Apparatus and method for identifying multiple transponders
First Claim
1. A method of identifying a plurality of transponders entering into an inquiry field of an interrogation unit, the method comprising the steps of:
- assigning a unique identification code to each of said plurality of transponders;
generating and sending an interrogation pulse, said interrogation pulse including any identification code stored in an interrogation unit memory;
receiving said interrogation pulse and comparing said identification code therein with said unique identification code;
sending a response to said interrogation pulse if said identification codes are not equal, said response including said unique identification code;
receiving a recognizable response from said plurality of transponders and storing said identification code included therein, wherein said recognizable response is the response with the greatest field strength.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method of identifying a plurality of transponders (10-16) entering into an inquiry field (18) of an interrogation unit (20) are provided. The transponders (10-16) are each assigned a unique identification code. Upon receipt of an interrogation pulse from the interrogation unit (20), each transponder (10-16) responds with its respective identification code. Depending on the spatial distance of each transponder (10-16) with respect to the interrogation unit (20), the interrogation unit (20) detects and receives the strongest response. The received identification code is stored. The interrogation unit (20) repeatedly sends interrogation pulses containing any stored identification code until all of the transponders (10-16) are identified and read.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of identifying a plurality of transponders entering into an inquiry field of an interrogation unit, the method comprising the steps of:
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assigning a unique identification code to each of said plurality of transponders; generating and sending an interrogation pulse, said interrogation pulse including any identification code stored in an interrogation unit memory; receiving said interrogation pulse and comparing said identification code therein with said unique identification code; sending a response to said interrogation pulse if said identification codes are not equal, said response including said unique identification code; receiving a recognizable response from said plurality of transponders and storing said identification code included therein, wherein said recognizable response is the response with the greatest field strength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for identifying multiple transponders located within an inquiry field of an interrogation unit, comprising the steps of:
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assigning a unique identification code to each of said multiple transponders; generating and sending an interrogation pulse; receiving a recognizable response to said interrogation pulse from an identified transponder when said transponder fails to recognize it'"'"'s own identification code in the interrogation pulse and, wherein said response includes an identification code and said recognizable response is the response with the greatest field strength; storing said received identification code; generating and sending another interrogation pulse including said stored identification code and deactivating said identified transponder; and repeating the identification code receiving and storing step, and the interrogation pulse generating and sending step until all of said multiple transponders present in said inquiry field are identified. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification