LPRF device wake up using wireless tag

• US 7,742,745 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TeraHop Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Twitchell, Jr., Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TUAN
• Application Number:
  US12/475,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20090237216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 455/39, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/522, 455/91, 455/127.1, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.34, 340/572.1, 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/20 using a distributed architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Claims

1. A communications method comprising:

placing a first detectable RFID device having memory onto a pallet,

providing a first identification code in the memory to uniquely identify the pallet,

using the pallet to transport an object,

identifying the object with a second detectable RFID device,

producing a second identification code with the second detectable RFID device,

copying the second identification code into the memory to indicate a condition of the pallet,

transmitting, by the first detectable RFID device, a communication at a first power level such that only a first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, the communication including a command causing each of the first group of transceivers not to respond to a subsequent broadcast; and

subsequent thereto, and

transmitting, by the first detectable RFID device, a communication at a second power level greater than the first power level such that a second group of transceivers greater than and including the first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, but such that only a limited number of transceivers of the second group respond to the broadcast, the limited number of transceivers excluding the first group of transceivers;

wherein the plurality of transceivers each are associated with a respective sensor for acquiring data and transmitting the data to the first detectable RFID device.

2. A communications method as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

associating the second identification code with the object while the second identification code is retained in the memory.

3. A communications method as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

associating the second identification code with a condition of the pallet.

4. A communications method as set forth in claim 3 which includes:

creating a third identification code, and

storing the third identification code in the memory.

5. A communications method as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

associating the first detectable RFID device with the second detectable RFID device.

6. The communications method of claim 1, wherein the first detectable RFID device comprises a wireless reader tag, and the first identification code comprises a wireless reader tag identification.

7. The communications method of claim 1, wherein the second detectable RFID device comprises a wireless tag, and the second identification code comprises a wireless tag identification.

8. The communications method of claim 1, wherein the second detectable RFID device comprises a wireless reader tag.

9. The communications method of claim 1, wherein the second identification code comprises a class identification.

10. A communications method comprising:

placing a first detectable RFID device having memory onto a pallet,

providing a first identification code in the memory to uniquely identify the pallet,

using the pallet to transport an object,

identifying the object with a second detectable RFID device,

producing a second identification code with the second detectable RFID device,

copying the second identification code into the memory to indicate a condition of the pallet,

transmitting, by the first detectable RFID device, a communication at a first power level such that only a first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, the communication including a command causing each of the first group of transceivers not to respond to a subsequent broadcast; and

subsequent thereto, and

transmitting, by the first detectable RFID device, a communication at a second power level greater than the first power level such that a second group of transceivers greater than and including the first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, but such that only a limited number of transceivers of the second group respond to the broadcast, the limited number of transceivers excluding the first group of transceivers;

wherein the plurality of transceivers each are associated with a respective sensor for acquiring data and transmitting the data to a server via the first detectable RFID device.

11. A communications method comprising:

placing a wireless reader tag (WRT) having memory onto a pallet,

providing a WRT ID in the memory to uniquely identify the pallet,

using the pallet to transport an object,

identifying the object with a wireless tag (WT),

producing a WT ID with the WT,

copying the WT ID into the memory,

transmitting, by the WRT, a communication at a first power level such that only a first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, the communication including a command causing each of the first group of transceivers not to respond to a subsequent broadcast; and

subsequent thereto, and

transmitting, by the WRT, a communication at a second power level greater than the first power level such that a second group of transceivers greater than and including the first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, but such that only a limited number of transceivers of the second group respond to the broadcast, the limited number of transceivers excluding the first group of transceivers;

wherein the plurality of transceivers each are associated with a respective sensor for acquiring data and transmitting the data to the WRT.

12. A communications device for a pallet comprising:

an RFID tag,

said RFID tag having memory for storing a first level identification code to uniquely identify the pallet, a second level identification code to uniquely identify an owner, and a third level identification code to uniquely identify a user, and said codes indicating a condition associated with said pallet,

the RFID tag is configured to transmitting a communication at a first power level such that only a first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, the communication including a command causing each of the first group of transceivers not to respond to a subsequent broadcast; and

subsequent thereto;

the RFID tag is configured to transmit a communication at a second power level greater than the first power level such that a second group of transceivers greater than and including the first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, but such that only a limited number of transceivers of the second group respond to the broadcast, the limited number of transceivers excluding the first group of transceivers; and

the plurality of transceivers each are associated with a respective sensor for acquiring data and transmitting the data to the RFID tag.

13. A communications device as set forth in claim 12 in which:

said memory is for storing a fourth level identification code indicative of data obtained by a sensor.

14. A communications device as set forth in claim 12 which includes:

an electronic data communications device for detecting said identification codes, and

said electronic data communications device is configured to communicate over a network with a server.

15. A communications device as set forth in claim 12 in which:

said RFID tag is selected from the group consisting of a passive RFID tag, an active RFID tag, and a semi-passive RFID tag.

16. A communications device as set forth in claim 12 which includes:

said first level identification code, said second level identification code, and said third level identification code being selectively detectable between levels.

17. A communications device as set forth in claim 12 for which:

an association identification code in the memory is modified responsive to a condition change.