Patent ID: 8564416

Claim:
A method of programming an RFID tag, the method comprising: storing item information in a memory structure, the item information including: a bar code identifier; and one or more data fields associated with the bar code identifier; reading a bar code label with a bar code reader, wherein reading the bar code label includes: generating a reflection pattern by illuminating the bar code label with a light beam from the bar code reader; and converting the reflection pattern into a bar code identifier; using the bar code identifier to retrieve the one or more data fields from the memory structure; allowing a user to select whether or which of the one or more data fields are to be transmitted to the RFID tag; transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, the RF signal including at least the selected one or more data fields; and storing at least the selected one or more data fields contained in the RF signal in a memory device in the RFID tag, wherein the memory structure is external to the bar code reader and the RFID tag.