IP Library Granted Patent US 8,054,162
Granted Patent B2
US 8,054,162 · App. 11/115,185 · Granted Nov 8, 2011

Communication method in RFID or remote sensor systems

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,054,162
App. No.
11/115,185
Granted
Nov 8, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for communicating between a control unit and a plurality of remote units located in the response area of the control unit is provided. The remote units are prompted to transmit a data sequence to the control unit upon receipt of a command sent by the control unit. The control unit transmits a control signal to the remote units substantially simultaneously with the transmission of the data sequence as a function of a communication state, such as the absence of a transmission of the data sequence by at least one remote unit or an at least partially simultaneous transmission of the data sequence by more than one remote unit. In this way, communication methods can be shortened, in particular in terms of time, without adversely affecting communication reliability.

Claims (12)

1. A method for communicating between a control unit and a plurality of remote units located in a response area of the control unit, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a command from the control unit to the remote units, the command being a notch signal or a low bit count command structure;

determining at the remote units, in response to said command from the control unit, a first random number specifying a predetermined time window for the transmission of a data sequence by the remote unit, where said remote units transmit said first random number to said control unit unless said first random number corresponds to a time window of a common, first transmission and, in that instance the remote units whose first random number corresponds to the time window of the common, first transmission, determine a new random number without transmitting said first random number to the control unit;

transmitting the data sequence to the control unit upon receipt of the command sent by the control unit, wherein all of the remote units executing the command begin synchronously with the first transmission of the data sequence; and

transmitting a control signal from the control unit to the remote units substantially simultaneously with the transmission or expected transmission of the data sequence from the remote units on a basis of a communication state, the communication state being an absence of a transmission of the data sequence by at least one of the remote units or an at least partially simultaneous transmission of the data sequence by more than one of the remote units.

2. A method for communicating between a control unit and a plurality of remote units located in a response area of the control unit, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a first series of time slots including a first time slot;

determining at the remote units a random number specifying a predetermined time slot of the first series of time slots for the transmission of a data sequence by the remote unit;

each time the random number specifies the first time slot in the first series of time slots, automatically determining a new random number;

transmitting a command from the control unit to the remote units, the command being a notch signal or a low bit count command structure;

transmitting synchronously in the first time slot in the first series of time slots by each of the remote units receiving the command a data sequence to the control unit upon receipt of the command sent by the control unit; and

transmitting a control signal from the control unit to the remote units substantially simultaneously with the transmission of the data sequence from the remote units upon the detection of an at least partially simultaneous transmission of the data sequence by more than one of the remote units.

Assignments (11)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059358/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059262/0105 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059333/0222 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047103/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046426/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: ATMEL CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041715/0747 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Apr 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038376/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 3, 2014
From: ATMEL CORPORATION
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031912/0173 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2011
From: ATMEL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025899/0710 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2009
From: ATMEL GERMANY GMBH
To: ATMEL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 023209/0021 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2005
From: FRIEDRICH, ULRICH
To: ATMEL CO.
Reel/Frame 016514/0831 →