Radio frequency identification system and method

• US 7,005,985 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1999
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Axcess International, Inc. (Amphion Innovations PLC)
• Original Assignee: Axcess, Inc.
• Inventors: Steeves, Wayne E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/357,435
• Time in Patent Office: 2,415 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/568.1, 340/568.5, 340/568.6, 340/568.7, 340/568.8, 340/570, 340/571, 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/573.4, 340/10.1, 340/3.1, 340/3.51, 340/5.1, 340/7.21, 340/10.32, 340/10.33, 340/10.4, 340/10.3
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10108 interrogating only those RFIDs that fulfill a predetermined requirement, e.g. selecting all RFIDs having the same speed and moving in a cloud like fashion, e.g. on the same train; interrogating only RFIDs having a certain predetermined temperature, e.g. in the same fridge, another possibility being the active ignoring of a group of tags that fulfill a predetermined requirement, equivalent to the Boolean NOT operation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring assets using radio frequency tags is provided that includes a plurality of primary tags. Each primary tag stores an identification of each linked tag associated with the primary tag. The primary tag receives a polling event and transmits a query message for linked tags within an operational range of the primary tag. Each linked tag receiving the query message transmits a response message that includes an identification of the linked tag. The primary tag receives the response messages and compares the identifications in the response messages to the identifications stored for each linked tag. Based on the comparison, the primary tag determines a monitored asset status.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring assets using radio frequency tags, comprising:

initializing each of a plurality of primary tags by loading each primary tag with a list identifying one or more linked tags associated with the primary tag;

in response to a polling event for one of the primary tags, the primary tag transmitting a query message for linked tags within an operational range of the primary tag;

each linked tag receiving the query message transmitting a response message including an identification of the linked tag; and

the primary tag receiving the response messages and comparing the identifications in the response messages to the identifications stored for each linked tag associated with the primary tag.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the primary tag determining a monitored asset status based on the comparison of the identifications in the response messages to the identifications stored for each linked tag associated with the primary tag.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the primary tag generating an alarm condition in response to the monitored asset status indicating that a linked tag is missing from the operational range of the primary tag.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the primary tag generating an alarm condition in response to the monitored asset status indicating that no linked tags are present in the operational range of the primary tag.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

a non linked tag receiving the query message transmitting a response including an identification of the non linked tag; and

the primary tag generating an alarm condition in response to the monitored asset status indicating the presence of the non linked tag in the operational range of the primary tag.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polling event is initiated by a base station.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polling event is periodically generated by the primary tag based on the passage of a specified period of time.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the primary tag reporting the results of the comparison to a base station.

9. A method for monitoring assets using radio frequency tags, comprising:

initializing a primary tag by loading the primary tag with a list identifying one or more linked tags associated with the primary tag;

in response to a polling event for the primary tag, transmitting a query message to tags within an operational range of the primary tag;

receiving response messages from tags within the operational range of the primary tag, the response messages each including an identification of the tag generating the response message; and

comparing the identification in each response message to the identifications of the linked tags stored in the primary tag.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the primary tag determining a monitored asset status based on the comparison of the identifications in the response messages to the identifications of the linked tags stored in the primary tag.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the primary tag generating an alarm condition in response to the monitored asset status indicating that a linked tag is missing from the operational range of the primary tag.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the primary tag generating an alarm condition in response to the monitored asset status indicating that no linked tags are present in the operational range of the primary tag.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a response message from a non linked tag; and

the primary tag generating an alarm condition in response to the monitored asset status indicating the presence of the non linked tag in the operational range of the primary tag.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the polling event is initiated by a base station.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the polling event is periodically generated by the primary tag based on the passage of a specified period of time.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising the primary tag reporting the results of the comparison to a base station.

17. A primary radio frequency tag for an asset monitoring system, comprising:

a storage unit operable to be initialized by loading a list identifying at least one linked tag associated with the primary tag;

a transmitter operable to transmit a polling request to tags in the operational range of the primary tag;

a receiver operable to receive response messages from tags within the operational range of the primary tag, the response messages each including an identification of the tag generating the response message; and

a controller operable to compare the identification in each response message to identifications of the linked tags stored in the storage unit and to determine a monitored asset status based on the comparison.

18. The primary radio frequency tag of claim 17, further comprising:

a report engine for generating a report message informing a base unit of the monitored asset status; and

the transmitter further operable to transmit the monitored asset status to the base unit.

19. The primary radio frequency tag of claim 17, further comprising

a polling engine operable to periodically generate the polling request based on the passage of a specified period of time.

20. The primary radio frequency tag of claim 17, further comprising the storage unit operable to store identifications for a plurality of linked tags associated with the primary tag.

21. The primary radio frequency tag of claim 17, the receiver comprising a first receiver operable to receive the response messages on a first frequency;

the primary tag further comprising;

a second receiver operable to receive a status request from a base station on a second disparate frequency; and

a polling engine operable to generate the polling request in response to the status request.

22. An asset monitoring system comprising:

at least one secondary tag comprising;

an identification;

a receiver operable to receive a polling request;

a transmitter operable to transmit a response message in response to the polling request, the response message including the identification of the secondary tag;

a primary tag comprising;

a storage unit operable to be initialized by loading a list identifying at least one secondary tag associated with the primary tag;

a transmitter operable to transmit the polling request within the operational range of the primary tag;

a receiver operable to receive response messages from secondary tags within the operational range of the primary tag; and

a controller operable to compare the identification in each response message to identifications stored in the storage unit and to determine a monitored asset status based on the comparisons.

23. The asset monitoring system of claim 22, wherein the primary radio tag is an active tag.

24. The asset monitoring system of claim 22, wherein the one or more secondary radio tags are passive tags.

25. The asset monitoring system of claim 22, further comprising a base station, the base station comprising:

a transmitter operable to transmit a status request to the primary tag; and

a receiver operable to receive the monitored asset status from the primary tag responsive to the status request.

26. The asset monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the base station transmits at a first frequency and receives at a second disparate frequency.

27. The asset monitoring system of claim 25, the receiver of the primary tag comprising a first receiver operable to receive the response messages on a first frequency, the primary tag further comprising a second receiver operable to receive the status request from the base station on a second disparate frequency.

28. An asset monitoring system, comprising:

a plurality of secondary tags, each comprising;

an identification;

a receiver operable to receive an intermediate polling request;

a transmitter operable to transmit a response message to the intermediate polling request, the response message including the identification of the secondary tag;

a plurality of intermediate primary tags, each comprising;

a storage unit operable to be initialized by loading a list identifying a plurality of secondary tags associated with the intermediate primary tag;

a transmitter operable in response to a polling request from a primary tag to transmit the intermediate polling request within the operational range of the intermediate primary tag and to transmit an intermediate monitored asset status to the primary tag;

a receiver operable to receive response messages from secondary tags within the operational range of the intermediate primary tag in response to the polling request from the intermediate primary tag;

a controller operable to compare the identification in each response message to identifications stored in the storage unit and to determine the intermediate monitored asset status based on the comparisons;

a primary tag comprising;

a transmitter operable to transmit the polling request within the operational range of the primary tag;

a receiver operable to receive intermediate monitored asset statuses from the intermediate primary tags; and

a controller operable to determine a monitored asset status based on the intermediate monitored asset statuses.

29. The asset monitoring system of claim 28, wherein the primary and intermediate primary tags are active tags and the secondary tags are passive tags.

30. The asset monitoring system of claim 28, further comprising a base station, the base station comprising:

a transmitter operable to transmit a status request to the primary tag; and

a receiver operable to receive the monitored asset status from the primary tag responsive to the status request.

31. The asset monitoring system of claim 28, wherein the primary tag is mounted to a transport vehicle, the intermediate primary tags are mounted to shipping containers, and the secondary tags are mounted to items shipped in the shipping containers.

32. A secured environment, comprising:

an access door;

a first object having a secondary radio frequency tag, the secondary radio frequency tag comprising;

an identification;

a receiver operable to receive a polling request;

a transmitter operable to transmit a response message responsive to the polling request, the response message including the identification of the secondary tag;

a second object having a primary radio frequency tag, the primary radio frequency tag comprising;

a storage unit for storing the identification of one or more secondary radio frequency tags for objects authorized to transport the second object through an access door;

a transmitter operable in response to an authorization request from a door control unit to transmit the polling request within the operational range of the primary radio frequency tag and to transmit an authorization response to the door control unit for the access door;

a receiver operable to receive response messages from secondary radio frequency tags within the operational range of the primary radio frequency tag and to receive the authorization request from the door control unit;

a controller operable to compare the identifications in each response message to identifications stored in the storage unit and to determine the authorization response based on the comparison;

the door control unit, comprising;

a transmitter operable to transmit the authorization request;

a receiver operable to receive the authorization response from the primary radio frequency tag; and

a door controller operable to control the access door based on the authorization response from the primary radio frequency tag.

33. The secured environment of claim 32, wherein the primary tag is an active tag and the secondary tag is a passive tag.

34. A method for monitoring mobile assets, comprising:

initializing a primary tag by loading the primary tag with a list identifying one or more linked tags associated with the primary tag;

in response to a polling event, a primary tag transmitting a query message for secondary tags within an operational range of the primary tag;

each secondary tag receiving the query message transmitting a response message indicative of the secondary tag'"'"'s proximity to the primary tag; and

the primary tag receiving the response messages and taking predefined action.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the predefined action includes the primary tag generating an alarm if secondary tags are present within the operational range of the primary tag.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the predefined action includes the primary tag generating an alarm if secondary tags are not present within the operational range of the primary tag.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the polling event occurs on a periodic basis after a passing of a specified period of time.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the polling event includes the primary tag receiving a polling request from a base station or other primary tag.