RFID TAG MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION

• US 20080204248A1
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Thomson, Allan, Cam Winget, Nancy
• Granted Patent: US 7,817,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

In an example embodiment, an apparatus such as an RFID tag, is configured to operate in a first mode that allows the tag to associate with the network and receive configuration data and to operate in a second mode wherein the apparatus is not associated with the network. The apparatus sends announcement packets while in the second mode in accordance with the configuration data received while in the first mode of operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

control logic operable to control the operation of the wireless transceiver;

wherein the control logic is configured to operate the wireless transceiver in a first mode wherein the apparatus associates with a network;

wherein the control logic is configured to operate the wireless transceiver in a second mode wherein the wireless transceiver sends announce packets while not associated to the network.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein while operating in the first mode

the control logic receives data representative of operating parameters for operating in the second mode.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the data representative of operating parameters includes a blink rate interval and at least one operating channel.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control logic is configured to receive an image update while in the first mode.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control logic is configured to switch from the second mode to the first mode periodically.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control logic is configured to receive data representative of operating parameters for operating in the second mode after the control logic switches from the second mode to the first mode.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, the controller further comprises:

a volatile memory; and

a non-volatile memory;

wherein the volatile memory is configured with a factory default security credential.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control logic is configured to receive an administration security credential while in the first mode, the control logic is responsive to receiving the administration security credential to store the administration security credential in the volatile memory and use the administration security credential for subsequent communications.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control logic is operable to transmit announce messages signed with the administration security credential.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control logic is responsive to receiving data representative of operating parameters to authenticate the data with the administration security credential.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, the data representative of operating parameters comprises one of a group consisting of a blink rate interval, an operating channel, and an executable image for the controller to utilize.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control logic is configured to switch from the second mode to the first mode periodically and associates with the network using the administration security credential.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control logic is configured to receive data representative of operating parameters for operating in the second mode after the control logic switches from the second mode to the first mode and is responsive to receiving the data to authenticate the data with the administration security credential.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, the control logic further comprising:

the control logic is configured to operate the wireless transceiver in a third mode wherein the wireless transceiver sends an application packet to the network, while in one of a group consisting of the an associated state and an unassociated state;

wherein the control logic is configured to expect a response from the network to the application packet.

15. A method, comprising:

associating with a network;

receiving configuration data while associated with the network;

disassociating from the network; and

transmitting an announcement packet periodically in accordance with the configuration data after disassociating with the network.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

periodically re-associating with the network after disassociating with the network; and

receiving updated configuration data while re-associated with the network.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the configuration data comprises a blink rate interval and at least one operating channel.

18. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a manufacturer security credential;

wherein the associating step further comprises verifying the network has the manufacturer security credential.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:

receiving an administration security credential; and

wherein the transmitting an announcement packet further comprises authenticating the announcement packet with the administration security credential.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

means for associating with a network;

means for receiving configuration data while associated with the network;

means for disassociating from the network; and

means for transmitting an announcement packet periodically in accordance with the configuration data after disassociating with the network.