Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption of an active transponder
First Claim
1. A transponder apparatus having an identifier associated therewith, comprising:
- a receiver for receiving an RF signal transmitted by an interrogator;
a power source;
a processing unit operatively coupled to said power source, said processing unit being capable of being in an inactive, sleep state and an active state;
a buffer device in electronic communication with said receiver and with said processing unit, said buffer device being structured to;
(i) receive an information signal based on said RF signal from said receiver, (ii) determine whether said information signal includes said identifier, and (iii) cause said processing unit to move from said inactive state to said active state and transmit at least a portion of said information signal to said processing unit only if it is determined that said information signal includes said identifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transponder apparatus having an identifier associated therewith includes a receiver for receiving an RF signal transmitted by an interrogator, a power source and a processing unit that is operatively coupled to the power source and is capable of being in an inactive, sleep state (low current draw) and an active state. The transponder apparatus also includes a buffer device that is structured to: (i) receive an information signal based on the RF signal from the receiver, (ii) determine whether the information signal includes the identifier, and (iii) cause the processing unit to move from the inactive state to the active state and transmit at least a portion of the information signal to the processing unit only if it is determined that the information signal includes the identifier. An associated method is also provided.
36 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A transponder apparatus having an identifier associated therewith, comprising:
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a receiver for receiving an RF signal transmitted by an interrogator; a power source; a processing unit operatively coupled to said power source, said processing unit being capable of being in an inactive, sleep state and an active state; a buffer device in electronic communication with said receiver and with said processing unit, said buffer device being structured to;
(i) receive an information signal based on said RF signal from said receiver, (ii) determine whether said information signal includes said identifier, and (iii) cause said processing unit to move from said inactive state to said active state and transmit at least a portion of said information signal to said processing unit only if it is determined that said information signal includes said identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of moving a processing unit included in a transponder apparatus from an inactive, sleep state to an active state, said transponder apparatus having an identifier associated therewith, comprising:
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receiving an RF signal from an interrogator; converting said RF signal into an information signal; determining whether said information signal includes said identifier; and causing said processing unit to move from said inactive state to said active state and transmitting at least a portion of said information signal to said processing unit only if it is determined that said information signal includes said identifier. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification