Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Clare
Thomas J. Clare has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9449202Abstract: In a tag communication system, a method includes determining range information representative of a distance between two tags, and estimating parameter information representative of backscatter signals of a marker tag and an asset tag. A tag is localized according to the range information and the parameter information to provide a localized tag. The range information is determined according to a beacon signal. The system includes a plurality of beacon signals and the method further includes determining the range information according to at least two of the beacon signals. A logical operation is performed on the range information of the two beacon signals. A further beacon signal has a plurality of signal ranges and the range information is determined according to the signal ranges. A logical operation is performed on the range information of the signal ranges.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Venkat Krishnamurthy
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Patent number: 8786440Abstract: A system for radio frequency identification of a tag in an interrogation zone, includes a calibration node disposed in the interrogation zone to measure a signal strength of radio frequency identification signals from a beamforming system and provide signal data in accordance with the signal strength. A reader node is configured to receive the signal data and adjust the radio frequency identification signals generated by the beamforming system based upon the signal data. At least one of the calibration node, the reader node and the beamforming system is a configurable monitoring system. The calibration node, the reader node, and the beamforming system are coupled in a feedback control loop. The beamforming system includes a plurality of beamforming nodes. A signal of at least one beamforming node is optimized in accordance with the feedback control loop.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Venkat Krishnamurthy
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Patent number: 7961102Abstract: A method for installing an RFID tag on shipping articles includes applying a strip of conductive material to the surface of the article and providing an RFID chip having a body, a first bottom conductive point, a second bottom conductive point and a nonconductive fin between the first bottom conductive point and the second bottom conductive point. The fin is received in the shipping article. The RFID chip is attached to the shipping article by inserting the chip onto the strip of conductive material on the shipping article such that the fin severs the strip into a first strip and a second strip. The first bottom conductive point is electrically attached to the first strip and the second bottom conductive point is electrically attached to the second strip.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Andre Cote
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Publication number: 20110080267Abstract: A system for radio frequency identification of a tag in an interrogation zone, includes a calibration node disposed in the interrogation zone to measure a signal strength of radio frequency identification signals from a beamforming system and provide signal data in accordance with the signal strength. A reader node is configured to receive the signal data and adjust the radio frequency identification signals generated by the beamforming system based upon the signal data. At least one of the calibration node, the reader node and the beamforming system is a configurable monitoring system. The calibration node, the reader node, and the beamforming system are coupled in a feedback control loop. The beamforming system includes a plurality of beamforming nodes. A signal of at least one beamforming node is optimized in accordance with the feedback control loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Venkat Krishnamurthy
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Publication number: 20110080264Abstract: In a tag communication system, a method includes determining range information representative of a distance between two tags, and estimating parameter information representative of backscatter signals of a marker tag and an asset tag. A tag is localized according to the range information and the parameter information to provide a localized tag. The range information is determined according to a beacon signal. The system includes a plurality of beacon signals and the method further includes determining the range information according to at least two of the beacon signals. A logical operation is performed on the range information of the two beacon signals. A further beacon signal has a plurality of signal ranges and the range information is determined according to the signal ranges. A logical operation is performed on the range information of the signal ranges.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Venkat Krishnamurthy
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Publication number: 20100218899Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding integrated circuits uniquely suited to high volume tag production is described, where conductive material of a substrate at the die-attach-area is cut before an IC chip or transponder is placed on the conductive material over the cut and bonded. The apparatus performs the method of placing a first chip on a substrate having a conductive layer, measuring the location of the first chip on the substrate, cutting the conductive layer at a location of an expected subsequently placed chip to form a cut based on the measured location of the first chip, and placing the subsequently placed chip on the substrate over the cut.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Andre Cote, Eric Eckstein
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Patent number: 7709294Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding integrated circuits uniquely suited to high volume tag production is described, where conductive material of a substrate at the die-attach-area is cut before an IC chip or transponder is placed on the conductive material over the cut and bonded. The apparatus performs the method of placing a first chip on a substrate having a conductive layer, measuring the location of the first chip on the substrate, cutting the conductive layer at a location of an expected subsequently placed chip to form a cut based on the measured location of the first chip, and placing the subsequently placed chip on the substrate over the cut.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Andre Cote, Eric Eckstein
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Patent number: 7568108Abstract: A system and method for automatically regulating access control levels in an access control system based on prevailing security levels including homeland security levels, local environment situations such as crowds, rioting, looting, severe weather and temporal states such as workdays, weekends, holidays, and open houses.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Sielox, LLCInventors: Marc Monaco, Paul A. Roberts, Thomas J. Clare
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Publication number: 20090015412Abstract: A method for installing an RFID tag on shipping articles includes applying a strip of conductive material to the surface of the article and providing an RFID chip having a body, a first bottom conductive point, a second bottom conductive point and a nonconductive fin between the first bottom conductive point and the second bottom conductive point. The fin is received in the shipping article. The RFID chip is attached to the shipping article by inserting the chip onto the strip of conductive material on the shipping article such that the fin severs the strip into a first strip and a second strip. The first bottom conductive point is electrically attached to the first strip and the second bottom conductive point is electrically attached to the second strip.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Andre Cote
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Patent number: 7436305Abstract: A method for installing an RFID tag on shipping articles includes applying a strip of conductive material to the surface of the article and providing an RFID chip having a body, a first bottom conductive point, a second bottom conductive point and a nonconductive fin between the first bottom conductive point and the second bottom conductive point. The fin is received in the shipping article. The RFID chip is attached to the shipping article by inserting the chip onto the strip of conductive material on the shipping article such that the fin severs the strip into a first strip and a second strip. The first bottom conductive point is electrically attached to the first strip and the second bottom conductive point is electrically attached to the second strip.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Andre Cote
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Patent number: 7384496Abstract: A method of fabricating a tag includes the steps of applying a first patterned adhesive to the surface of the substrate and applying a first electrically conductive foil to the first patterned adhesive. A portion of the first electrically conductive foil not adhered to the first patterned adhesive is removed and a second patterned adhesive is applied to a portion of a surface area of the tag. A preformed second electrically conductive foil is applied to the second patterned adhesive to adhere the second electrically conductive foil to the surface of the substrate and portions of the first and second electrically conductive foils are electrically coupled to each other to form a tag circuit. A second patterned adhesive can be disposed between the first and second electrically conductive foils.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Andre Cote, Eric Eckstein, Thomas J. Clare
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Patent number: 7138919Abstract: A method for processing a surface of an item and providing an association using a surface processing system includes receiving an item having a first identification marking on a surface of the item to provide a received item for providing a first identification signal in response to a first interrogation signal and applying a second identification marking to the surface of the item for providing a second identification signal in response to a second interrogation signal. At least one of the first and second interrogation signals is applied to the item to provide at least one of the first and second identification signals. At least one of the first and second identification signals is received in response to the at least one of the first and second interrogation signals. An association is made is determined in response to the first receiving.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Clare, Andre Cote
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Patent number: 7042413Abstract: A three-dimensional dipole antenna system for an RFID tag that optimizes detection for a given available volume in which to situate the RFID tag.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gary T. Mazoki, Anthony F. Piccoli, Thomas J. Clare, Eric Eckstein
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Patent number: 6693539Abstract: An article inventory control system for articles, such as books, uses RFID tags attached to each article. Each tag has a unique identification or serial number for identifying the individual article. An inventory database tracks all of the tagged articles and maintains circulation status information for each article. Articles are checked out of the library using a patron self-checkout system. Checked out articles are returned to the library via patron self-check in devices. The shelves are periodically scanned with a mobile RFID scanner for updating inventory status.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: John H. Bowers, Thomas J. Clare
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Publication number: 20010000019Abstract: An article inventory control system for articles, such as books, uses RFID tags attached to each article. Each tag has a unique identification or serial number for identifying the individual article. An inventory database tracks all of the tagged articles and maintains circulation status information for each article. Articles are checked out of the library using a patron self-checkout system. Checked out articles are returned to the library via patron self-check in devices. The shelves are periodically scanned with a mobile RFID scanner for updating inventory status.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2000Publication date: March 15, 2001Inventors: John H. Bowers, Thomas J. Clare
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Patent number: 6195006Abstract: An article inventory control system for articles, such as books, uses RFID tags attached to each article. Each tag has a unique identification or serial number for identifying the individual article. An inventory database tracks all of the tagged articles and maintains circulation status information for each article. Articles are checked out of the library using a patron self-checkout system. Checked out articles are returned to the library via patron self-check in devices. The shelves are periodically scanned with a mobile RFID scanner for updating inventory status.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Checkpoint Systems Inc.Inventors: John H. Bowers, Thomas J. Clare
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Patent number: 6025780Abstract: An electronic security system uses a set of predefined RFID tags. Each tag is associated with, and attached to, an article or packaging for an article. Each tag includes unique tag information which is logged into a computerized database that contains a record for each of the tags in the set. A detection zone is monitored with an interrogator which detects RFID tags. When an RFID tag is detected, the database records are compared to the tag information and an appropriate database response is output. A deactivation event may be performed on the tag when legitimate access is obtained to the tagged article. The deactivation event may be electronic, physical or virtual. One type of RFID tag used in the system may physically deactivated by altering the state of a circuit element associated with the tag so that the tag cannot return a response signal. Another type of RFID tag used in the system has electronically alterable tag information.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1997Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: John H. Bowers, Thomas J. Clare
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Patent number: 5963134Abstract: An article inventory control system for articles, such as books, uses RFID tags attached to each article. Each tag has a unique identification or serial number for identifying the individual article. An inventory database tracks all of the tagged articles and maintains circulation status information for each article. Articles are checked out of the library using a patron self-checkout system. Checked out articles are returned to the library by being deposited into an exterior smart book drop which reads the RFID tag and automatically checks the article back in. Article data from the exterior smart book drop are used to generate reshelving reports for efficiently reshelve the articles. Articles which are used in the library, but not checked out, are returned to interior smart book drops within the library for reshelving. The interior smart book drops capture data regarding in-house use of articles. The data are used to generate historical usage reports.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventors: John H. Bowers, Thomas J. Clare
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Patent number: 5745036Abstract: An electronic article security system monitors articles sold by a retail store to detect shrinkage. The articles are tagged with RF-ID security tags. Each security tag has a unique or semi-unique serial number for identifying individual products. Transaction records generated from point-of-sale terminals in the store are sent to a remote computer. An interrogator and surveillance camera are positioned near the store exit. When an article having the RF-ID security tag is detected as passing through the store exit, the interrogator outputs a signal derived from the security tag. The output signal includes the security tag serial number. Also, the camera takes an image of the person moving the tagged article through the exit. The interrogator output signal is sent to the remote computer. The remote computer periodically compares the transaction records with the interrogator output signals to detect any discrepancies therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Clare