Active ID tags for increased range and functionality

• US 20090102656A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infinid Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Infinid Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Goodman, Rodney M., Ambrose, Barry Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,094,022 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

An RFID tag that uses multiple components to both receive and send information.

Claims

10-1. A method as in claim 11, wherein said tag uses deterministic forwarding.

11. A method comprising:

on an RFID tag, receiving information from other RF tags; and

sending both information from other RFID tags, and also information indicative of the RF tag'"'"'s own information.

1. An RFID assembly, comprising:

a first part, which includes a unique address indicative of an RFID tag;

a second, RFID modem, which both receives information from other RF modems and also sends information in response to an interrogation; and

wherein said sending in response to an interrogation includes sending information received from other RF tags, and also sending information indicative of the own RF tag.

2. A tag as in claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller, controlling operation of said RF modem to send and receive information.

3. A tag as in claim 1 further comprising a sensor, which senses at least one characteristic of its environment, wherein said RF modem sends information indicative of the sent characteristics.

4. A tag as in claim 1, further comprising a substrate, holding said tag.

5. A tag as in claim 4, wherein said substrate comprises an attachment part that allows the tag substrate to be attached to a support.

6. A tag as in claim 1, further comprising an interrogator for the tag, wherein said interrogator includes a source of AC power.

7. A tag as in claim 4, wherein said substrate includes an extra spot which can hold additional active portions.

8. A tag as in claim 1, wherein said tag relays messages from other tags.

9. A tag as in claim 1, wherein said tag uses probabilistic forwarding.

10. A tag as in claim 1, wherein said tag uses deterministic forwarding.

12. A method as in claim 11, further comprising a microcontroller, controlling operation of said RF modem to send and receive information.

13. A method as in claim 11 further comprising sensing at least one characteristic of an environment of the RFID tag, and sending information indicative of the sensed characteristic.

14. A method as in claim 11, further comprising mounting electronics on a substrate.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said substrate includes an extra spot which can hold additional active portions.

16. A method as in claim 11, wherein said tag relays messages from other tags.

17. A method as in claim 11, wherein said tag uses probabilistic forwarding.