Rf-id product tracking system with privacy enhancement

Abstract

A method for using electronic product identification devices to track product sales and enable sales transactions to be registered in an electronic registration (ER) system without causing privacy or security concerns for the purchasers. RF-ID devices are placed on products being sold and include detailed information about the products. When the products are purchased, the detailed information is loaded into an ER database and all but a limited amount of information is removed from the RF-ID device. The limited information is sufficient to enable the detailed information to be located in the ER database by authorized individuals in connection with a return transaction or the like.

1 . A method of processing a return and/or warranty request in connection with a presented product,
 the presented product having an associated non-electronic unique identifier and an RFID tag attached, directly or indirectly, to the presented product,   the RFID tag having stored thereon, at least prior to an original sale of the product, RFID tag information including an electronic product code (EPC),   at least some of the RFID tag information being stored in a record of an electronic registration (ER) database along with an indication of the non-electronic unique identifier of the presented product, upon a sale of the product,   at least some of the RFID tag information being removed from the RFID tag prior to the return and/or warranty request,   the method comprising, when product is presented in connection with the return and/or warranty request:
 obtaining the unique identifier from the presented product; 
 retrieving the record from the ER database based on the obtained unique identifier; 
 when the presented product qualifies for return and/or warranty service, writing replacement information to the RFID tag based on data from the retrieved record. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associated non-electronic unique identifier is printed on, and the RFID tag is attached to, packaging of the product. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier is embedded in a barcode. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier is a serial number associated with the product. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ER database includes a plurality of records for different pre-sold products, each said record including a serial number and a date associated with the sale of the product respectively associated with the record. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the ER database further includes product-level return policy information useful in making a return/warranty qualification. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the RFID tag information is loaded by a manufacturer or supplier. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the RFID tag information is pre-loaded prior to initial receipt of the product by a retailer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein additional information is added to the RFID tag as the product moves through the supply chain. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the RFID tag information is removed from the RFID tag as a result of an original sale of the product. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein only a unique identifier of the product and brand information remains on the tag as a result of the original sale of the product. 
     
     
         12 . An electronic registration (ER) system, comprising:
 a computer system including at least one processor;   an ER database storing a plurality of records respectively associated with different sold products;   a plurality of interfaces to the ER database, the interfaces being respectively accessible by different members of a supply chain;   wherein each said record further includes a unique product identifier read from a physical and non-electronic source tied to the associated product, and an item-level electronic code obtained from an electronic tag attached, directly or indirectly, to the associated product.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the unique identifiers are serial numbers and the electronic codes are electronic product codes (EPCs) read from RFID tags associated with the products. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the interfaces provide information from the records to supply chain members to re-populate information on product tags based on sales and/or returns of the associated products. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the database further stores product-level return policy information. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the unique identifiers are embedded in scannable barcodes. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the unique identifiers are serial numbers respectively associated with the products. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic tags include tag information, at least some of which is loaded by a manufacturer or supplier. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic tags include tag information that is pre-loaded prior to initial receipt of the respective product by a retailer. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein tag information is added to the tags as the respective product moves through the supply chain.