Patent US6414626B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6414626B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Interrogators, wireless communication systems, methods of operating an interrogator, methods of operating a wireless communication system, and methods of determining range of a remote communication device
Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
•
Filing: 1999-08-20
•
Granted: 2002-07-02
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Expires: 2019-08-20
Abstract
Abstract Interrogators, wireless communication systems, methods of operating an interrogator, methods of operating a wireless communication system and methods of determining range of a remote communication device are provided. According to a first aspect, an interrogator includes communication circuitry configured to output a plurality of wireless signals toward a radio frequency identification device and to receive a plurality of wireless signals from the radio frequency identification device; and a processor coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to determine a range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator responsive to the received wireless signals. A method of operating an interrogator of another aspect includes outputting a plurality of wireless signals toward a radio frequency identification device; receiving a plurality of wireless signals 1s from the radio frequency identification device; and determining range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator after the receiving.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Greef
- 👤 David Ovard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
An interrogator comprising: communication circuitry configured to output a plurality of wireless signals toward a radio frequency identification device and to receive a plurality of wireless signals from the radio frequency identification device; and a processor coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to determine a range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator responsive to the received wireless signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
An interrogator comprising: communication circuitry configured to output a plurality of wireless signals toward a radio frequency identification device and to receive a plurality of wireless signals from the radio frequency identification device; and a processor coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to determine a range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator responsive to the received wireless signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interrogator according to claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to determine the phase of individual ones of the received wireless signals and to determine the range responsive to the phase determination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interrogator according to claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to adjust the frequency of the outputted wireless signals, and to provide frequency adjustments of different magnitudes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The interrogator according to claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to adjust the frequency of the outputted wireless signals, and to provide frequency adjustments of increasing magnitudes over time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interrogator according to claim 1 wherein the processor utilizes the range determination from an initial received wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received wireless signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interrogator according to claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to output a continuous wave signal comprising the outputted wireless signals and the received wireless signals comprise backscatter modulated wireless signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
An interrogator comprising: communication circuitry configured to output a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and to receive a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies from a remote communication device; and a processor coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to determine a phase of individual ones of the received wireless signals and to determine a range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator responsive to the phase determination of the received wireless signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
An interrogator comprising: communication circuitry configured to output a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and to receive a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies from a remote communication device; and a processor coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to determine a phase of individual ones of the received wireless signals and to determine a range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator responsive to the phase determination of the received wireless signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interrogator according to claim 7 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to adjust the frequency of the outputted wireless signals, and to provide frequency adjustments of different magnitudes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The interrogator according to claim 7 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to adjust the frequency of the outputted wireless signals, and to provide frequency adjustments of increasing magnitudes over time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interrogator according to claim 7 wherein the processor utilizes the range determination from an initial received wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received wireless signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The interrogator according to claim 7 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to output a continuous wave signal comprising the wireless signals and the received wireless signals comprise backscatter modulated wireless signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
An interrogator comprising: communication circuitry configured to output a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and to receive a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies from a remote communication device, the communication circuitry being further configured to adjust the frequency of the outputted wireless signals and to provide adjustments of increased frequency magnitude over time; and a processor coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to determine a phase of individual ones of the received wireless signals and to determine a range of the remote communication device responsive to the phase determination of the received wireless signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
An interrogator comprising: communication circuitry configured to output a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and to receive a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies from a remote communication device, the communication circuitry being further configured to adjust the frequency of the outputted wireless signals and to provide adjustments of increased frequency magnitude over time; and a processor coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to determine a phase of individual ones of the received wireless signals and to determine a range of the remote communication device responsive to the phase determination of the received wireless signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interrogator according to claim 12 wherein the processor utilizes the range determination from an initial received wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received wireless signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interrogator according to claim 12 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to output a continuous wave signal comprising the outputted wireless signals and the received wireless signals comprise backscatter modulated wireless signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A wireless communication system comprising: a remote communication device configured to receive a plurality of forward wireless signals and to output a plurality of return wireless signals responsive to the received forward wireless signals; an interrogator configured to output the forward wireless signals toward the remote communication device and receive the return wireless signals from the remote communication device, the interrogator being further configured to determine a range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator; and wherein the interrogator is configured to output the forward wireless signals comprising a continuous wave signal, and the return wireless signals comprise backscatter modulated wireless signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
A wireless communication system comprising: a remote communication device configured to receive a plurality of forward wireless signals and to output a plurality of return wireless signals responsive to the received forward wireless signals; an interrogator configured to output the forward wireless signals toward the remote communication device and receive the return wireless signals from the remote communication device, the interrogator being further configured to determine a range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator; and wherein the interrogator is configured to output the forward wireless signals comprising a continuous wave signal, and the return wireless signals comprise backscatter modulated wireless signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein the interrogator is configured to determine the range of the remote communication device responsive to the return wireless signals received within the interrogator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein the interrogator is configured to determine a phase of individual ones of the return wireless signals and to determine the range of the remote communication device responsive to the phase determination.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein the interrogator is configured to adjust the frequency of the forward wireless signals, and to provide frequency adjustments of different magnitudes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein the interrogator is configured to adjust the frequency of the forward wireless signals, and to provide frequency adjustments of increasing magnitudes over time.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein the interrogator utilizes the range determination from an initial return wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent return wireless signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein the interrogator comprises a coherent interrogator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
96 words
A wireless communication system comprising: a radio frequency identification device configured to receive a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and selectively backscatter modulate the received wireless signals; and an interrogator configured to output the plurality of wireless signals at the plurality of frequencies and receive the backscatter modulated wireless signals from the radio frequency identification device, the interrogator being further configured to determine the phase of the received backscatter modulated wireless signals and to determine a range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator responsive to the phase determination.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
96 words
A wireless communication system comprising: a radio frequency identification device configured to receive a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and selectively backscatter modulate the received wireless signals; and an interrogator configured to output the plurality of wireless signals at the plurality of frequencies and receive the backscatter modulated wireless signals from the radio frequency identification device, the interrogator being further configured to determine the phase of the received backscatter modulated wireless signals and to determine a range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator responsive to the phase determination.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 22 wherein the interrogator is configured to adjust the frequency of the outputted wireless signals, and to provide frequency adjustments of different magnitudes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 22 wherein the interrogator is configured to adjust the frequency of the outputted wireless signals, and to provide frequency adjustments of increasing magnitudes over time.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 22 wherein the interrogator utilizes the range determination from an initial received wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received wireless signal.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of operating an interrogator comprising: outputting a plurality of wireless signals toward a radio frequency identification device; receiving a plurality of wireless signals from the radio frequency identification device; and determining distance of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator after the receiving.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of operating an interrogator comprising: outputting a plurality of wireless signals toward a radio frequency identification device; receiving a plurality of wireless signals from the radio frequency identification device; and determining distance of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator after the receiving.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 26 wherein the outputting includes outputting the wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and the receiving includes receiving the wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies, and further comprising determining a phase of individual ones of the received wireless signals and the determining distance being responsive to the determining phase.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 26 further comprising adjusting the frequency of the outputted wireless signals by a plurality of different frequency magnitudes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 26 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted wireless signals by a plurality of frequency magnitudes; and increasing the frequency magnitudes during the adjusting.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 26 wherein the outputting comprises outputting a continuous wave signal at the plurality of frequencies and the receiving comprises receiving backscatter modulated signals.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 26 wherein the determining distance comprises utilizing a distance determination corresponding to an initial received wireless signal to determine the distance from a subsequent received wireless signal.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of operating an interrogator comprising: outputting a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies toward a remote communication device; receiving a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies from the remote communication device; determining phase for individual ones of the received wireless signals; and determining range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator responsive to the determining.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of operating an interrogator comprising: outputting a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies toward a remote communication device; receiving a plurality of wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies from the remote communication device; determining phase for individual ones of the received wireless signals; and determining range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator responsive to the determining.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 32 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted wireless signals by a plurality of different frequency magnitudes.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 32 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted wireless signals by a plurality of frequency magnitudes; and increasing the frequency magnitudes during the adjusting.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein the outputting comprises outputting a continuous wave signal at the plurality of frequencies and the receiving comprises receiving backscatter modulated signals.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein the determining range comprises utilizing the range determination corresponding to an initial received wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received wireless signal.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising: first outputting a plurality of forward wireless signals using an interrogator; first receiving the forward wireless signals from the interrogator using a remote communication device; second outputting a plurality of return wireless signals using the remote communication device responsive to the receiving; second receiving the return wireless signals from the remote communication device using the interrogator; determining the range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator after the receiving; and wherein the first outputting comprises outputting a continuous wave signal at the plurality of frequencies and the second receiving comprises receiving backscatter modulated signals.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising: first outputting a plurality of forward wireless signals using an interrogator; first receiving the forward wireless signals from the interrogator using a remote communication device; second outputting a plurality of return wireless signals using the remote communication device responsive to the receiving; second receiving the return wireless signals from the remote communication device using the interrogator; determining the range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator after the receiving; and wherein the first outputting comprises outputting a continuous wave signal at the plurality of frequencies and the second receiving comprises receiving backscatter modulated signals.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 37 wherein the determining includes determining responsive to the received return wireless signals.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 37 wherein the first outputting includes outputting the forward wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and the second receiving includes receiving the return wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies, and further comprising determining a phase of individual ones of the received forward wireless signals and the determining range being responsive to the determining phase.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 37 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted forward wireless signals by a plurality of different frequency magnitudes.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 37 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted forward wireless signals by a plurality of frequency magnitudes; and increasing the frequency magnitudes during the adjusting.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 37 wherein the determining range comprises utilizing the range determination corresponding to an initial received return wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received return wireless signal.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising: outputting a plurality of forward wireless signals using an interrogator; receiving the forward wireless signals from the interrogator using a radio frequency identification device; selectively backscatter modulating the forward wireless signals using the radio frequency identification device; receiving the backscattered wireless signals using the interrogator; determining the phase of the backscattered wireless signals; and determining the range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator after the determining phase.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising: outputting a plurality of forward wireless signals using an interrogator; receiving the forward wireless signals from the interrogator using a radio frequency identification device; selectively backscatter modulating the forward wireless signals using the radio frequency identification device; receiving the backscattered wireless signals using the interrogator; determining the phase of the backscattered wireless signals; and determining the range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator after the determining phase.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 43 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted forward wireless signals by a plurality of different frequency magnitudes.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 40 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted forward wireless signals by a plurality of frequency magnitudes; and increasing the frequency magnitudes during the adjusting.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 43 wherein the determining range comprises utilizing the range determination corresponding to an initial received return wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received return wireless signal.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of determining range of a remote communication device comprising: outputting a plurality of forward wireless signals toward a remote communication device at a plurality of frequencies using an interrogator; receiving a plurality of return wireless signals from the remote communication device at a plurality of frequencies using the interrogator; first determining a phase of individual ones of the received return wireless signals; and second determining a range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator after the first determining, wherein the second determining includes utilizing the range determination corresponding to an initial received return wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received return wireless signal.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of determining range of a remote communication device comprising: outputting a plurality of forward wireless signals toward a remote communication device at a plurality of frequencies using an interrogator; receiving a plurality of return wireless signals from the remote communication device at a plurality of frequencies using the interrogator; first determining a phase of individual ones of the received return wireless signals; and second determining a range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator after the first determining, wherein the second determining includes utilizing the range determination corresponding to an initial received return wireless signal to determine the range from a subsequent received return wireless signal.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 47 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted forward wireless signals by a plurality of different frequency magnitudes.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 47 further comprising: adjusting the frequency of the outputted forward wireless signals by a plurality of frequency magnitudes; and increasing the frequency magnitudes during the adjusting.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 47 wherein the outputting comprises outputting a continuous wave signal at the plurality of frequencies and the receiving comprises receiving backscatter modulated signals.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising: providing a wireless communication system comprising a coherent interrogator and a radio frequency identification device; outputting a plurality of wireless signals using the interrogator including: providing a predefined list of values corresponding to a communication range of the wireless communication system; outputting a forward link wireless signal; outputting a continuous wave signal; and varying the frequency of the continuous wave signal during the outputting according to the predefined list of values; receiving the forward link wireless signal and the continuous wave signal using the radio frequency identification device; processing the forward link wireless signal; selectively outputting a plurality of return link wireless signals using the radio frequency identification device after the processing, the return link wireless signals comprising a plurality of frequencies corresponding to the varying and the outputting the return link wireless signals including backscatter modulating the continuous wave wireless signal; receiving the backscattered return link wireless signals using the interrogator; first determining a phase of individual ones of the backscattered return line wireless signals; and second determining the range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator after the first determining.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising: providing a wireless communication system comprising a coherent interrogator and a radio frequency identification device; outputting a plurality of wireless signals using the interrogator including: providing a predefined list of values corresponding to a communication range of the wireless communication system; outputting a forward link wireless signal; outputting a continuous wave signal; and varying the frequency of the continuous wave signal during the outputting according to the predefined list of values; receiving the forward link wireless signal and the continuous wave signal using the radio frequency identification device; processing the forward link wireless signal; selectively outputting a plurality of return link wireless signals using the radio frequency identification device after the processing, the return link wireless signals comprising a plurality of frequencies corresponding to the varying and the outputting the return link wireless signals including backscatter modulating the continuous wave wireless signal; receiving the backscattered return link wireless signals using the interrogator; first determining a phase of individual ones of the backscattered return line wireless signals; and second determining the range of the radio frequency identification device relative to the interrogator after the first determining.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising: first outputting a plurality of forward wireless signals using an interrogator; first receiving the forward wireless signals from the interrogator using a remote communication device; second outputting a plurality of return wireless signals using the remote communication device responsive to the receiving; second receiving the return wireless signals from the remote communication device using the interrogator; and determining the range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator after the receiving; wherein the first outputting includes outputting the forward wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and the second receiving includes receiving the return wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies, and further comprising determining a phase of individual ones of the received forward wireless signals and the determining range being responsive to the determining phase.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising: first outputting a plurality of forward wireless signals using an interrogator; first receiving the forward wireless signals from the interrogator using a remote communication device; second outputting a plurality of return wireless signals using the remote communication device responsive to the receiving; second receiving the return wireless signals from the remote communication device using the interrogator; and determining the range of the remote communication device relative to the interrogator after the receiving; wherein the first outputting includes outputting the forward wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and the second receiving includes receiving the return wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies, and further comprising determining a phase of individual ones of the received forward wireless signals and the determining range being responsive to the determining phase.
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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) | 2005-07-01 | 2005-12-31 | 2006-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-01 | 2009-12-31 | 2010-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-01 | 2013-12-31 | 2014-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |