Method and apparatus for supplying commands to a tag
US6765484B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K17/0022
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.