LPRF DEVICE WAKE UP USING WIRELESS TAG

• US 20090181625A1
• Filed: 03/25/2009
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TeraHop Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Twitchell, Robert W. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,301,082 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/88
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/20 using a distributed architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A radio frequency device for use with a radio frequency data communications device, comprising:

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor;

a transmitter coupled to the processor; and

an active transmitter coupled to the processor, the active transmitter being configured to transmit an RF signal, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the radio frequency data communications device is providing incident RF energy to the radio frequency device.

22. A radio frequency device in accordance with claim 21 and further comprising a common antenna coupled to the transmitter and to the active transmitter.

23. A radio frequency device in accordance with claim 21 and further comprising a first antenna coupled to the active transmitter and a second antenna coupled to the receiver.

24. A radio frequency device in accordance with claim 21 and further comprising a power source coupled to the processor, transmitter, receiver and active transmitter, and wherein power is supplied temporarily to the active transmitter, from the power source, in response to the trigger signal.

25. A radio frequency device in accordance with claim 21 and further comprising a battery coupled to the processor, transmitter, receiver and active transmitter, and wherein power is supplied temporarily to the active transmitter, from the battery, in response to the trigger signal.

26. The radio frequency device of claim 21 wherein the trigger signal is not communicated by the radio frequency data communications device.

27. The radio frequency device of claim 21 wherein the trigger signal originates using the radio frequency device.

42. The radio frequency device of claim 21, wherein the radio frequency device comprises a wireless reader tag.

43. The radio frequency device of claim 21, wherein the radio frequency data communications device comprises a wireless reader tag.

28. A radio frequency communications system comprising:

a radio frequency data communications device; and

a radio frequency device comprising;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor;

a transmitter coupled to the processor;

an active transmitter coupled to the processor, the active transmitter being configured to transmit an RF signal to the radio frequency data communications device, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the radio frequency data communications device is providing incident RF energy to the radio frequency device; and

a sensor coupled to the processor, the trigger signal being generated in response to a condition sensed by the sensor;

wherein the reader is configured to contact the radio frequency device in response to receiving the RF signal transmitted by the active transmitter.

29. A system in accordance with claim 28 wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein the trigger signal is not communicated by the radio frequency data communications device and the radio frequency device is configured to transmit the RF signal when the radio frequency device is not concurrently receiving incident RF energy from the radio frequency data communications device.

31. The system of claim 28 wherein the sensor is configured to sense a condition with respect to the radio frequency device and to generate the trigger signal responsive to the sensing.

32. A radio frequency communications device, for use with a radio frequency data communications device, comprising:

a battery;

a semi-passive radio frequency device, coupled to the battery, for use with a radio frequency data communications device, including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor; and

an active transmitter coupled to the processor and to the battery, the active transmitter being configured to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the radio frequency data communications device is providing incident RF energy to the radio frequency device.

33. A radio frequency communications device, for use with a radio frequency data communications device, comprising:

a battery;

a semi-passive radio frequency device, coupled to the battery, for use with a radio frequency data communications device, including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor; and

an active transmitter coupled to the processor and to the battery, the active transmitter being configured to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the radio frequency data communications device is providing incident RF energy to the radio frequency device; and

a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor being configured to sense a condition with respect to the radio frequency communications device and to generate the trigger signal responsive to the sensing and independent of communications of the radio frequency data communications device.

34. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 33 wherein the sensor is a temperature threshold sensor.

35. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 33 wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor.

36. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency device for use with a radio frequency data communications device, the method comprising:

coupling a receiver to a processor, coupling a transmitter to the processor, and coupling an active transmitter to the processor; and

arranging the active transmitter to transmit an RF signal, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the radio frequency data communications device is providing incident RF energy to the radio frequency device.

37. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency device for use with a radio frequency data communications device, the method comprising:

coupling a receiver to a processor, coupling a transmitter to the processor, and coupling an active transmitter to the processor;

arranging the active transmitter to transmit an RF signal, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the radio frequency data communications device is providing incident RF energy to the radio frequency device; and

coupling a sensor to the processor, the trigger signal being generated in response to a condition sensed by the sensor.

38. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device, for use with a radio frequency data communications device, the method comprising:

providing a battery;

coupling a semi-passive radio frequency device to the battery, the device being for use with a radio frequency data communications device and including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor; and

coupling an active transmitter to the processor of the semi-passive radio frequency device and to the battery, and configuring the active transmitter to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the radio frequency data communications device is providing incident RF energy to the radio frequency device.

39. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device, for use with a radio frequency data communications device, the method comprising:

providing a battery;

coupling a semi-passive radio frequency device to the battery, the device being for use with a radio frequency data communications device and including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor; and

coupling an active transmitter to the processor of the semi-passive tag and to the battery, and configuring the active transmitter to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the radio frequency data communications device is providing incident RF energy to the radio frequency device, the trigger signal being independent of the radio frequency data communications device; and

coupling a sensor to the processor of the semi-passive tag, the sensor being configured to sense a condition with respect to the semi-passive tag and to generate the trigger signal responsive to the sensing.

40. A radio frequency beacon device for use with a backscatter interrogator, comprising:

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor;

a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor; and

an active transmitter coupled to the processor, the active transmitter being configured to transmit an RF signal, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator.

41. A radio frequency communications device, for use with a backscatter interrogator, comprising:

a battery;

a semi-passive radio frequency device, coupled to the battery, for use with a backscatter interrogator, including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive backscatter radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor; and

an active transmitter coupled to the processor and to the battery, the active transmitter being configured to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator.