US 8,570,157 B1 · Local processing of received RFID tag responses

Abstract

Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are selected for inventorying using a combination of preselect and/or post select criteria. The selection commands can be for selecting according to a tag memory content, by invoking the mask address or by comparing other tag characteristics. Selection criteria can be determined locally at a modem block of a reader or provided to the modem block by higher layers of the reader. Tags meeting the selection criteria are reported to the higher layers for further actions. Some tags may be held while waiting for instructions from the higher layer block(s). The instructions may involve one or more access operations, which may be performed using a higher transmit power than other operations.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An RFID reader system for receiving and processing RFID tag responses, comprising:

a first layer;
and
a second layer, in which the first layer is configured to:
receive a postselect mask from the second layer;
inventory a tag population at a transmit power;
receive a tag response;
if the response does not meet a preselect criterion, then discard the response;
else
report the response;
and
apply a postselect criterion by comparing the response to the postselect mask;
if the response meets the postselect criterion then
pause the inventory and handing off control from the first layer to the second layer;
receive instructions from the second layer;
and
if the instructions include performing an access operation on the tag, then:
determine an amount by which to increase the transmit power for the access operation;
increase the transmit power by the determined amount;
perform the access operation based on the instructions;
then decrease the transmit power;
then continue to inventory the tag population.

18 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Local processing of received RFID tag responses

Life of this patent

Local processing of received RFID tag responses

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18