RFID tag receive signal strength indicator
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRandall Allen Drago, Ming-Hao Sun, Theodore Hockey, Joseph White
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for detecting a reader signal strength in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. A tag is configured to monitor an attribute of a reader transmitted signal, such as the signal strength. The tag generates an indication of the signal attribute, and transmits the indication of the signal attribute to the reader.
Claims24
A method for monitoring a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader communication signal in a RFID tag, comprising:
- (a) receiving at the tag a command having a timing parameter to measure a signal strength of a reader communication signal, wherein the timing parameter dictates a time for measuring the signal strength;
- (b) measuring a strength of a received radio frequency communication signal from an output signal of a charge pump in the tag;
- and
- (c) transmitting an indication of the strength of the radio frequency communication signal.
A system for monitoring a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader communication signal in a RFID tag, comprising:
- means for receiving at the tag a command, having a timing parameter, to measure a signal strength of a reader communication signal, wherein the timing parameter dictates a time for measuring the signal strength;
- means for measuring a strength of a received radio frequency communication signal from an output signal of a charge pump in the tag;
- and
- means for transmitting an indication of the strength of the radio frequency communication signal.
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising:
- an antenna to receive a command, having a timing parameter, to measure a strength of a radio frequency communication signal, wherein the timing parameter dictates a time for measuring the signal strength;
- and
- a signal strength monitor module configured to measure the strength of the radio frequency communication signal received by the antenna from an output signal of a charge pump in the tag;
- wherein the signal strength monitor module is further configured to generate an indication of the measured strength of the radio frequency communication signal.
A method in a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for monitoring transmitted signal strength, comprising:
- (a) transmitting to a tag a command, having a timing parameter, to measure a signal strength of a reader communication signal, wherein the timing parameter dictates a time for measuring the signal strength;
- (b) transmitting the reader communication signal;
- and
- (c) receiving from the tag an indication of the strength of the transmitted radio frequency communication signal from an output signal of a charge pump in the tag.
A system in a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader communication for monitoring transmitted signal strength, comprising:
- means for transmitting to a tag a command, having a timing parameter, to measure a signal strength of a reader communication signal, wherein the timing parameter dictates a time for measuring the signal strength;
- and
- means for receiving from the tag an indication of the strength of a transmitted radio frequency communication signal from an output signal of a charge pump in the tag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.