Abstract: A method for pipelined processing of access commands to a population of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is provided. The method includes transmitting a first queued access command to a first tag in the population of RFID tags, transmitting a second queued access command to a second tag in the population of RFID tags, and transmitting a status request command to the first tag. The queued access command causes the first tag to perform an operation and upon completion of the operation, to suspend transaction processing. The second queued access command is transmitted while the first tag is performing the command operation. The status request command causes the first tag to resume normal processing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for monitoring and refreshing data stored in radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described. A voltage margin for data stored in memory of a tag is checked. If the voltage margin has decreased to an undesirable level, the data stored in the tag is refreshed.

Abstract: A method for pipelined processing of access commands to a population of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is provided. The method includes transmitting a first queued access command to a first tag in the population of RFID tags, transmitting a second queued access command to a second tag in the population of RFID tags, and transmitting a status request command to the first tag. The queued access command causes the first tag to perform an operation and upon completion of the operation, to suspend transaction processing. The second queued access command is transmitted while the first tag is performing the command operation. The status request command causes the first tag to resume normal processing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for updating pointers in memory are described. A device can include pointer logic and a memory that stores a memory pointer. The pointer logic can increment or decrement the memory pointer according to Gray code. The device can increment or decrement the memory pointer in response to a pointer change command and can be configured to first verify a password associated with the command. The device can send an acknowledgement that the command has been received and/or executed. Multiple increments or decrements of the memory pointer can occur in response to a pointer change command configured as a single multiple-increment-or-decrement command or as multiple single-increment-or-decrement change commands. The device can determine an updated value for each of a first memory pointer portion and a second memory pointer portion of the memory pointer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for preventing unauthorized reading of data stored in tags are described. A non-identifying bit pattern, an identifying bit pattern, and a first passcode are stored in the tag. A read lock command is received by the tag. The tag determines whether a second passcode associated with the read lock command matches the first passcode. Read access to the identifying bit pattern is disabled if it is determined that the second passcode matches the first passcode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for monitoring and refreshing data stored in radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described. A voltage margin for data stored in memory of a tag is checked. If the voltage margin has decreased to an undesirable level, the data stored in the tag is refreshed.