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US6317028B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic identification, control, and security system and method for consumer electronics and the like
Assignee: HINES & ASSOCIATES Inc
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Filing: 1999-02-03
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Granted: 2001-11-13
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Expires: 2019-02-03
Abstract
Abstract An electronic identification, control, and security system comprises a unique identification code associated with each manufactured article, a password code, communication circuitry capable of transmitting the password code to the manufactured articles, and appliance disabling circuitry. The appliance disabling circuitry may be integrated with the manufactured articles and precludes operation of the manufactured articles upon receipt of the password code. The communication circuitry preferably includes RFID technology to transmit the password code to the article and receive the unique identification code from the article. Such system deters theft of the articles. A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles includes the steps of providing a unique identification code for each manufactured article, transmitting a password via radio frequency to each manufactured article, and disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt of the password. A manufactured appliance comprises security and control logic circuitry, data storage memory, a unique identification code stored in the memory, and communication circuitry for receiving a transmitted password. The security and control logic disables operation of the manufactured appliance in response to receipt of the password.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl Valiulis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2807; H04L12/2814; G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1409; G08B13/1418; H04B; H04B3/00; H04B3/54; H04L12/2816; H04L12/2818; H04B2203/00; H04B2203/54; H04B2203/5429; H04B2203/5445; H04B2203/5458; H04B2203/5462; H04B2203/5483; H04L12/2809; H04L2012/284; H04L2012/2843; H04L2012/2847; H04L2012/285; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising the steps of: programming a unique electronic universal product protection code (UPPC) into each manufactured article; associating the UPPC with a password in an external computer system; transmitting the password via radio frequency to each manufactured article; disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt of the password; receiving UPPC information from a user for a particular article; recalling from the external computer system the password associated with the UPPC information for the particular manufactured article; and transmitting the password to the user to enable operation of the particular manufactured article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising the steps of: programming a unique electronic universal product protection code (UPPC) into each manufactured article; associating the UPPC with a password in an external computer system; transmitting the password via radio frequency to each manufactured article; disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt of the password; receiving UPPC information from a user for a particular article; recalling from the external computer system the password associated with the UPPC information for the particular manufactured article; and transmitting the password to the user to enable operation of the particular manufactured article.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising the steps of: programming a unique electronic universal product protection code (UPPC) into each manufactured article; electronically interrogating al least one manufactured article for the UPPC information programmed herein prior to transport of the manufactured article; storing the UPPC information in a computerized shipping system; generating a password in the computerized shipping system associated with the UPPC information; and transmitting the password via radio frequency to each manufactured article; and disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt to the password prior to shipping the manufactured articles.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising the steps of: programming a unique electronic universal product protection code (UPPC) into each manufactured article; electronically interrogating al least one manufactured article for the UPPC information programmed herein prior to transport of the manufactured article; storing the UPPC information in a computerized shipping system; generating a password in the computerized shipping system associated with the UPPC information; and transmitting the password via radio frequency to each manufactured article; and disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt to the password prior to shipping the manufactured articles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: electronically interrogating the at least one manufactured article for the UPPC information programmed therein upon receipt of the at least one manufactured article; comparing the UPPC information stored in the computerized shipping system with the UPPC information interrogated upon receipt to confirm receipt of the at least one manufactured article transported; retrieving the password associated with the UPPC information from the computerized shipping system; and transmitting the password from the computerized shipping system to the at least one manufactured article to enable operation thereof.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising the steps of: programming a unique universal product protection code (UPPC) into each manufactured article; transmitting a password via radio frequency to each manufactured article; disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt to the password prior to shipping the manufactured articles; transmitting the associated UPPC and password information to a central computerized system; interrogating the manufactured article at a point of purchase to retrieve the programmed UPPC information; retrieving the password associated with the UPPC for the manufactured article from the central computerized system; and transmitting the password to the manufactured article at the point of purchase to enable operation thereof.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising the steps of: programming a unique universal product protection code (UPPC) into each manufactured article; transmitting a password via radio frequency to each manufactured article; disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt to the password prior to shipping the manufactured articles; transmitting the associated UPPC and password information to a central computerized system; interrogating the manufactured article at a point of purchase to retrieve the programmed UPPC information; retrieving the password associated with the UPPC for the manufactured article from the central computerized system; and transmitting the password to the manufactured article at the point of purchase to enable operation thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising, after the step of transmitting the password to the manufactured article at the point of purchase, the steps of: energizing the manufactured article; setting a user defined password for the manufactured article; and disabling operation of the manufactured article upon loss of energization to the manufactured article.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising, after the step of disabling operation of the manufactured article upon loss of energization, the steps of: energizing the manufactured article, the manufactured article remaining in a disabled state; entering the user defined password for the manufactured article to enable operation thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising the steps of: transmitting the user defined password and the associated programmed UPPC to the central computerized system; storing the user defined password and the UPPC in the central computerized system; and thereafter transmitting the UPPC to the central computerized system upon energization of the manufactured article; retrieving the password associated with the UPPC for the manufactured article from the central computerized system; and transmitting the user defined password to the manufactured article to enable operation thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising the steps of: periodically interrogating the manufactured article to determine a presence thereof; and enunciating the absence of the manufactured article in response to a lack of response to said step of periodically interrogating.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising steps of: programming a unique universal product protection code (UPPC) into each manufactured article; transmitting a password via frequency to each manufactured article; and disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt of the password; periodically interrogating the manufactured article to determine a presence thereof; and enunciating the absence of the manufactured article in response to a lack of response to said step of periodically interrogating.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising steps of: programming a unique universal product protection code (UPPC) into each manufactured article; transmitting a password via frequency to each manufactured article; and disabling operation of each manufactured article in response to receipt of the password; periodically interrogating the manufactured article to determine a presence thereof; and enunciating the absence of the manufactured article in response to a lack of response to said step of periodically interrogating.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising: a unique identification code programmed into each manufactured article; a password code associated with the unique identification code; communication circuitry capable of transmitting said password code to the manufactured articles; and appliance disabling circuitry integrated within the manufactured articles, said appliance disabling circuitry precluding operation of the manufactured articles upon receipt of the password code associated with said unique identification code programmed therein; wherein said communication circuitry comprises an RFID interrogator and an RFID device; and wherein said RFID device is integrated within the manufactured articles and operatively coupled to said appliance disabling circuitry.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for deterring theft of manufactured articles, comprising: a unique identification code programmed into each manufactured article; a password code associated with the unique identification code; communication circuitry capable of transmitting said password code to the manufactured articles; and appliance disabling circuitry integrated within the manufactured articles, said appliance disabling circuitry precluding operation of the manufactured articles upon receipt of the password code associated with said unique identification code programmed therein; wherein said communication circuitry comprises an RFID interrogator and an RFID device; and wherein said RFID device is integrated within the manufactured articles and operatively coupled to said appliance disabling circuitry.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 10 , further comprising communication interface circuitry interposed between said communication circuitry and said appliance disabling circuitry, and wherein said RFID device removably interfaces with said communication interface circuitry.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
88 words
A manufactured appliance, comprising: security and control logic circuitry; data storage memory; a unique identification code stored in said memory; communication circuitry capable of receiving a transmitted password; wherein said transmitted password is thereafter stored in said memory in association with said unique identification code; wherein said security and control logic disables operation of the manufactured appliance in response to receipt of said transmitted password; and wherein said communication circuitry is an RFID device operably coupled to said data storage memory and said security and control logic circuitry.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
A manufactured appliance, comprising: security and control logic circuitry; data storage memory; a unique identification code stored in said memory; communication circuitry capable of receiving a transmitted password; wherein said transmitted password is thereafter stored in said memory in association with said unique identification code; wherein said security and control logic disables operation of the manufactured appliance in response to receipt of said transmitted password; and wherein said communication circuitry is an RFID device operably coupled to said data storage memory and said security and control logic circuitry.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-05-14 | 2005-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-12 | 2009-05-14 | 2009-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-12 | 2013-05-14 | 2013-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |