Identification and tracking of persons using RFID-tagged items in store environments

Patent 7076441 Issued on July 11, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 3, 2021. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Remote electronic information display system for retail facility Patent #: 5995015
Issued on: 11/30/1999
Inventor: DeTemple, et al.

Inventors

Application

No. 09847889 filed on 05/03/2001

US Classes:

705/10, Market analysis, demand forecasting or surveying340/825.49, Location indication340/573.1, Human or animal705/14, Distribution or redemption of coupon, or incentive or promotion program340/572.1, Detectable device on protected article (e.g., "tag")342/465, Plural receivers only235/381, With vending379/112.01, Call traffic recording by computer or control processor705/26, Electronic shopping (e.g., remote ordering)705/1AUTOMATED ELECTRICAL FINANCIAL OR BUSINESS PRACTICE OR MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT

Examiners

Primary: Diaz, Susanna M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

2002-319001 JP 10/01/2002

International Class

G06Q 99/00

Abstract

A method and system for identifying and tracking persons using RFID-tagged items carried on the persons. Previous purchase records for each person who shops at a retail store are collected by POS terminals and stored in a transaction database. When a person carrying or wearing items having RFID tags enters the store or other designated area, a RFID tag scanner located therein scans the RFID tags on that person and reads the RFID tag information. The RFID tag information collected from the person is correlated with transaction records stored in the transaction database according to known correlation algorithms. Based on the results of the correlation, the exact identity of the person or certain characteristics about the person can be determined. This information is used to monitor the movement of the person through the store or other areas.

Other References

Jones, Working Without Wires, Industrial Distribution, Aug. 1999, p. M6, M8-M9 [PROQUEST].
Welling, Unveiling AIM's store of the future, part I, Apparel Industry Magazine, vol. 6, No. 2, Feb. 2000, p. 24-31 [DIALOG: file 15].
Quinlan, Radio Tags—The New Identifier, Handling & Shipping Management, vol. 26, Apr. 1985, start p. 90 [DIALOG: file 148].
Langnau, Application in RFID, Materials Handling Management, vol. 55, No. 9, Sep. 2000, p. 43-45 [DIALOG: file 15].
Want et al., Ubiquitous Electronic Tagging, Submitted to IEEE Concurrency, Dec. 1999 [GOOGLE].
Dawe et al. “Information Supply Chain: Build Systems to Meet Needs.” Transportation & Distribution, vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 28, 30, 32, Apr. 1997.
Janoff, Barry. “Lines of Communication.” Progressive Grocer, vol. 80, No. 6, pp. 69-70, Jun. 2001.
Co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 09/790,104, filed Feb. 21, 2001, entitled “Method to Address Security and Privacy Issues of the Use of RFID Systems to Track Consumer Products”, and invented by Hind et al.; cited on p. 2 of present application.
Co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 09/814,350, filed Mar. 22, 2001, entitled “Method and System for Providing Personalized Store-Issued Coupons Prior to Shopping”, and invented by Dickson et al.; cited on p. 13 of present application.
Co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 09/836,963, filed Apr. 18, 2001, entitled “Method and System for Providing Targeted Advertising in Public Places and Carriers”, and invented by Peters et al.; cited on p. 14 of present application.