Data format for efficient encoding and access of multiple data items in RFID tags

• US 20070276985A1
• Filed: 05/29/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Schuessler, Frederick
• Granted Patent: US 7,822,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/100
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods for optimizing random access retrieval of a requested data item in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag are provided. During random access retrieval, a first read of a memory bank in the RFID tag is performed. The first read providers a set of identifier indices stored in a packed object in the memory bank of the RFID tag and a length of the packed object. A determination is then made whether a retrieved identifier index represents the requested data item to be retrieved. A second read of the memory bank, accessing the portion of the memory bank including the data items, is then performed. The location of the data item in the packed object may optionally be determined prior to the second read.

Claims

1. A method for random access retrieval of a requested data item stored in an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

performing a first read of a memory bank in the RFID tag, wherein the first read provides a set of identifier indices stored in a packed object in the memory bank and a length of the packed object;

determining whether a retrieved identifier index in the set of identifier indices represents the requested data item to be retrieved; and

performing a second read of the memory bank, wherein the second read accesses a portion of the memory bank including the data item.

2. A method for random access retrieval of a requested data item stored in an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

performing a first read of a memory bank in the RFID tag, wherein the first read provides a set of identifier indices stored in a packed object in the memory bank and a length of the packed object;

determining whether a retrieved identifier index in the set of identifier indices represents the requested data item to be retrieved;

determining a location of the data item within the packed object in the memory bank based on information provided in the first read if a retrieved identifier index represents the requested data item; and

performing a second read of the memory bank, wherein the second read accesses a portion of the memory bank including the data item.