Transponders and methods for operating a transponder

• US 8,836,481 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quotainne Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Quotainne Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Schaffler, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAMERT, JOHN J
• Application Number:
  US12/522,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20100073143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,463 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions

Abstract

In a method for operating a transponder (1, 41), the transponder (1, 4) receives a signal from a transmitter (2, 42). The signal comprises an information about a reference sensitivity and the transponder (1, 41) has an input sensitivity such that the transponder (1, 41) detects only signals above a certain power corresponding to the input sensitivity. In response to the received signal, the input sensitivity of the transponder (1, 41) is adjusted to the reference sensitivity.

Claims

1. A method for operating a transponder, the method comprising:

defining an input sensitivity of the transponder such that said transponder detects only signals above a certain power corresponding to said input sensitivity, wherein the input sensitivity is adjustable and proportional to a range of operation around the transponder;

receiving, with the transponder from a transmitter, a signal comprising a reference sensitivity;

adjusting said input sensitivity of the transponder to said reference sensitivity to receive further signals from the transmitter while the transmitter is within the range of operation;

with the transponder, transmitting a signal;

with the transponder, evaluating a measured impedance corresponding to the transmitted signal;

with the transponder, detecting an ambient attenuation of signals to be detected by said transponder based on evaluation of the measured impedance; and

adjusting said input sensitivity of said transponder so that said input sensitivity corresponds to said reference sensitivity without ambient attenuation.

2. A method for operating a transponder, the method comprising:

defining an input sensitivity of the transponder such that said transponder detects only signals above a certain power corresponding to said input sensitivity, wherein the input sensitivity is adjustable and proportional to a certain range of operation around the transponder;

receiving, with the transponder from a transmitter, a signal comprising information about a distance within which said transponder shall be able to detect signals sent by said transmitter;

adjusting said input sensitivity of said transponder so that said transponder detects only signals sent by said transmitter if said transponder is within said distance to said transmitter;

with the transponder, transmitting a signal;

with the transponder, evaluating a measured impedance corresponding to the transmitted signal;

with the transponder, detecting an ambient attenuation of signals to be detected by said transponder based on the evaluation of the measured impedance; and

adjusting said input sensitivity of said transponder so that said attenuation is compensated.

3. A transponder comprising:

a receiver to receive signals sent by a transmitter, wherein said receiver has an input sensitivity such that said transponder detects only signals above a certain power corresponding to said input sensitivity, wherein the input sensitivity is adjustable and proportional to a certain range of operation around the transponder, and said transponder being configured to adjust said input sensitivity to a reference sensitivity in response to a received signal sent by said transmitter to receive further signals from the transmitter while the transmitter is within the range of operation, and said received signal comprising information about said reference sensitivity; and

a device for transmitting a signal, evaluating a measured impedance corresponding to the transmitted signal, and detecting an ambient attenuation of signals to be detected by said transponder based on the evaluation of the measured impedance;

said transponder being configured to adjust said input sensitivity so that said transponder has an input sensitivity corresponding to said reference sensitivity without attenuation.

4. A transponder comprising:

a receiver configured to receive signals sent by a transmitter;

said receiver having an input sensitivity such that said transponder detects only signals above a certain power corresponding to said input sensitivity, wherein the input sensitivity is adjustable and proportional to a certain range of operation around the transponder, and said transponder being configured to adjust said input sensitivity in response to a received signal sent by said transmitter and comprising information about a distance so that said transponder detects only signals sent by said transmitter, if said transponder is within said distance to said transmitter; and

a device for transmitting a signal, evaluating a measured impedance corresponding to the transmitted signal, and detecting an ambient attenuation of signals to be detected by said transponder based on the evaluation of the measured impedance, wherein said transponder is configured to adjust said input sensitivity so that said attenuation is compensable.