Patent ID: 7124943

Claim:
A radio frequency identification (RFID) system comprising: an RFID reader storing old reader programming; new reader programming having a new revision identifier correlated thereto, wherein said new reader programming is divided into a plurality of segments, each segment of new reader programming having a programming segment identifier correlated thereto; a plurality of administrator transponders, each having an administrator transponder memory including a revision identification and propagation section and a segment content and security section, said revision identification and propagation section storing said new revision identifier, said segment content and security section of each said administrator transponder memory of said plurality of administrator transponders storing a different segment of new reader programming and each said administrator transponder memory storing said programming segment identifier correlated to said stored segment of new reader programming, wherein a sufficient number of administrator transponders are provided such that all said segments of new reader programming are stored in said plurality of administrator transponders; and means for writing said segment of new reader programming stored in said administrator transponder memory to said RFID reader in response to said RFID reader reading said new revision identifier, thereby enabling said RFID reader to reprogram itself with said new reader programming.