Methods and apparatus for switching a transponder to an active state, and asset management systems employing same

US8258957B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education · US

Inventors

• Marlin H. Mickle · Pittsburgh, US
• Alex Jones · Carlsbad, US
• James T. Cain · Pittsburgh, US
• Peter J. Hawrylak · Woodstown, US
• Frank Marx · Ebhausen, DE
• Raymond R. Hoare · Pittsburgh, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 2011
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 17, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06K19/0713
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.