Multi-reader coordination in RFID system
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers in a group, the method comprising:
- determining, by each of the plurality of readers, transmission characteristics of each of the other readers during a calibration phase;
generating, based on the determination, a spatial-division and time-division synchronization schedule for the plurality of readers in the group, the synchronization schedule specifying one or more scheduled turns for each reader to operate at a specific transmission power level, communication protocol and operating frequency, such that the plurality of readers do not unduly interfere with each other; and
operating the plurality of readers according to the synchronization schedule, wherein a reader in a group may further operate out of its one or more scheduled turns if it determines that operation of a scheduled reader will not unduly interfere with its out-of-turn operation and the reader in the group changing a respective communication protocol when another reader not in the group is detected.
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Abstract
A method of operating a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers includes operating the readers according to a spatial-division and time-division synchronization schedule. Each reader may be associated with a reader group, and the schedule may specify a duration of time that all of the readers in a group may be active. Readers in different reader groups may be scheduled independent of readers in other reader groups.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of operating a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers in a group, the method comprising:
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determining, by each of the plurality of readers, transmission characteristics of each of the other readers during a calibration phase; generating, based on the determination, a spatial-division and time-division synchronization schedule for the plurality of readers in the group, the synchronization schedule specifying one or more scheduled turns for each reader to operate at a specific transmission power level, communication protocol and operating frequency, such that the plurality of readers do not unduly interfere with each other; and operating the plurality of readers according to the synchronization schedule, wherein a reader in a group may further operate out of its one or more scheduled turns if it determines that operation of a scheduled reader will not unduly interfere with its out-of-turn operation and the reader in the group changing a respective communication protocol when another reader not in the group is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a system in which a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers in a group are operating, a method comprising:
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determining, by each of the plurality of readers, transmission characteristics of each of the other readers during a calibration phase; generating, based on the determination, a spatial-division and time-division synchronization schedule for the plurality of readers in the group, the synchronization schedule specifying one or more scheduled turns for each reader to operate at a specific transmission power level, communication protocol and operating frequency, such that the plurality of readers do not unduly interfere with each other; by the first reader of the plurality of RFID readers in the group, obtaining the schedule, the schedule specifying a time at which the first reader may operate; and the first reader operating out of turn if it determines that operation of a scheduled reader will not unduly interfere with its out-of-turn operation and the first reader changing a respective communication protocol when another reader not in the group is detected. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers, the method comprising:
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identifying at least some of the readers for grouping into a group; assigning at least one rule to the group; and operating the readers in the group according to the at least one rule, wherein the at least one rule specifies that at least some readers in the group should reduce transmission power, change operating frequency or change communication protocol if a reader not in the group is detected such that operation of the reader not in the group and the readers in the group should not unduly interfere with each other, the method further comprising; changing a respective communication protocol of at least some readers in the group when a reader not in the group is detected. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification