Method of automatically identifying an unknown number of transponders with a reader and identification system for executing the method

Claim 1

A method of automatically identifying an unknown number of transponders with a reader, whereby the transponders are activated by an electromagnetic field generated by the reader and transmit their specific transponder data (identification data of the transponder and application-specific characteristic data) to the reader, whereby the transponders can be identified individually and successively by the reader and the transponder data are evaluated, and whereby the method comprises at least the following steps for an initial identification phase: the transponders which are located within the range of effectiveness of the electromagnetic field and activated are put into a dead state by a collision signal transmitted by the reader in which the transponders cease transmission of transponder data; each transponder generates a random or pseudo-random dead state for itself after receiving the collision signal; the transponders resume transmission of their transponder data at the end of their dead states; the reader transmits an occupied signal after receiving the data from at least one transponder as a result of the deviating dead states; the other remaining transponders are put into idle states in which they no longer transmit transponder data due to the occupied signal; after reception of the complete transponder data from the individual transponder, the reader transmits an acknowledge signal; the transponder which has been identified is put into an idle state by the acknowledge signal in which it ceases transmission of transponder data for the first identification phase; and the other transponders in idle states are reactivated and the steps described above are repeated until all transponders have been identified individually and successively by the reader.

Claim 2

A method of automatically identifying an unknown number of transponders with a reader, whereby the transponders are activated by an electromagnetic field generated by the reader and transmit their specific transponder data (identification data of the transponder and application-specific characteristic data) to the reader, whereby the transponders can be identified individually and successively by the reader and the transponder data are evaluated, and whereby the method comprises at least the following steps for an initial identification phase: the transponders which are located within the range of effectiveness of the electromagnetic field and activated are put into a dead state by a collision signal transmitted by the reader in which the transponders cease transmission of transponder data; each transponder generates a random or pseudo-random dead state for itself after receiving the collision signal; the transponders resume transmission of their transponder data at the end of their dead states; the reader transmits an occupied signal after receiving the data from at least one transponder as a result of the deviating dead states; the other remaining transponders are put into idle states in which they no longer transmit transponder data due to the occupied signal; after reception of the complete transponder data from the individual transponder, the reader transmits an acknowledge signal; the transponder which has been identified is put into an idle state by the acknowledge signal in which it ceases transmission of transponder data for the first identification phase; and the other transponders in idle states are reactivated and the steps described above are repeated until all transponders have been identified individually and successively by the reader.