SYSTEM, DEVICES, AND METHOD FOR ENERGIZING PASSIVE WIRELESS DATA COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20090108997A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Petterson, Mike, Reynolds, Andy
• Granted Patent: US 7,868,586 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices wirelessly energize passive wireless data communication devices. In one embodiment, remotely powered wireless transmission power sources are actuated by a user. Upon actuation, a selected wireless transmission power source transmits electromagnetic energization energy into a volume of space, thereby energizing passive wireless data communication devices therein. The user may use a hand-held portable automatic data collection device to interrogate the wireless data communication devices and may use the automatic data collection device to remotely actuate the selected wireless transmission power source.

Claims

1. A method of wirelessly providing power to remote wireless data communication devices, comprising:

receiving, at a first wireless transmission power source of a plurality of wireless transmission power sources, an actuation-prompt;

determining whether to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy from the first wireless transmission power source in response to receiving the actuation-prompt; and

wirelessly transmitting electromagnetic energization energy from the first wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources for energizing at least one wireless data communication device during a first energization cycle of the first wireless transmission power source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy from the first wireless transmission power source in response to receiving the actuation-prompt includes:

at the first wireless energy transmitter, requesting permission to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy; and

at the first wireless energy transmitter, receiving permission to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein requesting permission to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy includes, providing a quiet-prompt to at least a second wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources;

and wherein receiving permission to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy includes, receiving from the at least second wireless transmission power source an acknowledgment; and

further comprising

selectively setting the second wireless transmission power source temporally into a quiet-mode during the first energization cycle of the first wireless transmission power source in response to receiving the quiet-prompt, wherein the second wireless transmission power source does not transmit electromagnetic energization energy for energizing wireless data communication devices when the second wireless transmission power source is in quiet-mode.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein selectively setting the second wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources temporally into a quiet-mode during the first energization cycle of the first wireless transmission power source includes:

ignoring the quiet-prompt from the first wireless transmission power source during a first energization cycle of the second wireless transmission power source if the second wireless transmission power source began the first energization cycle of the second wireless transmission power source prior to receiving the quiet-prompt from the first wireless transmission power source;

beginning transmission of electromagnetic energization energy from the second wireless transmission power source during the first energization cycle of the second wireless transmission power source;

ending the transmission of electromagnetic energization energy from the second wireless transmission power source; and

switching the second wireless transmission power source to the quiet-mode after the second wireless transmission power source ends the transmission of electromagnetic energization energy.

5. The method of claim 3 further including:

receiving, at the first wireless transmission power source, a quiet-prompt from the second wireless transmission power source during the first energization cycle of the first wireless transmission power source;

setting the first wireless transmission power source into the quiet-mode, wherein the first wireless transmission power source is not permitted to transmit electromagnetic energization energy while in the quiet-mode;

receiving from the second wireless transmission power source an indication that the second wireless transmission power source is not currently transmitting electromagnetic energization energy; and

in response to receiving from the second wireless transmission power source the indication that the second wireless transmission is not currently transmitting electromagnetic energization energy, setting the first wireless transmission power source into active-mode, wherein the first wireless transmission power source is permitted to transmit electromagnetic energization energy while in active-mode.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein requesting permission to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy includes:

transmitting a message to a transmission conflict controller that is in communication with at least one other wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources; and

wherein receiving permission to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy includes;

receiving from the transmission conflict controller a message granting permission to transmit the electromagnetic energization energy.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein determining whether to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy from the first wireless transmission power source in response to receiving the actuation-prompt includes:

at the first wireless transmission power source, initiating transmission of electromagnetic energization energy;

at the first wireless transmission power source, detecting a collision between electromagnetic energization energy transmitted from the first wireless transmission power source and electromagnetic energization energy transmitted from a second wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources;

at the first wireless transmission power source, pausing the transmission of electromagnetic energization energy; and

at the first wireless transmission power source, re-initiating transmission of electromagnetic energization energy.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

ending the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energization energy from the first wireless transmission power source; and

providing, from the first wireless transmission power source, an indication that the first wireless transmission power source has ended the transmission of electromagnetic energization energy.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein providing, from the first wireless transmission power source, an indication that the first wireless transmission power source has ended the transmission of electromagnetic energization energy includes at least one of:

providing the indication to at least a second wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources;

or

providing the indication to central transmission conflict controller.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the actuation-prompt is at least one of a message conforming to a communication protocol, a user-input provided by a user physically manipulating the first wireless transmission power source, or a signal.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

at the first wireless transmission power source, interrogating at least one wireless data communication device energized by the electromagnetic energization energy wirelessly transmitted from the first wireless transmission power source;

at the first wireless transmission power source, receiving data from at least one wireless data communication device energized by the electromagnetic energization energy wirelessly transmitted from the first wireless transmission power source; and

providing, from the first wireless transmission source, information related to the data received from the energized at least one wireless data communication device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein providing, from the first wireless transmission source, information related to the data received from the energized at least one wireless data communication device includes at least one of:

providing the information related to the data to portable hand-held device of the user;

or

providing the information to a remote computing system.

13. A portable hand-held automatic data collection device comprising:

a housing shaped and sized for being portable and hand-held by a user;

an actuation subsystem, disposed within the housing, configured to wirelessly provide an actuation-prompt to a remote first wireless transmission power source of a plurality of remote wireless transmission power sources to cause the first wireless transmission power source to wirelessly transmit the electromagnetic energization energy for energizing remote wireless data communication devices; and

a data collection subsystem, disposed within the housing, configured to wirelessly interrogate one or more remote wireless data communication devices energized by the remote first wireless transmission power source.

14. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 13 wherein the actuation subsystem further comprises:

a wireless communication subsystem configured to transmit a message to the remote first wireless transmission power source, the message including the actuation-prompt.

15. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 14 wherein the wireless communication subsystem communicates with the first wireless transmission power source using at least one of communication protocol in accordance with WIFI communication protocol or BLUETOOTH communication protocol.

16. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 15 wherein the data collection subsystem interrogates energized remote wireless data communication devices in accordance with a radio frequency identification device protocol.

17. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 14 wherein each one of the wireless transmission power sources has a respective power-source identifier associated therewith, wherein the message includes an indicator of the power-source identifier associated with the first wireless transmission power source, and wherein the power-source identifier uniquely identifies the first wireless transmission power source within the plurality of wireless transmission power sources.

18. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 13, wherein the data collection subsystem is configured to wirelessly acquire from the first wireless transmission power source the power-source identifier of the first wireless transmission power source.

19. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 18 wherein the remote-data collection subsystem further comprises at least one of a radio frequency identification device subsystem or an optical scanner.

20. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 17, further comprising:

a user interface subsystem configured to enable a user to provide user-input, wherein user-input provided by the user includes a first indicator of the power-source identifier associated with the first wireless transmission power source, and wherein the message includes a second indicator of the power-source identifier associated with the first wireless transmission power source.

21. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 13, further comprising:

a user interface subsystem configured to enable a user to provide user-input, wherein user-input includes input for selecting an operational data collection mode of the hand-held automatic collection device; and

a controllable energy emitter subsystem, disposed at least partially within the housing, and configured to wirelessly emit the electromagnetic energization energy at a controllable power level.

22. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 21, further comprising:

a controller subsystem, disposed within the housing and in communication with the user input subsystem and the energy emitter subsystem, configured to receive user-input for selecting an operational data collection mode from the user interface subsystem and configured to switch the portable hand-held automatic data collection device into a specific operational data collection mode in response to the user-input, the specific operational data collection mode being one of stand-alone mode, assisted energization mode, interrogation mode, and actuation mode, and configured to control the power level at which the controllable energy emitter subsystem transmits electromagnetic energization energy based at least upon the specific operational data collection mode.

23. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 13 wherein the actuation subsystem includes a radio frequency identification reader that provides the actuation-prompt to the first wireless transmission power source.

24. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 23 wherein the actuation-prompt is at least one of electromagnetic energization energy emitted from the portable hand-held data collection device or at least a portion of a communication that is in accordance with a radio frequency identification communication protocol.

25. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 13 wherein the actuation subsystem includes a light source that provides the actuation-prompt to the first wireless transmission power source.

26. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 25, further comprising:

an optical reader configured to read machine-readable symbols, wherein the optical reader includes the light source that provides the actuation-prompt.

27. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 13, further comprising:

a user interface subsystem configured to enable a user to provide user-input, wherein user-input includes input for selecting an actuation-prompt mode of the hand-held automatic collection device;

an optical reader, disposed at least partially within the housing, configured to read machine-readable symbols, the optical reader having a light source;

a radio frequency identification reader, disposed at least partially within the housing, configured to wirelessly interrogate;

a wireless communication subsystem configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless transmission power source in accordance to a communication protocol selected from WiFi and Bluetooth; and

a controller subsystem, disposed within the housing and in communication with the user input subsystem, the optical scanner, and the radio frequency identification reader, configured to receive user-input for selecting actuation mode from the user interface subsystem and configured to switch the portable hand-held automatic data collection device into a specific actuation-prompt mode in response to the user-input, the specific actuation mode being one of message-mode and signal-mode, and configured to select one of the light emitting source, the radio frequency identification reader, the wireless communication subsystem to provide the actuation-prompt based at least in part on the specific actuation-prompt mode.

28. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 27 wherein actuation-prompt is a signal provided by the radio frequency identification reader, the actuation-prompt being one of electromagnetic energization energy or at least a portion of a communication in accordance with a radio frequency identification communication protocol, wherein if the actuation-prompt is at least a portion of the communication, the first wireless transmission power source is actuated by receipt of the communication and not by information carried in the communication.

29. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 27 wherein actuation-prompt is a signal provided by the light source.

30. The portable hand-held automatic data collection device of claim 27 wherein actuation-prompt is a message provided by one of the wireless communication subsystem or the radio frequency identification reader.

31. A wireless transmission power source comprising:

an actuation subsystem configured to receive an actuation-prompt to cause the wireless transmission power source to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy for energizing remote wireless data communication devices;

a wireless energy transmitter subsystem configured to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy directed at a coverage volume of space; and

a conflict control subsystem configured to selectively permit the wireless energy transmitter subsystem to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy.

32. The wireless transmission power source of claim 31 wherein the actuation subsystem includes a wireless communication subsystem configured to wirelessly receive a message, from a remote automatic collection device, the message carrying an indicator of a power-source identifier that is associated with the wireless transmission power source, whereupon receiving the signal the wireless transmission power source begins an energization sequence, wherein during the energization sequence, the wireless transmission power source transmits electromagnetic energization energy at the coverage volume of space.

33. The wireless transmission power source of claim 32, further comprising:

an active wireless data communication device having a memory with the power-source identifier stored therein.

34. The wireless transmission power source of claim 32, further comprising:

a housing that carries the power-source identifier, and wherein the power-source identifier is embodied in at least one of machine-readable indicia or human-readable.

35. The wireless transmission power source of claim 31 wherein the actuation subsystem includes a sensor subsystem configured to receive a signal, from a remote automatic collection device, whereupon receiving the signal the wireless transmission power source begins an energization sequence, wherein during the energization sequence, the wireless transmission power source transmits electromagnetic energization energy at the coverage volume of space.

36. The wireless transmission power source of claim 31 wherein the actuation subsystem includes a motion detector configured to detect motion in a predetermined volume of space, whereupon detecting motion in the predetermined volume of space the wireless transmission power source begins an energization sequence, wherein during the energization sequence, the wireless transmission power source transmits electromagnetic energization energy at the coverage volume of space.

37. The wireless transmission power source of claim 31 wherein the actuation subsystem includes an actuator subsystem configured to be physically manipulated by a user, whereupon physical manipulation of actuator subsystem the wireless transmission power source begins an energization sequence, wherein during the energization sequence, the wireless transmission power source transmits electromagnetic energization energy at the coverage volume of space.

38. The wireless transmission power source of claim 31, further including:

a data collection subsystem configured to wirelessly interrogate wireless data communication devices, wherein the data collection subsystem receives, from a remote automatic collection device, the actuation-prompt and configured to provide the actuation subsystem of an indicator of the received actuation-prompt, whereupon receiving the actuation-prompt the wireless transmission power source begins an energization sequence, wherein during the energization sequence, the wireless transmission power source transmits electromagnetic energization energy at the coverage volume of space.

39. The wireless transmission power source of claim 38, wherein the wireless energy transmitter subsystem is further configured to detect electromagnetic energization energy from a remote automatic collection device, and configured to provide the actuation subsystem an indicator of the detected electromagnetic energization energy, whereupon receiving the indicator of the detected electromagnetic energization energy the wireless transmission power source begins an energization sequence, wherein during the energization sequence, the wireless transmission power source transmits electromagnetic energization energy into the coverage volume of space.

40. The wireless transmission power source of claim 31, wherein the conflict control subsystem is further configured to request permission for the wireless transmission power source to transmit electromagnetic energization energy, and configured to receive permission to transmit electromagnetic energization energy.

41. The wireless transmission power source of claim 40, wherein the conflict control subsystem requests permission for the wireless transmission power source to transmit electromagnetic energization energy by at least one of providing a quiet-prompt to a second wireless transmission power source, or providing a transmission request to a transmission conflict controller, wherein the transmission conflict controller is in communication with at least one other wireless transmission power source.

42. The wireless transmission power source of claim 31, wherein the conflict control subsystem is further configured to determine whether to permit the wireless energy transmitter subsystem to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy based at least upon a status of a second wireless transmission power source.

43. The wireless transmission power source of claim 42, wherein the conflict control subsystem is further configured to monitor the status of the second wireless transmission power source using at least a message, wherein based at least upon the message, the conflict control subsystem determines whether the second wireless transmission power source is currently in an energization cycle.

44. The wireless transmission power source of claim 31, further comprising:

a radio receiver configured to detect electromagnetic energization energy transmitted from a second wireless transmission power source, and wherein the conflict control subsystem is further configured to determine whether to permit the wireless energy transmitter subsystem to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy based at least upon whether the radio receiver is currently detecting electromagnetic energization energy transmitted from the second wireless transmission power source.

45. A system for interrogating passive wireless data communication devices, comprising:

a plurality of wireless transmission power sources, each one of the wireless transmission power sources having a respective housing and each one of the wireless transmission power sources coupled to a remote power source and configured to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy into respective coverage volumes of space for energizing passive wireless data communication devices therein, wherein the respective coverage volume of space of at least one of the wireless transmission power sources overlaps the respective coverage volume of space of at least another one of the wireless transmission power sources; and

a hand-held portable automatic data collection device configured to interrogate energized wireless data communication devices.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein each one of the wireless transmission power sources includes an actuation subsystem for receiving an actuation-prompt, wherein when the actuation subsystem of a respective wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources receives the actuation-prompt, the respective wireless transmission power source selectively wirelessly transmits electromagnetic energization energy into the coverage volume of space of the respective wireless transmission power source.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein each one of the wireless transmission power sources includes means for wirelessly receiving the actuation-prompt.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein the actuation-prompt is a wirelessly transmitted signal.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein the wirelessly transmitted signal is at least one of a light wave or a radio wave.

50. The system of claim 47 wherein the actuation-prompt is a wirelessly transmitted message containing an indicator of a power-source identifier, the power-source identifier associated with the respective wireless transmission power source and uniquely identifying the respective wireless transmission power source within the plurality of wireless transmission power sources.

51. The system of claim 47 wherein the actuation-prompt is a wirelessly transmitted message containing an indicator of a power-source identifier, the power-source identifier associated with the respective wireless transmission power source and uniquely identifying the respective wireless transmission power source within the plurality of wireless transmission power sources.

52. The system of claim 47 wherein the means for wirelessly receiving the actuation-prompt is at least one of a wireless communication device configured to receive and transmit messages, a radio frequency detector, or a light detector.

53. The system of claim 45 wherein at least one of the wireless transmission power sources of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources includes:

a first wireless communication means for interrogating wireless data communication devices; and

a second wireless communication means for receiving messages from and sending messages to the automatic data collection device, wherein the first wireless communication means and the second wireless communication means are not the same.

54. The system of claim 45 wherein each wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources includes:

a wireless communications subsystem configured to receive messages from and send messages to other wireless transmission power sources of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources;

a wireless energy transmitter subsystem configured to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy into the respective coverage volume of space to energize passive wireless data communication devices therein; and

a conflict control subsystem configured to selectively permit the wireless energy transmitter subsystem to transmit electromagnetic energization energy into the respective coverage volume of space based at least upon one or more messages from at least one other wireless transmission power source.

55. The system of claim 45 wherein each wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources has a respective power-source identifier associated therewith;

wherein the automatic data collection device includes;

a power-transmitter identifier subsystem configured to acquire from a selected power transmission power source of the plurality of the power transmission power source a first indicator of the power-source identifier associated with the selected power transmission power source; and

a wireless communication subsystem configured to wirelessly communicate a second indicator of the power-source identifier associated with the selected power transmission power source in a message having the actuation-prompt to the selected power transmission power source.

56. A system for energizing passive wireless data communication devices, comprising:

a plurality of wireless transmission power sources, each respective wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources includes;

a power subsystem coupled to at least one remote power source and configured to provide electrical power to the respective wireless transmission power source;

a wireless energy transmitter subsystem configured to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy into a coverage volume of space of the respective wireless transmission power source for energizing passive wireless data communication devices therein, wherein the respective coverage volume of space of at least one of the wireless transmission power sources overlaps the respective coverage volume of space of at least another one of the wireless transmission power sources;

a communication subsystem configured to send messages to and receive messages from at least one other wireless transmission power sources; and

a conflict control subsystem configured to configured to selectively permit the wireless energy transmitter subsystem to transmit electromagnetic energization energy into the respective coverage volume of space based at least upon one or more messages from at least one other wireless transmission power source.

57. The system of claim 56 wherein each respective wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources includes:

an actuation subsystem configured to receive an actuation-prompt and initiate an energization sequence upon receiving the actuation-prompt, wherein the communication subsystem sends a first message to at least one other wireless transmission power source in response to the actuation subsystem receiving the actuation-prompt, wherein the communication subsystem receives a second message from the at least one other wireless transmission power source, and wherein the conflict control subsystem selectively permits the wireless energy transmission subsystem to transmit the electromagnetic energization energy based at least upon the second message from the at least one other wireless transmission power source.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein for each wireless transmission power source the respective actuation subsystem is configured to be physically manipulated by a user for providing the actuation-prompt.

59. The system of claim 57 wherein for each wireless transmission power source the respective actuation subsystem is configured to wirelessly receive the actuation-prompt.

60. The system of claim 56 wherein for each wireless transmission power source the respective conflict control subsystem is configured to determine a status of at least one other wireless transmission power source, the status being one of the at least one other wireless transmission power source is currently in a respective energization sequence or the least one other wireless transmission power source is currently not in a respective energization sequence, based upon at least one message from the least one other wireless transmission power source.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein each respective wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources includes:

an actuation subsystem configured to receive an actuation-prompt and initiate a current energization sequence for the respective wireless transmission power source upon receiving the actuation-prompt; and

wherein the respective conflict control subsystem is configured to generate a first message indicative of the respective wireless transmission power source having completed energization sequence, and wherein the communication subsystem sends the first message to the at least one other wireless transmission power source after the respective conflict control subsystem has permitted the respective wireless energy transmission subsystem to transmit electromagnetic energization energy into the respective coverage volume of space.

62. A system for energizing passive wireless data communication devices, comprising:

a plurality of wireless transmission power sources, each respective wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources includes;

a power subsystem coupled to a remote power source and configured to provide electrical power to the respective wireless transmission power source;

a wireless energy transmitter subsystem configured to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic energization energy into a coverage volume of space of the respective wireless transmission power source for energizing passive wireless data communication devices therein, wherein the respective coverage volume of space of at least one of the wireless transmission power sources overlaps the respective coverage volume of space of at least another one of the wireless transmission power sources;

a communication subsystem configured to send messages and receive messages; and

a conflict control subsystem configured to configured to selectively permit the wireless energy transmitter subsystem to transmit electromagnetic energization energy into the respective coverage volume of space based at least upon one or more messages; and

the system further comprising;

a remote transmission conflict controller in communication with each wireless transmission power source and configured to determine for each wireless transmission power source whether the respective wireless transmission power source is permitted to transmit electromagnetic energization energy into the respective coverage volume.

63. The system of claim 62 wherein each respective wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources includes:

an actuation subsystem configured to receive an actuation-prompt and initiate an energization sequence upon receiving the actuation-prompt, wherein the communication subsystem sends a first message to the remote transmission conflict controller in response to the actuation subsystem receiving the actuation-prompt, wherein the communication subsystem receives a second message from the remote transmission conflict controller, and wherein the conflict control subsystem permits the wireless energy transmission subsystem to transmit the electromagnetic energization energy based at least upon the second message from the remote transmission conflict controller.

64. The system of claim 62 wherein each respective wireless transmission power source of the plurality of wireless transmission power sources includes:

an interrogation subsystem configured to interrogate the energized wireless data communication devices in the respective coverage volume of space, and wherein the communication subsystem provides information that is indicative of data acquired from the energized wireless data communication devices in the respective coverage volume of space.

65. The system of claim 64 further comprising:

a portable hand-held automatic data collection device configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless transmission power sources, wherein the portable hand-held automatic data collection device receives the information that is indicative of data acquired from the energized wireless data communication devices in the respective coverage volume of space from the respective wireless transmission power source that interrogated the wireless data communication devices.

66. The system of claim 64 further comprising:

a computing system communicatively coupled to the plurality of wireless transmission power sources and configured to receive from the respective wireless transmission power source that interrogated the wireless data communication devices the information that is indicative of data acquired from the energized wireless data communication devices in the respective coverage volume of space.