US6765484B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for supplying commands to a tag
Assignee: Savi Technology Inc
•
Filing: 2001-04-24
•
Granted: 2004-07-20
•
Expires: 2021-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus ( 10, 240, 300 ) includes a signpost ( 11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703 ) which transmits signpost signals ( 24 ) to a tag ( 12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711 ), which in turn transmits beacon signals ( 72 ) to a reader ( 13, 261, 319, 521-530 ). One of the signpost and tag is mounted on an item to be tracked. A control system ( 14, 500 ) is responsive to the reader, and can cause the signpost to vary the signpost signal in a manner which varies at least one operational characteristic of the tag, such as a transmission rate, a transmission power, a tag identification code, a password, or an encryption code, or which shifts the tag between a normal operational mode and a low power operational mode in which its transmitter is disabled.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Eagleson
- 👤 Joseph S. Chan
- 👤 Nikola Cargonja
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry which includes: a receiver section operable to receive wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code; and a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal the signpost code from the received signpost signal; wherein said signpost signals include a command portion, and wherein said tag is responsive to said command portion of a respective said signpost signal received by said tag for effecting a control function within said tag.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry which includes: a receiver section operable to receive wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code; and a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal the signpost code from the received signpost signal; wherein said signpost signals include a command portion, and wherein said tag is responsive to said command portion of a respective said signpost signal received by said tag for effecting a control function within said tag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said control function includes changing a transmit power of said beacon signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said control function includes placing said tag into one of a normal operational mode and a restricted operational mode, said transmitter section being respectively enabled and disabled in said normal and restricted operational modes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said tag consumes less power in said restricted operational mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said tag automatically enters said restricted operational mode in the absence of receipt by said tag of any said signpost signal for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said control function includes changing a rate of transmission of said beacon signals by said transmission section of said tag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said control function includes changing an operational parameter of said tag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said operational parameter is said beacon code of said tag.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said operational parameter is an informational field other than said beacon code which is included in said beacon signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said operational parameter is one of a password and an encryption code used in association with transmission and reception of at least one of said signpost signals and beacon signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , including: a signpost which transmits said wireless signpost signals; a control system having a reader which receives said beacon signals; and a communication link which facilitates communication between said signpost and said control system, said control system being operable to send instructions to said signpost through said communication link which influence said signpost signals transmitted by said signpost.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said instructions sent through said communication link include instructions which control what said signpost uses for said command portion of said signpost signals.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
115 words
A method comprising the steps of: receiving in a receiver section of a tag wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code and a command portion; transmitting from a transmitter section of said tag wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitting step including the step of causing said transmitter section to be responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal the signpost code from the received signpost signal; and effecting a control function within said tag in response to said command portion of a respective said signpost signal received by said tag.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
115 words
A method comprising the steps of: receiving in a receiver section of a tag wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code and a command portion; transmitting from a transmitter section of said tag wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitting step including the step of causing said transmitter section to be responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal the signpost code from the received signpost signal; and effecting a control function within said tag in response to said command portion of a respective said signpost signal received by said tag.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein said step of effecting said control function includes the step of changing a transmit power of said beacon signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein said step of effecting said control function includes the step of placing said tag into one of a normal operational mode and a restricted operational mode, said transmitter section being respectively enabled and disabled in said normal and restricted operational modes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 15 , including the step of causing said tag to operate in a manner which consumes less power when said tag is in said restricted operational mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 15 , including the step of causing said tag to automatically enter said restricted operational mode in the absence of receipt by said tag of any said signpost signal for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein said step of effecting said control function includes the step of changing a rate of transmission of said beacon signals by said transmission section of said tag.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein said step of effecting said control function includes the step of changing an operational parameter of said tag.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 19 , including the step of selecting said beacon code of said tag as said operational parameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 19 , including the step of selecting as said operational parameter an informational field other than said beacon code which is included in said beacon signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 19 , including the step of selecting as said operational parameter one of a password and an encryption code used in association with transmission and reception of at least one of said signpost signals and beacon signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to claim 13 , including the steps of: transmitting said signpost signals from a signpost which is separate from said tag; receiving said beacon signals in a reader which is a part of a control system separate from said tag; providing a communication link between said control system and said signpost; and sending from said control system to said signpost through said communication link instructions which influence said signpost signals transmitted by said signpost.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 23 , including the step of causing said signpost to vary what said signpost uses for said command portion of said signpost signals as a function of said instructions sent through said communication link.
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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) | 2007-07-20 | 2008-01-19 | 2008-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-20 | 2012-01-19 | 2012-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-20 | 2016-01-19 | 2016-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |