Patent ID: 8077038

Claim:
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag monitoring system for tracking multiple RFID tags as they are used, the system comprising: a radio frequency reader for collecting data from at least one RFID tag associated with an item, wherein the radio frequency reader comprises: a radio; a memory for storing instructions; and a processor for processing the stored instructions; wherein the stored instructions configure the radio frequency reader to: transmit a signal from the radio frequency reader to the RFID tag; receive by the radio frequency reader a reply signal from the RFID tag, wherein the reply signal includes at least one RFID tag record pertaining to an identity of the RFID tag and directly or indirectly to an identify of a manufacturer and/or owner of the RFID tag; provide location and/or time data associated with a location of the radio frequency reader, or associated with a time and date of receiving the RFID tag record; transmit from the radio frequency reader, by wireless or wired means, the RFID tag record and the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date; a computing device that comprises: computer memory for storing computer instructions; an RFID tag database comprising a list of authorized RFID tags that have been licensed by an intellectual property owner or licensee; and, at least one computer processor coupled to the computer memory and to the RFID tag database, and configured to receive the transmitted the RFID tag record and the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date; wherein the stored computer instructions configure the computing device to: compare the RFID tag record with the list of authorized RFID tags; analyzed the location and/or time data related to the associated location or time and date, wherein the analyzing includes reviewing data from previously reported RFID tags; and, determine whether the RFID tag is authorized by a rights holder based at least in part on the comparing and the analyzing.