Methods and apparatus for switching a transponder to an active state, and asset management systems employing same
First Claim
1. A transponder apparatus, comprising:
- an electronic device, said electronic device being switchable between an inactive, sleep state and an active state;
a power source in electronic communication with said electronic device, said power source providing power to said electronic device;
a switch having an antenna for receiving at least one RF signal, said switch converting said at least one RF signal into at least one DC signal; and
a filtering circuit in electronic communication with said switch, wherein said at least one DC signal is provided to said filtering circuit, wherein responsive to receiving said at least one DC signal said filtering circuit analyzes said at least one DC signal and determines whether said at least one DC signal has a predetermined format, wherein said predetermined format comprises a predetermined number of bursts, each of said bursts having a predetermined duration, and wherein said filtering circuit provides a wake-up signal to said electronic device to cause said electronic device to move from said inactive, sleep state to said active state only if it is determined that said at least one DC signal has said predetermined format.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A transponder apparatus, comprising:
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an electronic device, said electronic device being switchable between an inactive, sleep state and an active state; a power source in electronic communication with said electronic device, said power source providing power to said electronic device; a switch having an antenna for receiving at least one RF signal, said switch converting said at least one RF signal into at least one DC signal; and a filtering circuit in electronic communication with said switch, wherein said at least one DC signal is provided to said filtering circuit, wherein responsive to receiving said at least one DC signal said filtering circuit analyzes said at least one DC signal and determines whether said at least one DC signal has a predetermined format, wherein said predetermined format comprises a predetermined number of bursts, each of said bursts having a predetermined duration, and wherein said filtering circuit provides a wake-up signal to said electronic device to cause said electronic device to move from said inactive, sleep state to said active state only if it is determined that said at least one DC signal has said predetermined format. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A transponder apparatus, comprising:
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an electronic device, said electronic device being switchable between an inactive, sleep state and an active state; a power source in electronic communication with said electronic device, said power source providing power to said electronic device; a switch having an antenna for receiving at least one RF signal, said switch converting said at least one RF signal into at least one DC signal; and a filtering circuit in electronic communication with said switch, wherein said at least one DC signal is provided to said filtering circuit, wherein responsive to receiving said at least one DC signal said filtering circuit analyzes said at least one DC signal and determines whether said at least one DC signal has a first predetermined format, wherein said at least one RF signal comprises a plurality of RF bursts, and wherein said predetermined format comprises a predetermined number of bursts, each of said bursts having a predetermined duration, and wherein said filtering circuit will provide a wake-up signal to said electronic device to cause said electronic device to move from said inactive, sleep state to said active state only if it is determined that said at least one DC signal has said first predetermined format, wherein said at least one DC signal will have said first predetermined format only if said at least one RF signal has a second predetermined format.
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15. A method of moving an electronic device included in a transponder apparatus from an inactive, sleep state to an active state, wherein said electronic device consumes power from a power source of said transponder apparatus in said active state, comprising:
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receiving at least one RF signal and converting said at least one RF signal into at least one DC signal without consuming power from said power source or another power source within or connected to said transponder apparatus; analyzing said at least one DC signal and determining whether said at least one DC signal has a predetermined format wherein said predetermined format comprises a predetermined number of bursts, each of said bursts having a predetermined duration; and providing a wake-up signal to said electronic device only if it is determined that said at least one DC signal has said predetermined format, said wake-up signal causing said electronic device to move from said inactive, sleep state to said active state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of moving an electronic device included in a transponder apparatus from an inactive, sleep state to an active state, wherein said electronic device consumes power from a power source of said transponder apparatus in said active state, comprising:
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receiving at least one RF signal and converting said at least one RF signal into at least one DC signal without consuming power from said power source or another power source within or connected to said transponder apparatus; analyzing said at least one DC signal and determining whether said at least one RF signal has a predetermined format based on said at least one DC signal wherein said at least one RF signal comprises a plurality of RF bursts, wherein said determining step comprises determining whether said RF bursts have said predetermined format, and wherein said predetermined format comprises a predetermined number of bursts, each of said bursts having a predetermined duration; and providing a wake-up signal to said electronic device to cause said electronic device to move from said inactive, sleep state to said active state only if it is determined that said at least one RF signal has said predetermined format.
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Specification