(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0176032A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 9, 2004
`Kotola et al.
`
`US 2004O176032A1
`
`(54) RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION
`(RF-ID) BASED DISCOVERY FOR SHORT
`RANGE RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH
`READER DEVICE HAVING TRANSPONDER
`FUNCTIONALITY
`(76) Inventors: Sakari Kotola, Espoo (FI); Holger
`Hussmann, Tampere (FI)
`Correspondence Address:
`MORGAN & FINNEGAN, L.L.P.
`345 Park Avenue
`New York, NY 10154-0053 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/804,081
`(22) Filed:
`Mar. 19, 2004
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/105,320,
`filed on Mar. 26, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ............................... H04Q 5/22; H04B 7/24
`
`
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................. 455/412; 455/39
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A RF-ID based wireless terminal includes a reader device
`with transponder functionality implementing ECMA 340
`Standard for near field communication and has shortened
`Session Set-up and user identification. The reader device is
`operable in an active communication mode or a passive
`communication mode. During the active mode, one RF-ID
`tag reader Simulates a RF-ID tag while the other simulates
`a RF-ID tag reader. The reader includes a transponder, which
`operates during periods of time when the reader is not
`energized. A radio frequency interface provides Signal for
`operation of the reader in the reader operation mode or
`transponder mode of operation. An RF-ID reader upon
`receiving a response Signal from a Semi-passive or active
`RF-ID tag of reader emulating a tag informs the terminal
`CPU which instructs the short-range communication to enter
`e.g. a page Scanning mode which shortens Session Set-up
`time and user identification.
`
`102
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`
`RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RF-ID)
`BASED DISCOVERY FOR SHORTRANGE RADIO
`COMMUNICATION WITH READER DEVICE
`HAVING TRANSPONDER FUNCTIONALITY
`0001. This Application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 10/105,320, filed Mar. 26, 2002
`entitled “Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) Based
`Discovery For Short-Range Radio Communication”, and
`assigned to Nokia Corporation of Keilalahdentie 4, 02150
`Espoo, FINLAND.
`
`BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
`0002) 1. Field of Invention:
`0003. This invention relates to short range communica
`tion devices, processes and Systems. More particularly, the
`invention relates to short range communication devices,
`processes and Systems utilizing radio frequency identifica
`tion Systems with shorter user identification and Session
`Setup time in interactive Services, and a reader device with
`transponder functionality.
`0004 2. Description of Prior Art
`0005 Bluetooth' is a short-range wireless communica
`tion System operating at 2.4 GHz and designed to establish
`connection between two or more devices operating within a
`ten-meter communication range, for nominal output power,
`but can be extended up to 100 meters for 100 mW-output
`power. The details of Bluetooth are described in “The
`Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Specification Of The
`Bluetooth System, Volumes 1 and 2, Core and Profiles:
`Version 1.1, 22nd Feb., 2001, which are fully incorporated
`herein by reference. To discover another Bluetooth terminal,
`an inquiry message is transmitted Searching for other
`devices in the vicinity. Any other Bluetooth terminal that is
`listening by means of conducting an inquiry Scan, will
`recognize the inquiry message and respond. The inquiry
`response is a message packet containing the responding
`devices Bluetooth terminal Address (BD ADDR). The
`Bluetooth terminal address is a unique, 48-bit IEEE address,
`which is electronically engraved into each Bluetooth termi
`nal. The address is virtually guaranteed to be completely
`unique, So much So that it can be reliably associated with the
`devices user, much as can the user's passport number or
`social security number. One of the problems of Bluetooth
`terminals is the long time required for discovery of a
`Bluetooth terminal, which can be up to 10 seconds. In many
`applications, the device discovery time is too long and
`restricts the usage of Bluetooth, particularly for interactive
`Services.
`0006 Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) is a wire
`leSS System that automatically identifies tracks and manages
`objects via a fast connection between the object and a RF-ID
`reader. RF-ID principles are described in a publication
`entitled “Radio Frequency Identification RF-ID: A Basic
`Primer', published by the Automatic Identification Manu
`facturers (AIM) web site (http://www.aimglobal.org), Oct.
`23, 2001 and fully incorporated herein by reference. The
`object includes a transponder, active or passive as a RF-ID
`tag, which when in the presence of an electromagnetic Zone
`created by the reader broadcasts an object identity Signal.
`The reader Senses and decodes the broadcast Signal to
`identify the object. The object identity is achieved by a
`
`connectionless communication that is a connection without
`a logical connection between the reader and the object.
`0007. The rising use of RF-ID tags promotes standard
`ization efforts to establish a broadly applicable communi
`cation framework between RF-ID tag readers and RF-ID
`tags. Such a Standard is established by European Computer
`Manufacturers Association (ECMA) International, Geneva,
`Switzerland in a near field communication Standard
`(ECMA-340) dated December 2002. The standard defines
`communication modes for a near field communication inter
`face and protocol (NFCIP-1) to be used for RF-ID tag
`readers and RF-ID tags. It also defines both passive and
`active communication modes to realize a communication
`network using near field communication enabled devices for
`networked products and also for consumer equipment. The
`Standard Specifies, in particular, modulation Schemes, cod
`ings, transfer Speeds, and frame format of a Radio Fre
`quency/High Frequency (RF/HF) interface, as well as ini
`tialization Schemes and conditions required for data collision
`control during initialization. Furthermore, the ECMA Stan
`dard defines a transport protocol including protocol activa
`tion and data exchange methods.
`0008. The aforementioned RF-ID tag reader and RF-ID
`tag communication is covered in a first approach, as shown
`in FIG. 5, by the passive communication mode between a
`phone 1 and a RF-ID tag 700. Correspondingly in a second
`approach, the active communication mode relates to com
`munications between RF-ID tag readers. The State of the art
`communication between RF-ID tags readers will be enlight
`ened in view of FIG. 5., wherein a second portable terminal
`2 is provided which is connected to a RF-ID tag reader. The
`RF-ID tag reader may be realized as a Stand-alone unit
`which may be detachably connected to the portable terminal
`2 or which may be embedded in the portable terminal 2.
`Both the RF-ID tag readers of portable terminal 1 and the
`portable terminal 2 Support the active communication mode
`which means, that the both RF-ID tag readers are adapted to
`communicate with each other by employing the aforemen
`tioned near field communication interface and protocol
`(NFCIP-1) standard. During active communication mode
`one of the participating RF-ID tag readers of the portable
`terminal 1 and portable terminal 2 actively simulates a
`RF-ID tag whereas the other one actively simulates a RF-ID
`tag reader. The data communication is established via the
`wireleSS communication link 6, which is a radio and high
`frequency (RF/HF) communication link, respectively. This
`wireless communication link 6 provide data flow between
`the application 400 operated on the portable terminal 1 and
`an application 410 operated on the portable terminal 410.
`0009 But in contrast to passive RF-ID tags which are
`energized by the interrogation Signal of the RF-ID tag
`reader, both participating RF-ID tag readers are always
`energized independently, i.e. have their own power Supply to
`generate the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) signals used for
`data communications between those. Therefore, the RF-ID
`tag reader, which actively simulates a RF-ID tag, may be
`regarded as an active RF-ID tag.
`0010 Despite the advantages provided by the RF-ID tag
`readers intercommunication Several drawbacks of the afore
`mentioned explanation may be identified. The realization of
`the RF-ID tag reader-RF-ID tag reader intercommunica
`tion requires a great effort in development Since the interface
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`
`and protocol definitions are Sophisticated and show a Sig
`nificantly complex functionality which is of course required
`to ensure interoperability between RF-ID tag readers of
`different manufacturers. Moreover, the realization of the
`RF-ID tag reader-RF-ID tag reader intercommunication
`requires energy Supply to each participating RF-ID tag
`reader, which can be problematic in view of portable
`devices, powered by batteries or accumulators. And in
`certain circumstances the operation of a portable device is
`not wanted or even forbidden for example in airplanes or in
`hospitals. ASSume a RF-ID tag reader embedded in a cellular
`telephone wherein the embedded RF-ID tag reader Supports
`RF-ID tag reader-RF-ID tag reader intercommunication
`and the user of this cellular telephone wants to establish
`intercommunication with a fixed RF-ID tag reader. Due to
`the fact that the embedded RF-ID tag reader has to be
`energized, intercommunication is not possible in these
`aforementioned circumstances Since the energizing of the
`embedded RF-ID tag reader results in an unwanted or
`forbidden energizing of the cellular phone. Comment: This
`was a very good point
`0.011
`Furthermore, RF-ID tag reader-RF-ID tag reader
`intercommunication competes with well established short
`range communication Standards Such as Bluetooth which are
`implemented in numerous State of the art portable terminals.
`The implementation of competing communication Solutions
`offering comparable functionality is not economical, espe
`cially when considering that the implementation of Support
`of RF-ID tag reader-RF-ID tag reader intercommunication
`is a complex undertaking. However, a RF-ID tag reader with
`transponder functionality, which Simulates a RF-ID tag
`while another RF-ID tag reader Simulates a tag reader,
`provides enhanced communication between terminals, par
`ticularly when the terminals are mobile deices.
`0012 What is needed in the art is a Bluetooth terminal
`having (1) shortened terminal discovery and user identifi
`cation time via a connectionless connection to another
`terminal or access point using RF-ID, the terminal or acceSS
`point establishing a Session enabling the terminal to conduct
`transactions with an interactive Service application, and (2)
`an advanced reader device for radio frequency (RF) identi
`fication which is at least adapted to communicate with a
`radio frequency identification transponder and which is able
`to provide radio frequency identification transponder func
`tionality also during unpowered conditions.
`0013 Prior art related to short range communication
`systems and RF-ID includes:
`0014) 1. PCT Publication WOO1/39108 A1, published
`May 31, 2001, discloses a system that includes a mobile
`communication unit wherein a RF-ID identification module
`is added between the radio part and an antenna in a mobile
`telephone that includes a Bluetooth function. The module
`comprises a mixer for transposing identification messages
`from identification devices in a 2.45 GHz. RF-ID system of
`the backScatter type to a baseband for further processing in
`a computer part of the unit. The unit may communicate with
`a Super ordinate System, via a Standard call channel or
`Bluetooth channel. The unit is also cabled to send informa
`tion to the identification devices for alerting or transmitting
`data, wherein modulation and encoding can be effected in
`accordance with the Bluetooth Standard enabling the mixer
`to be included as an integral part of a Standard Bluetooth
`radio.
`
`2. PCT Publication WOO1/45038 A2, published
`0.015
`Jun. 21, 2001, discloses a short-range communication SyS
`tem includes an interrogator, which interrogates multiple
`transponders located on a perSon and receives information
`Separately from the transponders. The interrogator and/or
`the transponders may be held in an article of clothing or in
`personal effects of the perSon. The System enables the close
`worn by a person to communicate with a plurality of items
`and to obtain useful information. The network System may
`be configured So that any particular transponder may com
`municate with another transponder or a group of transpon
`ders of other locals to activate functions, cause action to
`otherwise shared data and/or information.
`0016 3. PCT Publication WOO1/45319 A1, published
`Jun. 21, 2001, discloses a first short-range radio link oper
`ating within a first link range. The first link is between a
`Stationary unit and a mobile communication device in a
`wireleSS network where the Stationary unit transmits an
`interrogation signal to the communication device, via a
`Short-range communication link operating within a Second
`link range, essentially Smaller than the first link range. The
`mobile communication device receives the interrogation
`Signal from the Stationary unit and transmits a response
`Signal, including a unique identification number of the
`mobile communication device to the interrogation signal.
`The Stationary unit receives the response Signal and authen
`ticates the identification number. The Stationary unit and the
`mobile communication device establish a connection, Via
`the first short-range radio link.
`0017. 4. US Publication 20030114104, published Jun. 19,
`2003 discloses a method and system for identifying when a
`first device is within a physical range of a Second device, the
`Second device is to establish Substantive communications
`with. The method includes Sensing which particular first
`device is within a physical range of the Second device, and
`establishing Substantive communications with the particular
`first device.
`0.018, 5.JP 2001-278495 2001-09-13, Application No.
`JP0209325 JP, Filed 20020912, entitled Information Pro
`cessing Apparatus and Method A1 Published 20030327
`discloses an information processing apparatus and method
`capable of easily and rapidly starting radio communication.
`When a cellular telephone is placed in the vicinity of a
`personal computer, a Strap ID is provided from a non-contact
`IC tag of a cellular telephone Strap to a reader/writer) of the
`personal computer. The personal computer has a table of
`correspondence between the strap ID and the Bluetooth
`device name of the cellular telephone. Upon acquisition of
`a Strap ID, the personal computer references the correspon
`dence table and identifies the cellular telephone as a com
`munication partner of the Bluetooth communication. The
`personal computer identifies the cellular telephone by ref
`erencing the Bluetooth device name among a plurality of
`Bluetooth devices including the cellular telephone and per
`forms Bluetooth communication with the cellular telephone.
`0019 None of the prior art discloses or suggests (1) a
`Bluetooth terminal having a RF-ID identification for estab
`lishing a connectionless communication with a Service
`application and conducting transactions with the application
`on a Session basis where the connection time and user
`identification time are shortened relative to the Standard
`Bluetooth terminal discovery process for conducting Ses
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`
`Sions, and (2) a reader device included in or coupled to the
`terminal and adapted to operate in: (A) a reader operation
`mode and a transponder operation mode, the reader device
`supporting the near field communication (ECMA-340) stan
`dard; (B) a transponder mode or passive mode during
`periods of time, within which the reader is not energized and
`(C) operate automatically in a transponder operation mode
`during periods of time, within which the reader device is not
`energized.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0020. To overcome limitations in the prior art described
`above, and to overcome other limitations that will be appar
`ent upon reading and understanding the present Specifica
`tion, the present invention is directed to: (1) shorten session
`Set-up and identification time for interactive Services over a
`Short range radio link connection, more particularly Blue
`tooth connection, and (2) an advanced RF-ID tag reader with
`transponder functionality capable of Simulating a RF-ID tag
`while in a powered down State. The terminal incorporates a
`RF-ID tag incorporating a Bluetooth terminal serial number
`and optionally a user ID. The RF-ID tag can be a passive or
`Semi-passive tag. In the case of a Semi-passive tag, it is
`possible to process information before transmission of any
`messages. This enables transmission of other valuable infor
`mation Such as Bluetooth clock information. If the Clock
`Offset value is transmitted with Bluetooth serial number, a
`Subsequent paging protocol is faster. When the terminal
`enters the field of a combined RF-ID reader and Bluetooth
`access point (RF-ID/BTH), the Bluetooth serial number and
`other optional parameters are read from the RF-ID tag
`incorporated into the terminal. A terminal control circuit
`included in the terminal and responsive to a processor is
`informed about the detected interrogation signal. The ter
`minal control circuit performs a determination to determine
`whether a Bluetooth connection is acceptable. A “No”
`determination causes the terminal control circuit to instruct
`the Bluetooth module to enter into a non-connectable mode.
`A“Yes” determination causes the terminal control circuit to
`instruct the Bluetooth module to enter into a page Scanning
`mode. The RF-ID reader transfers the device serial number
`and other optional parameters to the acceSS node. A Blue
`tooth paging operation can then be initiated by the acceSS
`node using the Bluetooth serial number received from the
`RF-ID reader. In response to the page, the terminal performs
`a connection Setup with the acceSS node using normal
`Bluetooth session set-up procedure. If the Bluetooth clock
`information is also transmitted, the page can be made even
`faster, because the acceSS node can use the terminal's clock
`information in Bluetooth paging procedure. Alternatively,
`the access node performs a Service notification that includes
`links to local Services. By transmitting the user-ID and other
`optional parameters, the Service notification can be perSon
`alized. The paging process Shortens the Session Setup time as
`compared to the normal Bluetooth terminal discovery pro
`ceSS for establishing a Session. The System can also be used
`in communication between two Bluetooth terminals if the
`terminals are respectively equipped with a RF-ID tag and a
`RF-ID reader. The reader device associated with the terminal
`is capable to Serve as a radio frequency identification
`transponder, and comprises a reader logic unit a radio/high
`frequency (RF/HF) interface and an antenna. The reader
`device is adapted to communicate at least with radio fre
`quency identification transponders in a reader operation
`
`mode. The reader device comprises additionally a transpon
`der logic unit. The transponder logic unit is connected to the
`reader device and in particular to the radio/high frequency
`(RF/HF) interface such that the reader device acts as a radio
`frequency identification transponder in a transponder opera
`tion mode. In particular, the transponder logic unit is adapted
`to communicate with other reader devices for radio fre
`quency identification transponders. The reader device for
`radio frequency identification transponders can be attached,
`connected, implemented and/or embedded in electronic
`device and particularly portable electronic devices, respec
`tively.
`0021. In addition to the Bluetooth standard, the invention
`also applies to other wireleSS Standards. The invention
`applies, for example, to the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN
`Standards, the Japanese 3rd Generation (3G) wireless stan
`dard, the various 2G, 2.5G, and 3G cellular telephone
`system standards, the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
`Standard, the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunica
`tions (DECT) standard, the Shared Wireless Access Protocol
`(SWAP) standard, the IEEE 802.15 Wireless Personal Area
`Network (WPAN) standard, the High Performance Radio
`Local Area Network (HIPERLAN) standard, and the Mul
`timedia Mobile Access Communication (MMAC) Systems
`Standard of the Japanese ASSociation of Radio Industries and
`Businesses. For each of these Standards, the initialization
`parameters for establishing a communications Session
`between a terminal and an access point are Stored in a RF-ID
`tag accompanying the terminal. The parameters are trans
`ferred to the RF-ID reader at the access point using RF-ID
`technology, thereby Speeding up the process of initialization.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0022. The invention will be further understood from a
`detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in
`conjunction with an appended drawing, in which:
`0023 FIG. 1 is a representation of a Bluetooth terminal
`within the field of RF-ID reader providing a connectionless
`communication to an access point in a Bluetooth network for
`conducting transactions between the terminal and a Service
`application on a Sessions basis and incorporating the prin
`ciples of the present invention, as follows:
`0024 FIG. 1A is a representation of a RF coverage area
`for a Bluetooth terminal with a RF-ID module;
`0025 FIG. 1B is a representation of RF-ID coverage of
`the Bluetooth terminal of FIG. 1A:
`0026 FIG. 1C is a representation of the Bluetooth cov
`erage and RF-ID coverage of the Bluetooth terminal of
`FIGS. 1A and B;
`0027 FIG. 2 is a representation of a Bluetooth terminal,
`including a passive RF-ID tag, according to one embodi
`ment of the invention;
`FIG. 2A is a representation of the passive tag of
`0028)
`FIG. 2;
`0029 FIG. 3 is a representation of a Bluetooth terminal,
`including a Semi-passive RF-ID tag, according to one
`embodiment of the invention;
`0030 FIG. 3A is a representation of the semi-passive or
`active tag of FIG. 3;
`
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`FIG. 4 is a representation of Bluetooth terminal
`0.031
`including a RF-ID reader module for exchanging informa
`tion with other RF-ID equipped devices according to one
`embodiment of the invention;
`0.032
`FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram illustrating state of
`the art communication between a RF-ID tag reader and
`RF-ID tags;
`0.033
`FIG. 5A depicts a block diagram illustrating func
`tion units of a RF-ID tag reader according to an embodiment
`of the invention;
`0034 FIG. 5B depicts a block diagram illustrating an
`embodiment of a RF-ID tag reader according to the inven
`tion;
`FIG. 5C depicts a block diagram illustrating an
`0.035
`alternative embodiment of a RF-ID tag reader according to
`the invention;
`0.036
`FIG. 6 is a representation of an access point in the
`system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`0037 FIG. 7 is a representation of the access point of
`FIG. 6 coupled to a content provider for conducting inter
`active Services, according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0.038
`FIG. 8 is a representation of an access point of
`FIG. 6 coupled to the RF reader providing terminal tag
`information for establishing a Session with the terminal of
`FIG. 2 or 3, according to one embodiment of the invention;
`0.039
`FIG. 9 is a communication process having short
`ened terminal discovery and user identification in establish
`ing a Bluetooth connection between mobile terminals with
`RF-ID tag functionality operating in a show communication
`mode described in FIG. 5B;
`0040 FIG. 9A is a process 911 for determining whether
`a terminal within the range of an interrogating Signal from
`another terminal should establish a Bluetooth connection to
`the another terminal;
`0041
`FIG. 10 is a session set-up process reducing ses
`sion setup time between mobile terminals with RF-ID tag
`reader devices having tag Punctuality operating in a pow
`ered down show communication mode described in FIG. 5C
`in establishing a Bluetooth connection in FIG. 1;
`0.042
`FIG. 11 is a representation of a process for con
`ducting a cash transaction or a credit card transaction with
`a user in the system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment
`of the invention; and
`0.043
`FIG. 12 is a representation of a process providing
`a user with flight information at an airline gate, using the
`system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the
`invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`0044) In the following description of the various embodi
`ments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings,
`which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
`illustration various embodiments in which the invention
`may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodi
`
`ments may be utilized and Structural and functional modi
`fications may be made without departing from the Scope of
`the present invention.
`004.5
`FIG. 1 discloses a system 100 incorporating prin
`ciples of the present invention for RF-ID based discovery of
`Bluetooth terminals, which shortens the user identification
`time and Speeds up Session Setup for interactive Services
`between a terminal and a Service application. The terminal
`102 incorporates a RF-ID tag 106, which stores ID infor
`mation, Such as the Bluetooth terminal serial number of the
`terminal 102. The ID information including at least the
`Bluetooth serial number of the user terminal is transmitted
`by the RF-ID tag 106 via a radio link 108 to a RF-ID Reader
`110.
`0046) In one embodiment, the RF-ID tag 106 may be a
`passive tag, which operates without an internal battery
`Source, deriving the power to operate from the radio field
`112 generated by the RF-ID reader 110. The Bluetooth
`terminal serial number is transmitted by the RF-ID tag 106
`to the RF-ID reader 110, and can be forwarded to a server
`116. Alternately, the RF-ID reader 110 can transfer the
`identity information to an access point 104, which can
`forward the identity information to the server 116. The
`server 116 can use the received terminal serial number or
`user ID to lookup information about either the user or the
`terminal 102, and return the accessed information to the
`access point 104 for transfer to the terminal via radio link
`115.
`0047. In another embodiment, the RF-ID tag 106 can be
`a Semi-passive or active tag. A Semi-passive or active tag
`may include a read/write Storage device powered by an
`internal battery allowing a greater RF communication range
`and higher data transmission rates. In the case of a Semi
`passive tag, it is possible to proceSS information before
`message transmission. This enables transmission of other
`valuable information Such as the Bluetooth Clock Offset of
`the terminal 102. If the Clock Offset value of the terminal
`102 is transmitted with the Bluetooth serial number, the
`Subsequent Bluetooth paging protocol with the access point
`104 is faster.
`0048. When the terminal 102 enters the radio field 112 of
`a combined RF-ID reader 110 and Bluetooth access point
`104 (RF-ID/BTH), the Bluetooth serial number and other
`optional parameters are read by the reader 110 from the
`RF-ID tag 106. If the terminal has a passive tag there is no
`option to update the tag information, So the information
`preferably includes only Bluetooth serial number of the
`terminal, which may be hard-coded within the RF-ID tag
`already in the terminal manufacturing line. In the case of
`Semi-passive or active RF-ID tag, the tag information can be
`updated later on, So more information, Such as Clock Offset
`information and User ID information can be maintained in
`the tag.
`0049 According to a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention, the RF coverage area of the RF-ID tag and
`the RF coverage area of the Bluetooth terminal are substan
`tially the same (or at least in magnitude). FIG. 1A illustrates
`the Bluetooth RF coverage of the terminal. FIG. 1B illus
`trates RF-ID coverage of the same terminal. In FIG. 1C, the
`coverage areas of FIGS. 1A and B are “put together” and
`are Substantially the same (in the optimum case) thereby
`requiring the RF-ID readers to Send interrogation signals
`
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`having coverage in the same magnitude as that of the
`Bluetooth terminal coverage and requiring the RF-ID tag to
`have the Same coverage as the terminal. The combined
`RF-ID reader 110 and Bluetooth access point 104 may also
`periodically Send Bluetooth Inquiry messages to detect the
`terminal 102. After receiving the Bluetooth serial number
`and other optional parameters by whatever means (using
`RF-ID or Bluetooth), the combined RF-ID reader instantly
`Sends a Bluetooth paging message using the received infor
`mation. It should be noted that according to various embodi
`ments of the present invention, the coverage areas of Blue
`tooth and RF-ID may be significantly different, and the
`present Patent Application shall not be limited to any
`Specific coverage areas.
`0050 Returning to FIG. 1, the RF-ID reader 110 trans
`fers the device serial number; the terminal Clock Offset
`value, and other optional parameters including the Clock
`Offset value depending upon whether the terminal has a
`passive or a semi-passive RF-ID tag to the access node 104.
`The acceSS point now has enough in