Abstract:
A set of wireless devices can be coupled together using a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. The system includes an RFID writer for writing a unique identifier to an RFID tag stored in a transmitter device. The unique identifier can then be used to identify a wireless signal sent from the transmitter device to a receiver device. The receiver may also include an RFID tag, and the two devices may share a secret encryption key for use in creating an encrypted link between the transmitter and receiver. Virtual links may also be established at a distribution center by writing an address through a closed box into each device RFID. One or more RFID writers may be used to verify the identifier written to the RFID tags, carry out quality control checks, and track products to prevent inventory leaks and verify that sold products are certified.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application entitled “RFID Auto-Connect for Wireless Devices,” to Monney et. al. attorney docket number 19414-9327, filed Sep. 22, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to configuring a wireless device for communications with a receiver, and in particular, to using a radio frequency identification system to create a virtual communications link between a wireless device and a receiver.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Due to the widespread proliferation of wireless technology, it is now commonplace for multiple device-receiver pairs to be operating within the same frequency band in a single home or workplace environment. This has led to a greater risk of interference, both intentional, in the form of malicious eavesdropping, and unintentional, due to crosstalk between devices. An additional security threat may also be associated with remote-controlled devices that are susceptible to being manipulated by multiple wireless transmitters. One common technique to ensure that signals are received exclusively by their intended receiver within signal rich environments is to establish a unique identifier or address between each receiver-transmitter pair. This technique reduces the likelihood of interference and security risks associated with the technique previously described. The identifier is embedded in the signal transmitted from the sending device. The corresponding receiving device will only accept, report on, or otherwise react to received signals containing the correct identifier code. Signals received by the receiving device that do not contain the appropriate identifier code are ignored so there is no erroneous reporting by the receiving device.  
         [0004]     This technique requires that a predefined identifier be stored in the * transmitting device. Conventionally, this can be accomplished by writing a unique address or identifier into read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., electronically erasable programmable ROM or EEPROM) of the transmitter and receiver. During the manufacturing process, for instance, the predefined identifier code is programmed into the EEPROM of the transmitter-receiver pair. The predefined identifier code will then be available when the sending device transmits data. The EEPROM can add substantial cost due to the EEPROM itself, the manufacturing process involved in placing and programming the EEPROM, and the physical space consumed by the EEPROM. A second drawback of this approach is that different components of the transmitter-receiver pair may be manufactured in different locations and at different times, to be matched to each other just prior to distribution or be distributed unmatched, requiring the user to complete the matching process. For instance, in the computer peripherals context, a receiver may be made at a distribution center in Europe, to be coupled with a keyboard assembled in Thailand and a mouse from China, and used with documentation manufactured by a local vendor. Matching the unique codes to components adds considerable administrative overhead and coordination between manufacturing sites.  
         [0005]     Techniques have been devised to provide the code to the components post-distribution, for instance by using an auto-connect button that allows peripheral components to tune into each other while at the client site. However, such approaches may often be undesirable because they require the user to program their own devices prior to using them, imposing a configuration burden on the user and technical support costs on the supplier. In addition, in corporate environments where multiple transmitter-receiver pairs may operate within a small range, there is a chance that a device will be misprogrammed and associated with the wrong receiver or transmitter.  
         [0006]     What is needed, therefore, is a technique that allows an identifying code or other virtual link to be distributed to transmitter-receiver pairs in a way that can be accomplished with minimal coordination and does not require user intervention. The technique should be implementable at the end of the supply chain, when components groups are coupled together into wireless systems just prior to distribution.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In an embodiment, two devices of a wireless system can be communicatively associated using a unique identifier stored on a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. For example, code can be written to a first RFID tag in a first wireless device and to a second RFID tag in a second wireless device. The common code couples the two devices to each other, and can be used to identify one device to the other during communication. The step of writing to one or both of the RFID tags can be performed during the last stage of production when the devices of a wireless system are brought together. Because an RFID tag can be written to and energized wirelessly by a writer/reader, without requiring its own power supply, this step can flexibly be performed virtually at any time, including just before distribution eliminating the need to coordinate between production facilities in disparate locations.  
         [0008]     Code written to an RFID tag can comprise any number of types of identifying data such as an address associated with the receiver or a key shared with the receiver. In an embodiment, a signal sent from the transmitter to the receiver can include the code or a variant of it to distinguish the signal&#39;s source. The RFID tag may be mounted to the printed circuit board of a device, and commands contained in the signal can be transferred over a signal line to be processed accordingly. In one embodiment, a common code is written to two devices; in another embodiment, however, a code can be read from a first RFID tag within the first device, and written to a second RFID tag within the second device. That way, the first RFID tag can be of the less expensive read-only tag class. When more than two devices are to be coupled together, for instance, in the case of one receiver and two transmitters, the devices may share a common code, written to each according to an anti-collision protocol.  
         [0009]     An embodiment of the invention can be implemented in any wireless transmitter-receiver pair (e.g., mouse, keyboard, video camera, personal digital assistant, pointing device, remote control, etc) or system including more than one receiver or transmitter. It may be accomplished through a system comprising an RFID writer. The system may also include a reader, implementable for instance in a single writer/reader, in order to also verify that code written to an RFID tag is well-formed.  
         [0010]     The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The invention has other advantages and features which will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]     Figure (or FIG.)  1  depicts a computer system including wireless peripheral components for use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  shows a prior art system for coupling the components of the computer system of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a depiction of an electronic device and a remote control in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2A  shows a prior art system for coupling the electronic device and the remote control of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts an RFID auto-connect system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3A  shows an RFID tag implanted on a printed circuit board in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3B  shows an RFID tag in communication with a micro controller unit over an RF interface on a printed circuit board in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a manufacturing setup for writing to RFID tags included in the components of a wireless system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the production of an RFID auto-connect system according to one embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating the operation an RFID auto-connect system according to one embodiment.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a pairing system for verifying the pairing status of a wireless system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     While the present invention will be described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it may not cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0024]     Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable, similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a computer system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The computer system includes a conventional computer  120  and peripheral devices  130 ,  140  coupled to the computer  120  through wireless connections. The computer  120  may be, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, a network computer (or appliance), or other computing device. The peripheral devices may include a keyboard  130  and a computer pointing device, e.g., a mouse  140 . Other exemplary peripherals include devices such as printers, handheld control devices, game pads, joysticks, or steering wheels coupled to the computer. In addition, other devices such as remote controllers, cell phones, personal digital assistants, or other computers, computing devices, or laptops may be used to communicate with computer  120 . Wireless keyboard  130  and mouse  140  transmit command and other signals to a host system (not shown) separately coupled to or included within computer  120 . Commands received by the receiver are carried out by computer  120  to perform various operations; for instance, Internet browsing, application functions, and printing.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1A  shows a prior art system  101  for coupling the wireless keyboard  130  and mouse  140  to the computer  120 . Using this system  101 , a user depresses a connection button  135  that resides on the wireless keyboard  130  and another connection button  115  that resides on the host system  101 . This causes the wireless keyboard  115  and the host system  101  to transmit data between them to establish an identifier for communication between the keyboard  115  and host  101 . The same process is carried out with wireless mouse  140 , on which another button  145  is pushed to establish a connection with host system  101 . The identifier is stored by connected devices and used to identify communications, for instance, between the mouse  140  and host system  101 . Commands received by host system  101  are transferred to computer  120 . This prior art system has the disadvantage of requiring the user to carry out this connection step at home after purchasing the keyboard before being able to use it.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  depicts an electronic device  210  and a remote control  220  for controlling the device  210 . The electronic device  210  shown is a television (TV); in other embodiments, it could also be a cordless telephone, digital camera, video camera, home entertainment system such as a stereo or DVD system, an entertainment computer for storing entertainment content, a personal video recorder (e.g., as supplied by TiVo Inc. of Alviso, Calif.), a home appliance, wireless doorbell, a set-top box, a computing, or other device. The remote control  220  communicates with the TV  210  over infrared (IR) transmissions, sent over a line of sight path between an infrared receiver  230  on TV  210  and the remote  220 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 2A  shows a prior art system for coupling the electronic device  210  and remote control  220  of  FIG. 2 . Implanted on the printed circuit boards (PCB)  245 ,  235  of the remote and the TV, respectively, are memory modules  250  &amp;  240 . A transmission code is implanted on each module  250 ,  240  during the manufacturing process. This adds costs to and requires substantial coordination during the manufacturing process, particularly if the remote and TV are manufactured in different places.  
         [0000]     RFID Auto-Connect System  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  depicts an RFID auto-connect system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system is comprised of RFID tags  300  mounted inside of wireless keyboard  130 , mouse  140 , and computer  120  of wireless computer system as shown. In an embodiment, each of the RFID tags  300  contains a common identifier or address that couples the components  120 ,  130 , &amp;  140  of the wireless system. During operation of the computer  120 , command signals sent by transmitters within the peripheral devices (e.g., keyboard  130  and mouse  140 ) to a receiver or transceiver within the computer  120  include the identifier or address. The receiver or transceiver stored within the computer  120  or in a housing connected to computer  120 , recognizes the command signals by the identifier, which is also embedded on its own RFID tag  300 A, thereby distinguishing those signals from noise signals. This way, the receiver will report only on signals including the proper random identifier code.  
         [0030]     In an embodiment, the RFID tags  300  are passive tags that can be encoded by an RFID writer without the need for an external power supply. Electromagnetic waves sent by a writer generate a current in the antennae of the tags  300  to power the microchip circuit and send a return signal to the writer. The writer can write the same address to the tags  300  within each device without any need to put the battery in those devices. This affords great flexibility in manufacturing operations, as, for example, the tags  300  can be inserted onto the printed circuit boards of wireless components  120 ,  130 ,  140  at one or more stages of production, and then encoded at the end of production when the components  120 ,  130 ,  140  are assembled together into a wireless system. This avoids the need to coordinate codes between the components  120 ,  130 ,  140  at an earlier stage in production, an administrative challenge when the components  120 ,  130 ,  140 , are manufactured separately in different facilities and/or at different times, as is commonly the case.  
         [0000]     RFID Tag  
         [0031]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an RFID tag  300  implanted on a logical internal architecture of a wireless device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary architecture shown in  FIG. 3A  includes an RFID tag  300 , central processing unit (CPU or processor)  150  (or microcontroller unit), a memory  155 , a storage  160 , one or more input-output (I/O) ports  165   a - 165   n,  and a data bus (not shown) that couples the components together. The CPU  150  is a conventional processor, for example, an Intel Pentium™ or Itanium™ series processor or a Motorola PowerPC™ series processor.  
         [0032]     The system architecture configuration shown in  FIG. 3A  is exemplary in nature and shows the RFID tag  300  mounted to the main printed circuit board, in another embodiment, however, the RFID tag  300  could be mounted to a secondary printed circuit board, or could be connected to the CPU  150  via a data bus and not mounted directly onto a circuit board. The memory  155  is a conventional memory, for example, comprising dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), or EEPROM memory. The storage  160  is a conventional storage, for example, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, or a solid-state storage medium. Connecting the components is a conventional data bus, for example, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) or an optical data bus. The I/O ports  165   a - 165   n  are conventional I/O ports, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a PS/2 port, an IEEE 1394 port, a parallel port, and/or a serial port. The I/O ports  165   a - 165   n  allow data from various peripherals to be provided to CPU.  
         [0033]     The RFID tag  300  includes an antenna  310  for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves and a microchip  320  for storing information and doing simple processing. Although the antenna  310  shown is a rectangular antenna, it could also comprise a circular or loop antenna, an air coil antenna, or a printed antenna comprised of carbon paper ink. In an embodiment, the antenna  310  is positioned to optimize access by an RFID writer, for instance, on a production line. The RFID tag  300  may be coupled to the memory  155  by a data bus and can store identifier or other values provided by an RFID writer to the memory  155 . In another embodiment, the RFID tag includes a small amount of memory and is coupled to the CPU  150  by a data bus line by which the CPU  150  can access the memory. Alternatively, the RFID tag  300  may be coupled to a memory  155  over an air interface.  
         [0034]     In the alternative PCB configuration shown in  FIG. 3B , the RFID tag  300  is in communication with a micro controller unit (MCU)  350  over an RF interface. The RFID  300  includes only an RF port, and does not have a serial port for communications with the MCU  350 . Instead, information is transferred from the RFID  300  to the MCU  350  through the RFID antenna  358  to an RFID reader  364  that is in turn coupled to the MCU  350 . In order to read an identifier or other value stored on the EEPROM  354  of the RFID tag  300 , the reader sends a  364  sends a reading signal over its antenna  362  that is received by the RFID antenna  358 . The RFID antenna  358  sends a response, which is received by the reader  364  through the reader antenna  362  and output to the MCU  350 . This way, the RFID  300  tag only needs a single (RF) port.  
         [0035]     The RFID tag  300  can be based on any existing or emerging RFID technology. The RFID tag  300  can be read-only, read/write, active, passive, semi-passive, or be of any of a variety of existing or emerging categories of RFID tags. The RFID tag  300  may have varying dimensions and be configured, for example, like a SO8 package or TSSOP8 package. Further, in one embodiment the RFID tag  300  is designed to operate at around 13.56 MHz and have a transmission and/or reception range of, for example, between 25 to 50 centimeters. Other frequencies and ranges are also possible including, inter alia, 125 KHz with a range below 10 cm, 915 MHz with a range between 3 to 5 meters, and 2.45 GHz with a range between 0.5 to 1 meter. Alternatively, a nonstandard frequency for RFID such as 27 MHz maybe used, as permitted by international regulation.  
         [0036]     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an identifier or code is written to the RFID tag  300  that is used to couple the wireless device associated with the RFID tag  300  to other devices. The identifier or code can comprise a SHORT_ID that could, for example, describe the model of the devices (e.g. reflecting the number of buttons or feature set) and can follow any number of data formats. Alternatively, the identifier can consist of a multiple-bit address associated with the receiver, included directly in the transmissions of transmitters in peripheral devices.  
         [0037]     In another embodiment, the identifier is used to seed a code-generating algorithm known to both a receiving and transmitting device, the result of which is included in transmissions between the receiving and transmitting device. The algorithm may comprise an encryption algorithm, and the RFID tag of a transmitter (e.g. stored in the keyboard of  FIG. 3 .  130 ) and a receiver (e.g. stored in the computer  120 ) can store a key commonly shared between the two devices for creating an encrypted link. For instance, based on a symmetric key algorithm like DES or AES and using 128-bit encoding, between the two devices. Upon receipt of an encrypted message, the receiving device can retrieve the encryption key from memory, and use it to decrypt the message. The chip included on one ore more of the RFID tags  300  may be capable of performing a cryptographic algorithm according to asymmetric-key encryption, challenge-response identification, or another protocol.  
         [0038]     In yet another embodiment, one or more of the RFID tags  300  holds cryptographic protocol data, for use in encoding wireless transmissions. The information stored to the RFID tags  300  could alternatively comprise data for pairing the devices according to a Bluetooth protocol, or identification data to be used in tracking the wireless devices, including production or certification data to avoid product counterfeiting. In an embodiment, a single common identifier is stored to RFID tags  300  within each of the multiple components within a single wireless system; in another embodiment, different identifiers are stored within different wireless peripherals. For instance, RFID tags  300  within wireless keyboard  130  and mouse  140  are encoded with different identifiers, both of which are coded to RFID tag  300  within computer  120 , in order to distinguish between the transmissions sent to computer  120  from the different components.  
         [0000]     Programming RFID Tags of a Wireless System  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a manufacturing configuration for writing to RFID tags included in the components of a wireless system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Included is a “pairing station” comprising an RFID reader/writer  410 , coupled wirelessly to a production line  400  carrying boxes  430  containing wireless systems. The wireless system of  FIG. 4  comprises a wireless keyboard  130 , a wireless mouse  140 , and a receiver  150 . Other embodiments, however, could include various remote controlled and wireless systems including wireless phones/receivers, wireless entertainment systems, and the like. Boxes  430  containing wireless systems progress down production line  400 , through stages A, B, and C.  
         [0040]     At stage B, the writer of the reader/writer  410  in the pairing station wirelessly writes a code or identifier to RFID tags included in a box  430 B. The code or identifier may be randomly generated or serially assigned according to a manufacturing protocol. In an embodiment where the code comprises an ID and encryption key, the writer  410  may be coupled to or include a processor for generating a random key, of various encryption key lengths, using conventional methods known in the art such as a pseudo-random number generator, hash algorithm or microcontroller hardware timer. After the code has been written to the RFID tags, the reader of reader/writer  410  verifies the code written to each tag to ensure that it is well-written. Reader/writer  410  could comprise a handheld device, and/or be positioned in a variety of configurations and is located within range of RFID tags included in box. An advantage of using the RFID reader/writer  410  is that it writes to and reads from the RFID tag through RF waves and thus does not require direct access or line of sight to the tags. Taking advantage of this feature, in one configuration the RFID reader/writer  410  writes the common identifier to the tags through a closed box.  
         [0041]     In another embodiment, to enable the devices to interoperate with other Bluetooth devices, the pairing station generates a random PIN (personal or private identification number) code for each of a wireless keyboard  130  and a wireless mouse  140 . The writer of the reader/writer  410  is used to write these codes to each of the devices  130 ,  140 . The reader of the reader/writer  410  is used to read the Bluetooth addresses from each device and writes the addresses and the PIN codes associated with the keyboard  130  and mouse  140  to the RFID tag in the receiver  101 .  
         [0042]     In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the identifier is written to the memory of a wireless device using a temporary wired network, rather than wirelessly. This could be still be accomplished while the wireless device is already packaged through a special conduit in the housing for the device, or access points such as plugs or holes in the device packaging. In addition, an optical link could be used to provide the coupling data to the devices.  
         [0043]     A pairing system  700  as shown in  FIG. 7  can include a user interface  710  to indicate the progress of the pairing process. This interface  710  can indicate, for example, when the pairing station has detected all required transponders in its range, when the pairing in process, and if the pairing was successful. The pairing system  700  comprises an antenna  750  coupled to a reader/writer  740  for reading and writing to an RFID tag. The reader writer  740  is coupled over a serial interface  730  to a PC  720  that processes data provided by the reader/writer  740  and produces an output to the interface  710  that reflects the status of pairing.  
         [0044]     In another embodiment, pairing is done after the devices have been shipped to an end-user, rather than during the production process. The receiver of a transmitter-receiver pair is equipped with a low-power RFID writer and/or reader that broadcasts read/write signals over a small range. When the receiver and a peripheral are brought within close proximity of each other, the writer within the receiver writes identifying data such as a numerical identifier or shared encryption key to an RFID tag stored within the peripheral device. The receiver and peripheral are paired. Advantageously, this allows peripheral and other devices and transmitters to be sold separately or matched from different systems. Thus, a user can buy a peripheral gaming accessory or a replacement peripheral and couple it to her existing gaming system.  
         [0045]     A variety of pairing protocols is possible. For instance, separate and distinct IDs may be written into each peripheral device  130 ,  140  and these IDs written to an RFID tag of a receiver  150 . The receiver  150  can identify commands sent by a wireless keyboard  130  because they include the code uniquely associated with the keyboard  130 ; likewise, signals sent by a mouse  140  can be distinguished by the separate code provided for communications sent from the mouse  140 . In certain embodiments, the reader portion of the reader/writer  410  may be omitted, in others, the functionality of the reader/writer  410  may be provided by multiple devices.  
         [0046]     In an embodiment, an RFID tag contained in a receiver device  150  is a read-only tag that already contains an identifying value. A reader of the reader/writer  410  reads this value from the RFID tag on receiver device  101  and a writer of the reader/writer  410  in turn writes the identifying value to RFID tags on the wireless keyboard  130  and wireless mouse  140 . In order for the reader of the reader/writer  410  to read the identifiers written to the various devices (i.e. the keyboard  130 , mouse  140 , and receiver  101 ) the reader/writer  410  and tags follow an anti-collision protocol in order to distinguish between RFID signals sent from the various devices  130 ,  140 . This anti-collision protocol can be implemented according to a singulation protocol under which tags take turns transmitting to the reader of the reader/writer  410 . Following such a protocol, the reader of the reader/writer  410  may send various switch-on, switch-off, acknowledge, and retry signals to tags in wireless devices  130 ,  140 ,  150 . Responsive to these signals, signals may be broadcast by antennae of RFID tags at varying times. In one embodiment, each RFID has its own unique identifier and the reader can choose the RFID tag with which the reader wants to communicate. Alternatively, each RFID has one of a set of identifiers that the reader and/or writer of the reader/writer  410  use to specify the intended recipient of the signal. A binary tree scanning anti-collision protocol which implements the “reader talks first” methodology well-known in the art may also be used. Under such a protocol, no tag transmits any information prior to a request by a reader.  
         [0047]     In another embodiment, peripheral devices operating at different frequencies can communicate with the receiver according to a standard such as Bluetooth, Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP), IEEE 802.11, or IEEE 802.15. Alternatively, a wireless bridge can be used to accomplish pairing. Various wireless bridges are described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/507,768, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Using any of these methods or systems, a user could send a print command from a handheld device to a receiver in a computer that is in turn coupled to a print server.  
         [0000]     Production of an RFID Auto-Connect System  
         [0048]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the production of an RFID auto-connect system according to one embodiment. RFID tags are first implanted  510  on various wireless devices at various stages of production, commonly when components are being mounted to the printed circuit board of each device. As this stage, the RFID tags can comprise blank tags to be written to later in the manufacturing process. In the embodiment, however, a read-only RFID tag with a pre-stored code is implanted to a receiver device, to later be read from the RFID tag and encoded on the one or more transmitter devices to be used with the receiver device.  
         [0049]     At the next stage in the process, wireless devices, in the example shown in  FIG. 5 , are grouped  520  into a wireless system, for example at an assembly facility where components manufactured in different geographic locations are brought together for packaging prior to distribution. For instance, devices are put into packages and placed on an assembly line.  
         [0050]     In an optional step, a pre-stored identifier value is read  525  by an RFID reader from an RFID tag in a first device. This identifier value is provided to an RFID writer, and is written  530  to RFID tags contained in the other elements of the wireless system. In another embodiment, step  525  is omitted, and a common identifier is written  530  by an RFID writer to read/write tags in all elements of the wireless system. The identifier is then read and verified  540  by an RFID reader. Once the information is verified  540 , the information is blocked  545  for reading and writing, and the resulting lock is verified.  
         [0051]     Steps in the process shown in  FIG. 5  can be carried out just before the final assembled box is distributed  550 , for example to retailers. Further, a quality control system, for example, comprised of a handheld or other reader may be used at a later point in the process (not shown) to verify that the components all share the same common identifier. If devices in a wireless system are mismatched, they may be reprogrammed, according to steps  530  and  540  as shown in  FIG. 5  and described previously.  
         [0052]     In addition, an embodiment may also be configured to allow one or more readers for use in tracking and monitoring, for example, an analysis of error logs of returned units or for tracking and detecting an uncertified device. In another embodiment, one or more RFIDs in the wireless system are programmed at one stage in the production and are used to track production of the wireless system during subsequent phases of the supply chain.  
         [0000]     Operation of an RFID Auto-Connect System  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart illustrates operation of an RFID auto-connect system from the perspective of an RFID tag on a wireless transmitter in a wireless device according to one embodiment. The RFID identifier is stored  610  to the tag during the manufacturing process. During the process of sending a command from transmitter to a receiving device, the identifier is accessed  620 , and used to generate  630  a communications code.  
         [0054]     The wireless transmitter generates  640  a communications signal that includes the communications code generated  630  based on the identifier and transmits  650  it to a receiver. In a system where there are multiple transmitters sending signals to a common receiver, the step of generating  640  a communications signal may be carried out in accordance with one of a number of possible protocols for distinguishing between signals sent from the different transmitters. For example, in an embodiment the format of the data field will vary with the type of wireless peripheral device and the type of message. Alternatively, headers may be used to identify to the user the type of device, including address or sub-address information relevant to the transmitting device. The communications signal is transmitted  650  and the source of the signal is identifiable by the code contained in the signal.  
         [0055]     The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.