Component diversity in a RFID security network
First Claim
1. An RFID security network for monitoring a stationary structure, comprising:
- two base units; and
a plurality of transponders, each said transponder being located in a fixed and static position relative to the stationary structure and having two-way communications with each of the two base units;
wherein the two base units are appropriately located relative to the stationary structure to provide redundant communication links between each of the two base units and the plurality of transponders.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RFID security network using system component diversity and system spatial diversity is disclosed. The security network includes a plurality of network base units, each communicating with a plurality of transponders, or security transmitters. Through appropriate distributive placement of the plurality of base units, along with appropriate placement of the transponders, the redundancy and reliability of the RF communication links between one or more base units and one or more transponders is increased. Moreover, because each of the base units is capable of being a communications gateway with an external network, including a telecommunications network, the security network'"'"'s access to an outside telecommunications network is redundant and highly reliable. Accordingly, even if an intruder attempts to disable the security system communications to an external network, the inventive security network has redundant and alternative communication links to an external network. Such component and spatial diversity substantially enhances the security network'"'"'s reliability.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An RFID security network for monitoring a stationary structure, comprising:
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two base units; and a plurality of transponders, each said transponder being located in a fixed and static position relative to the stationary structure and having two-way communications with each of the two base units; wherein the two base units are appropriately located relative to the stationary structure to provide redundant communication links between each of the two base units and the plurality of transponders.
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2. An RFID security network for monitoring a stationary structure, comprising:
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a plurality of base units; and a plurality of transponders, each said transponder being located in a fixed and static position relative to the stationary structure and being in two-way communications with each of the plurality of base units; wherein the plurality of base units are appropriately located relative to the stationary structure to provide multiple redundant communications links between each of the plurality of base units and each of the plurality of transponders. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. An RFID security network for monitoring a stationary structure, comprising:
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a plurality of base units, each said base unit having a controller function, each said base unit appropriately located relative to the stationary structure to provide redundant communication links between each other and each said base unit being a separate gateway to at least one external network; and a plurality of transponders, each said transponder being located in a fixed and static position relative to the stationary structure and being in two-way communications with each of the plurality of base units; wherein if a base unit is disabled, at least one other network base unit has a communications link to the at least one external network. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An RFID security network for monitoring a stationary structure, comprising:
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at least two base units, each said base unit having at least two antennas; and a plurality of transponders, each said transponder having at least one antenna, and each said transponder being located in a fixed and static position relative to the stationary structure and having two-way communications with each of the at least two base units; wherein the at least two base units are appropriately located relative to the monitored stationary structure to provide redundant communication links between each of the at least two base units and the plurality of transponders; and
furtherwherein each base unit that receives a message from a transponder transmits a response message to the sending transponder at least once from each of the at least two antennas within each transmitting base unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for an RFID security network, monitoring a stationary structure, to alert an emergency response entity, said RFID security network including a plurality of base units, with each said base unit being a separate gateway to an external network, each said base unit appropriately located relative to the stationary structure to provide redundant communication links between each other and said RFID security network including a plurality of security transmitters located in a fixed and static position relative to the stationary structure and in two-way communications with each of the plurality of base units, the method comprising the steps of:
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at least one of the plurality of base units receiving an alert notification from at least one of the security transmitters; a first base unit that received the transmitter alert notification attempting to contact an emergency response entity through an external network; if the first base unit'"'"'s attempt to contact an emergency response entity fails, then a second base unit attempting to contact an emergency response entity through an external network; if the second base unit'"'"'s attempt to contact an emergency response entity fails, then a third base unit attempting to contact an emergency response entity through an external network; and each base unit in succession continuing to attempt to contact an emergency response entity through an external network until a successful notification is achieved. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification