Multi-protocol RFID system using dynamic reconfiguration
First Claim
1. An RFID interrogator system comprising first and second RFID interrogators, each interrogator comprising elements a through e as follows:
- (a) a computer comprising a storage memory area and a processor, the computer being arranged for storing and selectively retrieving configuration parameters associated with plural RFID protocols;
(b) a set of configuration parameter data for plural RFID protocols stored within the computer;
(c) a protocol schedule comprising information representing a sequence in which different protocols shall be implemented;
(d) a transceiver component connected to the computer via a data interface, said transceiver component being arranged to alter said transceiver component'"'"'s operation in response to configuration parameter data received from the computer via the data interface;
(e) wherein the computer automatically switches said transceiver component'"'"'s operation among two or more protocols by retrieving said configuration parameter data and sending said configuration parameter data via the data interface to the transceiver component in accordance with the protocol schedule;
wherein the first RFID interrogator further comprisesa synchronization signal generator comprising a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, said synchronization signal generator producing a system synchronization signal derived at least in part from a received GPS signal; and
wherein the second RFID interrogator receives said system synchronization signal via a synchronization circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-protocol RFID interrogating system employs a synchronization technique (step-lock) for a backscatter RFID system that allows simultaneous operation of closely spaced interrogators. The multi-protocol RFID interrogating system can communicate with backscatter transponders having different output protocols and with active transponders including: Title 21 compliant RFID backscatter transponders; IT2000 RFID backscatter transponders that provide an extended mode capability beyond Title 21; EGO™ RFID backscatter transponders, SEGO™ RFID backscatter transponders; ATA, ISO, ANSI AAR compliant RFID backscatter transponders; and IAG compliant active technology transponders. The system implements a step-lock operation, whereby adjacent interrogators are synchronized to ensure that all downlinks operate within the same time frame and all uplinks operate within the same time frame, to eliminate downlink on uplink interference.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An RFID interrogator system comprising first and second RFID interrogators, each interrogator comprising elements a through e as follows:
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(a) a computer comprising a storage memory area and a processor, the computer being arranged for storing and selectively retrieving configuration parameters associated with plural RFID protocols; (b) a set of configuration parameter data for plural RFID protocols stored within the computer; (c) a protocol schedule comprising information representing a sequence in which different protocols shall be implemented; (d) a transceiver component connected to the computer via a data interface, said transceiver component being arranged to alter said transceiver component'"'"'s operation in response to configuration parameter data received from the computer via the data interface; (e) wherein the computer automatically switches said transceiver component'"'"'s operation among two or more protocols by retrieving said configuration parameter data and sending said configuration parameter data via the data interface to the transceiver component in accordance with the protocol schedule; wherein the first RFID interrogator further comprises a synchronization signal generator comprising a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, said synchronization signal generator producing a system synchronization signal derived at least in part from a received GPS signal; and wherein the second RFID interrogator receives said system synchronization signal via a synchronization circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating first and second RFID interrogators each comprising a computer comprising a storage memory area and a processor, the computer being arranged for storing and selectively retrieving configuration parameter data related to a configuration parameter associated with plural RFID protocols said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing in the computer a set of configuration parameter data for plural RFID protocols; (b) providing a protocol schedule comprising information representing a sequence in which different protocols shall be implemented; (d) altering the operation of a transceiver component connected to the computer via a data interface in response to said configuration parameter data received from the computer; (e) automatically switching said transceiver component operation among two or more protocols by retrieving said configuration parameter data and sending said configuration parameter data via the data interface to the transceiver component in accordance with the protocol schedule; and (f) synchronizing the first and second RFID interrogators with a synchronization signal derived at least in part from a received GPS signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification