Abstract:
A system for inventorying an item may comprise at least one subsystem that creates a mark on the item with a substance that comprises RFID tags, at least one subsystem that reads a plurality of the RFID tags on the mark, at least one subsystem that determines how many RFID tags were read on the mark, at least one subsystem that assigns an identifier for the item, and at least one subsystem that associates the identifier with how many RFID tags were read on the mark.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The patent applications below (including the present patent application) are filed concurrently and share a common title and disclosure, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/234,966, filed on Sep. 22, 2008; and   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,012, filed on Sep. 22, 2008.   

     BACKGROUND 
     A move can be a lengthy, time consuming and arduous task. Often items are stored in boxes and later need to be retrieved, but it may be difficult to find a particular item even if the boxes are labeled. The label may often be obscured by other boxes or incomplete. Also, when using professional movers, the inventorying system is often inaccurate and involves placing stickers on every single household item which may be inconvenient to remove and cannot be re-used for a subsequent move. 
     In this regard, there is a need for systems and methods for wireless object tracking that overcomes shortcomings of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In consideration of the above-identified shortcomings of the art, systems and methods for personal RFID tag creation and item inventory provided. For several embodiments, a system for inventorying an item may comprise at least one subsystem that creates a mark on the item with a substance that comprises RFID tags, at least one subsystem that reads a plurality of the RFID tags on the mark, at least one subsystem that determines how many RFID tags were read on the mark, at least one subsystem that assigns an identifier for the item, and at least one subsystem that associates the identifier with how many RFID tags were read on the mark. 
     Other advantages and features of the invention are described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram representing an exemplary computing device suitable for use in conjunction with implementing personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary networked computing environment in which many computerized processes may be implemented to perform personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of a side view of an example chipless passive RFID microdot applicator; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example process according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an example process according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying and inventory list creation; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of a side perspective view of an example RFID reader reading an example RFID tag created according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of example items having RFID tags created according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying being placed into a box for storage; and 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of an example RFID reader reading RFID tags of items having been marked with RFID tags created according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain specific details are set forth in the following description and figures to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. Certain well-known details often associated with computing and software technology are not set forth in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various embodiments. Further, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that they can practice other embodiments without one or more of the details described below. Finally, while various methods are described with reference to steps and sequences in the following disclosure, the description as such is for providing a clear implementation of various embodiments, and the steps and sequences of steps should not be taken as required to practice the embodiments. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 1 , shown is a block diagram representing an exemplary computing device suitable for use in conjunction with implementing the processes described below. For example, the computer executable instructions that carry out many of the processes and methods for personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying may reside and/or be executed in such a computing environment as shown in  FIG. 1 . The computing system environment  220  is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the embodiments. Neither should the computing environment  220  be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment  220 . For example a computer game console may also include those items such as those described below for use in conjunction with implementing the processes described below. 
     Aspects of the embodiments are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the embodiments include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     Aspects of the embodiments may be implemented in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Aspects of the embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. 
     An exemplary system for implementing aspects of the embodiments includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer  241 . Components of computer  241  may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit  259 , a system memory  222 , and a system bus  221  that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit  259 . The system bus  221  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus. 
     Computer  241  typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer  241  and include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computer  241 . Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     The system memory  222  includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM)  223  and random access memory (RAM)  260 . A basic input/output system  224  (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer  241 , such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM  223 . RAM  260  typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit  259 . By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1  illustrates operating system  225 , application programs  226 , other program modules  227 , and program data  228 . 
     The computer  241  may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,  FIG. 1  illustrates a hard disk drive  238  that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive  239  that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk  254 , and an optical disk drive  240  that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk  253  such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive  238  is typically connected to the system bus  221  through an non-removable memory interface such as interface  234 , and magnetic disk drive  239  and optical disk drive  240  are typically connected to the system bus  221  by a removable memory interface, such as interface  235 . 
     The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in  FIG. 1 , provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer  241 . In  FIG. 1 , for example, hard disk drive  238  is illustrated as storing operating system  258 , application programs  257 , other program modules  256 , and program data  255 . Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system  225 , application programs  226 , other program modules  227 , and program data  228 . Operating system  258 , application programs  257 , other program modules  256 , and program data  255  are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands and information into the computer  241  through input devices such as a keyboard  251  and pointing device  252 , commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  259  through a user input interface  236  that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor  242  or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus  221  via an interface, such as a video interface  232 . In addition to the monitor, computers may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers  244  and printer  243 , which may be connected through a output peripheral interface  233 . 
     The computer  241  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  246 . The remote computer  246  may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer  241 , although only a memory storage device  247  has been illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The logical connections depicted in  FIG. 1  include a local area network (LAN)  245  and a wide area network (WAN)  249 , but may also include other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. 
     When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer  241  is connected to the LAN  245  through a network interface or adapter  237 . When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer  241  typically includes a modem  250  or other means for establishing communications over the WAN  249 , such as the Internet. The modem  250 , which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus  221  via the user input interface  236 , or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer  241 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1  illustrates remote application programs  248  as residing on memory device  247 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. 
     It should be understood that the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods and apparatus of the embodiments, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the embodiments. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device generally includes a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. One or more programs that may implement or utilize the processes described in connection with the embodiments, e.g., through the use of an API, reusable controls, or the like. Such programs are preferably implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations. 
     Although exemplary embodiments may refer to utilizing aspects of the embodiments in the context of one or more stand-alone computer systems, the embodiments are not so limited, but rather may be implemented in connection with any computing environment, such as a network or distributed computing environment. Still further, aspects of the embodiments may be implemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage may similarly be performed across a plurality of devices. Such devices might include personal computers, network servers, handheld devices, supercomputers, or computers integrated into other systems such as automobiles and airplanes. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , shown is an exemplary networked computing environment in which many computerized processes may be implemented to perform the processes described below. For example, parallel computing may be part of such a networked environment with various clients on the network of  FIG. 2  using and/or implementing personal item inventorying processes for personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that networks can connect any computer or other client or server device, or in a distributed computing environment. In this regard, any computer system or environment having any number of processing, memory, or storage units, and any number of applications and processes occurring simultaneously is considered suitable for use in connection with the systems and methods provided. 
     Distributed computing provides sharing of computer resources and services by exchange between computing devices and systems. These resources and services include the exchange of information, cache storage and disk storage for files. Distributed computing takes advantage of network connectivity, allowing clients to leverage their collective power to benefit the entire enterprise. In this regard, a variety of devices may have applications, objects or resources that may implicate the processes described herein. 
       FIG. 2  provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary networked or distributed computing environment. The environment comprises computing devices  271 ,  272 ,  276 , and  277  as well as objects  273 ,  274 , and  275 , and database  278 . Each of these entities  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  may comprise or make use of programs, methods, data stores, programmable logic, etc. The entities  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  may span portions of the same or different devices such as PDAs, audio/video devices, MP3 players, personal computers, etc. Each entity  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  can communicate with another entity  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  by way of the communications network  270 . In this regard, any entity may be responsible for the maintenance and updating of a database  278  or other storage element. 
     This network  270  may itself comprise other computing entities that provide services to the system of  FIG. 2 , and may itself represent multiple interconnected networks. In accordance with an aspects of the embodiments, each entity  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  may contain discrete functional program modules that might make use of an API, or other object, software, firmware and/or hardware, to request services of one or more of the other entities  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278 . 
     It can also be appreciated that an object, such as  275 , may be hosted on another computing device  276 . Thus, although the physical environment depicted may show the connected devices as computers, such illustration is merely exemplary and the physical environment may alternatively be depicted or described comprising various digital devices such as PDAs, televisions, MP3 players, etc., software objects such as interfaces, COM objects and the like. 
     There are a variety of systems, components, and network configurations that support distributed computing environments. For example, computing systems may be connected together by wired or wireless systems, by local networks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many networks are coupled to the Internet, which provides an infrastructure for widely distributed computing and encompasses many different networks. Any such infrastructures, whether coupled to the Internet or not, may be used in conjunction with the systems and methods provided. 
     A network infrastructure may enable a host of network topologies such as client/server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid architectures. The “client” is a member of a class or group that uses the services of another class or group to which it is not related. In computing, a client is a process, i.e., roughly a set of instructions or tasks, that requests a service provided by another program. The client process utilizes the requested service without having to “know” any working details about the other program or the service itself. In a client/server architecture, particularly a networked system, a client is usually a computer that accesses shared network resources provided by another computer, e.g., a server. In the example of  FIG. 2 , any entity  271 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277  and  278  can be considered a client, a server, or both, depending on the circumstances. 
     A server is typically, though not necessarily, a remote computer system accessible over a remote or local network, such as the Internet. The client process may be active in a first computer system, and the server process may be active in a second computer system, communicating with one another over a communications medium, thus providing distributed functionality and allowing multiple clients to take advantage of the information-gathering capabilities of the server. Any software objects may be distributed across multiple computing devices or objects. 
     Client(s) and server(s) communicate with one another utilizing the functionality provided by protocol layer(s). For example, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a common protocol that is used in conjunction with the World Wide Web (WWW), or “the Web.” Typically, a computer network address such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address or other reference such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) can be used to identify the server or client computers to each other. The network address can be referred to as a URL address. Communication can be provided over a communications medium, e.g., client(s) and server(s) may be coupled to one another via TCP/IP connection(s) for high-capacity communication. 
     In light of the diverse computing environments that may be built according to the general framework provided in  FIG. 2  and the further diversification that can occur in computing in a network environment such as that of  FIG. 2 , the systems and methods provided herein cannot be construed as limited in any way to a particular computing architecture. Instead, the embodiments should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , shown is a diagram of a side view of an example passive RFID microdot applicator. Traditionally, a microdot was defined as text or an image substantially reduced in size onto a 1 mm disc to prevent detection by unintended recipients. Microdots are normally circular (around one millimeter in diameter) but can be made into different shapes and sizes and made from various materials such as polyester. Currently, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is such that a passive RFID tag may be made the size of (or fit on) a microdot. Although the electronic chip used in most RFID tags can be smaller than a grain of sand, a tag requires an antenna. The size of an RFID tag is generally constrained by this antenna design. At higher frequencies the antenna is usually designed to be some small fraction of a wavelength, such as quarter-wavelength (roughly 4 inches at 900 MHz and 1 inch at 2.4 GHz). If the antenna is made smaller, then the reading distance of the tag will be reduced. Small antenna coils wound on ferrite (to increase magnetic flux and range) are commonly used for tagging animals; these tags are the size of a grain of rice. Smaller tags can be made by electroforming the antenna directly onto the silicon chip. Also, a chipless passive RFID tag (also known as RF fibers) is one that does not make use of any integrated circuit technology to store information. The tag uses fibers or materials that reflect a portion of the reader&#39;s signal back. The unique return signal can be used as an identifier. Therefore, these types of RFID tags may be applied to or be made the size of a microdot (approximately 1 mm in diameter) and are herein described as RFID microdots  303 . 
     The RFID microdot applicator  301  is used to apply multiple RFID microdots to a surface. The applicator  301  is filled with an ink containing a plurality of RFID microdots and distributes the ink containing the microdots in much the same fashion as a ball point pen or other type of pen. However, the size of the opening  305  of the applicator  301  must be large enough to accommodate the passage of the microdots  303  contained in the ink through the opening  305  of the applicator  301  (larger than 1 mm in diameter, for example, if the RFID microdots  303  are 1 mm in diameter). Also, the ink may comprise an adhesive solution such that the microdots adhere to the surface along with the ink. In one embodiment, the contents of the applicator may comprise solely the RFID microdots  303  and adhesive material without other materials. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 4  shown is a block diagram illustrating an example process according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying. An RFID microdot applicator  301  such as that shown in  FIG. 3  may be used to write ( 401 ) a marking on an item desired to be tracked. For example, if one is packing personal items in preparation for a household move, then the applicator  301  may be used to mark directly on a personal item such as a book or camera. The resulting mark will contain multiple RFID microdots as dispensed from the applicator that adhere to the item due to the adhesive material included with the microdots. However, it is unlikely that two different markings will contain the exact same number of microdots. A stand-alone RFID reader or one integrated within a mobile computing device may then be used to read ( 403 ) the marking on the item (see  FIG. 6 ). For example, one may use an RFID reader integrated with one&#39;s cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) to read the microdots contained in the marking on the item. The RFID reader will determine the number of RFID microdots read in the mark. Either a user of the device or the RFID reading device itself will then assign ( 405 ) a label to the item, associating the label with the particular number of RFID microdots read on the marking applied to the item. If there was already an item marked with the exact same number of microdots, the RFID reader may indicate this to the user and suggest the user extend the mark on the item to increase the number of RFID microdots in order to create a unique number of RFID microdots. The user may enter in a label for the item through an interface on their mobile device having the RFID reader to keep and store ( 407 ) on their mobile device an inventory of items marked. 
     Alternatively, a user may apply an individual RFID tag to each item and manually assign each individual RFID tag a unique identifier and associate that identifier with the item to which the tag was applied. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 5  shown is a block diagram illustrating an example process according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying and inventory list creation. After a user has entered in and stored ( 407 ) labels for a number of items read ( 403 ) by their mobile device having the RFID reader, the user may print out ( 409 ) an inventory list of those items or a select subset of those items. This may be via a printing device integrated with the mobile device equipped with the RFID reader or through a stand-alone printer to which the mobile device may be connected. For example, once a user has finished marking ( 401 ) and scanning ( 403 ) and assigning ( 405 ) a label to items to be packed in a box for shipment or storage, the user may print out an inventory list of those items. The list may, for example, be placed in or on the box containing the items. The list may also be printed out on an adhesive label to be placed on the exterior of the box to indicate the contents. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 6 , shown is a diagram of a side perspective view of an example RFID reader reading an example RFID tag created according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying. Shown is the RFID reader  601  reading an RFID microdot marking  605  on an item to be tracked  603 . In the example of  FIG. 6  the RFID reader  601  is that which is integrated with a mobile computing device. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 7 , shown is a diagram of example items having RFID tags created according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying being placed into a box  709  for storage. Shown are two example items  701 ,  703  to be tracked. Both items have RFID microdot markings  707 ,  705  having been applied according the processes described above, for example. The items  701 ,  703  have labels electronically stored associated with the particular number of RFID microdots on each marking  707 ,  705 . Each of the markings  707 ,  705  have a different number of RFID microdots and thus are individually identifiable and distinguishable from each other when read using a compatible RFID reader  601  (not shown). 
     Referring next to  FIG. 8 , shown is a diagram of an example RFID reader  601  reading RFID tags of items in a box  709  having been marked with RFID tags created according to personal RFID tag creation and item inventorying. The RFID reader  601  individually reads each mark of each marked item within the box  709  when in close proximity to the box. The box is made of material through which the radio waves of the reader may penetrate (such as cardboard, for example). The RFID reader is able to distinguish the mark of one item relative to a mark of another item within the box because of the close proximity of all the RFID microdots on one particular item&#39;s mark. The RFID reader may then display or print an inventory of the previously scanned items in the box according to the label assigned to each RFID microdot marking on each item. 
     It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitations. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.