Method and apparatus for battery power conservation in tags
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a tag having a battery and having first and second operational modes that are different, said tag using substantially less power from said battery in said first operational mode than in said second operational mode;
wherein in said first operational mode said tag is responsive to receipt of a first wireless signal originating from a remote location and having a first transmission range for shifting from said first operational mode to said second operational mode; and
wherein in said second operational mode said tag transmits a second wireless signal that is different from said first wireless signal and that has a second transmission range greater than or equal to said first transmission range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tag has first and second modes of operation, and uses substantially less battery power in the first mode. In the first mode, the tag is responsive to receipt of a first wireless signal from a remote location with a first transmission range for shifting to the second mode. In the second mode, the tag transmits a second wireless signal with a second transmission range. In one configuration, the second transmission range is greater than or equal to the first transmission range. In a different configuration, the tag periodically checks for the first wireless signal during the first mode at points in time spaced by a time interval. The second transmission range is less than the first transmission range by a difference that is greater than or equal to the time interval multiplied by a speed of movement of the tag toward the remote location.
85 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a tag having a battery and having first and second operational modes that are different, said tag using substantially less power from said battery in said first operational mode than in said second operational mode;
wherein in said first operational mode said tag is responsive to receipt of a first wireless signal originating from a remote location and having a first transmission range for shifting from said first operational mode to said second operational mode; and
wherein in said second operational mode said tag transmits a second wireless signal that is different from said first wireless signal and that has a second transmission range greater than or equal to said first transmission range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus comprising:
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a tag having a battery and having first and second operational modes that are different, said tag using substantially less power from said battery in said first operational mode than in said second operational mode;
wherein in said first operational mode said tag periodically checks at points in time spaced by a time interval for a first wireless signal originating from a remote location and having a first transmission range, said tag being responsive to receipt of said first wireless signal for shifting from said first operational mode to said second operational mode; and
wherein in said second operational mode said tag transmits a second wireless signal that is different from said first wireless signal and that has a second transmission range less than said first transmission range, the difference between said first and second transmission ranges being greater than or equal to said time interval multiplied by a speed of movement of said tag relative to and in a direction toward said remote location. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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providing a tag having a battery and having first and second operational modes that are different, said tag using substantially less power from said battery in said first operational mode than in said second operational mode;
responding to receipt by said tag in said first operational mode of a first wireless signal originating from a remote location and having a first transmission range by shifting said tag from said first operational mode to said second operational mode; and
transmitting from said tag in said second operational mode a second wireless signal that is different from said first wireless signal and that has a second transmission range greater than or equal to said first transmission range. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method comprising:
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providing a tag having a battery and having first and second operational modes that are different, said tag using substantially less power from said battery in said first operational mode than in said second operational mode;
moving said tag relative to a remote location so that said tag has a speed of movement toward said remote location;
periodically checking during said first operational mode at points in time spaced by a time interval for receipt by said tag of a first wireless signal originating from said remote location and having a first transmission range;
responding to receipt by said tag in said first operational mode of said first wireless signal by shifting said tag from said first operational mode to said second operational mode; and
transmitting from said tag in said second operational mode a second wireless signal that is different from said first wireless signal and that has a second transmission range less than said first transmission range, the difference between said first and second transmission ranges being greater than or equal to said time interval multiplied by said speed of movement. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification