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WO2024197801A1 - Regroupement d'étiquettes d'identification par radiofréquence (rfid) - Google Patents

Regroupement d'étiquettes d'identification par radiofréquence (rfid) Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024197801A1
WO2024197801A1 PCT/CN2023/085421 CN2023085421W WO2024197801A1 WO 2024197801 A1 WO2024197801 A1 WO 2024197801A1 CN 2023085421 W CN2023085421 W CN 2023085421W WO 2024197801 A1 WO2024197801 A1 WO 2024197801A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rfid
rfid tags
group
reader
tags
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2023/085421
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mingxi YIN
Chao Wei
Ruiming Zheng
Kangqi LIU
Min Huang
Hao Xu
Original Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Qualcomm Incorporated filed Critical Qualcomm Incorporated
Priority to PCT/CN2023/085421 priority Critical patent/WO2024197801A1/fr
Publication of WO2024197801A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024197801A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K17/00—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
    • G06K17/0022—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device
    • G06K17/0029—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device the arrangement being specially adapted for wireless interrogation of grouped or bundled articles tagged with wireless record carriers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
    • G06K7/10019—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves resolving collision on the communication channels between simultaneously or concurrently interrogated record carriers.
    • G06K7/10029—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves resolving collision on the communication channels between simultaneously or concurrently interrogated record carriers. the collision being resolved in the time domain, e.g. using binary tree search or RFID responses allocated to a random time slot
    • G06K7/10039—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves resolving collision on the communication channels between simultaneously or concurrently interrogated record carriers. the collision being resolved in the time domain, e.g. using binary tree search or RFID responses allocated to a random time slot interrogator driven, i.e. synchronous
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
    • G06K7/10366—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
    • G06K7/10475—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications arrangements to facilitate interaction with further interrogation devices, e.g. such that at least two interrogation devices may function and cooperate in a network of such devices

Definitions

  • the present disclosure generally relates to grouping radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. According to some aspect, the present disclosure relates to grouping RFID tags and tracking the grouped RFID tags.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • Radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers can use electromagnetic fields to identify RFID tags.
  • An RFID tag may include a radio transponder.
  • an electromagnetic query e.g., an electromagnetic pulse
  • the RFID tag may transmit digital data, for example, an identifier (e.g., a number) , back to the RFID reader.
  • An RFID tracking system can be used to track objects (e.g., goods in a warehouse or parts being assembled) , such as in an inventory process or through an assembly process.
  • an RFID system can use identifiers of RFID tags and locations of readers to track the RFID tags.
  • the RFID tags may be attached to the objects being tracked.
  • a method for tracking objects. The method includes: transmitting, by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system, a query to a group of RFID tags; receiving, in response to the query, a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; associating a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers; and transmitting the group identifier to one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • an apparatus for tracking objects includes at least one memory and at least one processor (e.g., configured in circuitry) coupled to the at least one memory.
  • the at least one processor configured to: cause at least one transmitter to transmit, a query to a group of RFID tags; receive, in response to the query, a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; associate a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers; and cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the group identifier to one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • the apparatus includes the at least one transmitter configured to transmit the query to the group of RFID tags; and the group identifier to the one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • a non-transitory computer-readable medium has stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: cause at least one transmitter to transmit, a query to a group of RFID tags; receive, in response to the query, a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; associate a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers; and cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the group identifier to one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • an apparatus for tracking objects includes: means for transmitting, by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system, a query to a group of RFID tags; means for receiving, in response to the query, a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; means for associating a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers; and means for transmitting the group identifier to one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • one or more of the apparatuses described herein is, can be part of, or can include an RFID system, an RFID reader, an RFID tag, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile telephone or so-called “smart phone” , a tablet computer, or other type of mobile device) , an extended reality device (e.g., a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, or a mixed reality (MR) device) , a vehicle (or a computing device or system of a vehicle) , a smart or connected device (e.g., an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device) , a wearable device, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a video server, a television (e.g., a network-connected television) , a robotics device or system, or other device.
  • a mobile device e.g., a mobile telephone or so-called “smart phone” , a tablet computer, or other type of mobile device
  • each apparatus can include an image sensor (e.g., a camera) or multiple image sensors (e.g., multiple cameras) for capturing one or more images.
  • each apparatus can include one or more displays for displaying one or more images, notifications, and/or other displayable data.
  • each apparatus can include one or more speakers, one or more light-emitting devices, and/or one or more microphones.
  • each apparatus can include one or more sensors. In some cases, the one or more sensors can be used for determining a location of the apparatuses, a state of the apparatuses (e.g., a tracking state, an operating state, a temperature, a humidity level, and/or other state) , and/or for other purposes.
  • a state of the apparatuses e.g., a tracking state, an operating state, a temperature, a humidity level, and/or other state
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, according to various aspects of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example RFID reader, according to various aspects of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 3 is an illustrated block diagram illustrating an example environment in which an RFID tracking system may be implemented to track groups of RFID tags according to various aspects of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example process by which an RFID tracking system may track RFID tags, according to various aspects of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example process by which an RFID tracking system may track RFID tags, according to various aspects of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating yet another example process by which an RFID tracking system may track RFID tags, according to various aspects of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating still another example process by which an RFID tracking system may track RFID tags, according to various aspects of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for tracking objects, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another process for tracking objects, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating yet another process for tracking objects, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates an example computing-device architecture of an example computing device which can implement the various techniques described herein.
  • a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking system may use RFID readers to identify RFID tags.
  • the RFID tracking system may track the location of RFID tags within an environment based on the locations of RFID readers within the environment.
  • a group of RFID tags may move together.
  • a group of goods may be individually tagged with respective RFID tags.
  • the group of goods may be packaged together (e.g., in a box, in a crate, and/or on a pallet) and may be moved together.
  • An RFID reader may transmit a query to a group of RFID tags to elicit a response from the RFID tags. However, if an RFID reader transmits the query to the group of RFID tags, all of the RFID tags of the group of RFID tags may respond at substantially the same time. In such cases, the RFID reader may not be able to recognize individual responses from each of the RFID tags.
  • an RFID reader may implement an anti-collision procedure. For example, an RFID reader may transmit a query including a number (e.g., a number larger than the number of RFID tags that the RFID reader expects to respond at any given time) . Each of the RFID tags may generate a respective random number that is less than the number included in the query. Each of the RFID tags may wait for a respective duration of time associated with the respective selected number and, after the duration of time, respond to the query. In this way, the probability of multiple RFID tags responding to the query at the same time is decreased and the ability of the RFID reader to individually identify the RFID tags is increased. If two or more RFID tags respond at the same time (e.g., resulting in a collision) , the RFID reader may be unable to distinguish the responses and may begin the anti-collision procedure again.
  • a number e.g., a number larger than the number of RFID tags that the RFID reader expects to respond at any given time
  • Each of the RFID tags may generate a respective random number that is less than the number included
  • Anti-collision procedures take time to implement, which results in use of computing resources (e.g., processing, memory, etc. ) . In one illustrative example, it may take a more than ten milliseconds for an RFID reader to individually identify each RFID tag of a group of one hundred RFID tags. Such a delay may cause issues in certain scenarios. For example, delaying operations in a production facility or warehouse by seconds for tracking may be undesirable.
  • Systems, apparatuses, methods (also referred to as processes) , and computer-readable media are described herein for grouping RFID tags.
  • the systems and techniques described herein may query (e.g., using an RFID reader) a group of RFID tags (e.g., when the RFID tags enter an RFID tracking system) , such as according to an anti-collision procedure.
  • the RFID tags may respond to the query with identifiers of the RFID tags (e.g., a first identifier for a first RFID tag, a second identifier for a second RFID tag, and so on) .
  • the systems and techniques may associate the identifiers with a group identifier.
  • the systems and techniques may transmit the group identifier to one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • the one or more RFID tags may respond with the group identifier (e.g., rather than its own identifier) to the one or more other RFID readers.
  • the systems and techniques may make the respective identifiers of each of the RFID tags available throughout the RFID tracking system such that, when any RFID reader in the RFID tracking system receives the group identifier in response to a query, the RFID tracking system may track all of the RFID tags of the group according to the location of the RFID reader.
  • the systems and techniques may query a group of RFID tags according to an anti-collision procedure once (e.g., when the group of RFID tags enters the RFID tracking system) . After the initial query, subsequent queries need not be according to an anti-collision procedure, which may save time.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag 100, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
  • RFID tag 100 may be a passive RFID tag or an active RFID tag.
  • RFID tag 100 may include one or more antennas 190 that can be used to transmit and receive one or more wireless signals (e.g., to receive queries and to transmit responses) .
  • RFID tag 100 can use antenna 190 to receive one or more downlink signals and to transmit one or more uplink signals.
  • An impedance matching component 110 can be used to match the impedance of antenna 190 to the impedance of one or more (or all) of the receive components included in RFID tag 100.
  • the receive components of RFID tag 100 can include a demodulator 120 (e.g., for demodulating a received downlink signal) , an energy harvester 130 (e.g., for harvesting RF energy from the received downlink signal) , a regulator 140, a micro-controller unit (MCU) 150, a modulator 160 (e.g., for generating an uplink signal) .
  • a demodulator 120 e.g., for demodulating a received downlink signal
  • an energy harvester 130 e.g., for harvesting RF energy from the received downlink signal
  • MCU micro-controller unit
  • modulator 160 e.g., for generating an uplink signal
  • the downlink signals can be received from one or more transmitters.
  • RFID tag 100 may receive a downlink signal from an RFID reader. Additionally, or alternatively, RFID tag 100 may receive RF energy from other RF transmissions (e.g., ambient RF signals present in the environment) .
  • RFID tag 100 can be implemented as a passive or semi-passive energy harvesting device, which perform passive uplink communication by modulating and reflecting a downlink signal received via antenna 190.
  • RFID tag 100 may receiving a downlink signal and modulated and reflected the downlink signal to generate and transmit an uplink signal.
  • RFID tag 100 may be implemented as an active energy harvesting device, which utilizes a powered transceiver to perform active uplink communication.
  • RFID tag 100 may generate and transmit an uplink signal without first receiving a downlink signal (e.g., by using an on-device power source to energize its powered transceiver) .
  • RFID tag 100 may be powered using RF energy harvested from a downlink signal (e.g., using energy harvester 130) .
  • RFID tag 100 may include one or more energy storage elements (not illustrated in FIG. 1) (e.g., capacitors, ultracapacitors, or batteries) and/or other on-device power sources.
  • the energy storage element of RFID tag 100 can be used to temporarily store, augment, or supplement the RF energy harvested from a downlink signal.
  • the energy storage element (s) of RFID tag 100 can be charged using harvested RF energy. In some cases, the energy storage element may store insufficient energy to transmit an uplink communication without first receiving a downlink communication.
  • RFID tag 100 can include one or more energy storage elements or other on-device power sources (not illustrated in FIG. 1) that can power uplink communication without using supplemental harvested RF energy.
  • RFID tag 100 may transmit uplink communications by performing backscatter modulation to modulate and reflect a received downlink signal.
  • the received downlink signal may be used to provide both electrical power (e.g., to perform demodulation, local processing, and modulation) and a carrier wave for uplink communication (e.g., the reflection of the downlink signal) .
  • a portion of the downlink signal may be backscattered as an uplink signal and a remaining portion of the downlinks signal may be used to perform energy harvesting.
  • RFID tag 100 when implemented as an active energy harvesting device, can transmit uplink communications without performing backscatter modulation and without receiving a corresponding downlink signal (e.g., an active energy harvesting device includes an energy storage element to provide electrical power and includes a powered transceiver to generate a carrier wave for an uplink communication) .
  • an active energy harvesting device includes an energy storage element to provide electrical power and includes a powered transceiver to generate a carrier wave for an uplink communication
  • passive and semi-passive energy harvesting devices may, or may not, be able to transmit an uplink signal (e.g., passive communication) .
  • Active energy harvesting devices do not depend on receiving a downlink signal in order to transmit an uplink signal and can transmit an uplink signal as desired (e.g., active communication) .
  • a continuous carrier wave downlink signal may be received using antenna 190 and modulated (e.g., re-modulated) for uplink communication.
  • a modulator 160 can be used to modulate the reflected (e.g., backscattered) portion of the downlink signal.
  • the continuous carrier wave may be a continuous sinusoidal wave (e.g., sine or cosine waveform) and modulator 160 can perform modulation based on varying one or more of the amplitude and the phase of the backscattered reflection.
  • modulator 160 can encode digital symbols (e.g., such as binary symbols or more complex systems of symbols) indicative of an uplink communication or data message.
  • digital symbols e.g., such as binary symbols or more complex systems of symbols
  • the uplink communication may be indicative of an identifier associated with the RFID tag 100.
  • impedance matching component 110 can be used to match the impedance of antenna 190 to the receive components of RFID tag 100 when receiving the downlink signal (e.g., when receiving the continuous carrier wave) .
  • modulation can be performed based on intentionally mismatching the antenna input impedance to cause a portion of the incident downlink signal to be scattered back.
  • the phase and amplitude of the backscattered reflection may be determined based on the impedance loading on the antenna 190.
  • digital symbols and/or binary information can be encoded (e.g., modulated) onto the backscattered reflection.
  • Varying the antenna impedance to modulate the phase and/or amplitude of the backscattered reflection can be performed using modulator 160.
  • a portion of a downlink signal received using antenna 190 can be provided to a demodulator 120, which performs demodulation and provides a downlink communication (e.g., carried or modulated on the downlink signal) to a micro-controller unit (MCU) 150 or other processor included in the RFID tag 100.
  • MCU micro-controller unit
  • a remaining portion of the downlink signal received using antenna 190 can be provided to energy harvester 130, which harvests RF energy from the downlink signal.
  • energy harvester 130 can harvest RF energy based on performing AC-to-DC (alternating current-to-direct current) conversion, wherein an AC current is generated from the sinusoidal carrier wave of the downlink signal and the converted DC current is used to power the RFID tag 100.
  • AC-to-DC alternating current-to-direct current
  • energy harvester 130 can include one or more rectifiers for performing AC-to-DC conversion.
  • a rectifier can include one or more diodes or thin-film transistors (TFTs) .
  • TFTs thin-film transistors
  • energy harvester 130 can include one or more Schottky diode-based rectifiers. In some cases, energy harvester 130 can include one or more TFT-based rectifiers.
  • the output of the energy harvester 130 is a DC current generated from (e.g., harvested from) the portion of the downlink signal provided to the energy harvester 130.
  • the DC current output of energy harvester 130 may vary with the input provided to the energy harvester 130.
  • an increase in the input current to energy harvester 130 can be associated with an increase in the output DC current generated by energy harvester 130.
  • MCU 150 may be associated with a narrow band of acceptable DC current values.
  • Regulator 140 can be used to remove or otherwise decrease variation (s) in the DC current generated as output by energy harvester 130.
  • regulator 140 can remove or smooth spikes (e.g., increases) in the DC current output by energy harvester 130 (e.g., such that the DC current provided as input to MCU 150 by regulator 140 remains below a first threshold) . In some cases, regulator 140 can remove or otherwise compensate for drops or decreases in the DC current output by energy harvester 130 (e.g., such that the DC current provided as input to MCU 150 by regulator 140 remains above a second threshold) .
  • spikes e.g., increases
  • regulator 140 can remove or otherwise compensate for drops or decreases in the DC current output by energy harvester 130 (e.g., such that the DC current provided as input to MCU 150 by regulator 140 remains above a second threshold) .
  • the harvested DC current (e.g., generated by energy harvester 130 and regulated upward or downward as needed by energy harvester 130) can be used to power MCU 150 and one or more additional components included in the RFID tag 100.
  • the harvested DC current can additionally be used to power one or more (or all) of the impedance matching component 110, demodulator 120, regulator 140, MCU 150, memory 170, modulator 160, etc.
  • memory 170 and modulator 160 can receive at least a portion of the harvested DC current that remains after MCU 150 (e.g., that is not consumed by MCU 150) .
  • the harvested DC current output by regulator 140 can be provided to MCU 150, and modulator 160, in series, in parallel, or a combination thereof.
  • RFID tag 100 may include a memory 170 which may be, or may include, a circuit or chip (e.g, a RAM, an FPGA, and/or a circuit including static elements, for example, fuses) configured to store an identifier of RFID tag 100.
  • RFID tag 100 may respond to queries (e.g., electromagnetic query pulses) with an uplink signal encoding the identifier. For example, RFID tag 100 may receive a query at antenna 190 and harvest energy from the query (and/or other ambient RF energy) at energy harvester 130.
  • RFID tag 100 may activate demodulator 120 and MCU 150 to de-encode the query. MCU 150 may determine an appropriate response to the query.
  • the response may be, or may include, the identifier of RFID tag 100 (e.g., the identifier stored in memory 170) .
  • MCU 150 and/or modulator 160 may generate the determined response and antenna 190 may transmit the determined response (e.g., through a backscattered reflection) .
  • RFID tag 100 may receive instructions (e.g., from an RFID reader) .
  • the instructions may alter the way RFID tag 100 responds to queries.
  • the instructions may instruct RFID tag 100 to respond to queries using a different identifier than the original identifier stored at memory 170.
  • the instructions may include the different identifier and RFID tag 100 may store the different identifier at memory 170.
  • the instructions may instruct RFID tag 100 not to respond to queries.
  • RFID tag 100 may record an operating instruction or flag in memory 170 (or in MCU 150) such that RFID tag 100 will not respond to queries (e.g., until further instructions are provided) .
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example RFID reader 202, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
  • RFID reader 202 may be part of an RFID tracking system.
  • RFID reader 202 may include a scanner 204 to transmit queries and receive responses (e.g., from one or more RFID tags) .
  • a query may be implemented as the downlink signal as described with regard to RFID tag 100.
  • a response may be implemented as the uplink signal as described with regard to RFID tag 100.
  • RFID reader 202 may include a communicator 206 to communicate with other elements of an RFID tracking system.
  • Communicator 206 may communicate according to any suitable wired or wireless communication protocol including, as examples, cellular long-term evolution (LTE) user-equipment-to-user-equipment (Uu) , sidelink communications, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) .
  • RFID reader 202, through communicator 206 may communicate with one or more other RFID readers of an RFID tracking system (e.g., directly or through a network) . Additionally, or alternatively, RFID reader 202, through communicator 206, may communicate with a controller of the RFID tracking system.
  • RFID reader 202 may include a computing device 208.
  • computing device 208 may be an implementation of computing-device architecture 1100 of FIG. 11.
  • the computing device 208 can process information, such as one or more responses from one or more RFID tags as described herein.
  • RFID reader 202 may include a power source 210.
  • Power source 210 may be, or may include, any suitable source of power, including a battery, a connection to a power grid, etc.
  • FIG. 3 is an illustrated block diagram illustrating an example environment in which an RFID tracking system 300 may be implemented to track groups of RFID tags according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
  • the example environment may include a warehouse 302.
  • the warehouse 302 may include multiple shelves 312.
  • One or more forklifts 308 may operate in warehouse 302, for example, moving pallets of goods into warehouse 302, shelving the pallets on shelves 312, and/or moving the pallets out of warehouse 302 and/or loading the pallets onto trucks 316.
  • RFID tracking system 300 may operate within the environment.
  • RFID tracking system 300 may include one or more readers (e.g., RFID reader 304, RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, and RFID reader 318) within the environment.
  • each of the one or more readers may have the components of the RFID reader 202 of FIG. 2 and/or other components not shown in FIG. 2.
  • the one or more readers may be located, for example, at entry and exit points of warehouse 302 (e.g., RFID reader 304) , on forklifts 308 (e.g., RFID reader 310) , on one or more shelves 312 (e.g., RFID reader 314) , on trucks 316 (e.g., RFID reader 318) , and/or other locations in the warehouse 302.
  • the readers may scan (e.g., query and receive responses from) RFID tags which may be attached to or packaged with goods.
