Radio frequency identity (RFID) tag reader designation of excluded tag transmission time slots

A radio frequency identity (RFID) tag reader, comprising:

• an antenna;
• a radio transceiver coupled to the antenna;
• a non-transitory memory;
• a processor coupled to the radio transceiver and to the non-transitory memory;
• and
• an RFID tag reader application stored in the non-transitory memory that, when executed by the processor:
• sends a message via the radio transceiver and via the antenna to a plurality of RFID tags indicating a first range of transmission time slots and indicating a second range of transmission time slots disposed within the first range of transmission time slots, wherein the second range of transmission time slots is indicated to be a quiescent range of time slots during which RFID tags are to avoid transmitting,
• receives messages via the antenna and via the radio transceiver from the plurality of RFID tags during time slots that are outside the second range of quiescent transmission time slots, wherein the messages comprise information associated with items to which the plurality of RFID tags are affixed to, and
• transmits the information received from the plurality of RFID tags during the second range of time slots.

A method of querying radio frequency identity (RFID) tags by a plurality of RFID tag readers, comprising:

• transmitting a message by a first RFID tag reader to a second RFID tag reader, wherein the message defines a first range of time slots and defines a second range of quiescent time slots which identifies time slots during which the plurality of RFID tags are commanded to be quiescent, and wherein the second range of quiescent time slots are included within the first range of time slots;
• transmitting a first radio power signal by the first RFID tag reader, wherein the first radio power signal is configured to provide power to the plurality of RFID tags;
• after transmitting the first radio power signal, receiving first information from RFID tags by the first RFID tag reader during time slots of the first range of time slots that are different from the second range of time slots;
• transmitting a second radio power signal by the second RFID tag reader, wherein the second radio power signal is configured to provide power to the plurality of RFID tags;
• after transmitting the second radio power signal, receiving second information from RFID tags by the second RFID tag reader during time slots of the first range of time slots that are different from the second range of time slots;
• transmitting the first information by the first RFID tag reader during the second range of quiescent time slots to an inventory control application;
• and
• transmitting the second information by the second RFID tag reader during the second range of quiescent time slots to the inventory control application.