Synchronized relayed transmissions in RFID networks
First Claim
1. A circuit for allowing a RFID transponder to relay transmissions, comprising:
- a logic module configured to operate in a relay mode, during which said logic module is configured to cause a first RFID transponder to relay a communication received at the first RFID transponder; and
a synchronization module configured to synchronize the first RFID transponder with at least a second RFID transponder, such that the relay communication is synchronized with a communication relayed by the second RFID transponder,wherein said logic module is configured to switch the first RFID transponder to the relay mode in response to a receipt of an acknowledgment from a reader that a transmission originating from the first RFID transponder was received at the reader.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention relate to a circuit for allowing an RFID transponder to relay transmissions. According to some embodiments of the invention, a circuit for allowing a first RFID transponder to relay transmissions may include a logic module and a synchronization module. The logic module may be configured to operate in a relay mode. While in the relay mode, the logic module may be adapted to cause the first RFID transponder to relay a communication received at the transponder. The synchronization module may be adapted to synchronize the first RFID transponder with at least a second RFID transponder, such that the relay communication is synchronized with a communication relayed by the second RFID transponder.
17 Citations
53 Claims
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1. A circuit for allowing a RFID transponder to relay transmissions, comprising:
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a logic module configured to operate in a relay mode, during which said logic module is configured to cause a first RFID transponder to relay a communication received at the first RFID transponder; and a synchronization module configured to synchronize the first RFID transponder with at least a second RFID transponder, such that the relay communication is synchronized with a communication relayed by the second RFID transponder, wherein said logic module is configured to switch the first RFID transponder to the relay mode in response to a receipt of an acknowledgment from a reader that a transmission originating from the first RFID transponder was received at the reader. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A network of RFID transponders, comprising:
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at least a first and a second RFID transponder, each comprising; a logic module configured to operate in a relay mode during which, said logic module is configured to cause the respective RFID transponder to relay transmissions received at the transponder; and a synchronization module configured to synchronize at least the first and the second RFID transponders with one another, such that relay transmissions by said first and second RFID transponders are synchronized, wherein at least the logic module of said first RFID transponder is configured to switch said first RFID transponder to the relay mode in response to a receipt of an acknowledgment from a reader that a transmission originating from the first RFID transponder was received at the reader. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of allowing an RFID transponder to relay transmissions, comprising:
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switching a first RFID transponder to a relay mode during which the first RFID transponder is configured to relay a communication received at the first RFID transponder; and synchronizing the first RFID transponder with at least a second RFID transponder, such that the relay communication is synchronized with a communication relayed by the second RFID transponder, wherein said switching further comprises switching the first RFID transponder to the relay mode in response to receipt of an acknowledgement from a reader that a transmission originating from the first RFID transponder was received at the reader. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to allow an RFID transponder to relay transmissions, comprising:
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switching a first RFID transponder to a relay mode during which the first RFID transponder is configured to relay a communication received at the transponder; and synchronizing the first RFID transponder with at least a second RFID transponder, such that the relay communication is synchronized with a communication relayed by the second RFID transponder, wherein said switching further comprises switching the first RFID transponder to the relay mode in response to receipt of an acknowledgement from a reader that a transmission originating from the first RFID transponder was received at the reader.
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29. A circuit for allowing a RFID transponder to relay transmissions, comprising:
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a logic module configured to operate in a relay mode, during which said logic module is configured to cause a first RFID transponder to relay a communication received at the first RFID transponder; and a synchronization module configured to synchronize the first RFID transponder with at least a second RFID transponder, such that the relay communication is synchronized with a communication relayed by the second RFID transponder, wherein while said logic module is in the relay mode, it is configured to cause the first RFID transponder to repeat the communication received at the transponder after predefined time intervals during a response window created by a reader, and wherein the logic module of said first RFID transponder is configured to switch the transponder to the relay mode in response to a receipt of an acknowledgment from a reader that a transmission originating from the first RFID transponder was received at the reader. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A network of RFID transponders, comprising:
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at least a first and a second RFID transponders, each of which comprising; a logic module configured to operate in a relay mode during which, said logic module is configured to cause the respective RFID transponder to relay transmissions received at the transponder; and a synchronization module configured to synchronize at least the first and the second RFID transponders with one another, such that relay transmissions by said first and second RFID transponders are synchronized, wherein while the logic module of said first or said second RFID transponder is in the relay mode, it is configured to cause the first RFID transponder or the second RFID transponder to repeat the communication received at the respective RFID transponder after predefined time intervals during a response window created by a reader, and wherein the logic module of said first and of said second RFID transponders is configured to switch the respective transponder to the relay mode in response to a receipt of an acknowledgment from a reader that a transmission originating from the respective RFID transponder was received at the reader. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method of allowing an RFID transponder to relay transmissions, comprising:
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in response to receipt of an acknowledgement from a reader that a transmission originating from a first RFID transponder was received at the reader switching the first RFID transponder to a relay mode, during which relay mode the first RFID transponder is configured to relay a communication received at the first RFID transponder; and synchronizing the first RFID transponder with at least a second RFID transponder, such that the relay communication is synchronized with a communication relayed by the second RFID transponder; and upon receiving the communication at the first RFID transponder while the transponder is in the relay mode, causing the first RFID transponder to repeat the communication after predefined time intervals during a response window created by a reader. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to allow an RFID transponder to relay transmissions, comprising:
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switching a first RFID transponder to a relay mode during which the first RFID transponder is configured to relay a communication received at the transponder; synchronizing the first RFID transponder with at least a second RFID transponder, such that the relay communication is synchronized with a communication relayed by the second RFID transponder; and upon receiving the communication at the first RFID transponder while the transponder is in the relay mode, causing the first RFID transponder to repeat the communication after predefined time intervals during a response window created by a reader, and wherein said switching further comprises switching the first RFID transponder to the relay mode in response to receipt of an acknowledgement from a reader that a transmission originating from the first RFID transponder was received at the reader.
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Specification