Patent · US Active

Token passing protocol for RFID systems

US7714697B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
7References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 2006
Grant dateMay 11, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 16, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04W74/00
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods, systems and apparatuses for RFID readers forming a reader network are described. In an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of RFID readers are configured to interrogate tags. Furthermore, the readers are configured to communicate with one another by transferring a token, represented by a signal. Possession of the token enables the reader to access a RF communications medium. Readers can be arranged in a ring configuration, and interconnected via wired links. A secondary token may circulate in the ring in addition to the primary token, to ensure redundancy in the system. A reader waits for a predetermined time interval before accessing the RF communications medium.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.