HK1077895A - Customization of promotional material through use of programmable radio frequency identification technology - Google Patents

Description

Customizing promotional material by using programmable radio frequency identification technology

The present invention is a continuation of the commonly assigned U.S. patent application serial No. 09/061,146 filed 16.4.1998 by attorney docket No. IND00701P01, Ted Geiszler et al, entitled "remoted powered Electronic tag and Associated exiter/Reader and RelatedMethod" (currently pending), which US09/061,146 application is a continuation of the commonly assigned US priority patent application serial No. IND00701, filed 11.10.1995 by Ted Geiszler et al, entitled "remoted powered Electronic tag and Associated exiter/Reader and RelatedMethod" (now abandoned), the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is incorporated herein by word-by-word, and the same function as that disclosure is fully and fully set forth herein.

The present invention also relates to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. IND10292 filed 3.6.2002 by Miles Jackson et al, serial No. 10/092,150, entitled "Enhancing/Enhancing a Feature of an Electronic Device using radio frequency Identification Technology" (pending at present).

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to customizing promotional material through the use of programmable radio frequency identification technology.

Background

Promotional incentive methods, such as the distribution of coupons and toys in cereal boxes (cereal boxes), are some of the traditional methods by which retailers and manufacturers entice customers to purchase products in order to establish loyalty to particular goods or services. In addition, customer responses to these and other promotional efforts are useful for the sale of products. This information, also known as data mining technology, is seen by many as an invaluable asset for establishing loyalty to products, increasing market share, and establishing future marketing campaigns.

To collect this information, and to influence the purchasing habits of the customers, the promotional method employed covers exposing all people to media-oriented information messages, or even more controlled environments, such as analyzing selected panelists. Serving redeemable coupons is a method employed by manufacturers and retailers to not only attract customers but also to gather information about the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Many different approaches may be taken to distribute coupons: mail, newspapers or periodicals sent directly to customers, enclosed in product packaging, distributed when going to a store or printed at a point-of-sale terminal after purchase.

These distribution methods are typically based on some broad market research in order to determine the buying habits of the target audience. Distributors typically employ Universal Product Codes (UPCs) as a means of tracking coupon redemptions. Coupon redemption requires the user to have a pre-selected coupon and be on hand before going to the retail location. For these reasons, most customers ignore or discard these coupons, resulting in poor redemption rates and little or no marketing feedback. Mass distribution does not address the needs of a particular customer at a particular point in time, further reducing coupon usage.

Typically, existing methods either require the customer to collect and track coupons prior to going to the retail outlet, or in some systems apply these discounts at the time of payment. Current coupon distribution systems do not allow users to be notified that a combined purchase of a product may result in a discount based on a product triggering effect. Furthermore, existing systems do not allow discounts to be customized to the consumer's list/shopping list.

In addition, if the coupon is used by the target audience, the manufacturer has little knowledge of where the coupon came from, or if a different coupon is not printed for each market and distribution point, the time between distribution and redemption cannot be accurately tracked, thereby increasing the cost of the coupon. Typically, a centralized clearinghouse handles the redemption for the retailer, thus resulting in the manufacturer of the goods having little knowledge of the exact region where the customer redeemed the coupon.

Accordingly, there is a need for a technique that can provide customized promotional material/incentives for large-scale individual consumers while providing sales surveys to distributors, manufacturers, and/or retailers.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a document having a plurality of electrostatic RFID devices implanted therein, and shows how each individual RFID device can be accessed by a dipole read in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of a document having a plurality of electrostatic RFID devices implanted therein, and shows how each individual RFID device can be accessed by a single pole read in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates the coupling that exists between an electrostatic RFID device, a person and a reader, where the person is standing on a plate that can create a common path between the reader and the electrostatic RFID device, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates the presence of a ground coupling between an electrostatic RFID device, a person and a reader, wherein the person is electrically coupled to ground and the reader is also electrically coupled to ground, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example diagram of how programmable bits on a device chip may be segmented to provide a passive data collection mechanism in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram perspective view of an in-store system for use in conjunction with the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide incentive pricing, tracking, user distribution, and product information access in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the coupling that exists between an electrostatic RFID device attached to an item, a person and a reader on a shelf, where the person is electrically coupled to ground and the reader is also electrically coupled to ground, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an electronic game enhanced in a contact or non-contact format according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example diagram of how programmable bits on a game card may be segmented to provide rewards/enhancements to software loaded on a game console in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention, wherein the invention can enhance or activate a new game on an electronic game console by providing a security code to a game server via an Internet connection.

Description of The Preferred Embodiment

In general, the present invention provides promotional material comprising radio frequency identification ("RFID") devices that can be (re) programmed with incentives (e.g., actual price of an item, price reduction of an item based on the purchase of additional items, etc.) that are preferably selected by a consumer at a decision point or exchange point for a particular item. The present invention also provides a means for allowing an RFID device to be attached to an item that allows for negotiation interactions between the consumer, the item/product, and the store. For the sake of brevity, only two scenarios of promotional material for which the present invention is applicable are described herein: shopping at retail stores and playing electronic games. In these circumstances, the present invention provides a means to track and understand the use of coupons from distribution to redemption, a means to customize discount coupons for individual consumers at in-store entry points, and a means to enhance promotional rewards for use with electronic games and/or other electronic devices. It should be noted that the promotional material described in this invention can be used in many other forms and in many other situations not described herein, but still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the first scenario described herein, the promotional material 100 acts as a coupon. As depicted in fig. 1 and 2, the promotional material 100 includes RFID technology using electrostatic coupling. It should be noted that the promotional material may also include RFID technology using electromagnetic coupling or other similar technologies. The promotional material 100 provides customized rewards to individual consumers on a large scale. The consumer is preferably provided with the promotional material 100 after the consumer identification by the in-store system. Consumer identification of the in-store system can be done in many ways, including (but not limited to) the following: identification cards, smart cards, purchase cards, credit/debit cards, and the like. The promotional material distributed to the consumer may be customized for each consumer based on previous purchases, related items, frequency of purchases, demographics of the consumer, inventory provided to the consumer, and the like.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the promotional material 100 includes a plurality of RFID devices 102, but any number of RFID devices, including one, may be included in the promotional material 100. When the consumer distribution has been determined, a predetermined number of RFID devices 102 (in this example, 9) are (pre) programmed and printed/attached to the promotional material 100, however, there is no limit to the number of predetermined locations in the paper stock and no limit to the number of actual RFID devices printed/attached.

The promotional material 100 can be made from paper, plastic (including polyester and metalized materials), synthetic paper, reinforced paper, cardboard coated with synthetic paper, and the like, depending on the particular application. In a preferred embodiment, the promotional material 100 is made of paper and the paper serves as the substrate for the RFID device 102.

In fig. 1, each RFID device 102 includes two antenna elements (electrodes) 104, 106 and a circuit 108 coupled to the antenna elements 104, 106. The antenna elements 104, 106 are a conductive pattern formed, arranged or printed on a substrate (in this example, paper on which the RFID device is printed). Preferably, the antenna elements 104, 106 are printed onto paper with conductive ink, but are not limited in this manner. Fig. 1 also illustrates an RFID device 102 coupled to a reader 206 in a dipole fashion. In this case, the capacitive couplings 242, 202 between the antenna elements 214, 204 of the reader 206 and the antenna elements 104, 106 of the RFID device 102 provide for a circuit path between the RFID device 102 and the reader 206.

But alternatively in fig. 2A, 2B and 2C, each electrostatic RFID device 102 is coupled to a reader through a human body 200 or other suitable device. In this configuration, a capacitance 202 exists between the antenna element 204 of the reader 206 and the antenna element 106, where the antenna element 106 is common to the plurality of RFID devices 102 printed/affixed to the promotional material 100. Additionally, each RFID device 102 has a separate antenna element 104 that is electrically coupled to the reader 206 through the body 200 and a return path 216. As shown in FIG. 2B, the loop channel 216 may include a plate 214 on which a person may stand, the plate 214 being electrically connected 210 to a circuit node in the reader. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2C, return path 216 may be provided through an external ground 208 common to reader 206 and consumer 200. The act of contacting a single antenna element 204 on a given RFID device 102 creates a circuit path through the body 200 that allows current to flow between the RFID device 102 and the reader 206 as described in fig. 2B and 2C. Such a configuration is known to those skilled in the art of electrostatic RFID technology as a unipolar configuration.

It should be noted that the RFID device 102 is typically designed to capacitively couple with the reader 206; RFID device 102 may be coupled to the reader via inductive coupling, radio frequency coupling, inductive and capacitive coupling, and the like. The reader 206 may include, but is not limited to, a display, an exciter, a receiver, a demodulator, a processor, a coupling device (e.g., an antenna), and so forth. The reader 206 may be configured with or without a coupling device and/or a processor. The exciter circuitry of the reader 206 generates an RF carrier signal that is used to generate an electrostatic or electromagnetic field through a capacitive, inductive, or resonant antenna element (e.g., capacitive plate, electrode, coil, half-wavelength dipole, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the RFID device 102 is powered by capacitively coupled energy from the reader 206. By varying the intensity of the electrostatic field as a function of time, data may be transmitted between the reader 206 and the RFID device 102. The reader 206 may display information represented by the data 300 transmitted by the RFID device 102 in communication with the reader 206. Since typical readers are known, no further description is provided herein. An example of a typical electrostatic reader is described in US patent No. 6,282,407. However, other readers may be used to implement the present invention.

Returning to the retail shopping scenario, as shown in FIG. 3, an example of how the data field 300 of the circuit 108 may be segmented is illustrated. Preferably, the circuit 108 includes bits that can be programmed by multiple sources: manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of RFID devices 102. The manufacturer of the RFID device 102 typically programs a manufacturing code 301 and a universal product code ("UPC") 302 into the circuit 108. The distributor of the RFID device 102 typically programs distributor information 304 identifying the distributor, distribution means (e.g., magazines, direct mail, inserts, merchandise packages, etc.), time stamps, etc., all of which can be used to track the effectiveness of the marketing campaign. The retailer of the RFID device 102 may choose to further program the circuit 108 with retailer information 306 required for the point of redemption, such as the date of redemption, the number of items purchased, and/or the purchase price of the items. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circuit 108 may be configured with write-once capability, thereby providing the ability to program additional information at the point of redemption by the retailer, while providing tamper-resistant security to information previously programmed by the manufacturer and distributor. Furthermore, all of this information programmed by the various participants need not be shared among all of the participants.

The RFID device 102 in combination with the coupon enables manufacturers and their sales organizations to effectively conduct product promotions through data mining techniques (i.e., analyzing specific form usage). Distributor information 304 may be programmed into the RFID device 102 prior to distribution, along with retailer/redemption information 306, to provide a data collection mechanism that may be used to generate market summaries for a geographic area or a particular retail establishment. Dealer information 304, which is programmed prior to dispatch, may consist of regional information that is specific to the locale, such as zip code, method of dispatch, time of dispatch, or any other information deemed appropriate by the manufacturer. Retailer information 306 may track product diversion data such as quantity, price, time of purchase, or any other factor that may be used to determine consumer behavior. The number and type of parameters tracked may depend on the needs of the manufacturer.

Examples of data mining techniques are described in the following examples. To determine the effectiveness of a product promotion in an area such as a city, the RFID device 102 may be distributed as an insert in a local newspaper as a coupon. Dealer information 304 contains the region (zip code) and time stamp, which can be programmed at a local newspaper distribution center. When a consumer redeems an RFID device/coupon at their local retailer, information such as the time of redemption and the number of redemptions may be programmed into the retailer information section 306 of the RFID device 102. After the consumer redeems at the store, the RFID devices 102 are returned to the clearinghouse, which electronically reads the data 300 stored on each RFID device 102 using dipole or monopole coupling and generates a database of information. The manufacturer of these RFID devices/coupons 102 or its sales organization may use this information database to determine which distribution method is most successful (e.g., time usage data, consumer preferences, and retailer preferences).

Referring to fig. 4, a block diagram of an in-store system 400 for use in a retail environment is depicted. Typically, the system 400 comprises a processing means 401 and background databases 404, 406, 408, 410. In a preferred embodiment, the processing means 401 comprises an in-store server 402 and a store reward system/database manager 403; the back-office databases include a product inventory database 404, a coupon lookup database 406, a product records database 408, user records data 410, and the like. The system 400 further includes front desk access devices such as point-of-sale terminals 412, programmers/printers 414, user devices 416, and the like. The user device 416 is an RFID reader, a display, and preferably a writer. The user device 416 can read the RFID device 102 and display information sent by the RFID device 102 itself, the in-store server 402, or any other device capable of communicating with the user device 416 to the consumer; optionally, the user device 416 has the ability to reprogram the RFIDZ device 102 by the consumer at the decision point or store the modified reward at the decision point and download the information at the checkout. The user device may be a reader-equipped shopping cart 416 ', a handheld device (e.g., a personal digital assistant) 416 ", a kiosk 416'", or any other suitable device that allows the consumer 200 to interact with the in-store system 400.

Preferably, the operation of the user device in the present invention is as follows (but not limited thereto). The consumer is provided with a user device 416 that can accept information from the consumer via a keypad, magnetic stripe, or other RFID technology. The user device 416 is capable of transmitting information and receiving information from the in-store server 402 through the plurality of access points 420. Preferably, the consumer presents his "shopping card" to the user device 416 for registration with the in-store server 402. The card itself may include only the name of the consumer or it may include specific information about the consumer. The card's intent is to have the in-store server 402 associate the consumer with possible price negotiations and at the same time determine the consumer's purchasing preferences. The user device 416 stores information from the purchase card in its memory until it is checked out; the user device 416 sends the consumer's identification and other information to the in-store server 402 (on demand or continuously) using any available communication method. Once the consumer 200 registers with the in-store server 402, the consumer 200 adjusts the antenna elements of the user device (i.e., capacitive plates in the preferred embodiment) corresponding to the antenna elements 104(106) on the RFID device 102 in order to cause the RFID device 102 to receive power and communicate with the user device 416. Any reward or information display to the consumer 200 appears directly to the user device 416 from the RFID device 102 or the in-store server 402 each time the RFID device 102 is presented to the user device 416. Preferably, at the point-of-sale terminal 412, the user device 416 will be downloaded and compared to the actual selected article 500 to determine the value of the prize ultimately awarded; alternatively, the user device 416 can be reprogrammed by the consumer for the RFID device 102 with the final reward value awarded at the point of sale.

A first example of interaction between a consumer and an in-store system is when the RFID device 102 is attached to promotional material. Upon entering a store, the consumer is provided with a user device 416 and registers with the in-store server as described above. Once registered, the in-store system 400 selects a set of promotions/rewards based on any given number of parameters. The number of parameters used depends on the application or system design. Parameters are selected from, but not limited to, consumer purchase history, promotional specials, consumer product loyalty, shopping lists provided to the consumer, and the like. Once the set of promotions/rewards are selected, they are programmed into the RFID device 102 by the programmer/printer 414 along with other information for data mining technology and tracking purposes (e.g., manufacturing information 301, UPC302, distributor information 304, retailer information 306, consumer information, etc.); alternatively, all bits in the data field 300 in the RFID device are programmed before the in-store system 400 identifies the consumer, as opposed to being customized for a particular consumer. The RFID device is then attached to the promotional material 100 for use by the consumer.

The promotional material 100 with the attached RFID device 102 can be used in many ways. In its simplest form, the promotional material 100 is a visual aid that identifies to the consumer a particular product that is appropriate for the consumer's preferences. In one more complex form, the promotional material is an "event" coupon, allowing promotional rewards to be programmed into the RFID device 102 for modification/enhancement by the consumer at the point of decision or redemption.

In this more complex form, for example, consumer 200 presents RFID device 102 to user device 416, which user device 416 provides the consumer with extended capabilities. When the UPC302 is read from the RFID device 102, the user device 416 provides information on the item or enhances the reward on the selected item at the decision point or redemption point. In one application, information such as product ingredients, menu suggestions, or competitor offers are examples of possible information that may be retrieved and displayed by the user device 416 by selecting an individual RFID device 102. Once the user device 416 selects the RFID device 102, the in-store system 400 may determine a modified purchase reward to send to the user device 416. The user device 416 reads the UPC302 of the item selected for purchase and identifies the item to the in-store server 402. The store reward system/database manager 403 may reduce the price of the product by considering the manufacturer's lowest possible price for the item, the consumer's brand preferences, and other data points in order to entice the consumer to purchase the selected item or change the brand. This process may continue until the consumer 200 makes a final decision (to purchase the item or place the item back on the shelf), or the price of the item cannot continue to decrease.

A second example of consumer interaction with an in-store system is when an RFID device is attached to an item. As described previously, upon entering the store, the consumer is provided with an RFID device and registered with the in-store server. During the normal shopping process, consumer 200 may touch the item of interest. As previously described, the act of touching 200 the capacitively coupled RFID device 102 attached to the item causes the reader to drive the RFID device 102, and the RFID device returns to sending its UPC302 to the reader. The act of touching the RFID device 102 completes one lane 208, 200, 242, 202, 212 or common reader/RFID device lane 210, 214, 200, 242, 202, 212 through the ground 208, thereby causing the RFID device 102 to receive power and transmit data 300 to the reader. As depicted in fig. 5, one shelf reader antenna element 204 is on the shelf 502, where the shelf reader 418 sends the UPC302 and the identification number of the shelf to the in-store server 402 using a data transmission method known in the art. It should be noted that each storage rack 418 may or may not have a unique identification number; the use of a unique shelf identification number allows for the location of the consumer. Since the in-store server 402 knows that the item 500 is of interest to the consumer (i.e., the item is touched), the in-store server 402 may enter into a price negotiation with the consumer 200. As soon as the consumer 200 touches the RFID device 102 attached to the item 500, the RFID device 102 continuously sends data 300 to the shelf reader 418. Since the RFID device 102 continuously transmits the data 300, the in-store server 402 can reduce the price of the item 500 to affect the consumer placing the item 500 into his shopping basket, assuming that a decision to purchase the item 500 has not been made. By analyzing the consumer's behavior (i.e., touching and putting the product back on the shelf without purchasing), the in-store server 402 can influence the purchasing decision of the consumer 200.

The in-store server 402 uses a "shopping card" in an attempt to influence the consumer's purchasing preferences. For example, as consumer 200 walks through a store, he touches RFID device 102 attached to an intended item 500 (e.g., a dozen Cola X). Upon touching the RFID device 102, the RFID device 102 sends at least a portion of its data field 300 to the store shelf 418 (e.g., UPC302), which is transmitted to the store server 402. To identify which consumer touched the item 500, the store server 402 requires reading the identification from the user device 416 through any available communication method. This may be done, for example, by associating the shelf location with the nearest user device 416. Alternatively, the system may be designed such that the user device 416 and the storage shelf 418 may communicate directly. Once the consumer is identified, the in-store server can determine that the consumer is a loyal consumer of Cola X. Thus, the store may decide to influence the consumer's purchase pattern by sending a code to the user device 416 to show to the consumer 200 that the cola Y price will be lowered. The reduced price for the consumer may be downloaded to the user device 416 and presented at a checkout stand for discounting, or the reduced price may be programmed onto an RFID device associated with the consumer's picked-up cola Y. Programming of the RFID device associated with cola Y500 may be performed by the user device 416 if the user device 416 is equipped with a writer, or through the storage shelf 418 when the consumer touches the cola Y500. As previously explained, when the RFID equipped item 500 is touched, an electrical path occurs between the item 500 and the reader 418, allowing the item 500 to communicate with the reader 418. In this embodiment, the RFID device 102 is capable of receiving a command from the reader 418 so that the reader 418 can reprogram the digital field 300 in the RFID device 102. In particular, it may program at least a portion of retailer information 306, including the reduced price. Allowing the RFID device 102 to be reprogrammed by the reader 418 allows for products to be electronically priced with reduced prices. Alternatively, if the item is not purchased and the expiration of the promotional incentive has been exceeded, the RFID device may be reprogrammed again to the default incentive.

Another way to determine that the consumer is interested in the item 500 is to perform real-time inventory of the shelves. If an item is not on the inventory list in one of the shelf inventory checks, but it was in the previous check and also after the current check, then it is assumed that the item 500 was "processed" and placed back without purchase. The retailer or distributor may use data mining techniques of this information to determine the "appeal" (i.e., touching but not purchasing) of the item 500, inventory control (i.e., touching and purchasing), and theft prevention (i.e., taking off the shelf but not purchasing). It should be noted that each item 500 has a unique identification field 300 that can be compared to the identification fields 300 of items that have already been purchased to determine if there are any discrepancies between the inventory and the purchased items. Inventory of the shelf is performed by increasing reader power or by providing a common return path on the shelf via a plate coupled to the antenna element 104. Details regarding the driving of RFID devices can be found in the US patent application entitled "Method and Apparatus for selecting active Radio frequency identification tag in Close Proximity", serial number 09/669,289, filed on 25.9.2000 of Collins et al (attorney docket No. IND10272), commonly owned and co-pending with the present application by Motorola, Inc., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth and fully set forth herein.

Thus, the present invention may be used to provide information about a particular item and/or enhance a reward provided by a retailer. The consumer presents the RFID device 102 to the reader 206(418) by the method represented in fig. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 5, thereby causing the user device 416 to detect the data field 300 transmitted by the RFID device 102. Information is accessed directly from the RFID device 102 to the in-store server 402 and displayed to the user device 416 or using a suitable communication channel (i.e., radio frequency, hard wired, etc.). Information based on the selected product, such as a description of the product, a quantity-based price discount, or a menu component, are examples of possible information retrieval.

Whatever the user device 416 uses to access the information, the present invention allows the consumer 200 to identify a particular item 500 to the in-store system 400, and the processing device 400 preferably updates the RFID device 102 at the point of decision by the consumer with a new promotion/reward based on the selected product or associated with the purchase of additional products. Further, after the RFID device 102 is redeemed, the in-store server 402 may determine the consumer's shopping preferences based on which item 500 was touched without purchase or processing and which product was purchased due to the discount given at the decision point.

Thus, the present invention makes the data collection mechanism transparent to the consumer 200. The ability to uniquely program data field 300 enables a dealer to independently program dealer information 304. The ability to uniquely program data fields with zip codes specific to that coupon, for example, and to have similar coupons with unique zip codes for use at different distribution centers, allows for easy area-specific collection and analysis of area sales information by each manufacturer.

The data collected by the RFID device 102 and/or the in-store system 400 can be used to generate market summaries in a geographic area or a particular retail establishment. A manufacturer employing the promotional material 100 described in this invention can determine regional usage (not just serving coverage), usage over any given time period, effectiveness of the serving method, and effectiveness within a consumer target group.

Continuing to the second scenario described herein, the RFID device 102' has stored thereon a counter and a set of data bits that, when presented to the processing device via an RFID reader, cause the processing device to activate/enhance (and in some instances disable) a feature that would otherwise be unusable in the electronic device, and disable the feature when the counter reaches a predetermined value. The feature may include, but is not limited to, an improvement to the performance and/or characteristics of the electronic device (e.g., new functionality, capabilities, characteristics, calendar updates, etc.). The electronic device may be, but is not limited to, an electronic game console, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, or a pager. The counter provides for automatic expiration of the activation/enhancement feature. The counter may track the number of times the RFID device 102' is used, track the time period during which the RFID device is used, and the like.

The RFID device 102' is constructed as described in fig. 1 or 2A and is capable of coupling a reader in a monopole, dipole, or contact fashion. The RFID device 102' is attached to promotional material (e.g., collector cards, game pieces, etc.) and can be placed in product packaging (e.g., cereal boxes, magazines, etc.) as a reward for purchasing the product, sold separately as an enhanced feature to a game, distributed as a sales or distribution reward, etc. The set of data bits is programmed into the RFID device 102 on one of the following occasions: a decision point to purchase the item, a purchase point for the item, an ownership point, and a distribution point for the item.

Turning to fig. 6 and 7, the RFID device 102 used in conjunction with the game console/controller 600 may activate new game functions or capabilities that are not readily available without the RFID device 102'. One example of how the data bits of the circuit 108, which may include, but are not limited to, the manufacturer code 701, the UPC code 702, and the game access code 704, are programmed into the RFID device 102' will now be described. The RFID device 102' may activate a new feature by providing an access code 704 to the processor 602 via the RFID reader 206 and connection 604 and instructing the processor 602 to perform a function that has been programmed into it. The access code 704 may be programmed prior to product distribution or preferably programmed at the point of purchase by the advertising geisha, such as the "present week" game function. Having the RFID device 102' programmed at the point of purchase may encourage the consumer 200 to purchase new products each week, thereby obtaining up-to-date game functionality.

The game console 600 can read and/or write information to the access code 704 located on the RFID device 102'. In the case of written information, the RFID device 102 'is preferably disabled by the game console/controller 600 after a predetermined number of uses or a predetermined period of time, thereby encouraging the consumer to purchase another product in order to receive a new RFID device 102' containing additional features. The reader 206 within the game console/controller 600 needs to be at least capable of driving the RFID device 102' and demodulating and/or modulating and demodulating the data that the RFID device 102 transmits 701, 702, 704. Contactless RFID access to data on the RFID device 102' reduces the points of failure associated with contact technology, but the present invention may employ a contact interface.

Regardless of how the RFID device 102 'is accessed, the RFID device 102' may be as simple as a read-only card that, when activated, may transmit data stored in the circuit 108. In an alternative embodiment, the RFID device 102' may have more complex features, such as being able to receive instructions and modify data stored on the circuit 108.

As indicated in fig. 8, the reader/writer may access the internet 802 through the game console/controller 600 or some other means. The data stored on the RFID device 102' may contain an access code 704 (e.g., an internet address) that may cause the game console/controller 600 to download new software from the game capability server 806 (e.g., located at the internet address) into the game console/controller 600. The new software will activate the new feature on the game console/controller 600. The game console/controller 600 is equipped with a data modem (not shown) to allow for communication with the remote game capability server 806. The modem port may comprise a cable modem, a telephone landline modem, or any other gaming console manufacturer-selected communication device. A data link between the game console/controller 600 and the game capability server 806 can be established over the internet 800, 802, 804 or directly 806 via a telephone landline connection.

In addition, by associating the RFID-equipped electronic game 600 with the reward data 100, the RFID-equipped reward data 100 may entice the retailer to the consumer. In this example, the promotional material may be a code that allows the electronic game to be executed differently. For example, a consumer may go to a restaurant where eating each package may receive an RFID device 102'. When the RFID device 102 'is presented to an electronic game 600 configured with RFID devices, the RFID device 102', for example, allows one feature to have different or enhanced functionality. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID device 102' may be reprogrammed by the RFID-equipped electronic game 600. In this example, the data field 700 in the circuit 108 on the RFID device 102' contains an access code 704. A portion of the access code 704 may include a counter field 706. The purpose of the counter field 706 is to track the number of times the RFID device 102' has been used, the number of times the game was won, or other events that expire the capabilities of the device. Each time the RFID device 102 'is presented to the RFID-equipped electronic game 600, the counter field 706 is modified to indicate an increase in the number of uses of the RFID device 102'. When all fields are filled (i.e., programmed to a state that disables the RFID card 102 '), the RFID device 102 ' expires and is therefore disabled, thereby forcing the consumer to purchase another package containing a new RFID device 102 ' from the restaurant. Alternatively, the counter field 706 may track the time period during which the RFID device has not expired.

The present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, and other features and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Various alterations, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the foregoing description, but embraces all such alterations, modifications and variations in accordance with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. A method comprising the steps of:

communicating with a radio frequency identification ("RFID") device, wherein the RFID device is associated with an article;

selecting a reward for the item; and

the reward is programmed into the RFID device on one of the following occasions: a decision point to purchase the item, a purchase point for the item, or a dispatch point for the item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein an initial reward is stored in the RFID device prior to said communicating step, and wherein said reward selected and programmed into the RFID device is different from the initial reward stored in the RFID device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: an initial reward is programmed into the RFID device prior to the selecting step, and the reward is different from the initial reward.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: coupling the RFID device to a reader in at least one of the following ways: capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, electrostatic coupling, and electromagnetic coupling.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is packaged in the article of merchandise prior to the programming step.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: the RFID device is coupled in one of a monopole configuration and a dipole configuration.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: receiving an indication that a purchase of the item has been decided upon prior to the programming step.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is programmed with a first set of data from a first source and a second set of data from a second source.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is programmed with a first set of data at a first time and a second set of data at a second time, the first time being different from the second time.

10. A method comprising the steps of:

communicating with a radio frequency identification ("RFID") device, wherein the RFID device is associated with an article;

selecting a reward for the item;

displaying the reward on a user device;

downloading the reward to the user device at a decision point for purchasing the item; and

the reward is applied to the item at the point of purchase of the item.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of: receiving an indication that a purchase of the item has been decided upon prior to the downloading and applying steps.

12. A method comprising the steps of:

communicating with a plurality of radio frequency identification ("RFID") devices in a given geographic area;

identifying a first set of RFID devices in the given area at a first time;

identifying a second set of RFID devices in the given area at a second time, the second time being different from the first time;

identifying a third set of RFID devices in the given area at a third time, the third time being different from the second time;

a fourth set of RFID devices in the third set but not in the second set is determined.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fourth group further comprises RFID devices in the first group but not in the third group.