Method and apparatus for avoiding overpolling
First Claim
1. A method of operating a tag that can receive wireless signals having successive first and second portions, comprising:
- periodically switching from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, said tag consuming less power in said first mode than in said second mode;
checking while in said second mode for concurrent receipt by said tag of the first portion of one of the wireless signals;
evaluating previously-received wireless signals to identify wireless signals that are equivalent and occur repetitively;
if no repetitive wireless signals have been identified, receiving in said tag the second portion of a wireless signal detected during said checking, and thereafter switching from said second mode back to said first mode; and
if repetitive wireless signals have been identified, switching from said second mode back to said first mode after detection of the first portion of a wireless signal and before receipt of the second portion thereof.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tag can switch between first and second modes of operation, and consumes less power in the first mode. In the second mode, the tag can receive wireless signals having successive first and second portions. If the tag identifies a repetitive pattern of the wireless signals, the tag ignores the second portions of the signals. Otherwise the tag receives the second portions. In another embodiment, while in the second mode, the tag can receive wireless signals having successive first, second and third portions. The tag switches between the first and second modes at one rate until it detects the first portion, and then switches at a higher rate until it detects the second portion, and then stays in the second mode and receives the third portion.
10 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of operating a tag that can receive wireless signals having successive first and second portions, comprising:
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periodically switching from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, said tag consuming less power in said first mode than in said second mode; checking while in said second mode for concurrent receipt by said tag of the first portion of one of the wireless signals; evaluating previously-received wireless signals to identify wireless signals that are equivalent and occur repetitively; if no repetitive wireless signals have been identified, receiving in said tag the second portion of a wireless signal detected during said checking, and thereafter switching from said second mode back to said first mode; and if repetitive wireless signals have been identified, switching from said second mode back to said first mode after detection of the first portion of a wireless signal and before receipt of the second portion thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a tag that can receive wireless signals having successive first, second and third portions, comprising:
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periodically switching at a first rate from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, said tag consuming less power in said first mode than in said second mode; checking while in said second mode for concurrent receipt by said tag of the first portion of one of the wireless signals; switching from said second mode back to said first mode in the absence of detection of the first portion of a wireless signal; responding to detection in said second mode of the first portion of a wireless signal by; returning to said first mode; thereafter periodically switching at a second rate faster than said first rate from said first mode to a third mode of operation, said tag consuming less power in said first mode than in said third mode; checking while in said third mode for concurrent receipt by said tag of the second portion of the wireless signal; switching from said third mode back to said first mode in the absence of detection of the second portion of a wireless signal; and responding to detection of the second portion of the wireless signal while in said third mode by remaining in said third mode and receiving the third portion of the wireless signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that can receive wireless signals with successive first and second portions, and that causes said tag to:
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periodically switch from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, said tag consuming less power in said first mode than in said second mode; check while in said second mode for concurrent receipt of the first portion of one of the wireless signals; evaluate previously-received wireless signals to identify wireless signals that are equivalent and occur repetitively; receive the second portion of a wireless signal detected during said checking if no repetitive wireless signals have been identified, and thereafter switch from said second mode back to said first mode; and switch from said second mode back to said first mode after detection of the first portion of a wireless signal and before receipt of the second portion thereof, if repetitive wireless signals have been identified. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that can receive wireless signals with successive first, second and third portions, and that causes said tag to:
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periodically switch at a first rate from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, said tag consuming less power in said first mode than in said second mode; check while in said second mode for concurrent receipt of the first portion of one of the wireless signals; switch from said second mode back to said first mode in the absence of detection of the first portion of a wireless signal; respond to detection in said second mode of the first portion of a wireless signal by proceeding to; return to said first mode; thereafter periodically switch at a second rate faster than said first rate from said first mode to a third mode of operation, said tag consuming less power in said first mode than in said third mode; check while in said third mode for concurrent receipt by said tag of the second portion of the wireless signal; switch from said third mode back to said first mode in the absence of detection of the second portion of a wireless signal; and respond to detection of the second portion of the wireless signal while in said third mode by remaining in said third mode and receiving the third portion of the wireless signal. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification