Radio frequency identification interrogation method and radio frequency identification device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A radio frequency identification device comprising:
- a first serial bus controller configured to transmit and receive digital data to and from a host;
an analog transmitter configured to receive digital data from the first serial bus controller and to provide a radio frequency signal to a plurality of radio frequency antenna circuits;
an analog receiver configured to receive a radio frequency signal from the plurality of radio frequency antenna circuits and to transmit digital data to the first serial bus controller;
external device selection logic configured to receive antenna selection data from the first serial bus controller and to select one of a plurality of external devices; and
a state machine circuit that controls the manipulation of data within the radio frequency identification device.
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Abstract
A radion frequency identification method and device may facilitate communication between a host computer and a plurality of radio frequency identification sensing antennas and their associated transponders. Incorporated within such a device may be an industry standard serial control bus interface, a standards based radio frequency protocol, and a plurality digital output ports. A state machine and decoding logic may be included to transform serially received antenna selection data and to configure the digital output ports to enable one of the plurality of sensing antennas.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification device comprising:
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a first serial bus controller configured to transmit and receive digital data to and from a host;
an analog transmitter configured to receive digital data from the first serial bus controller and to provide a radio frequency signal to a plurality of radio frequency antenna circuits;
an analog receiver configured to receive a radio frequency signal from the plurality of radio frequency antenna circuits and to transmit digital data to the first serial bus controller;
external device selection logic configured to receive antenna selection data from the first serial bus controller and to select one of a plurality of external devices; and
a state machine circuit that controls the manipulation of data within the radio frequency identification device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of selectively interrogating a plurality of radio frequency identification transponders, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of radio frequency identification transponders;
providing a plurality of sensing antennas, at least one of the sensing antennas being in close proximity to each radio frequency identification transponder;
providing a radio frequency identification device having a first serial bus controller, a radio frequency receiver, a radio frequency transmitter, and a plurality of digital output ports configured to enable one of the plurality of sensing antennas;
providing a host computer having a second serial bus controller that provides serial data communication with the first serial bus controller of the radio frequency identification device;
providing antenna select control logic in electrical communication with the radio frequency identification device and the plurality of radio frequency identification sensing antenna;
transmitting antenna selection data in serial form from the host computer to the radio frequency identification device;
decoding the serially received antenna selection data;
configuring the plurality of digital output ports to enable one of the plurality of sensing antennas; and
enabling one of the plurality of sensing antennas to communicate with a radio frequency identification transponder. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A radio frequency identification system, the system comprising:
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a radio frequency identification device, the radio frequency identification device including a first serial bus controller, an analog output port configured to generate a radio frequency output signal, an analog input port configured to receive a radio frequency input signal, a plurality of digital output ports, and a state machine controlling manipulation of data within the radio frequency identification device;
a host computer having a second serial bus controller in electrical communication with the first serial bus controller;
filtering and amplifying circuitry in electrical communication with the radio frequency identification device;
a plurality of radio frequency identification transponders attachable to items to be monitored;
a plurality of sensing antennas, each of the plurality of sensing antennas in close proximity to one of the plurality of radio frequency identification transponders; and
control logic in electrical communication with the radio frequency identification device and the filtering and amplifying circuitry, the control logic providing a radio frequency output signal that drives one of the plurality of sensing antennas such that a single sensing antenna is driven at any one time. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification