KR19980018157A - Base station and method for communicating with radio frequency tags - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a write broadcast system and method for simultaneously recording transmission data to all tags or a selected number (subgroup) tags in a base station field using a base station. The system does not successfully write to a field (subgroup) by unselecting a tag that has been successfully written, requesting a response from the remaining tags in the field (or subgroup), and receiving a response to the request. Determine if there is a missing tag. Other recording broadcast signals are transmitted to these tags. The system is useful for quickly (simultaneously) stamping information on the tag memory of multiple tags in the field of the base station.

Description

Base station and method for communicating with radio frequency tags

The present invention relates to the field of radio frequency tagging. In particular, the present invention relates to a radio frequency tag system capable of simultaneously recording information on multiple groups of tags.

A radio frequency (RF) identification system consists of an RF base station and one or more RF tags.

In a typical configuration, a base station (also called a reader) has a computer section that sends commands to RF transmitters and receives commands from RF receivers. The command serves to identify tags present in the RF field or RF region of the base station. In some implementations, there is a base station command for collecting (reading) tag information from a tag after the tag in the field is identified. In a more advanced system, there is a base station command that outputs (writes) information to a tag once a tag in the field is identified. This output information may be held temporarily on the tag, may remain until overwritten, or may remain permanent on the tag.

The RF transmitter of the base station encodes the command from the computer section. The encoded command is then modulated from a base band signal on the radio (carrier) frequency. The modulated carrier is amplified by the base station and passed to the base station RF antenna for transmission to one or more RF tags in the base station field. The tag transmits or reflects the return signal to the base station, in which case the information encoded by the tag on the return signal is included here. The base station RF receiver collects (reads) the return signal from the base station RF antenna, demodulates the return signal from the RF carrier frequency to baseband, decodes the baseband signal, and processes the decoded baseband signal (information). Transfer back to the computer section for The base station antenna transmits an RF signal within the RF signal range to one or more tags and receives an RF (return) signal from one or more tags. A tag in the RF carrier frequency range is said to be in the field of the base station. See US Pat. No. 4,656,463, entitled LIMIS Systems, Devices, and Methods, by Anders et al., Issued April 7, 1987, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In this prior art system, the base station must identify some or all tags in the field of the base station (reader) before any data can be written to a given tag in the field. In one prior art system, a tag is temporarily turned off (deactivated) once the tag is successfully identified by the reader. After a certain period of time, for example approximately 10 minutes, the deactivated tag is reactivated. See European Patent No. 0 494 114, filed on March 1, 1992, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Many applications of radio frequency identification tags require recording information on a large number of tag groups as they pass through the radio frequency identification system reader (base station). In prior art radio frequency identification systems, a reader must identify a tag in a field before being able to write to any identified tag in the field.

In applications where multiple tags exist simultaneously in a field, many of the prior art do not identify all tags in the field. In this case, some systems in the prior art do not write information to any tag in the field. In other systems of the prior art, unidentified tags are not recorded.

Even if all tags in the field are identified, existing radio frequency identification systems can take too much time to write to all tags in the field that require recorded information. For example, if there are 10,000 tags in a field, of which 10 tags require information to be recorded, some prior art systems must identify all 10,000 tags before they can be written to 10 tags. do. Identifying such multiple tags may or may not be time consuming in most prior art systems. As another example, when there are more than 100 tags in a field, conventional systems require long periods of time—seconds to minutes—to identify and record the appropriate tags. For these systems, the tag must either be stationary in the base station field or move very slowly through the base station field.

The prior art has the ability to read after write along with read and write. However, as described above, the prior art requires the tag to identify itself to the base station before the base station can read / write / pin read the tag. For example, many commercially available systems, such as those available from Texas Instruments and Indala, must sequentially identify the tags in the field before writing to the tags. These systems cannot identify multiple tags moving through the fields of the base station and therefore cannot write to these tags. Other commercially available systems such as, for example, those purchased from Hughes, Micron, and David Sarnoff Research Center System, and central systems, for example. Other systems described in the technical literature by SIR and Single Chip Systems may identify more than one item at a time in the field. However, these systems must identify all tags in the field before they can write to the tags.

Identifying all tags in a field can be very time consuming. In addition, if there are a large number of tags in the field or the tags pass quickly through the field, these systems cannot identify all the tags and thus cannot perform the write operation.

These and other limitations of the prior art make RF tags inadequate for use in many applications.

For many applications where a tag passes through a base station field quickly, such as identifying an item on a high speed manufacturing line, prior art radio frequency identification systems are unable to write to the tags in the field or are too fast to write to the tags. Is slow In order to use RF tag technology, the prior art has to change the manufacturing process, such as slowing down the manufacturing line.

Prior art systems are unable to write effectively if there are a very large number of tags in the base station field. For example, a transit application can have multiple tagged items in a tagged container. In order to log a container's movement and its contents, the prior art must identify all tags within the container, not just the container itself. Only then could the data be recorded sequentially on some or all of the identified tags. Some prior art may identify all tags and thus may not be able to write to all tags. Other techniques of the prior art may require pausing within a field to allow sufficient time to identify and sequentially record all tags in the field. Such pauses can cause undesirable delays in the movement of the container.

In summary, many systems described in the prior art cannot effectively write to a large number of tags in a field because some techniques cannot identify individual tags before writing to the tags sequentially. Even a system that can identify and record a large number of tags in a field is slow because a series of identification and recording processes consume unacceptably long time. Therefore, these prior art systems are not suitable for many applications.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for recording information in all radio frequency tags and / or subgroups in a base station field.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for simultaneously recording information in groups and / or subgroups of multiple radio frequency tags in a base station field.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for determining which tags were successfully and / or not successfully recorded in the field of radio frequency tags.

The systems and methods of the present invention implement a write broadcast protocol that allows a base station to simultaneously write transmission data to all tags or selected numbers (subgroups) of tags in a base station field. The system of the present invention successfully writes to a field (subgroup) by unselecting a successfully written tag, requesting a response from the remaining tags in the field (or subgroup), and receiving a response to the request. Determine if there are any missing tags.

One preferred embodiment of the system has multiple radio frequency tags, each tag having tag logic, a tag antenna, and a tag data location. The base station has a signal generator, a transmitter, and a base station antenna. The signal generator generates a field by transmitting a carrier signal through a transmitter and a base station antenna. The signal generator produces transmission data that the transmitter encodes on the carrier signal. All tags in the field receive carrier signals simultaneously through their respective tag antennas. The tag logic of each tag in the field responds to the carrier signal by decoding the transmission data from the carrier signal and storing the transmission data at each tag data location. In this way, transmission data is simultaneously recorded in the tag data location of each tag in the field (subgroup) in response to one carrier signal. No tag identification is required before writing to more than one tag simultaneously. The system of the present invention is useful for stamping information on a tag memory. The carrier signal may be periodically transmitted so that any number of tags (or subgroups) enter the field of the base station and are simultaneously acknowledged.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the radio frequency tag system comprises a plurality of radio frequency tags, each tag having a tag logic and a tag antenna, each tag further adding one or more tag data locations referenced via associated tag data addresses. Have In this embodiment, the base station has a computer, a transmitter, and a base station antenna. The process executed by the computer generates the field by causing the radio frequency broadcast signal to be transmitted through the transmitter and the base station antenna together with the encoded transmission data and the transmission address corresponding to the transmission data. Tags in the field receive recording broadcast signals via their tag antennas and the tag logic of each tag in the field causes the transmission data to be stored in a tag data location having a tag data address corresponding to the transmission address. Thus, in response to a single write broadcast command signal, all tags in the field write the transfer data to their tag data location corresponding to the tag data address corresponding to the transfer address.

By selecting a subgroup of tags in the field, only tags selected as belonging to the subgroup can be made to respond to the recording broadcast command signal.

1 is a block diagram illustrating one preferred embodiment of the present invention including a base station in communication with multiple radio frequency identification tags.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention that includes a base station in communication with one or more subgroups of multiple radio frequency identification tags and / or collections of RF tags in a base station field.

3 is a block diagram illustrating one preferred embodiment of tag logic and tag memory in a preferred radio frequency tag.

4 is a flow chart showing the steps of the preferred method performed by the tag logic.

Fig. 5 is a state diagram showing the state of one preferred RF tag.

FIG. 6 is two flow diagrams, FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the steps performed by the base station of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the steps performed by a tag in the base station fields of FIGS. 1 and 2.

7 illustrates the steps of another process performed by the base station of FIG.

8 is a flow diagram of one preferred embodiment of identifying a tag in a field that did not correctly process a recorded broadcast signal sent from a base station.

9 is a block diagram of the present system used in various applications.

10 is a flowchart of another preferred embodiment for selecting and deselecting tags in a field while transmitting a recording broadcast signal to the field.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: radio frequency tag system 104: repeater

105: base station 106: transmitter

107: memory 108: computer

110: base station antenna 120: field

130: tag 132: tag antenna

145: transmission data

1 is a block diagram of a radio frequency tag system 100 that includes a radio frequency base station 105 having an optional computer 108, a transmitter or transponder 106, and a base station antenna 110. The repeater 104 uses the transmitter 106 and the base station antenna 110 to cause the radio frequency signal 140 to be broadcast in the field of the tag 120. The repeater 104 is a device that causes the transmission data 145 stored in the memory 107 to be broadcast every predetermined time, for example, every two minutes. In one preferred embodiment, the repeater 104 is a timer that inputs the transmission data 145 stored in the memory 107 to the transmitter 106 at a predetermined time. If computer 108 is provided, repeater 104 may be implemented as a process performed by computer 108.

Field 120 of the base station includes the physical space through which radio frequency signal 140 propagates by transmitter 106 and base station antenna 110. The radio frequency signal 140 carries the transmission data 145. For example, transmission data 145 is impressed on radio frequency signal 140 using well known modulation techniques.

Typically, one or more radio frequency tags 130 are located in field 120. The tag 130 has a tag memory 136, a tag radio frequency device 134, and a tag antenna 132. The tag radio frequency device 134 receives (sends) the signal 140 via the tag antenna 132. One example of a preferred RF tag 130 is US patent number by Moskowitz et al., Filed September 9, 1994 and issued June 18, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 5,528,222 (Application No. 08 / 303,977).

Although the present specification deals with tags, in particular using radio frequencies to communicate with a base station, it should be noted that the present invention also typically applies to any communication system in which the base unit communicates with one or more transponders, for example tags. . Communication means include any medium that is not limited to radio frequency and communicates information, such as lasers, infrared rays, visible light (photographic optics), ultraviolet light, magnetic materials, and / or other electromagnetic media. For each of these communication means, the transmitter 106, the base station antenna 110, the tag antenna 132, and the tag receiver 134 are respective apparatuses suitable for the communication means. These devices are well known.

Another preferred system 200 is shown in block diagram in FIG. In this embodiment, components common to those of the system 100 have the same reference numerals. In system 200 computer 108 is used and repeating device 104 is replaced with a recording broadcast process 204 executed by computer 108. Base station 105 includes transmitter 106 as before. RF receiver 206 is optionally included here. In the present embodiment, the transmission data 145 is included in the data package 250 containing the transmission address 245. The data package 250 optionally includes a recording broadcast command / instruction 260. The transmission address 245 corresponds to the transmission data 145. In another embodiment, pair 248 of transmission data 145 and corresponding transmission address 244 is included in data package 250.

The transfer data 145 is a tag data location 270 that starts or ends at a single transfer address 245 corresponding to a number of data units, for example, an associated tag data address 275 in the tag memory 236. It may consist of a string or a stream of bits or bytes stored in the. Alternatively, there may be no transport address 145, which implies that the first or last data unit of the string is always stored at tag data location 270 with a fixed tag data address 275 in tag memory 236. . Alternatively, a single transfer data 145 may be stored in multiple tag data locations 270 with respective transfer addresses 245 respectively corresponding to tag memory addresses 275 in tag memory 236. In addition, there may be no transfer data 145, which is a preset fixed string of data, for example a tag data address or address in tag memory 236 whose value of 0 or 9 corresponds to the transfer address or address 245. Implies that it will be stored at tag data location 270 with 275. In addition, both transmit data 145 and transfer address 245 may be absent, where write command 260 causes all tag data locations 270 to have a predetermined value.

The tag 230 has a tag antenna 132 and a tag receiver, which receives the signal 140 (which carries the data package 250) as in the system 100. However, tag 230 includes tag logic 238 and tag memory 236 having two or more tag data locations 270. Each tag data location 270 has a tag data address 275 corresponding to the tag data location 270, respectively. In this preferred embodiment, tag 230 receives signal 140 (data package 250) via tag antenna 132 and tag receiver 134. The tag logic 238 optionally identifies the data package 250 as a recording broadcast signal (using the command field 260), and the tag data address (same as the transport address 245 in the data package 250). Transfer data 145 of data package 250 is placed in tag data location 270 corresponding to 275. When the data package 250 has two or more pairs 248 of the transmission data 145 and the transmission address 245, the tag logic 238 may generate a pair of each transmission address 245 in the data package 250. Transfer data 145 is placed in tag data location 270 corresponding to the same tag data address 275 as 248, respectively (see further description of tag logic 238 below).

In a common application of the present invention, the base station needs to write the same information (transmission data 145) to every tag that is physically located within field 120 of base station 105. Transmission data 145 is simultaneously recorded in all tags 230 (or subgroups of tags 230) in field 120. Simultaneous recording means that two or more tags 130 and 230 in field 120 write transmission data 145 to tag memory 236 in response to one write broadcast command. No other command needs to be sent for the transfer data 145 to be written to every tag (or every subgroup) in the field. This is possible because no tag in the field needs to be identified before such a record occurs.

In a typical application, such as identifying items on the receiving dock side, hundreds or thousands of items may be provided to the base station (reader) 105 by being in field 120 at a given time. An example of transmission data 145 is a date or time stamp that may indicate when a tag has reached a point or indicates an excessive time, when the tag was purchased, etc., where the tag is currently located or in transit Or location information identifying the location to be transmitted.

One novel feature of the present invention is that base station 105 may transmit information (transmission data 145) to multiple tags 130 in field 130 without having to identify tags 130/230 in field 140, respectively. You can record at the same time. This property significantly reduces the time for communicating information about a tag. This also makes it possible to check multiple tags in an application, which could not be performed before the present invention, because the prior art has a long time to communicate (and identify) all the tags in the base station field 140. Because it was necessary.

3 is a block diagram illustrating one preferred embodiment of tag logic and tag memory in a preferred radio frequency tag. The block diagram 300 includes tag logic 238 and tag memory 236.

Tag logic 238 receives a signal from tag receiver 134. The signal is group select command 322 (optional), group unselect command 324 (optional), write broadcast command 326 (optional) ), Any Tag command 328 (optional), and any other optional command 329. The command decode block 310 decodes the signal 302 received from the tag receiver 134 to determine the command type.

Group select 322 and deselect group 324 commands are used to select (deselect) subgroups of tags in the tag field. The selected (deselected) tag is a tag that responds (not responds) to another command sent by the base station 105. Group select 322 and group deselect command 324 are described by System and Method for Radio Frequency Tag Group by Cesar et al., Filed September 9, 1995, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It is described in US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 303,965, entitled Select.

The record broadcast 326 command is decoded at block 310 by identifying that the received signal 302 has a record broadcast field 260 with a record broadcast command code. When the write broadcast command 326 is decoded, the tag state machine 330 processes the transmission data 145 and the transmission address 245 using the address / data decoder 340. The tag state machine 330 (and other embodiments) is described in FIG. 5 (FIG. 4) described below.

It should be noted that in some preferred embodiments, the tag has only record broadcast 326 functionality. In these embodiments, the tag will write the transfer data 145 to the transfer address 245 of any write command to the tag memory 236. At the moment of receiving the write command, this embodiment, implemented without the command decode block 310 and the tag state machine 330, has the data address 275 having the transmission data 145 matching the transmission addresses 342, 245. Will load into data location 270.

The address / data decoder 340 uses the transmission data bus 344 and the transmission address bus 342, respectively, to transmit the transmission data 145 and the transmission address 245 encoded on the reception signal 302 into a tag state machine. Provided at 330. The tag state machine 330 processes this information by sending a write command to the control section 390 of the tag memory 236 via the write bus 368. The control section 390 causes the transfer data 145 to be written to the tag data location 270 corresponding to the tag address 275 that matches the transfer address 245. The transmit data 145 and the transfer address 245 are provided to the tag memory 236 via the data bus 362 and the address bus 364 connecting the tag state machine 330 and the tag memory 236, respectively. When information is read from the tag memory 236, the information (tag data location 270) is accessed using the corresponding tag data address 275 and control section 390, and the information in the tag data location 270. Is sent to the tag state machine 330 via the read bus 366. The tag state machine 330 sends the read information to the tag transmitter 234 to be transmitted to the base station 105 via the tag antenna 132.

Any tag command 328 is an optional command. Any tag 230 that receives any tag command 328 sends a response to the base station. This command 328 is useful for determining if one or more members are present in one or more tags and / or selected (or deselected) tag groups in the base station field. In another preferred embodiment, the tag response is sent by any tag selected by the group select command 322 and any tag command 328 may be omitted.

4 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of one preferred process 400 performed by tag state machine 330. In this embodiment, the tag logic 238 may be a microcomputer running a program that performs the process 400. Alternatively, tag logic 238 may be a logic circuit that performs the steps of process 400.

Process 400 receives a command from command decode block 310. The process begins by determining whether the tag is in an initialized or active state (415). The tag 230 reacts differently to certain commands depending on the state of the tag.

If tag 230 is in an initialized state 417, process 400 checks what type of command was received. When the group select command 322 is received (421), the tag state is changed to active (435). When a group deselection 422, a record broadcast 423, any tag 424, or other command 425 (such as read) is received, an inoperative state 430 is taken. When the tag consumes supply power and / or the base station consumes power and transmits a power consumption signal 426, an inoperative state 430 is taken in the initialized state 417 of the tag. It should be noted that the commands 421-426 can be processed in any order.

If the tag 230 is in the active state 418, the process 400 checks again what type of command was received. When a power consumption 441 or group deselect 442 command is received, the tag state is changed to an initialized state 455. When a group select command 322 is received (443), an inoperative state 430 is taken. If any tag 328 command is received 444, the tag sends a response to base station 460. If other commands (such as read) are received (445), the tag performs an appropriate response. When the record broadcast command 326 is received (446), the transmission data 344 is stored in the data location 270 having a data address 275 that matches the transmission address 342 (step 470). If no broadcast is present, an inoperable state 430 is taken. It should be noted that the commands 441-446 can be processed in any order.

In another preferred embodiment, for example using tag 130 shown in system 100, tag 130 may have a process 400 consisting only of steps 445, 465, 446, 470. . In this case, the miscellaneous command 445 may be a read command and the miscellaneous response 465 may cause the base station 105 to read data in the tag memory. The record broadcast command 446 may instruct the tag to store the transmission data 145 in the memory 136 of the tag 130. Another embodiment is achieved by using various combinations of group selection 322, group deselection 324, recording broadcast 326, any tag 328, and other commands 329.

5 is a state diagram of a state machine 500 of one preferred embodiment used as block 330. The state machine 500 in the RF tag 230 executes the commands from the command decode 310 using various states.

State machine 500 has two states: initialized state 517 and active state 518. Power consumption (power consumption of the tag on board for a tag with power or a power loss signal sent by the base station) causes the tag 230 to move to an initialization 517 state (510). This movement 510 occurs when there is power consumption 510 in the initialized state 517, in the active state 518, and / or while any operation is performed by the tag 230. When tag 230 is in an initialized state 517 and receives a record broadcast or any tag command, tag 230 remains in an initialized state 517 (515 and 520, respectively). When a tag 230 in the initialized state 517 is selected by the group select command 322, the selected tag moves to its active state 518 (525). When a tag 230 in the active state 518 is deselected by the group deselect command 324, the deselected tag is moved to its initialized state 517 (530).

When the tag 230 is in the active state 518 and receives a record broadcast 326 command, the tag has a tag data location with a tag data address 275 that matches the transport data 344 with the transport address 344. 270 and return to the active state 518. However, if the tag is busy when the record broadcast 326 command is received, then the transmission data 344 is not recorded (570) and the tag returns to the active state (518). For example, this situation may occur when the tag corresponds to any tag command 328 when the record broadcast command 326 is received. In another preferred embodiment, the base station sends a command and receives a response from one or more tags before sending the second command. This prevents the tag from becoming busy when a record broadcast 326 command is received.

If tag 230 is in an active state 518 and receives any tag command 328 (or other command 329—not shown), the tag responds to the base station (560) and is active (518) However, if the tag is busy when any tag command 328 (other command 329) is received, the tag does not respond and the tag returns to the active state 518. For example, This situation may occur if the tag is responding to a read command when any tag command 328 is received In another preferred embodiment, the base station waits for a tag response before sending the second command.

6A is a flowchart illustrating the steps performed by the base station of FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the base station 105 simultaneously broadcasts 610 a signal with transmission data 145 to all tags 130 in the field 120. No identification is made for tag 130. The broadcast 610 is optionally repeated any number of times.

FIG. 6B shows the steps performed by the tag 130 in the base station field 120 of FIGS. 1 and 2. At the moment 660 when the base station 105 receives the broadcasted transmission data 145, all tags 130 in the field simultaneously record the transmission data in their tag memory 136 (665).

Optionally, in step 668, tag logic 238 uses comparison circuit 239 (see FIG. 2) to transmit data 145 in tag memory 236 to which transfer data 145 corresponds. Compare with old data (old data) stored at tag data location 270 associated with tag data address 275. When the transmission data 145 is different from the old data, the tag logic 238 may transmit the transmission data (at the tag data location 270 associated with the tag data address 275 in the tag memory 236 corresponding to the transmission address 245). 145 and the tag sends a response to the base station 105 via the tag antenna. If the transmission data 145 is the same as the old data, the tag sends no response. In this way, the base station 105 will receive a response when the transmission data 145 is written to at least one tag in the field 120. Optionally, if the transmission data 145 is the same as the old data, the recording 665 can be omitted.

Optionally, tag 130 transmits to the base station 105 a command or commands, e.g., information regarding the result of execution of 260, and / or the execution of the command or commands transmitted from the base station 105. It can provide information about error conditions that occur.

FIG. 7 illustrates the steps performed by another preferred process 700 of the base station of the system 200 of FIG.

In step 710, all tags 230 in field 120 are selected.

Alternatively, a subgroup of tags in field 120 is selected. This is done by using a group select and / or group deselect command.

Step 710 is an optional step.

In optional step 715, select a tag with a tag data value that matches the transmission data 145 in the tag memory location 270 corresponding to (e.g., identical to, the transmission address) 245. A group deselect command is issued by the base station to release (change to the initialized state). In one preferred embodiment, this prevents rewriting a tag with correctly written data and thus reduces tag power consumption and the risk of writing wrong data.

Once the tag is selected (after this has been done), the base station 105 sends a signal with the transmission data 145, the transmission address 245, and optionally the write broadcast command 260 to all the tags in the field 120. Broadcast at the same time. No identification of tag 130 is done.

Upon receipt of the transmission data 145 and the transmission address 245 broadcast by the base station 105, all tags 130 in the field have their respective tags having a data address 275 that matches the transmission address 245. The transmission data 145 is simultaneously recorded in the location 270 (665).

Steps 710 and 720 (or step 720 only) are optionally repeated 725 any number of times.

In addition, steps 727 and 729 may be optionally performed. At step 727, base station 105 listens (monitors) for response 668 indicating that transmission data from one or more tags in field 120 has not been recorded in at least one tag. If a response is received, the base station 105 rebroadcasts (retransmits) the transmission data 145 and the transmission address 245 again (729).

The response is sent to the tag 130 when the tag logic 238 compares the transfer data 344 with the data stored at the tag data location 270 in the tag memory 236 to confirm that the writing was performed correctly. Is generated by The tag responds if the comparison does not match.

Repeating steps 615 and 725 are useful in applications in which the tagged object passes through the field 120 of the base station continuously and / or randomly. For example, an item with a tag on a conveyor belt may be time stamped or given an item identification number as it passes through base station field 120. The base station repeats the recording broadcast signal at a frequency sufficiently high to ensure that all items passing through the field 120 receive at least one recording broadcast signal (615, 725). In another embodiment, the base station 105 continuously transmits the recording broadcast signal (by repeating (615, 725)) such that any information in the field 120 can be recorded with certain tags. For example, the base station 105 on the loading dock repeats the recording broadcast signal with location information (time) as the transmission data 145 (615, 725). In this example, any tag that can be placed on the dock will have a location written to the tag memory 136, 236. This information can then be read to determine the origin, routing, and the like of the tagged object.

8 is a flow diagram of a preferred process 800 for identifying tags in a field that did not correctly process a recorded broadcast signal sent from a base station. This is a way to verify the success of a given record broadcast command. If a record broadcast command is unsuccessful for one or more tags, for example if one or more tags do not detect that a record broadcast command has been sent, another record broadcast command may be sent to record to the tag that was not recorded. Process 800 is optional and can be executed in conjunction with process 700.

Process 800 is initiated by issuing a deselect command 810. The deselect command deselects the tag 230 in the field 120 having the transmission data 145 at the tag data location 270 having the tag data address 275 that matches the transmission address 245. These tags 230 are now initialized (415, 517) and will not respond in step 830.

The system determines whether an error has occurred in one or more tags in the field and writes the transmission data 145 to the tag data location 270 having the tag data address 275 corresponding to the transmission address 245. In one embodiment, this occurs at execution of step 810 if the tag is not deselected, that is, if the tag does not have transmission data 145 within the appropriate tag data location 270. In another embodiment, tags having transmission data 145 at their tag data location 270 corresponding to (eg, matching) the transmission address 245 are deselected by the deselect command and any tag ( Or similar) command is issued by the base station to cause the tag to respond within the appropriate tag data location 270 without transmission data 145.

In addition, steps 810 and 820 may be performed by the base station 105 to write to all tags (subset of tags) in the field 120, in this case corresponding to the transport address 245 (eg For example, issue a select command to select a tag 230 having data that does not match (eg, does not match) the transmission data 145 to a data location 270 having a data address 275 that matches. . This command places or repositions the selected tag 230 in the active (415, 518) state. In some preferred embodiments, this allows tag 230 to automatically send response 830.

In either case, at step 830, a tag with data that does not match transport data 145 responds to their data location 270 with a data address that matches transport address 245. When the base station 105 detects a response, the record broadcast signal is (optionally) repeated, see for example process 760. If no response is received from the tag in field 120, this means that no tag in the field or all have been successfully recorded. Thus, the process ends (840).

Using process 600, 650, or process 700, and optionally process 800, these systems 100, 200 can be used in field 120 with very few (or even one) recorded broadcast signals. It is possible to write to a plurality of tags 130 and 230. Thus, multiple tags 130 and 230 can be recorded with the same information very quickly.

9 is a block diagram of the present system for use in various non-limiting applications. Applications of the present invention include writing information to tags that are moving through field 120 of base station 105 and / or writing information to multiple tags within field 120 for a given time period. For example, object 905 in field 120 is tagged by a tag (typically (130, 230)). The tagged object 905 passes through the field 120 by moving on various mobile devices, such as the conveyor belt / assembly line 910, the vehicle / truck 915, the cart 930. The tagged person or beast 950 can also move through the field 120. Multiple tagged objects 905 may exist in temporary storage areas 945, such as containers / crates 920 and 925 and / or storage or cargo or cargo vessels. Tags 130, 230, or objects in metal crate 920, 925, containers (e.g., trucks or railroad cars 915), or Aspali-Ardakani et al. And may be recorded using a Frequency Selective Windows 940 as described in US Patent Application No. 08 / 521,902, filed Aug. 31, 1995 by Afzali-Ardakani et al.

Various types of information, namely transmission data 145, may be recorded at tag data location 270. The base station may set the specific data address 275 of the tag 230 to include a particular type of information, ie, tag data 270 (transmission data 145), in their associated data location 270. For example, number 5 (6 and 7, respectively) of data address 275 may correspond to a time (date and location, respectively). The base station 105 issues a write broadcast command with a transport address 245 that matches the data address 275 of the predefined data location 270 for each transmission data 145 to be recorded in the tag 230. Information can be recorded at each of these data locations 270. Using a plurality of write broadcast commands, the base station 105 can record various information (transmission data 145) in a specific data location 270 in the tag memory 236. Examples of transmission data 145 recorded at data location 270 include status and identity of object 905, price, payment, history of object 905, location, time, date, tracking. Information, processing instructions, and the purpose and compatibility of the object 905.

For example, for a manufacturing item passing through field 120 on assembly line 910, transmission data 145 of the base station may be such as UPC, serial, batch, and / or manufacturer identification number. It may be identification information identifying the object 905. The transmission data 145 may be descriptive information such as the dyeing station, cost, price, investigation number, and / or dangerous goods code of the article of manufacture. The transmission data 145 may be usage information such as expiration date, associated assembly and subassembly information, recycling information, cleaning instructions, and / or compatibility with other parts / elements. The transmission data 145 may be tracking and location information, such as origination point, destination (eg, by mail or parcel), time and date, counter, and / or personnel management. The transmission data 145 may be state information indicating that the object 905 indicates a test, inventory, a number of uses, a cleaning frequency, or the like. The transmission data can be processing instructions such as when to wash, how to dispose, where to ship for maintenance, and the like.

FIG. 10 illustrates the steps performed by another preferred process 1000 at the base station of the system 200 of FIG.

At step 1010, a group select command is issued by the base station to select a subset of tags 230 in field 120. The selected tag is moved from the initial state 517 to the active state 518. Only active tags respond to subsequent commands.

In step 1010, when the base station issues an appropriate group selection command, the subset of tags may optionally be all tags. In step 1010, the subset of tags may optionally be increased or decreased by issuing a series of group select and deselect group commands.

In step 1020, a group deselection command is issued by the base station to initialize these active tags with tag data values that match the transmission data 145 in the tag memory location 270 corresponding to the transmission address 245. Change to

Step 1020 is an optional step. By moving tags that already have the correct data in the tag data memory to the initial state 517, subsequent write broadcast commands 250 will be ignored for these tags. Thus, step 1020 has the effect of preventing unnecessary tag memory write operations. Uses of these steps include, but are not limited to:

1) For tags where each write command consumes limited power resources, step 1020 prevents unnecessary tag power consumption.

2) For tags that can withstand a limited number of memory write operations, step 1020 prevents unnecessary tag memory wear.

3) For tags in which the write operation has a possibility of error, step 1020 prevents the possibility of overwriting the good data with the bad data.

In step 1020, a tag with a tag data value in the tag memory location 270 corresponding to the transport address 245 that does not match the transport data 145 responds to the base station 105.

In step 1030, the base station receiver 206 distinguishes between no tag response and one or more tag responses.

If there is no tag response, all active tags have tag data values that match the transmitted data and have been moved to initial state 517 in step 1020. Thus, at step 1035, processing is complete without error.

If more than one tag responds, step 1040 is performed. The record broadcast may be performed one or more times and may be determined by the tries parameter tracked by the base station computer 108.

If all attempts have been exhausted, step 1045 reports that processing has ended with errors. Active tags are tags with errors. Active tags may be further processed to determine and correct errors.

If all attempts have not been made, step 1050 indicates that base station 105 broadcasts a signal with transmission data 145, transmission address 245, and write broadcast command 260.

At the moment of receiving the recording broadcast signal 250, all active tags 130 simultaneously record the transmission data 145 at the transmission address 245 in the tag data memory 236.

Step 1060 is the same as step 1020. Deselecting a group causes a correctly recorded tag to be moved back to its initial state, and a tag that is not correctly recorded remains active and responds.

From step 1060, the process returns back to step 1030, repeating the process until all tags have been correctly written or all attempts have been exhausted.

Optionally, from step 1060, the process may return to step 1010. In other words, prior to deselection of step 1020, the entire subset may be selected again. Proceeding to one of the two phases has advantages in certain applications. For example,

1) In speed critical applications, going to step 1020 saves the time required to select a subgroup for each trial.

2) In an application where the tag 230 enters the field 120 continuously, when going to step 1010, when the new tag 230 enters the field 120, they are selected and they are recorded in the record broadcast process 1050. Included.

Given the disclosure, equivalent embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. These embodiments are also within the inventor's consideration.

According to the present invention as described above, there is provided a recording broadcast system and method for simultaneously recording transmission data to all tags or a selected number (subgroup) tags in a base station field using a base station. The system deselects a tag that has been successfully recorded, requests a response from the rest of the tags in the field (or subgroup), and receives a response to the request, so that a tag that has not been successfully written to the field (subgroup) is returned. Determine if it exists. Other recording broadcast signals are transmitted to these tags. The system is useful for quickly (simultaneously) verifying information on tag memories of multiple tags in a field of a base station.

Claims (35)

In a transponder, A transponder memory having a transponder data location having a data value, A transponder receiver that receives a signal, the signal having sent data, the receiver writing the transmitted data to the transponder data location, and the transponder receiving the transmitted data Transmit a response if different from the data value, and the transponder does not transmit a response if the transmitted data is equal to the data value. A tag antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal having transmission data from a base station, A tag memory having a tag data location with old data, A tag logic having an active state and an initialize state—a Select Command may invoke the tag if the tag satisfies a select condition. Placed in the active state, and an Unselect Command places the tag in an initialized state if the tag satisfies an unselect condition—and, A tag receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal from the tag antenna, wherein the tag writes the transmission data to the tag data location when the tag is in the active state, and the tag is in the initialization state. Wherein if the tag does not write the transmission data to the tag data location. The method of claim 2, Recording of the transmission data occurs within the tag without transmitting the response including the tag with a tag identifier. The method of claim 2, A decoder that decodes an Any Tag command that causes the tag to communicate a response when the tag is in the active state and prevents the tag to communicate a response when the tag is in the initialization state ( A radio frequency tag further comprising a decoder. A tag antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal from a base station, wherein the radio frequency signal includes zero or more sent data and zero or more the sent addresses corresponding to the transmitted data. ─ and, A tag receiver for decoding each of the transmission data and the transmission address from the radio frequency signal; A tag memory having one or more tag data locations, each tag data location having a respective tag data address; A tag receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal from the tag antenna; Tag logic having an active state and an initialization state, where a select command places the tag in the active state if the tag meets a selection condition and a deselect command recalls the tag if the tag meets the deselection condition. Positioned in an initialization state, the tag logic writes each of the transmission data having the tag data address corresponding to a transmission address to the tag data location, respectively, when the tag is in the active state, Record none of the transmitted data when in an initialization state. In a base station in communication with zero or more tags, each of the tags having a tag memory, in a field of the base station, A signal generator for generating a signal comprising transmission data; A base station transmitter for encoding an signal on a carrier to produce an encoded signal; A base station that transmits the encoded signal to two or more tags in a field, causing the tag to simultaneously write the transmission data to the tag memory and to listen for responses from one or more tags. An antenna, the response causing the base station transmitter to retransmit the encoded signal. The method of claim 6, The transmission data may include the following types of information: object identification, object description, object use, object tracking, object location, object state, A base station communicating with a radio frequency tag that includes any one of object status and object handling. A base station communicating with zero or more radio frequency tags in a field of the base station, each of the tags having a tag memory, the tag memory having one or more tag data locations, each of the tag data locations having a tag data address ─, A computer generating a selection command and a write broadcast signal, the write broadcast signal comprising zero or more write broadcast commands, zero or more transmission data, zero or more transmission addresses, and , A base station transmitter that encodes the selection command on a radio frequency carrier to generate a select signal and encodes the record broadcast signal on the radio frequency carrier to generate a write signal; , ③ transmits the selection signal to all tags in the field to select a subgroup of the tags, and subsequently transmits the write signal to the tag data having a tag data address corresponding to the transfer address A base station antenna for simultaneously recording each of the transmitted data at a location A base station in communication with a radio frequency tag comprising a. In a radio frequency tagging system, 1 or more radio frequency tags, each tag having tag logic, tag antenna, and tag data location A base station having a signal generator, a transmitter and a base antenna, the signal generator transmitting a carrier signal through the transmitter and the base station antenna to create a field, wherein the transmitter is on the carrier signal Encoding the transmission data generated by the signal generator to produce an encoded carrier signal, wherein zero or more tags in the field receive the carrier signal through their respective tag antennas and The tag logic of each tag in the field decodes the transmission data and causes the transmission data to be written simultaneously to each tag data location, and the tag logic indicates that the tag responds if the transmission data is different from the spherical data in the tag data location. And transmit the data And to not send the same response as if itaconic, if a response is received from one or more tags, the base station radio frequency tag system including a ─ retransmits the encoded carrier signal. The method of claim 9, And the tag does not respond to the write broadcast command. ① zero or more radio frequency tags, each tag having tag logic and tag antennas and each tag further having one or more tag data locations associated with the tag data address; A base station having a computer, a transmitter, and a base station antenna; (3) a process performed by the computer in which a radio frequency record broadcast signal is transmitted through the transmitter and the base station, wherein the record broadcast signal has two transport addresses corresponding to each of the transmit data and the transmit data. Having one or more pairs, wherein the one or more tags in the field receive the recording broadcast signal through the tag antenna and the tag logic of each tag so that the transmission data has a tag data address that matches the respective transmission address. Causing the transmission data to be simultaneously recorded in each of the tag data locations. The method of claim 11, The tag logic causes the tag to transmit a response if the transmitted data is different from the old data in the tag data location and not to send a response if the transmitted data is the same as the old data, and the response is from one or more tags. And when received, the base station retransmits the encoded carrier signal. The method of claim 11, And the tag does not respond to the write broadcast command. The method of claim 11, The base station transmits a group deselection command, and one or more tags having spherical data in the tag data location that is not equal to the transmission data transmits a response to the group deselection command to the base station. The method of claim 11, The transmission data includes any one of the following types of information: object identity, object description, object use, object tracking, object location, object state, object processing. In the method performed by a base station, a. Selecting a subgroup of zero or more tags in a field of tags by sending a selection command, wherein only the tags in the subgroup are enabled to write transmission data to respective tag memories of the tag; b. Transmitting a radio frequency signal, the signal having transmission data, such that zero or more tags in a field simultaneously write the transmission data to a tag memory in a tag in a subgroup. . a. Transmitting a radio frequency signal in a field of zero or more radio frequency tags, said signal having one or more pairs of transmission data and transmission addresses, each transmission address being associated with transmission data, said signal being zero in the field Wherein at least one tag writes each of the transmission data to a tag data location in a tag memory in zero or more tags, the tag data location having the same tag data address as the transport address associated with each of the transmission data; b. Issuing a deselect command that causes the tag in the field to respond if the value at each of the tag data locations with a tag data address corresponding to the transfer address is not equal to the respective transmitted data. Method performed by a base station. The method of claim 17, The base station is performed by a base station retransmitting the radio frequency signal when a response is received. The method of claim 17, At least one pair has no transport address and each tag data location is performed by a base station that is pre-assigned. The method of claim 17, Performed by a base station in which there is one transport address paired with two or more of the transmission data. Tag antenna means for receiving a radio frequency signal having transmission data from a base station; Tag memory means having a tag data location; Tag receiver means for receiving the radio frequency signal from the tag antenna and writing the transmission data to the tag data location; A tag transmitter means for sending a response if said transmission data differs from the spherical data in said tag data location. A base station in communication with zero or more radio frequency tags in a field of a base station, each of which has a tag memory, (1) signal generator means for generating a signal comprising transmission data; A base station receiver, (3) base station transmitter means for encoding a signal having said transmission data on a radio frequency carrier to produce an encoded carrier; (4) base station antenna means for transmitting the encoded carrier to zero or more tags in the field such that the tag simultaneously writes the transmission data to a tag memory, the base station antenna means being adapted when the base station receiver detects a response; Transmit a second encoded carrier—a base station in communication with a radio frequency tag comprising a. A tag antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal from a base station, said radio frequency signal having transmission data, said tag antenna also communicating one or more responses to said base station; A tag memory having a tag data location having spherical data; Tag logic having an active state and an initialized state, where a select command places the tag in the active state if the tag meets a selection condition, and a deselect command removes the tag if the tag meets the deselection condition. An active tag placed in the initialization state that receives a deselection command and does not satisfy a deselection condition, communicates one of the responses to the base station via the tag antenna; A tag receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal from the tag antenna—the tag writes the transmission data to the tag data location when the tag is in the active state, and the tag when the tag is in the initialization state Does not write the transmission data to the tag data location. The method of claim 23, Recording of the transmission data occurs within a tag without transmitting the response including the tag identifier. The method of claim 23, Recording of the transmission data causes the tag to transmit the response. The method of claim 23, Recording of the transmission data causes the tag to transmit a response if the transmission data is different from the tag memory data. A base station in communication with a plurality of tags in a field of the base station, each of the tags having a tag memory, A signal generator for generating a signal containing transmission data; (2) a base station transmitter for encoding a signal on a carrier to generate an encoded signal; (3) transmit the encoded signal to zero or more tags in the field to cause the tag to simultaneously write the transmitted memory to the tag memory, and deselect the tag with the transmission data in their respective tag memory. A base station in communication with a radio frequency tag that transmits a group deselection command and includes a base station antenna that listens for responses from one or more tags. The method of claim 27, The response is in communication with a radio frequency tag that causes the base station transmitter to retransmit the encoded signal. The method of claim 27, The response is in communication with a radio frequency tag that causes the base station to generate an error code. A base station in communication with a plurality of radio frequency tags in a field of the base station, each of the tags having a tag memory, the tag memory having one or more tag data locations, each of the tag data locations having a tag data address. In A computer generating a deselection command and a recording broadcast signal, the recording broadcast signal comprising zero or more recording broadcast commands, zero or more transmission data, zero or more transmission addresses; A base station transmitter which encodes the deselection command on a radio frequency carrier to generate a deselection signal, and encodes the record broadcast signal on the radio frequency carrier to generate a record signal; Transmit the deselection signal to all tags in the field to deselect a subgroup of tags, and subsequently transmit the write signal to transmit to the tag data location with the tag data address corresponding to the transfer address; Base station antenna to record each of the data simultaneously A base station in communication with a radio frequency tag comprising a. a. Selecting zero or more tags in a field of tags by issuing one or more select commands and zero or more deselect commands, wherein the selected tags are active and the unselected tags remain initialized; and b. If a value at each of the tag data locations having a tag data address corresponding to the transport address matches the transmission data, the deselected tag is placed in an initialization state, and the value at any tag data location is Issuing a deselect command that remains active and responds if it does not match the transmitted data c. Issuing a recording broadcast command when any response is received up to step b. Method performed by a base station comprising a. The method of claim 31, wherein d. Repeating steps b and c until no tag responds. The method of claim 31, wherein d. Repeating steps b and c until an allowed number of iterations is reached. The method of claim 31, wherein d. Repeating steps a, b, c until no tag responds. The method of claim 31, wherein d. Repeating steps a, b, c until an allowed number of iterations has been reached.