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Synchronization techniques in multi-technology/multi-frequency RFID reader arrays

  • US 8,967,476 B2
  • Filed: 09/07/2006
  • Issued: 03/03/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling multiple radio frequency identification (RFID) communication protocols in a common area, comprising:

  • transmitting a control token from a coordinator to a first RFID reader;

    in response to receiving the control token, the first RFID reader activating a first communication protocol that comprises;

    determining, by the first RFID reader, that an RFID device is configured to communicating via the first communication protocol is not within the common area;

    receiving, at the coordinator the control token from the first RFID reader;

    after receiving the control token from the first RFID reader, monitoring, by the coordinator, Radio Frequency (RF) activity within the common area;

    determining, by the coordinator and based on the RF activity within the common area, that a second communication protocol is activated within the common area without interfering with the first communication protocol, the second communication protocol varying from the first communication protocol by at least one of modulation method, data encoding method, error detection and correction method, data framing method, data communications speed, and carrier frequency; and

    transmitting the control token from the coordinator to a second RFID reader; and

    while the first and second RFID readers are activating their respective communication protocols, performing a coordination optimization process with the coordinator that comprises;

    identifying, by the coordinator, that the RFID devices using the second communication protocol are being presented within the common area more frequently than RFID devices using the first communication protocol;

    storing, by the coordinator, the information related to the relevant frequency of use of the first and second communication protocols in the common area; and

    using, by the coordinator, the stored information related to the relevant frequency of use of the first and second communication protocols in the common area to increase, for subsequent cycles, an amount of time that the second RFID reader has the control token as compared to an amount of time that the first RFID reader has the control token.

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