Short range communication system

• US 6,842,116 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2003
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Cakmakci, Ozan, Hum, Peng Jong, De Velde, Walter Van
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/414,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20030193399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/539.31, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/5.3, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.6, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/450, 342/457, 345/173
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/027 the material being suitable for use as a textile, e.g. woven-based RFID-like labels designed for attachment to laundry items markings attached to laundry items in general D06F93/00
• 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 7/10178 including auxiliary means for focusing, repeating or boosting the electromagnetic interrogation field comparable booster antennas integrated on the record carrier itself G06K19/07794
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles

Abstract

Short range communication systems and techniques are described. In an implementation an interrogator held near a person interrogates multiple transponders and receives information separately from the transponders. The interrogator and/or the transponders may be held in an article of clothing or in a personal effect of the person. The transponders may transmit identifying information and/or information associated with the states of the articles of clothing or personal effects of the person. Such a system enables the clothes worn by a person to communicate with a plurality of items and obtain useful information. In addition, a network system may be configured so that any particular transponder may communicate with another transponder or group of transponders of other locales to activate functions, cause actions or otherwise share data and/or information.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

radiating an interrogation field over a first distance from a radiator, and

extending the effective reach of the interrogation field to an array of locations that are more distant from the radiator than the first distance by conducting the energy of the field non-radiatively to the array locations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein an interrogator radiates an interrogation field in a transponder status reporting mode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an interrogator radiates an interrogation field in a transponder locating mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein an interrogation transmits an interrogation signal in a transponder position mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the interrogation field comprises a radio frequency field.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a transponder is located within a predetermined second distance of at least one of the locations.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy of the interrogation field is conducted to the array of locations by conductive elements.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the conductive elements are insulated conducting wires.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the conductive elements are insulated conductive fiber.