Electronic identification system
US6549119B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K7/0008
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An identification system, e.g. for tagging goods in a retail store, has at least one interrogator and a number of transponders for attaching to goods. Each transponder responds to an interrogation signal from the interrogator by returning a response signal containing information stored in the transponder. The transponder can be switched, by means of a mode switching signal from the interrogator, into a reduced power mode in which the power level of the response signal is reduced from its normal level. The reduced power mode may for example be selected when the goods have been paid for, to ensure that the transponder does not trigger an anti-theft gate, which can detect only the normal power level. The transponder can, however, still be read by an interrogator capable of detecting the reduced power level, e.g. at a customer services desk.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.