IP Library Granted Patent US 11,822,997
Granted Patent B2
US 11,822,997 · App. 16/718,999 · Granted Nov 21, 2023

Methods and apparatus for multi-stage activation of communication devices

Inventors: Alexander Mueggenborg (Arlington, VA); Edward A. Richley (Gaithersburg, MD)
Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
G06K7/10158G06K19/0709
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,822,997
App. No.
16/718,999
Granted
Nov 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An example disclosed method includes, in response to receiving a first signal at a communication device when the communication device is in a deep sleep mode, changing the tag from the deep sleep mode to an awake mode for a period of time, wherein the communication device consumes a first amount of power in the deep sleep mode, and the communication device consumes a second amount of power in the awake mode, and the second amount of power is greater than the first amount of power; in response to receiving a second signal during the period of time when in the awake mode, changing the communication device from the awake mode to a fully functional mode, wherein the communication device consumes a third amount of power in the fully functional mode, and the third amount of power is greater than the second amount of power; and, in response to not receiving the second signal during the period of time, changing the communication device from the awake mode to the deep sleep mode.

Claims (10)

1. A method comprising:

in response to receiving a first signal at a communication device having a magnetic-field interface, a near-field radio frequency (RF) interface and a far-field RF interface, when the communication device is in a deep sleep mode, changing the communication device from the deep sleep mode to an awake mode for a period of time, wherein the communication device consumes a first amount of power in the deep sleep mode, and the communication device consumes a second amount of power in the awake mode, and the second amount of power is greater than the first amount of power;

in response to receiving a second signal during the period of time when in the awake mode, changing the communication device from the awake mode to a fully functional mode, wherein the communication device consumes a third amount of power in the fully functional mode, and the third amount of power is greater than the second amount of power; and

in response to not receiving the second signal during the period of time, changing the communication device from the awake mode to the deep sleep mode, wherein

in the deep sleep mode, the magnetic-field interface is in an off state, the near field RF interface is in an idle state, and the far-field RF interface is in the off state, and

in the awake mode, the magnetic-field interface is in the on state, the near-field RF interface is in the on state, and the far-field RF interface is in the off state.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first signal is received via the near-field RF interface.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the second signal is received via the magnetic-field interface or near-field radio frequency RF interface.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the magnetic-field interface is on in the fully functional mode.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising changing the communication device from the fully functional mode to the deep sleep mode in response to receiving a third signal.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - 364 - DAY Recorded Mar 5, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; LASER BAND, LLC; TEMPTIME CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056036/0590 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2020
From: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; LASER BAND, LLC; TEMPTIME CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053841/0212 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2020
From: MUEGGENBORG, ALEXANDER; RICHLEY, EDWARD A.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051721/0975 →
Continuity (1)
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