Wireless communication devices configurable via passive tags

• US 6,876,295 B1
• Filed: 12/16/1998
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Lewis, Daniel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/212,833
• Time in Patent Office: 2,302 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.34, 340/10.1, 340/10.51, 340/10.52, 340/572.1, 340/10.32, 455/551, 455/556, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/558, 370/311, 370/313, 370/314, 370/254, 370/338, 370/310.2, 709/222
• US Class Current: 340/10.34
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A wireless communication device which includes a passive radio-frequency (RF) tag having a memory for receiving and storing initial configuration information utilized by the device. The initial configuration information is written to the wireless communication device without requiring that the device be fully assembled, operational, powered up, removed from packaging, etc. An RF controller transmits initial configuration information to the passive tag using an RF signal. The passive tag derives sufficient energy from the RF signal to store the initial configuration information in memory. The wireless communication device further includes an interface which allows a processor within the device to access the initial configuration information upon such time when the device is removed from its packaging, powered up and operational.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device destined for operation in a particular wireless network, comprising:

a transceiver for communicating in the wireless network;

a processor for controlling operations of the transceiver based on initial configuration information including network communication parameters corresponding to this particular wireless network;

a passive tag for wirelessly receiving the initial configuration information from an external source and storing the initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory at a time when the wireless communication device is otherwise in a non-operational mode; and

an interface for enabling the processor to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory when the wireless communication device is in an operational mode and thereby allowing operation in the wireless network by drawing upon the initial configuration information,

wherein the wireless communication device is non-operational by virtue of being unassembled.

2. A method for use in relation to a wireless communication device destined for operation in a particular network, the device including a transceiver for communicating in the wireless network, a processor for controlling operations of the transceiver based on initial configuration information including network communication parameters corresponding to this particular wireless network, and a passive tag, the method comprising the step of:

transmitting the initial configuration information from a source external to the wireless communication device so as to be received by the passive tag and stored in a non-volatile memory within the passive tag while the wireless communication device is otherwise in a non-operational mode;

interfacing the processor with passive tag to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory when the wireless device is in an operational mode; and

operating in the wireless network by drawing upon the initial configuration information,

wherein the wireless communication device is non-operational by virtue of being unassembled.

3. A method of initially configuring a wireless communication device destined for operation in a particular wireless network, the device comprising a transceiver for communicating in the wireless network, a processor for controlling operations of the transceiver based on initial configuration information including network communication parameters corresponding to this particular wireless network, a passive tag for wirelessly receiving the initial configuration information from an external source and storing the initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory at a time when the wireless communication device is otherwise in a non-operational mode, and an interface for enabling the processor to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory when the wireless communication device is in an operational mode and thereby allowing operation in the wireless network by drawing upon the initial configuration information;

said method comprising the steps of;

transmitting the initial configuration information from a source external to the wireless communication device;

receiving the initial configuration information by the passive tag and storing the initial configuration information in the non-volatile memory;

accessing the initial configuration information stored in the memory; and

controlling operations of the transceiver based on the initial configuration information,

wherein the wireless communication device is unassembled during the transmitting and receiving steps.

4. A method of configuring and operating a wireless communication device for a particular wireless network, said method comprising:

manufacturing a plurality of wireless communication devices and storing them in an inventory, each of the devices having a transceiver for communicating in a wireless network, a processor, and a passive tag;

retrieving one of the wireless communication devices from the inventory when a request is received and the particular wireless network has been identified;

conveying initial configuration information to the passive tag of the retrieved wireless communication device, wherein the initial configuration information includes network communication parameters corresponding to said particular wireless network;

storing the conveyed initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory;

interfacing the processor of the retrieved wireless communication device with its passive tag to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory; and

controlling operation of the transceiver of the retrieved wireless communication device based upon the initial configuration information,

wherein the wireless communication devices stored in the inventory are not fully assembled, and wherein the conveying and storing steps are performed while the retrieved wireless communication device is not fully assembled.

5. A wireless communication device destined for operation in a particular wireless network, comprising:

a transceiver for communicating in the wireless network;

a processor for controlling operations of the transceiver;

a passive tag for receiving the initial configuration information from an external source and storing the initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory at a time when the wireless communication device is otherwise in a non-operational mode, wherein the initial configuration comprises information necessary to locate and communicate with a certain server in order to download certain software therefrom; and

an interface for enabling the processor to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory when the wireless communication device is in an operational mode;

wherein the processor is programmed to locate and communicate with the server via the initial configuration information and to direct downloading of said software from the server, thereby allowing operation in the wireless network by drawing upon the downloaded software,

wherein the wireless communication device is non-operational by virtue of being unassembled.

6. A method of configuring and operating a wireless communication device in a particular wireless network, said method comprising:

manufacturing a plurality of wireless communication devices and storing them in an inventory, each of the devices having a transceiver for communicating in a wireless network, a processor, and a passive tag;

retrieving one of the wireless communication devices from the inventory when a request is received and the particular wireless network has been determined;

conveying initial configuration information to the passive tag of the retrieved wireless communication device, wherein the initial configuration information includes data necessary to locate and communicate with a selected server;

storing the conveyed initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory,

interfacing the processor of the retrieved wireless communication device with its passive tag to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory so that the processor can locate the selected server;

communicating with the server, via the processor, and downloading a software package to the processor; and

controlling operation of the transceiver of the retrieved wireless communication device based upon the downloaded package,

wherein the wireless communication devices stored in the inventory are not fully assembled, and wherein the conveying and storing steps are performed while the retrieved wireless communication device is not fully assembled.