Dense reader system with improved listen before talk communications
First Claim
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1. A method for performing communications in a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
- (a) performing a first tag interrogation in a frequency channel;
(b) waiting a determined period of time during which the reader does not transmit a tag interrogation signal;
(c) after step (b), determining whether a tag interrogation due to another reader is occurring in the frequency channel; and
(d) performing a second tag interrogation in the frequency channel if it is determined that a tag interrogation due to another reader is not occurring in the frequency channel.
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Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatuses for RFID readers forming a reader network are described. In an aspect of the present invention, readers communicate according to a “Listen Before Talk” (LBT) protocol to avoid undesirable interference.
43 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for performing communications in a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
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(a) performing a first tag interrogation in a frequency channel;
(b) waiting a determined period of time during which the reader does not transmit a tag interrogation signal;
(c) after step (b), determining whether a tag interrogation due to another reader is occurring in the frequency channel; and
(d) performing a second tag interrogation in the frequency channel if it is determined that a tag interrogation due to another reader is not occurring in the frequency channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
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at least one antenna;
a tag communications module coupled to the at least one antenna and configured to interrogate tags; and
a timing module coupled to the tag communications module, wherein the timing module calculates a desired duty cycle for performing tag interrogations by the reader. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification