Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/428,209, filed Jun. 30, 2006 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,570,167 which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure generally relates to Radio Frequency Identification. 
     Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) may be used to identify, track, and locate—animals, people and assets. Fundamentally, an RFID system comprises an RFID tag signature device reader (“Reader”) and an RFID tag signature device. These are also referred to by role as an interrogator and a transponder, respectively. A Reader may provide functionality beyond that of just reading an RFID tag signature device. A Reader may transfer data, i.e. write, to an RFID tag signature device as well as source the energy necessary to power an RFID tag signature device. When an RFID tag signature device is interrogated by a Reader it may return an analog signal conveying an identification sequence and/or other data. 
     There currently exist many different, often proprietary, RFID components, systems, interfaces, and protocols. Standardization and interoperability are believed necessary to enable wider adoption of this technology. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Claimed subject matter, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description if read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is block diagram depicting an embodiment of a Composite. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of a user screen displaying some actions possible through a software application utilizing a Composite. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of a Composite in a networked environment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram depicting installation of an embodiment of a computer software application adapted to process Composites. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an embodiment showing transmission as an email attachment, subsequent storage, and user utilization of a Composite. 
         FIG. 6  diagrams an embodiment illustrating a possible user interface suitable for enabling a user to work with a Composite. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a Composite in the context of a library query. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment detailing a user utilizing a Composite to initiate a purchase transaction with a vendor. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a purchase pick-up transaction utilizing a Composite. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of an embodiment utilizing a Composite to purchase theater tickets. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram depicting the environment and primary data paths for a computing platform utilizing a Composite. 
         FIG. 12  is illustrative of an embodiment wherein a user utilizes a Composite to locate, order, and pick up a meal. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a situation where a user downloads a library of Composites, travels to a remote office, and utilizes a Composite to locate a specific paper file. 
         FIG. 14  depicts an embodiment of an RFID tag signature repeater system. 
         FIG. 15  depicts a repeater device coupled to a computing platform. 
         FIG. 16  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of identifying an RFID tagged item without decoding a Signature. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter. 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout this specification a computing platform is a device such as a computer or a similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, electronic and/or magnetic quantities and/or other physical quantities within the computing platform&#39;s processors, memories, registers, and/or other information storage, transmission, reception and/or display devices. Accordingly, a computing platform refers to a system or a device that includes the ability to process and/or store data in the form of signals. Thus, a computing platform, in this context, may comprise hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination thereof. Where it is described that a user instruct a computing platform to perform a certain action it is understood that instruct may mean to direct or cause to perform a task as a result of a selection or action by a user. A user may, for example, may instruct a computing platform to embark upon a course of action by signifying a selection by pushing a key, clicking a mouse, maneuvering a pointer, touching a touch screen, and/or by spoken word. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of an RFID tag signature-data file composite (“Composite”). Composite  100  may be created by operationally coupling an RFID tag signature with one or more computer files and/or computer file components. Operationally coupling files may be accomplished where files that are logically or otherwise linked, joined, referenced, and/or utilized together. The process of operationally coupling files may produce operationally coupled files. A portion of a Composite may comprise an RFID tag signature (“Signature”). A Signature  110  may also be commonly referred to as an RFID transponder response, RFID response signal, RFID answer, RFID music File, or RFID tone to name some, though not all, common descriptors. A Signature  110  may be a duplicate or serviceable approximation of a signal returned by an RFID tag signature device in response to an interrogatory signal from a Reader or command from some other computing platform for the RFID tag signature device to identify itself. A Signature may be an electromagnetic signal. A Reader comprises any computing platform capable of functioning as a Reader and/or an RFID Reader/writer. Signature  100  may for example be captured, saved, created, emulated, emitted, transmitted, employed, implemented, and/or utilized as an analog signal; or as a digitized approximation of an analog or time varying signal. 
     Composite  100  is comprised of Signature  100  and one or more data files. Data file  120  may, by way of non-limiting example, be comprised of office automation related data, e-commerce related data, and/or media related data. Office automation related data includes for example, but is not limited to, data associated with, and/or providing support for, and/or conveying the content of, a word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and/or data entry computer application. E-commerce related data includes for example, but is not limited to, data associated with, and/or providing support for, and/or conveying the content of, financial transactions as well as forms data such as purchase and sales orders, for example. Examples of such data include purchase data which may be data related to a commercial purchase transaction and sale data which may be data related to a commercial purchase transaction. Media related data includes for example, but is not limited to, data associated with, and/or providing support for, and/or conveying the content of, image, sound, and multi-media. Any of the above listed examples of data file may overlap others and is not intended to be exclusive. Further, multiple instances of data file  120  may occur within or be associated with Composite  100 . Any data described above as a “related” of data includes, but is not limited to, data specifically associated with the above-described data but also the related components utilized to implement their creation, transfer, and use. Composite  100  may also comprise codec 130 and encryption  140 . Any of the above described types of related data may comprise a data file of that type. For example, an office automation related file may be comprised of office automation related data. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of a user display, such as a user screen,  200  displaying some functions available through a software application implementing a Composite. Such user screen may be implemented on any device capable of functioning as and/or supporting a Reader. Encryption and decryption functions  206  are suitable for use with sensitive files such as those containing financial and/or personal information. Solutions providing such encryption/decryption functionality may, for example, be open source or proprietary. A data file may be unpacked  207  from a Composite. Libraries comprising Composites may similarly be unpacked  208 . A Signature may be unpacked  209  from a Composite. Signatures may be listed  210  by the software application. Data file contents may be displayed by selecting a Display Data File function  211 . From user display  200  a Signature may be sent  212  to a Reader, an RFID tag signature device, and/or any other computing platform. Another function may send an entire Composite  213  to another computing platform for immediate or later use. An existing Composite may also be saved  214 . Lastly, in this embodiment, user display  200  presents the option to combine a data file and a Signature together  215  into a Composite. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of a Composite in a networked environment. More specifically, this embodiment illustrates a way a Composite may be exchanged. Composite  100  may first be created by outside file origination source  345 , a computing platform, and transmitted to server  340  via download or email for example. Composite  100  may then be sent from server  340  to a third party device such as a Reader, depicted here as cell phone  335 . Cell phone  335  may have installed on it a software application adapted to process a Composite. Such software application may be tailored to particular operating systems and/or devices. Alternatively, outside file origination source  345  may transmit Composite  100  directly to computing platform  335 . Similarly, computing platform  335  may originate or modify Composite  100  and transmit it to server  340  and/or outside file origination source  345 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram depicting installation of an embodiment of a computer software application suitable for operation with a Composite. A computing platform such as cell phone  400  may have installed within it software application  410  adapted to process a Composite. If software application  410  is installed while cell phone  400  is still at factory  420  the manufacturer may avail itself of several advantages. These advantages include, but are not limited to, the ability to load a large number of similar computing platforms with a tested version of the software application and quality assurance testing of the completed computing platforms. Similarly, software application  410  may be installed via download  425  or by synchronizing it with computing platform  430 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an embodiment illustrating transmission of a Composite as an email attachment, and the subsequent storage, then user utilization of the Composite. Email  500  may be transmitted having Composite  510  as an attachment. Computing platform  590 , shown here by way of non-limiting example as a PDA, may be capable of processing Composite  510  because it is loaded with software application  550  in a storage medium such as memory  560 . Computing platform  590  may receive and store email  500  with Composite  510  as an attachment. Memory  560  may be a storage medium comprised of volatile or non-volatile memory. Composite  510  may be stored as part of library  520 . Alternatively, Composite  510  may be stored individually or with other files in folders  530 . User options may be displayed on user screen  595 . If a user initiates “Play Signature”  597  computing platform  590  may transmit the selected Signature through a play assembly such as emitter  570  for example. The output of emitter  570  may be received by a capture assembly such as Reader  580  for example or any other computing platform. Reader  580  may then initiate a subsequent action if appropriate. 
       FIG. 6  diagrams an embodiment illustrating a possible user interface for a software application adapted to process a Composite. Computing platform  600 , shown here as a cell phone by way of non-limiting example, contains a software application running in short-term memory  610 . The software application is adapted to process a Composite. Long-term memory  620  may be a storage medium that may hold a Composite and/or a library of Composites for use with the aforementioned software application. User screen  630  may display application user interface  640 . Application user interface  640  may offer such options as: Get Files; Create Composite; Send Composite; and Save Composite; to list but a few of the many possibilities. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a Composite in the context of a library query. Utilizing computing platform  700 , shown here by way of non-limiting example as a cell phone, a user activates an appropriate user interface display  710  and logs in to a remote web site  720 , here for purposes of example, a registry of deeds website. From website user interface  725  a user selects a library to download. From a subsequent website user display  730  the user selects to which type of computing platform  700  the user wishes the library sent. This same selection may similarly be made automatically by, for example, the system running the website querying computing platform  700  for its relevant characteristics. Knowing which type of device to send the library to will allow registry server  740  to send the library in a format compatible with the operating system and/or other operating characteristics of computing platform  700 . Composites may then be exchanged between computing platform  700  and the registry website  720 . The user then may be able to locate data and/or files within the registry utilizing Composite searches. This may include unpacking Composites at the registry and utilizing a Signature to search for information sought such as specific grantors and grantees within the registry indexes. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a Composite utilized to initiate a purchase transaction with an electronic vendor. A user operating computing platform  810 , shown here by way of non-limiting example as a cell phone, selects from user interface screen  820  an article for purchase. Selection of an item may result from user choice while reviewing a website operated by or on behalf of vendor  840 . Similarly, a user may download a library of Composites relevant to the user&#39;s interests. Upon selecting an item and a vendor a user may instruct computing platform  810  to transmit a Composite to vendor  840 . Vendor  840  may unpack the Composite into a data file specifying the number of units requested and a Signature specifying the particular product requested. Vendor  840  may then internally confirm the availability of the item specified by the Signature in the quantity specified by the data component of the Composite. Vendor  840  may create its own Composite and/or modify the received Composite to include a photo of the product or other designator such as a stock keeping unit (“SKU”) to verify that the potential buyer and seller are thinking of the same item. Vendor  840  may additionally include within the Composite pricing and availability information before sending back a new and/or modified Composite to the user on computing platform  810 . Alternatively, vendor  840  may utilize some other File type to communicate with the user on computing platform  810 . User interface screen  820  then may update to display  825  the response from vendor  840 . 
     Following user screen update  825  the user may elect to continue with the transaction or to end the transaction. Should the user signal to vendor  840  the user&#39;s intent to continue with the transaction vendor  840  may send a subsequent user screen update  830  asking the user to indicate if the user will pick up the item at a store or wishes the item delivered. The user may make this decision and then transmit not only this decision but also payment data. This data, as could any portion of this transaction, may be encrypted to limit exposing sensitive data to outsiders. Upon receipt and processing of this information, vendor  840  may transmit confirmation information either as a Composite or in some other form as may be appropriate. This confirmation message may then update the user screen  835  conveying to the user that either payment is still due or that payment has been successfully processed by vendor  840 . 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a purchase pick-up transaction utilizing a Composite. Here a user has previously arranged for the purchase of an item, for example a desk lamp, utilizing computing platform  810 , shown here by way of non-limiting example as a personal electronic device. A user visits the store to pick up the item. At merchandise pick-up window  940  a user may send from computing platform  810  a copy, portion, and/or derivative of a Composite purchase confirmation previously received and displayed  835  on computing platform  810 . Vendor Reader  930  receives the transmission and may query the vendor&#39;s database  950  for the matching transaction data. Upon locating the proper transaction the in-store register at the pick-up window may update  945  and signal computing platform  810  that final payment has already been made or is now due, and updating user display  960  to reflect such. If the user has not previously, the user may then initiate final payment by instructing computing platform  810  to send a Composite containing a secure authorization to debit the user&#39;s financial accounts of the agreed sum. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of an embodiment utilizing a Composite to purchase theater tickets. A user utilizing computing platform  1000  initiates communication with a network operation center  1010 . The computing platform may be pre-loaded with a copy of a Signature matching a movie the user wishes to attend. Alternatively, the user may utilize computing platform  1010  to procure a Signature from another source such as network operation center  1010 . The user may send to network operation center  1010  a Composite containing the Signature and a data component establishing search criteria; such as for example, preferred time to attend, specific theater or area of town to attend movie, and number of tickets desired. A computer at the network operation center  1010  may then in turn interrogate a computer at movie theater  1020 . Should movie theater  1020  satisfy the user&#39;s criteria it may then notify network operation center  1010  of a match. Network operation computer  1010  may in turn notify the user through computing platform  1000  of this result. Alternatively, movie theater  1020  may contact computing platform  1000  directly regarding this transaction. Should the user wish to pay for the tickets at this time the user may send a Composite containing not only any of the previous Composite components but also encrypted payment information. A Composite from movie theater  1020  confirming successful payment may also serve as an electronic ticket. Once at movie theater  1020  the user may instruct computing platform  1000  to transmit the previously received confirmation message to a Reader  1030  and either receive admission or if the user has not previously made payment make payment and then receive admission. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram depicting the environment and primary data paths for a computing platform adapted to process a Composite. Computing platform  1100  may send and receive programming to and from a variety of devices in a variety of manners. The direction of the arrows in  FIG. 11  depict the primary, though not the only, direction of communication. At factory  1110  computing platform  1100  may have application software installed and tested. Similarly, application software and/or updates to application software for computing platform  1100  may be installed by download across the internet, for example Once in use, a user may instruct a computing platform to exchange, that is both send to and receive from, a Composite with server  1130 . Computing platform  1100  may send a Signature to a Reader. Similarly, computing platform  1100  may receive a Signature from a Reader such as when a Reader reports all tags currently within its range. Computing platform  1100  can request RFID tag signature device  1150  for its Signature and then acquire the returned Signature. Computing platform  1100  may also exchange a Composite, data, and/or a Signature with another computing platform  1160 . 
       FIG. 12  is illustrative of an embodiment wherein a user may utilize a Composite to locate, order, and pick up a meal. This embodiment is illustrated where user  1200  is driving around and may decide to order food. User  1200  utilizes computing platform  1202 , shown here by way of non-limiting example as a PDA, to send a request over user link  1205  to communications center  1250 . In the request, user  1200  asks for the identity of any local fast food restaurants. Communications center  1260  responds via user link  1205  that Fast Food  1215 , Faster Food  1220 , and Fastest Food  1225  are nearby to user  1200 . User  1200  selects Fast Food  1215  and requests a menu. In response, a computing device (not shown) at Fast Food  1215  sends to user&#39;s PDA  1202  a menu comprising a library of Composites. User  1200  opens the library and makes food selections and then communicates these selections to Fast Food  1215 . Workers at Fast Food  1215  pick the selected items from inventory and place them in bag  1230 . Bag  1230  may include RFID tag  1235 . A worker may scan RFID tag  1235  for its Signature. A Composite is then transmitted to user&#39;s PDA  1202  including within the Composite the Signature specific to bag  1230 . Upon receipt of the Composite user  1200  may or may not make payment. Arriving at Fast Food  1215  user  1200  may transmit from user PDA  1202  the Composite including the Signature associated with RFID tag  1235  thus identifying bag  1230  as containing user  1200 &#39;s order. Should user  1200  not previously have made payment user  1200  may now do so. Payment may comprise transmitting an additional Composite. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a situation where a user downloads a library of Composites, travels to a remote office, and utilizes a Composite to locate a specific paper file. User  1300 , shown here by way of non-limiting example as an attorney, may learn that she is to travel to a remote office where she is unfamiliar with the filing system. In preparation user  1300  downloads from her home-office system  1310  to her user device  1305 , shown here by way of non-limiting example as a personal electronic device (PED), a library of Composites. She then travels by plane  1315  to the remote office. She may then decide to physically locate a particular paper file stored somewhere on shelves  1320  among other files  1325 . User  1300  identifies the file of interest on user device  1305  by reading a visual rendering of the data file component of a Composite. She may then cause user device  1305  to transmit the Signature associated with the selected Composite and its related paper file. Upon receipt of the Signature, Reader  1330 , located within the sought after file, may blink a light and/or sound a buzzer to indicate the precise location of the file. 
       FIG. 14  depicts an embodiment of an RFID tag signature repeater system. System 1400 may be comprised of an RFID tag signature device  1410  and repeater device  1420  which may be a computing platform. A user, not shown, may cause repeater device  1420  to interrogate RFID tag signature device  1410  for its Signature. Repeater device  1420  may be an analog and/or digital device. Upon receipt of the Signature, repeater device  1420  may forward the Signature to another computing device for matching to a descriptor of the tagged item. Additionally, repeater device  1420  may process the Signature by, for instance, digitizing the Signature before forwarding it to a computing platform where it may be either matched as above or even forwarded again. A Signature is emitted by an RFID tag signature device in its raw, i.e. native, format. Digitizing a Signature may involve receiving a Signature in analog form and converting it into a digital signal for use in a computer by representing the original analog signal in digital form. An example of a computing device that may perform this conversion includes an analog-to-digital converter. Digitizing an RFID tag signature may not necessarily include decoding an RFID tag signature into alpha/numeric code so that it may be readable by a human. Examples of computing platforms that may serve as repeaters or be adapted to serve as repeaters include, but are not limited to, a cell phone, PDA, any manner of personal electronic and/or entertainment device (PED), and or a variety of commercial devices including, but not limited to, dedicated and multi-function electronics. A repeater may be a device that receives, amplifies, and retransmits a signal. A repeater may utilize a capture assembly to receive a signal and a play assembly to send a signal. A repeater may also store a signal. The operation of a repeater may include reshaping or retiming a received signal. Retransmitting a signal may include forwarding a signal. A repeater may amplify a signal regardless of the nature of the signal. 
     Capture and play assemblies may capture and/or play signals at or near a wide variety of frequency bands. These may include, but are not limited to, the ranges described below. For example, low frequency signals may be utilized at a frequency including and between 80-750 kHz such as may be employed in access and inventory control applications, for example. Intermediate frequency signals may be utilized at a frequency including and between 10-15 MHz such as may be employed in access control and smart card applications, for example. High frequency signals may be utilized at a frequency including and between 750-985 MHz and/or 1.0-9.8 GHz such as may be employed in transportation applications, for example. These frequencies are described for illustrative purposes and accordingly are not limiting. 
       FIG. 15  depicts a repeater device coupled to a computing platform. One aspect of this drawing provides a cut-away view of repeater device  1420 . Repeater device  1420  may comprise processor  1530 , memory  1620 , and digitizer  1540 . Processor  1530  may comprise a microprocessor, signal processor, microcontroller, dedicated processor, custom processor, application specific processor, field programmable processor to name some, though not all, contemplated devices and accordingly is not limited in these respects. Memory  1520  may be a storage medium comprised of long and/or short term memory either in the form of integrated computer circuits such as RAM or EEPROM for example and/or storage device of another configuration such as a disk drive for example. Digitizer  1540  may provide the functionality described above in the discussion of digitizing a Signature. Repeater device  1420  may communicate with computing platform  1550  for example via wireless, wired, or contact based communication. Wireless communication may include such through-the-air communications as may be commonly utilized in WiFi, cellular, other broadcast techniques, and technologies. Wired communications may be effectuated, by way of non-limiting example, via twisted pair, Ethernet, copper cable, and/or fiber optic cable. Contact based communication may include where a repeater is swiped through a reader as commonly performed with a credit card, and/or brought in to contact with a computing device such as for example by being placed into a cradle. Computing platform  1550  may comprise a server, router, and/or a virtual machine such as that which may support a distributed database for example. 
       FIG. 16  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of identifying an RFID tagged item without decoding a Signature. The method  1600  is illustrated as a series of operations and selections which may or may not be performed in the order indicated and/or some may not even be performed at all. The method begins at start  1610 . First, the method may perform a read of Signature  1620 . Following this, a decision whether or not to digitize  1630  the Signature may be made. A “yes” decision may cause the signal be sent to digitize  1640 . In contrast, a “no” decision” may bypass digitize  1640 . At match  1650  the Signature may then be matched to a descriptor relevant to the RFID tag signature device of interest. Following this the method is completed and comes to end  1660 . 
     In the preceding description, various aspects of claimed subject matter have been described. For purposes of explanation, systems and configurations were set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, these are merely example illustrations of the above concepts wherein other illustrations may apply as well, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that claimed subject matter may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features were omitted and/or simplified so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features have been illustrated and/or described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and/or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and/or changes as fall within the true spirit of claimed subject matter.

Technology Category: 3