RFID tag management and operation

• US 7,817,042 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Thomson, Allan, Cam Winget, Nancy
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMALL, NAOMI J
• Application Number:
  US11/678,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20080204248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.4
• US Class Current: 340/572.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

In an example embodiment, an apparatus such as an RFID tag, is configured to operate in a first mode that allows the tag to associate with the network and receive configuration data and to operate in a second mode wherein the apparatus is not associated with the network. The apparatus sends announcement packets while in the second mode in accordance with the configuration data received while in the first mode of operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless transceiver;

a memory configured with a factory default setting; and

control logic operable to control the operation of the wireless transceiver;

wherein the control logic is configured to operate the wireless transceiver in a first mode wherein the apparatus communicates bi-directionally while associated with a network to receive data representative of operating parameters, including an administrative security credential, a blink rate interval and at least one operating channel, the operating parameters being for configuring the wireless transceiver for operation in a second mode;

wherein the control logic is responsive to receiving the administration security credential to determine whether the factory default setting is stored in the memory and to selectively store the administration security credential in the memory exclusively when the factory default setting is stored in the memory; and

wherein the control logic is configured to operate the wireless transceiver in the second mode wherein the wireless transceiver communicates uni-directionally using the administrative security credential to send announce packets to a predefined multicast address while not associated to the network.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control logic is configured to receive an image update while in the first mode.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control logic is configured to switch from the second mode to the first mode periodically.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control logic is configured to receive data representative of operating parameters for operating in the second mode after the control logic switches from the second mode to the first mode.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a volatile memory; and

a non-volatile memory;

wherein the volatile memory is configured with the factory default security credential.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control logic is responsive to receiving the administration security credential to replace the factory default security credential with the administration security credential in the volatile memory and use the administration security credential for subsequent communications.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control logic is operable to transmit announce messages signed with the administration security credential.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control logic is responsive to receiving data representative of operating parameters to authenticate the data with the administration security credential.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, the data representative of operating parameters comprises one of a group consisting of a blink rate interval, an operating channel, and an executable image for the controller to utilize.

10. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control logic is configured to switch from the second mode to the first mode periodically and associates with the network using the administration security credential.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control logic is configured to receive data representative of operating parameters for operating in the second mode after the control logic switches from the second mode to the first mode and is responsive to receiving the data to authenticate the data with the administration security credential.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, the control logic further comprising:

the control logic is configured to operate the wireless transceiver in a third mode wherein the wireless transceiver sends an application packet to the network, while in one of a group consisting of the an associated state and an unassociated state;

wherein the control logic is configured to expect a response from the network to the application packet.

13. A method, comprising:

storing a default setting in a memory;

associating with a network;

communicating bi-directionally with the network to receive configuration data, including an administrative security credential, a blink rate interval and at least one operating channel, while associated with the network;

determining whether the default setting is stored in the memory;

selectively storing the administrative security credential in the memory in accordance with the determining;

disassociating from the network; and

communicating uni-directionally with the network using one of the default setting or the administrative security credential to transmit an announcement packet periodically to a predefined multicast address in accordance with the configuration data after disassociating with the network.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

periodically re-associating with the network after disassociating with the network; and

receiving updated configuration data while re-associated with the network.

15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a manufacturer security credential;

selectively storing the manufacturer security credential in accordance an operative position of a switch;

wherein the associating step further comprises verifying the network has the manufacturer security credential.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

receiving an administration security credential; and

wherein the transmitting an announcement packet further comprises authenticating the announcement packet with the administration security credential.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

means for storing a default setting;

means for associating with a network;

means for communicating bi-directionally with the network to receive configuration data, including an administrative security credential, a blink rate interval and at least one operating channel, while associated with the network;

means for selectively storing the administrative security credential in accordance with determining the default setting is in the means for storing;

means for disassociating from the network; and

means for communicating uni-directionally with the network using the administrative security credential to transmit an announcement packet periodically to a predefined multicast address in accordance with the configuration data after disassociating with the network.

18. A system, comprising:

a network;

a server disposed on the network and operable to communicate via the network;

a first access point coupled to the network and operable to communicate with the server via the network;

a second access point coupled to the network and operable to communicate with the server via the network; and

a wireless mobile device;

wherein the wireless mobile device is operable to communicate wirelessly with the first access point while in a first mode, the wireless device while operating in the first mode associates with the first access point and communicates bi-directionally, and while associated with the first access point the wireless mobile device is operable to receive data representative of operating parameters, including a security credential, a blink rate interval and at least one operating channel, for operating in a second mode;

wherein the wireless mobile device is operable to selectively store the security credential for configuring the wireless mobile device for operation in the second mode using the security credential;

wherein the wireless mobile device is further operable to operate in the second mode, wherein while operating in the second mode the wireless mobile device operates uni-directionally with the first and second access points and is operable to send announce packets to a predefined multicast address while not associated to the network; and

the first and second access points are configured to forward packets received from the wireless mobile device that are addressed to the predefined multicast address to the server via the network.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first and second access points are operable to send data representative of one of the group consisting of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), angle of arrival (AOA), time of arrival, and the address of the access point receiving the signal with the packets received form the wireless mobile device that are addressed to the predefined multicast address to the server via the network.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the first time the wireless device associates with the first access point, the wireless device is operable to receive data representative of a trusted root via the first access point.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein while the wireless device is associated with the first access point the wireless device is operable to receive data representative of a ciphersuite algorithm to be used while operating in the second mode via the first access point.