Source: http://www.google.com/patents/USRE43382?dq=5,266,072
Timestamp: 2014-11-28 23:23:19
Document Index: 243056935

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 05016513', 'Application No. 05016514', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3']

Patent USRE43382 - Method of addressing messages and communications systems - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA method ofand apparatus for establishing wireless communications between an interrogator and individual ones of multiple wireless identification devices, the method comprising utilizing a tree search method to establish communications without collision between the interrogator and individual ones of...http://www.google.com/patents/USRE43382?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent USRE43382 - Method of addressing messages and communications systemsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUSRE43382 E1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/701,563Publication dateMay 15, 2012Filing dateFeb 7, 2010Priority dateFeb 19, 1998Fee statusLapsedPublication number12701563, 701563, US RE43382 E1, US RE43382E1, US-E1-RE43382, USRE43382 E1, USRE43382E1InventorsClifton W. Wood, Jr.Original AssigneeRound Rock Research, LlcExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (103), Non-Patent Citations (60), Classifications (6), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod of addressing messages and communications systemsUS RE43382 E1Abstract A method ofand apparatus for establishing wireless communications between an interrogator and individual ones of multiple wireless identification devices, the method comprising utilizing a tree search method to establish communications without collision between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices, a search tree being defined for the tree search method, the tree having multiple levels respectively representing subgroups of the multiple wireless identification devices, the method further comprising starting the tree search at a selectable level of the search tree. A communications system comprising an interrogator, and a plurality of wireless identification devices configured to communicate with the interrogator in a wireless fashion, the respective wireless identification devices having a unique identification number, the interrogator being configured to employ a tree search technique to determine the unique identification numbers of the different wireless identification devices so as to be able to establish communications between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices without collision by multiple wireless identification devices attempting to respond to the interrogator at the same time, wherein the interrogator is configured to start the tree search at a selectable level of the search tree. In one embodiment, the interrogator transmits a first request indicating a subgroup of random numbers out of a total number of possible random numbers. The wireless identification devices each determine if the random number generated by each wireless identification device falls within the subgroup, and if so, the wireless identification device responds to the interrogator. If a collision between wireless identification device responses is detected by the interrogator, the interrogator transmits a second request indicating a subgroup of random numbers.
1. A method of establishing wireless communications between an interrogator and individual ones of multiple wireless identification devices, the wireless identification devices having respective identification numbers and being addressable by specifying identification numbers with any one of multiple possible degrees of precision, the method comprising utilizing a tree search in an arbitration scheme to determine a degree of precision necessary to establish one-on-one communications between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices, a search tree being defined for the tree search method, the tree having multiple selectable levels respectively representing subgroups of the multiple wireless identification devices, the level at which a tree search starts being variable the method further comprising starting the tree search at any selectable level of the search tree.
transmitting, from a reader, an initial wireless command to start identification of a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, the initial wireless command specifying at least two bits and requesting first RFID tags having the at least two bits to reply with at least random numbers generated on the first RFID tags as identifiers to be used by the reader in subsequent communications to individually address the first RFID tags; determining whether there is a collision in response to the initial wireless command; identifying, from a response to the initial command, a random number generated at an RFID tag, if there is no collision in response to the initial wireless command; and transmitting, from the reader, a subsequent wireless command to identify RFID tags, the subsequent command specifying at least the two bits to request replies. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the first RFID tags are to select time slots, based on random numbers generated on the first RFID tags, to reply to the initial wireless command.
transmitting, from the reader, at least one command to indicate the time slots to the first RFID tags. 41. The method of claim 38, wherein the random number is a sixteen-bit random number.
42. The method of claim 38, wherein the subsequent wireless command includes one bit more than the at least two bits specified in the initial wireless command.
transmitting, from the reader, an acknowledge command in response to the random number being identified from the response. 44. The method of claim 38, wherein the RFID tag is to further communicate to the reader at least a portion of an identification code of the RFID tag.
45. A radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator, comprising:
one or more antennas; a controller; a transmitter coupled to the controller and the one or more antennas to send a first wireless radio frequency (RF) signal to start identification of individual tags of a population of RFID tags, the first RF signal requesting RFID tags having first bits specified in the first RF signal to reply, the first bits having at least two bits; and a receiver coupled to the controller and the one or more antennas to detect a collision in response to the first RF signal and, when there is no collision in response to the first RF signal, to determine an identifier of a first RFID tag from a reply to the first RF signal; wherein the transmitter is to subsequently use the identifier, determined from the reply to the first RF signal, to address the first RFID tag, among the population of RFID tags, for a response from the first RFID tag. 46. The interrogator of claim 45, wherein the transmitter is to further send a second wireless RF signal to specify at least the first bits and to request RFID tags having bits specified in the second RF signal to reply.
47. The interrogator of claim 45, wherein the first RF signal requests the RFID tags having the first bits specified in the first RF signal to reply with at least random numbers generated on respective RFID tags; and the first RFID tag is identified via a random number provided by the first RFID tag in the reply to the first RF signal.
48. The interrogator of claim 45, wherein a random number provided by the first RFID tag in the reply to the first RF signal has sixteen bits.
49. The interrogator of claim 45, wherein the transmitter is to further send an acknowledge signal to the first RFID tag, in response to a random number being identified from the reply.
50. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:
a plurality of RFID tags; and an interrogator having a range for wireless communications, the plurality of RFID tags disposed within the range for communications with the interrogator, the interrogator comprising: at least one antenna, a transmitter coupled to the at least one antenna to transmit a first wireless radio frequency (RF) signal to initiate a search to identify the RFID tags, the first RF signal specifying at least two bits, wherein RFID tags having the at least two bits reply to the first RF signal with at least random numbers generated on respective RFID tags, and a receiver coupled to the at least one antenna to identify, from at least one reply to the first RF signal, a random number generated by a first RFID tag, if there is no response collision in replying to the first RF signal; wherein the transmitter is to subsequently use the random number, identified from the reply to the first RF signal, to request a response from the first RFID tag. 51. The RFID system of claim 50, wherein each of the RFID tags having the at least two bits generates a random value to determine a time slot to reply.
52. The RFID system of claim 51, wherein the transmitter is to further transmit a plurality of second signals to indicate a plurality of time slots to reply.
53. The RFID system of claim 50, wherein the transmitter is to transmit a second signal to cause the first RFID tag to generate the random number as an identifier.
54. The RFID system of claim 53, wherein the second signal is different from the first signal.
55. The RFID system of claim 50, wherein the random number is a sixteen-bit number.
56. The RFID system of claim 50, wherein the at least two bits are a portion of the random number.
57. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:
an interrogator to transmit an initial wireless radio frequency (RF) signal to start a search to identify RFID tags, the initial wireless RF signal specifying at least two first bits and requesting replies; and a set of RFID tags, each tag of the set having:
a memory storing a plurality of bits; and
a circuit coupled to the antenna to receive the initial RF signal, to compare the at least two first bits with corresponding bits stored in the memory, to independently generate a random number as an identifier, to generate a random value to select a time slot to reply, and to reply with the random number in accordance with the time slot, if there is a match between the at least two first bits specified in the initial RF signal and the corresponding bits stored in the memory;
wherein the interrogator is to individually address a first RFID tag among the set of RFID tags, using the random number of the first RFID tag identified from a reply to the first wireless RF signal, to request a response from the first RFID tag. 58. The system of claim 57, wherein the interrogator is to further transmit at least one signal to indicate subsequent time slots for RFID tags having the at least two first bits to reply.
59. The system of claim 57, wherein the interrogator is to transmit a separate signal to cause each tag of the set to generate the random number.
60. The system of claim 59, wherein the random number is a sixteen-bits number.
61. The system of claim 59, wherein the interrogator is to further transmit an acknowledge signal if a first RFID tag is identified from a response to the initial RF signal.
62. The system of claim 57, wherein each tag of the set is to transmit the random number via backscattering.
63. A radio frequency identification (RFID) method, comprising:
transmitting, from a reader, a first wireless command to initiate identification of a population of RFID tags and a plurality of subsequent wireless commands to continue the identification of a population of RFID tags, the first command including first bits, the first command to request a set of RFID tags having the first bits to reply with identifiers of the set of RFID tags, the identifiers including random numbers individually generated by the set of RFID tags, the first bits including at least two bits; generating, by the set of RFID tags, the random numbers independent from each other; generating, by the set of RFID tags, random values; replying, by the set of RFID tags, to the first command and the subsequent command with at least the random numbers of the set of RFID tags, in an order in accordance with the random values; receiving, at the reader, a reply to the first command from a first RFID tag; determining whether there is a collision in replying to the first command; if there is no collision in replying to the first command, identifying from the reply a random number generated by the first RFID tag; and transmitting a second wireless command to address the first RFID tag using the random number, the second wireless command to request a response from the first RFID tag addressed by the random number. 64. The method of claim 63, further comprising:
transmitting a third wireless command from the reader to continue identification of a population of RFID tags, the third command including at least the first bits included in the first command. 65. The method of claim 64, wherein the third command includes one more bit than the first bits to address RFID tags.
66. The method of claim 63, wherein the random number is a sixteen-bit random number.
67. The method of claim 63, wherein the first bits is a portion of the random number.
68. The method of claim 63, wherein the subsequent commands comprise coordination pulses to indicate time slots.
69. The method of claim 63, wherein the first RFID tag further transmits at least a portion of an identification code to the reader.
70. The method of claim 63, wherein each of the subsequent wireless commands continues the request of the first wireless command.
71. The method of claim 63, wherein each of the subsequent wireless commands indicates a time slot for replying in accordance with the request of the first wireless command.
72. The method of claim 63, further comprising:
transmitting, from the reader, an acknowledge command in response to the random number being identified from the reply. 73. A radio frequency communications-based method of conducting a financial transaction, comprising:
sending a first wireless radio frequency (RF) signal to start identification of one or more radio frequency devices of a population of radio frequency devices, the first RF signal requesting one or more radio frequency devices having at least two first bits specified in the first RF signal to reply; receiving a response via a receiver coupled to a controller and one or more antennas, said receiver, said controller and said one or more antennas configured to detect a collision in response to the first RF signal and, when there is no collision in response to the first RF signal, to determine an identifier of a first radio frequency device from a reply to the first RF signal; addressing the first radio frequency device using the identifier determined from the reply to the first RF signal so as to elicit a subsequent response from the first radio frequency device; and initiating a financial transaction based at least in part on said acts of sending, receiving and addressing, thereby resulting in the debiting of an account associated with said first radio frequency device. 74. The method of claim 73, wherein the financial transaction is associated with the payment of a toll.
75. The method of claim 74, wherein said receiver and said one or more antennas is disposed within a toll booth, and said method further comprises operating said receiver disposed within said toll booth at least when said first radio frequency device issuing said response to said first wireless RF signal is in proximity thereto.
76. The method of claim 74, wherein the financial transaction comprises receiving a credit card number against which the toll can be charged.
77. The method of claim 73, wherein the debiting of the account comprises charging a credit card number associated with an owner of the account.
78. The method of claim 73, wherein the financial transaction is for payment for goods or services.
transmitting a subsequent wireless command requesting one or more responses to continue the identification of one or more radio frequency devices within the population of radio frequency devices, the subsequent wireless command to identify a subset of the population of radio frequency devices and request the subset to reply with identification numbers. 80. The method of claim 73, wherein the response comprises further information about the first radio frequency communications device.
81. The method of claim 73, wherein the identifier comprises a unique identification code that uniquely identifies the first radio frequency device among the population of radio frequency devices.
82. The method of claim 73, wherein the identifier comprises a random number generated by the first radio frequency device.
83. The method of claim 73, wherein the first radio frequency device is configured to select a random value that determines a time slot in which the first radio frequency device provides the response.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/026,043, filed Feb. 19, 1998, and titled �Method of Addressing Messages and Communications System� now U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,789.More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,847, which reissue applications are the initial reissue application Ser. No. 10/693,696, filed Oct. 23, 2003, now Re. 41,530, a continuation reissue application Ser. No. 11/859,360, filed Sep. 21, 2007, a continuation reissue application Ser. No. 11/859,364, filed Sep. 21, 2007, a continuation reissue application Ser. No. 12/493,542, filed Jun. 29, 2009, and the present continuation reissue application which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/693,696, filed Oct. 23, 2003, now Re. 41,530, which is a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,847 filed Jul. 12, 2000 and titled �Method of Addressing Messages and Communications Systems�, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/026,043, filed Feb. 19, 1998, and titled �Method of Addressing Messages and Communications System�, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,789, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
An electronic identification system which can be used as a radio frequency identification device, arbitration schemes, and various applications for such devices are described in detail in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/705,043, filed Aug. 29, 1996, andnow U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,602, which is incorporated herein by reference.
For instance, consider a function that has four statements (numbered 1,2,3,4 ) in it, and the second statement is a recursive call. Assume that the fourth statement is a return statement. The first time through the loop (iteration 1) the function executes the statement 2 and (because it is a recursive call) calls itself causing iteration 2 to occur. When iteration 2 gets to statement 2, it calls itself making iteration 3. During execution in iteration 3 of statement 1, assume that the function does a return. The information that was saved on the stack from iteration 2 is loaded and the function resumes execution at statement 3 (in iteration 2), followed by the execution of statement 4 which is also a return statement. Since there are no more statements in the function, the function de-recurses to iteration 1. Iteration 1, had previously recursively called itself in statement 2. Therefore, it now executes statement 3 (in iteration 1 ). Following that it executes a return at statement 4. Recursion is known in the art.
Arbitrate((AMASK>>l)+l, AVALUE)
Arbitrate((AMASK>>l)+l, AVALUE+(AMASK+1))
(AMASK,AVALUE) =0 dequeue( )
For example, for the search tree shown in FIG. 5, if it is known that there are seven devices 12 in the field, starting at node 51 (level 0 ) results in a collision. Starting at level 1 (nodes 52 and 53 ) also results in a collision. The same is true for nodes 54, 55, 56, and 57 in level 2. If there are seven devices 12 in the field, the nearest power of two to seven is the level at which the tree search should be started. Log2 8=3, so the tree search should be started at level 3 if there are seven devices 12 in the field.
Aloha methods are described in a commonly assigned patent application naming Clifton W. Wood, Jr. as an inventor, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/026,248, filed Feb. 19, 1998, titled �Method of Addressing Messages and Communications System,� filed concurrently herewith, andnow U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,476, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Level skipping methods are described in a commonly assigned patent application 09/026,045 naming Clifton W. Wood, Jr. and Don Hush as inventors, titled �Method of Addressing Messages, Method of Establishing Wireless Communications, and Communications Systems,� filed concurrently herewith, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,072,801, and incorporated herein by reference.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4075632May 24, 1976Feb 21, 1978The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of EnergyInterrogation, and detection systemUS4761778Apr 11, 1985Aug 2, 1988Massachusetts Institute Of TechnologyCoder-packetizer for random accessing in digital communication with multiple accessingUS4796023Dec 5, 1986Jan 3, 1989King Robert EStabilized binary tree protocolUS4799059Mar 14, 1986Jan 17, 1989Enscan, Inc.Automatic/remote RF instrument monitoring systemUS4845504Apr 8, 1987Jul 4, 1989M/A-Com, Inc.Mobile radio network for nationwide communicationsUS4862453Oct 2, 1987Aug 29, 1989The Marconi Company LimitedCommunication systemUS4926182May 29, 1987May 15, 1990Sharp Kabushiki KaishaMicrowave data transmission apparatusUS4955018Nov 8, 1988Sep 4, 1990Echelon Systems CorporationProtocol for network having plurality of intelligent cellsUS4969146Nov 8, 1988Nov 6, 1990Echelon Systems CorporationProtocol for network having a plurality of intelligent cellsUS5019813Apr 12, 1988May 28, 1991N.V. Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek NedapSystem for the contactless exchange of dataUS5025486Dec 9, 1988Jun 18, 1991Dallas Semiconductor CorporationWireless communication system with parallel pollingUS5046066Feb 12, 1987Sep 3, 1991Telesystems Slw Inc.Wireless local area networkUS5055968Jul 3, 1989Oct 8, 1991Sony CorporationThin electronic device having an integrated circuit chip and a power battery and a method for producing sameUS5121407Sep 27, 1990Jun 9, 1992Pittway CorporationSpread spectrum communications systemUS5124697Oct 16, 1989Jun 23, 1992Motorola, Inc.Method for acknowledging the reception of an address signalUS5142694Jul 24, 1989Aug 25, 1992Motorola, Inc.Reporting unitUS5144313Apr 24, 1991Sep 1, 1992Steffen KirknesMethod for processing transmitted and reflected signals for removing unwanted signals and noise from wanted signalsUS5144668Jan 25, 1991Sep 1, 1992Motorola, Inc.Signal overlap detection in a communication systemUS5150114Nov 6, 1990Sep 22, 1992U.S. Philips CorporationPolling-type information transmission systemUS5150310Aug 30, 1989Sep 22, 1992Consolve, Inc.Method and apparatus for position detectionUS5164985Oct 26, 1988Nov 17, 1992Nysen Paul APassive universal communicator systemUS5168510Apr 5, 1989Dec 1, 1992Comsource SystemsSpread spectrum-time diversity communications systems and transceivers for multidrop area networksUS5194860Nov 15, 1990Mar 16, 1993The General Electric Company, P.L.C.Radio telemetry systems with channel selectionUS5231646Mar 16, 1992Jul 27, 1993Kyros CorporationCommunications systemUS5266925Sep 30, 1991Nov 30, 1993Westinghouse Electric Corp.Electronic identification tag interrogation methodUS5307463Dec 7, 1992Apr 26, 1994Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.Programmable controller communication moduleUS5365551Dec 15, 1992Nov 15, 1994Micron Technology, Inc.Data communication transceiver using identification protocolUS5373503Apr 30, 1993Dec 13, 1994Information Technology, Inc.Group randomly addressed polling methodUS5449296Mar 7, 1994Sep 12, 1995Cabel-Con, Inc. UsaCable connector apparatus for preventing radiation leakageUS5461627Dec 24, 1991Oct 24, 1995Rypinski; Chandos A.Access protocol for a common channel wireless networkUS5479416Sep 30, 1993Dec 26, 1995Micron Technology, Inc.Apparatus and method for error detection and correction in radio frequency identification deviceUS5500650Dec 15, 1992Mar 19, 1996Micron Technology, Inc.Data communication method using identification protocolUS5530702May 31, 1994Jun 25, 1996Ludwig KippSystem for storage and communication of informationUS5550547Sep 12, 1994Aug 27, 1996International Business Machines CorporationFor communicating with a base stationUS5583850Jun 21, 1994Dec 10, 1996Micron Technology, Inc.Data communication system using identification protocolUS5608739Sep 8, 1995Mar 4, 1997Micron Technology, Inc.Apparatus and method for error detection and correction in radio frequency identification deviceUS5619648Nov 30, 1994Apr 8, 1997Lucent Technologies Inc.For locating expertise in a messaging system in a computer systemUS5621412Jun 7, 1995Apr 15, 1997Texas Instruments IncorporatedRemote identification systemUS5625628Mar 15, 1995Apr 29, 1997Hughes ElectronicsIn an integrated satellite networkUS5627544Mar 18, 1996May 6, 1997Micron Technology, Inc.Data communication method using identification protocolUS5640151Nov 8, 1993Jun 17, 1997Texas Instruments IncorporatedCommunication system for communicating with tagsUS5649296Jun 19, 1995Jul 15, 1997Lucent Technologies Inc.Tag for use in a radio communication systemUS5686902Apr 23, 1996Nov 11, 1997Texas Instruments IncorporatedCommunication system for communicating with tagsUS5790946Apr 19, 1995Aug 4, 1998Rotzoll; Robert R.Wake up device for a communications systemUS5805586May 2, 1995Sep 8, 1998Motorola Inc.Method, device and data communication system for multilink pollingUS5841770Oct 7, 1996Nov 24, 1998Micron Technology, Inc.Data communication system using indentification protocolUS5914671Feb 27, 1997Jun 22, 1999Micron Communications, Inc.System and method for locating individuals and equipment, airline reservation system, communication systemUS5936560Jul 18, 1997Aug 10, 1999Fujitsu LimitedData compression method and apparatus performing high-speed comparison between data stored in a dictionary window and data to be compressedUS5940006Dec 12, 1995Aug 17, 1999Lucent Technologies Inc.Enhanced uplink modulated backscatter systemUS5942987Aug 9, 1996Aug 24, 1999Intermec Ip Corp.Radio frequency identification system with write broadcast capabilityUS5952922Dec 31, 1996Sep 14, 1999Lucent Technologies Inc.In-building modulated backscatter systemUS5966471Dec 23, 1997Oct 12, 1999United States Of AmericaMethod of codebook generation for an amplitude-adaptive vector quantization systemUS5974078Feb 13, 1997Oct 26, 1999Micron Technology, Inc.Modulated spread spectrum in RF identification systems methodUS5988510Feb 13, 1997Nov 23, 1999Micron Communications, Inc.Tamper resistant smart card and method of protecting data in a smart cardUS6038455Aug 29, 1996Mar 14, 2000Cirrus Logic, Inc.Reverse channel reuse scheme in a time shared cellular communication systemUS6061344Feb 19, 1998May 9, 2000Micron Technology, Inc.Method of addressing messages and communications systemUS6072801Feb 19, 1998Jun 6, 2000Micron Technology, Inc.Method of addressing messages, method of establishing wireless communications, and communications systemUS6075973May 18, 1998Jun 13, 2000Micron Technology, Inc.Method of communications in a backscatter system, interrogator, and backscatter communications systemUS6097292Sep 19, 1997Aug 1, 2000Cubic CorporationContactless proximity automated data collection system and methodUS6104333Dec 19, 1996Aug 15, 2000Micron Technology, Inc.Methods of processing wireless communication, methods of processing radio frequency communication, and related systemsUS6118789Feb 19, 1998Sep 12, 2000Micron Technology, Inc.Method of addressing messages and communications systemUS6130602Aug 29, 1996Oct 10, 2000Micron Technology, Inc.Radio frequency data communications deviceUS6130623 *Dec 31, 1996Oct 10, 2000Lucent Technologies Inc.Encryption for modulated backscatter systemsUS6150921Oct 17, 1997Nov 21, 2000Pinpoint CorporationArticle tracking systemUS6157633Jun 10, 1996Dec 5, 2000At&T Wireless Sucs. Inc.Registration of mobile packet data terminals after disasterUS6169474Apr 23, 1998Jan 2, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Method of communications in a backscatter system, interrogator, and backscatter communications systemUS6177858Nov 27, 1996Jan 23, 2001Pierre RaimbaultMethod for remotely interrogating tags, and station and tag implementing said methodUS6185307Jan 13, 1998Feb 6, 2001Gilbarco Inc.Cryptography security for remote dispenser transactionsUS6192222Sep 3, 1998Feb 20, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Backscatter communication systems, interrogators, methods of communicating in a backscatter system, and backscatter communication methodsUS6216132Nov 20, 1997Apr 10, 2001International Business Machines CorporationMethod and system for matching consumers to eventsUS6226300Apr 18, 2000May 1, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Method of addressing messages, and establishing communications using a tree search technique that skips levelsUS6229987Apr 26, 2000May 8, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Method of communications in a backscatter system, interrogator, and backscatter communications systemUS6243012Dec 31, 1996Jun 5, 2001Lucent Technologies Inc.Inexpensive modulated backscatter reflectorUS6265962Jun 29, 2000Jul 24, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Method for resolving signal collisions between multiple RFID transponders in a fieldUS6265963Jun 23, 2000Jul 24, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Methods of processing wireless communication, methods of processing radio frequency communication, and related systemsUS6275476Feb 19, 1998Aug 14, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Method of addressing messages and communications systemUS6282186Apr 24, 2000Aug 28, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Method of addressing messages and communications systemUS6288629May 23, 1997Sep 11, 2001Intermec Ip Corp.Method of using write�ok flag for radio frequency (RF) transponders (RF Tags)US6289209Aug 8, 1997Sep 11, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Wireless communication system, radio frequency communications system, wireless communications method, radio frequency communications methodUS6297727 *May 5, 1997Oct 2, 2001George N. Nelson, Jr.Transponder identification and record assemblyUS6307847Jul 17, 2000Oct 23, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Method of addressing messages and communications systemsUS6307848Jan 31, 2001Oct 23, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Method of addressing messages, method of establishing wireless communications, and communications systemUS6324211Apr 24, 1998Nov 27, 2001Micron Technology, Inc.Interrogators communication systems communication methods and methods of processing a communication signalUS6356535 *Feb 4, 1998Mar 12, 2002Micron Technology, Inc.Communication systems and methods of communicatingUS6415439Feb 4, 1997Jul 2, 2002Microsoft CorporationProtocol for a wireless control systemUS6459726Apr 24, 1998Oct 1, 2002Micron Technology, Inc.Backscatter interrogators, communication systems and backscatter communication methodsUS6483427Mar 9, 2000Nov 19, 2002Rf Technologies, Inc.Article tracking systemUS6566997Dec 3, 1999May 20, 2003Hid CorporationInterference control method for RFID systemsUS6570487Apr 22, 1999May 27, 2003Axcess Inc.Distributed tag reader system and methodUS6707376Aug 9, 2002Mar 16, 2004Sensormatic Electronics CorporationPulsed power method for increased read range for a radio frequency identification readerUS6714559Sep 21, 2001Mar 30, 2004Broadcom CorporationRedundant radio frequency network having a roaming terminal communication protocolUS6771634Apr 9, 1999Aug 3, 2004At&T Wireless Services, Inc.Registration of mobile packet data terminals after disasterUS6778096 *Nov 17, 1997Aug 17, 2004International Business Machines CorporationMethod and apparatus for deploying and tracking computersUS6784787May 15, 2000Aug 31, 2004Btg International LimitedIdentification systemUS6850510May 8, 2002Feb 1, 2005Broadcom CorporationHierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephonesUS6919793Aug 24, 1999Jul 19, 2005Intermec Ip Corp.Radio frequency identification system write broadcast capabilityUS7026935Apr 13, 2004Apr 11, 2006Impinj, Inc.Method and apparatus to configure an RFID system to be adaptable to a plurality of environmental conditionsUS7315522Mar 28, 2001Jan 1, 2008Micron Technology, Inc.Communication methods using slotted repliesUS7385477Nov 29, 2005Jun 10, 2008Keystone Technology Solutions, LlcRadio frequency data communications deviceUS7639638May 2, 2006Dec 29, 2009Keystone Technology Solutions, LlcMethod and apparatus for an arbitration scheme for radio frequency identification devicesUS7672260Nov 8, 2005Mar 2, 2010Keystone Technology Solutions, LlcMethod of addressing messages and communications systemUS20030235184Jun 20, 2002Dec 25, 2003Dorenbosch Jheroen P.Method and apparatus for speaker arbitration in a multi-participant communication sessionUSRE40686Aug 28, 2003Mar 31, 2009Keystone Technology Solutions, LlcMethod of addressing messages and communications system* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1Auto-ID Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "13.56 MHz ISM Band Class 1 Radio Frequency Identification Tag Interface Specification: Recommended Standard," Technical Report, Feb. 1, 2003.2Capetanakis, John I., "Generalized TDMA: The Multi-Accessing Tree Protocol," IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. Com. 27, No. 10, pp. 1476-1484, Oct. 1979.3Capetanakis, John I., "Tree Algorithms for Packet Broadcast Channels," IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. IT-25, No. 5, pp. 505-515, Sep. 1979.4CNN Money, "Manhattan Associates Announces Next-Generation Microsoft-Based RFID Solutions," located at http://money.cnn.com/services/tickerheadlines/prn/cltu045.PI.09162003122727.24911.htm, Sep. 16, 2003.5Engels, Daniel, "The Use of the Electronic Product Code," Auto-ID Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Technical Report, Feb. 1, 2003.6EPC Global, Inc. "EPC Radio Frequency Identity Protocols-Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID-Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz-960MHz," version 1.0.9, cover sheet and pp. 37-38, Jan. 2005.7EPC Global, Inc. "EPC Radio Frequency Identity Protocols�Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID�Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz-960MHz," version 1.0.9, cover sheet and pp. 37-38, Jan. 2005.8eRetailNews, "The Electronic Product Code (EPC)," located at http://www.eretailnews.com/features/epc/htm, accessed Oct. 15, 2003.9eRetailNews, "The Electronic Product Code (EPC)-A Technology Revolution?" located at http://www.eretailnews.com/features/0105epc1.htm, accessed Oct. 15, 2003.10eRetailNews, "The Electronic Product Code Schematic," located at http://eee.eretailnews.com/features/0105epcschema.htm, accessed Oct. 15, 2003.11eRetailNews, "The Electronic Product Code (EPC)�A Technology Revolution?" located at http://www.eretailnews.com/features/0105epc1.htm, accessed Oct. 15, 2003.12Extended Search Report and Search Opinion for EP Patent Application No. 05016513.3, Jan. 22, 2007.13Extended Search Report and Search Opinion for EP Patent Application No. 05016514.1, Jan. 26, 2007.14Finkenzeller, Klaus, "Radio Frequency Idenitifcation-The Authors Homepage of the RFID Handbook," located at http://www.rfid-handbook.com, accessed Feb. 22, 2007.15Finkenzeller, Klaus, "Radio Frequency Idenitifcation�The Authors Homepage of the RFID Handbook," located at http://www.rfid-handbook.com, accessed Feb. 22, 2007.16High Tech Aid, "ISO/IEC 18000-RFID Air Interface Standards," located at http://www.hightechaid.com/standards/18000.htm, Feb. 1, 2003.17High Tech Aid, "ISO/IEC 18000�RFID Air Interface Standards," located at http://www.hightechaid.com/standards/18000.htm, Feb. 1, 2003.18Humblet, Pierre A. et al., "Efficient Accessing of a Multiaccess Channel," Proceedings of the 19th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control including the Symposium on Adaptive Processes, pp. 624-627, Dec. 1980.19International Application No. PCT/US08/50630, International Search Report, Jun. 27, 2008.20International Application No. PCT/US08/50630, Written Opinion, Jun. 27, 2008.21International Application No. PCT/US99/02288, International Search Report, Aug. 3, 1999.22International Application No. PCT/US99/02288, Written Opinion, Jan. 27, 2000.23ISO/IEC, "Automatic Identification-Radio Frequency Identification for Item Management-Communications and Interfaces-Part 3: Physical Layer, Anti Collision System and Protocol Values at 13.56 MHz Mode 4," ISO/IEC 18000-3-4, Mar. 1, 2001.24ISO/IEC, "Automatic Identification-Radio Frequency Identification for Item Management-Communications and Interfaces-Part 3: Physical Layer, Anti-Collision System and Protocol Values at 13.56 MHz Mode 1," ISO/IEC 18000-3-1, Mar. 1, 2001.25ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards-Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards-Proximity Cards-Part 1: Physical Characteristics," ISO/IEC FCD 14443-1, 1997.26ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards-Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards-Proximity Cards-Part 2: Radio Frequency Power and Signal Interface," ISO/IEC FCD 14443-2, Mar. 26, 1999.27ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards-Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards-Proximity Cards-Part 3: Initiation and Anticollision," ISO/IEC FDIS 14443-3:2000(E), Jul. 13, 2000.28ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards-Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards-Proximity Cards-Part 4: Transmission Protocol," ISO/IEC FDIS 14443-4:2000(E), Jul. 13, 2000.29ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards-Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards-Vicinity Cards-Part 1: Physical Characteristics," ISO/IEC FDIS 15693-1:2000(E), May 19, 2000.30ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards-Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards-Vicinity Cards-Part 2: Interface and Initialization," ISO/IEC FDIS 15693-2:2000(E), Feb. 3, 2000.31ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards-Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards-Vicinity Cards-Part 3: Anitcollision and Transmission Protocol," ISO/IEC CD 15693-3:1999(E), Nov. 17, 1999.32ISO/IEC, "Information Technology AIDC Techniques-RFID for Item Management-Air Interface-Part 3: Paramenters for Air Interface Communications at 13.56 MHz," ISO/IEC 18000-3 FCD, May 27, 2002.33ISO/IEC, "Automatic Identification�Radio Frequency Identification for Item Management�Communications and Interfaces�Part 3: Physical Layer, Anti Collision System and Protocol Values at 13.56 MHz Mode 4," ISO/IEC 18000-3-4, Mar. 1, 2001.34ISO/IEC, "Automatic Identification�Radio Frequency Identification for Item Management�Communications and Interfaces�Part 3: Physical Layer, Anti-Collision System and Protocol Values at 13.56 MHz Mode 1," ISO/IEC 18000-3-1, Mar. 1, 2001.35ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards�Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards�Proximity Cards�Part 1: Physical Characteristics," ISO/IEC FCD 14443-1, 1997.36ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards�Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards�Proximity Cards�Part 2: Radio Frequency Power and Signal Interface," ISO/IEC FCD 14443-2, Mar. 26, 1999.37ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards�Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards�Proximity Cards�Part 3: Initiation and Anticollision," ISO/IEC FDIS 14443-3:2000(E), Jul. 13, 2000.38ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards�Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards�Proximity Cards�Part 4: Transmission Protocol," ISO/IEC FDIS 14443-4:2000(E), Jul. 13, 2000.39ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards�Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards�Vicinity Cards�Part 1: Physical Characteristics," ISO/IEC FDIS 15693-1:2000(E), May 19, 2000.40ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards�Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards�Vicinity Cards�Part 2: Interface and Initialization," ISO/IEC FDIS 15693-2:2000(E), Feb. 3, 2000.41ISO/IEC, "Identification Cards�Contactless Integrated Circuit(s) Cards�Vicinity Cards�Part 3: Anitcollision and Transmission Protocol," ISO/IEC CD 15693-3:1999(E), Nov. 17, 1999.42ISO/IEC, "Information Technology AIDC Techniques�RFID for Item Management�Air Interface�Part 3: Paramenters for Air Interface Communications at 13.56 MHz," ISO/IEC 18000-3 FCD, May 27, 2002.43Mullin, Eileen, "Electronic Product Code," Baseline Magazine, located at www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,3959,655991,00.asp, Sep. 5, 2002.44RFID Journal, "Second Source of Class 1 EPC Chips," located at http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/473/1/1/, Jun. 26, 2003.45Smart Active Labels Consortium, organization homepage located at http://www.sal-c.org, accessed Feb. 22, 2007.46Symbol Technologies, Inc., "Understanding Gen 2: What It Is, How You Will Benefit and Criteria for Vendor Assessment," white paper, Jan. 2006.47Wolf, Jack Keil, "Principles of Group Testing and an Application to the Design and Analysis of Multi-Access Protocols," NATO ASI Series E, Applied Sciences, No. 91, pp. 237-257, 1985.48Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 10/693,696, filed Oct. 23, 2003.49Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 10/693,697, filed Oct. 23, 2003.50Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 11/859,360, filed Sep. 21, 2007.51Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 11/859,364, filed Sep. 21, 2007.52Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 11/862,121, filed Sep. 26, 2007.53Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 11/862,124, filed Sep. 26, 2007.54Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 11/862,130, filed Sep. 21, 2007.55Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 11/865,580, filed Oct. 1, 2007.56Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 11/865,584, filed Oct. 1, 2007.57Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 12/493,542, filed Jun. 29, 2009.58Wood, Jr., Clifton W., Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 12/541,882, filed Aug. 14, 2009.59Wright, Jim, "Trends and Innovations in RF Indentification," Sun Microsystems Inc. presentation, Mar. 2005.60Zebra Technologies Corporation, "Electronic Product Code (EPC)," located at http://www.rfid.zebra.com/epc/htm, accessed Oct. 15, 2003.Classifications U.S. Classification370/329, 370/347, 370/346International ClassificationH04W4/00Cooperative ClassificationH04W4/00European ClassificationH04W4/00Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 23, 2013LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesMay 31, 2013REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedRotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google