Method and apparatus for wireless communication of identification information between radio frequency devices

• US 7,786,845 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Inventors: Ovard, David K., Tuttle, John R., Rotzoll, Robert R., Tuttle, Mark E., Lowrey, Tyler, Higgins, Brian P., Yu, Shu-Sun, O'Toole, James E., Devereaux, Kevin M., Pax, George E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III; Edwin C
• Application Number:
  US11/846,788
• Publication Number:
  US 20080030353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.4, 340/10.41, 340/10.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/539.27, 340/539.28, 340/588, 340/870.17, 340/10.2, 340/10.5, 340/10.51, 340/10.33, 340/10.34, 340/825.56, 340/10.32, 370/310, 370/311, 342/42, 342/44, 342/51, 375/130
• US Class Current: 340/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0707 the arrangement being capable of collecting energy from external energy sources, e.g. thermocouples, vibration, electromagnetic radiation G06K19/0702 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0712 the arrangement being capable of triggering distinct operating modes or functions dependent on the strength of an energy or interrogation field in the proximity of the record carrier active means for hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07336
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0726 the arrangement including a circuit for tuning the resonance frequency of an antenna on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10059 transponder driven
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/0995 the oscillator comprising a ring oscillator
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/148 said digital means comprising a counter or a divider

Abstract

Identification information is wirelessly communicated between radio frequency devices. In one embodiment, a first wireless device transmits a signal to request identification information. Other wireless devices are each affixed a respective item, and each of the other wireless devices determines if a reply signal is to be transmitted, and if so, communicates the reply signal to the first wireless device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

controlling subsystem configured to provide a wireless interrogation signal using an application program on a host computer to receive data from the subsystem;

transmitting, from the subsystem, a forward link signal to determine an identification code of a wireless device from among a plurality of wireless devices contained within an RF field of the subsystem, the forward link signal comprising;

a parameter to select a group of one or more wireless devices from the plurality of wireless devices, and

return link configuration information;

processing, via the wireless device coupled to an object and storing the identification code to identify the object via the host computer, at least a portion of the forward link signal to compare the parameter to a value stored in the wireless device to determine if the wireless device is a member of the group; and

transmitting, from the wireless device, a return link signal modulated in accordance with a modulation scheme selected by the return link configuration information, wherein each bit of the return link signal is multiplied by a selectable one of at least three subcarrier sequences indicated by the return link configuration information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the forward link signal comprises a CRC.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulation scheme indicated by the return link configuration information is one of:

Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), On-Off Keying (OOK), and Modulated Backscatter (MBS).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the value stored in the wireless device is at least a portion of a dynamically generated random number.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the forward link signal is in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum.

6. A method, comprising:

transmitting a first wireless signal, requesting an identifier in response to the first signal, to a radio frequency device of a plurality of RF devices within a communication range of the first signal, the first signal comprising;

a parameter to select a group of one or more RF devices from the plurality of RF devices, and

return link configuration information; and

receiving a reply signal from the RF device if the RF device determines that the RF device is a member of the group based on comparing the parameter to a value stored in the RF device, the reply signal being in accordance with one of a plurality of modulation types selected using the return link configuration information, wherein in accordance with one of the plurality of modulation types the return link configuration information is used to select one of at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first signal further comprises a preamble comprising at least one data bit-0 and excluding any data bit-1'"'"'s, and wherein the reply signal comprises a preamble comprising a plurality of data bit-0'"'"'s and a plurality of data bit-1'"'"'s.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

communicating a kill command to the RF device to disable a transmitter of the RF device while leaving the receiver functional.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the reply signal further includes at least a portion of an identification code of the RF device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein a length of a first of the pulse waveforms is at least twice as long as a length of a second of the pulse waveforms;

and

the length of the second of the pulse waveforms is at least twice as long as a length of a third of the pulse waveforms.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the reply signal includes a random number generated by the RF device.

12. A method, comprising:

receiving a request from a first wireless device, the request comprising;

a parameter to select a group of one or more second wireless devices from a plurality of second wireless devices within a communication range of the first wireless device, and

return link configuration information;

comparing the parameter to a value stored in a second wireless device to determine if the second wireless device is a member of the group; and

transmitting a reply signal from the second wireless device in accordance with one of a plurality of modulation types selected using the return link configuration information, wherein the return link configuration information is used to select one of at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

storing an identification code in a first memory, wherein the second wireless device comprises a second memory dedicated for read/write data storage, and wherein the reply signal includes at least a portion of the identification code; and

storing an identifier to indicate manufacture information of the second wireless device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

generating a random number, wherein the value stored in the second wireless device is at least a portion of the random number.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

using a counter to refrain from transmitting wireless signals according to a value of the counter.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the reply signal includes a random number.

17. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:

a host computer;

an subsystem to provide a wireless interrogation signal coupled to the host computer, wherein the subsystem is configured to transmit commands to determine an identification code of a wireless device from among a plurality of wireless devices contained within an RF field of the subsystem, the commands comprising selection information and modulation information;

an object; and

the wireless device coupled to the object and storing the identification code to identify the object via the host computer, the wireless device configured to use the selection information to determine if the wireless device is a member of a group of one or more wireless devices selected by the subsystem, and to communicate a reply modulated using a modulation type selected from a plurality of modulation types using the modulation information, wherein in accordance with one of the plurality of modulation types each bit of the reply is multiplied by a selectable one of at least three subcarrier sequences using the modulation information.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a label attached to the object, the label having a front side and a back side, the front side of the label having visual information, and the wireless device attached to the back side of the label.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the subsystem and the wireless device are configured to operate in accordance with spread spectrum.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the commands include a preamble comprising at least one data bit-0 and excluding any data bit-1'"'"'s;

and the reply comprises a preamble comprising a plurality of data bit-0'"'"'s and a plurality of data bit-1'"'"'s.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the wireless device stores the identification code in a first region of memory, and the wireless device further stores an identifier to indicate manufacture information.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the wireless device further comprises a counter configured to prevent the wireless device from communicating for a period of time.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the commands further comprise a kill command to disable the wireless device and to prevent the wireless device from communicating replies.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the reply includes at least one of:

a CRC, a portion of the identification code, a random number generated in the wireless device, and a parameter that describes how many bytes are included in at least a portion of the reply; and

the wireless device is configured to use the random number and the selection information to determine if the wireless device is a member of the group of wireless devices selected by the interrogator.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein the commands further provide a parameter that describes a length of at least a portion of the commands.

26. A system, comprising:

an first wireless device configured to transmit a first signal to determine an identification code of a second wireless device of a plurality of second wireless devices disposed within an RF field of the first wireless device, the first signal comprising selection information and modulation information;

an object;

the second wireless device attached to the object, the second wireless device configured to;

determine if the second wireless device is selected using the selection information, and

communicate a reply signal having a baseband waveform multiplied by a pulse waveform selected by the modulation information from at least three different pulse waveforms; and

a host processor coupled to the first wireless device to receive and process the identification code.

27. The system of claim 26, further comprising:

a label affixed to the object, the label having a front side and a back side, the front side of the label having visual information, and the second wireless device attached to the back side of the label, wherein the visual information includes text.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the second wireless device comprises:

a plastic sheet;

an antenna disposed on the plastic sheet to receive the interrogation signal; and

an integrated circuit storing the identification code associated with the object;

wherein the second wireless device is configured to compare the selection information to a value stored in the integrated circuit other than the identification code.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the second wireless device is configured to transmit the reply signal if, at least in part, the selection information matches the value stored in the integrated circuit.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the reply signal includes a random number;

and the first wireless device is configured to operate in accordance with spread spectrum.

31. The system of claim 26, further comprising a counter configured to prevent wireless signals from being communicated based on a value of the counter.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the first signal further comprises a command to disable communication from the second wireless device.

33. The system of claim 26, wherein the reply signal includes a dynamically generated random number and at least a portion of the identification code.

34. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:

a first wireless device configured to transmit a first wireless signal to request information including identification information, the first wireless signal comprising first information and modulation information;

a plurality of items; and

a plurality of second wireless devices affixed respectively to the plurality of items, each of the second wireless devices configured to;

use the first information to determine if a reply signal is to be transmitted, and if a reply signal is to be transmitted, communicate the reply signal having a bit represented by a waveform sequence length selected by the modulation information from at least three different waveform sequence lengths.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein each of the second wireless devices is configured to transmit the reply signal to the first wireless device if, at least in part, the selection information matches a respective value.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the respective value is a random number.

37. The system of claim 34, further comprising:

a plurality of labels affixed to the plurality of items respectively, each of the plurality of labels having a front side and a back side, the front side having visual information, one of the plurality of the second wireless devices being affixed to the back side, wherein the visual information includes text.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the first wireless device is configured to operate in accordance with spread spectrum in a microwave frequency range.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the first wireless signal further comprises a preamble comprising at least one data bit-0 and excluding any data bit-1'"'"'s, and wherein each respective reply signal comprises a preamble comprising a plurality of data bit-0'"'"'s and a plurality of data bit-1'"'"'s.

40. The system of claim 34, wherein each of the plurality of second wireless devices is configured to:

store a respective identification code in a respective first region of memory, store respective revision information in a respective second region of memory, store a respective identifier to indicate tag manufacture information, and dedicate a respective region of memory for read/write data storage.

41. The system of claim 34, wherein each of the plurality of second wireless devices further comprises a respective counter configured to prevent a respective second wireless device from communicating a signal for a period of time determined at least in part by the respective counter.

42. The system of claim 34, wherein the first wireless signal further comprises a command to prevent communication from a second wireless device.

43. A system, comprising:

a first wireless subsystem configured to transmit a first wireless forward link signal to request responses from one or more RF devices within a field of the first wireless subsystem, the first wireless forward link signal comprising identification information and modulation information;

a host subsystem coupled to the first wireless subsystem to maintain information associated with a plurality of items; and

a plurality of RF devices coupled to the plurality of items respectively, the plurality of RF devices including an RF device coupled to an item of the plurality of items, the RF device storing an identification code associated with the item, the RF device configured to communicate a reply signal to the first wireless forward link signal using, at least in part, the identification information included in the first wireless forward link signal, wherein the reply signal includes at least a bit represented by a waveform sequence selected by the modulation information from at least three waveform sequences of different lengths.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the RF device is attached to the item via a label having a front side and a back side, the front side having visual information including text, the RF device being attached to the back side.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the RF device comprises:

a substrate;

an antenna disposed on the substrate; and

an integrated circuit storing the identification code;

wherein the integrated circuit is further configured to store a value other than the identification code and to generate a random number.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the RF device determines whether the RF device is selected by the identification information.

47. The system of claim 43, wherein the first wireless subsystem is configured to operate in accordance with spread spectrum at a frequency of approximately 2.44 GHz.

48. The system of claim 43, wherein the first wireless forward link signal further comprises a preamble comprising at least one data bit-0 and excluding any data bit-1'"'"'s, and wherein the reply signal comprises a preamble comprising a plurality of data bit-0'"'"'s and a plurality of data bit-1'"'"'s.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein the RF device stores the identification code in a first region of memory, a revision number in a second region of memory, and an identifier to indicate manufacture information.

50. The system of claim 43, wherein the RF device further comprises a counter configured to control timing of communication of wireless signals.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the reply signal includes a random number.

52. The system of claim 43, wherein a length of a first of the waveform sequences is at least twice as long as a length of a second of the waveform sequences, and a length of the second of the waveform sequences is at least twice as long as a length of a third of the waveform sequences.

53. A method, comprising:

controlling a wireless module configured to interrogate radio frequency devices using an computer program to receive data from the wireless module;

transmitting, from the wireless module, a forward link signal to implement an arbitration scheme to determine an identification code of a radio frequency device from among a plurality of radio frequency devices contained within an RF field of the wireless module, the forward link signal comprising;

a parameter capable of selection of a group of radio frequency devices from the plurality of radio frequency devices, and

return link configuration information;

processing, via the radio frequency device, at least a portion of the forward link signal to compare the parameter to a value stored in the radio frequency device to determine if the radio frequency device is a member of the group; and

transmitting, from the radio frequency device, a return link signal modulated in accordance with a modulation scheme selected in accordance with the return link configuration information, wherein bits of the return link signal are multiplied by a selectable one of at least three subcarrier sequences.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the return link signal comprises a CRC.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the modulation scheme selected by the return link configuration information comprises a Phase Shift Keying (PSK) scheme.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein the value stored in the radio frequency device is at least a portion of a random number generated by the radio frequency device.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein the forward link signal is in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum scheme.

58. The method of claim 53, wherein the return link signal includes a random number generated by the radio frequency device.

59. Apparatus, comprising:

a wireless module configured to interrogate radio frequency devices using an computer program to receive data from the wireless module;

transmitter apparatus configured to transmit, from the wireless module, a forward link signal to implement an arbitration scheme to determine an identification code of a radio frequency device from among a plurality of radio frequency devices contained within an RF field of the wireless module, the forward link signal comprising;

a parameter capable of selection of a group of radio frequency devices from the plurality of radio frequency devices, and

return link configuration information;

receiver apparatus configured to receive a return link signal from the radio frequency device, the return link signal being sent when the radio frequency device in receipt of the forward link signal compares the parameter of the forward link signal to a value stored in the radio frequency device and determines that the radio frequency device is a member of the group;

wherein the receiver apparatus is further configured to receive and demodulate the return link signal that has been modulated in accordance with a modulation scheme selected in accordance with the return link configuration information, bits of the return link signal having been multiplied by a selectable one of at least three subcarrier sequences.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the return link signal comprises a CRC.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the modulation scheme selected in accordance with the return link configuration information comprises a Phase Shift Keying (PSK) scheme.

62. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the value stored in the radio frequency device is at least a portion of a random number generated by the radio frequency device.

63. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the forward link signal is in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum scheme.

64. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the return link signal includes a random number generated by the radio frequency device.

65. A method, comprising:

transmitting an interrogation signal from a wireless module to a radio frequency device of a plurality of radio frequency devices within a communication range of the wireless module, the interrogation signal comprising;

a parameter capable of enabling selective communication with a subset of the plurality of radio frequency devices, and

return link configuration information; and

receiving a reply signal from the radio frequency device if the radio frequency device determines that the radio frequency device is a member of the subset based on comparing the parameter to a value stored in the radio frequency device, the reply signal being modulated in accordance with one of a plurality of modulation types associated with a selection of the return link configuration information;

wherein in accordance with one of the plurality of modulation types, the return link configuration information effects selection from at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the interrogation signal comprises a CRC.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the value stored in the radio frequency device is at least a portion of a random number.

68. The method of claim 65, wherein the interrogation signal is in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum.

69. The method of claim 65, wherein the reply signal further includes at least a portion of an identification code of the radio frequency device.

70. The method of claim 65, wherein the reply signal includes a random number.

71. The method of claim 65, wherein the wireless module and the radio frequency device are configured to operate in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum.

72. The method of claim 65, wherein the radio frequency device is configured to transmit the reply signal to the wireless module if, at least in part, the parameter matches the value.

73. Apparatus, comprising:

transmitter apparatus configured to transmit an interrogation signal to a radio frequency device of a plurality of radio frequency devices within a communication range of the transmitter apparatus, the interrogation signal comprising;

a parameter capable of enabling selective communication with a subset of the plurality of radio frequency devices, and

return link configuration information; and

receiver apparatus configured to receive a reply signal from the radio frequency device if the radio frequency device determines that the radio frequency device is a member of the subset based on comparing the parameter to a value stored in the radio frequency device, the received reply signal being modulated in accordance with one of a plurality of modulation types, the one modulation type being associated with the return link configuration information;

wherein in accordance with one of the plurality of modulation types, the return link configuration information is configured to effect selection from at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the interrogation signal comprises a CRC.

75. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the interrogation signal is in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum.

76. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the apparatus and the radio frequency device are configured to operate in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum.

77. A method, comprising:

receiving an first signal from a wireless transmitter, the first signal comprising;

a parameter to select a group of radio frequency devices from a plurality of radio frequency devices capable of communication with the transmitter, and

return link configuration information;

comparing the parameter to a value stored in a first of said plurality of radio frequency devices in order to determine if the first radio frequency device is a member of the group; and

transmitting a reply signal from the first radio frequency device in accordance with one of a plurality of modulation types associated with a selection performed using the return link configuration information, wherein in accordance with one of the plurality of modulation types, the return link configuration information has been used to select one of at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the first signal comprises a CRC.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the value stored in the first of said plurality of radio frequency devices is at least a portion of a random number.

80. The method of claim 77, wherein the first signal is in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum.

81. The method of claim 77, wherein the reply signal further includes at least a portion of an identification code of the first radio frequency device.

82. The method of claim 77, wherein the reply signal includes a random number.

83. The method of claim 77, wherein the first radio frequency device is configured to transmit the reply signal to the wireless module if, at least in part, the parameter matches the value.

84. A radio frequency device, comprising:

receiver apparatus capable of receiving a first signal from a wireless transmitter, the first signal comprising;

a parameter to select a group of radio frequency devices from a plurality of radio frequency devices capable of communication with the transmitter, and

return link configuration information;

processing apparatus capable of comparing the received parameter to a value stored in a storage device in order to determine if the radio frequency device is a member of the group; and

transmitter apparatus capable of transmitting a reply signal from the radio frequency device in accordance with one of a plurality of modulation types associated with a selection performed using the return link configuration information, wherein the return link configuration information is configured to permit selection of one of at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform, in accordance with one of the plurality of modulation types.

85. The radio frequency device of claim 84, wherein the value stored in the radio frequency device is at least a portion of a random number.

86. The radio frequency device of claim 84, wherein the reply signal further includes at least a portion of an identification code of the radio frequency device.

87. The radio frequency device of claim 84, wherein the reply signal includes a random number.

88. The radio frequency device of claim 84, wherein the radio frequency device is configured to transmit the reply signal if, at least in part, the parameter matches the value.

89. A radio frequency device, comprising:

receiver apparatus configured to receive a forward link signal to implement an arbitration scheme to determine an identification code of the radio frequency device from among a plurality of other radio frequency devices contained within an RF field of the wireless module, the forward link signal comprising;

a parameter capable of selection of a group of radio frequency devices from the plurality of radio frequency devices, and

return link configuration information;

transmitter apparatus configured to transmit a return link signal from the radio frequency device, the return link signal being sent when the radio frequency device compares the parameter of the forward link signal to a value stored in the radio frequency device, and determines that the radio frequency device is a member of the group;

wherein the transmitter apparatus is further configured to modulate the return link signal in accordance with a modulation scheme selected in accordance with the return link configuration information, bits of the return link signal having been multiplied by a selectable one of at least three subcarrier sequences.

90. The radio frequency device of claim 89, wherein the return link signal comprises a CRC.

91. The radio frequency device of claim 89, wherein the modulation scheme selected in accordance with the return link configuration information comprises a Phase Shift Keying (PSK) scheme.

92. The radio frequency device of claim 89, wherein the value stored in the radio frequency device is at least a portion of a random number generated by the radio frequency device.

93. The radio frequency device of claim 89, wherein the return link signal includes a random number generated by the radio frequency device.

94. Apparatus, comprising:

transmitter apparatus configured to transmit an interrogation signal to a radio frequency device of a plurality of radio frequency devices within a communication range of the transmitter apparatus, the interrogation signal comprising;

a parameter capable of enabling selective communication with a subset of the plurality of radio frequency devices, and

return link configuration information; and

receiver apparatus configured to receive a reply signal from the radio frequency device if the radio frequency device determines that the radio frequency device is a member of the subset based on comparing the parameter to a value stored in the radio frequency device, the received reply signal having been modulated according to one of a plurality of modulation types utilized based on the return link configuration information;

wherein the return link configuration information is used to select an operating mode that utilizes at least one of at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the interrogation signal comprises a CRC.

96. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the interrogation signal is in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum.

97. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the apparatus and the radio frequency device are configured to operate in accordance with frequency hopping spread spectrum.