Autonomous interrogating transponder for direct communications with other transponders

A group of associated transponders respectively attached to a plurality of objects, wherein each transponder comprises:

• a memory for storing group data, wherein the stored group data includes data related to the respective objects to which the transponders of the group are attached;
• a transmitter, a receiver and a controller;
• wherein the receiver is adapted for receiving a group interrogation signal;
• wherein the controller is adapted for causing the transmitter to transmit a response signal in response to receipt of said group interrogation signal, wherein the response signal includes at least some of said stored group data;
• wherein the receiver is also adapted for also receiving said response signals from the other transponders of the group;
• and
• wherein the controller is also adapted for causing the memory to store data related to the respective object to which the transponder is attached and to store the group data included in said received response signals;
• and
• wherein the controller is further adapted for causing the transmitter to autonomously transmit a said group interrogation signal.

A communication method for a group of transponders that are respectively attached to a plurality of objects, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) storing group data in each said transponder, wherein the stored group data includes data related to the respective objects to which the transponders of the group are attached;
• (b) directly transmitting a group interrogation signal from each transponder of the group to at least one other transponder of the group;
• (c) directly transmitting a response signal from at least one transponder of the group to at least one other transponder of the group in response to receipt of a said group interrogation signal by said at least one transponder, wherein the response signal includes said stored group data;
• (d) receiving by at least one transponder of the group a said response signal from at least one other transponder of the group;
• and
• (e) causing each transponder of the group to also store the group data included in response signals received directly from at least one other transponder of the group.