Abstract:
System and methods for identifying a lost or stolen device. In one aspect, a method includes: receiving a plurality of items on a platform configured to support the items for transportation, one or more of the items being registered in a database; interrogating via an interrogation signal transmitted from a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to one or more RFID tags attached to one or more of the items while on the platform; and communicating with the database over an Internet to identify an item as being missing and associated with the platform, based on a result of interrorgating.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/759,743, filed Jun. 7, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/649,372, filed Aug. 26, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,230,534, issued Jun. 12, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/049,687, filed Mar. 27, 1998, entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING LOST OR STOLEN DEVICES,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,656, issued Aug. 26, 2003, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     At least some embodiments relate to a method and system for identifying lost or stolen items in general and more particularly but not limited to identifying lost or stolen items via radio frequency identification. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The theft of portable devices, especially portable electronic devices, continues to be a widespread problem in the United States and world-wide. Each year, millions of dollars worth of electronic equipment such as portable, or laptop, computers are stolen or lost. Typically, when a device is lost or stolen, the owner has no way of retrieving or otherwise locating the device. He or she is then forced to replace the lost item, or make do without it. 
     Currently existing technology allows devices to be identified by means of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. RFID technology uses electromagnetic energy (such as radio) as a medium through which information is sent. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an RFID system  100  is illustrated. The RFID system  100  includes an RFID tag  102  for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals and a reader  104  for receiving radio frequency signals from the RFID tag  102  and transmitting radio frequency signals to the RFID tag  102 . The system  100  also includes a computer  106  which is coupled to the reader  104  by a communications link  108 . The communications link  108  may be any one of various types of well-known communication links such as a cable line that directly connects the reader  104  to the computer  106 , an Ethernet communications link, or a modem communications link, for example. Through the communications link  108 , the reader  104  can receive commands and data from the computer  106  and, thereafter, send data to the remote RFID tag  102 . As was noted above, the reader  104  can also receive data from the remote RFID tag  102  and pass the data back to the computer  102 . 
     RFID technology overcomes many limitations of other automatic identification approaches, such as those using bar codes and infrared technology, which use light to communicate. Since an RFID tag  102  does not require a visual scanner, or other vision system, to detect its presence, it may be hidden or invisible to the eye and may also be used in harsh or dirty environments. A reader  104  reads information transmitted by the RFID tag  102  even if the tag  102  is completely hidden from view. 
     An RFID tag  102  typically includes a receiver and some type of transmitter, an antenna, and memory. There are two categories of RFID tags—active and passive—that represent two different types of RF communication. Tags without batteries are known as passive tags because they derive their power from the RF energy transmitted from a reader. Passive RFID tags tend to be smaller and exhibit short range transmission characteristics (under six feet), whereas battery-powered, active tags, tend to be larger and exhibit long range transmission characteristics (over one hundred feet). 
     Active tags send data back to the reader with radio power generated from a battery within the tag. Passive tags, on the other hand, use modulated backscatter (MBS) to transmit reflected energy, dictated by the data stream from the tag, back to the reader. Passive tags using MBS are better suited for gate or lane applications where it is undesirable to wake up (see) any tags beyond a certain distance and where there are few obstructions in the energy path. 
     With the aid of RFID technology, devices which are brought within range of a reader, or interrogator, may be detected. Furthermore, known devices, such as those on assembly lines, can be identified and their progress tracked using this technology. However, there is currently no method or system which provides a mechanism by which it can be determined if the device being detected is lost or stolen. To accomplish this purpose and to be of value, such a system would not only have to identify the device, but be able to determine that it was, in fact, lost or stolen and thereafter, notify appropriate personnel of the matter. Additionally, the reader of such an anti-theft/retrieval system, would best be strategically located so as to make it likely that a significant number of lost or stolen devices would come within range of the reader. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a method and system of identifying devices, which are randomly brought within range of a reader, determining if the detected devices are lost or stolen and thereafter, notifying appropriate security personnel when such device is located. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a method and system which utilizes RFID technology to identify lost or stolen goods that randomly come within range of an RFID reader, and thereafter, notifies security personnel of the lost or stolen status of the goods. 
     In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a plurality of items on a platform configured to support the items for transportation, one or more of the items being registered in a database; interrogating via an interrogation signal transmitted from a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to one or more RFID tags attached to one or more of the items while on the platform; and communicating with the database over an Internet to identify an item as being missing and associated with the platform, based on a result of the interrogating. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a system for identifying a lost or stolen device, includes: a transmitter, coupled to the device, for transmitting identification information; a receiver which receives the identification information transmitted by the transmitter, when the transmitter is within a defined distance from the receiver; and a computer, coupled to the receiver so as to receive the information from the receiver, said computer having a first database for storing data associated with lost or stolen devices, wherein said computer compares the information with the stored data, and generates an alarm if the information matches at least some of the stored data. 
     In another embodiment, a system for identifying a lost or stolen item, includes: a radio frequency identification device, connected to the item, for transmitting information related to the item; a reader which receives the information transmitted by the radio frequency identification device, when the radio frequency identification device is within a defined distance from the reader; and a computer, coupled to the reader so as to receive the information from the reader, said computer having a database for storing a list of lost or stolen items, wherein the computer compares the information with the list of lost or stolen devices, and generates an alarm if the comparison produces a match. 
     In another embodiment, a system for identifying lost or stolen goods, includes: means for receiving data transmitted by a radio frequency identification device coupled to an item when the item comes within a defined distance of the means for receiving; means for storing a list of lost or stolen goods; means for comparing the data to the list of lost or stolen goods and determining if the data matches information contained in the list of lost or stolen goods; and means for generating an alarm, if the data matches information contained in the list. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, a system for identifying a lost or item includes: means for storing identification information in a memory of a radio frequency identification (RFID) device contained within the item, wherein the RFID device transmits the identification information; means for reporting when the item is lost or stolen; means for receiving the identification information transmitted by the RFID device when the item comes within a defined range of the means for receiving; means for storing data associated with lost or stolen items; means for comparing the received identification information to the data associated with the lost or stolen items and for determining if the identification information indicates that the item is lost or stolen; means for generating an alarm, if the identification information indicates the item is lost or stolen, so as to alert personnel of the lost or stolen status of the item; and means for updating the data associated with the lost or stolen items. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention is a method of identifying lost or stolen goods, which includes the acts of: receiving information transmitted by a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, coupled to an item, when the item comes within a defined range of a receiver which receives the information; storing data associated with lost or stolen goods in a database coupled to the receiver; comparing the information to the data and determining if the information matches the data associated with the lost or stolen goods; and generating an alarm, if the information matches the data. 
     In another embodiment, the method of the invention includes: storing identification information in a memory of a radio frequency identification (RFID) device contained within an item, wherein the RFID device transmits the identification information; maintaining a list of lost or stolen items in a database of a computer; receiving the identification information transmitted by the RFID device when the computer comes within a defined range of a receiver, coupled to the computer; comparing the received identification information to the list of lost or stolen items and determining if the identification information indicates that the item is included in the list of lost or stolen items; and generating an alarm, if the identification information indicates the item is lost or stolen. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a prior art radio frequency identification (RFID) system in which an RFID tag may be identified with a reader device coupled to a computer. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an anti-theft/ retrieval system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a computer network, having multiple readers, for identifying lost or stolen goods, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a laptop computer having an RFID device embedded within its housing so as to transmit information related to the laptop computer to a receiving device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures, wherein like elements are referenced with like numerals throughout. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an anti-theft/retrieval system  200  is illustrated. The system  200  includes a reader  202  coupled to a corridor  204  through which a person  206  may walk. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the person  206  is carrying a device  208  having a transmitter  210  embedded therein. The transmitter  210  transmits information related to the device  208  to the reader  202  when the transmitter  210  is within a defined distance from the reader  202 . In this way the reader  202  detects the presence of the device  208  and is able to identify it. 
     In one embodiment, the corridor  204  may be a metal detector such as those typically located in or near an airport terminal. Alternatively, the corridor  204  may be replaced by an x-ray machine, such as those which are typically located next to a metal detector in an airport, which includes a conveyor belt for transporting items placed thereon under an x-ray scanner. 
     By placing the RFID reader  202  near the metal detector and/or the x-ray machine of an airport checkpoint, the invention provides a security measure against persons trying to board a plane with lost or stolen property. Alternatively, or as an additional security measure, a reader  202  may be positioned near a baggage check-in point such that all baggage being loaded into a plane may be screened for lost or stolen devices. Therefore, by placing readers  202  at strategic checkpoints, within an airport, for example, a radio frequency security net/retrieval system is established which can identify lost/stolen items and assist security personnel stationed near each checkpoint in retrieving the lost/stolen devices. As used herein, the term “checkpoint” refers to any location or point in which people and/or items must pass in order to move on to another location or point. 
     In the scenario described above, it may be preferable to utilize a transmitter  210 , and/or reader  202  with a short transmission/reception range, e.g., six feet, so as to not read transmitters that are far away from the reader  202 . Since it is an object of the invention to identify a particular item which has been reported to be lost or stolen, it is counter-productive to receive information from multiple transmitters located in different areas. In such a scenario, one could not be sure which transmitter was transmitting information indicating the presence of a lost or stolen item. In one embodiment, the transmitter  210  is a passive RFID tag. 
     Coupled to the reader  202  is a computer  212  which receives information from the reader  202  and compares the information to a list of lost and/or stolen devices, stored in a database  214  coupled to the computer  212 . Upon comparing the information received from the transmitter  210  to the list of lost and/or stolen devices, the computer  212  determines if there is a match. If there is a match, the computer  212  generates an appropriate alarm signal to notify personnel stationed near the location of the reader  202  and corridor  204  of the status of the device  208  so that appropriate action can be taken. As used herein, the term “list” refers to any format in which data, or information may be stored so as to be retrievable for purposes of review and/or analysis. 
     In one embodiment, the transmitter  210  may be a standard radio frequency identification (RFID) tag which is well-known in the industry. In another embodiment, the transmitter  210  is a MicroStamp® remote intelligent communications (RIC) device, manufactured by Micron Communications, Inc. Microstamp® is a registered trademark for a family of RIC devices that use active and passive transmitters. However, RIC devices differ from traditional RFID devices in that RIC devices typically have a battery, a microprocessor, a high-frequency radio, more memory and longer range capability when compared to standard RFID devices. 
     The MicroStamp® RIC device contains a MicroStamp Engine™ integrated circuit (IC), which combines a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) microwave frequency radio, a microcontroller, and a low power static random access memory (SRAM) into a single chip. The MicroStamp Engine IC, when coupled with an antenna and a battery, forms the MicroStamp RIC device. Because the IC combines hundreds of thousands of components on one small chip, the MicroStamp RIC device may be assembled, with a small battery, into very small packages, making it ideal for applications in small handheld, or portable, electronic devices. Although RIC devices are typically more advanced than standard RFID tags, as used herein, the term “radio frequency identification,” or “RFID tag”, or “RFID device”, and any combination or conjugation thereof, refers to both standard RFID devices and RIC devices as described above, as well as any radio frequency transmission device, capable of transmitting data for identification purposes to a receiver. 
     In one embodiment, the reader  202  is a MicroStamp®4000 RF Interrogator, manufactured by Micron Communications, Inc. The function of this interrogator  202  is twofold: 1) it receives commands and data from the computer  212  and sends data packets to the remote intelligent communications (RIC) unit  210 , and 2) it receives reply packets from the RIC unit  210  and passes the reply back to the computer  212 . When the interrogator  202  receives a command from the computer  212 , the interrogator  202  either executes the command internally, or transmits the command to the RIC unit  210 . The RIC unit  210  then executes the command, but may or may not reply, depending on the command&#39;s specific function. When the RIC unit  210  replies, the interrogator  202  passes the reply back to the computer  212 . This communication protocol between the RIC unit  210 , the interrogator  202  and the computer  212  is well-known in the art. 
     In one embodiment, the computer  212  is directly connected to the reader  202  by the communications link  216 , which may be any type of electrical cable having a parallel or serial port connector for interfacing with the external ports of the computer  212 ., such as an enhanced parallel port (EPP), RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485 communications line, for example. As mentioned above, the communications link  216  may be any type of well-known communications links, or medium, used for transmitting data from one device to another. In one embodiment, The computer  212  may be located near the reader  202  such that security personnel can view a display screen (not shown) of the computer  212  as people pass through the corridor  204  to verify that each person passing through is not carrying an item which has been reported to be lost or stolen. If a person passing through the corridor  204  is carrying a lost or stolen item, the computer  212  should identify the item and, thereafter notify security personnel by displaying a message on its display screen or providing a visual and/or auditory alarm signal. 
     Alternatively, the computer  212  may be a local computer  212 , that is not located near any one reader  202  but, instead, has many readers  202  coupled to it, each reader monitoring a different checkpoint. In this scenario, each reader  202  at each checkpoint requires a means for alerting security personnel stationed at each of the checkpoints. This function can be performed in a number of different ways. For example, an operator monitoring the local computer  212  can call, via telephone, intercom, radio, etc., security personnel located at a particular checkpoint with instructions. Alternatively, the local computer  212  may send an alarm signal to a device located near the particular checkpoint which can provide a visual and/or auditory alarm signal to security personnel stationed at the checkpoint. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the anti-theft/retrieval system  200  may further include a central database  218  which is coupled to the local computer  212  by a communications link  220 . The communications link  220  may be any one of various well-known communications links or mediums which can be used to transmit data from one device to another. As described in further detail below, a primary function of the central database  218  is to store a master list of lost or stolen devices and periodically update a local list of lost or stolen devices contained within the database  214  of the local computer  212 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the central database  218  ( FIG. 2 ) may be a computer server  218  which is connected via a computer network  300 , to many local computers  212 . Each local computer  212  may in turn be interfaced with one or more readers  202 , each reader  202  being responsible for monitoring a specified area, or checkpoint, as described above. Any well-known communications protocol, such as the Ethernet communications protocol, may be used to transmit data between each of the multiple local computers  212  and the central server  218 . The computer network  300  may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or alternatively, a part of the global computer information network, otherwise known as the internet. 
