Dynamic and hybrid RFID
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dynamically conveying a status state of a system, comprising:
- one or more active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, wherein each active RFID tag is positioned with respect to a corresponding one of the system'"'"'s components so that each active RFID tag transmits a particular frequency when the corresponding component is operating and does not transmit the particular frequency when the corresponding component is failing to operate,wherein transmission or failure of transmission of each RFID tag indicate the system'"'"'s status state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an active or dynamic RFID tag that actively provides current status information regarding a particular item, as well as mechanisms for recognizing dynamic RFID information read from such RFID tag. Static identifying information regarding the particular item is provided either by the same active/dynamic RFID tag or by a different passive RFID tag. While the RFID tag may passively or actively provide general identification, the RFID tag actively provides status information that corresponds to changes in the corresponding item'"'"'s status. In a first implementation, active RFID tags are positioned next to one or more components within a system so that each active RFID tag is powered and transmitting its RFID information when its corresponding component is operational. In contrast, each active RFID tag is positioned so that it is not powered and not transmitting its RFID information when its component is failing. Accordingly, an RFID reader can then know when a system has a failing component when one of the component'"'"'s corresponding active RFID tag is not transmitting its RFID information. In this first implementation, the active RFID tag either transmits or fails to transmit based on its component'"'"'s status state. In a second implementation, a dynamic RFID is associated with a specific component, set of components, or system, and the dynamic RFID tag dynamically provides an RFID reader with RFID information that changes with its associated item'"'"'s changing status state. The status state may correspond to any suitable parameter of the item or product that can change over time. Thus, the dynamic RFID provides different transmission frequencies based on different status states of its component or system.
32 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dynamically conveying a status state of a system, comprising:
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one or more active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, wherein each active RFID tag is positioned with respect to a corresponding one of the system'"'"'s components so that each active RFID tag transmits a particular frequency when the corresponding component is operating and does not transmit the particular frequency when the corresponding component is failing to operate, wherein transmission or failure of transmission of each RFID tag indicate the system'"'"'s status state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for dynamically transmitting a parameter state of an item, comprising:
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a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for dynamically outputting a selected one of a plurality of frequencies; a parameter gauge for sensing a parameter state of the item; one or more processors; one or more memory, wherein at least one of the processors and memory are adapted for; determining a status of the item based on the sensed parameter state; and configuring the RF transmitter to output a selected one of the plurality of frequencies based on the status of the item. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for dynamically conveying a status state of an item system, comprising:
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means for determining a status state of the item; means for configuring an RF transmitter to transmit a selected one of a plurality of frequencies based on the determined status state of the item; and means for determining whether the item is being scanned by an RFID reader, and wherein the status state of the item is only determined and the RF transmitter is only configured when it is determined that the item is being scanned.
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18. An apparatus for dynamically conveying a status state of an item, comprising:
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means for determining a status state of the item; and means for configuring an RF transmitter to transmit a selected one of a plurality of frequencies based on the determined status state of the item, wherein configuring the RF transmitter is accomplished by; means for comparing the determined status state to a plurality of reference status states that each correspond to a specific RFID frequency; and means for, when one of the reference status states matches the determined status state, configuring the RF transmitter with the RFID frequency corresponding to the matching reference status state.
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Specification