RFID detection of articles without a database

Apparatus and methods for self-checkout at a retail establishment includes receiving, by a sensor gate and from a payment processing device, purchase transaction information related to a purchase by a customer. The sensor gate scans customized label attached to each article possessed by the customer located in a surveillance zone of the retail establishment. The sensor gate compares information contained in the customized label with the received purchase transaction information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tags for article surveillance and/or tracking systems, and more specifically, to RFID detection of articles without a database.

BACKGROUND

A conventional Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system in a retail setting may comprise a monitoring system and at least one RFID tag or label attached to an article to be protected from unauthorized removal of the article from the store. The monitoring system establishes a surveillance zone in which the presence of RFID tags and/or labels can be detected. The surveillance zone is usually established at an access point for the controlled area (e.g., adjacent to a retail store entrance and/or exit). If an article enters the surveillance zone with an active RFID tag and/or label, then an alarm may be triggered to indicate possible unauthorized removal thereof from the controlled area. In contrast, if an article is authorized for removal from the controlled area, then the RFID tag and/or label thereof can be deactivated. Consequently, the article can be carried through the surveillance zone without being detected by the monitoring system and/or without triggering the alarm.

Various solutions have been derived for tracking RFID tags present within the controlled area. One such solution involves discovering RFID tags using an RFID interrogator. RFID protocols employed by this solution work well for a small number of RFID tags in a physically controlled environment. However, in environments with a relatively large number of visible and/or moving RFID tags, there are severe limitations in tracking articles and detecting theft in a crowded retail facility.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a more dynamic approach to shrink loss reduction and/or to increase checkout productivity.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to particular information, such as, for example, a category of a tagged article, associated with an RFID sensor to be used with a gate exit system of a retail establishment. A tagged article is a tangible article that carries a self-identifying tag (e.g., an RFID tag). In some cases, self-identifying information can simply include a category of the tagged article.

One example implementation relates to a method for self-checkout at a retail establishment. One aspect of the method includes receiving, by a sensor gate and from a payment processing device, purchase transaction information related to a purchase by a customer. The sensor gate scans a customized label attached to each article possessed by the customer located in a surveillance zone of the retail establishment. The sensor gate compares information contained in the customized label with the received purchase transaction information.

Additional advantages and novel features relating to implementations of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure will now be described with respect toFIGS.1-4. Aspects generally relate to novel systems and methods for self-checkout at a retail establishment using a RFID tag affixed to an object. The RFID tags include, but are not limited to, security tags, security labels, inventory RFID tags, inventory control labels, and any other tag/label which can be coupled with or affixed to an object.

Various methods described herein overcome various drawbacks of conventional object tracking techniques. For example, conventional object tracking techniques generally involve reading all tags located in a surveillance area, and then determine which of one or more of tag(s) have been removed from the room or space. In contrast, the methods involve reading only customized information of interest (e.g., category of an article) from each RFID tag located in the surveillance zone so as to compare with checkout information. Consequently, the methods of the present disclosure are significantly less time consuming and error prone as compared to the conventional inventory tracking technique.

Referring now toFIG.1, there is provided a schematic illustration of an exemplary EAS system according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As noted above, aspects of the present disclosure concern systems and methods for RFID detection of articles without a database. Prior to discussing such systems and methods, a brief discussion of an overall EAS system is provided to assist a reader in understanding an exemplary retail store environment in which the disclosed system can be employed. Notably, the present disclosure is not limited to retail store applications. Aspects of the present disclosure can be used in any application in which motion of an object, a person, and/or equipment needs to be reported and/or tracked (e.g., a stock room application, loading dock application, and/or surveillance/security application). As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the RFID tag can be modified from what is described herein in accordance with any application. For example, the RFID tag is described as comprising a retail store RFID tag which is able to communicate with a Point Of Sale (“POS”) device. In other applications, the RFID tag may not have this capability.

In the retail store scenarios, the system100is generally configured to allow a customer to purchase an article102using wireless communication technology. The wireless communication technology can include, but is not limited to, a wireless Short Range Communication (“SRC”) technology and/or mobile communication technology. The SRC technology includes, but is not limited to, RFID technology, barcode technology, Near Field Communication (“NFC”) technology, InfraRed (“IR”) technology, Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) technology, Bluetooth technology, and/or ZigBee technology. In the RFID scenarios, considering the current tag design/technology and sensitivity of common interrogators, the communications range can fall within 1 inch to 50 feet, for example. The mobile communication technology can include, but is not limited to, Radio Frequency (“RF”) communication technology.

As shown inFIG.1, system100comprises a retail store facility150including an EAS130. The EAS130comprises a monitoring system134and at least one RFID tag132. Although not shown inFIG.1, the RFID tag132is attached to article102, thereby protecting the article102from an unauthorized removal from the retail store facility150. The monitoring system134establishes a surveillance zone (not shown) within which the presence of the RFID tag132can be detected. The surveillance zone is established at an access point (not shown) for the retail store facility150. If the RFID tag132is carried into the surveillance zone, then an alarm is selectively triggered to indicate a possible unauthorized removal of the article102from the retail store facility150.

During store hours, a customer140may desire to purchase the article102. The customer140can purchase the article102using a fixed POS station (e.g., a checkout counter) or a mobile POS device (e.g., a Smartphone)104. The mobile POS device104can be in the possession of the customer140or a store associate142at the time of a purchase transaction. Fixed POS stations/devices are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. Still, it should be noted that both the fixed and mobile POS stations/devices have retail transaction applications installed thereon that are configured to facilitate the purchase of article102and the deactivation of the RFID tag132from article102. Standards for product tagging call for chips to have a switch that can be activated by a code to deactivate the tag. Deactivating the RFID tag132generally refers to deactivating the microchip itself using an electronic code or other means, or at least removing or erasing a portion of the data stored in the RFID tag132(e.g., an electronic product code). However, deactivating the RFID tag132can eliminate all or some of the functionality and the benefits that can be obtained through RFID technology (e.g., consumer benefits such as automated registration of products, automated interactions of other articles with the purchased items, consumer tracking and cataloging of purchased articles using RFID systems, and automated safety systems). The retail transaction applications can be pre-installed applications, add-on applications or plug-in applications.

In all scenarios, the retail transaction applications facilitate the exchange of data between the article102, RFID tag132, customer140, store associate142, and/or Retail Transaction System (“RTS”)118. For example, after a retail transaction application is launched, a user140,142is prompted to start a retail transaction process for purchasing the article102. The retail transaction process can be started by performing a user software interaction, such as by depressing a key on a keypad of the POS station/device104or touching a button on a touch screen display of the POS station/device104.

Subsequently, the user140,142may manually input article information into the retail transaction application. Alternatively or additionally, the user140,142places a RFID tag reader (not shown inFIG.1) of the POS station/device104in proximity of article102. As a result of this placement, the POS station/device104obtains article information from the RFID tag132attached to the article102. The article information includes any information that is useful for purchasing the article102, such as an article identifier and an article purchase price. In some scenarios, the article information may even include an identifier of the RFID tag132attached thereto. The article information can be communicated from the article102to the POS station/device104via an SRC, such as a barcode communication122or an NFC120.

In the barcode scenario, the article102has a barcode128attached to an exposed surface thereof. The term “barcode”, as used herein, refers to a pattern or symbol that contains embedded data. Barcodes may include, for example, one-dimensional barcodes, two dimensional barcodes (such as matrix codes, Quick Response (“QR”) codes, Aztec codes and the like), or three-dimensional bar codes. The barcode128is read by a barcode scanner/reader (not shown inFIG.1) of the POS station/device104. Barcode scanners/readers are well known in the art. Any known or to be known barcode scanner/reader can be used herein without limitation.

In the NFC scenarios, the article102may comprise an SRC enabled device126. The SRC enabled device126can be separate from RFID tag132or comprise RFID tag132. An SRC communication120occurs between the SRC enabled device126and the POS station/device over a relatively small distance (e.g., N centimeters or N inches, where N is an integer such as twelve). The SRC communication120may be established by touching components126,104together or bringing them in close proximity such that an inductive coupling occurs between inductive circuits thereof. In some scenarios, the NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to 848 kbit/s. The NFC may be achieved using NFC transceivers configured to enable contactless communication at 13.56 MHz or 928 MHz. NFC transceivers are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail herein. Any known or to be known NFC transceivers can be used herein without limitation.

After the POS station/device104obtains the article102information, payment information is input into the retail transaction application by the user140,142. Payment information can also be transmitted to the retail transaction application via a credit card machine at the POS station/device104. Upon obtaining the payment information, the POS station/device104automatically performs operations for establishing a retail transaction session with the RTS118. Retail transaction sessions are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. Still, it should be noted that such retail transaction sessions can involve communicating information to and from the RTS118via an RF communication124and public network106(e.g., the Internet); and completing a purchase transaction by the RTS118. When the purchase transaction is completed, a signal or message is generated and sent to the POS station/device104indicating whether the article102has been successfully or unsuccessfully purchased.

Aspects of the present disclosure concern methods for self-checkout within a particular geographic area (e.g., a retail store facility150). Exemplary aspects of such methods will be discussed in detail below in relation toFIG.3. Still, it should be understood that such methods are at least partially implemented by the RFID tags132, an interrogator144(e.g., an RFID reader), and/or the retail transaction system118. Interrogators are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. Still, it should be understood that the interrogator144can be part of or can be separate from the POS station/device104and/or the monitoring system134.

In various scenarios, the interrogator144is configured to communicate SRC signals or messages to and from the RFID tags132. The SRC signals/messages can include, but are not limited to, command signals/messages instructing the RFID tags132to perform regular reporting operations and/or request signals/messages requesting that the RFID tag132provide certain information to the interrogator144. The command signals/messages are employed during certain first applications, such as purchase transaction applications.

An active RFID tag132is powered by an internal battery (e.g., battery220ofFIG.2). Therefore, the active RFID tag132can periodically or continuously perform sensing operations prior to deactivation of the tag. The sensing operations can involve: detecting movement of the RFID tag132and/or changes in a condition of a surrounding environment and/or setting a value of at least one reporting parameter (e.g., an RFID protocol session 1 parameter value, an RFID protocol session 2 parameter value, etc.) of the RFID tag132based on results of said detecting. The interrogator144can send information request messages addressed directly to the RFID tag132requesting provision of certain information (e.g., location of the RFID tag132within a geographic area, article information, and a unique identifier of the RFID tag132).

In the passive RFID tag scenarios, the command signals/messages include information instructing the RFID tags132to perform special reporting operations, i.e., optionally provide a response signal/message indicating results of currently performed sensing operations to the interrogator144. For example, in response to the reception of the second command signal/message, power is supplied to an electronic circuit of the RFID tag132. In turn, the RFID tag132performs sensing operations. Thereafter, the interrogator144can send information request signals/messages addressed directly to the RFID tag132requesting provision of certain information.

The information contained in the response signals/messages can include, but is not limited to, information specifying the current location and/or past locations of the RFID tag132within the retail store facility150. This location information may be forwarded from the interrogator144to the retail transaction system118for storage in a tracking sub-system116. The response may also comprise article information and a unique identifier for the RFID tag132. The location information, article information and/or unique identifier can be subsequently processed by the retail transaction system118to: generate a map, list, table or other display illustrating the locations of RFID tags132within the retail store facility150; and/or generate a list, table or graph specifying a current inventory of the retail store facility150.

Notably, the above described novel methods of self-checkout overcome certain drawbacks of conventional RFID tag132tracking techniques. For example, the disclosed aspects provide a way to quickly track employees and equipment that are moving within the retail store facility150without having to use multiple physical zones or independent methods for determining RFID tag motion. Also, these novel methods ensure that a limited amount of information is provided by the RFID tags132in response to interrogation by the interrogator144at any given time. Accordingly, the disclosed aspects provide a means to reduce the amount of information provided by the RFID tags132customized in a given environment to information of interest.

Implementation of the methods of the present disclosure requires minimal modifications to conventional interrogators and/or RFID tags132. Additionally or alternatively, custom signals/messages can be employed. In this case, minimal software modifications are required to be made to the conventional interrogators. In various interrogator scenarios, at least one sensing device likely needs to be added to the RFID tag132with an SRC communication capability or directly to an SRC chip of the RFID tag132by changing the SRC chip to include the sensor. Software modifications to the RFID tag132may also be needed for allowing the RFID tag132to process the custom signals/messages.

Referring now toFIG.2, there is provided a schematic illustration of an exemplary architecture for RFID tag132. An RFID tag132can include more or less components than that shown inFIG.2. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative aspect. Some or all of the components of the RFID tag132can 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 hardware architecture ofFIG.2represents an aspect of a representative RFID tag132configured to facilitate the self-checkout process. In this regard, the RFID tag132may have a barcode138affixed thereto and/or an SRC enabled device136for allowing data to be exchanged with an external device (e.g., monitoring system134, POS station/device104, and/or interrogator144ofFIG.1) via barcode technology and/or NFC technology.

The SRC enabled device136comprises an antenna202for allowing data to be exchanged with the external device (e.g., monitoring system134, POS station/device104, and/or interrogator144ofFIG.1) via SRC technology. The antenna202is configured to receive SRC signals from the external device and transmit SRC signals generated by the SRC enabled device136. The SRC enabled device136comprises an SRC transceiver204. SRC transceivers are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. However, it should be understood that the SRC transceiver204processes received SRC signals to extract information therefrom. This information can include, but is not limited to, command signals/messages instructing the RFID tag132to perform regular reporting operations and request signals/messages requesting that the RFID tag132provide certain information (e.g., a unique identifier210, location information212, article information214, and/or category information218). The SRC transceiver204may pass the extracted information to the controller206.

At the controller206, the information may be pre-processed for decrypting the same if it was received in an encrypted form. The information may also be pre-processed to determine whether the SRC signal is to be handled by the RFID tag132, i.e., to verify that the SRC signal is directed or targeted to the RFID tag132. Such a determination can be made by comparing an identifier contained in the SRC signal to the unique/group identifier(s)210stored in memory208. If the identifiers match each other, then it is determined that the SRC signal is intended to be handled by the RFID tag132. The information may further be pre-processed to identify the type of information contained in the SRC signal, i.e., whether or not the SRC signal includes a regular reporting command signal/message or a request for certain information.

If the extracted information includes a request for certain information, then the SRC enabled device136obtains the requested information. For example, the SRC enabled device136generates and sends a response containing only pre-determined information. In this case, only the information of interest (e.g., article category) would be transmitted in response to the received request. As such, the time spent by the external device receiving only the information of interest is maximized. Furthermore, interrogators at store exits and other locations can track the small number of moving RFID tags132and provide proper control and inventory tracking. Additionally, techniques such as Doppler Effect or phase detection become effective as well as physical zone detection. The number of false positive alarms is greatly reduced and the accuracy of detection of real theft becomes increased.

The RFID tag132may further include at least one sensor262. The sensor262can include, but is not limited to, an accelerometer, a vibration sensor, a gyroscope, a temperature sensor, a light sensor, an electric or magnetic field sensor, and/or a moisture sensor.

If it is determined that the RFID tag132should respond to the request, then the controller206retrieves at least the category information218from memory208. The retrieved information is then sent from the RFID tag132to a requesting external device (e.g., monitoring system134ofFIG.1) via an SRC communication. If the extracted information contains a request for information as opposed to a reporting command, then the SRC enabled device136performs information retrieval operations. For example, the SRC enabled device136retrieves the requested information from memory208. The requested information can include, but is not limited to, the unique/group identifier(s)210, location information212, article information214, and/or category information218. The unique identifier210includes information that uniquely identifies the RFID tag, such as string of digits or alphanumerics. The article information214can include a unique identifier of an article, a purchase price of the article, and/or information specifying at least one characteristic of the article. The location information212can include information specifying the current location of the RFID tag132within a specified area (e.g., a retail store facility150ofFIG.1) and/or at least one previous location of the RFID tag132within the specified area. Such location information can be generated by a locator266contained within the SRC enabled device136. The locator266is operative to determine locations of the RFID tag312via a triangulation technique, a time of flight technique or a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) technique. Each of these listed techniques is well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. The category information218can include a unique category to which a particular article belongs (e.g., “Meat”, “Dairy”, “Books”, “Toys”, and the like).

In some scenarios, the connections between components204,206,208,260,262,264,266are unsecure connections and/or secure connections. The phrase “unsecure connection”, as used herein, refers to a connection in which cryptography and/or tamper-proof measures are not employed. The phrase “secure connection”, as used herein, refers to a connection in which cryptography and/or tamper-proof measures are employed. Such tamper-proof measures include enclosing the physical electrical link between two components in a tamper-proof enclosure.

Notably, the memory208may be a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. For example, the memory208can 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 memory208may 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.

The components204-208,260-266and a battery220may be collectively referred to herein as the SRC enabled device136. The SRC enabled device136is coupled with an optional power source. The power source may include, but is not limited to, battery220or an A/C power connection (not shown). The status of the power source can be continuously or periodically monitored by controller206. Alternatively or additionally, the SRC enabled device136is configured as a passive device which derives power from an RF signal inductively coupled thereto.

FIG.3is an example of a flow diagram of a method for self-checkout at a retail establishment according to an aspect of the present disclosure.FIGS.1and2may be referenced in combination with the flowchart ofFIG.3. To start, method300includes one or more sensor gates that could be components of the monitoring system134and one or more payment processing devices, such as POS stations/devices104, configured to facilitate the purchase of one or more articles102.

At step302, the monitoring system134can receive purchase transaction information from the POS device104. As noted above, the POS stations/devices104have retail transaction applications installed thereon that are configured to facilitate the purchase of article102. The retail transaction applications can be pre-installed applications, add-on applications or plug-in applications. The retail transaction applications facilitate the exchange of data between the article102, RFID tag132, customer140, store associate142, and/or Retail Transaction System (“RTS”)118. After the POS station/device104obtains the article(s) information, payment information is input into the retail transaction application by the user140,142. Upon obtaining the payment information, the POS station/device104automatically performs operations for establishing a retail transaction session with the RTS118. When the purchase transaction is completed, the purchase transaction information is generated and sent to the POS station/device104indicating whether the article102has been successfully or unsuccessfully purchased. In some aspects, the purchase transaction information stored by the POS station/device104does not include any customer specific information, but can, among other things, include the identity and price of each article that was purchased by the customer during a particular purchase transaction. Other information that can be stored by the POS station/device104can include the date of the purchase and the store at which the purchase was made.

At step304, when the user140,142enters the surveillance zone monitored by the monitoring system134(e.g., exit of the retail store facility150), the monitoring system134can scan customized RFID tags132attached to each article102. Each RFID tag132can be pre-encoded with customized information identifying the article102in some form. In one aspect, the customized information can include article information214(which can include value of the article102), and/or category information218. For example, the customized information may identify the article102as meat category or as meat over $10 (category and value). In some cases, the customized information can include just the category or just the value of the article102(for example, article over $10, $20, and the like). As described above in conjunction withFIG.2, the RFID tag132can include the antenna system202for allowing data to be exchanged with the external device, a radio section (SRC transceiver204that is configured to process received SRC signals to extract information therefrom), a power management section (battery220or an A/C power connection not shown inFIG.2), a logical section (controller206), and a memory (e.g., memory208ofFIG.2). RFID tags132with an energy storage device are known as active or semi-active tags. Some RFID tags132can be powered solely by the RF signal it receives. Such RFID tags132do not include an energy storage device, and are called passive tags.

At step306, as part of processing received information, the monitoring system134can compare customized information received from the scanned RFID tags132with the purchase transaction information received from the POS stations/devices104. For example, the monitoring system134may obtain the total price of all articles102purchased by the customer140and compare the total price to the total of all prices received from the scanned RFID tags132.

If information (e.g., prices) all match each other (step308, “Yes” branch) than this is not a theft and the monitoring system returns to step302to obtain the purchase transaction information for the next customer140entering the surveillance area. However, if the compared information does not match (step308, “No” branch), the monitoring system130can generate one or more exceptions. For example, if the RFID tag132indicates that the article102is from this retailer's inventory but purchase of this article102is not recorded in the transaction information, then this is potentially an attempted theft and the exception is preferably generated. In an aspect, the monitoring system132can generate an exception for each article102in a specific category not recorded in the transaction information. For instance, the monitoring system130can generate an exception for each article102having a value of more than $20 not recorded in the transaction information.

At step312, the monitoring system134can determine if the number of generated exceptions exceeds a predefined threshold. In other words if a potential attempted theft is detected, the monitoring system134can try to determine the severity of the attempted theft. For example, at step312, the monitoring system134can determine if there are more than three mismatched articles102having a value over $10.

At step314, in response to determining that the number of generated exceptions exceeds the predefined threshold (step312, “Yes” branch), the monitoring system134can trigger an alarm. In one aspect, at step314, the monitoring system134can enable an alarm siren, light, camera and can initiate other security actions.

In an aspect, at step316, in response to determining that the number of generated exceptions does not exceed the predefined threshold (step312, “No” branch), the monitoring system134can open a gate to enable the customers140to pass through the sensor gates (e.g., RFID gates) and to the outside of the surveillance area.

Advantageously, the disclosed aspects enable mixed infrastructure where self-checkout devices can be mixed with staffed checkout at retail store facilities150. In an aspect, customer handheld devices of choice can be used for interaction and for self-checkout purposes. The disclosed implementation does not require broad scale article level RFIDs. As a result, the monitoring system134can perform monitoring without using a database, which can accelerate the monitoring process.

In other words, the method300includes a method for self-checkout at a retail establishment. One aspect of the method includes receiving, by a sensor gate (one of the components of the monitoring system134) and from a payment processing device, purchase transaction information related to a purchase by a customer. The sensor gate scans a customized label attached to each article possessed by the customer located in a surveillance zone of the retail establishment. The sensor gate compares information contained in the customized label with the received purchase transaction information.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the sensor gate generates one or more exceptions, in response to determining that the information contained in the customized label does not match the received purchase transaction information.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the transaction information includes at least one of: a number of articles purchased by the customer during the purchase transaction, price of each article purchased during the purchase transaction, category of each article purchased during the purchase transaction.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the customized label includes at least one of: a price of the corresponding article and a category of the corresponding article.

In one or any combination of these aspects, scanning the customized label further includes: interrogating the customized label using the sensor gate having a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) microchip, an RFID reader for interrogating the customized label, and an antenna operatively coupled to the RFID microchip and operatively coupled with the RFID reader for communicating with each customized label attached to the article possessed by the customer.

In one or any combination of these aspects, an alarm is generated, by the sensor gate, in response to determining that a number of generated exceptions exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the sensor gate is opened, in response to determining that a number of generated exceptions is less than the predetermined threshold.

In one or any combination of these aspects, comparing the information by the sensor gate further comprises selectively comparing only information related to a predefined category of articles.

FIG.4presents an example system diagram of various hardware components and other features that can be used in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof and can be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In one example variation, aspects of the disclosure are directed toward one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein. An example of such a computer system400is shown inFIG.4.

Computer system400includes one or more processors, such as processor404. The processor404is connected to a communication infrastructure406(e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Various software aspects are described in terms of this example computer system. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement aspects of the disclosure using other computer systems and/or architectures.

Processor404, or any other “processor,” as used herein, processes signals and performs general computing and arithmetic functions. Signals processed by the processor can include digital signals, data signals, computer instructions, processor instructions, messages, a bit, a bit stream, or other computing that can be received, transmitted and/or detected.

Communication infrastructure406, such as a bus (or any other use of “bus” herein), refers to an interconnected architecture that is operably connected to transfer data between computer components within a singular or multiple systems. The bus can be a memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, an external bus, a crossbar switch, and/or a local bus, among others. The bus can also be a bus that interconnects components inside a access control system using protocols, such as Controller Area network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Wiegand and Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) among others.

Further, the connection between components of computer system400, or any other type of connection between computer-related components described herein can be referred to an operable connection, and can include a connection by which entities are operably connected, such that signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications can be sent and/or received. An operable connection can include a physical interface, a data interface and/or an electrical interface.

Computer system400can include a display interface402that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure406(or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit430. Computer system400also includes a main memory408, preferably random access memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory410. The secondary memory410can include, for example, a hard disk drive412and/or a removable storage drive414, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. The removable storage drive414reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit418in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit418, represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc., which is read by and written to removable storage drive414. As will be appreciated, the removable storage unit418includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

In alternative aspects, secondary memory410can include other similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system400. Such devices can include, for example, a removable storage unit422and an interface420. Examples of such can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable read only memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and other removable storage units422and interfaces420, which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit422to computer system400.

It should be understood that a memory, as used herein can include volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include, for example, ROM (read only memory), PROM (programmable read only memory), EPROM (erasable PROM) and EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM). Volatile memory can include, for example, RAM (random access memory), synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and/or direct RAM bus RAM (DRRAM).

Computer system400can also include a communications interface424. Communications interface424allows software and data to be transferred between computer system400and external devices. Examples of communications interface424can include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface424are in the form of signals428, which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface424. These signals428are provided to communications interface424via a communications path (e.g., channel)426. This path426carries signals428and can be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, a radio frequency (RF) link and/or other communications channels. In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to refer generally to media such as a removable storage drive414, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive412, and signals428. These computer program products provide software to the computer system400. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to such computer program products.

Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) are stored in main memory408and/or secondary memory410. Computer programs can also be received via communications interface424. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system400to perform various features in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor404to perform such features. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system400.

In variations where aspects of the disclosure are implemented using software, the software can be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system400using removable storage drive414, hard drive412, or communications interface420. The control logic (software), when executed by the processor404, causes the processor404to perform the functions in accordance with aspects of the disclosure as described herein. In another variation, aspects are implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

In yet another example variation, aspects of the disclosure are implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.

The aspects of the disclosure discussed herein may also be described and implemented in the context of computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions. Computer-readable storage media includes computer storage media and communication media. For example, flash memory drives, digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes. Computer-readable storage media can include 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, modules or other data.