EP0578457A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A data communication system
Assignee: Plessey Semiconductors Ltd
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Filing: 1993-07-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A data communication system utilises a plurality of tags which are capable of communicating with one or more base stations for the exchange of information between them. Each tag includes an interface chip which may be arranged to interact with an on-board micro-processor and/or additional memory to give greater flexibility of operation. The interface chip permits different communication protocols to be utilised and is suitable for different applications by setting it appropriately eg. by programming it prior to use or by sending appropriate control data from a base station. In one aspect of the invention, the chip stores the identification code of the base with which it is currently communicating in a two stage register 15 which also stores the identification code of the previous base station with which it was in contact. The chip may also allow the receiver 9 to be switched off for a variable period to reduce power requirements. The delay may be set by a control signal from the base station.
Inventors
- 👤 Vaughan Neil Dr. Kitchin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:37
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10009; G06K7/10297; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06K7/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A data communication system comprising a base station (1)and at least one tag (2) capable of making data available to the base station (1), the tag (2) including a data processing circuit (5)which is adjustable to enable different protocols for communication with the base station and/or data handling functions to be selected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tag (2)is arranged to make data available to the base station (1) in response to an interrogation signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the data processing circuit is in the form of an integrated circuit (5).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the circuit (5) is adjustable by selection means (32) set prior to the tag entering operational use.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the circuit (5) is adjustable by selection means set during operation of the tag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the selection means is set by control signals transmitted to the tag from the base station.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tag includes data storage means (6) with which the data processing circuit (5) is capable of interacting.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tag includes a micro-processor (7, 26) or ASIC with which the data processing circuit (5) is capable of interacting.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
22 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tag includes means (20) for storing an identification code associated with it.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the tag identification code includes a group code which is common with group codes included in identification codes of other tags in a particular group.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 10 and including means (18, 19 20) permitting the base station to address the tag by its group code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein means (14, 39, 40) are included for changing the tag identification code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the tag identification code is changeable by a transmission from the base station.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim and including storage means (38) on the tag for storing a password.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein data representing the password stored on the tag must be transmitted by a base station to the tag to enable the identification code of the tag to be changed by the base station.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tag includes means (15)for storing a base identification code transmitted by the base (1).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the tag includes means (15, 17) for storing the identification code of a base station with which it is in communication and that of a previous base station with which it has communicated.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim and including means (22, 23) for setting a time period for which a receiver carried by the tag is made non-receptive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the delay for which the receiver (9)is made non-receptive is variable and is controlled by a command sent by the base station.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tag includes a transmitter (35)for transmitting data to the base station.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 20 including means (36)for switching the transmitter (35) into warm-up mode at a time dependent on when data has been received from the base station.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tag includes means (32, 35)for transmitting information to the base station specifying whether or not the tag includes a micro-processor or ASIC.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base station includes a data processing circuit substantially identical to the carried by the tag.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
A data communication system comprising a base station and at least one tag capable of making data available to the base station, the tag including means (15) for storing information identifying the base station with which it has been in communication.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 24 wherein information identifying the previous base station is transmitted by the tag to the current base station.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
A data communication system comprising a base station and at least one tag capable of making data available to the base station, the tag including a receiver (8) and including means (22, 23)for making the receiver non-receptive for a time period after receipt of data from the base station.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 26 wherein the time period is variable and is set by a command sent by the base station.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the tag is arranged to make data available to the base station in response to an interrogation signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tag adapted for use in a system as claimed in any preceding claim.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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