Selectively enabled electronic tags

• US 6,008,727 A
• Filed: 09/10/1998
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bicameral LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Irish, Wesley R., Harrison, Beverly L., Gujar, Anuj Uday, Fishkin, Kenneth P., Want, Roy
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/150,882
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/572.5, 340/505, 340/825.31, 340/825.54, 340/825.49, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• 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

Abstract

An electronic tag has a processor, a readable memory for holding an identification number connected to the processor, and an antenna connected to the processor for radiofrequency broadcasting of the identification number. A power supply powers the antenna to broadcast the identification number.

A user selectively controls operation or non-operation of the electronic tag by switching an interconnect switch on or off. The interconnect switch permits interconnects the processor, readable memory, antenna, and power supply to selectively allow radiofrequency broadcasting of the identification number. Bitwise communication to a tag reader using only a passive electronic tag is possible.

Claims

1. A single electronic tag comprising

a processor,

readable memory for holding an identification number connected to the processor,

an antenna connected to the processor for radiofrequency broadcasting of the identification number, a

a power supply for powering the antenna to broadcast the identification number, and

an interconnect switch integrally defined in the single electronic tag for user defined interconnection of at least two members selected from a set defined by the processor, readable memory, antenna, and power supply to selectively allow radiofrequency broadcasting of the identification number.

2. The electronic tag of claim 1, wherein the interconnect switch is biased to remain normally open, preventing broadcast of the identification number.

3. The electronic tag of claim 1, wherein the interconnect switch is biased to remain normally closed, allowing broadcast of the identification number.

4. The electronic tag of claim 1, wherein the interconnect switch is connected between the antenna and one of the processor and the power supply.

5. The electronic tag of claim 1, wherein the interconnect switch is alternately opened and closed in response to opening and closure of electrical contacts.

6. The electronic tag of claim 1, further comprising a sensor connected to the processor, and wherein the interconnect switch is alternately opened and closed in response sensor data provided by the sensor.

7. A system for identifying multiple electronic tags, the system comprising

a plurality of electronic tags, with at least some of the plurality of electronic tags having a unique identifier and a user controllable interconnect switch switchable to selectively block and unblock transmission of that unique identifier,

an electronic tag reader configured to read the unique identifier of each selectively unblocked electronic tag, and

a computing system connected to the electronic tag reader to provide digital services in response to reading the unique identifier of each electronic tag.

8. A method for transmitting information by controlled switching of electronic tags, the method comprising the steps of

controllably switching an interconnect switch of an electronic tag having a transmittable identification number to provide a dynamic user defined time series of readable and non-readable intervals for the transmitted identification number, and

evaluating the user defined time series of readable and non-readable interval for the transmitted identification number as bit-wise communication associatable with the transmitted identification number.