Methods and apparatus for switching a transponder to an active state, and asset management systems employing same
First Claim
1. A system for tracking a plurality of assets, comprising:
- a central computer system, said central computer system maintaining a plurality of records relating to said assets;
a network, said central computer system being in electronic communication with said network;
a plurality of interface devices, each of said interface devices being adapted to communicate with said network; and
a plurality of transponders, each of said transponders being associated with a respective one of said assets and storing an identifier identifying the particular asset with which the transponder is associated, each of said transponders being adapted to receive from one of said interface devices at least one RF signal that is generated at the direction of said central computer system and in response thereto to generate and transmit a response signal including the identifier identifying the particular asset with which the transponder is associated;
wherein each of said interface devices is adapted to (i) receive the response signal that is transmitted by each of a particular one or more of said transponders, and (ii) generate and transmit to said network at least one second response signal, said at least one second response signal including each identifier that was included in each response signal received by the interface device, wherein the at least one second response signal is transmitted to said central computer system through said network, and wherein said central computer system uses the at least one second response signal received from one or more of said interface devices to update one or more of said records.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
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.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A system for tracking a plurality of assets, comprising:
-
a central computer system, said central computer system maintaining a plurality of records relating to said assets; a network, said central computer system being in electronic communication with said network; a plurality of interface devices, each of said interface devices being adapted to communicate with said network; and a plurality of transponders, each of said transponders being associated with a respective one of said assets and storing an identifier identifying the particular asset with which the transponder is associated, each of said transponders being adapted to receive from one of said interface devices at least one RF signal that is generated at the direction of said central computer system and in response thereto to generate and transmit a response signal including the identifier identifying the particular asset with which the transponder is associated; wherein each of said interface devices is adapted to (i) receive the response signal that is transmitted by each of a particular one or more of said transponders, and (ii) generate and transmit to said network at least one second response signal, said at least one second response signal including each identifier that was included in each response signal received by the interface device, wherein the at least one second response signal is transmitted to said central computer system through said network, and wherein said central computer system uses the at least one second response signal received from one or more of said interface devices to update one or more of said records. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification