US5929801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for repeating interrogations until failing to receive unintelligible responses to identify plurality of transponders by an interrogator
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-11
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Granted: 1999-07-27
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Expires: 2017-07-11
Abstract
Abstract A novel addressing scheme for an RF-ID system or LAN network is presented in which an interrogator(reader) addresses a set of transponders, each transponder in this set having a common addressing scheme, and the addressed transponders respond only upon the matching of their own address with the received addressing scheme. The addressing scheme comprises a fixed size sub-address and a variable size mask. For example, assuming that the transponder address is 32 bits, the implementation of the addressing scheme can choose 4 bits for the size of the sub-address and 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 bits for the size of the mask. By varying the addressing scheme according to the algorithm in FIG. 4, the reader will in time interrogate all the transponders individually, thus receiving their unique address and achieving the requested exhaustive inventory.
Inventors
- 👤 Konstantin O. Aslanidis
- 👤 Alain Berthon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L61/00; G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10009; G06K7/10019; G06K7/10029; H04L2101/00; H04L2101/60; H04L2101/604
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of identifying a multitude of transponders within a given interrogation field of an RF-ID system comprising the steps of: transmitting a first series of powering interrogation pulses comprised of addresses for enabling the transponders, wherein said transponders have unique identification codes and have an address assimilated from at least one bit of said identification code and respond if said address matches said address transmitted from an interrogator; listening for responses from said transponders and upon receipt of unintelligible responses at some addresses, then storing said addresses in said memory; transmitting a second series of powering interrogation pulses comprised of addresses wherein said addresses comprise a concatenation of a mask and a sub-address, and said mask comprises one of said stored addresses and said sub-address comprises a successive series of addresses; listening for responses from said transponders and upon receipt of unintelligible responses at some addresses comprised of said concatenation of said mask and sub-address, then storing said addresses comprised of a concatenation of said mask and sub-addresses in said memory; and wherein said steps of listening for responses and receipt of unintelligible responses at some address and storing said concatenation of said mask and sub-address which comprise said address and said step of transmission of a series of interrogation pulses comprised of addresses wherein said addresses comprises a concatenation of said mask and sub-address wherein said mask comprises one of said stored addresses and said sub-address comprises a successive series of addresses repeats until the interrogator fails to receive an unintelligible response.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of identifying a multitude of transponders within a given interrogation field of an RF-ID system comprising the steps of: transmitting a first series of powering interrogation pulses comprised of addresses for enabling the transponders, wherein said transponders have unique identification codes and have an address assimilated from at least one bit of said identification code and respond if said address matches said address transmitted from an interrogator; listening for responses from said transponders and upon receipt of unintelligible responses at some addresses, then storing said addresses in said memory; transmitting a second series of powering interrogation pulses comprised of addresses wherein said addresses comprise a concatenation of a mask and a sub-address, and said mask comprises one of said stored addresses and said sub-address comprises a successive series of addresses; listening for responses from said transponders and upon receipt of unintelligible responses at some addresses comprised of said concatenation of said mask and sub-address, then storing said addresses comprised of a concatenation of said mask and sub-addresses in said memory; and wherein said steps of listening for responses and receipt of unintelligible responses at some address and storing said concatenation of said mask and sub-address which comprise said address and said step of transmission of a series of interrogation pulses comprised of addresses wherein said addresses comprises a concatenation of said mask and sub-address wherein said mask comprises one of said stored addresses and said sub-address comprises a successive series of addresses repeats until the interrogator fails to receive an unintelligible response.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said successive series of addresses comprises the addresses from 0 to 2 sub-address-size -1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the interrogator transmits a fixed size sub-address and a variable size mask.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3, wherein with each transmission of said interrogation pulses, said mask size increases.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising step of determining an amount of time it takes to identify T transponders is 0.4*T*Selective -- Poll -- Command -- time+T* transponder -- response -- time, wherein transponder -- response -- time is the amount of time it takes for a transponder to respond and Selective Poll Command time is the duration of the interrogation powering pulse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first series of interrogation pulses, mask size is null.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said mask size increases as a result of collisions resulting at some collision addresses wherein said collision addresses are comprised of a concatenation of said mask and sub-address, and said concatenation of mask and sub-address becomes the mask for the next series of interrogation pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said sub-addresses are also assimilated from at least one bit of said transponder identification code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein upon being identified, said transponder receives a quiet command along with it's address for disabling said transponder until further notice.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
220 words
A method of identifying a multitude of transponders within a given interrogation field of an RF-ID system comprising the steps of: transmitting a powering interrogation pulse and addresses within an interrogation field to transponders within said field for enabling the transponders, wherein said transponders have unique identification codes and have an address assimilated from at least one bit of said identification code and respond if said address matches said address transmitted from an interrogator; listening for responses from said transponders and upon receipt of an unintelligible response, transmitting a command instructing said transponders in said field as yet unidentified to use as a sub-address a different set of bits within said identification code; transmitting a powering interrogation pulse and a successive series of addresses within an interrogation field to transponders within said field for enabling the transponders; listening for responses from said transponders wherein said transponders respond upon receipt of said address from said interrogator which matches said transponder's sub-address, and; wherein said listening for responses and receipt of unintelligible responses and transmission of said command instructing said transponders in said field as yet unidentified to use as a sub-address a different set of bits within said identification code than previously used and transmission of a successive series of addresses repeats until the interrogator fails to receive an unintelligible response.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
220 words
A method of identifying a multitude of transponders within a given interrogation field of an RF-ID system comprising the steps of: transmitting a powering interrogation pulse and addresses within an interrogation field to transponders within said field for enabling the transponders, wherein said transponders have unique identification codes and have an address assimilated from at least one bit of said identification code and respond if said address matches said address transmitted from an interrogator; listening for responses from said transponders and upon receipt of an unintelligible response, transmitting a command instructing said transponders in said field as yet unidentified to use as a sub-address a different set of bits within said identification code; transmitting a powering interrogation pulse and a successive series of addresses within an interrogation field to transponders within said field for enabling the transponders; listening for responses from said transponders wherein said transponders respond upon receipt of said address from said interrogator which matches said transponder's sub-address, and; wherein said listening for responses and receipt of unintelligible responses and transmission of said command instructing said transponders in said field as yet unidentified to use as a sub-address a different set of bits within said identification code than previously used and transmission of a successive series of addresses repeats until the interrogator fails to receive an unintelligible response.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said successive series of addresses comprise the addresses from 0 to 2 sub-address-size -1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the interrogator transmits a fixed size address and a variable position mask.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein with each transmission of said interrogation pulses, said mask position changes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said sub-addresses are also assimilated from at least one bit of said transponder identification code.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein upon being identified, said transponder receives a quiet command along with it's address for disabling said transponder until further notice.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of identifying a multitude of remote units within a given network in a data information transfer system comprising the steps of: polling said network comprised of a command center and remote stations with a particular address of at least one station, wherein said stations have unique identification codes and have an address assimilated from at least one bit of said identification code and respond if said address matches said address transmitted from said command center; receiving an unintelligible response indicative of more than one station having said particular address; transmitting a command instructing said stations on said network as yet unidentified to use as a sub-address a different set of bits within said identification code; transmitting a successive series of addresses; polling for responses from said stations wherein said stations respond upon receipt of said address from said command center which matches said station's sub-address; wherein said polling for responses and receipt of unintelligible responses and transmission of said command instructing said stations in said field as yet unidentified to use as a sub-address a different set of bits within said identification code than previously used and transmission of a successive series of addresses repeats until the command center fails to receive an unintelligible response.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of identifying a multitude of remote units within a given network in a data information transfer system comprising the steps of: polling said network comprised of a command center and remote stations with a particular address of at least one station, wherein said stations have unique identification codes and have an address assimilated from at least one bit of said identification code and respond if said address matches said address transmitted from said command center; receiving an unintelligible response indicative of more than one station having said particular address; transmitting a command instructing said stations on said network as yet unidentified to use as a sub-address a different set of bits within said identification code; transmitting a successive series of addresses; polling for responses from said stations wherein said stations respond upon receipt of said address from said command center which matches said station's sub-address; wherein said polling for responses and receipt of unintelligible responses and transmission of said command instructing said stations in said field as yet unidentified to use as a sub-address a different set of bits within said identification code than previously used and transmission of a successive series of addresses repeats until the command center fails to receive an unintelligible response.