Method and apparatus for wireless management of articles
First Claim
1. A method implemented by a master RFID tag, the method comprising:
- transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag;
receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article;
blocking at least a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags from transmitting further RFID response signals;
maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag;
comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record; and
transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for wireless management of articles. The method is implemented by a master RFID tag. The method includes transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag and receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal. Each of the first RFID response signals comprises an identifier associated with an article. The method further includes maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag and comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record. Finally, the method further includes transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record. Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a master RFID tag comprising a first communication unit, a memory unit, a processing unit and a second communication unit.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method implemented by a master RFID tag, the method comprising:
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transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag; receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article; blocking at least a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags from transmitting further RFID response signals; maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag; comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record; and transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A master RFID tag comprising:
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a first communication unit operative for; transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag; receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article; and blocking at least a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags from transmitting further RFID response signals; a memory unit operative for storing an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag; a processing unit operative for comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record; and a second communication unit operative for transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method implemented by a master RFID tag, the method comprising:
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transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag; receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article; blocking at least a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags from transmitting further RFID response signals; storing each of the identifiers; and responsive to receipt of a second RFID read signal from an RFID reader, transmitting a second RFID response signal, the second RFID response signal comprising data associated with the identifiers.
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21. A master RFID tag comprising:
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an RFID tag communication unit operative for; transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag; receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal, each of the first RFID response signals comprising an identifier associated with an article; and blocking at least a specific one of the plurality of RFID tags from transmitting further RFID response signals; a memory unit operative for storing each of the identifiers; and an RFID reader communication unit operative for; responsive to receipt of a second RFID read signal from an RFID reader, transmitting a second RFID response signal, the second RFID response signal comprising data associated with the identifiers.
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Specification