US3886548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Responder for use in a passive identification system
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1973-10-12
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A transceiver-responder identification system which utilizes a swept frequency spectrum signal in the microwave frequency range. The energy generated by the transceiver portion is transmitted in a predetermined number of discrete frequency steps within a frequency octave. This swept spectrum signal is received by the responder portion, which doubles the stepped frequencies comprising the swept spectrum signal, and then routes the signal through a selective filter arrangement comprising a transmission line bounded by a series of directional ring filters, each filter being tuned to one of the frequencies in the swept spectrum signal. If the ring filter corresponding to a specific frequency is physically complete, the signal energy present at that frequency will be coupled into the ring and subsequently dissipated in a load. if the ring filter corresponding to a specific frequency is not physically complete, the signal energy at that frequency continues along the transmission line. This remaining signal energy is then retransmitted to the transceiver portion. By arranging complete and incomplete rings in a unique pattern for each responder in the system, each responder will then transmit a signal unique to the animal or article bearing the responder, which signal is decoded by the transceiver and converted to a corresponding digital word comprising ones and zeros. This digital word provides a common format for article identification purposes. The ones and zeros correspond to the presence or absence of return signal energy at the various frequencies originally generated and transmitted to the responder.
Inventors
- 👤 Henrie Lionel Majeau
- 👤 George Washington Fitzsimmons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/74; G01S13/75; G01S13/751; G01S13/753; B; B61; B61L; B61L25/00; B61L25/02; B61L25/04; B61L25/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A passive responder for use in an identification system using a predetermined range of frequencies for communication between a transceiver and at least one responder, comprising: first antenna means for receiving a frequency spectrum signal transmitted by said transceiver, which frequency spectrum comprises a series of successive discrete frequencies within said predetermined frequency range; a first transmission line, connected to said first antenna means, along which first transmission line said received frequency spectrum signal propagates; a plurality of coupling means comprising directional ring filters aligned axially along said first transmission line and individually tuned so as to facilitate coupling of signal energy of selected frequencies of said frequency spectrum signal into selected coupling means, resulting in signal energy at frequencies other than said selected frequencies propagating further along said first transmission line; and second antenna means coupled to said first transmission line for transmitting said other frequencies to said transceiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A passive responder for use in an identification system using a predetermined range of frequencies for communication between a transceiver and at least one responder, comprising: first antenna means for receiving a frequency spectrum signal transmitted by said transceiver, which frequency spectrum comprises a series of successive discrete frequencies within said predetermined frequency range; a first transmission line, connected to said first antenna means, along which first transmission line said received frequency spectrum signal propagates; a plurality of coupling means comprising directional ring filters aligned axially along said first transmission line and individually tuned so as to facilitate coupling of signal energy of selected frequencies of said frequency spectrum signal into selected coupling means, resulting in signal energy at frequencies other than said selected frequencies propagating further along said first transmission line; and second antenna means coupled to said first transmission line for transmitting said other frequencies to said transceiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first antenna means, said first transmission means, said plurality of coupling means and said second antenna means are located on a single, relatively thin substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, including means for changing the frequency of each of said plurality of successive discreet frequencies by a given factor, and wherein each of said plurality of ring filters is tuned to one of said changed frequencies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said frequency changing means is a frequency doubler.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus to claim 3, including a second transmission line, positioned substantially adjacent said plurality of ring filters, facilitating the coupling of signal energy present in said ring filter into said second transmission line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, including means to dissipate the energy coupled into said second transmission line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said ring filters is a relatively thin, narrow strip of material adaptable for carrying signal energy, said thin, narrow strip having a total length substantially equal to the wavelength of one of said successive discrete frequencies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein selected ring filter strips are endless strips and completely enclose a given area, said signal energy of said selected frequencies being coupled into said selected ring filter strips.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
A passive responder for use in an object identification system of the type using a spectrum of signal frequencies for information transmission between a transceiver and at least one responder, the passive responder comprising: first antenna means for receiving said spectrum of signal frequencies transmitted by said transceiver; a transmission line, connected to said first antenna means and along which said received signal frequencies propagate; at least one frequency selective coupling means aligned along and adjacent to said first transmission line, said coupling means comprising a ring filter and operative to couple one received signal frequency from said transmission line into said ring filter, said one received signal-frequency defining a first signal set, and the remaining signal frequencies on said transmission line defining a second signal set; and second antenna means for transmitting one of said first and second signal sets to said transceiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A passive responder for use in an object identification system of the type using a spectrum of signal frequencies for information transmission between a transceiver and at least one responder, the passive responder comprising: first antenna means for receiving said spectrum of signal frequencies transmitted by said transceiver; a transmission line, connected to said first antenna means and along which said received signal frequencies propagate; at least one frequency selective coupling means aligned along and adjacent to said first transmission line, said coupling means comprising a ring filter and operative to couple one received signal frequency from said transmission line into said ring filter, said one received signal-frequency defining a first signal set, and the remaining signal frequencies on said transmission line defining a second signal set; and second antenna means for transmitting one of said first and second signal sets to said transceiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus of claim 9, including a plurality of ring filters, each of said ring filters being frequency selective of one of said received signal frequencies, selected ones of which coupling means are disabled, thereby preventing coupling between said transmission line and said selected ring filters.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |