Apparatus for and method of using an intelligent network and RFID signal router
First Claim
1. A network for transporting RF data and digital signal data, the network comprising:
- a plurality of network devices for receiving and communicating signals over the network, wherein each network device has a unique address, wherein the plurality of network devices includes;
a plurality of RFID antennae assemblies, each RFID antennae assembly including a plurality of RFID antennas;
two combination routers that each have the capability of processing command data signals and facilitating the transporting of both the RF data and the digital signal data, including command data signals, and wherein the at least two combination routers each further includes at least two bidirectional RF input ports, at least two bidirectional digital input ports, at least two bidirectional RF output ports and at least two bidirectional digital output ports, and further including logic, responsive to certain command data signals, for dynamically switching certain RF data between one of the bidirectional RF input ports and one of the bidirectional RF output ports, and certain digital signal data between one of the bidirectional digital input ports and one of the bidirectional digital output ports;
an RFID reader connected to one of the bidirectional RF input ports of each of the two combination routers for receiving read RF data from various ones of the plurality of RFID antennas through different RF routes, each of the different RF routes including one of the two combination routers, and wherein the RFID reader can further translate the read RF data into read digital data signals; and
a manager unit for controlling the network and for coordinating identification and notification of the plurality of network devices, including the plurality of RFID antennas, the at least two combination routers and the RFID reader, wherein the manager unit ensures that appropriate connections occur between each of the plurality of RFID antennas and the RFID reader at appropriate times to establish the RF routes.
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Abstract
Apparatuses, systems for, and methods of transporting digital signals and radio-frequency (“RF”) signals are disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an intelligent network (e.g., a combination router) and corresponding method are provided for transporting RF signals to, for example, an RFID antenna and transporting digital signals to, for example, a controller. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent network is implemented with a manager unit for controlling a plurality of network devices to facilitate the efficient management of RFID-enabled devices. The network devices may include a combination router/switch, which has the capability of switching both digital data and RF data, RFID readers, RFID reader/writer pads, and other devices. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the intelligent network allows enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennae.
84 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A network for transporting RF data and digital signal data, the network comprising:
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a plurality of network devices for receiving and communicating signals over the network, wherein each network device has a unique address, wherein the plurality of network devices includes; a plurality of RFID antennae assemblies, each RFID antennae assembly including a plurality of RFID antennas; two combination routers that each have the capability of processing command data signals and facilitating the transporting of both the RF data and the digital signal data, including command data signals, and wherein the at least two combination routers each further includes at least two bidirectional RF input ports, at least two bidirectional digital input ports, at least two bidirectional RF output ports and at least two bidirectional digital output ports, and further including logic, responsive to certain command data signals, for dynamically switching certain RF data between one of the bidirectional RF input ports and one of the bidirectional RF output ports, and certain digital signal data between one of the bidirectional digital input ports and one of the bidirectional digital output ports; an RFID reader connected to one of the bidirectional RF input ports of each of the two combination routers for receiving read RF data from various ones of the plurality of RFID antennas through different RF routes, each of the different RF routes including one of the two combination routers, and wherein the RFID reader can further translate the read RF data into read digital data signals; and a manager unit for controlling the network and for coordinating identification and notification of the plurality of network devices, including the plurality of RFID antennas, the at least two combination routers and the RFID reader, wherein the manager unit ensures that appropriate connections occur between each of the plurality of RFID antennas and the RFID reader at appropriate times to establish the RF routes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification