RFID tags with port-dependent functionality
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A Radio Frequency Identification integrated circuit (IC), comprising:
- a first antenna port configured to be coupled to a first antenna;
a second antenna port configured to be coupled to a second antenna functionally distinct from the first antenna, wherein the first antenna port is electrically isolated from the second antenna port such that the antenna ports do not share a same reference potential; and
a processing block configured to;
receive concurrent inputs from the first antenna port and from the second antenna port;
determine whether a first input is properly received from the first antenna port based on a value of one or more port-indicator bits associated with the first input, whereinthe one or more port-indicator bits identify a type of a signal from a reader to the IC,a first value of the port-indicator bits indicate that the signal is received from and sent by the same antenna port, anda second value of the port-indicator bits indicate that the signal is received from and sent by different antenna ports;
in response to the determination that the first input is properly received from the first antenna port, operate with a first IC functionality;
determine whether a second input is properly received from the second antenna port based on the value of the one or more port-indicator bits associated with the second input; and
in response to the determination that the second input is properly received from the second antenna port, operate with a second IC functionality different from the first IC functionality.
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Abstract
An Integrated Circuit (IC) for an RFID tag includes at least two antenna ports for coupling to at least two antennas. The IC may be configured to determine the port from which it receives an input signal, and provide a first functionality if it receives the input from a first port and a second functionality if it receives the input from a second port. The IC may be configured to determine and/or offer a functionality based on the receiving port.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A Radio Frequency Identification integrated circuit (IC), comprising:
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a first antenna port configured to be coupled to a first antenna; a second antenna port configured to be coupled to a second antenna functionally distinct from the first antenna, wherein the first antenna port is electrically isolated from the second antenna port such that the antenna ports do not share a same reference potential; and a processing block configured to; receive concurrent inputs from the first antenna port and from the second antenna port; determine whether a first input is properly received from the first antenna port based on a value of one or more port-indicator bits associated with the first input, wherein the one or more port-indicator bits identify a type of a signal from a reader to the IC, a first value of the port-indicator bits indicate that the signal is received from and sent by the same antenna port, and a second value of the port-indicator bits indicate that the signal is received from and sent by different antenna ports; in response to the determination that the first input is properly received from the first antenna port, operate with a first IC functionality; determine whether a second input is properly received from the second antenna port based on the value of the one or more port-indicator bits associated with the second input; and in response to the determination that the second input is properly received from the second antenna port, operate with a second IC functionality different from the first IC functionality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for a Radio Frequency Identification integrated circuit (IC) having a first antenna port and a second antenna port, wherein the first antenna port is configured to be coupled to a first antenna, the second antenna port is configured to be coupled to a second antenna functionally distinct from the first antenna, and the first antenna port is electrically isolated from the second antenna port such that the antenna ports do not share a same reference potential, the method comprising:
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receiving concurrent inputs from the first antenna port and from the second antenna port; determining whether a first input is properly received from the first antenna port based on a value of one or more port-indicator bits associated with the first input, wherein the one or more port-indicator bits identify a type of a signal from a reader to the IC, a first value of the port-indicator bits indicate that the signal is received from and sent by the same antenna port, and a second value of the port-indicator bits indicate that the signal is received from and sent by different antenna ports; in response to determining that the first input is properly received from the first antenna port, operating with a first IC functionality; determining whether a second input is properly received from the second antenna port based on the value of the one or more port-indicator bits associated with the second input; and in response to determining that the second input is properly received from the second antenna port, operating with a second IC functionality different from the first IC functionality. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A Radio Frequency Identification integrated circuit (IC), comprising:
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a first antenna port configured to be coupled to a first antenna; a second antenna port configured to be coupled to a second antenna distinct from the first antenna, wherein the first antenna port is electrically isolated from the second antenna port such that the antenna ports do not share a same reference potential; and a processing block configured to; receive concurrent inputs from the first antenna port and from the second antenna port; determine whether a first input is properly received from the first antenna port based on a value of one or more port-indicator bits associated with the first input, wherein the one or more port-indicator bits identify a type of a signal from a reader to the IC, a first value of the port-indicator bits indicate that the signal is received from and sent by the same antenna port, and a second value of the port-indicator bits indicate that the signal is received from and sent by different antenna ports; in response to the determination that the first input is properly received from the first antenna port, operate with a first IC functionality; determine whether a second input is properly received from the second antenna port based on the value of the one or more port-indicator bits associated with the second input; and in response to the determination that the second input is properly received from the second antenna port, operate with a second IC functionality different from the first IC functionality. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification