MULTI-PROTOCOL RFID SYSTEM USING DYNAMIC RECONFIGURATION
First Claim
1. ) An RFID interrogator comprising:
- (a) a computer comprising a storage memory area and a processor, the computer being arranged for storing and selectively retrieving configuration parameters associated with plural RFID protocols;
(b) a set of configuration parameter data for plural RFID protocols stored within the computer;
(c) a protocol schedule comprising information representing a sequence in which different protocols shall be implemented;
(d) a transceiver component connected to the computer via a data interface, where the transceiver component is arranged to alter its operation in response to configuration parameters received from the computer via the data interface;
(e) wherein the computer automatically switches transceiver component operation among two or more protocols by retrieving configuration parameter data and sending it via the data interface to the transceiver component in accordance with the protocol schedule.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-protocol RFID interrogating system employs a synchronization technique (step-lock) for a backscatter RFID system that allows simultaneous operation of closely spaced interrogators. The multi-protocol RFID interrogating system can communicate with backscatter transponders having different output protocols and with active transponders including: Title 21 compliant RFID backscatter transponders; IT2000 RFID backscatter transponders that provide an extended mode capability beyond Title 21; EGOTM RFID backscatter transponders, SEGOTM RFID backscatter transponders; ATA, ISO, ANSI AAR compliant RFID backscatter transponders; and IAG compliant active technology transponders. The system implements a step-lock operation, whereby adjacent interrogators are synchronized to ensure that all downlinks operate within the same time frame and all uplinks operate within the same time frame, to eliminate downlink on uplink interference.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. ) An RFID interrogator comprising:
-
(a) a computer comprising a storage memory area and a processor, the computer being arranged for storing and selectively retrieving configuration parameters associated with plural RFID protocols; (b) a set of configuration parameter data for plural RFID protocols stored within the computer; (c) a protocol schedule comprising information representing a sequence in which different protocols shall be implemented; (d) a transceiver component connected to the computer via a data interface, where the transceiver component is arranged to alter its operation in response to configuration parameters received from the computer via the data interface; (e) wherein the computer automatically switches transceiver component operation among two or more protocols by retrieving configuration parameter data and sending it via the data interface to the transceiver component in accordance with the protocol schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification