CLIP FOR RFID TRANSPONDER OF A SECURITY NETWORK

• US 20070090958A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LifeShield LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LifeShield LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stilp, Louis
• Granted Patent: US 7,202,789 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/03 with multiple-channel loop, i.e. redundant control systems
• 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: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/002 Generating a prealarm to the central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/06 Monitoring of the line circuits, e.g. signalling of line faults
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/12 Marking faulty circuits "busy"; Enabling equipment to disengage itself from faulty circuits ; Using redundant circuits; Response of a circuit, apparatus or system to an error
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A clip for an RFID transponder used in a security network based on RFID techniques. The clip includes a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder via a slip or snap-in placement. The clip also includes an electrical contact interconnecting with an electrical contact of the RFID transponder, a mechanical member pressing on a switch of the RFID transponder, or both when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip. Such interconnecting or pressing enables enrollment of the RFID transponder with a controller of the security network. A related method of enrolling the RFID transponder in the security network, using the clip, is also provided.

Claims

1. A clip for holding an RFID transponder configured for use in a security network including at least a first RFID reader and at least a first controller controlling transmissions from the RFID reader, the RFID transponder having at least one of an electrical contact or a mechanical switch and being adapted for enrollment with the controller and receiving RF energy transmitted from the RFID reader, the clip comprising:

a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder via a slip or snap-in placement; and

at least one of an electrical contact interconnecting with the electrical contact of the RFID transponder or a mechanical member pressing on the switch when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip, such interconnecting or pressing enabling enrollment of the RFID transponder with the controller.

2. The clip of claim 1 further comprising an intrusion sensor.

3. The clip of claim 1 further comprising at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener to position the clip on a structure.

4. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip is a device wearable by a person or an animal.

5. In combination, a clip and an RFID transponder, the combination comprising:

an RFID transponder configured for use in a security network including at least a first RFID reader and at least a first controller controlling transmissions from the RFID reader, the RFID transponder having at least one of an electrical contact or a mechanical switch and being adapted for enrollment with the controller and receiving RF energy transmitted from the RFID reader; and

a clip having a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder via a slip or snap-in placement, and at least one of an electrical contact interconnecting with the electrical contact of the RFID transponder or a mechanical member pressing on the switch when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip, such interconnecting or pressing enabling enrollment of the RFID transponder with the controller.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the clip further includes an intrusion sensor.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein the clip further includes at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener to position the clip on a structure.

8. The combination of claim 5 wherein the clip is a device wearable by a person or an animal.

11. The combination of claim 5 wherein the RFID transponder is connected to an intrusion sensor.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the RFID transponder is connected to a passive infrared sensor.

13. The combination of claim 5 wherein the RFID transponder is sealed and includes a battery adapted to last the lifetime of the RFID transponder.

14. The combination of claim 5 wherein the RFID transponder includes an energy store.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the energy store is a battery.

16. The combination of claim 14, wherein the RFID transponder includes a circuit monitoring the charged state of the energy store and reports the state of the energy store in a wireless communication to the RFID reader.

17. The combination of claim 5 wherein the RFID transponder includes a microprocessor.

9. In combination, a clip and an RFID transponder, the combination comprising:

an RFID transponder configured for use in a security network including at least a first RFID reader and at least a first controller controlling transmissions from the RFID reader, the RFID transponder having at least one of an electrical contact or a mechanical switch and being adapted for enrollment with the controller and receiving RF energy transmitted from the RFID reader; and

a clip having a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder via a slip or snap-in placement, and at least one of an electrical contact interconnecting with the electrical contact of the RFID transponder or a mechanical member pressing on the switch when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip, such interconnecting or pressing enabling enrollment of the RFID transponder with the controller,

wherein the RFID transponder interprets the received RF energy to determine whether a response is permitted, determines whether it has a response to send to the RFID reader, and only sends a wireless communication to the RFID reader (a) in response to received RF energy, (b) if a response is permitted, and (c) if the RFID transponder has any response to send.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the response indicates whether an intrusion has been detected.

18. A method of enrolling an RFID transponder in a security network having at least a first RFID reader and at least a first controller controlling transmissions from the RFID reader, the method comprising:

providing an un-enrolled RFID transponder having at least one of an electrical contact or a mechanical switch and receiving RF energy transmitted from the RFID reader;

providing a clip having a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder following a slip or snap-in placement of the RFID transponder in the clip, and at least one of an electrical contact interconnecting with the electrical contact of the RFID transponder or a mechanical member pressing on the switch when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip; and

slipping or snapping the RFID transponder into engagement with the clip so that the electrical contact of the RFID transponder interconnects with the electrical contact of the clip, the mechanical member of the clip presses on the switch of the RFID transponder, or both—

thereby actuating the RFID transponder and causing communication between the RFID transponder and the RFID reader, the controller, or both—

and the clip holds the RFID transponder;

whereby the communication enrolls the RFID transponder with the controller.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the RFID transponder has a default memory and the method further comprises the step of giving the RFID transponder an identity and association with the security network.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the RFID transponder has a reset capability and the method further comprises the step of resetting the RFID transponder memory back to default.

21. A clip for holding an RFID transponder configured for use in a security network including at least a first RFID reader and at least a first controller controlling transmissions from the RFID reader, the RFID transponder having at least one of an electrical contact or a mechanical switch and being adapted for enrollment with the controller and receiving RF energy transmitted from the RFID reader, the clip comprising:

a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder via a slip or snap-in placement; and

at least one of an electrical contact interconnecting with the electrical contact of the RFID transponder or a mechanical member pressing on the switch when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip, such interconnecting or pressing initiating enrollment of the RFID transponder with the controller.

22. A clip for holding an RFID transponder configured for use in a security network including at least a first RFID reader and at least a first controller controlling transmissions from the RFID reader, the RFID transponder having at least one of an electrical contact or a mechanical switch and being adapted for enrollment with the controller and receiving RF energy transmitted from the RFID reader, the clip comprising:

a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder via a slip or snap-in placement; and

at least one of an electrical contact interconnecting with the electrical contact of the RFID transponder or a mechanical member pressing on the switch when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip, such interconnecting or pressing causing enrollment of the RFID transponder with the controller.

23. In combination, a clip and an RFID transponder, the combination comprising:

an RFID transponder configured for use in a security network including at least a first RFID reader and at least a first controller controlling transmissions from the RFID reader, the RFID transponder having at least one of an electrical contact or a mechanical switch and being adapted for enrollment with the controller and receiving RF energy transmitted from the RFID reader; and

a clip having a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder via a slip or snap-in placement, and at least one of an electrical contact interconnecting with the electrical contact of the RFID transponder or a mechanical member pressing on the switch when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip, such interconnecting or pressing initiating enrollment of the RFID transponder with the controller.

24. In combination, a clip and an RFID transponder, the combination comprising:

an RFID transponder configured for use in a security network including at least a first RFID reader and at least a first controller controlling transmissions from the RFID reader, the RFID transponder having at least one of an electrical contact or a mechanical switch and being adapted for enrollment with the controller and receiving RF energy transmitted from the RFID reader; and

a clip having a flexible, semi-rigid body engaging the RFID transponder via a slip or snap-in placement, and at least one of an electrical contact interconnecting with the electrical contact of the RFID transponder or a mechanical member pressing on the switch when the RFID transponder is placed into engagement with the clip, such interconnecting or pressing causing enrollment of the RFID transponder with the controller.