Radio frequency identification system and a method of operating same
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:
- a receiver section configured to receive wireless signpost signals that include timing data;
a further section that responds to an event other than receipt of a wireless signpost signal by determining time information associated with the event as a function of the timing data from a previously-received wireless signpost signal; and
a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless tag signals that each include a tag code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to the determination of time information by said further section for including the time information in at least one said tag signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tag receives wireless signpost signals that include timing data, determines time information associated with an event as a function of the timing data, and transmits a wireless tag signal that contains the time information. In a another configuration, a signpost transmits wireless signpost signals having a selected transmission range; a reader proximate to the signpost receives wireless tag signals with a reception range that is approximately the same as the selected transmission range; and a tag movable relative to the signpost and reader responds to receipt of a wireless signpost signal by transmitting a wireless tag signal containing a tag code associated with the tag.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:
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a receiver section configured to receive wireless signpost signals that include timing data; a further section that responds to an event other than receipt of a wireless signpost signal by determining time information associated with the event as a function of the timing data from a previously-received wireless signpost signal; and a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless tag signals that each include a tag code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to the determination of time information by said further section for including the time information in at least one said tag signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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receiving in a receiver section of a tag wireless signpost signals that include timing data; responding to the occurrence of an event other than receipt of a wireless signpost signal by determining in a further section of said tag time information associated with the event as a function of the timing data from a previously-received wireless signpost signal; and transmitting from a transmitter section of said tag wireless tag signals that each include a tag code associated with said tag, including responding to said determining of said time information by said further section by causing said transmitter section to include the time information in at least one said tag signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
- a signpost that transmits wireless signpost signals having a selected transmission range, wherein said signpost comprises a real time clock that is synchronized to a real time clock in a network;
a reader provided in proximity to said signpost and having a receiver operable to receive wireless tag signals with a reception range that is approximately the same as said selected transmission range; and a tag that is movable relative to said signpost and said reader, that has a receiver section configured to receive wireless signpost signals, and that has a transmitter section responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a wireless signpost signal for transmitting a wireless tag signal that includes a tag code associated with said tag. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
- a signpost that transmits wireless signpost signals having a selected transmission range, wherein said signpost comprises a real time clock that is synchronized to a real time clock in a network;
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20. A method comprising:
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transmitting from a signpost wireless signpost signals having a selected transmission range, wherein said signpost comprises a real time clock; synchronizing said real time clock at a predetermined event to a real time clock in a network; receiving in a reader located proximate said signpost wireless tag signals with a reception range that is approximately the same as said selected transmission range; moving a tag relative to said signpost and said reader; receiving in a receiver section of said tag the wireless signpost signals; and responding to receipt by said receiver section of a wireless signpost signal by transmitting from a transmitter section of said tag a wireless tag signal that includes a tag code associated with said tag. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification