Embedded RFID Scanner For Mobil Product Management

Abstract

The present invention generally provides methods and systems for reading information from a signal-emitting device, such as a wireless identification tag. In one embodiment, the method includes providing an electronic reading device mounted to a body-worn harness adapted to be worn on a body of a user. The method further includes detecting a predefined physical configuration assumed by at least a portion of the body by determining that a pressure value measured via a pressure sensor connected to the body-worn harness is above a threshold pressure value. In response to detecting the predefined physical configuration, the electronic reading device is activated. Upon being activated, the electronic reading device is configured to receive a signal from the signal-emitting device, the signal containing data pertaining to a physical object associated with the signal-emitting device.

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         31 . A method for product management, comprising:
 a) wirelessly reading tag data from an identification tag using a hand-mounted identification tag reader; and   b) transmitting the tag data from the hand-mounted identification tag reader to a first computing system, wherein the first computing system is configured to receive additional tag information corresponding to the tag data from a user.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 c) transmitting the tag data and the additional tag information from the first computing system to a second computing system, wherein the tag data and the additional tag information is recorded by the second computing system in a database entry corresponding to the identification tag.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 c) transmitting a request for recorded tag information from the first computing system to a second computer system; and   d) receiving a response containing the recorded tag information from the second computer system.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first computing system is worn by the user. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first computing system is at least one of a PDA and a cell phone. 
     
     
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         41 . A device comprising:
 a) a hand-mounted device for reading a wireless identification tag; and   b) circuitry configured to:
 i) receive tag data from a wireless identification tag via the hand-mounted device; and 
 ii) combine the tag data in a data entry, wherein the data entry includes an identification of a user of the hand-mounted device. 
   
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to automatically identify the user of the hand-mounted device. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the hand mounted device further comprises a fingerprint reader and wherein the circuitry is further configured to automatically identify the user of the hand-mounted device by reading a fingerprint of the user with the fingerprint reader. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to automatically identify the user of the hand-mounted device by prompting the user for login information. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the hand mounted device further comprises an identification card reader and wherein the circuitry is further configured to automatically identify the user of the hand-mounted device by reading an identification card of the user with the identification card reader. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to automatically identify the user of the hand-mounted device by wirelessly scanning a wireless identification tag of the user. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to record usage data for the hand-mounted device corresponding to the user of the hand-mounted device. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the usage data comprises at least one of:
 a total usage time of the hand-mounted device by the user;   a total number of wireless identification tags read by the hand-mounted device while under control of the user; and   a frequency of wireless identification tag reading performed using the hand-mounted device.   
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the hand mounted device further comprises a hand sensor and wherein the circuitry is further configured to determine, using the hand sensor, whether the user is wearing the hand-mounted device. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the hand mounted device further comprises a pressure sensor and wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
 iii) measure a pressure value via the pressure sensor;   iv) determine if the pressure value measured via the pressure sensor is above a threshold pressure value; and   v) if so, read wireless tag data from the wireless identification tag.   
     
     
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         58 . A method of tracking gas cylinders, comprising:
 a) receiving, by a tracking system, data corresponding to gas cylinders; the information having been transmitted from one or more RF ID tag readers and transmitters, the RF ID tag readers and transmitters each configured to:
 i) read RF ID tags disposed on the gas cylinders; 
 ii) transmit the information to the tracking system; and 
 iii) on the basis of the received data, track respective locations of the gas cylinders.