Abstract:
An integrated scanner, scale and touchscreen display (“integrated touchscreen scanner”) is addressed. In one alternative, the integrated touchscreen scanner further includes a printer for printing receipts, coupons and the like. The integrated touchscreen scanner is designed for flush mounting in a checkout or self-checkout stand. Keystrokes, icon selection and the like may be suitably sensed employing weigh cells in the scale of the integrated touchscreen scanner. Additionally, the display may be partitioned into a customer portion and a checker portion. This partitioning may be fixed or dynamically adjusted in response to the state of the transaction.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/270,364 filed on Nov. 13, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are known for there usefulness in identifying items. 
         [0003]    It would be desirable to apply RFID tags to other applications by providing a device and method of coupling a processor to an RFID tag. 
         [0004]    A device and method of coupling a processor to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided. 
         [0005]    The device includes an RFID tag which includes a memory, an antenna coupled to the RFID tag, and a processor coupled to the RFID tag in parallel with the antenna. 
         [0006]    The method includes sending a first modulated signal to the RFID tag by a processor wired to the RFID tag, and receiving modulation in a second modulated signal from the RFID tag through a detector by the processor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram illustrating an example communications interface between an RFID tag and a processor of the device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an example device  10  includes radio frequency identification (RFID) tag  12 , antenna  14 , and processor  16 . 
         [0010]    RFID tag  12  includes memory  20  and communication circuitry  22 . An example RFID tag  12  may include a standard EPCglobal Generation 2 wireless, contactless, RFID tag which wirelessly communicates in the UHF band using standard EPCglobal generation 2 protocols. 
         [0011]    Memory  20  stores information. 
         [0012]    Communication circuitry  22  may send and receive information to and from computer  32  via RFID tag reader-writer  30 . Communication circuitry  22  may send and receive information directly to and from processor  16 . 
         [0013]    Communications circuitry  22  captures energy from RFID reader-writer signals and from processor signals. Communications circuitry  22  uses this energy to power RFID tag  12 . 
         [0014]    An important feature of the invention is a dual communications interface to RFID tag  12 . One interface is antenna  14 , which is a normal interface for which RFID tags  12  are typically designed. The other interface is a wired interface to processor  16 . 
         [0015]    Antenna  14  wirelessly sends and receives the information from RFID tag reader-writer  30 . 
         [0016]    Processor  16  communicates with RFID tag  12  and reads or writes information from or to memory  20  using standard EPCglobal Generation 2 protocols. 
         [0017]    In one example implementation, processor  16  generates a clock signal which serves as a carrier signal. For one type of RFID tag made by Texas Instruments, the clock frequency may be as low as about 3 MHz. Processor  6  modulates the clock signal with information by switching the clock signal on and off. 
         [0018]    For this type of communication between processor  16  and RFID tag  12 , device  10  may include detector  36 . Detector  36  detects modulation on the low frequency carrier signal that is generated by RFID tag  12 . 
         [0019]    Processor  16  couples to connections between communication circuitry  22  and antenna  14 . Alternatively, communication circuitry  22  may have two sets of connections, a first set for antenna  14  and a second set for processor  16 . 
         [0020]    Processor  16  may include its own wake up circuitry so that processor  16  may read information from RFID tag  12  at predetermined times. 
         [0021]    Processor  16  may read information from RFID tag  12  under other conditions. For example, processor  16  may be signaled to read the information when RFID tag  12  is activated by RFID tag reader-writer  30  or when RFID tag  12  is otherwise turned on. 
         [0022]    Processor  16  may store information in RFID tag  12 . For example processor  16  may be coupled to one or more sensors  34 , such as temperature, light level, pressure, activation count, among others, and store sensor data in RFID tag  12  for later interrogation by RFID tag reader-writer  30  and use by computer  32 . 
         [0023]    Processor  16  may also read information in RFID tag  12 . For example, computer  32  may transmit data to be stored in memory  20  via RFID reader-writer  30 . Processor  16  interrogates memory  20  during a next scheduled or otherwise initiated wakeup cycle. Processor  16  may use the data for any number of control functions. 
         [0024]    Processor  16  may read or store protocol related information, such as an acknowledgement or a request for additional information, within RFID tag  12 . 
         [0025]    Processor  16  may execute special purpose software programs using RFID tag  12  to store the special purpose software or data resulting from execution of the special purpose software. 
         [0026]    Device  10  may additionally include filter  40 , user interface  42 , and power source  44 . 
         [0027]    Filter  40  isolates processor  16  from RF signals in order to prevent processor  16  from loading antenna  14  and negatively affecting RF communication between RFID reader-writer  30  and RFID tag  12 . Filter  40  may include an inductive or capacitive filter or a combination of both. 
         [0028]    An optional user interface  42  facilitates user interaction with processor  16 . User interface  42  may include a display, input device, or combination of both. 
         [0029]    Power source  44  provides power to processor  16  and user interface  42 . Power source  44  may include a battery. 
         [0030]    In addition to those applications mentioned above, device  10  may have many other applications. For example, device  10  may be used as a lock to discourage theft of electronic equipment. RFID tag reader-writer  30  may lock device  10  by sending an activate command. RFID tag  12  receives the activate command. Processor  16  wakes up in response to the activate command and prevents the equipment from being activated without entry of a proper key through user interface  42 . 
         [0031]    Alternatively, processor  16  may read information stored within RFID tag  12  and determine whether to activate device  10 , or something equipped with device  10 . For example, device  10  may be embedded into a DVD player and the information may indicate to device  10  whether to activate the DVD player to play a DVD movie. Following a first wake up, processor  16  checks the state of RFID tag  12  and determines that device  10  was legitimately purchased and initialized. Processor  16  applies power to device  10 . 
         [0032]    As another example, device  10  may be used for one-way or two-way communications. For example, RFID tag  12  may function as a mailbox for storing messages. RFID tag reader-writer  30  and processor  16  read and write messages to the mailbox. 
         [0033]    As another example, device  10  may be used as an electronic shelf display or shelf locator device. Processor  16  reads price and other information from RFID tag  12 . Processor  16  may read a command to display price information on user interface  42  from RFID tag  12  or start blinking an LED or other means of indication to facilitate locating an item with which device  10  is associated on a shelf, in a storage bin or other location. 
         [0034]    For example, computer  32  may include a kiosk and user interface  42  may include a light emitting diode (LED). The customer selects a certain type and/or size of an item, such as clothing, at the kiosk. The kiosk then programs RFID tag  12  associated with an article selected by the customer to start blinking. Processor  16  at it next wake-up interval interrogates RFID tag  12 , detects that RFID tag  12  is activated, and starts blinking the LED for a certain period of time, sufficient to allow the customer to identify the article without having to sort through piles of articles. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , detector  36  may include capacitors C 2  and C 3 , inductors L 1  and L 2 , resistors R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 , and transistor T 1 . 
         [0036]    Capacitor C 2  blocks direct current components from reaching pad P 5  of RFID tag  12 . Capacitor C 2  may have a value of 100 pF. 
         [0037]    Resistors R 2  and R 4  establish proper direct current bias for transistor T 1 . Processor  16  applies direct current voltage to resistors R 2  and R 4  from pad P 4 . Resistors R 2  and R 4  may have values of 10 
         [0038]    Together, transistor T 1 , resistor R 3 , and capacitor C 3  demodulate signals from pad PS of RFID tag  12  and provide the demodulated signals to pad P 3  of processor  16 . Capacitor C 3  stores up charge on the rising edge of an input signal and releases it slowly through resistor R 3  when the signal falls. Resistor R 3  may have a value of 1 kΩ. Capacitor C 3  may have a value of 100 pF. Transistor T 1  may include a 2N3904 transistor. 
         [0039]    Example filter  40  may include inductors L 1  and L 2 , capacitor C 1 , and resistor R 1 . Inductors L 1  and L 2  may have a value of 100 nH. Capacitor C 1  may have a value of 470 pF. Resistor R 1  may have a value of 499 Ω. 
         [0040]    Filter  40  blocks high frequency signals from pad PS of RFID tag  12 , but allows lower frequency signals (for example, 16 MHz) from pad P 1  of processor  16  to pass to pad PS of RFID tag  12 . 
         [0041]    Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.