Methods and Apparatus for Analyzing Signal Conditions Affecting Operation of an RFID Communication Device
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
- a transmitter for transmitting a carrier signal to an RFID device;
a receiver for receiving electromagnetic signals present in an environment in which the reader is operating; and
a processor operative to collect signal data providing information relating to the signals received by the receiver, the processor being operative to identify signal data representing a return signal from an RFID device and process the data to identify the RFID device, the processor being further operative to collect signal data representing the return signal and other signal data providing information relating to additional signals and electromagnetic phenomena present in the environment experienced by the reader, the processor being further operative to make the collected signal data available for analysis in order to show characteristics of signals present in the environment experienced by the reader.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques for generating data showing a signal environment experienced by a radio frequency identification (RFID) communication device. A transceiver within the communication device sweeps through a frequency range of interest in order to receive signals within the frequency range. Depending on the nature of the signals of interest, the signals detected may be reflected signals generated in response to a carrier signal produced by the communication device, or active signals produced by active sources. Baseband analysis is performed in order to detect and identify reflective signals, and spectrum analysis is performed in order to detect and identify active signal sources.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting a carrier signal to an RFID device; a receiver for receiving electromagnetic signals present in an environment in which the reader is operating; and a processor operative to collect signal data providing information relating to the signals received by the receiver, the processor being operative to identify signal data representing a return signal from an RFID device and process the data to identify the RFID device, the processor being further operative to collect signal data representing the return signal and other signal data providing information relating to additional signals and electromagnetic phenomena present in the environment experienced by the reader, the processor being further operative to make the collected signal data available for analysis in order to show characteristics of signals present in the environment experienced by the reader. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15)
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12. A server for receiving information from a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
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an interface for receiving signal data relating to signals present in an environment in which the reader is operating; and a processor for managing the signal data so as to provide information showing a signal environment experienced by the reader. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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16. A method of signal analysis, comprising the steps of:
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receiving signals experienced by a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader; processing the signals to detect and identify return signals produced in response to an interrogation by the RFID reader; and further processing the signals to provide signal information showing the signal environment experienced by the reader. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification