Method and apparatus for contention resolution of passive endpoints

• US 8,803,661 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: JANTUNEN, Joni Jorma Marius, ARPONEN, Jarmo Tapani, BOLDYREV, Sergey, KAAJA, Jari-Jukka Harald
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLACK-CHILDRESS, RAJSHEED O
• Application Number:
  US12/789,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20110263297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,538 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10356 using a plurality of antennas, e.g. configurations including means to resolve interference between the plurality of antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10475 arrangements to facilitate interaction with further interrogation devices, e.g. such that at least two interrogation devices may function and cooperate in a network of such devices

Abstract

An approach is provided for contention resolution of passive endpoints. A contention resolution platform causes, at least in part, scanning of a data channel of a passive endpoint at a first active endpoint to detect a powered state of the passive endpoint. The contention resolution platform then identifies a second active endpoint based, at least in part, on detection of the powered state. The contention resolution platform generates a request to the second active endpoint for the first active endpoint to enter an active mode with respect to the passive endpoint, causing, at least in part, transmission of the request to the second active endpoint. The contention resolution platform then joins the first active endpoint to one or more powered periods of the passive endpoint based, at least in part, on the response received.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing, at least in part, scanning, by a first active endpoint having a memory tag reader, of a data channel of a memory tag of a passive endpoint that communicates memory content to one or more active endpoints, to detect a powered state of the memory tag;

identifying by the first active endpoint a second active endpoint having a memory tag reader based, at least in part, on detection of the powered state;

generating by the first active endpoint a request to the second active endpoint for the first active endpoint to enter an active mode with respect to the memory tag;

causing, at least in part, transmission of the request by the first active endpoint to the second active endpoint;

receiving by the first active endpoint a response from the second active endpoint to the request; and

joining the first active endpoint to one or more powered periods of the memory tag established with the second active endpoint based, at least in part, on the response, for communication with the memory tag to access the memory content.

2. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

if a powered state is not detected, causing, at least in part, powering of the memory tag via a wireless power transfer channel of the first active endpoint.

3. A method of claim 2, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, transmission of a message indicating an intent to power the memory tag; and

receiving one or more responses to the message,

wherein the powering of the memory tag is based, at least in part, on the responses.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

negotiating a powering schedule between the first active endpoint and the second active endpoint,

wherein the powering schedule directs broadcasts over a wireless power transfer channel, the data channel, or a combination thereof corresponding respectively to the first active endpoint and the second active endpoint so that the broadcasts do not overlap.

5. A method of claim 4, wherein the powering schedule provides for substantially equal times for broadcasting over the wireless power transfer channels, the data channels, or the combination thereof of the first active endpoint and the second active endpoint.

6. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

designating either the first active endpoint or the second active endpoint as a powering master;

wherein the powering master broadcasts over a wireless power transfer channel to initiate the powered state and shares its power with another active endpoint.

7. A method of claim 6, further comprising:

specifying one or more criteria for the designation of the powering master,

wherein the criteria includes at least a broadcast power level.

8. A method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining when a powering period of the powering master ends;

scheduling the designation of either the first active endpoint or the second active endpoint that was not previously the powering master as a new powering master based, at least in part, on the determination.

9. A method of claim 1, wherein the memory tag is part of a chain topology of a plurality of memory tags, the method further comprising:

generating a preamble of a broadcast over a wireless power transfer channel, the data channel, or a combination thereof;

incorporating an identification of either the first active endpoint or the second active endpoint and one or more of the plurality of memory tags in the preamble,

wherein the preamble notifies that the identified first active endpoint or the second active endpoint is powering the one or more memory tags.

10. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

cause, at least in part, scanning, by a first active endpoint having a memory tag reader, of a data channel of a memory tag of a passive endpoint that delivers memory content to one or more active endpoints, to detect a powered state of the memory tag;

identify by the first active endpoint a second active endpoint having a memory tag reader based, at least in part, on detection of the powered state;

generate by the first active endpoint a request to the second active endpoint for the first active endpoint to enter an active mode with respect to the memory tag;

cause, at least in part, transmission of the request by the first active endpoint to the second active endpoint;

receive by the first active endpoint a response from the second active endpoint to the request; and

join the first active endpoint to one or more powered periods of the memory tag established with the second active endpoint based, at least in part, on the response, for communication with the memory tag to access the memory content.

11. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

if a powered state is not detected, cause, at least in part, powering of the memory tag via a wireless power transfer channel of the first active endpoint.

12. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, transmission of a message indicating an intent to power the memory tag; and

receive one or more responses to the message,

wherein the powering of the memory tag is based, at least in part, on the responses.

13. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

negotiate a powering schedule between the first active endpoint and the second active endpoint,

wherein the powering schedule directs broadcasts over a wireless power transfer channel, the data channel, or a combination thereof corresponding respectively to the first active endpoint and the second active endpoint so that the broadcasts do not overlap.

14. An apparatus of claim 13, wherein the powering schedule provides for substantially equal times for broadcasting over the wireless power transfer channels, the data channels, or the combination thereof of the first active endpoint and the second active endpoint.

15. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

designate either the first active endpoint or the second active endpoint as a powering master;

wherein the powering master broadcasts over a wireless power transfer channel to initiate the powered state and shares its power with another active endpoint.

16. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine when a powering period of the powering master ends;

schedule the designation of either the first active endpoint or the second active endpoint that was not previously the powering master as a new powering master based, at least in part, on the determination.

17. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the memory tag is part of a chain topology of a plurality of memory tags, and wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

generate a preamble of a broadcast over a wireless power transfer channel, the data channel, or a combination thereof;

incorporate an identification of either the first active endpoint or the second active endpoint and one or more of the plurality of memory tags in the preamble,

wherein the preamble notifies that the identified first active endpoint or the second active endpoint is powering the one or more memory tags.

18. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising:

user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone.

19. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences

of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the following steps:

causing, at least in part, scanning, by a first active endpoint having a memory tag reader, of a data channel of a memory tag of a passive endpoint that delivers memory content to one or more active endpoints, to detect a powered state of the memory tag;

identifying by the first active endpoint a second active endpoint having a memory tag reader based, at least in part, on detection of the powered state;

generating by the first active endpoint a request to the second active endpoint for the first active endpoint to enter an active mode with respect to the memory tag;

causing, at least in part, transmission of the request by the first active endpoint to the second active endpoint;

receiving by the first active endpoint a response from the second active endpoint to the request; and

joining the first active endpoint to one or more powered periods of the memory tag established with the second active endpoint based, at least in part, on the response, for communication with the memory tag to access the memory content.

20. A computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the apparatus is caused to further perform:

negotiating a powering schedule between the first active endpoint and the second active endpoint,

wherein the powering schedule directs broadcasts over a wireless power transfer channel, the data channel, or a combination thereof corresponding respectively to the first active endpoint and the second active endpoint so that the broadcasts do not overlap.