Apparatus for and method of using an intelligent network and RFID signal router

• US 20060202033A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: von Kaenel, Tim, Campero, Richard J., Trivelpiece, Steve, Cocotis, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/366,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20060202033A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/436
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems for, and methods of transporting digital signals and radio-frequency (“RF”) signals are disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an intelligent network (e.g., a combination router) and corresponding method are provided for transporting RF signals to, for example, an RFID antenna and transporting digital signals to, for example, a controller. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent network is implemented with a manager unit for controlling a plurality of network devices to facilitate the efficient management of RFID-enabled devices. The network devices may include a combination router/switch, which has the capability of switching both digital data and RF data, RFID readers, RFID reader/writer pads, and other devices. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the intelligent network allows enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennae.

Claims

1. A method of operating an RFID system comprising:

a) performing a self-check of operability with at least one combination router;

b) communicating results of the self-test to at least one additional component;

c) determining an antenna to be read;

d) determining an available RFID reader; and

e) determining at least one available first and second route for a first and a second signal respectively to be sent from an RFID reader to the antenna to be read.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing a self-check comprises an integrity check.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the integrity check comprises determining which input/output ports of the at least one combination router are in communication with the system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the integrity check comprises identifying what device is connected to each input/output port of the at least one combination router.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the integrity check is performed with real-time or logged data.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising f) selecting a first route for the first signal.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising g) establishing a first signal connection between the network and the first signal along the selected route.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising h) verifying the first signal connection between the network and the first signal along the selected route.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising i) determining if the first signal connection is verified.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising j) repeating steps f) through i) if the first signal connection is not verified.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising k) selecting a second route for the second signal if the connection is verified.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising l) establishing a second signal connection between the network and the second signal along the selected route.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising m) verifying the second signal connection between the network and the first signal along the selected route.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising n) determining if the second signal connection is verified.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising o) repeating steps k) through n) if the second signal connection is not verified.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

supplying power to the selected RFID reader if the second signal connection is verified; and

interrogating the antenna to be read.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing the results of the step of interrogating the antenna to be read.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising decreasing power supplied to the selected RFID reader.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining if a status update is needed.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising repeating steps a) and b) if it is determined that a status update is needed.