Method and apparatus for monitoring usage of items

US9449323B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey Mikan · Cumming, US
• Andrea Basso · Torino, IT
• Tara Hines · New York, US
• Aleksey Ivanov · Middletown, US
• Nadia Morris · Decatur, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 22, 2011
• Grant date: Sep 20, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 22, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0267
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device having a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor can be operable to transmit a radio frequency signal directed to a radio frequency identifier tag carried by a first item, receive usage information from the radio frequency identifier tag, determine a measure of wear and tear of the first item from the usage information, compare the measure of wear and tear to a threshold, detect from the comparison a state of usage of the first item, and submit a notice representative of the state of usage of the first item. Other embodiments are disclosed.