Radio frequency identification system and method
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring assets using radio frequency tags, comprising:
- initializing each of a plurality of primary tags by loading each primary tag with a list identifying one or more linked tags associated with the primary tag;
in response to a polling event for one of the primary tags, the primary tag transmitting a query message for linked tags within an operational range of the primary tag;
each linked tag receiving the query message transmitting a response message including an identification of the linked tag; and
the primary tag receiving the response messages and comparing the identifications in the response messages to the identifications stored for each linked tag associated with the primary tag.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for monitoring assets using radio frequency tags is provided that includes a plurality of primary tags. Each primary tag stores an identification of each linked tag associated with the primary tag. The primary tag receives a polling event and transmits a query message for linked tags within an operational range of the primary tag. Each linked tag receiving the query message transmits a response message that includes an identification of the linked tag. The primary tag receives the response messages and compares the identifications in the response messages to the identifications stored for each linked tag. Based on the comparison, the primary tag determines a monitored asset status.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring assets using radio frequency tags, comprising:
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initializing each of a plurality of primary tags by loading each primary tag with a list identifying one or more linked tags associated with the primary tag; in response to a polling event for one of the primary tags, the primary tag transmitting a query message for linked tags within an operational range of the primary tag; each linked tag receiving the query message transmitting a response message including an identification of the linked tag; and the primary tag receiving the response messages and comparing the identifications in the response messages to the identifications stored for each linked tag associated with the primary tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for monitoring assets using radio frequency tags, comprising:
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initializing a primary tag by loading the primary tag with a list identifying one or more linked tags associated with the primary tag; in response to a polling event for the primary tag, transmitting a query message to tags within an operational range of the primary tag; receiving response messages from tags within the operational range of the primary tag, the response messages each including an identification of the tag generating the response message; and comparing the identification in each response message to the identifications of the linked tags stored in the primary tag. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A primary radio frequency tag for an asset monitoring system, comprising:
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a storage unit operable to be initialized by loading a list identifying at least one linked tag associated with the primary tag; a transmitter operable to transmit a polling request to tags in the operational range of the primary tag; a receiver operable to receive response messages from tags within the operational range of the primary tag, the response messages each including an identification of the tag generating the response message; and a controller operable to compare the identification in each response message to identifications of the linked tags stored in the storage unit and to determine a monitored asset status based on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An asset monitoring system comprising:
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at least one secondary tag comprising; an identification; a receiver operable to receive a polling request; a transmitter operable to transmit a response message in response to the polling request, the response message including the identification of the secondary tag; a primary tag comprising; a storage unit operable to be initialized by loading a list identifying at least one secondary tag associated with the primary tag; a transmitter operable to transmit the polling request within the operational range of the primary tag; a receiver operable to receive response messages from secondary tags within the operational range of the primary tag; and a controller operable to compare the identification in each response message to identifications stored in the storage unit and to determine a monitored asset status based on the comparisons. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An asset monitoring system, comprising:
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a plurality of secondary tags, each comprising; an identification; a receiver operable to receive an intermediate polling request; a transmitter operable to transmit a response message to the intermediate polling request, the response message including the identification of the secondary tag; a plurality of intermediate primary tags, each comprising; a storage unit operable to be initialized by loading a list identifying a plurality of secondary tags associated with the intermediate primary tag; a transmitter operable in response to a polling request from a primary tag to transmit the intermediate polling request within the operational range of the intermediate primary tag and to transmit an intermediate monitored asset status to the primary tag; a receiver operable to receive response messages from secondary tags within the operational range of the intermediate primary tag in response to the polling request from the intermediate primary tag; a controller operable to compare the identification in each response message to identifications stored in the storage unit and to determine the intermediate monitored asset status based on the comparisons; a primary tag comprising; a transmitter operable to transmit the polling request within the operational range of the primary tag; a receiver operable to receive intermediate monitored asset statuses from the intermediate primary tags; and a controller operable to determine a monitored asset status based on the intermediate monitored asset statuses. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A secured environment, comprising:
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an access door; a first object having a secondary radio frequency tag, the secondary radio frequency tag comprising; an identification; a receiver operable to receive a polling request; a transmitter operable to transmit a response message responsive to the polling request, the response message including the identification of the secondary tag; a second object having a primary radio frequency tag, the primary radio frequency tag comprising; a storage unit for storing the identification of one or more secondary radio frequency tags for objects authorized to transport the second object through an access door; a transmitter operable in response to an authorization request from a door control unit to transmit the polling request within the operational range of the primary radio frequency tag and to transmit an authorization response to the door control unit for the access door; a receiver operable to receive response messages from secondary radio frequency tags within the operational range of the primary radio frequency tag and to receive the authorization request from the door control unit; a controller operable to compare the identifications in each response message to identifications stored in the storage unit and to determine the authorization response based on the comparison; the door control unit, comprising; a transmitter operable to transmit the authorization request; a receiver operable to receive the authorization response from the primary radio frequency tag; and a door controller operable to control the access door based on the authorization response from the primary radio frequency tag. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A method for monitoring mobile assets, comprising:
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initializing a primary tag by loading the primary tag with a list identifying one or more linked tags associated with the primary tag; in response to a polling event, a primary tag transmitting a query message for secondary tags within an operational range of the primary tag; each secondary tag receiving the query message transmitting a response message indicative of the secondary tag'"'"'s proximity to the primary tag; and the primary tag receiving the response messages and taking predefined action. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification