LPRF device wake up using wireless tag

• US 8,315,565 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2010
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Twitchell, Robert W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Tuan
• Application Number:
  US12/703,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/550.1, 455/39, 340/454.6, 340/854.8, 340/988, 340/7.58, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/572.1, 340/505, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/572.8, 340/825.36
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/20 using a distributed 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 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• 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 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted 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 method for detection and tracking of items of baggage, said method comprising the steps of:

a) attaching a tag to each of the items of baggage, each tag comprising a tag antenna, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals, a memory operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said memory and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said memory, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;

b) storing, in the memory of each tag, origin data, destination data, and status data;

c) loading the items of baggage on a plane, said plane being provided with at least one reader;

d) reading data from each tag and updating status data stored in the memory of each tag by interrogating all tags in said repository with RF interrogation signals via said reader; and

e) transmitting data from each tag to a central data processor to provide a tally of the items of baggage on the plane; and

f) cross-checking a list of baggage determined to be on the plane based on transmitted data from each tag against a list of baggage that is supposed to be on the plane.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tag further comprises a sensor component operable to sense a condition experienced by an item of baggage that carries said tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit an alert upon sensing of a predetermined condition, said method further comprising the step of:

automatically transmitting an alert from said transceiver to said central data processor based upon occurrence of predetermined sensor derived information.