(12) United States Patent
`Hum et al.
`
`USOO6714133B2
`US 6,714,133 B2
`*Mar. 30, 2004
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54)
`(75)
`
`(73)
`
`SHORTRANGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`Inventors: Peng Jong Hum, Singapore (SG);
`Walter Van de Velde, Brussels (BE);
`Kristiaan De Paepe, Brussels (BE)
`Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.,
`Eindhoven (NL)
`This patent issued on a continued pros
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 26 days.
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/464,538
`Filed:
`Dec. 15, 1999
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2003/0122655 A1 Jul. 3, 2003
`Int. Cl................................................. G08B 23/00
`U.S. Cl. ................................ 340/573.4; 340/572.1;
`340/573.1
`Field of Search ........................... 340/539.1, 568.1,
`340/572.1, 573.1, 573.4, 691.3, 10.1, 5.8,
`825.36, 825.49, 825.69, 573.7, 10.2, 10.3,
`10.6, 10.31; 342/42, 44, 51
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1993 Ricketts ................... 340/573.4
`5,218,344 A
`5,339,073 A * 8/1994 Dodd et al. ................ 340/5.61
`5,455,575 A * 10/1995 Schuermann ................ 342/42
`6,034622 A
`3/2000 Levine .................... 340/573.4
`6,084,517 A * 7/2000 Rabanne et al. ......... 340/573.4
`6,097,301 A * 8/2000 Tutle....................... 340/572.7
`6,121.926. A * 9/2000 Belcher et al. ............. 342/450
`6,456,191 B1
`9/2002 Federman .................. 340/10.2
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Van Trieu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Aaron Waxler
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Short range communication Systems and techniques are
`described. In an implementation an interrogator held near a
`perSon interrogates multiple transponders and receives infor
`mation Separately from the transponders. The interrogator
`and/or the transponderS may be held in an article of clothing
`or in a personal effect of the perSon. The transponderS may
`transmit identifying information and/or information associ
`ated with the States of the articles of clothing or personal
`effects of the perSon. Such a System enables the clothes worn
`by a perSon to communicate with a plurality of items and
`obtain useful information. In addition, a network System
`may be configured So that any particular transponder may
`communicate with another transponder or group of tran
`sponders of other locales to activate functions, cause actions
`or otherwise share data and/or information.
`32 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`-"
`
`16
`
`Sa
`5
`
`Y
`5
`
`17
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MICRO
`CONTROLLER
`t
`
`FREQUENCY
`MODULATOR
`
`OUTPUT
`DEWICE
`3
`
`INPUT
`DeyCE
`
`16
`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
`
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`
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`
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`
`
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`
`
`
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`
`
`MICRO
`CONTROLLER
`2
`
`-"
`
`c5
`
`POWER
`SOURCE
`7.
`
`
`
`RECEIVER/
`TRANSMITTER
`6
`
`FREQUENCY
`MODULATOR
`4.
`
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`OUTPUT
`DEVICE
`
`INPUT
`DEyCE
`
`6n
`
`FIG. 1
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
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`18
`
`MICRO
`CONTROLLER
`20
`
`RECEIVER/
`TRANSMITTER
`24
`
`MEMORY
`22
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`
`
`27
`
`29
`
`25
`
`33
`
`((
`
`RECEIVER/
`TRANSMITTER
`
`MICRO
`CONTROLLER
`
`MEMORY
`
`31
`
`FIG. 2B
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
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`78
`
`DELAY
`
`INTERROGATORY /
`TURNED ON
`
`70
`-1
`
`
`
`
`
`BROADCAST
`INTERROGATION
`SIGNAL
`
`NO
`
`ANY
`RESPONSE
`
`74.
`
`76
`
`80
`
`
`
`MORE
`T
`NO THAN ONE YES
`RESPONSE
`
`82
`
`
`
`PROCESS
`DATA FROM
`TRANSPONDER
`
`84
`
`USEANTI
`COLLISION
`PROTOCOL:
`PROCESS DATA
`FROM
`TRANSPONDERS
`
`FIG. 3A
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
`
`INTERROGATOR
`TURNED ON
`
`GENERATE AND
`TRANSMIT
`INTERROGATION
`SIGNAL m
`
`TRANSPONDERV YES
`RESPONSE
`RECEIVED)
`
`INTERROGATOR
`PROCESS DATA;
`INFO DISPLAYED
`
`DOES m >x
`(WHERE x IS
`TOTALNO.
`OF POSSIBLE
`RESPONSES)
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`INTERROGATION
`SIGNAL
`
`91
`
`92
`
`93
`
`RESPONSE
`NO/RECEIVED WITHINVYES
`PREDETERMINED
`LIMIT?
`
`95
`
`
`
`
`
`INFORM USER
`TRANSPONDER
`NOT FOUND
`
`INFORM USER
`OF LOCATION
`
`FIG. 3C
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 5 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
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`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERROGATION
`SIGNAL
`RECEIVED
`
`
`
`12
`
`POWER-UP AND
`INITIALIZE
`MICROCONTROLLER
`
`INSTRUCTION
`RECEIVED
`
`
`
`STORE DATA
`IN MEMORY
`
`TRANSMIT
`DATA
`
`
`
`FIG. 3E
`
`20
`
`125
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERROGATION
`SIGNAL
`RECEIVED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`POWER-UP AND
`INITIALIZE
`MICROCONTROLLER
`
`TRANSMIT
`DATA
`
`POWER
`DOWN
`FIG. 3D
`
`104
`
`06
`
`108
`
`INTERROGATION
`SIGNAL
`RECEIVED
`
`26
`
`POWER-UP AND
`NITALIZE
`MICROCONTROLLER
`
`128
`-130
`YES
`
`136
`
`NO
`
`WRITE
`INSTRUCTION
`RECEIVED
`
`ACTION
`INSTRUCTION
`RECEIVED)
`
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`DATA
`
`TRANSMIT
`ACTION
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`134
`
`FIG. 3F
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 6 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 7 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 8 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
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`
`
`FIG. 4C
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
`
`Sheet 10 Of 10
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`US 6,714,133 B2
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`
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`

`

`1
`SHORTRANGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`US 6,714,133 B2
`
`BACKGROUND
`The invention relates to short-range data communication.
`Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, for
`example, typically include a reader or interrogator, a tran
`sponder and a data processor. The reader may include an
`internal microcontroller, a transmitter, a receiver, and an
`antenna. The transponder is usually a passive device (having
`no power Source) embedded in a card or key tag, and may
`include an antenna and a RFID application Specific inte
`grated circuit (ASIC). The interrogator transmits an electro
`magnetic wave defining a Surveillance Zone. When a tran
`sponder enters the Zone, the electromagnetic energy from the
`interrogator begins to energize the ASIC in the transponder,
`which initializes and then broadcasts an identity Signal.
`A RFID System may use a low-energy, back-Scattering
`technology that Selectively reflects or back-Scatters the elec
`tromagnetic energy from the transponder back to the inter
`rogator. Receiving circuitry in the interrogator Senses and
`decodes the back-Scattered signal to determine the identity
`of the transponder. Such a System may be used to identify,
`track and/or locate people or objects.
`In a typical application, when an acceptable identity
`Signal has been received, an interrogator generates a signal
`to unlock a door for entry of the carrier of a key tag
`transponder. Another application uses button transponders
`attached to an article of clothing to communicate with an
`interrogator in a Washing machine or the like. The button
`transponders communicate data to the interrogator that are
`used to alter the water temperature and/or the cleaning cycle
`for the clothing.
`RFID Systems typically offer a single communication path
`between a reader and the transponders, and have Short read
`ranges between the interrogator and a transponder, which
`may be measured in centimeters. Greater ranges, very often
`the goal of RFID Systems, require use of higher power levels
`and/or increased antenna Size, and produce leSS confined
`radio frequency fields.
`
`SUMMARY
`Presented is a method, from an interrogator held near a
`perSon, of interrogating multiple transponders in the vicinity
`of the perSon. As a result of the interrogating, information is
`received separately from the multiple transponders.
`The method may include one or more of the following
`features. The interrogator may be held in an article of
`clothing or personal effect of the perSon. The articles of
`clothing or personal effects may include at least one of pants,
`Shirts, jackets, coats, earphones, glasses, listening devices,
`necklaces, rings, watches, bracelets, walking Sticks, hockey
`Sticks, guns, cups, and other fashion and everyday accesso
`ries and items, hats, Socks, Shoes, ties, underwear, outerwear,
`pens, pencils, personal digital assistant devices, laptop
`computers, desktop computers, bags, backpacks, luggage,
`wallets, money clips, timepieces, wristwatches, cellphones,
`desk phones, pedometers, temperature Sensors, global posi
`tioning devices, environmental Sensors, biological Sensors
`whether worn on the garments or below the epidermal skin
`layer of the human body or embedded or mobile within the
`human body, fitneSS devices and other appliances and equip
`ment. The transponderS may be associated with respective
`articles of clothing and personal effects of the perSon, and
`the information received from the multiple transponders
`
`5
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`15
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`25
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`2
`may include identifying information or information associ
`ated with States of articles of clothing or personal effects of
`the perSon or Sensor readings of the environment or of the
`perSon. In addition an activation Signal may be transmitted
`from at least one of the transponders, that could be used to
`activate another device or transponder to perform a function
`Such as transmit data, Start an actuator or display informa
`tion.
`In another implementation, a method includes radiating
`an interrogation field over less than a predetermined distance
`from a radiator. Then from at least one position within the
`predetermined distance, carrying energy associated with the
`interrogation field along at least one respective conductive
`element to at least a first location that is farther than the
`predetermined distance from the radiator, and at each
`location, radiating an interrogation field using energy that
`has been carried along the conductive element.
`This implementation may include at least one or more of
`the following features. The radiator may be an interrogator.
`The interrogation field may be a radio frequency field. A
`transponder may be located within a predetermined Second
`distance of at least one location. The conductive elements
`may be electrical conductors. The method may include
`deriving the energy carried along the conductive elements
`inductively from the interrogation field. The method may
`also include, from a position that is within a predetermined
`Second distance from at least the first location, carrying
`energy associated with the interrogation field along at least
`one additional pair of conductive elements to at least a third
`location. At least two respective conductive elements may
`also carry modulations of the interrogation field from the
`first and Second locations to the positions that are within the
`predetermined distance of the radiator.
`In yet another implementation, a short-range communi
`cation System includes an interrogator, a network of cou
`pling ports, communication lines connecting the coupling
`ports to the interrogator, and at least one transponder asso
`ciated with an object. The transponder may establish com
`munications with at least one of the coupling ports and the
`interrogator.
`The communication System may include one or more of
`the following features. The interrogator may include a
`microcontroller that transmits at least one interrogation
`Signal to initiate communications. An output device may be
`connected to the interrogator. An input device may be
`connected to the interrogator. The interrogator may include
`a Switch for initiating and terminating interrogation signals,
`and the interrogator may include a receiver to receive signals
`from each of the transponders. At least one of the transpon
`derS may be configured to Send an activation signal. The
`System may include electronic circuitry to increase the
`Sensitivity of the coupling ports.
`In a further implementation, a short-range communication
`method includes creating a network of coupling ports in a
`material, connecting an interrogator to the network, and
`activating the coupling ports to interrogate at least one
`transponder.
`Implementations of the Short-range communication
`method may include one or more of the following features.
`The interrogator may generate interrogation Signals in a
`Status reporting mode to determine which transponders are
`within range of the coupling ports. The interrogation signals
`may be transmitted along a predetermined or assigned Set of
`communication lines and associated coupling ports in a
`Sequential or broadcast manner. An anti-collision protocol
`may be used if at least two transponderS respond to the same
`
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`

`US 6,714,133 B2
`
`3
`interrogation signal. The interrogator may generate interro
`gation signals in a locating mode to locate the transponders
`in the network, and the interrogator Signals may be trans
`mitted along a predetermined or assigned Set of communi
`cation lines and associated coupling ports in a Sequential or
`broadcast manner. In locating mode, an anti-collision pro
`tocol may be used if at least two transponderS respond to the
`Same interrogation Signal. The interrogator may also gener
`ate interrogation Signals in a position mode to determine the
`position of a particular type of transponder, and the inter
`rogation signals may be transmitted along a predetermined
`or assigned set of communication lines and associated
`coupling ports in a Sequential or broadcast manner.
`A communications System according to the invention can
`advantageously be used in a wide variety of applications.
`For example, an implementation of the invention enables
`clothes worn by a person to communicate with a plurality of
`items and obtain useful information. In addition, a network
`System according to the invention may be configured So that
`transponderS may communicate with other transponders or
`devices to activate functions, cause actions or otherwise
`share data and/or information. Other advantages and fea
`tures will become apparent from the following description
`and from the claims.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`40
`
`4
`amount of power and Security and within a certain band
`width around a particular center frequency for transmission
`over the media, and to receive using demodulation tech
`niques the transponder response Signals with an acceptable
`level of Signal accuracy and integrity. In addition, error
`correction features may be used. A power Source 7 may be
`connected to each of the other circuit elements and to a
`Switch 5 that may be utilized by a user to activate the
`interrogator 12. The interrogator may also include or be
`connected to an output device 8 that may be used to indicate
`information to the user, Such as the presence of transponders
`or to Store data received from a particular transponder for
`later analysis, or to process the data. The output device may
`also be a means for providing Internet access to the inter
`rogator So that data may be transmitted via e-mail, for
`example, to enable e-commerce. In addition, the output
`device may enable the interrogator 12 to transmit data or
`information via a cell phone using transmission protocols
`such as GSM or CDMA, Bluetooth, Home RF, or any
`current or future wireless protocols, for example, 3G (3'
`Generation wireless cellular Standards), or to transmit data
`Via Standard line telephones or via other communication
`devices. The interrogator 12 may also include, or be con
`nected to, a data input device 9 that may be used to enter data
`or information to the interrogator, or to Send data or infor
`mation to a transponder, or both. Thus, the input device may
`be used for various purposes, Such as updating information,
`or loading a new version of Software or for data transmission
`and/or to request data retrieval.
`Some of the communication lines, Such as line 14b, may
`terminate in a Socket 15 or other connector for direct
`connection to a transponder or may be directly wired to a
`transponder or actuator or other types of electronic devices.
`In addition, the System may include one or more coupling
`connectors 11a and 11b. The coupling connector 11a
`includes a coupling port 16d for wireleSS connection to the
`interrogator 12, a communication line 14e, and a coupling
`port 16e for establishing communication with a transponder
`18c or with another coupling connector 11b. The coupling
`connector 11b includes a coupling port 16f, a communica
`tion line 14f and a coupling port 16g. Thus, coupling
`connectors may wirelessly connect to each other, to an
`interrogator or to one or more transponders.
`The interrogator 12 generates interrogation signals 17 that
`may be wirelessly broadcast directly from the interrogator
`(from an antenna not shown), and that are carried on the
`communication lines to the coupling ports for communica
`tion with various transponders. The diameter, Size or geom
`etry of the coupling coils and the number of turns used in
`each are determined Such that communication with a tran
`sponder or interrogator is possible in the manner described
`below. Further, the communication System may include
`power-boosting electronic circuitry, highly-ferromagnetic
`disks or similar materials (not shown) on the coupling ports
`or matching networks between the coupling ports to increase
`the power or concentration of the Signals that are distributed
`in the System. The result is increased range and reading
`Sensitivity of the interrogator. For example, a power booster
`19 may be used on communication line 14e that could
`include a network of resistors, inductors, capacitors, active
`devices like diodes, transistors, or other electronic compo
`nents and/or other integrated circuit chips like Voltage
`doublers. Such power booster devices could also be con
`nected to one or more coupling ports.
`Different types of interrogation Signal Schemes or modes
`may be used. For example, in a status reporting mode, the
`interrogator broadcasts interrogation Signals using a certain
`
`35
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an implementation of a low-power, short-range
`communication System according to the invention.
`FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified block diagrams of tran
`sponders of a type that may be used in the system of FIG.
`1.
`FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are flowcharts illustrating interro
`gator Status reporting mode, location mode and position
`mode implementations according to the invention.
`FIGS. 3D, 3E and 3F are flowcharts illustrating transpon
`der function implementations.
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are front and rear views of a clothing
`implementation of a communication System according to the
`invention.
`FIG. 4C is an example of a clothing implementation of a
`communications System including transponders according to
`the invention.
`FIG. 5 is another implementation of a communication
`45
`System according to the invention.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a clothing implementation of the com
`munication system of FIG. 5.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 shows an implementation of a low-power, short
`range communication System 10 for communicating with
`one or more transponders. The communication System 10
`includes a wireleSS interrogator 12, communication lines
`14a to 14n, which may be pairs of conductive wires or
`conductive fibers, and coupling ports 16a to 16n. The
`coupling ports may be circular loops (coils) and operate as
`antennas to transmit the interrogation signals wirelessly. In
`particular, each coupling coil may be designed to behave like
`an inductor. Thus, each of the coils may have a number of
`turns and produce a magnetic field that varies with the
`interrogation Signal generated by the interrogator.
`The interrogator 12 includes a microcontroller 2 con
`nected to a frequency modulator 4 and to a receiver/
`transmitter 6. The receiver/transmitter module may include
`a form of Suitable modulation and demodulation circuitry to
`condition/modulate the interrogation signals with the correct
`
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`S
`frequency to each of the coupling ports 16a to 16n in a
`predetermined or Sequential manner. The goal of the Status
`mode is to have all of the transponders in the System respond
`So that the System can report how many and what types of
`transponders are available. For example, interrogation Sig
`nals using frequency X may be transmitted to all or a
`certain configuration of coupling ports at time t, then
`interrogation signals using frequency X may be transmitted
`to all or a certain configuration of coupling ports at time t,
`and So forth. Consequently, each transponder within range of
`the interrogator 12 or a coupling port 16a to 16n would
`respond when it Senses a predetermined frequency Signal.
`When multiple transponders of the same type are in a range
`of one or more coupling ports, they will respond by way of
`anti-collision protocols. Each transponder is identified by a
`distinct identification Signal or ID code that it transmits to
`the interrogator according to an anti-collision protocol that
`may give priority to certain identification Signals or ID codes
`in relation to others.
`Next, a location mode of operation may be implemented.
`The interrogator may generate and transmit an interrogation
`Signal that includes components intended for different tran
`sponders. The goal of the location mode is to locate where
`all of the transponders are in the System. The components
`may be transmitted in a predetermined and/or Sequential
`manner. Each of the components of the Signal is carried on
`all of the communication lines 14a to 14n in an arbitrary
`pattern and transmitted from all or an arbitrary number of the
`coupling coils, but is intended to communicate with only one
`of the transponders, Say transponder 18.a. Consequently,
`when the coupling port 16a broadcasts the interrogation
`Signal 17a one of the components of the Signal will be
`intended for transponder 18a. The signal will cause the
`transponder to initialize and Send an identification signal or
`ID code and/or data back to the interrogator through the
`coupling port 16a and communication line 14a. The other
`coupling ports will Simultaneously broadcast or transmit in
`an arbitrary pattern the same component of the interrogation
`signal 17a to the other transponders 18b and 18n but those
`transponders will not respond. If the transponder 18a had
`been placed within range of coupling port 16c, instead of
`near coupling port 16a, then the transponder 18a would still
`have responded, resulting in an identification Signal or ID
`code and/or data being Sent to the interrogator via port 16c
`and the communication line 14d. Consequently, transponder
`18a would be known to be in the vicinity of at least one of
`the coupling ports. If multiple transponders of the same type
`are within range of the coupling port 16a in this example,
`then each of them would respond using an anti-collision
`protocol which gives priority to one transponder response
`over another. Thus, in the locating mode the interrogator
`may use different RF modulation modes in a Sequential or
`predetermined manner, and each type of transponder is
`configured to respond to a particular one of the frequencies
`no matter where in the System it is located.
`In addition, a position mode of operation may be imple
`mented. The interrogator may be configured to recognize
`that a particular transponder is in a particular position with
`respect to the user when a response is received from a
`particular communication line or from a particular coupling
`port. Thus, the goal of the position mode is to query a
`Specific area to see if a transponder is in the correct position.
`In order to function in this manner, an interrogator may be
`mapped to a particular network configuration of Signal lines
`and coupling ports. For example, the interrogator may
`transmit an interrogation Signal on one of the communica
`tion lines having Signal components for locating a particular
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`one or type of transponder. When a response is received, the
`interrogator recognizes that the response came from a rear
`pocket of a pair of pants, for example. Such information may
`then be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user. If
`two or more transponders are in the same pocket, then an
`anti-collision protocol would be used and the user informed
`of the presence of each one. Alternately, the interrogator may
`be configured to Serially transmit an interrogation Signal on
`the communication lines, or may be configured to address a
`particular group of communication lines, in a predetermined
`manner or Sequence to locate a particular transponder or
`groups of transponders.
`The Status mode, location mode and position mode of
`operation may be implemented in that order as a commu
`nication protocol for the System. Alternately, a user may
`implement one or more of Such modes. For example, the
`user may be provided with a keypad or other output device
`for punching in a code to instruct the interrogator to imple
`ment one or more of the operating modes.
`The interrogator 12 may be a low-power device, and the
`power Source 7 may be a battery, Solar device or other Source
`of power. Power consumption of interrogators used in Such
`systems may be on the order of a few milli-watts or a few
`watts, and the range of the electromagnetic fields generated
`by Such interrogators may vary depending on operating
`frequency and power consumption. For example, interroga
`torS operating at 125 kHz may have maximum read ranges
`of from 5 to 20 centimeters or more depending on the size
`of the antenna and the current input to the antenna. The read
`range, r, of RFID Systems is directly proportional to the size
`or radius a of the antenna, thus rC.a. Consequently, the bigger
`the antenna the further the range, and a larger antenna
`requires input of larger amounts of current. Interrogators
`operating at 13.5 MHz or 433 MHz or other frequencies
`would have different read ranges. InterrogatorS operating at
`different frequencies may be suitable for use in the short
`range communication System 10.
`Referring again to FIG. 1, the microcontroller may be a
`microprocessor or an application-Specific control circuit.
`Further, the microcontroller, frequency modulator, and the
`receiver/transmitter module could be fabricated as an
`application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) on a single
`chip. The output device 8 may be a liquid crystal diode
`(LCD) display, a light-emitting diode array (LED array), an
`audible indicator, a microprocessor System, a personal digi
`tal assistant (PDA), a desktop computer, a laptop or any
`portable computer, or any other type of display, processing
`device, or Storage device. The output device could also
`include a microcomputer for Storing, processing, displaying
`and/or analyzing data gathered from one or more transpon
`ders. The input device 9 may be a keypad, a keyboard, a
`touch Screen, a microphone, a personal digital assistant
`(PDA), a desktop computer, a portable laptop computer or
`other input means for inputting data and/or information to
`the interrogator and/or to one or more transponders.
`FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified block diagrams of imple
`mentations of transponders 18 and 25 of a type that may be
`used in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1. Referring
`to FIG. 2A, the transponder may include a microcontroller
`20 connected to a memory 22 and to a receiver/transmitter
`24 which may contain modulation and demodulation cir
`cuitry. The transponder 18 may alternately be fabricated as
`an ASIC on a Single Silicon chip including a receiver/
`transmitter and controller circuitry along with a memory
`element. The memory may store an identification code, or
`other data related to a particular object to which it corre
`sponds. The transponder is typically a passive device, but
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`may include a battery Source. A passive transponder absorbs
`energy to power its circuitry from the received interrogation
`Signals. The transponder may also be configured to collect
`data from the object or item that it is associated with for later
`transmission to the interrogator. Thus, the transponder may
`be a read-only or a read/write type. The receiver/transmitter
`24 rectifies the energizing RF field into direct current (DC)
`and powers up the microcontroller 20. The microcontroller
`then initializes and transmits an identification code and/or
`other data from its memory to the interrogator. In addition,
`the transponder may be configured to Send an “action' signal
`to another transponder or other devices to perform certain
`functions, Such as initializing a microactuator or
`micromotor, energizing a LED array or other visual display,
`generating Sounds or other actions. Further, the transponder
`may include a plug or Socket or other connector (not shown)
`for physical connection to other devices to permit Signaling
`of action signals or to exchange data and/or information.
`FIG. 2B is a simplified block diagram of an implemen
`tation of a transponder 25. The transponder may include a
`receiver/transmitter 27 which may contain modulation and
`demodulation circuitry, a microcontroller 29, a memory 31
`and a sensor 33. A battery (not shown) or other source of
`power may be included. The transponder 25 may be fabri
`cated as an ASIC. The transponder may utilize sensor 33 to
`Sense the environment, Sense motion, temperature,
`acceleration, light, biological conditions or Some other con
`dition and Store data in memory 31 for later transmission to
`an integrator or other transponder. The Sensor 33 may also
`be configured to cause the transponder to Send a signal to the
`interrogator or to activate Some functions in other devices
`that may be connected to it, or to Send a Signal to another
`transponder when a predetermined condition or conditions
`are met. For example, if the temperature rises past a certain
`level, the transponder may be configured to Send a warning
`Signal to an interrogator for communication to a user or to
`activate Some cooling devices. Further, the transponder may
`include a plug or Socket or other connector (not shown) for
`physical connection to other devices to permit Signaling of
`action Signals or to exchange data and/or information.
`FIGS. 3A to 3C are flowcharts 70, 50, 90 illustrating
`implementations of a status reporting mode, a locating mode
`and a position mode respectively, of interrogator functions.
`Referring to FIG. 3A, the flowchart 70 illustrates an inter
`rogator Status reporting mode. The interrogator is turned on
`72 and sends 74 an interrogation signal on all of the
`communication lines to all of the coupling ports, Sequen
`tially or in another manner, in an attempt to find out which
`transponders are present. If no response is received 76 then,
`after a delay 78 the interrogation signal is again broadcast 74
`in the communication System. If there is a response 76 then
`the interrogator determines 80 if data from more than one
`transponder has been received. This can be accomplished
`because each transponder may have a unique identity code.
`If only one transponder responded, then the data is processed
`82 and after a delay 78 an interrogation Signal is again
`broadcast 74.
`If it is determined 80 that more than one transponder
`responded, then a collision condition exists, which could
`cause the received message to be corrupted and indecipher
`able. Therefore, an anti-collision protocol may be used 84
`and the transponder will respond in accordance with a
`priority Scheme that may be based on the identification
`codes of the transponders. For example, data from a tran
`sponder associated with a money holder Such as a wallet
`may have priority over data from a transponder associated
`with a backpack. AS described above, information regarding
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`how many and which types of transponderS may be dis
`played to the user and/or transmitted to an output device