Electronically updateable label and display

Abstract

The present invention provides for an electronic label associated with a transponder. The electronic label displays at least one graphical element to provide a visual indication representative of information associated with the transponder. Representable information can include a result of a communication with the transponder, a location of the transponder or an item associated with the transponder, a state of the transponder, or an item associated with the transponder, a status of the transponder or an item associated with the transponder, or any combination of information. The display of the graphical element can further indicate if a read operation has failed or has not yet taken place. The graphical element is alterable and updateable. The graphical element can indicate if the RFID tag is activate or has been deactivated allowing a consumer to readily determine the state of an RFID tag associated with a consumer item.

1 . A method for marking an item, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the item at a location; and    displaying a visual indicator on an electronic label associated with the item in response to detection of the item;    wherein said electronic label comprises an electronic display.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of monitoring a plurality of locations to detect arrival, departure, or movement of the item within each of the plurality of locations.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of 
 monitoring a plurality of locations to detect a change in location of the item, and    in response to a detection of the change in location of the item, displaying information on the electronic label.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of monitoring a plurality of locations to detect a change in location of the item.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic label comprises a flexible electronic label capable of movement in a plurality of dimensions.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic label comprises a conformable electronic label capable of conforming to a surface topology of an object.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic label displays at least one of a plurality of visual indicators to indicate detection of the item.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the visual indicator on the electronic label in a machine readable format.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the machine readable format comprises a barcode.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the machine readable format comprises a matrix array symbology.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying displays the visual indicator using at least one segment of the electronic display, 
 wherein the electronic label comprises a segmented electronic display having at least one segment.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator represents a bitmap.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic label comprises an all points addressable display.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the visual indicator on the electronic label in a human readable format.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying a graphical representation on the electronic label, wherein said graphical representation represents the location of the item.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of powering the electronic label with a power source internal to the electronic label.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of powering the electronic label with a power source external to the electronic label.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic label is powered by a signal having a data component and a power component.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic label comprises a display medium and a backplane assembly.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the visual indicator on the display medium of the electronic label for a time period upon the removal of power from the display medium.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the time period for displaying the visual indicator on the display medium following the removal of power to the display medium is a function of material properties of the display medium.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the time period for displaying the visual indicator on the display medium following the removal of power to the display medium is controlled by the electronic label.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the time period for displaying the visual indicator on the display medium following the removal of power to the display medium is a function of the environment in which the electronic label operates.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the display medium is sized to occupy a portion of the electronic label.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic label comprises a first display media and a second display media.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first display media comprises a printed label.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the second media comprises an electronic display medium.  
     
     
         28 . A method for indicating a state of an item, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the state of the item; and    displaying a visual indicator on an electronic label associated with the item in response to detection of the state of the item,    wherein said electronic label comprises an electronic display.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of monitoring the item to detect the state of an item.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of monitoring the state of an item using a sensor associated with the electronic label to detect a change in the state of the item or in the environment in which the item is located.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of receiving state information about the item and displaying said information on the electronic label associated with the item.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic label displays a plurality of visual indicators to indicate a plurality of state changes to the item.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of displaying the visual indicator on the electronic label in a machine readable format.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the machine readable format comprises a barcode.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the machine readable format comprises a matrix array symbology.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of displaying the visual indicator on the electronic label in a human readable format.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of displaying a graphical representation on the electronic label, wherein said graphical representation represents the state of the item.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of powering the electronic label with a power source internal to the electronic label.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 28 , comprising the step of powering the electronic label with a power source external to the electronic label.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic label is powered by a signal having a data component and a power component.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the step of powering the electronic label comprises the step of powering the electronic label with a first power source internal to the electronic label and a second power source external to the electronic label.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic label comprises a display medium and a backplane assembly.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of displaying the visual indicator on the display medium of the electronic label for a period of time upon the removal of power from the display medium.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the period of time for displaying the visual indicator on the display medium following the removal of power to the display medium is a function of material properties of the display medium.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the period of time for displaying the visual indicator on the display medium following the removal of power to the display medium is controlled by the electronic label.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the period of time for displaying the visual indicator on the display medium following the removal of power to the display medium is a function of an environment in which the electronic label operates.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the electronic display is sized to occupy a portion of the electronic label.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said electronic label is flexible and comprises a flexible electronic display capable of conforming to a plurality of surface topologies.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the state of the item is communicated to the electronic label in a communications protocol.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the communications protocol comprises a wireless communications protocol.  
     
     
         51 . A system for electronically providing visual indications about an item, said system comprising: 
 a transceiver module capable of communicating with an electronic label associated with the item in a communications protocol, wherein the electronic label comprises 
 an interface mechanism for communicating with the transceiver module; and  
 a display medium for displaying a visual indicator, wherein said visual indicator represents at least one of a successful communication with the transceiver module, an unsuccessful communication with the transceiver module, and no communication with the transceiver module.  
   
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the electronic label comprises a flexible electronic label.  
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the display medium comprises a plurality of display elements for displaying a plurality of visual indicators.  
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the electronic label further comprises a Radio Frequency Identification tag (RFID).  
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein said RFID tag incorporates an Electronic Product Code (EPC) identifier.  
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said electronic label graphically displays the visual indicator in a black and white format.  
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the electronic label graphically displays the visual indicator in a color format.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said electronic label further comprises a backplane assembly and display medium.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said visual indicator remains visible for a period of time after power is removed from the display medium.  
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said visual indicator displayed by the electronic label is in a machine readable format.  
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein said machine readable format comprises a barcode.  
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein said machine readable format comprises a matrix array symbology.  
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said display medium comprises a bi-stable non volatile display.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said interface mechanism communicates with the transceiver module in a wireless communication protocol.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said electronic label is powered by a signal having a data component and a power component.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said electronic label is powered by a power source internal to the electronic label.  
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said electronic label is powered by a power source external to the electronic label.  
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said electronic label is associated with an internal sensor for providing information related to the tracked item.  
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the electronic label comprises a plurality of layers.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic label comprises a plurality of layers.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic label comprises a plurality of layers.  
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the electronic label comprises a single layer.  
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said visual indicator displayed by the electronic label is in a human readable format.  
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said visual indicator displayed by the electronic label is a graphical representation of a state of the communications between the electronic label and the transceiver module.  
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the state of the communications comprises a successful communication.  
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the state of the communications comprises an unsuccessful communication.  
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein said visual indicator displayed by the electronic label is a graphical representation of a state the electronic label.  
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the state of the electronic label comprises an activated state.  
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the state of the electronic label comprises a deactivated state.  
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the display medium comprises at least one of an encapsulated electrophoretic material, un-encapsulated electrophoretic material, a Cholesteric material, a polymer dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal (PDChLC), an encapsulated cholesteric material, a separated redox and dye reaction a ph sensitive dye, an electrothermochromics liquid crystals, a thermo-chromic liquid crystals, a zenithal bi-stable liquid crystals, a nematic liquid crystals, a surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals, an electroluminescent material, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), a Polymer Light Emitting Diode (PLED), and a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC).  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display medium comprises at least one of an encapsulated electrophoretic material, un-encapsulated electrophoretic material, a Cholesteric material, a polymer dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal (PDChLC), an encapsulated cholesteric material, a separated redox and dye reaction a ph sensitive dye, an electrothermochromics liquid crystals, a thermo-chromic liquid crystals, a zenithal bi-stable liquid crystals, a nematic liquid crystals, a surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals, an electroluminescent material, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), a Polymer Light Emitting Diode (PLED), and a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC).  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the display medium comprises at least one of an encapsulated electrophoretic material, un-encapsulated electrophoretic material, a Cholesteric material, a polymer dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal (PDChLC), an encapsulated cholesteric material, a separated redox and dye reaction a ph sensitive dye, an electrothermochromics liquid crystals, a thermo-chromic liquid crystals, a zenithal bi-stable liquid crystals, a nematic liquid crystals, a surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals, an electroluminescent material, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), a Polymer Light Emitting Diode (PLED), and a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC).  
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the tracked item comprises at least one of a shipping container, a pallet, a case, a consumer goods package, a freshness indicator, a use by indicator, a seasonal indicator, a package priority indicator, a package routing indicator, a luggage security check indicator, a crowd control indicator, an employee badge, a bio presence sensors, a chemical presence sensor, an environmental sensor, an access control, and a light to pick.  
     
     
         84 . A method for marking an item, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a state of the item; and    displaying a visual indicator on an electronic label associated with the item in response to detection of said state of the item,    wherein said electronic label comprises an electronic display.    
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84 , further comprising the step of monitoring the item at a plurality of locations to detect a change in the state of the item as the item arrives, departs or moves within each of the plurality of locations.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 84 , further comprising the step of monitoring a plurality of locations to detect the state of the item.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein said electronic label comprises a flexible electronic label capable of movement in a plurality of dimensions.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the electronic label displays at least one of a plurality of visual indicators to indicate a detected change in the state of the item.  
     
     
         89 . A method for tracking an item, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a status of the item; and    displaying a visual indicator on an electronic label associated with the item in response to detection of said status of the item,    wherein said electronic label comprises an electronic display.    
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , further comprising the step of monitoring the item at a plurality of locations to detect the status of the item as the item arrives, departs or moves within each of the plurality of locations.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89 , further comprising the step of monitoring a plurality of locations to detect the status of the item.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein said electronic label comprises a flexible electronic label capable of movement in a plurality of dimensions.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the electronic label displays at least one of a plurality of visual indicators to indicate detection of the status of the item.  
     
     
         94 . A method for tracking an item, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting information related to the item; and    displaying a visual indicator on an electronic label associated with the item in response to detection of said information related to the item,    wherein said electronic label comprises an electronic display.    
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94 , further comprising the step of monitoring the item at a plurality of locations to detect the information related to the item.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 94 , further comprising the step of monitoring a plurality of locations to detect information related to the item as the item arrives, departs or moves within each of the plurality of locations.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein said electronic label comprises a flexible electronic label capable of movement in a plurality of dimensions.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the electronic label displays at least one of a plurality of visual indicators to indicate detection of the information related to the item.