Electronic tag binary selection method

A method for identifying tags with a reader, said method comprising:

• a) transmitting a wake-up signal from the reader to a tag within a field of the reader;
• b) transmitting a signal corresponding to an initial portion of a tag identification code from a tag to the reader, wherein all tags have unique tag identification codes;
• c) transmitting from the reader to a tag an acknowledgement signal responsive to the signal corresponding to the initial portion of the tag identification code;
• d) storing in the reader a portion of a tag confirmation code corresponding to the acknowledgement signal;
• e) deactivating a tag in the field upon the tag's reception of an acknowledgement signal from the reader which does not acknowledge a just-transmitted signal corresponding to a portion of the tag identification code from the tag;
• f) repeating steps b), c), d) and e) with respect to subsequent portions of the tag identification code for a tag in the field having an initial portion of the tag identification code which has been acknowledged by the acknowledgement signal;
• and
• g) transmitting a tag selection signal to a tag in the field upon compilation of the tag confirmation code.

A system for identifying objects within a field, said system comprising:

• a reader comprising a transmitter, a receiver and a processor, wherein the transmission range of the transmitter and receiver define the field;
• a plurality of tags each comprising a transmitter, a receiver and a microprocessor, wherein the tags are attachable to the objects to be identified, wherein each tag has a unique tag identification code and all codes are the same length, wherein the tags operate in active and inactive modes;
• wherein said reader transmits a wake-up signal from the reader to all tags in the field, whereby all tags in the field are made to be in the active mode;
• wherein all active tags within the field transmit a signal corresponding to an initial portion of their tag identification codes to the reader;
• wherein said reader transmits to all tags in the field an acknowledgement signal responsive to the tag signals corresponding to initial portions of the tag identification codes;
• and
• wherein said reader stores an initial portion of a tag confirmation code corresponding to an acknowledgement signal.