Patent ID: 8270911

Claim:
A communications method comprising: using a reader having a first configuration, outputting a first wireless interrogation signal in an area corresponding to a first wireless communications range of the reader having the first configuration; receiving the first wireless interrogation signal using a plurality of remote communications devices located in the first wireless communications range; using the reader, receiving a plurality of wireless response signals from the remote communications devices which received the first wireless interrogation signal; changing the reader from the first configuration to a second configuration that is different than the first configuration; positioning the reader having the second configuration in proximity to one of the remote communications devices located in the area, wherein the reader having the second configuration communicates within a second wireless communications range that is smaller than the first wireless communications range; outputting a second interrogation signal from the reader having the second configuration; receiving the second interrogation signal using the one of the remote communications devices; and after receiving the second interrogation signal and using the reader having the second configuration, receiving another response signal solely from the one of the remote communications devices and from no others of the remote communications devices located in the area.