Patent Publication Number: US-10762757-B2

Title: Track and trace device, systems and methods thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/099,532 filed Apr. 14, 2016 entitled TRACK AND TRACE DEVICE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/148,099, filed Apr. 15, 2015, entitled Track and Trace Device, Systems and Methods Thereof, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to anti-theft devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a track and trace device, which includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a near field communication (NFC) tag, systems and methods thereof. 
     Anti-theft devices prevent or deter unauthorized appropriation of goods. New anti-theft devices are desired. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention relates to a track and trace (TT) device. The TT device includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a near field communication (NFC) tag coupled with the RFID tag, and protective materials to cover the TT device. The RFID tag includes an identifier that is unique among all RFID tags and is, therefore, only associated with a product in which the TT device is embedded in. The NFC tag is pre-encoded with location information of a registration server. To register the product, the registrant uses an NFC-enabled device to access the location information of the registration server and to display thereon a registration page generated by the registration server. The registration page is automatically populated with the unique identifier of the RFID tag. Once registration is completed, an account corresponding to the association of the registrant with the product is created and stored. 
     In one aspect, a track and trace (TT) device is provided. The TT device includes a near field communication (NFC) tag that is pre-programmed with location information of a registration server, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a unique RFID identifier. The RFID tag is coupled with the NFC tag. 
     In some embodiments, the TT device further includes a protectant surrounding the NFC tag and the RFID tag. 
     In some embodiments, the protectant is made of foam. Alternatively or in addition to, the protectant is made from weatherproof material. 
     In some embodiments, the NFC tag is also pre-programmed with the unique RFID identifier. 
     In some embodiments, the location information is a URL of the registration server, and the unique RFID identifier is a field of the URL 
     In another aspect, a system is provided. The system includes a track and trace (TT) device. The TT device includes near field communication (NFC) tag that is pre-programmed with location information of a registration server, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a unique RFID identifier. The RFID tag is coupled with the NFC tag. The system also includes a product. The TT device is embedded at a location in the product such that removal of the TT device from the product results in damage to the product. 
     In some embodiments, the TT device further includes a protectant surrounding the NFC tag and the RFD tag. 
     In some embodiments, the system further includes a registration server that is configured to create an account associating a registrant of the product with the product by using the unique RFID identifier of the RFID tag of the TT device that is embedded inside the product. 
     In some embodiments, the system further includes a NFC-enabled device that is configured to read the location information from the NFC tag and automatically display a registration page generated by the registration server associated with the location information. 
     In some embodiments, the registration page includes a field entry that is automatically populated with the unique RFID identifier of the RFID tag of the TT device that is embedded inside the product. In some embodiments, the field entry is not modifiable. 
     In some embodiments, the system further includes a reporting server that is configured to store reportings of missing/stolen products. 
     In some embodiments, the reporting server is configured to retrieve unique RFID identifiers associated with the missing/stolen products from the registration server. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of providing a track and trace (TT) device is provided. The method includes obtaining a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag includes a unique RFID identifier. The method also includes obtaining a near field communication (NFC) tag, pre-programming the NFC tag with location information of a registration server, coupling the NFC tag with the RFID tag, and surrounding the NFC tag and the RFID tag with a protectant such that the TT device is able to withstand tampering. 
     In some embodiments, the protectant is made of foam. Alternatively or in addition to, the protectant is made from weatherproof material. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes pre-programming the NFC tag with the unique RFID identifier. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes embedding the TT device at a location inside a product such that removal of the TT device from the product results in damage to the product. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrated an exemplary track and tracke (TT) device according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates an exemplary TT device according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates an exemplary TT device according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary method of providing a track and trace (TT) device according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purposes of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention can be practiced without the use of these specific details. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate an exemplary track and trace (TT) device  100  according to some embodiments.  FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary system  200  according to some embodiments. Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2 , the TT device  100  is an anti-theft device that can be embedded within a product  205 , such as a high value item. The product  205  can be a name-brand handbag or shoe, an expensive watch, a famous painting, a collectible or the like. In some embodiments, the TT device  100  is embedded at a particular location in the product  205  such that removal of the TT device  100  from the product  205  results in damage to the product  205  and/or makes the product  205  unusable, unwearable and/or invaluable. For example, a TT device  100  is embedded in a handle of a briefcase such that removal of the TT device  100  makes the briefcase unusable. For another example, a TT device  100  is embedded in the insole of Jimmy Choo® shoe such that removal of the TT device  100  makes the shoe unwearable. Since removal of an embedded TT device  100  would result in a product  205  being damaged, the TT device  100  prevents or deters the unauthorized appropriation of goods. 
     The TT device  100  includes a near field communication (NFC) tag  105  and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag  110 . In some embodiments, the NFC tag  105  and the RFID tag  110  are affixed with an adhesive  120 , as shown in an exemplary cross-sectional view of the TT device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1B . Alternatively or in addition to, the NFC tag  105  and the RFID tag  110  are protected or surrounded by material(s)  115 , such as foam, weatherproof material, such that the TT device  100  has a rugged construction and is able to withstand tampering and different use and environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the NFC tag  105  and the RFID tag  110  are simply held in place within the TT device  110  without an adhesive by the material  115 , as shown in an exemplary cross-sectional view of the TT device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1C . 
     The RFID tag  110  of the TT device  100  inside the product  205  includes an identifier that is unique among all RFID tags and, as such, is only associated with the product  205  in which the TT device  100  is embedded in. The RFID tag  110  of the TT device  100  not only provides authenticity of the product  205  but also enables tracking of the product  205  before and after purchase. Before purchase, the RFID tag  110  allows tracking of the product  205  within a store and prevents the product  205  from being stolen or improperly removed from the store. After purchase, a registrant, such as the purchaser, is able to register the product  205 , which thereby creates an association between the purchaser and the product  205 , and is also able to report the product  205  as being stolen/missing, if necessary. As explained elsewhere, after the product  205  is reported as being stolen/missing, the reporting will be used to check against RFID tags read by participating RFID readers  210  at public locations such as stores, parking garages, airports, restaurants, stadiums, libraries, etc. When the RFID tag  110  in the stolen/missing product is read by any of the RFID readers  210 , authorities, such as the owner of that RFID reader  210  and/or the local police, will be notified that the stolen/missing product  205  is within a vicinity of the RFID reader  210 . 
     The registration of a product  205 , such as a watch, is with a registration server(s)  220   a , which is in communication with a registration data store(s)  220   b . The NFC tag  105  of the TT device  100  inside the watch  205  is pre-encoded or pre-programmed with location information of the registration server  220   a  (e.g., URL) before the TT device  100  is embedded inside the watch  205 . To register the watch  205  with the registration server  220   a , the purchaser registrant is able to use a NFC-enabled device  230  to access the location information of registration server  220   a  that is pre-programmed in the NFC tag  105  of the TT device  100 . The NFC-enabled device  230  thereafter communicates with the registration server  220   a . The device  230  automatically launches a native web browser using at least the URL to display a registration web page that is generated by the registration server  220   a . The unique RFID identifier associated with the RFID tag  110  of the TT device  100  is passed from the device  230  to the registration server  220   a . For example, the NFC tag  105  can also pre-encoded with the unique RFID identifier associated with the RFID tag  110  of the TT device  100  and read by the device  230 . Other means of obtaining the unique RFID identifier by the device  230  are also contemplated. For example, the device  230  is coupled with a RFID reader for reading the RFID tag  110 . In some embodiments, the unique RFID identifier associated with the RFID tag  110  of the TT device  100  can be added as a URL field. The registration web page is automatically pre-populated with the unique RFID identifier associated with the RFID tag  110  of the TT device  100 . In some embodiments, this automatically populated field entry in the registration web page cannot be modified to prevent, for example, miskeying of the identifier. In some embodiments, the purchaser registrant also provides personal information, such as name and contact information, login information, and other information related to the watch (e.g., description of the product) in the registration web page. Once registration is completed, an account corresponding to the association of the purchaser with the unique RFID identifier, and thereby the watch  205 , is created and stored in the registration data store  220   b . In some embodiments, the purchaser registrant is able to access the same account, such as by the login information, to update personal information, login information, description of the watch, and the like. For example, if the watch  205  has a visual mark, such as a blemish, the purchaser registrant can update the account to reflect this information. 
     In some embodiments, the purchaser registrant is able to access the same account to disassociate the association of the purchaser registrant with the watch  205  such that the account is thereby removed from the registration data store  220   b  to allow for re-registration of the watch  205  by a new registrant. In some embodiments, re-registration of the same product is prevented and cannot occur unless the association of that product with the current registrant is first disassociated. Assume a perpetrator illegitimately scans the TT device  100  in the watch  205  by using their NFC-enabled device in an attempt to register the watch  205 . Since the account corresponding to the association of the purchaser registrant with the watch  205  has already been created and stored in the registration data store  220   b , the registration server  220   a  will generate an improper registration web page on the perpetrator&#39;s NFC-enabled device. The registration server  220   a  can keep track of attempted and failed registrations. In some embodiments, this information is provided and viewable by accessing the current registrant&#39;s account. An account is removed from the registration data store  220   b  by a party when ownership of a product  205  is being transferred from that party to another party. 
     The reporting of a product  205  being stolen/missing is with a reporting server(s)  225   a , which is in communication with a reporting data store(s)  225   b . In some embodiments, the registration server  220   a  and the reporting server  225   a  are co-located in the same server. The registration server  220   a  and the reporting server  225   a  can be maintained or controlled by the same provider. Alternatively, the registration server  220   a  and the reporting server  225   a  can be maintained or controlled by different providers. In some embodiments, the reporting server  225   a  is a global server that is accessible by the general public or by members of a reporting/anti-theft service. In some embodiments, a reward system(s) can be put in place as an incentive to encourage use of the reporting service. In some embodiments, the reporting service is provided by the provider of the reporting server  225   a.    
     Continuing with the example above, to report the watch  205  as being stolen/missing, the purchaser registrant makes a report with the reporting server  225   a . In some embodiments, the purchaser registrant provides the same personal information that was provided during registration in a reporting web page generated by the reporting server  225   a . Using the personal information, the reporting server  225   a  automatically performs a search in the registration data store  220   b  to retrieve the corresponding unique RFID identifier that is associated with the personal information. This reporting, which includes the registrant purchaser&#39;s personal information and the unique RFID identifier, is stored in the reporting data store  225   b , among other reportings. The reporting data store  225   b  is updated by users to include new reportings and to remove old reportings. 
     In some embodiments, the reporting data store  225   b  is periodically synched with local systems  225  participating in the reporting service. Each local system  225  includes a local server and a local data store and is in communication with a RFID reader  210 . The local server compares unique RFID identifiers of nearby RFID tags read by the RFID reader  210  with information stored in the local data store. If there is a match, authorities are alerted regarding the stolen/lost product  205 . In this scenario, data processing is locally performed on the front-end, thereby reducing network traffic. Alternatively, the RFID readers  210  transmit across the network  215  unique RFID identifiers that are read by the RFID readers  210  to the reporting server  225   a . The reporting server  225   a  compares the received identifiers with information stored in the reporting data store  225   b . If there is a match, authorities are alerted regarding the stolen/lost product  205 . In this scenario, data processing is remotely performed on the back-end. Once the stolen/missing watch  205  is recovered, the reporting data store  225   b  is updated by removing the corresponding reporting. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the system  200  includes the local system(s)  225 , the RFID reader(s)  210 , the registration server(s)  220   a  and the reporting server(s)  225   a  are coupled with the network(s)  215 , including the Internet. The local systems  225  and associated RFID readers  210  can be located at different locations and are in communication with the reporting servers  225   a . In some embodiments, owners of the local systems  225 /RFID readers  210  participate in the reporting/anti-theft service, which allows the local systems  225 /RFID readers  210  to communicate with the reporting servers  225   a . The system  100  also includes goods  205 , such as watches, handbags, shoes, artwork, collectibles, etc., that have embedded in them TT devices  100 . Each TT device  100  includes a RFID tag  110  and a NFC tag  105 . The RFID tag  110  uniquely identifies the product that includes the RFID tag  110  in it. The NFC tag  105  enables the legitimate owner of the product to register the product with the registration server  220   a . These goods  205  are “smart” products and can be labeled or marketed as such to deter the goods  205  from being stolen. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary method  300  of providing a track and trace (TT) device according to some embodiments. The method  300  starts at a Step  305 , where a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is obtained. Typically, the RFID tag include a unique RFID identifier. This identifier is unique among all RFID tags. At a Step  310 , a near field communication (NFC) tag is obtained. The NFC tag is blank. In other words, the NFC tag has not yet been programmed. At a Step  315 , the NFC tag is pre-programmed with location information of a registration server. The registration server is configured to keep track of registered products. In some embodiments, the NFC tag is also pre-programmed with the unique RFID identifier. At a Step  320 , the NFC tag with the RFID tag are coupled. In some embodiments, an adhesive is used to affix the NFC tag and the RFID tag together. At a Step  325 , the NFC tag and the RFID tag are surrounded a protectant such that the TT device is able to withstand tampering. In some embodiments, the protectant is made of foam. Alternatively or in addition to, the protectant is made from weatherproof material. After the Step  325 , the method  300  ends. The TT device can be embedded at a location inside a product such that removal of the TT device from the product results in damage to the product. 
     In some embodiments, TT devices are sold to manufacturers to embed in their products. Each TT device can also include a removable barrier or shield to prevent the unauthorized reading of the NFC tag of the corresponding TT device before the TT device is embedded in a product. The barrier can be coupled to the NFC tag side of the TT device or to the RFID tag side of the TT device. In some embodiments, a removable barrier is coupled to each side of the TT device. Before the TT device is embedded inside a product, the barrier(s) is removed. The barrier is typically a metallic sheet, such as a foil sheet. The foil sheet can be silver or any color. In some embodiments, the size of the barrier is at least the size of the NFC tag of the TT device. Alternatively, the size of the barrier is smaller than the size of the NFC tag but covers at least a portion of the NFC tag. The barrier includes a printed image on a surface of the barrier. 
     In some embodiments, to prevent unauthorized registration of the product before the product is sold at a store, a removable barrier or shield is placed over the TT device on the product to prevent the unauthorized reading of the NFC tag. After the product is purchased, the barrier can be removed from the product by the purchaser. Once the barrier is removed, the NFC tag can be read by an NFC-enable device. This exterior barrier is typically a metallic sheet, such as a foil sheet. The foil sheet can be silver or any color. In some embodiments, the size of the barrier is at least the size of the NFC tag of the TT device. Alternatively, the size of the barrier is smaller than the size of the NFC tag but covers at least a portion of the NFC tag. The barrier includes a printed image on a surface of the barrier. For example, the printed image can include instructions to register the product and to report the product as being stolen/missing. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will realize other uses and advantages also exist. While the invention has been described with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims. 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful TRACK AND TRACE DEVICE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention.