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:
Nov. 22, 2011
Filed:
Jan. 08, 2009
Adam Crossno, Flower Mound, TX (US);
Dennis Shawn Key, Arlington, TX (US);
Viswanath Puttagunta, Richardson, TX (US);
Ravi Kumar Viswaraju, Richardson, TX (US);
Adam Crossno, Flower Mound, TX (US);
Dennis Shawn Key, Arlington, TX (US);
Viswanath Puttagunta, Richardson, TX (US);
Ravi Kumar Viswaraju, Richardson, TX (US);
OnAsset Intelligence, Inc., Irving, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and an apparatus are provided for a universally operable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader base unit. An RFID base unit is provided that can communicate with at least two different types of RFID tags, one at a time, that are commercially available as well as communicate with data collecting entities using any of at least two communication standards. The reader comprises a microprocessor (microcontroller) portion having at least one set of plug-in connectors. The reader then operates in different operational logic processes in accordance with the types and parameters of attached plug-in modules. The plug-in modules will typically comprise RF frequency modules for communicating with the RFID tags as well as a communication standard model for communicating with a computer network. Additionally, the plug-in modules contain memory that contains data and code used by the microprocessor in performing the operations obtainable by specific types of plug-in modules. If upgrading of the operating system is required, such upgrading can be accomplished through the use of an associated port such as a microcontroller interface port, a memory stick slot or using a computer in conjunction with a communication module.