     In order to police for lost or stolen items, a system must be established to report and record lost and stolen items in an efficient and timely manner. For example, after an owner of an item has reported the item to be stolen, its serial number, or other identifying information, should be promptly stored in the central database  218  and provided to each of the local computers  212  to enable them to monitor for the item within a relatively short time after it has been reported to be lost or stolen. Therefore, in one embodiment, the database  214  within the computer  212  is periodically updated with the latest list of lost or stolen goods from the central database  218 . The frequency of these updates can be responsive to addition or deletion of an item from the master list stored in the central database  218 , or alternatively, the update can occur at predetermined time intervals. 
     For example, when an owner of a laptop computer discovers that his or her laptop is lost or stolen, the owner can report the missing item to a manufacturer, dealer, or other authorized agent, who can then add the lost/stolen computer to the list of lost/stolen items in the central database  218 . The authorized agent may then input the lost/stolen computer&#39;s serial number into the central database  218 . This serial number is the information, or at least part of the information, which is transmitted by the transmitter  210  ( FIG. 2 ) which is contained in the laptop computer. Additional information transmitted by the transmitter  210  may be the name and address of the registered owner of the laptop computer, for example. 
     When a person carrying the lost/stolen laptop computer attempts to pass through a checkpoint, represented by corridor  204  in  FIG. 2 , the reader  202  receives the serial number transmitted by the transmitter  210  and forwards this serial number to the computer  212  for comparison with the list of lost or stolen items. If there is a match, the computer  212  generates an alarm signal which is communicated to proper authorities. 
     After a lost or stolen laptop computer has been retrieved, its serial number, or other identifying information should be removed from the master list of lost or stolen devices. When local lists are updated by the master list, the retrieved laptop computer will also be removed from all local lists of lost or stolen devices. 
     For security reasons, the list of lost or stolen goods should only be accessible by authorized personnel. In one embodiment, to add or delete an item from the list of lost or stolen items which is stored in the central database  218 , a person must provide a password to verify and authenticate his or her identity. Only after such a password is received and verified can that person obtain access to the central database  218 . It is also contemplated that the owner of the laptop computer will be able to personally call a “hotline” telephone number that allows the owner to add the serial number of his or her lost laptop computer to the master list of lost or stolen goods, after passing certain security measures, such as entering a registered password, for example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of a portable computer  400  is illustrated. The computer  400  includes a transmitter  210  located within the housing of the computer  400 . As mentioned above, the transmitter  210  may be an RFID tag, which is well-known in the art, or a MicroStamp RIC unit, manufactured by Micron Communications, Inc. However, other types of transmitters which are compact in size and capable of transmitting information at desired frequencies and ranges may be utilized in accordance with the invention. 
     The transmitter  210  should be permanently attached to an internal portion of the computer  400  so as to not be easily accessible. Therefore, a thief would not be able to circumvent the security features provided by the transmitter  210  by simply removing the transmitter  210 . In one embodiment, the transmitter  210  is embedded in the housing of the computer  400  during its manufacture. Since typical radio frequency devices are capable of transmitting and receiving data when encapsulated by plastic, or other similar materials, encapsulating the transmitter  210  within a portion of the housing of the computer  400 , will not significantly degrade the performance of the transmitter  210 . 
     After the transmitter  210  is programmed with a serial number, or other identifying information, related to the computer  400 , the transmitter  210  can transmit this information. In one embodiment, this information may be programmed into the memory of the transmitter  210  by utilizing a designated reader  202  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to transmit the information to the transmitter  210  and store the information in a memory of the transmitter  210 . In one embodiment, for security purposes, the designated reader  202  may be required to provide a password which allows it to write to the memory of the transmitter  210 , or alternatively, the information transmitted by the reader  202  may be encrypted such that only the transmitter  210  can read and store the information. Such methods of programming RFID/RIC transmitters are well-known in the art. However, any well-known method of programming the transmitter  210  may be utilized in accordance with the invention. 
     Once the identifying information has been stored in the memory of the transmitter  210 , it should be unalterable, except by authorized personnel and/or the registered owner of the item containing the transmitter  210 . Any well-known method of ensuring the integrity of the information stored in the transmitter  210 , such as password protection and/or encryption schemes, may be utilized in accordance with the invention. 
     As described above, the invention provides a method and system which utilizes radio frequency technology to identify lost or stolen goods that randomly come within range of a reader capable of receiving information transmitted by a radio frequency transmitter permanently fixed within the lost or stolen goods. After identifying an item which has been reported to be lost or stolen, the method and system notifies designated personnel, as necessary. 
     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.