Method and apparatus for varying signals transmitted by a tag
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits signpost signals (24) that are received by a tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711). The tag in turn transmits radio frequency beacon signals (72) which are received by a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530). The tag can vary the duration of the beacon signals, for example in dependence on whether it is currently receiving a signpost signal. Further, the tag can dynamically vary the transmission rate and/or transmission power of the beacon signals, for example following receipt of a signpost signal. Varying these parameters can facilitate compliance with governmental regulations.
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Citations
66 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry which includes:
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a receiver section operable to receive wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code; and
a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal an information portion that is based on the received signpost signal;
wherein said wireless signpost signals are near field signals of primarily magnetic character, said receiver section being configured to receive said signpost signals of magnetic character. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method, comprising the steps of:
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receiving in a receiver section of a tag wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code, said wireless signpost signals being near field signals of primarily magnetic character; and
transmitting from a transmitter section of said tag wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitting step including the step of causing said transmitter section to be responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal an information portion that is based on the received signpost signal. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry which includes:
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a receiver section operable to receive wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code; and
a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal an information portion that is based on the received signpost signal;
wherein said signpost signals also include a command portion, and wherein said tag is responsive to said command portion of a respective said signpost signal received by said tag for effecting a control function within said tag. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method comprising the steps of:
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receiving in a receiver section of a tag wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code and a command portion;
transmitting from a transmitter section of said tag wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitting step including the step of causing said transmitter section to be responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal an information portion that is based on the received signpost signal; and
effecting a control function within said tag in response to said command portion of a respective said signpost signal received by said tag. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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Specification