Method and apparatus for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel
First Claim
1. A method for interrogating objects to be identified over a communication medium, wherein the objects provide predetermined responses indicative of object identification numbers and each include a counter, the method comprising the steps of:
- sending interrogation signals to and receiving responses from the objects over the communication medium, the interrogation signals operating to interrogate a single digit from the objects to be identified;
recording incomplete identification numbers whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects;
retrieving incomplete identification numbers whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects;
sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively add a number to their respective counter, wherein the number is determined by each object and is dependent upon one or more previous responses of the object to interrogation signals;
sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively subtract a number from their respective counter, wherein the number is determined by each object and is dependent upon one or more previous responses of the object to the interrogation signals; and
recording complete identification numbers as they are determined.
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Abstract
A method for interrogating objects to identified over a communication medium utilizes objects that include a counter. The objects provide predetermined responses indicative of object identification numbers. Interrogation signals operate to interrogate a signal digit from the objects. Incomplete identification numbers are recorded and retrieved whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects. A signal is sent to the objects to cause the objects to selectively add a number to their respective counter. The number is determined by each object and is dependent upon one or more previous responses of the object to interrogation signals. A signal is sent to the objects to cause the objects to selectively subtract a number from their respective counter. The number is determined by each object and is dependent upon one or more previous responses of the object top the interrogation signals. Complete identification numbers are recorded as they determined.
65 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for interrogating objects to be identified over a communication medium, wherein the objects provide predetermined responses indicative of object identification numbers and each include a counter, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending interrogation signals to and receiving responses from the objects over the communication medium, the interrogation signals operating to interrogate a single digit from the objects to be identified; recording incomplete identification numbers whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects; retrieving incomplete identification numbers whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects; sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively add a number to their respective counter, wherein the number is determined by each object and is dependent upon one or more previous responses of the object to interrogation signals; sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively subtract a number from their respective counter, wherein the number is determined by each object and is dependent upon one or more previous responses of the object to the interrogation signals; and recording complete identification numbers as they are determined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for interrogating objects to be identified over a communication medium, wherein the objects provide predetermined responses indicative of object identification numbers and each includes a counter, the interrogation comprising the steps of:
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sending signals to and receiving signals from the objects over the communication medium; recording and later retrieving incomplete identification numbers whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects; sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively add a number to their respective counter, the number to be determined by each individual object and dependent upon one or more previous responses of the individual object to the interrogation; sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively subtract a number from their respective counter, the number to be determined by each individual object and dependent upon one or more previous responses of the individual object to the interrogation; recording complete identification numbers as they are determined; and sending a signal to interrogate a single digit from the objects to be identified. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification