Radio frequency identification device with visual indicator
An RFID device includes a chip, an antenna operatively coupled to the chip, and a visual indicator operatively coupled to the chip. The visual indicator provides a visual indication of an operative state of the device. The visual indication may be human readable and/or machine readable, and may provide visual indication that is dependent on a change in an operative state of the device. The operative state that triggers the visual indication may include a state in which the chip has temporarily or permanently been rendered inoperative or disabled, that is, in which the chip no longer responds to, or otherwise interacts with, ordinary incoming RF signals such as from a device reader. The visual indicator may be included in a display that functions by any of a variety of suitable mechanisms, such as by use of electrochromic materials, thermochromic materials, liquid crystals, or chemically-reactive materials.
1. A RFID device, comprising;
a chip;
an antenna connected to the chip; and
a display coupled to the chip,
wherein the display includes a visual indicator for providing human and/or machine readable visual indication of an operative state of the RFID device,
wherein the visual indication selectively displays or obscures underlying visual elements for allaying privacy-based concerns regarding the RFID device, and
wherein the visual elements include at least one of letters, numbers, signs, and symbols.
2. A RFID device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator further includes an actuatable element displaying discount or sales price information.
3. A RFID device as recited in claim 1 , wherein a color filter is over the display.
4. A RFID device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator displays merchandise authentication information when the RFID device is in a first operative state, and wherein the merchandise authentication information is selected from at least one of an alphanumeric character, a graphical element, a color, a pattern, a machine-readable graphical element, a barcode, and an image.
5. A RFID Device as recited in claim 4 , wherein the merchandise authentication information includes, sale price.
6. A RFID device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator is changed by mixing chemically reactive materials in the display.
7. A RFID device as recited in claim 1 , wherein an energy storage device is connected to the RFID device for providing energy to the display.
8. A RFID device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RFID device is provided as a label.
9. A RFID device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator indicates discount or sales price information when the RFID device is in an operative state and a second visual indication when the RFID device is in a second operative state.
10. A method of operating a RFID device for merchandise authentication, comprising the steps of:
providing the RFID device, the RFID device having a chip, an antenna connected to the chip and a display coupled to the chip, the display including a visual indicator for providing human and/or machine readable visual indication of an operative state of the RFID device;
providing power to activate the visual indication of the display to indicate a change of state of the operation of the RFID device; and
providing the visual indication that selectively displays or obscures underlying visual elements for allaying privacy-based concerns regarding the RFID device, and
wherein the visual elements include at least one of letters, numbers, signs, and symbols.
11. A method as recited in claim 10 , including a further step of providing the RFID device on a label after the step of providing the RFID device.
12. A method as recited in claim 10 , including a further step of mixing chemically reactive materials in the display to change the visual indicator.
13. A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the visual indication undergoes a reversible change when power is applied to the display.
14. A method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the reversible change is created by reversing a current flow.
15. A method as recited in claim 10 , including a further step of providing a power storage device for the display.
16. A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the visual indicator relates to discount or sales price information in one operative state of the RFID device.
17. A RFID device, comprising;
a chip;
an antenna connected to the chip;
a visual indicator coupled to the chip, the visual indicator further comprising at least two separately actuatable elements that selectively display or obscure underlying visual elements; and
wherein the combination of the separately actuatable elements indicates operability of the RFID device, and
wherein the visual elements include at least one of letters, numbers, signs and symbols.