Locating and provisioning devices in a network
First Claim
1. A method of provisioning a device, the method comprising:
- initializing a radio frequency identification (“
RFID”
) device;
reading RFID tag data from an RFID tag;
inserting the RFID tag data in an option field of a DHCPDISCOVER request; and
sending the DHCPDISCOVER request to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) server.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for locating, identifying and provisioning devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, location information included in a DHCPDISCOVER request can be used to determine appropriate configurations for networked devices. In some such implementations, the location information is read from an RFID tag near the networked device and is inserted in the DHCPDISCOVER request. The location information may include any type of absolute or relative coordinate, positioning, cartographic or similar information and/or information from which such information may be derived.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of provisioning a device, the method comprising:
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initializing a radio frequency identification (“
RFID”
) device;reading RFID tag data from an RFID tag; inserting the RFID tag data in an option field of a DHCPDISCOVER request; and sending the DHCPDISCOVER request to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of determining a device configuration, the method comprising:
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receiving a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) request;determining a location of a device according to information in the DHCP request; and determining, based at least in part on the location, an appropriate configuration for the device, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of a device function or a device setting to perform a device function. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for deploying a uniquely-provisioned radio frequency identification (“
- RFID”
) device in a network, the method comprising;reading location information from a first RFID tag; forming a DHCPDISCOVER request that includes an electronic product code (“
EPC”
) of an RFID reader and the location information;sending the DHCPDISCOVER request to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) server;receiving provisioning information from the DHCP server that enables a desired functionality according to an identity and a location of the RFID reader; and provisioning the RFID reader according to the provisioning information, thereby enabling the RFID reader to read nearby RFID tags and to transmit RFID tag information to an RFID network. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- RFID”
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29. A network, comprising:
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a plurality of radio frequency identification (“
RFID”
) devices;a plurality of switches connecting the RFID devices to the network; and a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) server, wherein at least some of the RFID devices comprise;means for reading location information from a first RFID tag; means for forming a DHCPDISCOVER request that includes an electronic product code (“
EPC”
) of an RFID reader and the location information;means for sending the DHCPDISCOVER request to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) server;means for receiving provisioning information from the DHCP server that enables a desired functionality according to an identity and a location of the RFID reader; and means for provisioning the RFID reader according to the provisioning information, thereby enabling the RFID reader to read nearby RFID tags and to transmit RFID tag information to an RFID network; and wherein the DHCP server comprises; means for receiving the DHCPDISCOVER request; and means for automatically identifying an RFID device according to a media access control (“
MAC”
) address and an EPC included in the DHCPDISCOVER request and for locating the RFID device according to the location information included in the DHCPDISCOVER request; andmeans for providing the RFID device with a desired functionality according to a device location and identity.
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30. A method of provisioning a device, the method comprising:
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initializing a radio frequency identification (“
RFID”
) device;obtaining location data; inserting the location data in an option field of a DHCPDISCOVER request; and sending the DHCPDISCOVER request to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) server. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. An RFID reader, comprising:
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means for initializing a radio frequency identification (“
RFID”
) device;means for reading RFID tag data from an RFID tag; means for inserting the RFID tag data in an option field of a DHCPDISCOVER request; and means for sending the DHCPDISCOVER request to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) server.
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35. An apparatus for determining a device configuration, comprising:
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means for receiving a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) request;location determining means for determining a location of a device according to information in the DHCP request; and means for determining, based at least in part on the location, an appropriate configuration for the device, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of a device function or a device setting to perform a device function. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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37. An RFID reader, comprising:
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means for reading location information from a first RFID tag; means for forming a DHCPDISCOVER request that includes an electronic product code (“
EPC”
) of an RFID reader and the location information;means for sending the DHCPDISCOVER request to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“
DHCP”
) server;means for receiving provisioning information from the DHCP server that enables a desired functionality according to an identity and a location of the RFID reader; and means for provisioning the RFID reader according to the provisioning information, thereby enabling the RFID reader to read nearby RFID tags and to transmit RFID tag information to an RFID network.
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Specification