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein said successive series of addresses comprise the addresses from 0 to 2 sub-address-size -1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the command center transmits a fixed size address and a variable position mask.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein with each transmission of said command, said mask position changes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein said successive series of addresses are also assimilated from at least one bit of said station identification code.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein upon being identified, said station receives a quiet command along with it's address for disabling said station until further notice.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
262 words
A method of identifying a multitude of remote units within a given network in a data information transfer system comprising the steps of: polling said network comprised of a command center and remote stations with a particular address of at least one station, wherein said stations have unique identification codes and have an address assimilated from at least one bit of said identification code and respond if said address matches said address transmitted from said command center; listening for responses from said stations and upon receipt of unintelligible responses at some addresses, then storing said addresses in said memory; transmitting a second series of polls pulses comprised of addresses wherein said addresses comprise a concatenation of a mask and a sub-address, and said mask comprises one of said stored addresses and said sub-address comprises a successive series of addresses; listening for responses from said stations and upon receipt of unintelligible responses at some addresses comprised of said concatenation of said mask and sub-address, then storing said addresses comprised of a concatenation of said mask and sub-addresses in said memory; and wherein said steps of listening for responses and receipt of unintelligible responses at some address and storing said concatenation of said mask and sub-address which comprise said address and said step of transmission of a series of interrogation pulses comprised of addresses wherein said addresses comprises a concatenation of said mask and sub-address wherein said mask comprises one of said stored addresses and said sub-address comprises a successive series of addresses repeats until the command center fails to receive an unintelligible response.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
262 words
A method of identifying a multitude of remote units within a given network in a data information transfer system comprising the steps of: polling said network comprised of a command center and remote stations with a particular address of at least one station, wherein said stations have unique identification codes and have an address assimilated from at least one bit of said identification code and respond if said address matches said address transmitted from said command center; listening for responses from said stations and upon receipt of unintelligible responses at some addresses, then storing said addresses in said memory; transmitting a second series of polls pulses comprised of addresses wherein said addresses comprise a concatenation of a mask and a sub-address, and said mask comprises one of said stored addresses and said sub-address comprises a successive series of addresses; listening for responses from said stations and upon receipt of unintelligible responses at some addresses comprised of said concatenation of said mask and sub-address, then storing said addresses comprised of a concatenation of said mask and sub-addresses in said memory; and wherein said steps of listening for responses and receipt of unintelligible responses at some address and storing said concatenation of said mask and sub-address which comprise said address and said step of transmission of a series of interrogation pulses comprised of addresses wherein said addresses comprises a concatenation of said mask and sub-address wherein said mask comprises one of said stored addresses and said sub-address comprises a successive series of addresses repeats until the command center fails to receive an unintelligible response.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said successive series of addresses comprises the addresses from 0 to 2 sub-address-size -1.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the command center transmits a fixed size sub-address and a variable size mask.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24, wherein with each transmission of said polls, said mask size increases.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising step of determining an amount of time it takes to identify T stations is 0.4*T*Selective -- Poll -- Command -- time+T*station -- response -- time, wherein station -- response -- time is the amount of time it takes for a station to respond and Selective Poll Command time is the duration of the poll.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said first series of polls, mask size is null.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said mask size increases as a result of collisions resulting at some collision addresses wherein said collision addresses are comprised of a concatenation of said mask and sub-address, and said concatenation of mask and sub-address becomes the mask for the next series of polls.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said sub-addresses are also assimilated from at least one bit of said station identification code.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 22, wherein upon being identified, said station receives a quiet command along with it's address for disabling said station until further notice.
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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) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |