Dual mode electronic identification system
First Claim
1. A dual mode electronic identification system comprising:
- an access transmitter means for providing an RF interrogation signal;
an access receiver means for responding to an identity signal having identifying data encoded therein;
an electronic identification tag having supply means for providing electrical power to said tag, memory means for storing identifying data associated with said tag, RF receiver means cooperable with said supply means for receiving and processing said RF interrogation signal, transmitter means for transmitting the identity signal containing said identifying data associated with said tag in response to a receipt by said receiver means of said RF interrogation signal and for periodically transmitting a beacon signal containing said identifying data associated with said tag in response to a lack of a receipt by said receiver means of said RF interrogation signal, and timer means for allowing transmission of said beacon signal to be initiated only after the elapse of a predetermined time period during which said RF interrogation signal is not perceived by said receiver means;
beacon signal processing means for detecting said beacon signal and determining therefrom the physical position of said tag and for decoding said identifying data associated with said tag; and
whereinsaid predetermined time period is greater than the time intervals between said periodic transmissions of said beacon signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual mode electronic identification system using a tag which has a RF receiver and transmitter contained therein. In the first mode the tag responds to an interrogation signal by transmitting identification data to the interrogator. In the second mode the tag periodically transmits an identification beacon signal to a directional sensing antenna which uses the signal to compute the position of the tag. The power supply for the tag operates from an internal battery or from power received from a portal signal via a tag receiving antenna. The battery can be automatically turned off when the tag is in the portal area and the unit can be shifted into the battery operated beacon mode when the tag is removed from the portal area.
420 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dual mode electronic identification system comprising:
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an access transmitter means for providing an RF interrogation signal; an access receiver means for responding to an identity signal having identifying data encoded therein; an electronic identification tag having supply means for providing electrical power to said tag, memory means for storing identifying data associated with said tag, RF receiver means cooperable with said supply means for receiving and processing said RF interrogation signal, transmitter means for transmitting the identity signal containing said identifying data associated with said tag in response to a receipt by said receiver means of said RF interrogation signal and for periodically transmitting a beacon signal containing said identifying data associated with said tag in response to a lack of a receipt by said receiver means of said RF interrogation signal, and timer means for allowing transmission of said beacon signal to be initiated only after the elapse of a predetermined time period during which said RF interrogation signal is not perceived by said receiver means; beacon signal processing means for detecting said beacon signal and determining therefrom the physical position of said tag and for decoding said identifying data associated with said tag; and
whereinsaid predetermined time period is greater than the time intervals between said periodic transmissions of said beacon signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A dual mode electronic identification tag comprising:
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supply means for providing electrical power to said tag; memory means for storing identifying data associated with said tag; RF receiver means cooperable with said supply means for receiving and processing an RF interrogation signal; transmitter means for transmitting an identity signal containing said identifying data associated with said tag in response to a receipt by said receiver means of a RF interrogation signal and for periodically transmitting a beacon signal containing said identifying data associated with said tag in response to a lack of a receipt by said receiver means of said RF interrogation signal; timer means for allowing transmission of said beacon signal to be initiated only after the elapse of a predetermined time period during which said RF interrogation signal is not perceived by said receiver means; and
whereinsaid predetermined time period is greater than the time intervals between said periodic transmissions of said beacon signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electronic identification tag, comprising:
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supply means for providing electrical power to said tag including an electrical storage battery and a first means for supplying power from a RF power signal; memory means for storing identification data associated with said tag; RF receiver means cooperable with said supply means for receiving and processing an RF interrogation signal and for receiving said RF power signal; transmitter means for transmitting an identity signal having said identification data encoded therein in response to a receipt by said RF receiver means of said RF interrogation signal and for periodically transmitting a beacon signal having said identification data encoded therein when said RF receiver means fails to perceive said RF interrogation signal; and RF responsive means associated with said RF receiver means and said supply means for causing said electrical storage battery to supply power only in the absence of receipt of said RF power signal. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A dual mode electronic identification system comprising:
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an access transmitter means for providing an RF interrogation signal and an RF power signal; an access receiver means for responding to an identity signal having identifying data encoded therein; an electronic identification tag, comprising supply means for providing electrical power to said tag including an electrical storage battery and a first means for supplying power from said RF power signal, memory means for storing identification data associated with said tag, RF receiver means cooperable with said supply means for receiving and processing said RF interrogation signal and for receiving said RF power signal, transmitter means for transmitting the identity signal having said identification data encoded therein in response to a receipt by said RF receiver means of said RF interrogation signal and for periodically transmitting a beacon signal having said identification data encoded therein when said RF receiver means fails to perceive said RF interrogation signal, and RF responsive means associated with said RF receiver means and said supply means for causing said electrical storage battery to supply power only in the absence of receipt of said RF power signal; and beacon signal processing means for detecting said beacon signal and determining therefrom the physical position of said tag and for decoding said identifying data associated with said tag. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification