Patent ID: 8174383
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: B60R,G06Q,G07G,G08B

Abstract:
1. A wireless network comprising: a plurality of RFID devices each having a powered down mode and a receive/transmit mode in which messages can be received and/or transmitted, and each including a timer operable in the powered down mode for enabling the receive/transmit mode periodically in response to time interval information; a plurality of relay devices each having a powered down mode and a receive/transmit mode in which messages may be received and/or transmitted, and each including a timer operable in the powered down mode for enabling the receive/transmit mode periodically in response to time interval information; wherein one of said RFID devices or one of said relay devices is designated as a master device and wherein said plurality of RFID devices and said plurality of relay devices are operable to establish a wireless communication network; wherein said master device defines time interval information and communicates the time interval information at least to said plurality of relay devices, whereby the timers of each of said plurality of relay devices are set to time substantially the same time interval; and wherein said master device communicates at least to said plurality of relay devices synchronization information to start the respective timers of said plurality of relay devices substantially simultaneously, whereby the time intervals of said plurality of relay devices are substantially synchronized.