Methods and apparatus for disabling, enabling or setting the range of radio frequency identification devices
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) device for receiving and emitting RFID signals, comprising:
- a transceiver for transmitting an outgoing transmission providing information that can be detected and interpreted by an RFID reader;
an antenna for emitting the outgoing transmission in the form of radio frequency (RF) signals; and
a control switch utilized to change an effective length of the antenna so as to alter a range of the antenna when set to appropriate states, the control switch being operative to take on states in response to commands received from the transceiver.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques for control of RFID devices. An RFID device has an antenna connected with a switch or switches whose states can be changed so as to disable or reduce the effective range of the antenna. The RFID device includes a transceiver that uses the antenna to carry on communications with an RFID reader. The transceiver can set the states of switches in order to set the reader to a desired state. The reader is capable of issuing commands to the RFID device, acted on by the transceiver in order to set states of switches in order to achieve a desired state for the RFID device. The reader may issue commands through RF communication, or alternatively may issue commands through a close proximity interface, for example through contacts or through an inductive connection, allowing the state of the device to be reset after the RF capability of the device has been disabled or reduced.
33 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) device for receiving and emitting RFID signals, comprising:
- a transceiver for transmitting an outgoing transmission providing information that can be detected and interpreted by an RFID reader;
an antenna for emitting the outgoing transmission in the form of radio frequency (RF) signals; and
a control switch utilized to change an effective length of the antenna so as to alter a range of the antenna when set to appropriate states, the control switch being operative to take on states in response to commands received from the transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- a transceiver for transmitting an outgoing transmission providing information that can be detected and interpreted by an RFID reader;
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12. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for communicating with RFID devices, comprising:
- a transmitter for transmitting radio frequency (R.F) signals to the RFID devices;
a receiver for receiving RF signals from the RFID devices; and
a processor for extracting information from signals received from the RFID devices and for preparing commands for transmission to the RF/D devices, the processor being operative to issue commands to an RFID device to alter an operational capability of the device by changing an effective length of an antenna employed by the device so as to change the a range of the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- a transmitter for transmitting radio frequency (R.F) signals to the RFID devices;
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22. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for communicating with RFID devices, comprising:
- a transmitter for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals to the RFID devices;
a receiver for receiving RF signals from the RFID devices; and
a processor for extracting information from signals received from the RFID devices and for preparing commands for transmission to the RFID devices, the processor being operative to issue commands to an RFID device to alter an operational capability, the commands issued by the processor including commands to alter an effective length of the device and including commands to disable the device and to reduce the range of the device.
- a transmitter for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals to the RFID devices;
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23. A transaction terminal for performing retail transactions, comprising:
- a user interface allowing inputs from a user;
an external interface for receiving information needed to conduct a transaction and for communicating information relating to a pending or completed transaction; and
a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for receiving signals from an RFID device, the reader being operative to extract product information from an RFID signal, the reader being further operative to communicate commands to an RFID device to alter an operational capability of the device by changing an effective length of an antenna employed by the device so as to change a range of the antenna, once a transaction involving a product associated with the device has been completed. - View Dependent Claims (24)
- a user interface allowing inputs from a user;
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25. A method of management and control of goods;
- comprising the steps of;
receiving product identification information from RFID devices associated with products;
using the product identification information to retrieve product information;
entering the product information into a transaction; and
upon completion of the transaction, issuing a command from a remote reader to the RFID device to set specified operational characteristics providing for reduced performance, the command being implemented through setting of one or more switches within the RFID device to appropriate states in response to the command, in order to set desired an effective length of an antenna employed by the device in order to achieve the specified operational characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (26)
- comprising the steps of;
Specification