Interrogation Signal Detail Patents (Class 340/10.3)
  • Patent number: 8493180
    Abstract: A radio system for sensing the spatial configuration of a physical object comprising a transmitter (102) which sends a query message to a transponder (104) having at least one antenna (106). A radio frequency shield (108) is moveably interposable between the transmitter and one or more antennas and thereby attenuates the signal strength of the query message received at an antenna. In any state of spatial configuration of the physical object, the transponder is able to receive the query message and, in reply, send a response message containing data determined according to the signal strength of the query message received at the one or more antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus F. J. Fontijn
  • Patent number: 8493186
    Abstract: The reader/writer repeatedly reads data, which is stored in an IC tag existing in an area where communication with the reader/writer can be established, from the IC tag in a noncontact method. The reader/writer transmits the read data to the administrative device. The administrative device generates read data which shows the result of reading in chronologic order and generates feature data indicative of the feature of the result of reading on the basis of the generated time series data. An IC tag is sorted as a target tag or an unnecessary tag by sorting the read data as necessary data or unnecessary data on the basis of the generated feature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Sugano, Kazuki Matsui, Hideto Kihara
  • Patent number: 8493185
    Abstract: Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for reading RFID transponders utilizing readers in which the Q-factor of the resonant antenna of the reader shifts over the course of the reader's interrogation cycle in response to the detection of data from FDX and HDX RFID transponders in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment having a dynamically adjustable Q-factor, wherein the reader transmits an activation signal configured to activate half duplex and full duplex transponders includes a signal source configured to drive a resonant antenna and a dynamic switching circuit configured to set the Q-factor of the resonant antenna to a first value during the transmission of the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Aleis Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Leigh Bateman
  • Patent number: 8493181
    Abstract: There is provided a sensor tag device capable of detecting event data by a sensor tag all the time even when no radio wave is received, saving power supply for a microprocessor, and enlarging the radio communication distance. The sensor tag device includes generation means 6 and 7 using one or more environmental changes, power supply voltage rise control means 8, and power supply synthesis means 9, and power is supplied to a microprocessor 12 and event data is stored in the microprocessor 12 when an event, i.e., an environmental change has occurred. A power receiving circuit having a transmission/reception antenna, a built-in power receiving circuit, and the microprocessor and capable of bi-directional communication by radio waves is combined with a stab resonance RF boost circuit and a ladder boost rectification circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kitayoshi, Kunio Sawaya
  • Patent number: 8493187
    Abstract: A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits a narrowband, fixed frequency excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The ring signal corresponds to the value of the physical parameter being sensed. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined. The low power, simple circuitry required to generate the excitation pulse allows the reader to be a small, battery operated unit. Alternative methods of frequency determination are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Endotronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry D. Rowland, Roger Dwight Walking, Balamurugan Sundaram, Bryan Paul, In Soo Ahn, Michael Nagy
  • Patent number: 8482387
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for judging a movement direction of an RFID tag in a case where read information acquired from a first region and read information acquired in a second region which overlap the first region indicate that the RFID tag has moved out of a part of the first region which part does not overlap the second region. The described embodiments include a movement direction judging section, a detection frequency information acquisition section, a movement judging section, an output judging section, and an output section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Naomasa Iwahashi
  • Patent number: 8482383
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing relay attack on a passive entry system (PES) or other passive system (PS) included within a vehicle or other entity. The relay attack prevention may be based in part on an assessment of whether the fob is able to distinguish signal strength relative to messages communicated form different antennas within the vehicle and/or amongst different signal amplitude communicated from the same antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Nikolay Yakovenko, Hilton W. Girard
  • Patent number: 8477007
    Abstract: A network includes a client and an appliance configured to perform an operation cycle on an article using a consumable. Information associated with the consumable can be exchanged between the appliance and the client across the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. McCoy, Andre O. Pires
  • Patent number: 8471683
    Abstract: A vehicle tracking system and method of tracking vehicles in multiple traffic lanes is disclosed. One system includes an RFID reader including a plurality of antenna ports. The system also includes a first antenna connected to a first antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports, the first antenna oriented toward a first lane of traffic. The system further includes a second antenna connected to the first antenna port and oriented toward a second lane of traffic. The system also includes a third antenna connected to a second antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports, the third antenna oriented toward the first lane of traffic. In some cases, the RFID reader is configured to detect the existence of a vehicle in a lane based on detection of an RFID device associated with the vehicle at two or more of the plurality of antenna ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Bruce B. Roesner
  • Patent number: 8466775
    Abstract: An electronic label authenticating method is provided, the method includes: the electronic label receives an accessing authenticating request group sent by a reader-writer, the group carries a first parameter selected by the reader-writer; the electronic label sends a response group of the accessing authenticating to the reader-writer, the response group of the accessing authenticating includes the first parameter and a second parameter selected by the electronic label; the electronic label receives an acknowledgement group of the accessing authenticating feed back by the reader-writer; the electronic label validates the acknowledgement group of the accessing authenticating. An electronic label authenticating system is also provided, the system includes a reader-writer and an electronic label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: China Iwncomm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liaojun Pang, Manxia Tie, Xiaolong Lai, Zhenhai Huang
  • Patent number: 8456281
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-contact IC medium communication device (1) capable of detecting a non-contact IC medium (25) in a desired area with a simple configuration, by obtaining, from each of separate read areas, identification information of the non-contact IC medium that exists within the read area and a signal level of a reception signal received from the non-contact IC medium, the identification information and the signal level being associated with each other, performing difference operation or division with respect to respective signal levels of reception signals from the separate read areas, for each of the identification information, to obtain a composite signal level, and extracting the identification information whose composite signal level falls within a predetermined threshold range. The present invention further provides a method thereof, a program thereof, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekatsu Nogami
  • Patent number: 8450017
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with RFID sensors includes the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system and an RFID data processing system. The RFID data processing system captures data of the temperature and flow rate from the RFID sensors, while the system data are in turn converted into RFID signals. The RFID data processing system transmits a control signal generated from the RFID signal to control the operation of the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system. Since the RFID transmission technology, the sensor error caused by wires is consequently reduced. Furthermore, overall sensitivity and accuracy of the RFID sensors are increased, which leads to an accompanying increase in the stability of the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: To-Wei Huang, Ting-Kuan Li, Zhan-Yi Lin, Yu-Ming Sun, Chi-Bin Wu
  • Patent number: 8451092
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel are disclosed. The invention is well suited to use with radio frequency identification with interrogation devices and systems that identify radio frequency identification transponders. A depth-first tree traversal protocol algorithm, including commands and symbols, is used to more efficiently interrogate a plurality of transponders in a short amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Etag Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hulvey
  • Patent number: 8451098
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention combine a passive RFID tag with a manually switchable battery for additional transmit range when needed. In some embodiments, connecting the battery may also modify the contents of the data transmitted from the RFID tag. This feature may be particularly useful in applications in which a device generally only needs to identify itself as being in a small area, but may occasionally need to send out an alert with greater range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua Posamentier
  • Patent number: 8451096
    Abstract: An RFID read/write station includes read/write equipment with a transmitter, a receiver, a processor unit, and at least one read/write antenna. A first passive electronic tag is coupled via a first coupling element to an output from the transmitter and an input to the receiver with a pre-set coefficient of coupling, while a second passive electronic tag is coupled to a read/write antenna through a second coupling element with a pre-set coefficient of coupling. For the purpose of periodically or aperiodically monitoring the RFID read/write station, an identification of the first and second tags can be made and/or the data content of which can be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventor: Roland Küng
  • Patent number: 8446256
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for multiplexing radio frequency signals. In some implementations, a system includes a host coupling module, a plurality of antennas, and a processing module. The host coupling module is configured to receive and transmit RF signals through a wired connection. The plurality of antennas are configured to wirelessly transmit RF signals and receive RF signals from RFID tags. The processing module is configured to selectively switch between the plurality of antennas for communication with the RFID tags using the host coupling module and backscatter at least a portion of the received RF signals through the wired connection to communicate information independent of an internal power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sirit Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Pinkham
  • Patent number: 8446260
    Abstract: A group proving method includes the following steps. First, a query command is broadcasted to radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, each of which responds the query command with tag identification data. Next, a first round parameter is generated and broadcasted according to the tag identification data, and each RFID tag responds the first round parameter with a first response parameter. Then, a second round parameter is generated and broadcasted according to the first response parameter, and each RFID tag determines whether the second round parameter is received in a predetermined period after the first round parameter was received and whether the first and second round parameters correspond to each other. If so, each RFID tag updates its tag key according to a random number parameter and outputs a second response parameter. Thereafter, group proving data are generated according to the above-mentioned data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Wei-Chih Ting
  • Patent number: 8446254
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described which are useful for determining a location characteristic between an RFID tag and an RFID tag reader or a second RFID tag. In various embodiments, signals backscattered from a singulated tag over a range of frequencies are evaluated for in-phase I and in-quadrature Q signal components. The I-Q data is processed to determine phase delay angles associated with each signal frequency. The phase delay data can be processed by a sum of squared errors method or Fourier transform method to determine a distance to the singulated tag. The methods can also be used to determine any of a location, a radial velocity, a directional velocity of the singulated tag, and proximity of the singulated tag to a second tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ThingMagic, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Carrick, Yael G. Maguire
  • Patent number: 8446259
    Abstract: A method of authentication of a terminal generating a magnetic field, by a transponder including an oscillating circuit from which a D.C. voltage is generated, wherein the transponder: receives first data relative to the current in an oscillating circuit of the terminal, measured by the terminal for a first value of the resistive load of the transponder; and exploits these first data and second data relative to the level of said D.C. voltage, respectively measured for the first resistive load value and for a second resistive load value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Luc Wuidart
  • Patent number: 8442433
    Abstract: An article (100) has a device (122), and a radio frequency identification (RFID) module (102) coupled to the device. The RFID module is programmed to receive (210) provisioning instructions from a wireless source (142), and transfer (212) to the device the provisioning instructions when said device is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Feng Wang, Huitao Liu
  • Patent number: 8441355
    Abstract: A host article and electronic tag assembly includes an article portion of rubber-based material composition. The electronic device and antenna attach to or are embedded within the article portion. The antenna is constructed to be flexible and at least partially composed of a flexible conductive material such as conductive rubber. The flexible antenna conductive material is selected to provide material composition properties substantially equivalent to the rubber-based article portion, whereby rendering the antenna mechanically compatible for incorporation into the article portion. A change in compression within the rubber-based article portion changes compression forces exerted from the article portion on the antenna arms which, in turn, results in a detectable change in signal strength from the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: John Michael Fenkanyn
  • Patent number: 8436714
    Abstract: Specialized battery assisted command set design methods are disclosed that provide for interference rejection using highly sensitive but relatively broadband RFID tags. The command set design also supports RFID system RF power control for further interference control. The command set design also allows for convenient expansion to active transmitters and receivers in tags operating within the same system. Embodiments of the present invention provide RFID systems having battery-assisted, Semi-Passive RFID tags that operate with sensitive transistor based square law tag receivers utilizing a plurality of tag receiver dynamic range states. Additional enhancement attained via power leveling methods that optimize the amount of transmitted power and interference from a reader in relation to the sensitivity of the RFID tags, their ranges from the reader, and the unique physics of the backscatter RFID radio link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Intelleflex Corporation
    Inventors: Alfonso Rodriguez, Farron Dacus, Johannes Albertus van Niekerk
  • Patent number: 8432285
    Abstract: A multi-mode RFID tag includes a power generating and signal detection module, a baseband processing module, a transmit section, a configurable coupling circuit, and an antenna section. In near field mode, the configurable coupling circuit is operable to couple the transmit section to a coil or inductor in the configurable coupling circuit to transmit an outbound transmit signal using electromagnetic or inductive coupling to an RFID reader. In far field mode, the configurable coupling circuit is operable to couple the transmit section to the antenna section, and the multi-mode RFID tag then utilizes a back-scattering RF technology to transmit the outbound transmit signal to RFID readers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran, Amin Shameli
  • Patent number: 8432253
    Abstract: Active RFID technologies are used to tag assets and people within buildings or open areas, such as parking lots or military bases; and to identify, preferably within a few meters, the real-time location (RTL) of the tag, i.e. to create a real-time location system, known as an RTLS. A novel and complex algorithm is provided that combines signal strength computations with factors that incorporate physical realities, such as walls and floors, to determine a tag's real-time location more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Al-Qemmah Letechnologia Al-Ma'Loumat Co. (SIMTIX)
    Inventors: Robert Ainsbury, Immad Adawiya, Khalid Omar
  • Patent number: 8432265
    Abstract: A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits an excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Endotronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry D. Rowland, Roger Dwight Watkins, Balamurugan Sundaram
  • Patent number: 8427279
    Abstract: A multi-protocol RFID interrogating system employs a synchronization technique (step-lock) for a backscatter RFID system that allows simultaneous operation of closely spaced interrogators. The multi-protocol RFID interrogating system can communicate with backscatter transponders having different output protocols and with active transponders including: Title 21 compliant RFID backscatter transponders; IT2000 RFID backscatter transponders that provide an extended mode capability beyond Title 21; EGO™ RFID backscatter transponders, SEGO™ RFID backscatter transponders; ATA, ISO, ANSI AAR compliant RFID backscatter transponders; and IAG compliant active technology transponders. The system implements a step-lock operation, whereby adjacent interrogators are synchronized to ensure that all downlinks operate within the same time frame and all uplinks operate within the same time frame, to eliminate downlink on uplink interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, Steven J. Catanach, Robert W. Tiernay, Joseph H. Kao, Michael Melville
  • Patent number: 8427281
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses an apparatus for reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tag information configured to perform information transmission and reception with a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements having an IC circuit part storing information and a tag antenna connected to the IC circuit part, comprising: a first movement detecting portion configured to detect a moving state of the apparatus for reading RFID tag information; a transmitting portion configured to generate a reading command to acquire the information stored in the IC circuit part and to transmit the command to the RFID tag circuit element; and a first reading control portion configured to control the number of reading trial times per unit time using the reading command by the transmitting portion according to a detection result of the first movement detecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Tsujimoto, Takuya Nagai
  • Patent number: 8421601
    Abstract: Devices, systems, processes, and articles of manufacture are provided herein. These may include an RFID transponder having a microprocessor, nonvolatile memory, a battery, and an antenna, wherein the microprocessor is configured to operate in a passive mode and a battery operated mode, and wherein, when in the passive mode only a portion of the microprocessor may be powered by energy received from an RFID reader interrogating the RFID transponder. The RFID transponder may further include MEMS sensors coupled to the microprocessor and the microprocessor may be further configured to add physical data, instructions, or a unique identifier of the RFID transponder to the nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Greenlee, Christian Lee Hunt, Steven Michael Miller, Anne Irene Ryan
  • Patent number: 8416060
    Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Strzelczyk, Sean Connolly, Mark Duron
  • Patent number: 8416062
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving RFID tag reading. The apparatus includes a substrate element having a predetermined active area, and a plurality of resonant elements each having a resonant frequency, a quality factor, and a response band. The resonant elements are distributed within the predetermined active area of the substrate element for scattering interrogation electromagnetic waves radiated thereupon from the RFID reader. At least one resonant element has a null-direction thereof orientated in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a line extending from a center of the resonant element to a center of an antenna of the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. Austin
  • Patent number: 8410911
    Abstract: A RFID network system which allows the use of simple and low cost, reduced functionality RFID readers/writers thanks to the use of a plurality of concentrators which allow to distribute the processing work related to the reading, writing and verification of each reader, thus optimizing the use of each system component and achieving high processing velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: RFID Mexico, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Antonio Vidaurri Ojeda, Rafael Guillermo Ramos Elizondo
  • Patent number: 8410929
    Abstract: A remote starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a remote start handheld unit. A remote start controller may be positioned at the vehicle for starting the engine based upon the remote start handheld unit and causing the engine to run for a run time period before shutting off the vehicle engine. The remote start controller is resettable based upon the remote start handheld unit to cause the engine to run for an additional run time period while the engine is still running and before shutting off the engine. The remote start handheld unit includes an audible indicator for providing an audible indication to a user prior to expiration of the run time period to permit a user to use the remote start handheld unit to reset the run time period while the engine is still running and before shutting off the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Flick, Michael Stephen Thompson
  • Publication number: 20130076491
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention a system for commissioning devices is provided, which system comprises: a first device and a second device; an RFID tag comprised in the first device; a host processor comprised in the first device; wherein the second device is arranged to generate an electromagnetic field; wherein the RFID tag is arranged to detect the electromagnetic field and to wake up the host processor upon detecting said electromagnetic field in order for the second device to communicate with the host processor. Furthermore, a corresponding method for commissioning devices is provided. Since the RFID tag comprised in the first device is arranged to wake up the host processor, an end-user does not have to switch on the first device manually. Therefore, the user interaction is simplified. Furthermore, there is no need for a separate power button on the first device. The latter reduces cost and simplifies the design of the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: NX B.V.
    Inventor: NX B.V.
  • Patent number: 8400272
    Abstract: A method and device enables improving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method includes generating a continuous wave (CW) carrier signal at the reader device (step 505). An amplitude modulation (AM) noise component of the CW carrier signal is then detected (step 510). The AM noise component is inverted to an inverted noise signal (step 515), and the inverted noise signal is summed with the CW carrier signal to provide an AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 520). The AM noise cancelled carrier signal is then transmitted from an antenna of the reader device (step 525), and the backscatter signal is received at the reader device in response to transmission of the AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 530).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Duron, Sean A. Connolly, Richard T. Knadle, Martin Strzelczyk
  • Patent number: 8400289
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tire pressure monitoring system for motor vehicles, including a central unit (2, 7) with at least one trigger module (4), which is integrated into the central unit or connects through control lines (3) to the central unit, and with at least one tire module (6) arranged in a vehicle wheel (5), with the tire module being in communication with the central unit and the trigger module by means of wireless transmission technology, and with the tire pressure monitoring system including fewer trigger modules than tire modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co, OHG
    Inventors: Andreas Heise, Jens Bachon, Stefan Kammann, Ralf Hartmann, Wolfgang Erler, Markus Neumann, Marco Bös, Peter Säger
  • Patent number: 8400281
    Abstract: A wireless identification system can include a directed-energy device configured as a reader. The reader can include a charged particle generator configured to generate energized particles and a charge transformer configured to receive the energized particles that include charged particles from the charged particle generator and to output a wavefront including energized particles that include particles having substantially zero charge. The system can also include an identification tag configured to be activated when impinged by the wavefront from the reader so as to transmit a signal configured to be used by the reader. A method of using a directed-energy device as a tag reader in a wireless identification system can include generating a wavefront that includes particles at substantially zero charge, impinging an identification tag with the wavefront so as to activate the identification tag so as to send a signal and detecting a signal transmitted by the identification tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kaonetics Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Cornwell
  • Patent number: 8395488
    Abstract: A method for storing or reading data in a memory array of a transponder and a corresponding transponder, read/write device and program element is described. Therein, a data structure for storing data within the memory array is defined by a predetermined protocol. The data structure comprises: a header data block including predefined header data; an application data block for storing application data; and a terminator data block for indicating that, in accordance with the predetermined protocol, no data are stored within the memory array behind the terminator data block. The method for storing data comprises storing additional application data within the memory array behind the terminator data block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Francesco Gallo, Hauke Meyn
  • Patent number: 8395487
    Abstract: In a circuit for a data carrier, which data carrier comprise a sensor that is designed for providing a sensor signal that represents an environment parameter and a communication element that is designed for the contact-less communication with an interrogator station, first connection elements for connecting the circuit to the communication element and second connection elements for establishing an electronic connection of the circuit to the sensor are provided, wherein the second connection elements are realized by the first connection elements and wherein the circuit comprises a sensor signal processing stage designed for receiving said sensor signal via the first connection element and for processing said received sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Achim Hilgers
  • Patent number: 8395482
    Abstract: RFID systems are disclosed that include at least one RFID receiver system and a distributed exciter architecture. The exciters can be connected via wired and/or wireless connections to the RFID receiver system and the RFID receiver system can control the activation of the exciters to detect the presence of RFID tags within interrogation spaces defined by the exciter topology. In several embodiments, the RFID receiver system performs location estimation to determine the interrogation space in which a specific RFID tag or collection of RFID tags is located. One embodiment of the invention includes an RFID receiver system configured to detect information from RFID tags within a receive coverage area, and a plurality of exciters defining a plurality of interrogation spaces within the receive coverage area of the RFID receiver system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mojix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramin Sadr, John Gevargiz, Robert Lee, Majid Manteghi, Gordon Oliver, Mike Collender, Christopher Jones, Hasan Syed
  • Patent number: 8395483
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the power of an electronic reader device is provided. The system for controlling the power of an electronic reader device may comprise a computing apparatus that may receive a command from a host system to change the power state a power controller. The system may also comprise a computing apparatus that may adjust the power state of the power controller by using one or more registers. The system may further comprise a computing apparatus that may adjust the power of one or more power supplies. The system may additionally comprise a computing apparatus that may instruct a display controller to perform an operation based on the change of the power state of the power controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventors: Garth Conboy, Mark Foster, Vincent Le Chevalier, John Rivlin, Khin Zaw
  • Patent number: 8390456
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, where the passive RFID tag contains an RF network node and communication facility. The RF network node includes an RF and analog block for receiving and transmitting an RFID reader signal, a data processing and controller block for digital information processing, a memory store, and a power management block for managing power requirements of the RF network node. The communication facility communicates at least in part with an external display facility. The distribution of power to the RF network node functional blocks is controlled using the power management block to select between an extended operational time and an increase in available functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tego Inc.
    Inventors: David Puleston, Robert W. Hamlin, Steven Benoit, Leonid Mats
  • Patent number: 8390431
    Abstract: RFID reader systems, readers, components, software and methods cause RFID tags to backscatter a combination made from at least portions of a first code and a second code, without transmitting any commands in the interim. The first and/or second codes may include a tag response to a reader challenge. In a number of embodiments, a separate command does not have to be sent for reading the second code along with the first code, thereby saving time in inventorying the tags. Plus, the combination can enable reading tag codes during tag manufacturing that are not otherwise readily available to read in the field. In some embodiments, the combination may further include one or more error-checking codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Diorio
  • Patent number: 8384523
    Abstract: Specialized battery assisted command set design methods are disclosed that provide for interference rejection using highly sensitive but relatively broadband RFID tags. The command set design also supports RFID system RF power control for further interference control. The command set design also allows for convenient expansion to active transmitters and receivers in tags operating within the same system. Embodiments of the present invention provide RFID systems having battery-assisted, Semi-Passive RFID tags that operate with sensitive transistor based square law tag receivers utilizing a plurality of tag receiver dynamic range states. Embodiments of the present invention are also enhanced with receiver training and synchronizing methods suited to the high tag sensitivity and need for dynamic range state switching. These enhancements may employ pseudo-random sequence based receiver training, activation signaling, and frame synchronizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Intelleflex Corporation
    Inventors: Alfonso Rodriquez, Farron Dacus, Johannes Albertus van Niekerk
  • Patent number: 8384524
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to wireless detection systems. In one illustrative embodiment, a wireless detection system includes a plurality of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, and an electronic reader for interrogating the plurality of SAW sensors. In some instances, each of the surface acoustic wave based sensors includes an integrated sensor coil. The electronic reader may include a plurality of reader coils and a controller. The controller may be configured to interrogate the plurality of surface acoustic wave based sensors using a time division interrogation. In some cases, each of the plurality of reader coils is inductively coupled to only one of the integrated coils of the SAW sensors at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Cornel Cobianu, Ion Georgescu, Cazimir Bostan
  • Patent number: 8378789
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking items automatically is described. A passive RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag is used with a material tracking system capable of real-time pinpoint location and identification of thousands of items in production and storage areas. Passive RFID tags are attached to the item to be tracked, remote sensing antennas are placed at each remote location to be monitored, interrogators with several antenna inputs are connected to the sensing antennas to multiplex the antenna signals, and a host computer communicates with the interrogators to determine item locations to an exacting measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Scott E. Moore
  • Patent number: 8368517
    Abstract: A system and method for RFID privacy-preserving authentication is disclosed. The method first has a reader sending a request and a first random number to a tag. The tag then generates a second random number. A plurality of hash values are then computed at the tag. Each hash value uses the first random number, the second random number and at least one part of a key of the tag as inputs. The second random number and the computed hash values are then sent to the reader. Lastly, the reader identifies a validity of the tag from the received values. The hash values are all generated in parallel and are independent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hong Kong R&D Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Li Lu, Yunhao Liu, Jinsong Han
  • Patent number: 8368511
    Abstract: There is provided a method for monitoring a package for storage and/or transport of at least one item. An exemplary method comprises receiving at a transmission unit measured data about properties of the item and/or about influences on the item via at least two sensors. The exemplary method also comprises executing via the transmission unit a decision of a logical node of a logistics system about a selection of data transmitted to a receiving unit. The exemplary method additionally comprises sending information about the desired selection of data from a control unit to the transmission unit. Finally, the exemplary method comprises enabling a user to make a selection relating to types of data to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 8368514
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method of operating the device. The device receives a first signal having a first frequency and a predetermined signal strength and retransmits a signal after a latency period and during a time period. The device comprises an oscillation circuit operating in a sub-threshold area in a meta-stable, first mode of operation. When the first signal is received, the oscillation circuit is trigged and passes to an active mode in a second mode of operation, wherein the circuit oscillates. Finally, the device is reset to the first mode of operation. The device may have an identity, which is used for the purpose of the system, which may be an RFID system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: LeptonRadio AB
    Inventors: Per-Arne Wiberg, Urban Bilstrup
  • Patent number: 8362879
    Abstract: Provided are a reader-tag integrated RFID apparatus and a method for controlling the same. The apparatus includes a tag unit for communicating with an external reader, and transmitting a response signal and data corresponding to a signal transmitted from the external reader to the external reader, a reader unit for selecting a channel between other reader and the reader-tag integrated RFID apparatus with a different delay time, and communicating with an external tag using a random value to minimize collision; and a controller for selectively activating one of the tag unit and the reader unit if it necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Ji-Hoon Bae, Chan-Won Park, Dong-Han Lee, Hee-Sook Mo, Gil-Young Choi, Cheol-Sig Pyo, Jong-Suk Chae
  • Patent number: 8362881
    Abstract: A method for storing or reading data in a memory array of a transponder and a corresponding transponder, read/write device and program element is described. Therein, a data structure for storing data within the memory array is defined by a predetermined protocol. The data structure comprises: a header data block including predefined header data; an application data block for storing application data; a memory control data block including a reservation indicator for indicating a reserved partial memory area of the memory array where, in accordance with the predetermined protocol, application data cannot be read or written by a protocol compliant reader device. The method for storing data comprises storing additional application data in the reserved partial memory area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Francesco Gallo, Hauke Meyn