US 6,531,957 B1Granted

Dual mode transmitter-receiver and decoder for RF transponder tags

AssigneeX-Cyte, Inc.

InventorPaul A. Nysen

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Abstract

An enhanced backscatter RF-ID tag reader system and multiprotocol RF tag reader system is provided. In a multiprotocol mode, the system emits a non-stationary interrogation signal, and decodes a phase modulated backscatter signal by detecting a stronger phase component from quadrature phase representations or determining phase transition edges in a phase of a received signal. The RF tag reader system predicts or follows the phase of the backscatter signal, thereby avoiding interference from nulls in the received signal waveform due to the non-stationary interrogation signal, relative movement or environmental effects. An acoustic RF-ID tag detection system detects the reradiated signal corresponding to respective transformation of a signal in the tag. Detection of either type of RF-ID tags therefore is possible, and the absence of any tag or absence of any valid tag also determined.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An interrogation apparatus for reading an identification from a remote transponder, comprising:

(a) a transceiver, producing a radio frequency interrogation signal which is radiated through an antenna toward the remote transponder, and receiving a backscatter response from the remote transponder, having an identification signal modulating said interrogation signal, said backscatter response being in accordance with one of a plurality of protocols;
(b) a homodyne detector for producing a demodulated representation of the identification signal from said received backscatter response and said interrogation signal;
(c) a plurality of signal processing channels coupled to said homodyne detector, each analyzing said demodulated representation of the identification to extract a series of digital data states therein according to a selected one of said protocols, each of said plurality of signal processing channels receiving said demodulated representation of the identification signal from a common homodyne detector and independently producing said series of data states;
(d) at least one analyzer coupled to said signal processing channels, employing digital logic circuitry having a plurality of logic gates to logically analyze said series of data states and determine the identification of the remote transponder;
and
(e) a common output coupled to said at least one analyzer, communicating the identification of the remote transponder.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/150,848Filed 17 May 2002 · continuation
Priority: 29 Nov 1996
Granted: 11 Mar 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G06K 19/0675
With resonating marks: the resonating marks being of the surface acoustic wave [SAW] kind
G01S 13/755
Wherein the responder or reflector radiates a coded signal: using delay lines, e.g. acoustic delay lines
G06K 7/0008
Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns: general problems related to the reading of electronic memory…
H03H 9/642
SAW matched filters, e.g. surface acoustic wave compressors, chirped or coded surface acoustic wave filters: sAW transducers details for remote…

Family

Application60/033,212Us provisional application · filed 29 Nov 1996
Application08/914,285Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Aug 1997
Application09/641,649Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Aug 2000
US 6,433,671 B1Parent of this continuation
US 6,107,910 AParent of this continuation
US 6,531,957 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.