RFID SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DISTANCE RANGES

• US 20080088473A1
• Filed: 01/10/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: KPC Incorporated
• Original Assignee: KPC Incorporated
• Inventors: Lee, Chang Sup, Lee, Hyun Chul, Choi, Hyun Deuk, Yoo, Dong Ho, Kim, Hyun Chul
• Application Number:
  US11/621,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20080088473A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.37
• 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 7/10198 setting parameters for the interrogator, e.g. programming parameters and operating modes

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system and method for controlling distance ranges. The RFID system includes a plurality of RFID tags, a plurality of readers, and middleware. The RFID tags receive position coordinates and time data through signals from a satellite and store data. The readers transmit and receive data to and from the RFID tags. The middleware forms a network in conjunction with the readers and controls distance ranges between the RFID tags and the readers.

Claims

1. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system for controlling distance ranges, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags for receiving position coordinates and time data through signals from a satellite and storing data;

a plurality of readers for transmitting and receiving data to and from the RFID tags; and

middleware configured to form a network in conjunction with the readers and control distance ranges between the RFID tags and the readers.

2. The RFID system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the RFID tags comprises:

a GPS antenna unit that receives position coordinates and time data from a satellite;

an RF antenna unit comprising an LF antenna for receiving activation signals from the readers via an LF band and a UHF antenna for transmitting and receiving activation signals and data via a UHF band, and configured to transmit and receive data via a dual band;

an automatic power unit for automatically supplying and cutting off power in response to the activation signals received by the LF antenna or UHF antenna of the RF antenna unit;

a central processing unit configured to be supplied with power by the automatic power unit and to control the GPS antenna unit and the RF antenna unit; and

a storage unit for storing data controlled and processed by the central processing unit.

3. The RFID system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the automatic power unit of the RFID tag operates in a sleep mode at normal times, is switched to an active mode at a time set by a user, and then automatically supplies and cuts off power.

4. The RFID system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the automatic power unit of the RFID tag operates in a sleep mode at normal times, is switched to an active mode in response to a signal received from the reader, and then automatically supplies and cuts off power.

5. The RFID system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the readers comprises:

an RF antenna unit comprising an LF antenna for transmitting an activation signal to the RFID tag via an LF band and a UHF antenna for exchanging an activation signal and data with the RFID tag via a UHF band, and configured to transmit and receive data via a dual band;

a central processing unit for controlling and processing the signals transmitted from and received by the RF antenna unit;

a storage unit for storing data controlled and processed by the central processing unit;

a power unit for supplying power to the RF antenna unit, the central processing unit and the storage unit; and

an auxiliary power unit for supplying power in an auxiliary manner when the power of the power unit is consumed.

6. The RFID system as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of the readers further comprises an activation-dedicated module for exchanging activation signals with the RFID tag.

7. A method of controlling distance ranges, comprising:

a first step of a reader waiting for execution of a command transmitted from middleware;

a second step of the middleware issuing an RF output control command to the reader;

a third step of authenticating an ID and password of the reader so as to execute the RF output control command received from the middleware;

a fourth step of setting an RF output value of the reader if the authentication is successful;

a fifth step of determining whether the set RF output value of the reader is identical to a value of the RF output control command transmitted from the middleware; and

a sixth step of making an approval response if the RF output value of the reader is identical to the value of the RF output control command transmitted from the middleware.

8. The method set forth in claim 7, further comprising a seventh step of making a rejection response if the authentication is not successful at the third step.

9. The method set forth in claim 7, further comprising an eighth step of making a rejection response if the RF output value of the reader is not identical to the value of the RF output control command transmitted from the middleware at the fifth step.