Low-cost radio replacement utilizing RFID technology

Patent 6608551 Issued on August 19, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 13, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Assignee

Intermec IP Corp.

Application

No. 394241 filed on 09/13/1999

US Classes:

340/10.51, Programming (e.g., read/write)340/10.1, Interrogation response340/572.1, Detectable device on protected article (e.g., "tag")340/825.36Having indication or alarm (e.g., location indication)

Examiners

Primary: Crosland, Donnie L.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Roth; Orum C

Foreign Patent References

0 405 074 EP. 01/20/1991
0 785 527 EP. 07/20/1997
WO 90/05960 GB. 05/20/1990

International Classes

H04Q 005/22
G08B 005/22

Abstract

A radio replacement using RFID technology in an RF-enabled device is provided. The RF-enabled handheld, portable, or otherwise mobile device is equipped with an RFID tag having read and write capability. Data exchange occurs between the RFID tag and a network of RFID interrogators placed to provide adequate coverage of the area over which the device might move. As a result of replacing a full functioning transmitting/receiving radio with an RFID tag, the cost of the RF-enabled device could be significantly reduced, its battery life could be extended, and it could operate in a frequency band that does not require FCC approval. Additionally, this invention could provide tracking and access control using the RFID tag and interrogators.