RFID tag tracking using tag population management
First Claim
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1. A method for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader system to track the movement of an RFID integrated circuit (IC) of interest coupled to an antenna, the method comprising:
- receiving an IC response in an inventory round;
determining that the IC response is from the RFID IC of interest;
in response to determining that the IC response is from the RFID IC of interest, preventing the RFID IC of interest from entering a quiet state;
determining, based on at least the IC response, a trajectory of the RFID IC;
generating a plurality of beams along the trajectory;
cooperatively powering the RFID IC using the plurality of beams; and
receiving a subsequent response from the RFID IC in the inventory round.
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Abstract
RFID readers such as synthesized-beam readers may be used to track RFID tags of interest. When a tag of interest is detected, a reader may choose to keep the tag of interest from entering a quiet state, which a detected tag may normally enter. Subsequently, the tag of interest can respond more frequently than a tag in the quiet state, allowing the reader to track any movement of the tag of interest and determine a tag trajectory. The reader may further use the determined trajectory to cooperatively-power the tag of interest.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader system to track the movement of an RFID integrated circuit (IC) of interest coupled to an antenna, the method comprising:
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receiving an IC response in an inventory round; determining that the IC response is from the RFID IC of interest; in response to determining that the IC response is from the RFID IC of interest, preventing the RFID IC of interest from entering a quiet state; determining, based on at least the IC response, a trajectory of the RFID IC; generating a plurality of beams along the trajectory; cooperatively powering the RFID IC using the plurality of beams; and receiving a subsequent response from the RFID IC in the inventory round. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system configured to track the movement of RFID integrated circuits (ICs) coupled to antennas, the reader system comprising:
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an RFID reader system configured to; generate a plurality of beams configured to cooperatively power RFID ICs; and a processor coupled to the RFID reader system and configured to; transmit, via the RFID reader system an inventorying command; receive, via the RFID reader system, an IC response to the inventorying command; determine that the IC response is from an RFID IC of interest; in response to determining that the IC response is from the RFID IC of interest, prevent the RFID IC of interest from entering a quiet state; determine, based on at least the IC response, a trajectory of the RFID IC; and cause the reader system to cooperatively power the RFID IC along the trajectory using the plurality of beams. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system to track an RFID integrated circuit (IC) of interest among a plurality of static RFID ICs, the method comprising:
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receiving an IC response in an inventory round; determining whether the IC response is from the RFID IC of interest or a static RFID IC; in response to determining that the IC response is from the static RFID IC, causing the static RFID IC to enter a quiet state and refrain from subsequently responding in the inventory round; and in response to determining that the IC response is from the RFID IC of interest; preventing the RFID IC of interest from entering the quiet state such that the RFID IC of interest subsequently can respond in the inventory round; generating a plurality of beams directed along a trajectory of the RFID IC of interest; and cooperatively powering the RFID IC of interest using the plurality of beams. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification