Foreign RFID tag discrimination and management

Managing foreign RFID tags within a secured area involves use of a first RFID portal system to read tag data from an RFID tag present within a first portal zone. A processing device associated with the first RFID portal system is used to determine whether the RFID tag is entering the secured area. The determination is based on an evaluation of a direction of travel of the RFID tag through the first portal zone. Responsive to determining that the RFID tag is in fact entering the secured area, one or more operations are performed to cause a first tag value corresponding to the tag data to be added into a safe to exit (STE) list.

BACKGROUND

Statement of the Technical Field

The technical field of this disclosure concerns RFID systems, and more particularly RFID portals which process RFID tags at an entrance to a secured facility.

Description of the Related Art

An RFID portal is a system which is used for tracking items passing through doorways, hallways or corridors. Conventional RFID portals identify the direction of RFID tags crossing a portal transition defined by a choke point through which items must pass when they move from one defined area to a second defined area. In many implementations, an RFID portal determines tag directionality, which refers to a direction the tag is moving through the choke point. A common purpose for determining tag directionality is to discriminate between those tags which are attached to items which are entering a secured facility as compared to those tags which are attached to items that are leaving the secured facility.

In some systems, tag directionality is determined by the order in which tags are read. For example, a tag read by a first antenna and then by a second antenna spaced a distance apart from the first antenna, is likely moving from the first to second antenna. More advanced systems can also use beam steerable antennas to detect the presence of RFID tags in different locations as they move through a portal zone. One example of a system for determining tag directionality is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,519,811 to Simon, et al.

A number of organizations have set standards for RFID tags. One type of RFID tag for which a standard has been established is known as an EPCglobal UHF Class 1 Generation 2 (hereinafter “EPC Gen2”) type tags. These tags have certain well known characteristics.

SUMMARY

This document concerns a method and system for managing foreign RFID tags within a secured area. In a method disclosed herein, a first RFID portal system is used to read tag data from an RFID tag present within a first portal zone. At least one processing device associated with the first RFID portal system is used to determine whether the RFID tag is entering the secured area. According to one aspect, the determination can be based on an evaluation of a direction of travel of the RFID tag through the first portal zone. Responsive to a determination that the RFID tag is in fact entering the secured area, one or more operations are performed to cause a first tag value corresponding to the tag data to be added into a safe to exit (STE) list. This STE list can be maintained in an electronic data storage device accessible to the at least one processing device, and specifies one or more RFID tags which are permitted to leave the secured area without triggering an alarm.

Thereafter, a second RFID portal system is used to read a departing tag data from a departing RFID tag that is exiting the secured premises. The second RFID portal system is selectively prevented from generating an alert if a second tag value associated with the departing tag data matches at least one tag value stored in the STE list. In some scenarios, the second RFID portal system can be the first RFID portal system, but in other scenarios the second RFID portal system can be distinct from the first RFID portal.

According to one aspect, the first tag value is advantageously communicated to a central server in communication with the first and second RFID portal systems. According to another aspect, the first tag value is communicated to at least the second RFID portal system. Accordingly, the STE list can be advantageously maintained at both the first and second RFID portal systems. The first tag value can be selectively removed from the STE list responsive to at least one manual user control or intervention operation. Further the first tag value can be automatically selectively removed from the STE list after a predetermined duration of time.

According to another aspect, the first tag value can be automatically selectively prevented from being added to the STE list when the at least one processing device determines that the first RFID tag has entered the secured area concurrent with a predetermined number of other RFID tags. In some scenarios, the method can involve automatically selectively preventing the addition to the STE list of one or more of the tag values during at least one predetermined period of time.

The solution also concerns an RFID portal system for managing foreign RFID tags within a secured area. The system includes a first RFID portal comprising a first RFID reader which has an associated control unit. The control unit is configured to generate one or more commands to cause the first RFID reader to read tag data from an RFID tag present within a first portal zone and determine, based on an evaluation of a direction of travel of the RFID tag through the first portal zone, whether the RFID tag is entering the secured area. In response to a determination that the RFID tag is entering the secured area, the control unit will perform at least one operation to cause a first tag value corresponding to the tag data to be added into a safe to exit (STE) list maintained in at least one electronic data storage device. The STE list specifies one or more RFID tags which are permitted to leave the secured area without triggering an alarm.

The RFID portal system can also include a second RFID portal similar to the first RFID portal system. The second RFID reader can include a second control unit configured to generate one or more commands. These commands can cause the second RFID reader to read a departing tag data from a departing RFID tag that is exiting the secured premises, and selectively prevent the second system controller from generating an alert if a second tag value associated with the departing tag data matches at least one tag value in the STE list. In some scenarios, the second RFID portal system is the first RFID portal system. In other scenarios the second RFID portal system can be distinct from the first RFID portal system.

The system can further include a central server which is configured to facilitate distribution of information concerning the content of the STE list, from the first RFID portal system to at least the second RFID portal system. Alternatively, the first RFID reader can be configured to directly communicate the first tag value to at least the second RFID reader for updating an STE list. Notably, each of the first and second RFID reader is configured to maintain a local copy of the STE list in a first and second local data storage device.

In the RFID portal system described herein, one or more of the RFID readers can be configured to selectively remove the first tag value from the STE list responsive to at least one manual user control operation. In some solutions presented herein, the one or more RFID readers are configured to selectively remove the first tag value from the STE list after a predetermined duration of time. Further, the first RFID reader can be configured to automatically selectively prevent the first tag value from being added to the STE list upon a determination that the first RFID tag has entered the secured area concurrent with a predetermined number of other RFID tags. The first RFID reader can also be configured to automatically selectively prevent the addition to the STE list of one or more of the tag values during at least one predetermined period of time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the solution described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could involve a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of certain implementations in various different scenarios. While the various aspects are presented in the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The solution concerns a method and system for managing foreign RFID tags within a secured area. For purposes of this disclosure, a foreign RFID tag can be understood to be any RFID tag which enters a RFID secured area through a choke point that is monitored by an RFID portal. For example, consider a scenario in which the secured area is a retail store location. A foreign RFID tag may be one that is attached to merchandise that a customer has previously purchased at another retail store. Since the merchandise was already purchased at a different store, it would be undesirable for the RFID tag to trigger an alarm when it is subsequently detected leaving the secured location.

One way to prevent such alarms could involve restricting the RFID portal so that it will automatically filter out (i.e. prevent alarms) for RFID tags having specific tag data and/or tag header data. However, this approach is not scalable for large retail facilities which utilize source tagging methods. Another approach could involve comparing tag read data from detected RFID tags to a database specifying data exclusively associated with those tags which will trigger an alarm. For example, this approach could involve a list of specific Electronic Product Codes (EPCs) associated with RFID tags which will trigger an alarm. However, this approach does not adequately address all potential use cases, such as those involving merchandise returns.

A solution to the foregoing problem can involve using an RFID portal system to read tag data from an RFID tag present within a portal zone. At least one processing device associated with the RFID portal system is used to determine whether the RFID tag is entering the secured area. For example, this determination can be based on an evaluation of a direction of travel of the RFID tag through the portal zone. In response to a determination that the RFID tag is entering the secured area, the processing device will cause a first tag value corresponding to the tag data, to be added into a safe to exit (STE) list. The STE list specifies one or more RFID tags which are permitted to leave the secured area without triggering an alarm. The STE list is maintained in an electronic data storage device accessible to the processing device. In some scenarios, the tag value can be the same as the tag data, but this is not a requirement and in some instances the tag value can be derived from all or part of the tag data.

Thereafter, a second RFID portal system may read tag data from a departing RFID tag that is departing or exiting the secured premises. A departing RFID tag has the potential to trigger an alarm when it is determined that the tag is exiting the secured premises. To prevent such an alarm, the second RFID portal system will automatically inhibit an alert if a tag value associated with the departing tag data matches at least one tag value stored in the STE list. In some scenarios the first and second RFID portal system can be the same portal system. However, the solution is not limited in this respect. In other scenarios (e.g., where a secured area includes two or more entrances and exits), the second RFID portal system can be distinct from the first RFID portal system. In such a scenario, the second RFID portal may be associated with a second portal zone of the secured area that is distinct from the first portal zone. When a particular secured area includes multiple entrances and exits, there could of course be numerous distinct RFID portal systems, each associated with a different entrance or exit.

InFIGS. 1-3there is shown an RFID portal system100which is useful for understanding certain aspects of a solution for managing foreign RFID tags in a secure environment. The RFID portal system includes two RFID readers106a,106band each of them are respectively attached to antennas102a,102bmounted on sides of the portal. RFID readers are well known in the art and therefore will not be described here in detail. However, it should be understood that an RFID reader as referenced herein will be capable of generating RFID tag exciter signals to control and elicit responses from one or more of a plurality of RFID tags in a RFID portal zone. The RFID exciter signals can also serve as a source of power for energizing the RFID tags.

The exciter signals generated by the RFID reader and responses received by the reader will be in accordance with an RFID system standard that is now known or known in the future. The RFID tag reader will also be capable of detecting, identifying and/or processing one or more the responses from the plurality of RFID tags in a portal zone. In some scenarios, certain control functions of the RFID reader can be handled by a system controller108. In such scenarios, the RFID readers can include suitable interface circuitry to facilitate communications with a system controller108as described below. For example, the interface circuitry can facilitate communication of information regarding detected responses received from RFID tags. Such interface circuitry can also facilitate reception of interrogation commands and/or antenna beam control commands from the system controller.

In the arrangement shown, the antennas are mounted on pedestals103a,103b, but the solution is not limited in this regard. The antennas could be mounted in the ceiling, on a wall, or in the ground, and the method described herein would still be applicable. There is no restriction regarding the type of antennas which are used to produce the required field patterns. Each of the antennas102a,102bcan be comprised of one or more antenna elements. In some scenarios, the one or more individual antenna elements can be comprised of planar antenna elements which may be disposed on a suitable dielectric substrate. One example of such a planar antenna element includes a patch antenna. Patch antennas are well known and therefore will not be described in detail. However, it should be understood that the one or more patch antenna elements can be used to achieve a particular set of beam patterns that is required for a particular application. For example, the patch antennas can be configured to operate independently or in a phased array configuration to produce one or more desired beam patterns. The various types of antenna beam forming methods are beyond the scope of this disclosure and therefore will not be described in detail. However in one possible scenario, each antenna102a,102bmay be comprised of two (2) or in some cases four (4) patch antennas which are housed inside of each pedestal103a,103b.

In the example shown, the antennas102a,102bare understood to be beam steerable so that multiple different antenna beam directions can be obtained from a single antenna102a,102b. Control over the required antenna field patterns can be facilitated by the RFID readers as noted above. Also, two antennas are shown inFIG. 1, but it should be understood that the solution is not limited in this regard. The inventive arrangements described herein could be implemented using a single beam steerable antenna.

The RFID portal system100can be placed in the vicinity of a physical choke point104in a facility where goods and items must pass through in order to transition from one space to a second space. In the example shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the choke point104is a doorway, but other scenarios are possible. In some scenarios the RFID readers106a,106bcan be operated under the command of a system controller108which facilitates the detection of one or more RFID tags110within a field of view of each antenna as hereinafter described. In other scenarios the functional features associated with the system controller108as described herein can be integrated with the RFID reader, in which case there is no need for a separate system controller108.

As shown inFIG. 3, the RFID portal system100will define a boundary304which separates a portal zone300into a first space301and a second space302. The portal zone generally defines the area in which the RFID portal system100is capable of detecting and reading RFID tags. The portal zone is shown as a regular rectangular shape inFIG. 3, but it should be understood that the actual shape of the zone can be somewhat irregular, as it will depend on the portal reader, antenna system and environmental factors which defines the field of view of the system. The first space and the second space are respectively physical spaces or areas of the portal zone defined on opposing sides of the boundary as shown. The RFID portal system in a solution described herein will (1) inventory all tags crossing the portal between the first and second space, (2) provide enough reads per crossing tag to determine directionality of such movement. In some scenarios, the RFID portal system can also (3) inventory all static tags in the portal zone surrounding the portal.

In a solution disclosed herein an RFID portal system100is configured to detect a direction of travel with respect to RFID tags that are passing between the first space301and the second space302. These types of RFID portal systems are known in the art and therefore will not be described here in detail. However, it should be understood that various techniques can be applied to extract such directional information from a series of RFID tag reads, and any RFID portal system that is capable of such directional detection can be used for this purpose.

For example, it is known, that tag directionality can be determined by the order in which tags are read. In such scenarios, an RFID portal system can read a tag using two separate antennas which are spaced a distance apart. In such scenarios an RFID tag that is read by a first antenna and then by a second antenna at a later time, is likely moving from the first antenna to the second antenna. More advanced systems use beam steerable antennas to detect the presence of RFID tags in different locations as they move through a portal zone. One example of a system for determining tag directionality is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,519,811 to Simon, et al., the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, a secured area400,500can have one or more RFID portal system1001. . .100n(where n is some integer number), each of which may be placed in the vicinity of a physical choke points1041,1042,1043, . . .104m(where m is an integer). Each of the RFID portal systems is aligned with a boundary504which can be understood to separate the secured areas400,500from unsecured areas. The physical choke points may define a location of a facility where persons, goods and/or items must pass through in order to transition from one space (e.g., secured area400) to a second space (unsecured space) exclusive of the first space. Each of the choke points1041,1042,1043, . . .104mcan be associated with a doorway, but the solution is not limited in this regard and other scenarios are possible. Each RFID detection system1001-100ncan be similar to the RFID detection system described herein with respect toFIGS. 1-3.

In a scenario shown inFIG. 4, the RFID portal systems1001-100ncan each communicate with a RFID system server402to coordinate RFID operations. The RFID system server402and a data store406to which it has access can be located at the secured facility400. However, in some scenarios one or both of these components can be situated at a location that is remote from the secured facility. Communications with the RFID server402can be facilitated by means of a plurality of communication links4041-404n. In an alternative scenario shown inFIG. 5, the RFID portal systems1001-100ncan communicate directly with other RFID portal systems1001-100nto coordinate RFID operations. For example, such communications can be facilitated by means of a plurality of communication links5041-504n.

Communication links4041-404n,5041-504ncan be comprised of any suitable type of wired or wireless communication link. In some scenarios, the communication links4041-404n,5041-504ncan be comprised of a local area network utilizing a conventional well known wired or wireless LAN standard, such as Ethernet or IEEE 802.11. Of course the solution is not limited in this regard and any other suitable link layer communication standard can be used to implement such communications. In some scenarios, the communications links can be implemented using a suitable application layer communication protocol, such as the well-known Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) to facilitate such communications. Still, the solution is not limited in this regard and other types of application layer protocols can also be used for this purpose.

The operation of a system as shown inFIGS. 1-5is described below in further detail in relation to the flowcharts which are shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B. The process begins at602and continues at604where one or more RFID portal systems (e.g., RFID portal system(s)100), each defining a portal zone (e.g., a portal zone300), are used to detect tag data associated with one or more RFID tags which enter or exit a secured area (e.g., a secured area400,500). In some scenarios, the tag data which is read from each tag can comprise an Electronic Product Code or EPC associated with the particular RFID tag which has been read. For each tag passing through the portal zone of one of the RFID portal systems, a tag direction is evaluated at606. This evaluation is configured to determine whether the tag is entering or leaving the secured area (e.g., secured area400,500). This evaluation can be performed by a system controller108or by certain logic circuitry associated with the RFID reader106a,106b.

If the RFID tag is entering the secured area (608: Yes) from the external unsecured environment, then it is considered a foreign tag and it can be inferred that the tag should not trigger an alarm when the tag exits the secured area. In such a scenario, information pertaining to the detected tag can be added to a safe to exit (STE) list at614. This information is sometimes referred to herein as a tag value. An example of an STE list700is shown inFIG. 7. The STE list700can comprise one or more tag values702which are associated with those RFID tags which will be permitted to exit the secured facility without triggering an alarm. The STE list can in some scenarios also include certain metadata for each tag value. For example, the metadata can include time stamp data704indicating an entry time when the tag was detected entering the secured facility. Similarly, the metadata can include other potentially useful information, such as portal data706indicating the particular RFID portal system1041-104mwhere the RFID tag was detected as entering the secured facility.

In some scenarios the tag value that is stored in the STE list can be the same as the data that is read from the RFID tag. For example, in some scenarios the EPC data that is read from the RFID can be stored in the STE list without alteration. However, the solution is not limited in this regard and in other scenarios a tag value can be directly or indirectly derived from the actual data that is read from the RFID tag. For example, the tag value can comprise a portion of the data which is read from the tag. In such a scenario if the RFID tag data is an EPC value, then the tag value stored in the STE list could be comprised of a selected portion of the EPC data. Alternatively, the tag value could be a value that is calculated based on the value that has been read from the RFID tag.

There are some circumstances when an RFID tag detected entering the secured facility is not an appropriate candidate for inclusion on the STE list. For example, when a facility is resupplied or stocked with merchandise or other goods to which RFID tags are attached, such tags should not be included in a STE list. If the information pertaining to such RFID tags were added to the STE list, then a theft alarm would not be generated when those RFID tags are detected leaving the secured facility. To prevent such an undesirable result, a determination can be made at610as to whether an RFID tag which has been detected entering into the secured area is detected concurrently with numerous other RFID tags also entering the secured facility. If so, (610: Yes) then this will serve as an indication that the detected RFID tag is included with new inventory which is being used to replenish the secured facility. In such a scenario, information concerning the detected RFID tag will not be added to the STE list, and the process can return to604.

In other scenarios, it can be desirable to disable the process which inserts tag values for detected RFID tags to the STE list. This operation can be performed manually and/or automatically. Disabling such process (612: Yes) can be performed manually in response to a user command. For example, a clerk or associate at the secured facility can disable the insertion of new tag values to the STE list at a time when a shipment of new inventory is being received at the secured facility. Alternatively, the disabling process can occur automatically (e.g., at predetermined time each week, or after normal business hours) when it is anticipated that new shipments of merchandise or other RFID tagged goods are to be received at the secured facility. If the STE list registration process has been disabled (612: Yes) then the process can return to its RFID tag monitoring operations at604.

If the RFID tag entering the secured facility is not detected as concurrently entering with numerous other RFID tags (610: No), and the STE list operations have not been disabled (612: No) then the process can continue to614. At614the system controller will perform actions to cause a tag value corresponding to the tag data of the detected incoming RFID tag to be added to at least one STE list which is accessible to one or more of the RFID portal systems that are associated with a particular secured area. These operations can include communication of certain data to other devices in the system to facilitate updating of STE lists maintained by such devices. The communicated data can include one or more of tag data, tag values, a time when the RFID tag was detected entering the secured facility, and the particular RFID portal where the tag entered the facility. These communication operations are discussed below in greater detail

In some scenarios, the STE list can be stored in a data store406associated with a RFID system server402. However, it is advantageous to ensure that a complete updated copy of the STE list is stored at each of the RFID portal systems. For example, the STE list could be stored in a memory or data storage device (not shown inFIGS. 1-5) which is accessible to the system controller108, and/or the RFID reader106a,106b). Storing a copy of the STE list at each of the RFID portal systems is advantageous as it minimizes potential latencies caused by communications with servers and/or other RFID portal systems that are physically remote. Such latencies are to be avoided when possible because an RFID portal system which detects an RFID tag exiting the secured facility must generate alarms (or determine that no alarm should be generated) in real time as RFID tags are detected leaving the secured facility.

In some scenarios, the presence of an STE list at each of the RFID portal systems is facilitated by communicating RFID tag data and/or tag values to an RFID system server402, which maintains a master STE list. For example, at614an RFID portal system which detects a foreign RFID tag entering the secured facility can communicate the tag data and/or tag value to the RFID system server402. The various RFID portal systems1001-100ncan then periodically communicate with the RFID system server402to request STE list updates. When updates are received from the central server, each of the remaining RFID portal systems1001-100ncan update the tag values which are contained on their respective STE lists to include tag values for RFID tags detected entering the secured facility.

In other scenarios, the presence of an STE list at each of the RFID portal systems is facilitated by communicating RFID tag data and/or tag values directly among the RFID portal systems. For example, at614an RFID portal system1001which detects a foreign RFID tag entering the secured facility can communicate the tag data and/or tag value directly or indirectly to one or more of the other RFID portal systems1002. . .100n. This communication could be a multicast communication across a peer-to-peer network or could employ retransmission of the information by other RFID portal systems participating in the network. However, the solution is not limited in this respect and the exact nature of the communication network is not critical. When updates are received, each of the RFID portal systems1001-100ncan update the tag values which are contained on their respective STE lists to include tag values for RFID tags detected entering the secured facility.

There can be scenarios when an RFID tag value which has been added to the STE list will subsequently need to be removed from such list. For example, such a scenario can arise in a retail store context where a customer wishes to return merchandise which has been previously purchased. Note that when the customer arrives at the retail store (secured facility) an RFID tag attached to the returning merchandise will be detected as it enters the store. Consequently, the tag value associated with the RFID tag will be stored in the STE list(s). When the merchandise return and/or exchange is completed the returned merchandise will once again be a part of the retail store inventory. At this point, if an RFID tag attached to such merchandise is detected leaving the secured facility without authorization, such departure should trigger a theft alarm. Accordingly, the tag value associated with such RFID tag should no longer be included on the STE list.

A similar scenario can arise when a shipment of new merchandise has been received at the secured facility. The shipment may not include a sufficient quantity of RFID tags entering the store concurrently at610such that the tag values are excluded from the STE list at610. In other scenarios, the excluding action initiated at610may be intentionally disabled or absent from a particular system. In other scenarios, a shipment of new merchandise may enter into the secured facility at a time when the operation of the system has not been disabled at612. In these and other scenarios, it can be advantageous to have the ability to cause tag values associated with certain RFID tags to be removed from the STE list.

Accordingly, for those scenarios when it is desirable to remove a particular tag value from the STE list, a determination can be made at616as to whether a user input has been received to indicate that a particular tag value should be removed from the STE list (616: Yes). In some scenarios, this determination can involve a user input which may be facilitated by an RFID reader408(e.g., a handheld RFID reader) for reading tag data from a particular RFID tag. According to one aspect, the RFID tag which is read with RFID reader408may be associated with merchandise that is being returned or exchanged in a retail store setting. The tag reading operation can be performed by a sales associate who follows a point of sale return process. In other scenarios, the RFID tag that is read may be associated with a shipment of new merchandise which has been delivered to the store.

In either case, a user can use the RFID reader408to read the RFID tag(s) to determine tag data for one or more RFID tags which are to be removed from the STE list. The RFID reader can be further configured to communicate with the RFID system server and/or the RFID portal systems at616. When such communication is received by an RFID portal system and/or an RFID system server402it can comprise an indication that a particular tag value for such RFID tag should be removed from an STE list. Such communications can be facilitated using a wired or wireless communication link410. The wired or wireless communication link can in some scenarios be compatible with network communications conducted using communication links4041. . .404n,5041. . .504n. Thereafter, the tag value is removed from the STE list at618. As a result of this removal from the STE list, the particular RFID tag corresponding to the removed tag value will trigger an alarm if it is detected departing from the secured facility. The process can terminate at620or can continue with other processing. For example the process can return to604where the one or more RFID portal systems will continue detecting tags which enter into a portal zone.

In other scenarios, the process for removing tag values from the STE list at616can be automated. For example a timing or time-out mechanism can be used to facilitate such automatic removal of tag values from the STE list after a predetermined period of time. Recall that the STE list can in some scenarios include time stamp metadata704for each tag value, which specifies an entry time when each particular foreign RFID tag was detected entering the secured facility at a particular portal. This time stamp data can be used as a basis to allow tag values to be automatically removed from the STE list after a predetermined period of time (e.g., 2 hours).

For example, the time stamp metadata associated with a particular tag value can be automatically compared to a current time at616. The current time can be determined by a system clock at an RFID portal system1001. . .100nand/or RFID system server402. Based on such comparison, the particular tag value can then be automatically purged from the STE list if the corresponding time stamp metadata indicates that the tag value has been present on the STE list for a period which exceeds some predetermined duration of time. The duration of time can be chosen to be of sufficiently long duration so that any customer who enters the secured area with a foreign tag will most likely have departed from the secured facility before the tag value has been removed from the STE list.

If it is determined at608that a tag passing through a portal zone is not in the process of entering the secured area (608: No), then the process continues at622where a determination is made as to whether the tag is departing from the secured area. If so (622: Yes), then action624can optionally be performed to determine if the RFID tag is authorized for removal from the secured facility. For example, such authorization may be based on a notification of a point-of-sale (POS) transaction indicating that the merchandise associated with a particular RFID tag has been purchased by a customer. In such scenarios (624: Yes), the departure of the tag through the portal zone should be permitted at626without triggering any alarm.

If the RFID tag is a foreign tag, it will not be authorized for departure from the secured facility based on a POS transaction (624: No). Accordingly, the process will continue at628where actions are performed to compare the tag value associated with that particular RFID tag that is leaving the secured area, with tag values included in the STE list. If there is no matching tag value contained in the STE list (630: No) then an alarm or notification will be triggered at632. If there is a matching tag value included in the STE list (630: Yes) then a system alarm and/or notification can be disabled or prevented at634. Once the foreign RFID tag has departed the secured area, the corresponding tag value for such RFID tag can be automatically removed from the STE list at636. Thereafter, the process can terminate at638or can continue with additional processing operations. For example, the process can return to604to continue with the RFID tag monitoring operations.

The systems described herein can comprise one or more components such as a processor, an application specific circuit, a programmable logic device, a digital signal processor, or other circuit programmed to perform the functions described herein. The system can be realized in one computer system or several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited.

Referring now toFIG. 8A, a system controller108as described herein can include a processor812(such as a central processing unit (CPU)), a disk drive unit806, a main memory820and a static memory818, which communicate with each other via a bus822. In some scenarios, the system controller108can further include a display unit802, such as a video display (e.g., a liquid crystal display or LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display. The system controller108can include a user input device804(e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device814and a network interface device816.

The disk drive unit806includes a computer-readable storage medium810on which is stored one or more sets of instructions808(e.g., software code) configured to implement one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functions described herein. The instructions808can also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory820, the static memory818, and/or within the processor812during execution thereof by the system controller. The main memory820and the processor812also can constitute machine-readable media. An STE list700as described herein can be stored in the main memory820or any other suitable memory location associated with the system controller108

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the system controller architecture illustrated inFIG. 8Ais one possible example of a system controller. However, the invention is not limited in this regard and any other suitable system controller architecture can also be used without limitation. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application-specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays, and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that can include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and system controllers. Some embodiments may implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the exemplary system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

The methods described herein are stored as software programs in a computer-readable storage medium and are configured for running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but are not limited to, distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, virtual machine processing, which can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. In the various embodiments of the present invention a network interface device816connected to a network environment communicates over the network using the instructions808.

The functional features associated with a system controller108can optionally be integrated with the RFID reader. Such an RFID reader826is illustrated inFIG. 8B, which includes one or more of a processor812(e.g., a microprocessor or a microcontroller), a disk drive unit806, a main memory820and a static memory818, which communicate with each other via a bus822. In some scenarios, the RFID reader826can further include a display unit802, such as a video display (e.g., a liquid crystal display or LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display. The RFID reader can include a user input device804(e.g., input keys and/or a keyboard), a cursor control device814and a network interface device816.

Further the RFID reader826can include one or more RF transceiver(s)818and one or more antenna(s)820. One or more of the RF transceivers can also be coupled to an external antenna system, such as antennas102a,102b. As such, the RFID reader826comprises an RF enabled device for allowing data to be wirelessly exchanged with one or more external devices (e.g., other RFID portal systems1001. . .100n, RFID system server402, RFID handheld reader408and/or RFID tags110) via RF technology. The RFID reader826is configured to transmit RF carrier signals to the listed external devices, and/or transmit data response signals (e.g., reply signals). Further, RFID reader826is capable of receiving RF signals including information from a transmitting device (e.g., other RFID portal systems1001. . .100n, RFID system server402, RFID handheld reader408and/or RFID tags110), and forwarding such information to the processor812for extracting the information therefrom. The processor812can store the extracted information (such as the STE list700) in memory820, and can execute algorithms using the extracted information.

It should be understood that the RFID reader826can include more or fewer components than are shown inFIG. 8B. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative solution. Some or all of the components of the RFID reader826can be implemented in hardware, software and/or a combination of hardware and software. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. The electronic circuit may comprise passive components (e.g., capacitors and resistors) and active components (e.g., processors) arranged and/or programmed to implement the methods disclosed herein.

Referring now toFIG. 9, there is provided a detailed block diagram of an exemplary architecture for a handheld RFID tag reader408. Handheld RFID tag reader408may include more or less components that that shown inFIG. 9. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment implementing the present invention. Some or all of the components of the handheld RFID tag reader408can be implemented in hardware, software and/or a combination of hardware and software. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. The electronic circuit may comprise passive components (e.g., capacitors and resistors) and active components (e.g., processors) arranged and/or programmed to implement the methods disclosed herein.

The handheld RFID tag reader408comprises an RF enabled device for allowing data to be exchanged with an external device (e.g., RFID portal systems1001. . .100n, RFID system server402, and/or RFID tags110) via RF technology. The components904-916shown inFIG. 9may be collectively referred to herein as the RF enabled device950, and include a power source912(e.g., a battery).

The RF enabled device950further comprises an antenna902for allowing data to be exchanged with the external device via RF technology (e.g., RFID technology or other RF based technology). The external device may comprise RFID portal systems1001. . .100n, RFID system server402, and/or RFID tags110. In this case, the antenna902is configured to transmit RF carrier signals (e.g., interrogation signals) to the listed external devices, and/or transmit data response signals (e.g., authentication reply signals) generated by the RF enabled device950. In this regard, the RF enabled device950comprises an RF transceiver908. RFID transceivers are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. However, it should be understood that the RF transceiver908receives RF signals including information from the transmitting device, and forwards the same to a logic controller910for extracting the information therefrom. The logic controller910can store the extracted information in memory904, and execute algorithms using the extracted information.

Memory904may be a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. For example, the memory904can include, but is not limited to, a Random Access Memory (“RAM”), a Dynamic Random Access Memory (“DRAM”), a Static Random Access Memory (“SRAM”), a Read-Only Memory (“ROM”) and a flash memory. The memory904may also comprise unsecure memory and/or secure memory. The phrase “unsecure memory”, as used herein, refers to memory configured to store data in a plain text form. The phrase “secure memory”, as used herein, refers to memory configured to store data in an encrypted form and/or memory having or being disposed in a secure or tamper-proof enclosure.

Instructions922are stored in memory for execution by the RF enabled device950and that cause the RF enabled device950to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure. The instructions922are generally operative to facilitate RFID tag reading operations and communication of certain data to RFID portal devices and/or RFID system server using a communications interface918.

Referring now toFIG. 10, there is provided a detailed block diagram of an exemplary architecture for an RFID system server402. Notably, the RFID system server402may include more or less components than those shown inFIG. 10. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment implementing the present invention. The hardware architecture ofFIG. 10represents one embodiment of a representative RFID system server configured to facilitate the provision of an STE list as described herein. Some or all the components of the RFID system server402can be implemented as hardware, software and/or a combination of hardware and software. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. The electronic circuits can include, but are not limited to, passive components (e.g., resistors and capacitors) and/or active components (e.g., amplifiers and/or microprocessors). The passive and/or active components can be adapted to, arranged to and/or programmed to perform one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functions described herein.

As shown inFIG. 10, the RFID system server402comprises a user interface1002, a Central Processing Unit (“CPU”)1006, a system bus1010, a memory1012connected to and accessible by other portions of RFID system server402through system bus1010, and hardware entities1014connected to system bus1010. The user interface can include input devices (e.g., a keypad1050) and output devices (e.g., speaker1052, a display1054, and/or light emitting diodes1056), which facilitate user-software interactions for controlling operations of the RFID system server402.

At least some of the hardware entities1014perform actions involving access to and use of memory1012, which can be a Random Access Memory (“RAM”), a disk driver and/or a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (“CD-ROM”). Hardware entities1014can include a disk drive unit1016comprising a computer-readable storage medium1018on which is stored one or more sets of instructions1020(e.g., software code) configured to implement one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functions described herein. The instructions1020can also reside, completely or at least partially, within the memory1012and/or within the CPU1006during execution thereof by the RFID system server402. The memory1012and the CPU1006also can constitute machine-readable media. The term “machine-readable media”, as used here, refers to a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions1020. The term “machine-readable media”, as used here, also refers to any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions1020for execution by the RFID system server402and that cause the RFID system server402to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the hardware entities1014include an electronic circuit (e.g., a processor) programmed for facilitating the distribution and maintenance of an STE list to one or more RFID portal systems. In this regard, it should be understood that the electronic circuit can access and run a foreign RFID tag management software application1024installed on the RFID system server402. The software application1024is generally operative to facilitate: adding and/or deleting tag values from one or more STE lists maintained by the server and/or RFID portal systems, determination of tag values based on tag data provided by the RFID portal systems, communicating certain data to and from RFID portal systems, and determining when RFID tag values should be added or removed from the STE list. In some scenarios, the RFID system server402can also facilitate communications with a point of sale server system (or may itself comprise a point of sale server system) which identifies tag values associated with RFID tags that are authorized to depart from a secured area. If the server performs POS functions, it can further include a POS application software1026which also executes on the server.