Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for secure communications of confidential information are provided. In an embodiment, a method of communicating with a population of radio frequency identification tags includes transmitting a first interrogation signal, receiving a response to the first interrogation signal from at least one RFID tag at a first received signal strength including at least a portion of a first identification code, and transmitting a second interrogation signal that includes a request for confidential information, a command to transmit a response to the second interrogation signal at a secure power level, and the first identification code. In another embodiment, a method for communicating with an RFID tag includes receiving an interrogation signal that includes a request for confidential information and transmitting a response to the interrogation signal at a secure power level. The response includes the confidential information.

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 detecting a reader signal strength in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. A tag is configured to monitor an attribute of a reader transmitted signal, such as the signal strength. The tag generates an indication of the signal attribute, and transmits the indication of the signal attribute to the reader.

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: Methods and apparatuses for secure communications of confidential information are provided. In an embodiment, a method of communicating with a population of radio frequency identification tags includes transmitting a first interrogation signal, receiving a response to the first interrogation signal from at least one RFID tag at a first received signal strength including at least a portion of a first identification code, and transmitting a second interrogation signal that includes a request for confidential information, a command to transmit a response to the second interrogation signal at a secure power level, and the first identification code. In another embodiment, a method for communicating with an RFID tag includes receiving an interrogation signal that includes a request for confidential information and transmitting a response to the interrogation signal at a secure power level. The response includes the confidential information.

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 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.