Active ID tags for increased range and functionality

• US 8,094,022 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infinid Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Infinid Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Ambrose, Barry Edward, Goodman, Rodney M
• Primary Examiner(s): Blount, Eric M
• Application Number:
  US12/236,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5728, 340/10.1, 235/375, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

An RFID tag that uses multiple components to both receive and send information.

Claims

1. An RFID assembly, comprising:

a first part, which includes a unique address indicative of an RFID tag and RFID information associated with said RFID tag;

a second, RFID modem, associated with said first part, which both receives first information from other RFID modems and also sends information in response to an interrogation directed to said unique address;

wherein said RFID modem sending said first information received from other RFID modems, and also sending said RFID information—

in response to an interrogation; and

wherein said RFID modem carrying out a probabilistic routing that determines, when said second RFID modem receives a message from at least one other RFID modem, a distance between said second RFID modem, and said at least one other RFID modem, and where said second RFID modem calculates, based on said distance, a probable signal strength to said at least one other RFID modem, a propagation and a transmission power to said at least one other RFID modem, and wherein said probabilistic routing determines a probability of successful transmission to said at least one other RFID modem to determine whether to rebroadcast the message based on said probable signal strength, propagation and transmission power.

2. A tag as in claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller, controlling operation of said second RF modem to send and receive information.

3. A tag as in claim 1 further comprising a sensor, which senses at least one characteristic of its environment, wherein said second RF modem sends information indicative of the sent characteristics.

4. A tag as in claim 1, further comprising a substrate, holding said tag.

5. A tag as in claim 4, wherein said substrate comprises an attachment part that allows the tag substrate to be attached to a support.

6. A tag as in claim 1, further comprising an interrogator for the tag, wherein said interrogator includes a source of AC power.

7. A tag as in claim 4, wherein said substrate includes an extra spot which can hold additional active portions.

8. A tag as in claim 1, wherein said tag relays messages from other tags.

9. A method comprising:

on an RFID tag, receiving information from other RF tags; and

sending both information from other RFID tags, and also information indicative of the RFID tag'"'"'s own information; and

wherein said sending comprising a probabilistic routing that determines, when said RFID tag receives a message from at least one other RFID tag, a probable distance between said RFID tag and said at least one other RFID tag, and where said RFID tag calculates, based on said distance, a probable signal strength to said at least one other RFID tag, a propagation and a transmission power to said at least one other RFID tag, and wherein said probabilistic routing determines a probability of successful transmission to said at least one other RFID tag to determine whether to rebroadcast the message based on said probable signal strength, propagation and transmission power.

10. A method as in claim 9, further comprising a microcontroller, controlling operation of said RF modem to send and receive information.

11. A method as in claim 9 further comprising sensing at least one characteristic of an environment of the RFID tag, and sending information indicative of the sensed characteristic.

12. A method as in claim 9, further comprising mounting electronics on a substrate.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein said substrate includes an extra spot which can hold additional active portions.

14. A method as in claim 9, wherein said tag relays messages from other tags.