Multi-mode radio frequency device
First Claim
1. A transponder device, comprising:
- a radio frequency identification transponder configured to operate in a plurality of modes and to change modes of operation in accordance with the strength of a received radio frequency signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transponder device having multiple modes of operation, such as an active mode and a passive mode, wherein the modes of operation are selected in response to the strength of a received radio frequency signal. A communication system is also provided having a transceiver configured to transmit a radio frequency signal and to receive a responsive signal, and a transponder configured to operate in a plurality of modes and to activate modes of operation in response to the radio frequency signal. Ideally, each mode of operation is activated and deactivated independent of the other modes, although two or more modes may be concurrently operational.
121 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A transponder device, comprising:
a radio frequency identification transponder configured to operate in a plurality of modes and to change modes of operation in accordance with the strength of a received radio frequency signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A transponder device, comprising:
a radio frequency identification tag configured to operate in a passive mode for backscatter operations and to operate in an active mode for transmission of a radio frequency signal, the passive mode and the active mode selected in response to a received radio frequency interrogation signal. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A transponder device, comprising:
a radio frequency identification tag configured to operate in a first mode when at a first distance from a radio frequency signal source, to operate in a second mode when at a second distance that is closer to the radio frequency signal source than the first distance, and in a third mode when at a third distance that is closer to the radio frequency signal source than the second distance, the first, second, and third modes selected in response to receipt of a radio frequency signal transmitted from the radio frequency signal source. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A radio frequency transponder architecture, comprising:
a micro-power oscillator configured to obtain sufficient power from a received radio frequency signal to oscillate and be detectable at a first distance, a ROM-based circuit that obtains sufficient power from the received radio frequency signal at a second distance that is shorter than the first distance to the source of the radio frequency signal to modulate an identification code preprogrammed in a memory of the ROM-based circuit, and a CMOS microcontroller configured to receive sufficient power from the received radio frequency signal at a third distance that is shorter than the second distance to the source of the radio frequency signal to perform at least one from among read operations, write operations, monitoring of external inputs, and generating control signals for controlling external devices. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A communication system, comprising:
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a transceiver configured to transmit a radio frequency signal and to receive a response signal; and
a transponder configured to operate in a plurality of modes and to activate modes of operation in response to only the strength of the radio frequency signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification