Transponder arrangement
First Claim
1. Transponder arrangement comprising:
- a) an interrogator unit which transmits at least one RF programming sequence followed by at least one RF interrogation pulse comprisingi) a transmitter for transmission of said at least one RF programming sequence comprising write data that is modulated upon a carrier by pulse-pause modulation and said at least one RF interrogation pulse, andii) a receiver for receiving read data at the termination of the interrogation signal; and
b) a responder unit located in spaced relation with respect to said interrogator unit for receiving said RF transmissions and returning read data to said interrogator unit in response to the reception of said at least one interrogation pulse, said responder unit comprisingi) a responder unit receiver for receiving said at least one RF programming sequence and said at least one RF interrogation pulse,ii) a responder unit demodulator for demodulating said write data from said carrier of said RF programming sequence,iii) a first memory suitable for having memory data therein modified by said write data,iv) a second memory containing read data therein,v) a RF threshold detector for detecting termination of said RF transmissions,vi) a responder unit RF carrier wave generator under control of said RF threshold detector to activate upon said detection of said termination, andvii) a responder unit modulator to modulate the RF carrier with said read data from said second memory means.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transponder arrangement is described having an interrogator unit (10) which transmits at least one RF programming sequence and at least one RF interrogation pulse. The responder unit (12) includes a responder unit receiver (130) for receiving data transmitted by the RF programming sequence from the interrogator unit (10). The responder unit (12) then upon receipt of the RF interrogation pulse transmits data, which may have been modified by the programming sequence from the interrogator unit (10), back to the interrogator unit (10) in the form of a modulated RF carrier. The responder unit (12) further comprises a responder unit energy accumulator (136) which stores energy contained in the RF interrogation pulse and a responder unit end of burst detector (142) which upon detection of a decreasing power level of the RF interrogation pulse sends a RF threshold signal. Further contained within the responder unit (12) is a responder unit RF carrier wave generator (130) operating with the frequency contained in the RF interrogation pulse, which is excited upon receipt of a signal from the pluck circuit (196). The responder unit (12) further comprises a responder unit circuitry means (198,200) for providing from the output signal of the RF carrier wave generator a control signal which is utilized to maintain the RF carrier wave and to modulate the RF carrier to be sent back with the stored data.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. Transponder arrangement comprising:
-
a) an interrogator unit which transmits at least one RF programming sequence followed by at least one RF interrogation pulse comprising i) a transmitter for transmission of said at least one RF programming sequence comprising write data that is modulated upon a carrier by pulse-pause modulation and said at least one RF interrogation pulse, and ii) a receiver for receiving read data at the termination of the interrogation signal; and b) a responder unit located in spaced relation with respect to said interrogator unit for receiving said RF transmissions and returning read data to said interrogator unit in response to the reception of said at least one interrogation pulse, said responder unit comprising i) a responder unit receiver for receiving said at least one RF programming sequence and said at least one RF interrogation pulse, ii) a responder unit demodulator for demodulating said write data from said carrier of said RF programming sequence, iii) a first memory suitable for having memory data therein modified by said write data, iv) a second memory containing read data therein, v) a RF threshold detector for detecting termination of said RF transmissions, vi) a responder unit RF carrier wave generator under control of said RF threshold detector to activate upon said detection of said termination, and vii) a responder unit modulator to modulate the RF carrier with said read data from said second memory means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of communicating between an interrogator unit and a responder unit, said method comprising the steps of:
-
a) storing energy in a responder unit energy accumulator in a contactless fashion by RF energy transmitted from said interrogator unit to said responder unit; b) transmitting at least one RF programming sequence from said interrogator unit to said responder unit; c) receiving at said responder unit said first set of data transmitted by said RF programming sequence from said interrogator unit; d) transmitting at least one RF interrogation pulse from said interrogator unit to said responder unit; e) activating in said responder unit a RF threshold signal upon detection of a decreasing power level of said RF interrogation pulse; f) exciting, in said responder unit, upon activation of said RF threshold signal, a RF carrier wave having a frequency of said RF interrogation pulse; g) modulating in said responder unit said RF carrier wave with a second set of data; h) transmitting said modulated RF carrier wave from said responder unit to said interrogator unit; and i) initiating further actions in said responder unit wherein said further actions depend upon said first set of data received from said interrogator unit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
14. An interrogator unit for communication with at least one programmable responder unit in spaced relation with respect to said interrogator unit, the interrogator unit comprising:
-
i) a control circuit; ii) an interrogator unit carrier wave generator; iii) an interrogator unit modulator for pulse-pause modulation of write data upon said interrogator unit carrier wave; iv) a transmitter which receives the output of said interrogator unit modulator and transmits at least one RF programming sequence having said write data pulse-pause modulated thereon for programming said responder unit and at least one RF interrogation pulse for interrogating said responder unit to return read data stored therein in the form of a RF response; v) a receiver for receiving said RF response upon termination of said RF interrogation pulse; and vi) an interrogator unit demodulator for demodulation of said read data from said RF response.
-
-
15. A responder unit located in spaced relation with respect to an interrogator unit, said responder unit comprising:
-
i) a responder unit receiver for receiving from said interrogator unit RF transmissions of at least one RF programming sequence and at least one RF interrogation pulse; ii) a responder unit demodulator for demodulating pulse-pause modulated write data transmitted by said RF programming sequence from said interrogator unit; iii) a first memory suitable for having memory data therein modified by said write data; iv) a second memory containing read data therein; v) a RF threshold detector for detecting termination of said RF transmissions; vi) a responder unit RF carrier wave generator under control of said RF threshold detector to activate upon said detection of said termination; and vii) a responder unit modulator to modulate the RF carrier with said read data from said second memory means.
-
Specification