US7172117B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for purchased product security
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2004-11-23
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Granted: 2007-02-06
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Expires: 2024-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A method for tracking an item having a unique identifier housed in a package having a package identifier correlateable with the unique identifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven Jerome Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q10/0877; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/203; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; G07G1/0054; G07G3/00; G06Q10/08778
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A process for tracking custody of a item comprising the steps of: electronically reading an electronically-readable package identifier correlateable with a unique item identifier associated with an item housed within said package, said package identifier further identifying the type of item and the item's manufacturer; electronically discerning from said electronically-readable package identifier said unique item identifier; and electronically correlating said unique item identifier discerned from said electronically-readable package identifier with custody of said item.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for tracking custody of a item comprising the steps of: electronically reading an electronically-readable package identifier correlateable with a unique item identifier associated with an item housed within said package, said package identifier further identifying the type of item and the item's manufacturer; electronically discerning from said electronically-readable package identifier said unique item identifier; and electronically correlating said unique item identifier discerned from said electronically-readable package identifier with custody of said item.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically correlating said unique item identifier with location of said item at a particular time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically correlating said unique item identifier with a person or persons having custody of the item.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 3 wherein information pertaining to the person or persons having custody of the item is obtained from an identity card having electronically-readable coded information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein custody is tracked from the point of manufacture to sale to the ultimate consumer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for tracking change in custody of an item comprising the steps of: a) detecting electronically at a first point in time an electronically-readable package identifier on a package, said electronically-readable package identifier identifying the type of item, the item's manufacturer, and a unique item identifier associated with an item in said package; b) electronically correlating said package identifier with custody of said item at said first point in time; c) detecting electronically at a second point in time an electronically-readable package identifier on a package, said electronically-readable package identifier identifying the type of item, the item's manufacturer, and a unique item identifier associated with an item in said package; d) electronically correlating said package identifier with custody of said item at said second point in time; and e) determining change in custody of said item from custody differences at step b and step d.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for tracking change in custody of an item comprising the steps of: a) detecting electronically at a first point in time an electronically-readable package identifier on a package, said electronically-readable package identifier identifying the type of item, the item's manufacturer, and a unique item identifier associated with an item in said package; b) electronically correlating said package identifier with custody of said item at said first point in time; c) detecting electronically at a second point in time an electronically-readable package identifier on a package, said electronically-readable package identifier identifying the type of item, the item's manufacturer, and a unique item identifier associated with an item in said package; d) electronically correlating said package identifier with custody of said item at said second point in time; and e) determining change in custody of said item from custody differences at step b and step d.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein custody is defined by the location of the package.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein custody is defined by the entity in possession of the package.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 6 wherein custody is tracked from the point of manufacture to sale to the ultimate consumer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the unique item identifier is electronically readable.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for tracking an item having a unique item identifier in electronically-readable coded form, said unique item identifier identifying the manufacturer of said item and comprising indicia specifically identifying said item, said item being packaged in a package with a package identifier in electronically-readable coded form which is correlateable with said unique item identifier, the method comprising the steps of: detecting said packaged item; determining said package identifier; discerning from said electronically-readable package identifier said unique item identifier; and electronically correlating said unique item identifier discerned from said electronically-readable package identifier with custody of said item.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for tracking an item having a unique item identifier in electronically-readable coded form, said unique item identifier identifying the manufacturer of said item and comprising indicia specifically identifying said item, said item being packaged in a package with a package identifier in electronically-readable coded form which is correlateable with said unique item identifier, the method comprising the steps of: detecting said packaged item; determining said package identifier; discerning from said electronically-readable package identifier said unique item identifier; and electronically correlating said unique item identifier discerned from said electronically-readable package identifier with custody of said item.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 11 further comprising the step of electronically correlating said unique item identifier with location of said item at a particular time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 11 further comprising the step of electronically correlating said unique item identifier with a person or persons having custody of the item.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 13 wherein information pertaining to the person or persons having custody of the item is obtained from an identity card having electronically-readable coded information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 11 wherein custody is tracked from the point of manufacture to sale to the ultimate consumer.
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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) | 2010-02-05 | 2010-08-07 | 2011-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-02-05 | 2014-08-07 | 2015-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-02-05 | 2018-08-07 | 2019-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |