|Publication number||US7471209 B2|
|Application number||US 11/347,056|
|Publication date||Dec 30, 2008|
|Filing date||Feb 2, 2006|
|Priority date||Feb 2, 2006|
|Also published as||US20070176780|
|Publication number||11347056, 347056, US 7471209 B2, US 7471209B2, US-B2-7471209, US7471209 B2, US7471209B2|
|Inventors||Matt E. Hart|
|Original Assignee||Intuit Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (9), Classifications (12), Legal Events (5)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This invention relates to systems and methods of using RFID technology to capture information posted on a whiteboard, corkboard, bulletin board, or other display board.
People use whiteboards, corkboards, and bulletin boards to present or display information. For example, these types of boards can be used to plan schedules, plot out workflows, display flowcharts, and for numerous other projects. When a person wants to transfer the information presented on one of these boards to a different medium, there are several options. Often, a person simply copies the contents of the board by hand onto another surface or by typing it into a computer.
Alternatively, several mechanisms have been developed to electronically capture the information from the board. For example, a person can take a photograph of the board. Some whiteboards allow electronic capture of the writing on the whiteboard by recording pen strokes or using touch sensitive surfaces. These techniques could also be used to generate an image, such as a pdf or jpeg file. Then, the images of the whiteboard contents can be scanned, for example using OCR techniques, to interpret text. However, OCR is limited by the resolution of the image. These techniques are also limited in their ability to capture changes that are made to the contents of the board. For example, a person may affix a post-it note to the board, tack a new document to the board, affix a document to the board that at least partially overlaps other information on the board, or rearrange documents. These changes are not automatically and accurately captured by existing electronic capture mechanisms.
In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods and systems for using radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology in display boards such as whiteboards, corkboards, and bulletin boards. An RFID tag is affixed to each object that is placed on the display board. Each tag uniquely identifies the object to which it is affixed. RFID readers are placed in proximity to the board so that the position and identity of the tagged objects on the board can be determined.
In one embodiment, a display board is divided into cells representing the days of the month, wherein each cell contains an RFID reader embedded into the board. In one example, the objects represent activities to be scheduled that can be placed in or attached to the cells. RFID readers embedded in the board report the identities of the tags in each respective cell. Thus, a computing device communicatively coupled to the RFID readers can determine which activities are scheduled for each day from the location and identity of each object. As additional activities are scheduled or as activities are rescheduled for different day, the RFID readers can quickly convey this information to the computing device which updates the schedule. Optionally, receipt of the scheduling information at the computing device can also trigger other events, such as the output of notifications or email messages.
In another variation, two or more RFID readers determine the location and identity of objects placed on a display board using signal strength triangulation. For example, a display board can be used to visually represent the progression of customer orders in a workflow. The objects in this example represent customer orders that are moved from one column to the next as the customer's order is processed through the workflow. RFID readers placed to provide complete signal coverage of the board, for example at both ends of the workflow display board, can detect the signal strength received from each tag. As the object is moved on the board, the signal strengths received by the RFID readers change. A computing device communicatively coupled to the RFID readers can determine the position of the tagged object, and thus determine the stage of the workflow progression in which the customer's order is located.
In yet another variation, the RFID display board can be used to design and build flowcharts. For example, common flowchart items, such as processes, connectors, and decision points can be represented by tagged objects. A user can map out the flowchart on the RFID display board using these tagged objects. RFID readers detect the location and identity of each tagged object, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the RFID readers interprets the identity and location of these flowchart items as the design of a flowchart. Changes made to the tagged objects on the display board such as adding tagged objects, removing tagged objects, or exchanging tagged objects are automatically propagated to the computing device, and the design of the electronic version of the flowchart is updated accordingly.
The description in the specification is not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.
One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention as set forth in the claims.
The present invention provides methods and systems for using radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology in display boards such as whiteboards, corkboards, and bulletin boards to electronically record information posted on such display boards. An RFID tag is affixed to each object that is placed on the display board. Each tag uniquely identifies the object to which it is affixed. RFID readers are placed in proximity to the board, for example on the opposite side of the board from tagged items. The RFID readers read the tags, and a computing device coupled to the RFID readers can determine the location and identity of the tagged objects on the board from those readings. As tagged objects are moved around the board, the location corresponding to those objects is tracked by the RFID readers, and the location information recorded for those tagged objects is updated in a software application running on the computing device coupled to the RFID readers. The receipt of information from a tag reading can trigger an event in the software application, such as an output of a notification or any other event designated by the application.
The display board 101 can be any type of display board such as a whiteboard, a corkboard (such as those used for cubicle construction), a poster board, a foam board, a flexible mat, a blackboard, or a bulletin board, and be constructed of any type of board materials, including but not limited to cardboard, wood, cork, paper, cloth, slate, plastics, metals, or any material, or combination of materials, through which an RFID signal may be detected. In the example illustrated in
Objects 110A-C of various sizes and shapes can be placed on the display board 101. In various embodiments, the objects 110A-C can be paper, wooden or plastic two or three dimensional shapes, but in the example illustrated in
Each object 110A-C has an RFID tag 112 affixed to it that uniquely identifies the object 110A-C to which it is attached. In one embodiment, the radio frequency identification tags are passive, whereas in other embodiments, the RFID tags are active. In one embodiment, the RFID tags 112 are embedded in self-adhesive stickers that are attached to the objects 110A-C. In another embodiment, the RFID tags 112 are embedded in the three-dimensional objects 110A-C themselves. The association between the object 110A-C and the RFID tag 112 can be pre-established in a computer program that links each specific RFID tag 112 to information about the object 110A-C to which it is attached. In one embodiment, this association between an object 110A-C and its RFID tag 112 can be changed in the computer program so that the RFID tag 112 can be linked to different information about the object 110A-C or can be reused for a different object 110A-C.
The RFID readers 120 of the system 100 can be directly attached to the front or back surface of the board, or alternatively embedded in the board 101. In the example shown in
The RFID readers 120 are communicatively coupled to the computing device 130. The computing device 130 can be optionally built into the board 101, or located remotely from it. In some embodiments, the communication coupling is a wired connection between the RFID readers 120 and the computing device 130 as shown in
In some embodiments, a board can be used for more than one purpose. In the example shown in
In the example shown in
After the scheduling calendar layout is completed, the user can post appointments by posting objects 110C onto scheduled dates. For example, a company may use the present invention for scheduling service appointments for customers. Each service request is printed on a separate object 110C with a unique RFID tag 112. In one implementation, a software application running on computing device 130 associates the tagged object 110C with the work to be performed, the location of the job, the customer name, and any other pertinent information. A user can post these objects 110C to the display board 101 on the desired dates. In some embodiments, only one object should be placed in each cell. In another embodiment, any number of objects can be placed in each position on the display board. As an example, two objects 110C have been placed on the 9th of January.
When an object 110C is placed in a cell on the board 101, it can optionally trigger events in the application that is receiving serial number and position indicators from the tagged objects 110C. An event can include a notification sent to the worker such as an email, voice mail, page, text message, printed document, or fax containing information about the job, and/or notification sent to a project manager, notification sent to a customer to indicate when the service will be performed, orders for materials sent to a supplier, or any other event designated by the application. If an object 110C is moved to a different date, due to any number of reasons, for example weather or worker or materials availability, then the system 101 can automatically notify customers, suppliers, workers, and managers of the change in the schedule. Other jobs can be automatically changed based on availability as well. For example, some jobs might not be posted on the scheduling RFID display board, including regular maintenance or low-priority work. The expected completion date or other information about those jobs can be automatically changed in response to moving an object 110C. If the information associated with the object 110C is changed in the application, for example, if a different worker is assigned, then notification can be automatically sent to the newly assigned worker.
In one embodiment read-only RFID tags are used. In another variation, read-write RFID tags are used, and some tag readers can act as tag writers. In addition, some tagged objects 110C can include visual status indicators, such as LEDs or LCD readouts that can be activated by an RFID write device. In one implementation, if changing the information associated with the object 110C, such as which worker is assigned to the job, creates a conflict, any conflicting items on the whiteboard could indicate the conflict. For example, scheduled jobs can be on the whiteboard with tags that have an LCD readout and an LED indicator. When a user moves a job to a new day, any conflicting jobs would be automatically programmed by the reader/writer to blink the LED and display a new, nonconflicting day for the job on the LCD readout. Once a user moves the conflicting job to its new day, the reader/writer at that location can reprogram the tag to turn off the LED and clear the LCD readout.
In the example shown in
In some embodiments, the present invention can work in combination with the electronic capture mechanisms described above in the Background. For example, certain information about the location of the objects placed on the board can be determined through readings of the RFID tags; and other information displayed on the board, such as handwritten notes can be captured using one of the electronic capture mechanisms described.
In all of the foregoing embodiments, the display boards have been described in the context of RFID tags detected by RFID readers. In an alternative embodiment, RFID readers are embedded in the items moved on the board, and the RFID tags are embedded in the display board. In other embodiments, the RFID readers are replaced by ultrasonic receivers, and the RFID tags are replaced by ultrasonic transmitters. In one implementation, the ultrasonic receivers are placed within line-of-sight of the ultrasonic transmitters, for example on the same side of the display board as the objects. In one embodiment, ultrasonic readers can cover an area of about five feet by five feet. Thus, three or more receivers can triangulate the position of the transmitters. Ultrasonic transmitters are read when they are transmitting, and in one implementation, a physical mechanism can be used to activate them. For example, an ultrasonic tag transmission can be turned on and off using a switch. In one embodiment, ultrasonic transmitters on objects transmit until the objects are positioned on the board. The reader can detect it as it is moved and note its last transmitted position. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic transmitters remain on throughout movements on the board. To avoid objects that are moved off of the board as being read as on the board, a neutral position, such as on the edge of the board can be used to indicate an object is being moved off of the board. Users can use pass objects through this area to remove items from the board.
The present invention has been described in particular detail with respect to three possible embodiments. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in other embodiments. Also, the particular naming of the components, capitalization of terms, the attributes, data structures, or any other programming or structural aspect is not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names, formats, or protocols. Further, the system may be implemented via a combination of hardware and software, as described, or entirely in hardware elements. Also, the particular division of functionality between the various system components described herein is merely exemplary, and not mandatory; functions performed by a single system component may instead be performed by multiple components, and functions performed by multiple components may instead performed by a single component.
Some portions of above description present the features of the present invention in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. These operations, while described functionally or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of operations as modules or by functional names, without loss of generality.
Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “identifying” or “determining” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps and instructions described herein in the form of an algorithm. It should be noted that the process steps and instructions of the present invention could be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and when embodied in software, could be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by real time network operating systems.
The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored on a computer readable medium that can be accessed by the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore, the computers referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.
The algorithms and operations presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will be apparent to those of skill in the, along with equivalent variations. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It is appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the present invention as described herein, and any references to specific languages are provided for invention of enablement and best mode of the present invention.
The present invention is well suited to a wide variety of computer network systems over numerous topologies. Within this field, the configuration and management of large networks comprise storage devices and computers that are communicatively coupled to dissimilar computers and storage devices over a network.
Finally, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
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|U.S. Classification||340/686.1, 340/524, 340/691.1, 340/691.6, 340/525|
|Cooperative Classification||G06Q10/10, G06Q10/06, G06F3/01|
|European Classification||G06Q10/06, G06Q10/10, G06F3/01|
|Feb 2, 2006||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: INTUIT INC., CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HART, MATT E.;REEL/FRAME:017545/0023
Effective date: 20060201
|May 19, 2009||CC||Certificate of correction|
|Aug 13, 2012||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|Dec 30, 2012||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|Feb 19, 2013||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 20121230