Synchronization techniques in multi-technology/multi-frequency RFID reader arrays
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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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for provisioning the use of multiple readers and/or wireless communication protocols within a defined area are provided. More specifically, a coordinator or the like can be used to manage the activation and deactivation of the multiple readers and/or communication protocols within a single reader such that interference between disparate technologies is avoided.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of controlling multiple radio frequency identification (RFID) communication protocols in a common area, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for controlling multiple radio frequency identification (RFID) communication protocols in a common area, comprising:
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a first means for communicating operable to communicate with an RFID device via a first communication protocol; a second means for communicating operable to communicate with an RFID device via a second communication protocol that differs 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 a means for coordinating the first and second means for communicating such that both the first and second means for communicating are operable to communicate with one or more RFID devices within the common area without substantially interfering with one another, wherein the means for coordinating is configured to dynamically adjust an amount of time during which the first means for communicating is active based, at least in part, upon current RF activity within the common area as well as historical RF activity within the common area, and wherein the means for coordinating adjusts an amount of time during which the first means for communicating is active as compared to an amount of time that the second means for communicating is active by providing the first means for communicating with a control token and controlling the amount of time that the first means for communicating is allowed to maintain the control token; 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.- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An array of RFID readers, comprising:
a first RFID reader operable to communicate with RFID devices via a first communication protocol in an common area; a second RFID reader operable to communicate with RFID devices via a second communication protocol in the common area, 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 a coordinator operable to manage the activity of the first and second RFID readers by coordinating an exchange of a control token between the first and second RFID readers such that the first communication protocol does not substantially interfere with the second communication protocol, wherein the coordinator is configured to dynamically adjusting an amount of time during which the first RFID reader is active based, at least in part, upon current RF conditions within the common area and also based on historical information related to frequency of presentation of certain types of RFID devices within the common area by providing the first RFID reader with the control token and controlling the amount of time that the first RFID reader is allowed to maintain the control token; 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.- View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A device for communicating with RFID devices via multiple communication protocols, comprising:
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a first technology module operable to communicate with RFID devices via a first communication protocol; a second technology module operable to communicate with RFID devices via a second 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 a processor operable to coordinate the activity of the first and second technology modules such that the first technology module does not substantially interfere with the second technology module, wherein the processor is further configured to dynamically adjusting an amount of time during which the first technology module is active based, at least in part, upon current RF activity within the common area as well as an amount of power required to keep a particular communication protocol active by providing the first technology module with a control token and controlling an amount of time that the first technology module is allowed to maintain the control token; 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. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification