Programmatic control of RFID tags
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of a device the method comprising:
- determining, by a processing module, if the device is operating in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation, wherein the processing module is external to the passive RFID tag, the device configured to perform a function when operating in the first mode, and the device configured not to perform the function when operating in the second mode;
in response to determining that the device is operating in the first mode of operation,enabling transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag; and
in response to determining that the device is operating in the second mode of operation, disabling transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag, wherein the passive RFID tag is not capable of transmitting signals in response to an interrogation signal when the passive RFID tag is disabled.
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Abstract
Techniques that enable a device to advertise its mode of operation using an RFID tag attached to the device. Techniques are provided for programmatically controlling an RFID tag. An RFID tag attached to a device is programmatically enabled or disabled depending upon the mode(s) of operation of the device. The RFID tag is able to transmit a signal when enabled and not able to transmit a signal when disabled. Using such a controllable RFID tag, a device can efficiently indicate or advertise its mode of operation to an RFID reader or sensor.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of a device the method comprising:
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determining, by a processing module, if the device is operating in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation, wherein the processing module is external to the passive RFID tag, the device configured to perform a function when operating in the first mode, and the device configured not to perform the function when operating in the second mode; in response to determining that the device is operating in the first mode of operation, enabling transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag; and in response to determining that the device is operating in the second mode of operation, disabling transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag, wherein the passive RFID tag is not capable of transmitting signals in response to an interrogation signal when the passive RFID tag is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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2. A system, comprising:
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a device configured to perform a function when operating in a first mode and the device configured not to perform the function when operating in a second mode; a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to the device, the passive RFID tag having an antenna; a processing module coupled to the device and the passive RFID tag, external to the passive RFID tag, and configured to; determining if the device is operating in the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation; in response to determining that the device is operating in the first mode of operation, transmit an indication that transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag are to be enabled; and in response to determining that the device is operating in the second mode of operation, transmit an indication that transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag are to be disabled; and a controller apparatus configured to; in response to receiving the indication from the processing module indicating that transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag are to be enabled, enable transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag; and in response to receiving the indication from the processing module indicating that transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag are to be disabled, disable transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag, wherein the passive RFID tag is not capable of transmitting signals in response to an interrogation signal when the passive RFID tag is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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3. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor, the instructions comprising:
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instructions for determining, by a processing module of a device, if the device is operating in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation, wherein the processing module is external to a passive RFID tag, the device configured to perform a function when operating in the first mode, and the device configured not to perform the function when operating in the second mode; instructions for, in response to determining that the device is operating in the first mode of operation, enabling transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag; and instructions for, in response to determining that the device is operating in the second mode of operation, disabling transmission of signals from the passive RFID tag, wherein the passive RFID tag is not capable of transmitting signals in response to an interrogation signal when the passive RFID tag is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification