INDUCTIVELY COUPLED TRANSMITTER-RESPONDER ARRANGEMENT

• US 3,859,624 A
• Filed: 09/05/1972
• Issued: 01/07/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Taymar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leon M. Kaplan, Thomas A. Kriofsky
• Inventors: Kriofsky, Thomas A., Kaplan, Leon M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilbur, Maynard R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Montone, G. E.
• Application Number:
  US05/286,306
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 340/152T,38L,149 343/6.5R,6.5SS,6.8R,6.5LC,6.8LC
• US Class Current: 340/941
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/12 using electric or electronic detecting means B07C3/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/043 using inductive tags
• 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: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence

Abstract

An inductively coupled interrogator-responder arrangement having two dimensional and limited three dimensional capability. An interrogator means having AC power field generating capability and uniquely coded information field receiving capability may be positioned at a known location such as in a preselected position in a roadway. The interrogator generates an AC power field in regions adjacent thereto. A responder tag means may be positioned on, for example, vehicles. The responder tag may be completely passive, that is, receiving its power from the AC power field generated by the interrogator. As the vehicle approaches the interrogator unit power is received by the responder tag through inductive coupling and the responder tag generates an uniquely coded information field unique to the particular responder tag on the vehicle. The uniquely coded information field is inductively coupled into the uniquely coded information field receiving portion of the interrogator and an information signal is generated in the interrogator having an information content corresponding to the particular code in the uniquely coded information field. In embodiments where the responder tag is self-powered, the interrogator means does not generate an AC power field and the inductive coupling between the responder tag means and the interrogator means is limited to the inductive coupling of the uniquely coded information field generated in the responder tag and received by the interrogator means.

Claims

1. An interrogator-responder system for providing an output signal having an information content corresponding to an uniquely coded information field of a responder, said uniquely coded information field generated in said responder and comprising, in combination:

an interrogator means for establishing an AC power field at a first frequency and receiving said uniquely coded information field, and generating said output signal in response thereto;

a responder tag means positionable in AC power field and uniquely coded information field energy exchange relationship to said interrogator means for receiving said AC power field and generating said uniquely coded information field at a second frequency in response thereto;

said interrogator means comprising;

a power supply means for providing a source of controlled electric energy;

a power signal-time base generator means comprising a phase locked loop self timed at said first frequency, receiving said controlled electric energy from said power supply means and generating an AC power signal in response thereto, and said AC power signal comprising a self-timed phase locked power signal at said first frequency;

a power field generator means for receiving said self-timed phase locked power signal at said first frequency and generating said AC power field at said first frequency in response thereto for inductive coupling thereof into said responder tag means;

a coded information field receiver means for receiving said uniquely coded information field from said responder tag means and generating an uniquely coded information signal therein in response thereto;

coded information signal detection means powered by said controlled electric energy, for detecting the existence of said uniquely coded information signal in said coded information field receiver means and generating a detected coded signal in response thereto;

information capture and validation logic means, powered by said controlled electric energy, for receiving said detected coded signal from said coded information signal detection means and generating said output signal having an information content corresponding to saId uniquely coded information field in response thereto;

said responder tag means comprises;

power field receiver means for receiving said AC power field from said power field generator means of said interrogator means and providing DC tag power signals in response thereto;

a code signal time-base generator means powered by said DC tag power signals for generating a code time-base signal at a third frequency;

code signal generator means powered by said DC tag power signals and receiving said code time-base signal for repetitively generating an unique clocked code signal clocked at said third frequency of said code time-base signal;

coded information signal and time-base generator means powered by said DC tag power signals for receiving said unique clocked code signal and generating a self-clocking coded information signal unique to said responder tag in response thereto; and

coded information field generator means for receiving said self-clocking coded information signal and generating said uniquely coded information field in response thereto for inductive coupling into said coded information field receiver means of said interrogator means.

2. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein said interrogator means is operable in a plurality of modes, said plurality of modes comprising:

a first mode comprising an AC power generating mode for generating said AC power field;

a second mode comprising an uniquely coded information field receiver mode for receiving said uniquely coded information field.

3. The arrangement defined in claim 2 wherein:

said power field generator means and said coded information field receiver means comprise a unitary coil means;

said interrogator means further comprising;

switching means for cyclically switching said interrogator between said first mode and said second mode.

4. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein said first mode further comprises:

a first power level condition comprising generating said AC power field at a first power level;

a second power level condition for generating said AC power field at a second power level greater than said first power level;

said switching means of said interrogator means further comprises;

presence detector means for detecting the presence of a responder tag in proximity to said interrogator means and generating a presence detection signal in response thereto; and

power level switching means for receiving said presence detection signal and switching said interrogator during said first mode of operation between said first power level condition and said second power level condition in response thereto.

5. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein said first frequency and said third frequency are on the order of fifty kiloHertz and said second frequency is on the order of four hundred and fifty kiloHertz.

6. The arrangement defined in claim 1 and further comprising:

external message information means coupled to said code signal generator means of said responder tag for supplying an external message thereto, and said external message forming a part of said unique clocked code signal.

7. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein:

said power field receiver means of said responder tag means comprises a first tag coil; and

said coded information field generator means comprises a second tag coil.

8. The arrangement defined in claim 7 wherein said first tag coil and said second tag coil are substantially coplanar.

9. The arrangement defined in claim 4 wherein:

said unitary coil means of said interrogator means is imbedded in a vehicular roadway a preselected distance beneath the surface thereof; and

said responder tag means further comprises;

said power field receiver means comprises a first tag coil; and

said electromagnetic coded information field generator means comprises a second tag coil; and

said first tag coil and said second tag coil arE coupled adjacent the underside of a vehicle adapted to traverse the surface of said roadway;

said presence detection means further comprises;

means for detecting the presence of a vehicle in proximity to said unitary coil.

10. A responder tag means comprising, in combination:

power field receiver means for receiving an AC power field and providing DC tag power signals in response thereto;

a code signal time base generator means powered by said DC tag power signal for generating a code time-base signal at a preselected frequency;

code signal generator means powered by said DC tag power signals and receiving said code time base signal for repetitively generating an unique clocked code signal clocked at said preselected frequency of said code time base signal;

coded information signal and time base generator means powered by said DC tag power signals for receiving said unique clocked code signal and generating a self-clocking coded information signal unique to said responder tag in response thereto; and

coded information generator means for receiving said self-clocking coded information signal and generating uniquely coded information field in response thereto.

11. The arrangement defined in claim 10 and further comprising:

external message information means coupled to said code signal generator means of said responder tag for supplying an external message thereto, and said external message forming a part of said unique clocked code signal.

12. The arrangement defined in claim 10 wherein:

said power field receiver means of said responder tag means comprises a first tag coil; and

said coded information field generator means comprises a second tag coil.

13. The arrangement defined in claim 12 wherein:

said first tag coil and said second tag coil are substantially coplanar.

14. An interrogator-responder system for providing an output signal having an information content corresponding to an uniquely coded information field indicative of a responder tag and said uniquely coded information field generated in said responder tag, and comprising, in combination:

an interrogator means for establishing an AC power field at a first frequency and receiving said uniquely coded information field, and generating said output signal in response thereto;

a responder tag means positionable in AC power field and uniquely coded information field energy exchange relationship to said interrogator means, for receiving said AC power field and generating said uniquely coded information field at a second frequency in response thereto, and said responder tag means comprises;

power field receiver means for receiving said AC power field from said power field generator means of said interrogator means and providing DC tag power signals in response thereto;

a code signal time base generator means powered by said DC tag power signals for generating a code time-base signal at a third frequency;

code signal generator means powered by said DC tag power signals and receiving said code time base signal for repetitively generating an unique clocked code signal clocked at said third frequency of said code time base signal;

coded information signal and time base generator means powered by said DC tag power signals for receiving said clocked code signal and generating a self-clocking coded information signal unique to said responder tag in response thereto; and

coded information field generator means for receiving said self-clocking coded information signal and generating said uniquely coded information field in response thereto for inductive coupling into said interrogator means.

15. An interrogator-responder system for providing an output signal having an information content corresponding to an uniquely coded information field indicative of a responder tag, and said uniquely coded information field generated in said responder tag, and comprising, in combination:

an interroGator means for establishing an AC power field at a first frequency and receiving said uniquely coded information field, and generating said output signal in response thereto;

a responder tag means positionable in AC power field and uniquely coded information field energy exchange relationship to said interrogator means for receiving said AC power field and generating said uniquely coded information field at a second frequency in response thereto;

said interrogator means comprising;

a power supply means for providing a source of controlled electric energy;

a power signal-time base generator means comprising a phase locked loop self-timed at said first frequency for receiving said controlled electric energy from said power supply means and generating an AC power signal in response thereto, and said AC power signal comprising a self-timed phase locked power signal at said first frequency;

a power field generator means for receiving said self-timed phase locked power signal at said first frequency and generating said AC power field at said first frequency in response thereto for inductive coupling thereof into said responder tag means;

a coded information field receiver means for receiving said uniquely coded information field from said responder tag means and generating an uniquely coded information signal therein in response thereto;

coded information signal detection means powered by said controlled electric energy, for detecting the existence of said uniquely coded information signal in said coded information field receiver means and generating a detected coded signal in response thereto;

information capture and validation logic means, powered by said controlled electric energy, for receiving said detected coded signal from said coded information signal detection means and generating said output signal having an information content corresponding to said uniquely coded information field in response thereto.

16. An interrogator means for establishing an AC power field at a first frequency and receiving and identifying an uniquely coded information field transmitted thereto, and generating an output signal in response to said identified uniquely coded information field, and comprising:

a power supply means for providing a source of controlled electric energy;

a power signal-time base generator means comprising a phase locked loop self-timed at said first frequency for receiving said controlled electric energy from said power supply means and generating an AC power signal in response thereto, and said AC power signal comprising a self-timed phase locked power signal at said first frequency;

a power field generator means for receiving said self-timed phase locked power signal at said first frequency and generating said AC power field at said first frequency in response thereto for inductive coupling into said responder tag means;

a coded information field receiver means for receiving said uniquely coded information field from said responder tag means and generating an uniquely coded information signal therein in response thereto;

coded information signal detection means powered by said controlled electric energy, for detecting the existence of said uniquely coded information signal in said coded information field receiver means and generating a detected coded signal in response thereto;

information capture and validation logic means, powered by said controlled electric energy, for receiving said detected coded signal from said coded information signal detection means and generating said output signal having an information content corresponding to said uniquely coded information field in response thereto.

17. The arrangement defined in claim 16 wherein said interrogator means is operable in a plurality of modes, said plurality of modes comprising:

a first mode comprising an AC power generating mode for generating said AC power field;

a second mode comprising an uniquely cOded information field receiver mode for receiving said uniquely coded information field.

18. The arrangement defined in claim 17 wherein:

said power field generator means and said coded information field receiver means comprise an unitary coil means;

said interrogator means further comprising;

switching means for cyclically switching said interrogator between said first mode and said second mode.

19. The arrangement defined in claim 18 wherein said first mode further comprises:

a first power level condition comprising generating said AC power field at a first power level;

a second power level condition for generating said electromagnetic power field at a second power level greater than said first power level;

said switching means of said interrogator means further comprises;

presence detector means for detecting the presence of a responder tag in proximity to said interrogator means and generating a presence detection signal in response thereto; and

power level switching means for receiving said presence detection signal and switching said interrogator during said first mode of operation between said first power level condition and said second power level condition in response thereto.