Granted Patent B2

US 6,837,427 · App. 10/158,416 · Granted Jan 4, 2005

Abstract

Claims (113)

1. An RF system for remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program comprising signs to be located at a plurality of different facilities by determining the presence of one or more advertising signs at a plurality of predetermined locations, with at least one sign at each facility in the program, comprising:

a tag associated with each advertising sign, the sign being displayed for advertising purposes, and the tag being adapted for RF communication;

at least one RF reader at each facility for receiving tag data from each tag within range of the reader and without transferring data to the tag, where the received tag data indicates the identity of and presence of the tag and its-corresponding sign of the tag in a particular one of the predetermined locations at a facility in the program; and

a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from each tag at the facility and for transmitting the tag data to a remotely located computer that receives and analyzes the tag data from the plurality of different facilities to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located in each facility and thereby which advertising signs and facilities are in compliance with the advertising program.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer determines whether the sign is in a specific location in accordance with the specific advertising program.

3. The system of claim 1 , the sign is selected from the group consisting of marketing materials, displays, coupon dispensers, signage, display racks, floor mats, counter mats, containers, promotional hardware, seasonal promotions, and products.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag includes a memory for storing tag data, a transmitter and a receiver.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag is a passive tag.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the passive tag is used to determine the specific location of the sign.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the contact tag determines the specific location of the sign.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag autonomously transmits tag data on a periodic basis.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer communicates with the reader via a wireless link.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reader communicates with the tag via an RF link.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein each reader includes a data management module capable of reading tag data from different types of tags.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the data management module converts tag data into a standard data stream and transmits the standard data stream to the computer.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reader includes a data management module that is interchangeable.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein each interchangeable data management module is adapted for receiving tag data from a specific type of tag.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the tag data includes sign identification data; and

the computer uses the sign identification data to determine whether the sign is in compliance with the advertising program.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag detects whether the sign is present in a specific location in accordance with the specific advertising program and sends a signal to the reader.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag is a passive tag that receives energy from a close proximity external source.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sign includes sign identification indicia.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the sign identification indicia is selected from the group consisting of magnetic ink, and notch indicia.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the sign identification indicia is stored in a EEPROM chip.

21. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag data includes tag identification data.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag data includes status, time and date information.

23. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer determines whether the sign is in a specific location during predetermined time periods in accordance with the advertising program.

24. An RF system for remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program comprising signs to be located at a plurality of different facilities by determining the presence of one or more advertising signs at a plurality of predetermined locations, with at least one sign at each facility in the program, comprising:

a tag associated with each advertising sign, the sign being displayed for advertising purposes, and the tag being adapted for RF communication;

at least one RF reader at each facility for receiving tag data from each tag within range of the reader, where the received tag data indicates the identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding sign of the tag in a particular one of the predetermined locations at a facility in the program;

a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from each tag at the facility and for transmitting the tag data to a remotely located computer that receives and analyzes the tag data from the plurality of different facilities to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located in each facility and thereby which advertising signs and facilities are in compliance with the advertising programs; and

wherein the tag includes a microcontroller and a power source, the tag awakening periodically to send the tag data to the reader.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the contact tag determines whether the sign is present via physical contact with the sign.

26. An RF system for remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program comprising signs to be located at a plurality of different facilities by determining the presence of one or more advertising signs at a plurality of predetermined locations, with at least one sign at each facility in the program, comprising:

a tag associated with each advertising sign, the sign being displayed for advertising purposes, and the tag being adapted for RF communication;

at least one RF reader at each facility for receiving tag data from each tag within range of the reader, where the received tag data indicates the identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding sign of the tag in a particular one of the predetermined locations at a facility in the program;

a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from each tag at the facility and for transmitting the tag data to a remotely located computer that receives and analyzes the tag data from the plurality of different facilities to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located in each facility and thereby which advertising signs and facilities are in compliance with the advertising programs; and

wherein the tag is an active tag that uses sleep modes to conserve power.

27. An RF system for remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program comprising signs to be located at a plurality of different facilities by determining the presence of one or more advertising signs at a plurality of predetermined locations, with at least one sign at each facility in the program, comprising:

a tag associated with each advertising sign, the sign being displayed for advertising purposes, and the tag being adapted for RF communication;

at least one RF reader at each facility for receiving tag data from each tag within range of the reader, where the received tag data indicates the identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding sign of the tag in a particular one of the predetermined locations at a facility in the program;

a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from each tag at the facility and for transmitting the tag data to a remotely located computer that receives and analyzes the tag data from the plurality of different facilities to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located in each facility and thereby which advertising signs and facilities are in compliance with the advertising programs; and

wherein the reader includes a switch for switching the reader between different power conservation modes.

28. An RF system for remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program comprising signs to be located at a plurality of different facilities by determining the presence of one or more advertising signs at a plurality of predetermined locations, with at least one sign at each facility in the program, comprising:

a tag associated with each advertising sign, the sign being displayed for advertising purposes, and the tag being adapted for RF communication;

at least one RF reader at each facility for receiving tag data from each tag within range of the reader, where the received tag data indicates the identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding sign of the tag in a particular one of the predetermined locations at a facility in the program;

a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from each tag at the facility and for transmitting the tag data to a remotely located computer that receives and analyzes the tag data from the plurality of different facilities to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located in each facility and thereby which advertising signs and facilities are in compliance with the advertising programs; and

wherein the reader periodically awakens to detect the tag data transmitted by the tag.

29. A method of remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program by determining the presence of a plurality of advertising signs at predetermined locations at a number of separate facilities where the signs are to be placed, comprising:

associating an RF capable tag with each sign, the tag storing a tag identifier;

using an RF reader at each facility to receive tag data from each tag within range of the reader;

determining from the received tag data identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding advertising sign of the tag in a particular location at one of the facilities in the program;

locating a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from the tag;

receiving and analyzing the tag data from each hub at a location remote from at least one facility to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located and the facility where the tag is located and thereby whether each sign and each facility are in compliance with the advertising program; and

fixedly placing the reader within a predetermined distance from the sign or the expected location of the sign.

30. A method of remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program by determining the presence of a plurality of advertising signs at predetermined locations at a number of separate facilities where the signs are to be placed, comprising:

associating an RF capable tag with each sign, the tag storing a tag identifier;

using an RF reader at each facility to receive tag data from each tag within range of the reader;

determining from the received tag data identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding advertising sign of the tag in a particular location at one of the facilities in the program;

locating a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from the tag;

receiving and analyzing the tag data from each hub at a location remote from at least one facility to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located and the facility where the tag is located and thereby whether each sign and each facility are in compliance with the advertising program;

causing the reader to enter a sleep mode to conserve power; and

awaking the reader periodically to look for a transmission from the tag.

31. A method of remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program by determining the presence of a plurality of advertising signs at predetermined locations at a number of separate facilities where the signs are to be placed, comprising:

associating an RF capable tag with each sign, the tag storing a tag identifier;

using an RF reader at each facility to receive tag data from each tag within range of the reader;

determining from the received tag data identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding advertising sign of the tag in a particular location at one of the facilities in the program;

locating a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from the tag;

receiving and analyzing the tag data from each hub at a location remote from at least one facility to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located and the facility where the tag is located and thereby whether each sign and each facility are in compliance with the advertising program;

causing the tag to enter a sleep mode to conserve power; and

awakening the tag periodically to transmit tag data.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the tag data includes tag identification data.

33. A method of remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program by determining the presence of a plurality of advertising signs at predetermined locations at a number of separate facilities where the signs are to be placed, comprising:

associating an RF capable tag with each sign, the tag storing a tag identifier;

using an RF reader at each facility to receive tag data from each tag within range of the reader;

determining from the received tag data identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding advertising sign of the tag in a particular location at one of the facilities in the program;

locating a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from the tag;

receiving and analyzing the tag data from each hub at a location remote from at least one facility to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located and the facility where the tag is located and thereby whether each sign and each facility are in compliance with the advertising program;

mounting the reader in a fixed location with respect to the sign;

receiving signals from the tag within a predetermined range; and

generating an alert signal if no signals are received from the tag for a specified period, the alert signal indicating that the sign has been moved from the specified location.

34. A system for remotely monitoring compliance with an advertising program without human intervention by determining the presence of a plurality of signs at a predetermined location at a plurality of facilities, comprising:

RF means for wirelessly sending data associated with a sign being displayed for advertising purposes;

receiving means located remotely from the signs for receiving the sir data without transferring data to the RF means; and

analyzing means for directly or indirectly receiving the sign data and analyzing the sign data to determine the identity of the signs and whether the signs are timely and properly located at the various facilities and thereby in compliance with the advertising program.

35. A system for remotely monitoring compliance with an advertising program without human intervention by determining the presence of a plurality of signs at a predetermined location at a plurality of facilities, comprising:

RF means for wirelessly sending data associated with a sign being displayed for advertising purposes;

receiving means located remotely from the signs for receiving the sir data without transferring data to the RF means; and

analyzing means for directly or indirectly receiving the sign data and analyzing the sign data to determine the identity of the signs and whether the signs are timely and properly located at the various facilities and thereby in compliance with the advertising program; and

wherein the sign data includes an identification number.

36. A system for remotely monitoring compliance with an advertising program without human intervention by determining the presence of a plurality of signs at a predetermined location at a plurality of facilities, comprising:

RF means for wirelessly sending data associated with a sign being displayed for advertising purposes;

receiving means located remotely from the signs for receiving the sir data without transferring data to the RF means; and

analyzing means for directly or indirectly receiving the sign data and analyzing the sign data to determine the identity of the signs and whether the signs are timely and properly located at the various facilities and thereby in compliance with the advertising program;

the RF means is a contact tag;

the receiving means is a reader; and

the analyzing means is a computer.

37. A method of remotely monitoring, without human intervention, compliance with an advertising program by determining the presence of a plurality of advertising signs at predetermined locations at a number of separate facilities where the signs are to be placed, comprising:

associating an RF capable tag with each sign, the tag storing a tag identifier;

using an RF reader at each facility to receive tag data from each tag within range of the reader and without transferring data to the tag;

determining from the received tag data identity of and presence of the tag and corresponding advertising sign of the tag in a particular location at one of the facilities in the program;

locating a hub for directly or indirectly receiving tag data from the tag; and

receiving and analyzing the tag data from each hub at a location remote from at least one facility to determine the identity of each sign and whether each sign is timely and properly located and the facility where the tag is located and thereby whether each sign and each facility are in compliance with the advertising program.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein a computer remotely located from all facilities in the program receives and analyzes the tag data.

39. The method of claim 37 , further comprising detecting whether the sign is moved from the specified location.

40. The method of claim 37 , further including selecting the tag from the group consisting of a contact tag, a passive tag, and an active tag.

41. The method of claim 37 , further comprising:

grouping a plurality of signs in a predetermined area of a store;

associating a tag with each sign; and

using at least one reader to receive signals from each of the tags.

42. The method of claim 41 , further including locating the reader above the group of signs.

43. The method of claim 37 , further including generating a signal when the tag is moved from a predetermined location.

Assignments (19)