Wireless reader tags (WRTS) with sensor components in asset monitoring and tracking systems

• US 8,095,070 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2009
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TeraHop Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Twitchell, Robert W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Tuan
• Application Number:
  US12/349,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20090117950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 340/428, 340/447, 340/442, 340/445, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10108 interrogating only those RFIDs that fulfill a predetermined requirement, e.g. selecting all RFIDs having the same speed and moving in a cloud like fashion, e.g. on the same train; interrogating only RFIDs having a certain predetermined temperature, e.g. in the same fridge, another possibility being the active ignoring of a group of tags that fulfill a predetermined requirement, equivalent to the Boolean NOT operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/10 using a centralized architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0238 where the received signal is an unwanted signal, e.g. interference or idle signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Claims

1. A wireless communications system comprising:

a reader configured to receive first wireless communication signals comprising data generated externally of the reader and to output second wireless communication signals; and

a plurality of remote communications devices comprising radio frequency identification devices configured to output the first wireless communication signals and to receive and to process the second wireless communication signals, wherein the remote communications devices are individually configured to sense at least one condition with respect to the respective remote communications device and to communicate data corresponding to the at least one sensed condition at a plurality of moments in time responsive to criteria originating within the respective remote communications device;

wherein each remote communications device comprises a memory including a profile stored therein, the profile including a class designation of the remote communications device and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the remote communications device, and

wherein each remote communications device is configured to dynamically and automatically change its class designation in accordance with its profile.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the criteria is a substantially constant period.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote communications devices are configured to detect a triggering event, and wherein the remote communications devices are configured to commence the communication of the data responsive to the detection.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote communications devices are configured to detect a triggering event, and wherein generation of the data indicative at the at least one sensed condition is commenced responsive to the detection.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote communications devices are configured to detect a triggering event, and wherein the remote communications devices are configured to communicate the data obtained according to a first rate before the triggering event and a second rate different than the first rate after the triggering event.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote communications devices are individually configured to communicate the data at the moments in time responsive to the criteria which is independent of the second wireless communication signals of the reader.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote communications devices are individually configured to communicate the data to the reader using the first wireless communication signals.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote communication devices are configured to process the second wireless communication signals responsive to identifiers of the second wireless communication signals matching identifiers of respective ones of the remote communications devices.

9. A wireless communications method comprising:

sensing a condition with respect to a remote communications device at a plurality of first moments in time;

providing data regarding the sensed condition at the first moments in time;

outputting a plurality of first wireless communication signals using the remote communications device;

receiving the first wireless communication signals using a reader;

outputting a plurality of second wireless communication signals using the reader;

receiving and processing the second wireless communication signals using the remote communications device;

using the first wireless communication signals, communicating the data externally of the remote communications device at a plurality of second moments in time determined according to criteria independent of operations of the reader; and

dynamically and automatically changing a class designation of the remote communications device in accordance with a profile stored in a memory of the remote communications device, the profile including the class designation and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the remote communications device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of second moments in time are determined using criteria originating using the remote communications device.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the first moments in time are periodic.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the second moments in time are periodic.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the second wireless communications signals comprise an identifier of the remote communications device.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the second moments in time are determined independent of the second wireless communication signals received from the reader.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

detecting a triggering event; and

changing a rate of the sensing responsive to the detecting.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

detecting a triggering event; and

changing a rate of the communicating responsive to the detecting.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein the remote communications device comprises a radio frequency identification device transponder.

18. The method of claim 9 wherein the processing the second wireless communication signals comprises processing the second wireless communication signals responsive to the second wireless communication signals comprising identifiers which match an identifier of the remote communications device.

19. A wireless communications system comprising:

a wireless reader tag serving as a reader (WRT reader) configured to receive first wireless communication signals comprising data generated externally of the WRT reader and to output second wireless communication signals; and

a plurality of wireless reader tags serving as wireless tags (WRT tags) comprising low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications components configured to output the first wireless communication signals and to receive and to process the second wireless communication signals, wherein the WRT tags are individually configured to sense at least one condition with respect to the respective WRT tag and to communicate data corresponding to the at least one sensed condition at a plurality of moments in time responsive to criteria originating within the respective WRT tag;

wherein each WRT tag comprises a memory including a profile stored therein, the profile including a class designation of the WRT tag and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the WRT tag, and

wherein each WRT tag is configured to dynamically and automatically change its class designation in accordance with its profile.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the criteria is stored within a profile of the respective WRT tag and is a duty cycle of a class of the respective WRT tag that represents a regular interval of time.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the WRT tags are configured to detect a triggering event, and wherein the WRT tags are configured to commence the communication of the data responsive to the detection.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the WRT tags are configured to detect a triggering event, and wherein generation of the data indicative at the at least one sensed condition is commenced responsive to the detection.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein the WRT tags are configured to detect a triggering event, and wherein the WRT tags are configured to communicate the data obtained according to a first rate before the triggering event and a second rate different than the first rate after the triggering event.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein the WRT tags are individually configured to communicate the data at the moments in time responsive to the criteria which is independent of the second wireless communication signals of the reader.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein the WRT tags are individually configured to communicate the data to the reader using the first wireless communication signals.

26. The system of claim 19 wherein the remote communication devices are configured to process the second wireless communication signals responsive to identifiers of the second wireless communication signals matching identifiers of respective ones of the WRT tags.

27. A wireless communications method comprising:

sensing a condition with respect to a wireless reader tag serving as a tag (WRT tag) at a plurality of first moments in time;

providing data regarding the sensed condition at the first moments in time;

outputting a plurality of first wireless communication signals using the WRT tag;

receiving the first wireless communication signals using a reader;

outputting a plurality of second wireless communication signals using the reader;

receiving and processing the second wireless communication signals using the WRT tag;

using the first wireless communication signals, communicating the data externally of the WRT tag at a plurality of second moments in time determined according to criteria independent of operations of the reader; and

dynamically and automatically changing a class designation of the WRT tag in accordance with a profile stored in a memory of the WRT tag, the profile including the class designation and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the WRT tag.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the plurality of second moments in time are determined using criteria originating using the WRT tag.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the first moments in time are periodic.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein the second moments in time are periodic.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein the second wireless communication signals comprise an identifier of the WRT tag.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein the second moments in time are determined independent of the second wireless communication signals received from the reader.

33. The method of claim 27 further comprising:

detecting a triggering event; and

changing a rate of the sensing responsive to the detecting.

34. The method of claim 27 further comprising:

detecting a triggering event; and

changing a rate of the communicating responsive to the detecting.

35. The method of claim 27 wherein the WRT tag comprises a radio frequency identification device transponder.

36. The method of claim 27 wherein the processing the second wireless communication signals comprises processing the second wireless communication signals responsive to the second wireless communication signals comprising identifiers which match an identifier of the WRT tag.

37. A wireless communications method comprising:

sensing a condition with respect to a wireless reader tag serving as a wireless tag (WRT tag) at a plurality of moments in time;

providing data regarding the sensed condition at the moments in time;

outputting a plurality of wireless communication signals using the WRT tag;

using the wireless communication signals, outputting the data regarding the sensed condition at a plurality of moments in time; and

changing a duty cycle and revolving communication schedule of the WRT tag;

dynamically and automatically changing a class designation of the WRT tag in accordance with a profile stored in a memory of the WRT tag, the profile including the class designation and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the WRT tag.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising receiving the wireless communication signals using a wireless tag reader serving as a reader (WRT reader).

39. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

detecting a change and, in response, changing a class of the WRT tag; and

changing a duty cycle and revolving communication schedule of the WRT tag responsive to the change in the class of the WRT tag, between which duty cycles the WRT tag sleeps.

40. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

detecting a change and, in response, changing a class of the WRT tag; and

changing a duty cycle and revolving communication schedule of the WRT tag responsive to the change in the class of the WRT tag, during which duty cycles the WRT tag is configured to wirelessly communicate sensor-acquired data.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein the wireless communication signals comprise an identifier which uniquely identifies the WRT tag.

42. The method of claim 37 wherein the outputting comprises outputting independent of communications of a reader (WRT reader).

43. The method of claim 37 wherein the wireless communication signals comprise a plurality of transmitted signals, and further comprising receiving and processing a plurality of additional wireless communication signals using the WRT tag.