Wireless communication devices

• US 8,232,865 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Inventors: Bates, Benjamin G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Vernal
• Application Number:
  US12/711,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20100148924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.73, 340/7.29, 340/5.21, 340/7.25, 340/825.49, 340/825.69, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/10.31
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00825 remotely by lines or wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password

Abstract

A method and apparatus for wirelessly performing identification. A wireless communications apparatus comprising a cellular receiver communicatively coupled to the processing unit and a first antenna and configured to perform wireless communications via the antenna using a first protocol. The wireless apparatus further contains a short range wireless communications module coupled to a second antenna and configured to perform wireless communications via the second antenna by modulating a radio frequency field using a second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol. In accordance with the second protocol the short-range wireless communications apparatus uses a random number as an identifier of the short-range wireless communications apparatus. The wireless device employs a location determining unit and a communication port configured to provide a control signal to a second device via a wired connection.

Claims

1. A wireless communications apparatus comprising:

a processing unit;

a first antenna;

a cellular receiver communicatively coupled to the processing unit and the first antenna to perform wireless communications via the first antenna using a first protocol;

a communication port configured to provide a control signal to a second device via a wired connection; and

a short-range wireless apparatus communicatively coupled to the second antenna and the processing unit and capable of identifying itself by performing wireless communications via the second antenna by modulating a radio frequency (RF) field using a second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol;

wherein in accordance with the second protocol, the short-range wireless apparatus uses a random number as a part of a process by which it identifies itself.

2. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication port comprises a serial port.

3. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a location system communicatively coupled to the processing unit, the location system being configured to provide data useful in determining a current location of the wireless communications apparatus using a global positioning system (GPS).

4. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1, wherein the short-range wireless apparatus is configured to communicate identifying information associated with the wireless communications device.

5. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 4, wherein the short-range wireless apparatus communicates the identifying information upon receipt of a request from an interrogation device.

6. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 4, wherein the short-range wireless apparatus is configured to communicate identifying information associated with the an account of a user of the wireless communications device.

7. A wireless communications device comprising:

a processing unit;

a first antenna;

a cellular receiver communicatively coupled to the processing unit and the first antenna to perform wireless communications via the first antenna using a first protocol;

a location system communicatively coupled to the processing unit, the location system being configured to provide data useful in determining a current location of the wireless communications device using a global positioning system (GPS); and

a short-range wireless apparatus communicatively coupled to the second antenna and the processing unit and capable of identifying itself by performing wireless communications via the second antenna by modulating a radio frequency (RF) field using a second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol;

wherein in accordance with the second protocol, the short-range wireless apparatus uses a random number as a part of a process by which it identifies itself.

8. The wireless communications device of claim 7, wherein:

the short-range wireless apparatus comprises a transmitter switchable between a first mode and a second mode;

in the first mode, the transmitter is configured to modulate an RF field energized by an interrogating device; and

in the second mode, the transmitter is configured to modulate an RF field energized by the transmitter using power from a battery of the wireless communications device.

9. The wireless communications device of claim 8, further comprising a communication port configured to provide a control signal to a second device via a wired connection.

10. The wireless communications device of claim 7, wherein the short-range wireless apparatus comprises an integrated circuit configured to store a unique identification number related to a user account with which the wireless communications device is associated.

11. The wireless communications device of claim 10, wherein the short-range wireless apparatus is further configured to wirelessly provide the unique identification number to an interrogating device using the second protocol.

12. The wireless communications device of claim 7, wherein the short-range wireless apparatus comprises:

a removable card, and

an integrated circuit embedded in the removable card, the integrated circuit configured to store a unique identification number associated with the wireless communications device.

13. The wireless communications device of claim 12, wherein the unique identification number is unalterable.

14. The wireless communications device of claim 7, wherein the short-range wireless apparatus is configured to communicate identifying information related to the wireless communications device.

15. A wireless communications device comprising:

a processing unit;

memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit;

a first antenna;

a cellular receiver communicatively coupled to the processing unit and the first antenna to perform wireless communications via the first antenna using a first protocol;

a second antenna; and

a short-range wireless communications apparatus communicatively coupled to the second antenna to perform wireless communications via the second antenna by modulating a radio frequency (RF) field using a second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol;

wherein in accordance with the second protocol, the short-range wireless communications apparatus uses a random number as an identifier of the short-range wireless communications apparatus; and

wherein the short-range wireless communications apparatus is capable of communication in a first mode via backscattering radio frequency signals from a transmitting apparatus.

16. The wireless communications device of claim 15, wherein the short-range wireless communications apparatus comprises a transmitter switchable between the first mode and a second mode;

wherein;

in the first mode, the transmitter is configured to modulate an RF field energized by the interrogating device; and

in the second mode, the transmitter is configured to modulate an RF field energized by the transmitter using power from a battery of the wireless communications device.

17. The wireless communications device of claim 16, wherein:

in accordance with the second protocol, the short-range wireless communication apparatus generates a random number as the identifier of the short-range wireless communication apparatus; and

the interrogating device uses the random number as the identifier of the short-range wireless communication apparatus to select the short-range wireless communication apparatus for communications.

18. The wireless communications device of claim 17, wherein the short-range wireless communication apparatus comprises:

a removable, card, and

an integrated circuit embedded in the removable, card, the integrated circuit configured to store the unique identification number.

19. The wireless communications device of claim 18, wherein the removable card comprises a plastic card.

20. The wireless communications device of claim 15, further comprising a wired link between the processor and the short-range wireless communications apparatus, the wired link configured to effect data communication between the processor and the short-range wireless communications apparatus.

21. The wireless communications device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a signal via the communication port, the signal associated with data wirelessly received by the RF device.

22. The wireless communications device of claim 15, further comprising a memory configured to store a unique identification number related to a user account with which the wireless communications apparatus is associated.

23. The wireless communications device of claim 22, wherein the short-range wireless communication apparatus is further configured to wirelessly provide the unique identification number to the interrogating device using the second protocol.

24. The wireless communications device of claim 23, further comprising a communication port communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive a signal via a wired connection, the signal associated with data wirelessly received by the identification device.

25. A method of performing wireless communications using a wireless communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first antenna, a memory, a processing unit, and a second antenna operably coupled to an identification device, the apparatus being configured to perform wireless communications via a cellular receiver coupled to the first antenna and the processing unit using a first protocol, the method comprising:

generating a random number;

performing wireless communications via the second antenna by backscattering a radio frequency (RF) field provided by a transmitting device using the second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol; and

identifying the identification device in accordance with the second protocol;

wherein the identification device communicates the random number to the transmitting device as a part of the step of identifying.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising communicating a unique identifier associated with a user financial account.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of identifying is performed as a part of a financial transaction comprising debiting the financial account.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the financial transaction comprises a payment of a toll for use of a roadway.

29. The method of claim 25, further comprising retrieving a unique identifier associated with a user financial account from the memory;

and

communicating the unique identifier to the transmitting device;

wherein the step of communicating the unique identifier is performed as a part of a financial transaction.

30. A method of performing a financial transaction using a wireless communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first antenna, a memory, a processing unit, and a second antenna operably coupled to an identification device configured to operate in a first mode and second mode, the apparatus configured to perform wireless communications via a cellular receiver coupled to the first antenna and the processing unit using a first protocol, the method comprising:

generating a random number;

performing wireless communications via the second antenna by modulating a radio frequency (RF) field using a second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol;

communicating identification information to an interrogating device in accordance with the second protocol, the identification information comprising the random number; and

performing a financial transaction based at least in part on the step of communicating the identification information;

wherein;

in the first mode, the identification device is configured to modulate an RF field energized by the interrogating device; and

in the second mode, the identification device is configured to modulate an RF field energized by the identification device using power from a battery of the wireless communications apparatus.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the performing a financial transaction comprises communicating a unique identifier associated with a user financial account.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein, the financial transaction comprises a payment of a toll for use of a roadway.