Apparatus for and method of using an intelligent network and RFID signal router
First Claim
1. A method of transporting signals to an RFID reader antenna, the method comprising the steps ofselecting a first communication route for transporting at least one RF signal from an RFID reader to at least one RFID antenna, wherein the first communication route is selected in accordance with a routing method and using an automated determination of available RF communication routes, wherein the automated determination of available RF communication routes comprises a first node determining at least one adjacent second node to which it has a direct RF communication path, and relaying the identity of the adjacent second node to a first controller;
- selecting a second communication route for transporting at least one digital signal from the first controller to a second controller;
transporting the at least one RF signal to the RFID antenna along the first communication route; and
transporting the at least one digital signal to the second controller along the second communication route.
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Abstract
Apparatuses, systems for, and methods of transporting digital signals and radio-frequency (“RF”) signals are disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an intelligent network (e.g., a combination router) and corresponding method are provided for transporting RF signals to, for example, an RFID antenna and transporting digital signals to, for example, a controller. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent network is implemented with a manager unit for controlling a plurality of network devices to facilitate the efficient management of RFID-enabled devices. The network devices may include a combination router/switch, which has the capability of switching both digital data and RF data, RFID readers, RFID reader/writer pads, and other devices. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the intelligent network allows enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennae.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of transporting signals to an RFID reader antenna, the method comprising the steps of
selecting a first communication route for transporting at least one RF signal from an RFID reader to at least one RFID antenna, wherein the first communication route is selected in accordance with a routing method and using an automated determination of available RF communication routes, wherein the automated determination of available RF communication routes comprises a first node determining at least one adjacent second node to which it has a direct RF communication path, and relaying the identity of the adjacent second node to a first controller; -
selecting a second communication route for transporting at least one digital signal from the first controller to a second controller; transporting the at least one RF signal to the RFID antenna along the first communication route; and transporting the at least one digital signal to the second controller along the second communication route. - 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, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification