. Of these four, magnetic systems have provided the highest level of security in most applications. Magnetic tags are easily hidden in or on an object, difficult to detect (because they are less susceptible to shielding, bending, and pressure), and easy to deactivate and reactivate, thereby providing a high degree of security and some information regarding the status of the tagged article.
Many users of EAS systems desire to know more than just whether a tagged object is present. They also want to know which tagged object is present, for example. Detailed information regarding the characteristics of objects, such as their date of manufacture, inventory status, and owner have generally been communicated to automated handling and control systems through an optical bar code. While inexpensive and effective, the optical bar code system has certain limitations. Bar codes must be visible, which limits the locations in which they may be placed, and bar codes can easily be obscured, either accidentally or intentionally. The range at which a detector can sense the bar code is also comparatively small. The bar code may also have to be appropriately positioned for detection. Also, because bar codes are often exposed to permit detection, the barcode is susceptible to damage that can result in detection failures. Lastly, multiple items must be processed one at a time. These constraints of bar code systems make them undesirable or inefficient for some applications, such as marking library media.
More recently, electronic identification (also known as radio frequency identification or RFID) techniques have been developed to address the limitations of optical barcodes. RFID systems have succeeded in providing object identification and tracking, but are deficient in providing object security because most RFID systems operate in frequency ranges (˜1 MHz and above) in which the tag is easily defeated. The security deficiency associated with radio frequency tags arises because they can be "shielded" by, for example, covering the tag with a hand or aluminum foil, or even placing the tag in a book. Even battery-powered radio frequency tags may be blocked, although their range is superior and blocking would be more difficult. Thus, objects tagged with an RFID tag may escape detection, either inadvertently or intentionally. This greatly reduces their effectiveness as security devices. RFID markers are also related to "smart cards." Both contact and contactless smart cards have appeared in commercial applications. Smart cards tend to be associated with a specific person rather than with a tagged object. Issues related to the security and tracking of the smart card (or of the person carrying it) are similar to those discussed above for RFID markers.
The security issues associated with RFID markers are similar to those familiar to anyone skilled in the art of radio frequency- and microwave-based EAS tags. Substantial effort has been expended in attempts to remedy the deficiencies of radio frequency- and microwave-based EAS tags. However, none has substantially improved their performance as security tags. U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,195 (Narlow et al.), entitled "Dual Frequency EAS Tag with Deactivation Coil," describes a dual frequency microwave EAS tag that includes an antenna circuit having a diode, and a deactivation circuit. The deactivation circuit responds to a low energy alternating magnetic field by inducing a voltage in the diode of the antenna circuit so as to disable the diode and the antenna, thereby deactivating the tag. Although useful for some applications, the capacitor-based tag disclosed in Narlow et al. may leak electrical charge over time, which could cause the tag to become activated unintentionally.
Radio frequency EAS tags of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,401 (Montean et al.) include a magnetic element. The magnetic element alters the tuning of the tag when it has been suitably magnetized by an accessory device, and thereby blocks the radio frequency response of the tag. Although these tags have a certain utility, they still do not address the issues of enhanced security and identification.
Radio frequency identification technology has been developed by a number of companies, including Motorola/Indala (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,880 and 5,565,846), Texas Instruments (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,347,280 and 5,541,604), Mikron/Philips Semiconductors, Single Chip Systems (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,442,507; 4,796,074; 5,095,362; 5,296,722; and 5,407,851), CSIR (see European document numbers 0 494 114 A2; 0 585 132 A1; 0 598 624 A1; and 0 615 285 A2), IBM (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,528,222; 5,550,547; 5,521,601; and 5,682,143), and Sensormatic Electronics (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,341). These tags all attempt to provide remote identification without the need for a battery. They operate at frequencies ranging from 125 KHz to 2.45 GHz. The lower frequency tags (˜125 KHz) are moderately resistant to shielding, but have only limited radio frequency functionality due to bandwidth constraints. In particular, systems based on these markers generally operate reliably only when a single tag is in the interrogation zone at a time. They also tend to be relatively bulky and expensive to manufacture. At higher frequencies, (typically 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.45 GHz), the added bandwidth available has permitted the development of systems which can reliably process multiple tags in the interrogation zone in a short period of time. This is highly desirable for many product applications. In addition, some of the tag designs hold the promise of being relatively inexpensive to manufacture and therefore more attractive to a customer. However, these higher frequency devices share to varying degrees the susceptibility to shielding discussed earlier. Thus, they cannot provide the high level of security demanded in certain applications, such as a library.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be clear that there are a number of applications for RFID tags in various environments in which the identity of the tagged item is important. For example, PCT Publication WO 99/05660, published Feb. 4, 1999 and assigned to Checkpoint Systems, Inc., describes an inventory system using articles with RFID tags. The preferred embodiment described therein contemplates the use of RFID tags in library materials, which may then be checked out automatically by interrogating the RFID tag to determine the identity of the material. However, a number of important or desirable library or other inventory functions remain that are not described or suggested in the '660 publication.
The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media. Other applications for the present invention are also envisioned.
The present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the attached Figures, in which like numbers represent like structure throughout the several views, and in which
The embodiments of the present invention described herein make use of RFID tags, and preferably of combination RFID/magnetic security tags. Tags of this type were disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,137 (Goff et al.), which was assigned to the assignee of the present invention and was incorporated by reference into the U.S. application from which the present application claims priority. A detailed description of the magnetic, RFID, and combination tags used in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention is described in Section I, below, and the embodiments of the present invention are then set forth in detail in Section II, below.
A tag used with the embodiments of the invention described in Section II, below, may incorporate both object identification and effective security in a single device. They preferably include an element that is responsive to a magnetic interrogation signal, and an element that is responsive to a radio frequency interrogation signal. In one embodiment, the magnetically-responsive element also provides the antenna for the radio frequency-responsive element. The term "responsive" means, in the context of the present invention, that the element provides intelligible information when subjected to an appropriate interrogation field. The individual elements are described first below, followed by a description of a combination tag. As will become apparent, the embodiments of the present invention described in Section II, below, may include either an RFID element alone, or a combination of an RFID element and a magnetic security element.
A. The Magnetically-Responsive Element
The magnetically-responsive element is preferably made of a low coercive force, high permeability ferromagnetic material, such as the material used in the strips sold by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn. (3M) under the designation "TATTLE-TAPE™" brand strips. These strips, or marker assemblies, are described in several patents assigned to 3M, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,313 (Koning) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,086 (Peterson), the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. Exemplary low coercive force, high permeability ferromagnetic materials include permalloy (a nickel/iron alloy), and high performance amorphous metals such as those available from the AlliedSignal Company of Morristown, N.J. under the designations Metglas 2705M and Metglas 2714A.
The magnetically-responsive element may be either single status or dual status, depending on the nature of the article with which the element is associated. For example, certain reference books in libraries are not to be removed from the library, and thus a single-status (non-deactivatable) marker would always indicate whether such a book passed within an interrogation zone. Other articles, such as common library materials or commercial goods, may require a dual-status marker assembly, so that when the article has been properly processed the marker may be appropriately deactivated to prevent detection by the interrogation source. Dual status functionality is generally provided through the addition of sections of higher coercivity magnetic material in proximity to the low coercivity magnetic material, as described below and in the Peterson patent incorporated by reference above.
Certain magnetically-responsive elements have the ability to switch magnetic orientation rapidly when passed through a low frequency alternating magnetic field (50 Hz to 100 KHz, for example), and to produce a predetermined characteristic response that may be detected by the receiving coils of a detector. The switching function of the marker assembly is controlled by the magnetization state of the high coercive force elements, or "keeper elements." When these keeper elements are magnetized, the ability of the marker to magnetically switch back and forth within the alternating magnetic field of the interrogation zone is altered, and the marker typically is not detected. When the keeper elements are demagnetized, the marker can again perform the switching function, enabling the interrogation source to detect the presence of the marker. The keeper elements may be provided in different ways, as is known in the art.
The marker assembly may also include adhesive on one or both sides thereof, to enable the marker to be bonded to a book or other article. The adhesive layer(s) may be covered by a removable liner, to prevent adhesion of the marker to an unintended surface prior to application to the intended surface. These and other features of the marker assembly are described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,945 (Fearon), U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,112 (Piotrowski), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,313 (Koning), all incorporated by reference above.
Because low frequency magnetic elements of this type are difficult to shield from detection, they may be effectively used on a wide variety of items when security is important. In addition, they may be deactivated and reactivated more conveniently, completely, and repeatedly than markers employing other EAS technologies, making them more suitable for use in certain applications (such as libraries) where this characteristic is highly desirable.
B. The Radio Frequency-Responsive Element
RFID tags can be either active or passive. An active tag incorporates an additional energy source, such as a battery, into the tag construction. This energy source permits active RFID tags to create and transmit strong response signals even in regions where the interrogating radio frequency field is weak, and thus an active RFID tag can be detected at greater range. However, the relatively short lifetime of the battery limits the useful life of the tag. In addition, the battery adds to the size and cost of the tag. A passive tag derives the energy needed to power the tag from the interrogating radio frequency field, and uses that energy to transmit response codes by modulating the impedance the antenna presents to the interrogating field, thereby modulating the signal reflected back to the reader antenna. Thus, their range is more limited. Because passive tags are preferred for many applications, the remainder of the discussion will be confined to this class of tag. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that these two types of tags share many features and that both can be used with this invention.
As shown in
The antenna geometry and properties depend on the desired operating frequency of the RFID portion of the tag. For example, 2.45 GHz (or similar) RFID tags would typically include a dipole antenna, such as the linear dipole antennas 14 shown in
A capacitor 16 is often included to increase the performance of the marker, as shown in
C=capacitance (in Farads)
L=inductance (in Henries)
closely matches the desired operating frequency of the RFID system. The capacitor may also be a distributed capacitor as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,276 (Tait et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,654 (Tait et al.), which are assigned to 3M. Distributed capacitance is desirable to reduce tag size, particularly thickness, and to minimize manual assembly.
In operation, as shown in
The interrogation source 102 transmits an interrogation signal 200, which may be selected within certain known frequency bands that are preferred because they do not interfere with other applications, and because they comply with applicable government regulations. When the radio frequency-responsive element receives an interrogation signal it transmits its own response code signal 202 that is received by the antenna 104 and transmitted to detector 106. The detector decodes the response, identifies the tag (typically based on information stored in a computer or other memory device 108), and takes action based on the code signal detected. Various modifications of the illustrated system are known to those of skill in the art including, for example, using separate antennas for the interrogation source 102 and the detector 106 in place of the single antenna 104 that is illustrated.
Modern RFID tags also provide significant amounts of user accessible memory, sometimes in the form of read-only memory or write-once memory, but more preferably offering the user the ability to repeatedly update the memory by rewriting its contents from a distance. The amount of memory provided can vary, and influences the size and cost of the integrated circuit portion of an RFID tag. Typically, between 128 bits and 512 bits of total memory can be provided economically. For example an RFID tag available from Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex., under the designation "Tag-it" provides 256 bits of user programmable memory in addition to 128 bits of memory reserved for items such as the unique tag serial number, version and manufacturing information, and the like. Similarly, an RFID tag available from Philips Semiconductors of Eindhoven, Netherlands, under the designation "I-Code" provides 384 bits of user memory along with an additional 128 bits reserved for the aforementioned types of information.
This user accessible memory may be exploited to enhance the performance of an item identification system deployed, for example, in a library environment. Presently, libraries identify items by scanning an optical barcode. The unique identifier contained in this barcode is used to access a circulation database including software provided by library automation vendors (LAV software), where more extensive information about the item is permanently maintained. While this system has been highly developed and works very well in many applications, it may have two disadvantages. First, a connection to the circulation database must be established to access the information. This limits the availability of the information when an item is at a location remote from a connection to this database. Second, the retrieval of information from the circulation database can sometimes require an unacceptably long time, particularly during periods of heavy use. By storing certain critical items of information on the RFID tag, both of these limitations can be overcome.
One example of information which could improve the performance of a library identification system if present on the RFID tag itself would be a library identification number. Then, without accessing a database, an item's "home" library could be quickly and conveniently determined by simply scanning the RFID label. Another example of information preferably present on an RFID tag itself would be a code designating whether the item was a book, a video tape, an audio tape, a CD, or some other item. This code could, for example, comprise the media type code specified in the 3M Standard Interchange Protocol, which is available from the assignee of the present invention. By immediately knowing the media type, a library's material management systems could insure that an item was being appropriately processed without incurring the delay and inconvenience of consulting a remote circulation database. Other examples of information suitable for incorporation into the RFID label will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Another area in which RFID systems offer an advantage over barcode-based systems is in the identification of multiple items. By using sophisticated software algorithms, RFID readers and markers cooperate to insure that all items in the reader's interrogation zone are successfully identified without intervention by the operator. This capability enables the development of numerous useful applications in the areas of inventory control, item tracking, and sorting that would be difficult or impossible to implement with barcode-based identification systems.
C. The Combination Tag
As shown in
The combination tag made according to the present invention may be interrogated two ways. First, the RFID interrogation source would use radio frequency signals to request and receive codes from the integrated circuit. This information would indicate, for example, the identification of the article with which the tag is associated, and whether the article had been properly processed. Second, a magnetic interrogation field would interrogate the tag to determine whether the magnetic portion of the marker assembly was active. If the marker assembly was active, the interrogation source would produce a response, such as a notification that the marked article had not been properly processed. Because the magnetic interrogation is more resistant to shielding than the radio frequency interrogation, the magnetic portion of the combination tag would provide enhanced security. Thus, the features of both magnetic and RFID tags are combined into a single combination tag.
In a preferred embodiment, the combination tag includes a magnetically-responsive element that also functions as the antenna in the circuitry of the radio frequency-responsive element. To serve both functions, the antenna material must exhibit low magnetic coercivity and very high magnetic permeability (to serve as an efficient security element), and moderate to high electrical conductivity (to function as an efficient antenna). In addition, the geometry of the antenna must be compatible with both functions. In this embodiment, the antenna could, for example, be fabricated from permalloy, an alloy of nickel and iron.
In one embodiment, a 3M "Tattle-Tape™" brand security strip, or other equivalent magnetic element, may be used as a linear dipole antenna to operate at 2.45 GHz or a similar high frequency. The length, width and thickness of this strip are selected to match the particular operating frequency and other characteristics of the RFID chip used. Typically, the strip would be made from permalloy (available from a number of sources including Carpenter Specialty Alloys, Reading, Pa., under the trade name "HyMu80") or an amorphous alloy such as that available from the AlliedSignal Company of Morristown, N.J., under the designation 2705M, and its length would be between 6.35 and 16.5 cm (2.5 and 6.5 inches). The terminals of the integrated circuit would be physically connected to the ends of the security strip. Electrical measurements of impedance and power gain have established that such a magnetic strip provides the same fundamental electrical characteristics as the copper or aluminum dipole antennas normally used with such a chip, and thus it would be expected to perform both functions satisfactorily.
When the magnetically-responsive element is used as at least part of the antenna for the radio frequency-responsive element, the two are electrically coupled to each other. Electrical coupling may occur because of a physical connection between multiple elements (as shown in
The combination tag shown in
The combination tag 20 shown in
The overall thickness of the combination tag should be as small as possible, to enable the tag to be inconspicuously placed on or in an article. For example, the tag may be applied with adhesive between the pages of a book, and it is desirable to make the tag thin enough to prevent easy detection by observing the end of the book. Conventional ICs may be approximately 0.5 mm (0.02 in) thick, and the overall thickness of the tag is preferably less than 0.635 mm (0.025 in).
The combination tags of this invention may be provided in roll form, to enable the automated sequential application of individual tags to articles. This general system is described in, for example, PCT Publication No. WO 97/36270 (DeVale et al.). Individual combination tags, one or more surfaces of which may be covered by an adhesive (such as a pressure sensitive adhesive), may be removed from the roll and applied between two pages of a book, near its binding. A page spreader may be provided to facilitate insertion of the combination tag, and other options such as sensors to detect the position of various components in the system may also be provided.
The combination tag is believed to have particular, although not exclusive, use in the processing of library materials. Library materials having an RFID tag of this type could be checked in and out more easily, perhaps without human assistance. That is, the materials would automatically be checked out to a particular patron (who may herself have an RFID tag associated with her library card) when the patron passes through a suitable detection zone, and checked back in when the patron re-enters the library with the materials. The tag of the invention may also assist in inventory management and analysis, by enabling library administrators to keep track of materials instantaneously and continuously. These and other features of the invention can, of course, be brought to bear on other applications, such as materials handling in stores, warehouses, and the like.
In another embodiment, the combination tag could provide dual-status marker information both through a magnetic response (indicating whether the magnetic features of the tag had been activated or deactivated) and through a radio frequency response (indicating, through the use of appropriate software, whether the database or the memory on the RFID chip itself showed that the item had been appropriately processed).
The following Examples provide still further information as to the tags used in the embodiments of the invention described in Section II, below.
A combination tag was made in accordance with the present invention. A permalloy strip produced from an alloy available from the Carpenter Technology Corporation of Reading, Pa. under the designation "HyMu80" was attached to a test fixture manufactured by Single Chip Systems (SCS) of San Diego, Calif. The strip measured approximately 1.6 mm (0.625 in) wide by 0.0254 mm (0.001 in) thick by 10.16 cm (4 in) long. The test fixture consisted of a standard SCS 2.45 GHz antenna connected to an LED diode. The device was designed so that upon exposure to a 2.45 GHz field strong enough to power a typical SCS RFID tag the LED would glow, providing an immediate visible confirmation of the proper operation of the power-receiving portion of the device. Upon replacing the standard SCS antenna with the prototype permalloy antenna, the LED illuminated at approximately the same field strength, confirming the successful operation of the prototype.
The characteristics of the antenna described in this example were compared with the characteristics of known antennas for radio frequency integrated circuits, and because those characteristics were similar, it is believed that the antenna of this example would function adequately in such an application.
The embodiments of the present invention described below may use either a tag having only an RFID element, or a combination tag, both of which are described above.
A. RFID Device with Magnetic Capabilities
Because RFID tags may be shielded either intentionally or unintentionally by a library patron, it is often important to provide both RFID and magnetic security elements in the tagged library material, preferably on the same tag. When the magnetic security element is dual status, meaning that it may be selectively activated and deactivated, its status is typically changed by the application of a magnetic field to that element. Magnetization operations such as this have no effect on library materials such as books and magazines, but can have harmful effects on magnetically-recorded media. The inventive RFID device with magnetic capabilities solves such problems, preferably without any involvement by library staff members.
As shown in
There are a number of ways to transmit the information obtained from an RFID tag to the LAV system. One would involve using the commands implemented in the 3M Standard Interchange Protocol (SIP). Another would involve using an electronic device known as a "wedge" to transmit the information as if it originated from a conventional barcode scanner. These and other techniques are well-known to those skilled in the art. In this manner, the RFID component of the RFID device performs the functions formerly performed by an optical bar-code scanner, which may or may not continue to be used with the device. Thus, libraries may continue to use their existing LAV software system interfaces and terminals while enjoying the added functionality and features provided by RFID technology. The RFID device need not include a display if it would cooperate with an existing LAV software system display to provide feedback to the operator. Optionally, a display and other feedback mechanisms may be included in the RFID device as an integrated package.
In devices having both RF and optical bar code reading capabilities, the device should be able to handle library materials tagged with RF tags, bar code labels, or both. In operation, the device would process an item for check-in by scanning for an RFID tag, a barcode, or both, retrieving the item identification code and, preferably, the media type from one or both of these tags, and passing this information on to the LAV software system. When the device includes both an RFID system and an optical bar code scanning system, the device may also be used to create RFID tags for media that is only bar-coded. First, the bar code would be scanned, and then the identifier (or an ID code associated with that identifier, depending on system design) would be written to (recorded onto) the RFID tag along with other data, such as media type and other selected information returned from the LAV software system relative to that media. The RFID tag could then be applied to the item.
The RFID device of the present invention preferably also performs "smart" resensitizing and desensitizing of the magnetic security elements attached to library materials. When the device reads the RFID tag and transmits the identification information to the LAV software, the LAV software can be programmed to respond with an indication of the type of library material with which the RFID tag is associated. If the LAV software responds with an indication that the tagged material is something for which a specialized magnetization operation is required (magnetically-recorded media, typically), then the device can activate only the system that performs that operation. For example, if the LAV software indicates that the RFID tag is associated with an ordinary book, and that the book may be checked out by the requesting patron, then one magnetization system may be activated to deactivate the magnetic element associated with that book. However, if the LAV software indicates that an RFID tag is associated with a video tape, for example, then a different magnetization system may be activated to deactivate the magnetic security element associated with that video tape. This different magnetization system might involve, for example, a weaker magnetic field or a field confined to the region in the immediate vicinity of the security element, so as to prevent damage to the magnetic media itself, depending on the detailed characteristics of the security tags in use. Depending on the detailed design of the device, the procedure might include inhibiting automatic activation so as not to damage magnetic media.
Preferably, sufficient information may be stored in the memory of the RFID tag itself that the interrogation source need not transmit that information to the LAV software, and can instead invoke the appropriate magnetization system directly. This embodiment would likely improve system performance, because fewer steps are required to reach the same result. As a minimum, the RFID tag should store a media type in the memory of the RFID element, but could as noted above include additional information. This type of processing, without transmission back to a database separate from the RFID device, is referred to herein as happening in "real time."
An advantage of an RFID device such as that described is that it may accept and process items with less dependence on their orientation relative to the device. Thus, although a library material may be processed by an optical bar code scanner only when the bar code label is properly positioned and readable by the scanner, a book having an RFID tag or combination tag may be positioned with front cover either up or down, and without the need to carefully align a label with a scanner. This advantage of RFID systems over conventional optical and bar code systems results in considerable time savings for patrons and library staff. The "read range" may be different with different scanners, tags, and other components, but it is believed that a read range of approximately 15 centimeters (6 inches) would be satisfactory. To facilitate reliable RFID scanning, however, it may be desirable to position the RFID tags for various items at the same fixed position relative to an edge of the item. For example, RFID tags provided on library books might all be positioned 2 inches above the bottom of the book.
The benefits of the inventive RFID device are numerous and significant, and include having only a single station at which to identify, resensitize, and desensitize library materials, the elimination of operator training on and performance of different magnetization operations, increased processing speed due to the reduction of orientation constraints present in bar-code only systems, and decreased likelihood of repetitive stress injury to operators. Another benefit is that it is faster to scan RFID tags than to read a bar code, especially for codes that are inside the cover or case of the item, in large part because the user need not locate and align a bar code. Lastly, the system also is a low cost one because RFID readers are expected to cost less than high-performance bar-code scanners. These and other benefits and advantages will be apparent to one of skill in the art.
B. Use of RFID Device with Multiple Items
Another benefit of an RFID device is the ability to process multiple items at one time, as shown in
To avoid having the device perform a magnetization operation that is inappropriate for one or more of a group of materials being processed, the device may be adapted to provide a message to the user requesting that all materials of a certain kind (books and magazines, for example) be presented together, followed by all materials of another kind (video and audio tapes, for example). The RFID reader can determine from the information obtained from individual RFID elements whether the user has segregated the materials appropriately, and can prompt the user if he or she has not, as shown in
The device may also include a display for indicating how many items bearing RFID tags have been presented for processing by the device. That is, the RFID reader would obtain information from each item presented to the device, and update the display to indicate that there were, for example, five items present. An optical or other detector could also be used to verify that the same number of items were indeed present, so as to alert the patron or library staff if an item without an RFID tag had been inadvertently or intentionally included in the stack of other materials. Optical detectors of this type may include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,375 (Belka et al.), which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. Other detectors may include ones based on weight (in which the RFID reader can determine from the RFID tag or the LAV software the weight of the items detected, and compare it to the actual weight of the materials presented), or the number of magnetic elements detected (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,690 (Mann et al.), the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein). Comparison of the number of items detected by the RFID reader and the number detected by an optical or other detector insures that the magnetic security elements associated with non-RFID tagged items are not deactivated without the item also being charged out to a specific patron. The device may process the items after a predetermined number of items have been presented (five items, for example), or after an operator instructs the device to process the items, or automatically without any operator intervention. A suitable display may advise the operator as to the status of the operation.
Another embodiment of the inventive device is the ability to verify the content of a package or case having multiple items inside, as shown in
Devices having the ability to process multiple materials further increases the speed with which materials may be checked into and out of a library. The device may be adapted to transmit only a single signal to the LAV software system to process multiple items, and to receive only a single signal back from that software in response.
C. Portable RFID Devices
For a number of applications, it is desirable to provide a portable, preferably hand-held, RFID device. The hand-held RFID device is capable of searching among shelves, bins, piles and library carts. It can essentially search wherever it can be positioned close enough to the items. It is capable of identifying multiple items that are within the range of the device. These and other features make the inventive portable RFID device a valuable library tool. For simplicity, portable RFID devices will be described first in terms of their components and operation, and second in terms of various useful functions for or methods of using such devices. It is important to note that the functions or methods described herein are equally applicable to non-portable RFID devices, and that the functions or methods described above in reference to non-portable RFID devices are similarly applicable to portable RFID devices. The different functions and methods have merely been grouped together with the type of RFID device more often used to perform that function or method.
1. Components and Operation. The hand-held RFID device of the present invention preferably includes an RFID reader and writer, memory, a power source, and software to enable various functions of the types described herein. The RFID reader/writer could consist of a Commander 320 13.56 MHz RFID reader, manufactured by Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex. Memory, preferably in the form of a computer, may be provided by, for example, a "palm-top" or handheld computer available from 3Com Company of Santa Clara, Calif. under the designation Palm Pilot. The portable computer may include an operating system, a touch-screen display, several buttons for developing user interfaces, a recharge station, a docking station to transfer data between the device and another computer, one or more ports to connect peripherals to the hand-held device (such as an RFID reader) and a battery power supply. Some units may also include a built-in peripheral such as a bar-code scanner. It may also contain various feedback systems, including lights, audio and a display.
As described above, there are a number of options for transferring data between the hand-held device and another processing station. A docking station approach can be used to upload or download data, as shown in
The user interface for the device is designed both to communicate the status of searching and to allow the user to enter data. Entering data may include switching the device among various search modes and entering data specific to a task (for example, to check out an item, or to put an item on hold). Feedback to the user is preferably provided through a combination of sound, lights and a display. The display may either be integrated into the unit or separated. When separate, it can be designed in various ways, including as a "wearable" display that can be easily viewed by the user.
A particularly useful embodiment of the hand-held RFID device is as follows. A hand-held RFID device is provided in which the RFID reader, user interface, power source, antenna, processor, and software are all provided in a single integrated unit, as shown in
A hand-held RFID device can interrogate and identify RFID-tagged items whenever it is activated within range of the items. Intermittent activation can be provided by, for example, a trigger associated with the device, so that the elapsed time for which power is required for the RFID device is minimized. The reading distance is a function of many factors, but is expected to be between 15 and 45 centimeters (6 and 18 inches) given current technology and the likely frequencies at which the system would operate. In some applications, it may be desirable to restrict the operating range of the device so that it only interrogates RFID tags associated with items at a closer range. In other cases, the longest available range of operation will be desired. In other applications, it may be preferred to restrict the output power (and thus the reading range) to permit longer continuous operation from the battery pack. The read range will also be influenced by the design of the antenna as well as the orientation of the RFID tag relative to the antenna. It should be appreciated that the read range, battery weight, and lifetime between battery recharges or replacement are often dependent on each other. Various tradeoffs can be envisioned, based on the particular application for the device.
In operation, a particularly useful feature of a hand-held device is obtaining real-time information regarding an item that has been scanned by the device. That is, the hand-held device obtains information from the RFID tag, and either immediately displays that information, or immediately displays information stored within the hand-held device that is related to the tagged item. This is in contrast to devices that must be docked with or otherwise communicate with a separate database of information before that information can be displayed for the user. The hand-held device of the present invention can also be docked or can otherwise communicate with a separate database, if such features are desired.
2. Functions Methods, and Applications. The hand-held RFID device of the present invention can be used for a number of functions, methods, and applications, including the following.
The inventive handheld RFID device has particular usefulness in item location. For example, the device could be programmed with specific information identifying certain items that an operator wishes to locate. The unique identifier for each desired item would be stored in a reserved memory location in the handheld computer. As the identifiers of, for example, items on a shelf were read by the RF reader, each would be compared, using standard software routines known to those skilled in the art, with the list of items stored in memory. When a match occurred, the device would then create one or more visual, audio, tactile, or other signals indicating the presence of the item. One application for this function includes locating items that are believed to be missing. A library typically maintains a list of missing items—those items that are expected to be in the library, but cannot be found. By downloading those missing item identifiers to the hand-held device, the operator can pass the device by items and obtain feedback when a missing item is encountered.
Another example is to locate items that have not circulated or been used within a given number of months. Again, the identifiers of those items could be downloaded to the hand-held device for searching. Alternatively, the circulation counts can be maintained directly on the memory of the RFID tag. In this case, the hand-held device does not need to download any data from another computer system. The hand-held device only compares RFID memory data to established criteria and provides feedback to the operator based on the selected parameters.
Another example of where data can be either downloaded from a library data base to the hand-held device or obtained directly from the RFID tag is to locate items in the library that have not been checked in. A list of items not checked-in could be obtained and then downloaded to the hand-held device or the RFID tag could maintain a memory location to indicate the check-in status of an item. When the RFID tag memory indicates the check-in status, the hand-held device does not need any data from an external database to perform the search. A natural application of obtaining matching data directly from the RFID tag is to locate items that belong to different library buildings or to different library systems. For this application, the owning library is preferably encoded onto the RFID tag and the hand-held device alerts the operator when an RFID tag with a different owning library code is encountered. The hand-held RFID device could also be used to determine, as with the RFID device described above, whether all members of a set of associated items are present together, as with the tapes in a books-on-tape case.
The RFID device of the present invention could also be used to verify the order of materials on a shelf. In this mode, the device is scanned across one or more rows of items. The device reads each item and indicates, to the operator, which items are not shelved in the correct order. As input, the device has access to the shelving algorithm used by the library for the section being scanned. Possible algorithms include: Dewey Decimal order, Library of Congress order, and Author last name/Title order. Other methods of sorting, as determined by each library, are possible.
Another method of establishing shelf information is to associate each item with a location. Shelf locations can be as specific or as general as the library desires. For example, a general shelf location might include all "Adult Fiction titles." A more specific shelf location might be "Adult Fiction, Authors AA-AB." In the preferred embodiment, the shelf location for an item is encoded directly in the RFID tag memory for that item. An indexing system may also be used to save memory, so that a short code number is used to indicate a shelf location. For example, the number 1 could represent Adult Fiction, the number 2 could represent Juvenile Fiction, and so on. The amount of memory needed to store all shelf locations depends on the number of locations within a library. Another embodiment is to obtain the desired shelf location from a library database and then download those locations as part of the transfer of data to the hand-held device.
When items are associated with a shelf location, by either method above, the operator can use the hand-held device to locate items that are in the wrong location. Two processing methods can be used to determine which shelf location is currently being processed in order to search for items with non-matching locations. In one embodiment, the correct shelf location is obtained by reading several RFID tags and heuristically processing the data to infer a location. For example, if the RFID device reads a certain number of tags that are indexed to the Adult fiction area, the device can be programmed to alert the user when non-Adult Fiction items are encountered. In another embodiment, the library places "location tags" on the shelves or other locations to be searched. These location tags are first read by the hand-held device to indicate that subsequent items read should belong to that location and an alert is provided when a mismatch occurs.
In another embodiment, the hand-held RFID device may be used to enter data into the device as to a specific item. That information may be either transmitted immediately and directly to the LAV software, or may be transmitted subsequently when the hand-held device is reconnected to a docking station and downloads the information to the LAV software. For example, when a user takes a library material from its location, the user may input the new status of the article into the hand-held RFID device. Because this information must be entered into the LAV software eventually, it saves the operator time to be able to indicate this state directly and immediately as opposed to waiting until he or she can access an LAV software system terminal.
In yet another embodiment, the hand-held device could be used to provide additional information about a specific item once the item has been obtained and its RFID tag scanned by the RFID device. For example, library staff may collect materials that have been used in the library, and scan those materials either to obtain more information about that material (who last checked it out; how often has it been used) or to provide information to a database that generates statistical profiles of library material usage, or both. The operator simply reads the RFID tags of the items as they are collected from the various locations in the library at which they were used. As items are collected, the operator can also indicate from where the items were collected by selecting from a list of locations, entering a location code or reading a "location RFID Tag" that is associated with that location and would preferably be affixed to or near that location. In this way, the library staff is able to obtain additional information about where in the library such materials were used. Alternatively, if items used in the library are first placed on a book cart, for example, the hand-held device could make a single pass by the items on the cart to record them. The functions described in this paragraph are referred to herein as "sweeping."
The benefits of a hand-held RFID device are numerous, and include the ability to locate items more quickly and accurately compared to reading each call number or title from items, the ability to "get close" to desired item quickly and then examine items more closely to locate item of interest, the ability to quickly identify items matching a given set of criteria (lost, not checked out, matching specific circulation values, etc.), and the ability to identify items that are mis-shelved and indicate, to the operator, the correct location for the items. This would include items that don't belong in the collection being scanned. Other advantages include the ability to enter transactions directly into the hand-held unit when items are located, the ability to identify an item without having to scan a bar code or any other markings on the item, such as author, title and call number, and the ability to determine if a given item is somewhere on a shelf, on a library cart, in a bin, on a table or even in a pile. These and other advantages will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
In the claims appended hereto, persons of ordinary skill will recognize that the items recited could be library materials (including books, periodicals, magnetic or optical media, and the like), or could be other completely unrelated materials such as packages, letters, paintings, electronic devices, animals, automobiles, bicycles, or any other items of value.
Cited Patent | Filing date | Publication date | Applicant | Title |
US3593291 | Jan 24, 1969 | Jul 13, 1971 | Carter Glester S | Automatic identification system and method |
US3747086 | Nov 24, 1971 | Jul 17, 1973 | Shoplifter International Inc | Deactivatable ferromagnetic marker for detection of objects having marker secured thereto and method and system of using same |
US3750167 | Jul 22, 1971 | Jul 31, 1973 | Gen Dynamics Corp | Postal tracking system |
US3752960 | Dec 27, 1971 | Aug 14, 1973 | C Walton | Electronic identification & recognition system |
US3790945 | Nov 24, 1971 | Feb 5, 1974 | Stoplifter Int Inc | Open-strip ferromagnetic marker and method and system for using same |
US3816708 | May 25, 1973 | Jun 11, 1974 | Proximity Devices | Electronic recognition and identification system |
US4063229 | Jun 28, 1971 | Dec 13, 1977 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Article surveillance |
US4141078 | Oct 14, 1975 | Feb 20, 1979 | Innovated Systems, Inc. | Library circulation control system |
US4153931 | Nov 6, 1974 | May 8, 1979 | Sigma Systems Inc. | Automatic library control apparatus |
US4183027 | Aug 18, 1978 | Jan 8, 1980 | Ehrenspeck Hermann W | Dual frequency band directional antenna system |
US4223830 | Aug 18, 1978 | Sep 23, 1980 | Walton Charles A | Identification system |
US4312003 | Sep 15, 1980 | Jan 19, 1982 | Mine Safety Appliances Company | Ferrite antenna |
US4319674 | Dec 10, 1975 | Mar 16, 1982 | Electron, Inc. | Automated token system |
US4407000 | Jun 25, 1981 | Sep 27, 1983 | Tdk Electronics Co., Ltd. | Combined dipole and ferrite antenna |
US4413254 | Sep 4, 1981 | Nov 1, 1983 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Combined radio and magnetic energy responsive surveillance marker and system |
US4442507 | Feb 23, 1981 | Apr 10, 1984 | Burroughs Corporation | Electrically programmable read-only memory stacked above a semiconductor substrate |
US4471345 | Mar 5, 1982 | Sep 11, 1984 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Randomized tag to portal communication system |
US4476469 | Nov 13, 1981 | Oct 9, 1984 | Lander David R | Means for assisting in locating an object |
US4578654 | Nov 16, 1983 | Mar 25, 1986 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Distributed capacitance lc resonant circuit |
US4580041 | Dec 9, 1983 | Apr 1, 1986 | Walton Charles A | Electronic proximity identification system with simplified low power identifier |
US4583083 | Jun 28, 1984 | Apr 15, 1986 | Bogasky John J | Checkout station to reduce retail theft |
US4598276 | Nov 6, 1984 | Jul 1, 1986 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Distributed capacitance LC resonant circuit |
US4636950 | Aug 28, 1985 | Jan 13, 1987 | Caswell Robert L | Inventory management system using transponders associated with specific products |
US4656463 | Apr 21, 1983 | Apr 7, 1987 | Intelli-Tech Corporation | LIMIS systems, devices and methods |
US4656592 | Oct 10, 1984 | Apr 7, 1987 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Very large scale integrated circuit subdivided into isochronous regions, method for the machine-aided design of such a circuit, and method for the machine-aided testing of such a circuit |
US4673932 | Dec 29, 1983 | Jun 16, 1987 | Revlon, Inc. | Rapid inventory data acquistion system |
US4676343 | Jul 9, 1984 | Jun 30, 1987 | Checkrobot Inc. | Self-service distribution system |
US4688026 | Apr 21, 1986 | Aug 18, 1987 | Scribner James R | Method of collecting and using data associated with tagged objects |
US4745401 | Sep 9, 1985 | May 17, 1988 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | RF reactivatable marker for electronic article surveillance system |
US4746830 | Mar 14, 1986 | May 24, 1988 | Holland William R | Electronic surveillance and identification |
US4746908 | Sep 19, 1986 | May 24, 1988 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Dual-status, magnetically imagable article surveillance marker |
US4785308 | Jan 17, 1986 | Nov 15, 1988 | Butternut Electronic Company | Antenna |
US4796074 | Apr 27, 1987 | Jan 3, 1989 | Instant Circuit Corporation | Method of fabricating a high density masked programmable read-only memory |
US4805232 | Jan 15, 1987 | Feb 14, 1989 | Ma John Y | Ferrite-core antenna |
US4814742 | Apr 4, 1986 | Mar 21, 1989 | Sekisui Jushi Kabushiki Kaisha | Inquiry system for detecting a selected object |
US4827395 | Apr 6, 1987 | May 2, 1989 | Intelli-Tech Corporation | Manufacturing monitoring and control systems |
US4831363 | Sep 3, 1987 | May 16, 1989 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Article security system |
US4835372 | Jul 24, 1987 | May 30, 1989 | Clincom Incorporated | Patient care system |
US4837568 | Jul 8, 1987 | Jun 6, 1989 | Snaper Alvin A | Remote access personnel identification and tracking system |
US4850009 | May 31, 1988 | Jul 18, 1989 | Clinicom Incorporated | Portable handheld terminal including optical bar code reader and electromagnetic transceiver means for interactive wireless communication with a base communications station |
US4857893 | Feb 8, 1988 | Aug 15, 1989 | Bi Inc. | Single chip transponder device |
US4862160 | Mar 20, 1987 | Aug 29, 1989 | Revlon, Inc. | Item identification tag for rapid inventory data acquisition system |
US4864318 | Aug 28, 1987 | Sep 5, 1989 | Victor Company Of Japan, Limited | Antenna device for a system including cordless apparatuses a cable with built in antenna having continuously repeated pattern conductors |
US4881061 | Dec 5, 1988 | Nov 14, 1989 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Article removal control system |
US4924210 | Mar 16, 1988 | May 8, 1990 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Company | Method of controlling communication in an ID system |
US4964053 | Oct 11, 1989 | Oct 16, 1990 | Checkrobot, Inc. | Self-checkout of produce items |
US4967185 | Aug 8, 1989 | Oct 30, 1990 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Multi-directionally responsive, dual-status, magnetic article surveillance marker having continuous keeper |
US5008661 | Jan 4, 1989 | Apr 16, 1991 | Raj Phani K | Electronic remote chemical identification system |
US5019815 | Mar 3, 1987 | May 28, 1991 | Lemelson Jerome H | Radio frequency controlled interrogator-responder system with passive code generator |
US5030807 | Jan 16, 1990 | Jul 9, 1991 | Amtech Corporation | System for reading and writing data from and into remote tags |
US5036308 | Dec 22, 1989 | Jul 30, 1991 | N.V. Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek Nedap | Identification system |
US5059951 | Nov 14, 1988 | Oct 22, 1991 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for integrated data capture and electronic article surveillance |
US5063380 | Oct 4, 1990 | Nov 5, 1991 | Kabushiki Kaisha Asahi Denshi Kenkyujyo | Discrete object searching apparatus for search of discrete files and the like |
US5072222 | Jun 26, 1990 | Dec 10, 1991 | N.V. Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek Nedap | Electromagnetic identification and location system |
US5079740 | Sep 21, 1989 | Jan 7, 1992 | Ncr Corporation | System and method of providing an automatic back-up primary terminal for a cluster of secondary terminals |
US5083112 | Jun 1, 1990 | Jan 21, 1992 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Multi-layer thin-film eas marker |
US5095362 | Oct 23, 1990 | Mar 10, 1992 | Instant Circuit Corporation | Method for reducing resistance for programmed antifuse |
US5099226 | Jan 18, 1991 | Mar 24, 1992 | Interamerican Industrial Company | Intelligent security system |
US5099227 | Dec 18, 1989 | Mar 24, 1992 | Indala Corporation | Proximity detecting apparatus |
US5103222 | Jun 30, 1988 | Apr 7, 1992 | N.V. Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek Nedap | Electronic identification system |
US5119070 | Oct 15, 1991 | Jun 2, 1992 | Tokai Metals Co., Ltd. | Resonant tag |
US5124699 | Jul 2, 1990 | Jun 23, 1992 | N.V. Netherlandsche Apparatenfabriek Nedap | Electromagnetic identification system for identifying a plurality of coded responders simultaneously present in an interrogation field |
US5151684 | Apr 12, 1991 | Sep 29, 1992 | Johnsen Edward L | Electronic inventory label and security apparatus |
US5153842 | Feb 5, 1990 | Oct 6, 1992 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Integrated circuit package label and/or manifest system |
US5204526 | Feb 18, 1992 | Apr 20, 1993 | Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. | Magnetic marker and reading and identifying apparatus therefor |
US5214409 | Dec 3, 1991 | May 25, 1993 | Avid Corporation | Multi-memory electronic identification tag |
US5214410 | Jul 9, 1990 | May 25, 1993 | Csir | Location of objects |
US5218343 | Feb 5, 1991 | Jun 8, 1993 | Anatoli Stobbe | Portable field-programmable detection microchip |
US5218344 | Jul 31, 1991 | Jun 8, 1993 | Ricketts James G | Method and system for monitoring personnel |
US5218466 | Jun 3, 1991 | Jun 8, 1993 | Motorola, Inc. | Communication device with optical communication interface |
US5231273 | Apr 9, 1991 | Jul 27, 1993 | Comtec Industries | Inventory management system |
US5239167 | Apr 30, 1991 | Aug 24, 1993 | Ludwig Kipp | Checkout system |
US5253162 | May 17, 1990 | Oct 12, 1993 | At/Comm, Incorporated | Shielding field method and apparatus |
US5260690 | Jul 2, 1992 | Nov 9, 1993 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Article removal control system |
US5280159 | May 7, 1992 | Jan 18, 1994 | Norand Corporation | Magnetic radio frequency tag reader for use with a hand-held terminal |
US5288980 | Jun 25, 1992 | Feb 22, 1994 | Kingsley Library Equipment Company | Library check out/check in system |
US5296722 | Jan 26, 1993 | Mar 22, 1994 | Unisys Corporation | Electrically alterable resistive component stacked above a semiconductor substrate |
US5317309 | Sep 21, 1992 | May 31, 1994 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Dual mode electronic identification system |
US5331313 | Oct 1, 1992 | Jul 19, 1994 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Marker assembly for use with an electronic article surveillance system |
US5334822 | May 21, 1990 | Aug 2, 1994 | Universal Computer Technologies Inc. | Method and system for inventoring a distributed plurality of items on a supply |
US5339073 | Mar 25, 1991 | Aug 16, 1994 | Identec Limited | Access control equipment and method for using the same |
US5339074 | Sep 13, 1991 | Aug 16, 1994 | Fluoroware, Inc. | Very low frequency tracking system |
US5347263 | Feb 5, 1993 | Sep 13, 1994 | Gnuco Technology Corporation | Electronic identifier apparatus and method utilizing a single chip microcontroller and an antenna coil |
US5347280 | Jul 2, 1993 | Sep 13, 1994 | Texas Instruments Deutschland Gmbh | Frequency diversity transponder arrangement |
US5353011 | Jan 4, 1993 | Oct 4, 1994 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Electronic article security system with digital signal processing and increased detection range |
US5360967 | Aug 25, 1993 | Nov 1, 1994 | Perkin Gregg S | Oilfield equipment identification apparatus |
US5378880 | Aug 20, 1993 | Jan 3, 1995 | Indala Corporation | Housing structure for an access control RFID reader |
US5382784 | Feb 8, 1993 | Jan 17, 1995 | Indala Corporation | Hand-held dual technology identification tag reading head |
US5392028 | Dec 6, 1993 | Feb 21, 1995 | Kobe Properties Limited | Anti-theft protection systems responsive to bath resonance and magnetization |
US5401584 | Sep 10, 1993 | Mar 28, 1995 | Knogo Corporation | Surveillance marker and method of making same |
US5406263 | Nov 12, 1993 | Apr 11, 1995 | Micron Communications, Inc. | Anti-theft method for detecting the unauthorized opening of containers and baggage |
US5407851 | Oct 7, 1993 | Apr 18, 1995 | Unisys Corporation | Method of fabricating an electrically alterable resistive component on an insulating layer above a semiconductor substrate |
US5420757 | Jun 11, 1993 | May 30, 1995 | Indala Corporation | Method of producing a radio frequency transponder with a molded environmentally sealed package |
US5430441 | Oct 12, 1993 | Jul 4, 1995 | Motorola, Inc. | Transponding tag and method |
US5432864 | Oct 5, 1992 | Jul 11, 1995 | Daozheng Lu | Identification card verification system |
US5434775 | Nov 4, 1993 | Jul 18, 1995 | The General Hospital Corporation | Managing an inventory of devices |
US5444223 | Jan 11, 1994 | Aug 22, 1995 | Blama; Michael J. | Radio frequency identification tag and method |
US5446447 | Feb 16, 1994 | Aug 29, 1995 | Motorola, Inc. | RF tagging system including RF tags with variable frequency resonant circuits |
US5448110 | Sep 14, 1993 | Sep 5, 1995 | Micron Communications, Inc. | Enclosed transceiver |
US5448220 | Apr 8, 1993 | Sep 5, 1995 | Levy; Raymond H. | Apparatus for transmitting contents information |
US5448242 | Apr 26, 1994 | Sep 5, 1995 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Modulation field detection, method and structure |
US5450070 | Apr 4, 1994 | Sep 12, 1995 | Massar; Sheppard | Electronic missing file locator system |
US5450492 | May 1, 1991 | Sep 12, 1995 | Disys Corporation | Transponder system with variable frequency transmission |
US5469363 | May 19, 1994 | Nov 21, 1995 | Saliga; Thomas V. | Electronic tag with source certification capability |
US5471203 | Feb 1, 1995 | Nov 28, 1995 | Fujitsu Limited | Admission managing system |
US5477202 | Jun 27, 1995 | Dec 19, 1995 | Minneaota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Deactivating device for magnetic markers in an electronic article surveillance system |
US5477215 | Aug 2, 1993 | Dec 19, 1995 | At&T Corp. | Arrangement for simultaneously interrogating a plurality of portable radio frequency communication devices |
US5489908 | Jul 27, 1994 | Feb 6, 1996 | Texas Instruments Deutschland Gmbh | Apparatus and method for identifying multiple transponders |
US5490079 | Aug 19, 1994 | Feb 6, 1996 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | System for automated toll collection assisted by GPS technology |
US5497140 | Dec 17, 1993 | Mar 5, 1996 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Electrically powered postage stamp or mailing or shipping label operative with radio frequency (RF) communication |
US5499017 | Dec 2, 1992 | Mar 12, 1996 | Avid | Multi-memory electronic identification tag |
US5500651 | Jun 24, 1994 | Mar 19, 1996 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | System and method for reading multiple RF-ID transponders |
US5517195 | Sep 14, 1994 | May 14, 1996 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Dual frequency EAS tag with deactivation coil |
US5519381 | Nov 18, 1993 | May 21, 1996 | British Technology Group Limited | Detection of multiple articles |
US5521601 | Apr 21, 1995 | May 28, 1996 | International Business Machines Corporation | Power-efficient technique for multiple tag discrimination |
US5528222 | Sep 9, 1994 | Jun 18, 1996 | International Business Machines Corporation | Radio frequency circuit and memory in thin flexible package |
US5528251 | Apr 6, 1995 | Jun 18, 1996 | Frein; Harry S. | Double tuned dipole antenna |
US5537105 | Jan 3, 1992 | Jul 16, 1996 | British Technology Group Limited | Electronic identification system |
US5539394 | Jun 20, 1995 | Jul 23, 1996 | International Business Machines Corporation | Time division multiplexed batch mode item identification system |
US5539775 | Mar 17, 1993 | Jul 23, 1996 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Modulated spread spectrum in RF identification systems method |
US5541585 | Oct 11, 1994 | Jul 30, 1996 | Stanley Home Automation | Security system for controlling building access |
US5541604 | Sep 3, 1993 | Jul 30, 1996 | Texas Instruments Deutschland Gmbh | Transponders, Interrogators, systems and methods for elimination of interrogator synchronization requirement |
US5550547 | Sep 12, 1994 | Aug 27, 1996 | International Business Machines Corporation | Multiple item radio frequency tag identification protocol |
US5554974 | Nov 23, 1994 | Sep 10, 1996 | International Business Machines Corporation | Encodable tag with radio frequency readout |
US5565846 | Sep 26, 1994 | Oct 15, 1996 | Indala Corporation | Reader system for waste bin pickup vehicles |
US5565858 | Sep 14, 1994 | Oct 15, 1996 | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Electronic inventory system for stacked containers |
US5573611 | May 30, 1995 | Nov 12, 1996 | Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. | Method of monitoring conditions of vehicle tires and tires containing a monitoring device therein |
US5574372 | Jan 18, 1995 | Nov 12, 1996 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Diagnostic magnetic resonance apparatus having a radio frequency shield between the radio frequency antenna and the gradient coil system |
US5589820 | Oct 11, 1995 | Dec 31, 1996 | Pac/Scan, Inc. | Retail theft prevention and information device |
US5602527 | Feb 23, 1995 | Feb 11, 1997 | Dainippon Ink & Chemicals Incorporated | Magnetic marker for use in identification systems and an indentification system using such magnetic marker |
US5602538 | Jul 27, 1994 | Feb 11, 1997 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Apparatus and method for identifying multiple transponders |
US5604486 | May 27, 1993 | Feb 18, 1997 | Motorola, Inc. | RF tagging system with multiple decoding modalities |
US5610596 | Sep 27, 1994 | Mar 11, 1997 | Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires | System for monitoring an industrial installation |
US5613228 | Apr 27, 1995 | Mar 18, 1997 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Gain adjustment method in two-way communication systems |
US5616906 | Jan 3, 1995 | Apr 1, 1997 | Khyber Technologies Corporation | Grip held and grip operable data entry device |
US5625341 | Aug 31, 1995 | Apr 29, 1997 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Multi-bit EAS marker powered by interrogation signal in the eight MHz band |
US5629981 | Jul 29, 1994 | May 13, 1997 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Information management and security system |
US5633678 | Dec 20, 1995 | May 27, 1997 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic still camera for capturing and categorizing images |
US5635693 | Feb 2, 1995 | Jun 3, 1997 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for tracking vehicles in vehicle lots |
US5635906 | Jan 4, 1996 | Jun 3, 1997 | Joseph; Joseph | Retail store security apparatus |
US5640002 | Aug 15, 1995 | Jun 17, 1997 | Ruppert; Jonathan Paul | Portable RF ID tag and barcode reader |
US5646592 | Apr 11, 1995 | Jul 8, 1997 | Micron Communications, Inc. | Anti-theft method for detecting the unauthorized opening of containers and baggage |
US5648765 | Mar 8, 1995 | Jul 15, 1997 | Cresap; Michael S. | Tag tansponder system and method to identify items for purposes such as locating, identifying, counting, inventorying, or the like |
US5651548 | May 19, 1995 | Jul 29, 1997 | Chip Track International | Gaming chips with electronic circuits scanned by antennas in gaming chip placement areas for tracking the movement of gaming chips within a casino apparatus and method |
US5661473 | Nov 18, 1994 | Aug 26, 1997 | Thomson-Csf | System for the identification and automatic detection of vehicles or objects |
US5668803 | Nov 23, 1994 | Sep 16, 1997 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Protocol for packet data communication system |
US5673037 | Sep 9, 1994 | Sep 30, 1997 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for radio frequency tag group select |
US5682142 | Jul 29, 1994 | Oct 28, 1997 | Id Systems Inc. | Electronic control system/network |
US5682143 | Sep 9, 1994 | Oct 28, 1997 | International Business Machines Corporation | Radio frequency identification tag |
US5689238 | Mar 8, 1996 | Nov 18, 1997 | Lucent Technologies, Inc. | Object locator system and methods therefor |
US5689239 | Sep 9, 1992 | Nov 18, 1997 | Integrated Silicon Design Pty. Ltd. | Identification and telemetry system |
US5691724 | Aug 9, 1996 | Nov 25, 1997 | Aker; John L. | Police traffic radar using FFT processing to find fastest target |
US5694139 | Jun 22, 1995 | Dec 2, 1997 | Sony Corporation | Short-distance communication antenna and methods of manufacturing and using the short-distance communication antenna |
US5705818 | Feb 29, 1996 | Jan 6, 1998 | Bethlehem Steel Corporation | Method and apparatus for detecting radioactive contamination in steel scrap |
US5708423 | May 9, 1995 | Jan 13, 1998 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Zone-Based asset tracking and control system |
US5729697 | Apr 24, 1995 | Mar 17, 1998 | International Business Machines Corporation | Intelligent shopping cart |
US5739765 | Jul 18, 1996 | Apr 14, 1998 | Steelcase Inc. | File folders for use in an electronic file locating and tracking system |
US5745036 | Sep 12, 1996 | Apr 28, 1998 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Electronic article security system for store which uses intelligent security tags and transaction data |
US5751221 | Jan 27, 1995 | May 12, 1998 | Steelcase Inc. | Electronic system, components and method for tracking files |
US5751257 | Apr 28, 1995 | May 12, 1998 | Teletransactions, Inc. | Programmable shelf tag and method for changing and updating shelf tag information |
US5768140 | Jun 21, 1996 | Jun 16, 1998 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | RF-interrogatable processing system |
US5769051 | May 29, 1996 | Jun 23, 1998 | Bayron; Harry | Data input interface for power and speed controller |
US5771003 | Sep 24, 1996 | Jun 23, 1998 | Elenco Electronics, Inc. | Locating system and process |
US5777884 | Oct 16, 1995 | Jul 7, 1998 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Article inventory tracking and control system |
US5785181 | Nov 2, 1995 | Jul 28, 1998 | Clothestrak, Inc. | Permanent RFID garment tracking system |
US5786764 | Mar 4, 1997 | Jul 28, 1998 | Engellenner; Thomas J. | Voice activated electronic locating systems |
US5793305 | Sep 29, 1995 | Aug 11, 1998 | Turner; Leigh Holbrook | Article sorting system |
US5794213 | Jun 6, 1995 | Aug 11, 1998 | Markman; Herbert L. | Method and apparatus for reforming grouped items |
US5804810 | Jun 26, 1996 | Sep 8, 1998 | Par Government Systems Corporation | Communicating with electronic tags |
US5805065 | Mar 18, 1993 | Sep 8, 1998 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Electro-magnetic desensitizer |
US5808558 | Dec 2, 1996 | Sep 15, 1998 | Kemp Meek Manufacturing, Inc. | Remote universal send/receive utility usage data gathering system |
US5821513 | Nov 5, 1996 | Oct 13, 1998 | Telxon Corporation | Shopping cart mounted portable data collection device with tethered dataform reader |
US5822714 | Mar 5, 1997 | Oct 13, 1998 | International Business Machines Corporation | Data processing system and method for accessing a plurality of radio frequency identification tags |
US5831533 | Jan 5, 1996 | Nov 3, 1998 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Entering/leaving control system |
US5842118 | Dec 18, 1996 | Nov 24, 1998 | Micron Communications, Inc. | Communication system including diversity antenna queuing |
US5850187 | Mar 27, 1996 | Dec 15, 1998 | Amtech Corporation | Integrated electronic tag reader and wireless communication link |
US5859587 | Sep 26, 1996 | Jan 12, 1999 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Data communication and electronic article surveillance tag |
US5886634 | May 5, 1997 | Mar 23, 1999 | Electronic Data Systems Corporation | Item removal system and method |
US5887176 | Jun 28, 1996 | Mar 23, 1999 | Randtec, Inc. | Method and system for remote monitoring and tracking of inventory |
US5920053 | Jan 6, 1997 | Jul 6, 1999 | Debrouse; Cynthia R. | Passenger identification and baggage control system |
US5920261 | Dec 31, 1996 | Jul 6, 1999 | Design Vision Inc. | Methods and apparatus for tracking and displaying objects |
US5923001 | Apr 4, 1997 | Jul 13, 1999 | Surgical Resources, L.L.C. | Automatic surgical sponge counter and blood loss determination system |
US5929801 | Jul 11, 1997 | Jul 27, 1999 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Method for repeating interrogations until failing to receive unintelligible responses to identify plurality of transponders by an interrogator |
US5936527 | Feb 10, 1998 | Aug 10, 1999 | E-Tag Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for locating and tracking documents and other objects |
US5939984 | May 1, 1998 | Aug 17, 1999 | Intermec Ip Corp. | Combination radio frequency transponder (RF Tag) and magnetic electronic article surveillance (EAS) material |
US5959568 | Jun 26, 1996 | Sep 28, 1999 | Par Goverment Systems Corporation | Measuring distance |
US5963134 | Jul 24, 1997 | Oct 5, 1999 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Inventory system using articles with RFID tags |
US5995017 | Nov 24, 1997 | Nov 30, 1999 | Btg International Limited | Electronic identification system confirming valid code |
US6032127 | Oct 21, 1997 | Feb 29, 2000 | Intermec Ip Corp. | Intelligent shopping cart |
US6037879 | Oct 2, 1997 | Mar 14, 2000 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Wireless identification device, RFID device, and method of manufacturing wireless identification device |
US6056199 | Apr 20, 1998 | May 2, 2000 | Intermec Ip Corporation | Method and apparatus for storing and reading data |
US6057756 | Aug 14, 1998 | May 2, 2000 | Engellenner; Thomas J. | Electronic locating systems |
US6074156 | May 10, 1999 | Jun 13, 2000 | Frich; Mark R. | Library cart loading system and method |
US6075441 | May 6, 1998 | Jun 13, 2000 | Key-Trak, Inc. | Inventoriable-object control and tracking system |
US6078251 | Mar 27, 1997 | Jun 20, 2000 | Intermec Ip Corporation | Integrated multi-meter and wireless communication link |
US6084528 | Dec 20, 1996 | Jul 4, 2000 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Intranet scanning terminal system |
US6097301 | Apr 4, 1996 | Aug 1, 2000 | Micron Communications, Inc. | RF identification system with restricted range |
US6104311 | Aug 26, 1996 | Aug 15, 2000 | Addison Technologies | Information storage and identification tag |
US6127928 | Jul 26, 1999 | Oct 3, 2000 | E-Tag Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for locating and tracking documents and other objects |
US6137411 | Feb 11, 1997 | Oct 24, 2000 | Rso Corporation N.V. | Article surveillance system |
US6142375 | Apr 10, 1998 | Nov 7, 2000 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Apparatus and method for the optical detection of multiple items on a platform |
US6150921 | Oct 17, 1997 | Nov 21, 2000 | Pinpoint Corporation | Article tracking system |
US6150948 | Apr 24, 1999 | Nov 21, 2000 | Soundcraft, Inc. | Low-power radio frequency identification reader |
US6154137 | Jun 8, 1998 | Nov 28, 2000 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Identification tag with enhanced security |
US6169483 | May 4, 1999 | Jan 2, 2001 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Self-checkout/self-check-in RFID and electronics article surveillance system |
US6172608 | Jun 18, 1997 | Jan 9, 2001 | Integrated Silicon Design Pty. Ltd. | Enhanced range transponder system |
US6182053 | Mar 26, 1996 | Jan 30, 2001 | Recovery Sales Corporation | Method and apparatus for managing inventory |
US6203262 | Apr 11, 2000 | Mar 20, 2001 | Mark R. Frich | Cart loading system and method for library-like materials |
US6218942 | Sep 11, 1998 | Apr 17, 2001 | Motorola, Inc. | Radio frequency identification tag exciter/reader |
US6232870 | Aug 5, 1999 | May 15, 2001 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Applications for radio frequency identification systems |
US6244512 | Aug 25, 1998 | Jun 12, 2001 | Intermec Ip Corp. | Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules |
US6269572 | Oct 30, 1997 | Aug 7, 2001 | Ncr Corporation | Apparatus for grouping electronic price labels |
US6317028 | Feb 3, 1999 | Nov 13, 2001 | Electronic Security And Identification Llc | Electronic identification, control, and security system and method for consumer electronics and the like |
US6318636 | Sep 21, 1999 | Nov 20, 2001 | Intermec Ip Corp. | Method and apparatus to read different types of data carriers, such RFID tags and machine-readable symbols, and a user interface for the same |
US6335686 | Aug 5, 1999 | Jan 1, 2002 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Application for a radio frequency identification system |
US6338149 | Jul 31, 1998 | Jan 8, 2002 | Westinghouse Electric Company Llc | Change monitoring system for a computer system |
US6342839 | Mar 9, 1998 | Jan 29, 2002 | Aginfolink Holdings Inc. | Method and apparatus for a livestock data collection and management system |
US6369709 | Apr 10, 1998 | Apr 9, 2002 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Terminal for libraries and the like |
US6422457 | Feb 21, 2000 | Jul 23, 2002 | Mark R. Frich | Access device for a materials depository |
US6424262 | Mar 13, 2001 | Jul 23, 2002 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Applications for radio frequency identification systems |
US6448886 | Mar 13, 2001 | Sep 10, 2002 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Application for radio frequency identification systems |
US6480100 | Mar 9, 2001 | Nov 12, 2002 | Sat Corporation | Radio frequency identification tag formatting method |
US6535129 | Nov 17, 2000 | Mar 18, 2003 | Moore North America, Inc. | Chain of custody business form with automated wireless data logging feature |
US6570492 | Apr 11, 1997 | May 27, 2003 | Sergio Peratoner | Electronic retail price tag system |
US6600420 | Jul 19, 2001 | Jul 29, 2003 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Application for a radio frequency identification system |
US6704690 | Dec 8, 2000 | Mar 9, 2004 | St. Logitrack Pte Ltd. | Monitoring system |
US6749116 | Jan 10, 2003 | Jun 15, 2004 | Michael J. Massaro | Display system for store shelves |
US6753830 | Jan 12, 2001 | Jun 22, 2004 | Visible Tech-Knowledgy, Inc. | Smart electronic label employing electronic ink |
US6819222 | Feb 17, 2000 | Nov 16, 2004 | Magnex Corp. | Inventory control system using R.F. object identification |
US6934718 | Oct 9, 2001 | Aug 23, 2005 | Nokia Corporation | Categorizing and retrieving items |
US7044373 | Aug 5, 1999 | May 16, 2006 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Radio frequency identification systems applications |
US20020008621 | Jan 3, 2001 | Jan 24, 2002 | Isogon Corporation | Method and system for determining the inventory and location of assets |
US20020083025 | Apr 2, 2001 | Jun 27, 2002 | Robarts James O. | Contextual responses based on automated learning techniques |
US20020188702 | Oct 17, 2001 | Dec 12, 2002 | Mobile Information Systems, Inc. | Database method and system for conducting integrated dispatching |
US20030206107 | May 8, 2003 | Nov 6, 2003 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Application for a radio frequency identification system |
USD435557 | Jan 14, 2000 | Dec 26, 2000 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Handheld interrogator |
DE4319878A1 | Jun 16, 1993 | Dec 23, 1993 | Micron Technology Inc | High frequency identification system card - has integrated circuit chip or carrier layer sealed by top layer and coupled to batteries and antenna system |
DE4341880A1 | Dec 8, 1993 | Jun 14, 1995 | Dinkel Doris | Objects e.g. clothing item control system |
DE4415801A1 | May 5, 1994 | Sep 22, 1994 | Siegfried Mehl | Anti-theft element |
DE19921748A1 | May 11, 1999 | Nov 23, 2000 | Stefan Kuegel | Monitoring and controlling system for automated, unattended supermarkets, department stores or libraries, comprises reading device for detecting objects marked with identification elements in check-in and check-out zones |
EP0301127B1 | Jul 31, 1987 | Dec 1, 1993 | Texas Instruments Deutschland Gmbh | Transponder arrangement |
EP0494114B1 | Jan 3, 1992 | Nov 27, 1996 | British Technology Group Limited | Electronic identification system |
EP0526038A1 | Jul 15, 1992 | Feb 3, 1993 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Article removal control system |
EP0585132A1 | Aug 26, 1993 | Mar 2, 1994 | British Technology Group Limited | Synchronised electronic identification system |
EP0598624A1 | Nov 18, 1993 | May 25, 1994 | British Technology Group Limited | Detection of multiple articles |
EP0615285A2 | Mar 11, 1994 | Sep 14, 1994 | British Technology Group Limited | Attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate |
EP0637093A1 | Jul 29, 1994 | Feb 1, 1995 | Nippon Antenna Co., Ltd. | Antenna |
EP0689151A2 | Apr 20, 1995 | Dec 27, 1995 | Kipp, Ludwig | System for storage and communication of information |
EP0689161A2 | Jun 23, 1995 | Dec 27, 1995 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Identification system |
EP0702323A2 | Aug 11, 1995 | Mar 20, 1996 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for radio frequency tag group select |
EP0710853A2 | Feb 6, 1990 | May 8, 1996 | Integrated Silicon Design Pty. Ltd | Transponder system |
EP0740262A2 | Apr 29, 1996 | Oct 30, 1996 | Texas Instruments Deutschland Gmbh | Identification system reader with multiplexed antennas |
EP0747990A1 | Jun 6, 1996 | Dec 11, 1996 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. | Antenna |
EP0762535A1 | Aug 22, 1996 | Mar 12, 1997 | Mitsubishi Materials Corporation | Antenna for transponder and transponder |
EP0794507A2 | Feb 25, 1997 | Sep 10, 1997 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Object locator system and methods therefor |
EP0805507A1 | Apr 18, 1997 | Nov 5, 1997 | Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches | Receive and/or transmit device for radio messages with an inductive and capacitive antenna |
EP0810567A1 | May 14, 1996 | Dec 3, 1997 | Esselte Meto International GmbH | Device and method for securing an article against theft |
EP0825672A2 | Aug 21, 1997 | Feb 25, 1998 | Lk-Products Oy | A dual frequency antenna |
FR2555339A1 | Title not available | |||
FR2701146A1 | Title not available | |||
GB2098768A | Title not available | |||
GB2186467A | Title not available | |||
GB2204162A | Title not available | |||
GB2257278A | Title not available | |||
GB2306726A | Title not available | |||
GB2308947A | Title not available | |||
NL9400091A | Title not available |
Reference | ||
1 | "Auto ID . . . putting the control in inventory control", Industrial Engineering, Norcross, Aug. 1994, Hornak, J.P. (2 pages). | |
2 | "Automated Library Management System" IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Mar. 1992, pp. 311-312. | |
3 | "Chandler Library 3rd in Valley to Use Checkout by Machine", Arizona Republic, May 13, 1996, Roberto Sanchez, (2 pages). | |
4 | "In Oakland County: New library computer eases work for staff, lets kids help themselves to titles", Detroit News, Detroit, Michigan, Oct. 25, 1996, Douglas Ilka (2 pages). | |
5 | "Intelligent Tagging", Retail Business, New York, Dec. 1994, (1 page). | |
6 | "Librarians Become 'Cyberian'", Roanoke Times & World News, Apr. 17, 1996, Kathy Loan (2 pages). | |
7 | "Librarians Become 'Cyberian'", Roanoke Times & World News, Apr. 17, 1996, Kathy Loan (2 pages). | |
8 | "Library trying self check-out Staff isn't need to help patron", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 5, 1995, Eugene Baer (2 pages). | |
9 | "Tammany Libraries Turn Page On Old-Fashioned Checkout", Times-Picayune, Aug. 25, 1995, Phil White, (2 pages). | |
10 | "Tammany Libraries Turn Page On Old-Fashioned Checkout", Times—Picayune, Aug. 25, 1995, Phil White, (2 pages). | |
11 | "VTLS RFID Solution" from VTLS Inc. Website (2 pages) dated Sep. 13, 2001. | |
12 | Abstract for R. Langen: RF/ID Streamlines Circuit Board Assembly (ID Systems European Edition, vol. 1, No. 3, Fall 1993, pp. 19-20). | |
13 | Abstract for R.J. Marker: The Role and Function of the Shelflist in an Automated Library Environment (Technical Services Quarterly, vol. 14, No. 1, 1996, pp. 33-48). | |
14 | Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial, filed Jun. 23, 2009, (3M Innovative Properties Company and 3M Company v. Envisionware, Inc., Civil Action No. 0:09-cv-1594, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota). | |
15 | Diskette and index entitled, "Data Transfer Software IBM PC-Version 2.20b" from id Systems Ltd. (3 diskettes). | |
16 | Diskette and index entitled, "Data Transfer Software IBM PC—Version 2.20b" from id Systems Ltd. (3 diskettes). | |
17 | Document entitled "RFID Tag API Specification 16 and 32 Bit Versions-User Guide: Version 3.00" from id Systems Ltd. (38 pages). | |
18 | Document entitled "RFID Tag API Specification 16 and 32 Bit Versions—User Guide: Version 3.00" from id Systems Ltd. (38 pages). | |
19 | Document entitled, "Data Transfer Software-User Guide: Version 2.11" from id Systems Ltd. (19 pages). | |
20 | Document entitled, "Data Transfer Software—User Guide: Version 2.11" from id Systems Ltd. (19 pages). | |
21 | Document entitled, "Flexiscan Product Range-User Guide: Version 1.10" from id Systems Ltd. (22 pages). | |
22 | Document entitled, "Flexiscan Product Range—User Guide: Version 1.10" from id Systems Ltd. (22 pages). | |
23 | Document entitled, "OEM read/write board-Philips Semiconductors I-CODE-Texas Instruments Tag-it-User Guide: Version 1.10" from id Systems Ltd. (14 pages). | |
24 | Document entitled, "OEM read/write board—Philips Semiconductors I-CODE—Texas Instruments Tag-it—User Guide: Version 1.10" from id Systems Ltd. (14 pages). | |
25 | Document entitled, "RS232 Communication Protocol-User Guide: Version 3.10" from id Systems Ltd. (34 pages). | |
26 | Document entitled, "RS232 Communication Protocol—User Guide: Version 3.10" from id Systems Ltd. (34 pages). | |
27 | European Search Report, EP Application No. 07110984.7. | |
28 | Finkenzeller, "RFID Handbook-Radio-Frequency Identification Fundamentals and Applications", 1999, pp. 227-273. | |
29 | Finkenzeller, "RFID Handbook—Radio-Frequency Identification Fundamentals and Applications", 1999, pp. 227-273. | |
30 | Flyer entitled, "Combined Anti-Theft and RF Programmable Tag" from ISD (RF/ID) Ltd. | |
31 | Frederick et al., "Get a Lock on Inventory" Security Management, Arlington, Oct. 1996, pp. 1-6. | |
32 | Information from Internet entitled, "Performa� Portable Reader" from Checkpoint Meto, printed Jun. 13, 2001 (2 pages). | |
33 | Jeff Hedlund et al., "SmartBookcase" (2 pages) dated Sep. 13, 2001. | |
34 | John Bowers, "Road to intelligent tagging is pave with opportunities", Automatic I.D. News, Oct. 1995, pp. 86-87. | |
35 | Page description entitled, "Asset tagging nears reality", Security, vol. 31, No. 8, pp. 41-42, Aug. 1994. | |
36 | Page description entitled, "Self-issue and self-return system selection and performance at the University of Sunderland", Vine, No. 105, pp. 14-19, 1996. | |
37 | Page description entitled, "The self-service library", Library Technology News, No. 20, pp. 4-8, Nov. 1995. |
Citing Patent | Filing date | Publication date | Applicant | Title |
US8502673 | Mar 25, 2010 | Aug 6, 2013 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Applications for radio frequency identification systems |
US9594932 | Apr 29, 2014 | Mar 14, 2017 | U Grok It, Inc. | Method for connecting a portable RFID reader to a handheld computing device via an audio connection |
US20100087183 * | Sep 10, 2007 | Apr 8, 2010 | Marco Porro | Device for controlling personal belongings |
US20100156723 * | Mar 23, 2007 | Jun 24, 2010 | Daniel Luch | Electrically conductive patterns, antennas and methods of manufacture |
US20130134226 * | Oct 29, 2012 | May 30, 2013 | Claridy Solutions, Inc. | Radio frequency identification library slanted cavity device |
WO2015020835A3 * | Jul 29, 2014 | Nov 26, 2015 | 1 Oak Technologies, LLC | Electronic payment transponder |
U.S. Classification | 340/572.4, 340/5.92, 705/28, 235/385 |
International Classification | H01Q1/22, H01Q7/00, H01Q1/36, H01Q9/28, G07G1/00, G06K19/077, G06K7/10, G07F7/00, G06K19/00, G06K17/00, G06K7/00, G06K19/07, G08B13/14, G08B13/24, B65G61/00 |
Cooperative Classification | G08B13/2485, H01Q1/2225, G08B13/2457, H01Q9/285, G08B13/2417, H01Q7/00, G07G1/0036, G06K2017/0074, G06K2017/0045, G06Q10/087, G06K19/07749, G08B13/2408, G07G1/009, G07F17/0042, G07G1/0054, G06K19/07783, G06K19/07786, H01Q1/22, G06K19/07779, G06K7/10386, G08B13/2431, G08B13/2462, G06K17/00, G06K7/10079, H01Q1/2216, G06K7/0008, G08B13/2411, H01Q1/364 |
European Classification | G08B13/24B1F, G08B13/24B1F2, G06K19/077T7E, G06K19/077T7C1, G08B13/24B5T, G08B13/24B1G1, G08B13/24B7S, G08B13/24B3C, G07G1/00C2R, G07F17/00D, H01Q1/22C2, G06K7/10A1E, H01Q9/28B, G06K7/10A9A1, H01Q7/00, H01Q1/22C4, H01Q1/36C, G06K19/077T7C1C, H01Q1/22, G06Q10/087, G06K17/00, G08B13/24B5L, G06K7/00E, G07G1/00C, G06K19/077T, G07G1/00C2D |


text:
I've got a quote from Budget using a code for a 1 way rental on a minivan from MCO to Cape Canaveral in Sept for $59.30. Is that a good price?
but I do care LOL! Hope someone can give you some info!! FWIW, I think it's a great rate!!! Does that help??
Ha. ha. Thanks mbb! It seemed good to me as all other quotes I got were in the 60s and 70s. So, I'm thinking of booking it...when I say one way, I mean 1 day rental 9/17-9/18.
Hi, I think it's a little high for a 1 day, 1 way. I booked a minivan for a friend of mine for 7 days and it was $243 which equals out to $34.71 a day. Did you try National and some codes to get the rate down? Actually I'm not sure if National has an office there. Is Cocoa Beach near there? I just did a quick rate for your dates using the Priceless code and got $47. I hope this helps you out! Kim
Hmmm. I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I had read about entertainment and priceless and tried that on national and got a rate of $75.25. But, that was a few days ago. Maybe I'll try again. edited to add: Ok, I just tried again using the priceless code (I forgot the entertainment code is for a week rental not a 1 day). Anyway, the rate i got with taxes and all was $57.71, so slightly cheaper than Budget....but, National doesn't have a shuttle to the pier and Budget does, so I'd have to get a taxi , which would end up costing more.
I dont think it is that bad as we are renting a mini van for 15 days...the extra day is going to be $58.00 so you seem to be getting a good rate. We are using DOLLAR. Hope it all works out for you!
We are doing the same thing that you are doing and taking a one way (day) rental from MCO to the Port. It is through Budget, but the end of November and it costs $52.88 including taxes...I think it was like 45 without. Don't know if the time of the year or day has anything to do with it...who knows???
You're correct, it would probably equal out. I wasn't sure if National was at the Pier. I did put in the times as 9am to 9am since I wasn't sure of your times, and yes; that would make a difference on the price. Since you have so much time, Budget may come down some before you go. Just keeping checking like we all do. I've re-booked my National car 4 times so far but have saved $65 dollars doing that! That's a nice dinner for us at LeCellier! Yum! Kim

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Meetings and Visits
The I.T.S. 2017 AGM Saturday 25th March 2017. Details of this event, jointly organised with the Avicultural Society can be downloaded here. The Park is located 2 miles South of Burford, Oxfordshire, on the A361. Burford is mid way between Oxford and Cheltenham on the A40. Click the link below to go to a printable version of the map. http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/visitors/map.htm
All International Turaco Society members are automatically invited to attend Avicultural Society events. AVICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETINGS: The society will be running a trip to see bird collections in Germany from September 29th to October 2nd, including the Frankfurt Zoo, Stuttgart Zoo, Heidelberg Zoo and several private collections. Saturday afternoon will be spent at Bobenheim-Roxheim Birdpark. Deposit needed at time of booking would be £150 per person. Download a pdf of the details here. Enquiries about the Avicultural Society to Christopher Kent: firstname.lastname@example.com |
Web site designs and images copyright © 2017 International Turaco Society |


text:
Buy the collection and save loads! This 37-page pattern book includes brief instructions for how to bead in sculptured brick stitch, and 35 uniquely designed beading patterns.
Everything from back-to-school designs, to a cupcake, to a tube of lipstick is included in this collection. You'll have enough projects to last you through the rest of the year and then some!
A link to download your PDF will be automatically e-mailed to you after you complete your purchase. You can open the pattern in adobe reader, which can be downloaded for free at www.adobe.com.
This pattern is copyright. You may not redistribute or sell the pattern in any way. You may not use the pattern to have mass-produced quantities of the item made. You may, however, sell anything that you personally make from this pattern on your own. Please contact me with any further copyright questions.


text: JA Solar Holdings, Co., Ltd. (JASO) Q1 2012 Earnings Conference Call June 5, 2012 8:00 am ET Executives Dr. Peng Fang – CEO Min Cao – CFO Ming Yang – VP of Business Development and Corporate Communications Martin Reidy – Brunswick Group Analysts Jesse Pichel - Jefferies & Company, Inc Brandon Heiken - Credit Suisse Karen Tai - Piper Jaffray & Co Kelly Dougherty - Macquarie Research Equities Mahesh Sanganeria - RBC Capital Markets Yeuk-fai Edwin Mok - Needham & Company, LLC Caleb Dorfman - Simmons & Company Amy Song - The Goldman Sachs group, Inc Pavel Molchanov - Raymond James Pranab Kumar Sarmah - Daiwa Capital Markets Jeff Osborne - Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc Presentation Operator Hello, and thank you for standing by for JA Solar's First Quarter 2012 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After management's prepared remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. Today's conference is being recorded. If you have any objections, you may disconnect at this time. I'd now like to turn the meeting over to your host for today's conference, Mr. Martin Reidy of Brunswick Group. Martin Reidy Thank you. Welcome to JA Solar's first quarter 2012 earnings conference call. Joining us from the Company today are Dr. Peng Fang, CEO; Mr. Min Cao, CFO; and Mr. Ming Yang, VP of Business Development and Corporate Communications. As stated in the press release, the oversimplified translation of CNY into U.S. dollars, which is set at 6.2975 RMB to the dollar, is made solely for the convenience of the audience. References to dollars are the lawful currency of the USA.


text:
Mediterranean-focused upstream gas company, Sound Energy, has reached an agreement with PetroMaroc Corporation Plc to acquire 50 percent of PetroMaroc's operated interest in three onshore gas permits located in Morocco.
On completion of the acquisition, Sound Energy will issue PetroMaroc with new ordinary shares in the company with a market value of £3.65 million ($5.18 million). Sound will also grant PetroMaroc a 10 percent net profit interest in any future cash flows from the Kechoula discovery, as well as a 5 percent net profit interest in any future cash flows from structures within the Sidi Moktar Licenses other than the Kechoula discovery.
This agreement follows Sound Energy's acquisition of an initial 25 percent interest in the three onshore gas Sidi Moktar Licenses from Maghreb Petroleum Exploration S.A. The Sidi Moktar Licenses cover 1,042 square miles in the Essaouira basin, which is located in central Morocco.
James Parsons, Sound Energy's chief executive, commented in a company statement:
"This transaction will result in Sound Energy holding an aggregate 75 percent interest in, and operatorship of, an already successfully drilled material gas discovery with potential near term production and significant deeper exploration potential.
"Operator status at Sidi Moktar unlocks this asset whilst also granting Sound control over the pace and scale of operations.
"Sound Energy can now proceed to dovetail operations at Sidi Moktar with those planned at Tendrara - with the potential for material production from Sidi Moktar during 2016."