Apparatus for and method of using an intelligent network and RFID signal router

• US 20060220873A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: von Kaenel, Tim, Campero, Richard J., Trivelpiece, Steve, Cocotis, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/366,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20060220873A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.700
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems for, and methods of transporting digital signals and radio-frequency (“RF”) signals are disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an intelligent network (e.g., a combination router) and corresponding method are provided for transporting RF signals to, for example, an RFID antenna and transporting digital signals to, for example, a controller. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent network is implemented with a manager unit for controlling a plurality of network devices to facilitate the efficient management of RFID-enabled devices. The network devices may include a combination router/switch, which has the capability of switching both digital data and RF data, RFID readers, RFID reader/writer pads, and other devices. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the intelligent network allows enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennae.

Claims

1. A combination router for transmitting signals to an RFID antenna system, comprising:

at least one logical unit for selecting a first communication route to transport signals to an RFID antenna system, and for selecting a second communication route to transport a digital signal from a controller;

at least one RF router for transporting an RF signal to the RFID antenna system along the first communication route; and

at least one data router for transporting the digital signal from the controller along the second communication route.

2. The combination router of claim 1, wherein the data router has at least two inputs/outputs for transporting digital signals;

and

wherein the RF router has at least two inputs/outputs functioning as an input port or output port at any given time for transporting RF signals.

3. The combination router of claim 1, wherein:

the data router has at least four inputs/outputs for transporting digital signals;

the RF router has at least a first set and a second set of inputs/outputs for transporting RF signals from the at least a first set of inputs/outputs to the at least a second set of inputs/outputs; and

the logical unit is capable of selecting the first and second communication routes as substantially the same.

4. The combination router of claim 1, wherein the logical unit is capable of selecting the first and second communication routes as substantially different routes.

5. The combination router of claim 1, wherein the logical unit is capable of selecting the first and second communication routes as substantially the same routes.

6. The combination router of claim 1, wherein:

the digital signal is divided in packets for transportation over the selected communication route; and

the packet is stored in local memory in the combination router prior to transportation over the selected communication route.

7. The combination router of claim 1, wherein the RF router comprises a switch.

8. The combination router of claim 1, wherein the RF router comprises a set of switches.

9. The combination router of claim 1, wherein the data router operates according to a routing method.

10. The combination router of claim 9, wherein the routing method is selected from the group consisting of:

operational readiness, RIP, IGRP, OSPF and EIGRP.

11. The combination router of claim 1, wherein the RF router operates according to a routing method.

12. The combination router of claim 11, wherein the routing method is selected from the group consisting of:

operational readiness, RIP, IGRP, OSPF and EIGRP.

13. A combination switch for transmitting signals, comprising:

at least one first router for transporting a first type of signal to a device along a first communication route; and

at least one second router for transporting a second type of signal from a controller along a second communication route.

14. The combination switch of claim 13, wherein:

the first type of signal comprises an RF signal; and

the second type of signal comprises a data signal.

15. The combination switch of claim 14, further comprising at least one logical unit for selecting the first communication route to transport the RF signal to the device, and for selecting the second communication route to transport the data signal from the controller to an antenna.

16. The combination switch of claim 15, wherein the at least one logical unit selects the first and second communication routes according to a routing protocol.

17. The combination switch of claim 16, wherein the routing protocol is selected from the group consisting of:

operational readiness, RIP, IGRP, OSPF and EIGRP.

18. The combination switch of claim 13, wherein the first and second routers are capable of transporting a plurality of signals simultaneously.