Systems and methods for density-based RFID network configuration
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDavid Bellows, Timothy B. Austin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for density-based RFID network configuration. In various aspects, an RFID reader executes a read cycle defined by dwell times for a low RFID tag density and a high RFID tag density setting. Accordingly, a controller may cause the RFID reader to implement one or more RFID protocols. The controller may then receive data corresponding to the RFID tags from the RFID reader to determine a number of RFID tags within read range of the RFID reader. Based on the number of RFID tags, the controller may determine an adjustment to the read cycle executed by the RFID reader. The controller may then configure the RFID reader to execute the adjusted read cycle.
Claims26
A system for adapting a network of RFID readers, the system comprising:
- a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers disposed throughout a venue, wherein each of the RFID readers:
- executes a read cycle that is defined by a dwell time for a high RFID tag density setting and a dwell time for a low RFID tag density setting;
- and
- implements one or more of the following RFID protocols, wherein each protocol (i) is associated with a first state and a second state, (ii) when an RFID tag responds to a query generated by the RFID reader, the RFID tag alternates between the first and second states, and (iii) RFID tags respond when a state of the queried RFID tag matches a state of the RFID reader:
- a first protocol where queried RFID tags in the matching state change to the other state for a duration of a wait period and return to the matching state upon expiration of the wait period;
- and
- a second protocol and a third protocol wherein RFID tags in the matching state change to the other state until (1) queried by an RFID reader in the other state, or (2) when the matching state is the second state, the queried RFID tag loses RF power for a threshold duration;
- a controller operatively connected to the plurality of RFID readers, the controller comprising at least one processor configured:
- to receive, from the plurality of RFID readers, data corresponding to a plurality of RFID tags;
- to determine, based on the data corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags, a number of RFID tags within a read range of each RFID reader;
- to determine, based on the number of RFID tags within the read range of each RFID reader, an adjustment to the read cycle for the RFID reader;
- and
- to configure each RFID reader to execute the adjusted read cycle.
A method for adapting a read cycle that is defined by a dwell time for a high RFID tag density setting and a dwell time for a low RFID tag density setting of an RFID reader, the method comprising:
- implementing, at the RFID reader, one or more of the following RFID protocols, wherein each protocol (i) is associated with a first state and a second state, (ii) when an RFID tag responds to a query generated by the RFID reader, the RFID tag alternates between the first and second states, and (iii) RFID tags respond when a state of the queried RFID tag matches a state of the RFID reader:
- a first protocol where queried RFID tags in the matching state change to the other state for a duration of a wait period and return to the matching state upon expiration of the wait period, and
- a second protocol and a third protocol wherein RFID tags in the matching state change to the other state until (1) queried by an RFID reader in the other state, or (2) when the matching state is the second state, the queried RFID tag loses RF power for a threshold duration;
- receiving, from the RFID reader, data corresponding to a plurality of RFID tags;
- determining, based on the data corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags, a number of RFID tags within a read range of the RFID reader;
- determining, based on the number of RFID tags within the read range of the RFID reader, an adjustment to the read cycle for the RFID reader;
- and
- configuring the RFID reader to execute the adjusted read cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.