Method and apparatus for varying signals transmitted by a tag

An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry which includes:

• a receiver section operable to receive wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code;
• and
• a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal an information portion that is based on the received signpost signal;
• wherein said wireless signpost signals are near field signals of primarily magnetic character, said receiver section being configured to receive said signpost signals of magnetic character.

An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry which includes:

• a receiver section operable to receive wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code;
• and
• a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal an information portion that is based on the received signpost signal;
• wherein said signpost signals also include a command portion, and wherein said tag is responsive to said command portion of a respective said signpost signal received by said tag for effecting a control function within said tag.

A method comprising the steps of:

• receiving in a receiver section of a tag wireless signpost signals that each include a signpost code and a command portion;
• transmitting from a transmitter section of said tag wireless beacon signals which each include a beacon code associated with said tag, said transmitting step including the step of causing said transmitter section to be responsive to receipt by said receiver section of a respective said signpost signal for including in at least one said beacon signal an information portion that is based on the received signpost signal;
• and
• effecting a control function within said tag in response to said command portion of a respective said signpost signal received by said tag.