# US 7,609,662 B2 · Dot-tag visibility IP protocol

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,609,662 B2
- Document ID: US7609662B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/610,128
- Filed: 2006-12-13
- Published: 2008-02-14
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2005-12-13
- Assignees: Visible Assets, Inc.
- Inventors: John K. Stevens; Paul Waterhouse; David Cramer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609662B2

## CPC

- H04L 61/5007: Internet protocol [IP] addresses
- H04L 67/04: specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
- H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
- H04L 61/4541: Directories for service discovery
- H04L 2101/668: Internet protocol [IP] address subnets
- H04W 8/26: Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
- H04W 52/0212: {managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is leader and terminal is follower}
- H04W 76/10: Connection setup
- H04W 80/04: Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
- H04W 92/24: between backbone network devices
- Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE

## Abstract

The system employs full transceivers, each having peer-to-peer, client/server, and IP networking capabilities, and covering open-area ranges of up to 100 feet. The system uses Low Frequency for data communications so it can achieve both low cost (less costly than many RF-ID tags) and long battery life (10-15 years). Additionally, since these tags have batteries, static RAM maybe be added at very low cost, as well as sensors, LED's displays etc.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for use with a system comprising a plurality of routers, each router in wireless communication with myriad tags, the routers in packet-based communication with each other according to a routing protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
moving a first tag from a location out of communication with a first router into a location in communication with the first router, said first tag associated with a first IP address, said IP address stored in volatile memory powered by a battery within said first tag;
establishing the wireless communication between the first tag and the first router, said communication taking place at a frequency below 1 megahertz;
in response thereto, propagating routing information regarding the tag from the first router to at least one other router;
at a user location communicatively coupled with the routers, presenting for resolution a human-readable address;
resolving the human-readable address to the IP address;
presenting a query at the user location regarding the IP address;
receiving from the first tag a response thereto; and
rendering information indicative of the response at the user location.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the association of the first IP address with the first tag predates the moving of the first tag into the location in communication with the first router.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the first tag receives the first IP address from the first router after the moving of the first tag into the location in communication with the first router.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the association of the first IP address with the first tag predates the moving of the first tag into the location in communication with the first router.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the first tag receives the first IP address from the first router after the moving of the first tag into the location in communication with the first router.

### Claim 6

A method for use with a system comprising a plurality of routers, each router in wireless communication with myriad tags, the routers in packet-based communication with each other according to a routing protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
moving a first tag from a location out of communication with a first router into a location in communication with the first router, said first tag associated with a first IP address and said first tag associated with a first subnet, said IP address and said first subnet stored in volatile memory powered by a battery within said first tag;
establishing the wireless communication between the first tag and the first router, said communication taking place at a frequency below 1 megahertz;
in response thereto, propagating routing information regarding the tag from the first router to at least one other router;
at a user location communicatively coupled with the routers, presenting for resolution a query indicative of the first subnet;
receiving from the first tag a response thereto; and
rendering information indicative of the response at the user location.