The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 28, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2005
Kevin J. Powell, Annapolis, MD (US);
William R. Bandy, Gambrills, MD (US);
Michael R. Arneson, Finksburg, MD (US);
Kevin J. Powell, Annapolis, MD (US);
William R. Bandy, Gambrills, MD (US);
Michael R. Arneson, Finksburg, MD (US);
Symbol Technologies, Inc., Holtsville, NY (US);
Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatuses for RFID readers forming a reader network are described. In an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of RFID readers are configured to interrogate tags. Furthermore, the readers are configured to communicate with one another. Each of the readers include a ID number which identifies that particular reader within a reader network during communications. Each reader includes a network interface module and an optimization module to receive and process statistical data obtained from other readers in the network. Aspects of the present invention include a 'primary/secondary' reader network configuration, as well as a 'distributed elements' reader network configuration. A set of operational rules for the environment is indicated, and tag interrogations are optimized according to the rules. Readers may communicate according to a 'Listen Before Talk' (LBT) protocol to avoid undesirable interference. Individual readers are capable of dynamically establishing and joining a network, and leaving the network in a self-configured and semi-autonomous or autonomous manner.