  • RFID tags may be individually attached to respective discrete goods or objects (e.g., a crate, packaging containing a good, etc. ) carrying the goods.
  • a consumer good e.g., a television
  • a group of goods may be packaged together (e.g., in a box, in a crate, and/or on a pallet) and may be moved together.
  • RFID tracking system 300 may track the goods (or the RFID tags attached to the goods) in the environment.
  • a pallet containing individually tagged goods e.g., each of the goods attached to one of RFID tags 306
  • RFID reader 304 may scan RFID tags 306 at the entry.
  • Forklift 308 may move the pallet within warehouse 302.
  • RFID reader 310 may scan RFID tags 306 while forklift 308 is moving the pallet.
  • Shelves 312 may store the pallet.
  • RFID reader 314 may scan RFID tags 306 when the pallet is first shelved, when the pallet is removed from shelves 312, and/or at other times (e.g., periodically during storage) .
  • the pallet may be moved out of warehouse 302 through an exit.
  • RFID reader 304 (or another RFID reader) may scan RFID tags 306 at the exit.
  • the pallet may be loaded onto truck 316.
  • RFID reader 318 may scan RFID tags 306 when the pallet is loaded onto truck 316, when the pallet is unloaded from truck 316, and/or at other times (e.g., periodically during transit) .
  • RFID tracking system 300 may save time by scanning each individual RFID tag of a group of RFID tags (e.g., according to an anti-collision procedure) once, and thereafter tracking the group of RFID tags as a group. After the initial scan, subsequent queries need not be according to an anti-collision procedure, which may save time.
  • an initial RFID reader may query RFID tags 306 according to an anti-collision procedure (e.g., when RFID tags 306 enter warehouse 302.
  • RFID tracking system 300 may associate the identifiers of all of RFID tags 306 together as a group. Thereafter, RFID tracking system 300 may track the group of RFID tags 306 collectively.
  • RFID tracking system 300 may track RFID tags 306 within the environment after an initial scan of RFID tags 306 has been completed and after the identifiers of RFID tags 306 have been associated.
  • the following examples describe interactions after an example initial RFID reader (RFID reader 304) has scanned RFID tags 306 and associated RFID tags 306 together.
  • RFID reader 304 may generate a group identifier for RFID tags 306 and transmit the group identifier to all of RFID tags 306. Further, RFID reader 304 may transmit a message instructing all of RFID tags 306 to respond to queries with the group identifier rather than with their individual respective identifiers. Thereafter, when RFID tags 306 are queried, for example, by subsequent RFID readers (e.g., RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, and/or RFID reader 318) , all of RFID tags 306 may respond with the group identifier. The subsequent RFID readers may not need to wait for non-conflicting responses according to an anti-collision procedure because all of the responses may be the same.
  • RFID tracking system 300 may track all of RFID tags 306 as a group (e.g., by determining that all of the RFID tags 306 are present at an RFID reader when the RFID reader receives the group identifier in response to a query) .
  • RFID reader 304 may generate a group identifier for RFID tags 306 and transmit the group identifier to one of RFID tags 306. Further, RFID reader 304 may transmit a message instructing a subset (e.g., one) of RFID tags 306 to respond to queries with the group identifier rather than with its individual identifier. Further still, RFID reader 304 may transmit a message instructing all others of RFID tags 306 to not respond to queries. Thereafter, when RFID tags 306 are queried, for example, by subsequent RFID readers (e.g., RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, and/or RFID reader 318) , the subset of RFID tags 306 may respond with the group identifier (and none of the others of RFID tags 306 may respond) .
  • subsequent RFID readers e.g., RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, and/or RFID reader 318
  • RFID tracking system 300 may track all of RFID tags 306 as a group (e.g., by determining that all of the RFID tags 306 are present at an RFID reader when the RFID reader receives the group identifier in response to a query) .
  • RFID reader 304 may determine a header RFID tag from among RFID tags 306. Further, RFID reader 304 may transmit a message instructing the header RFID tag to respond to queries with its identifiers (e.g., a header identifier) . Further still, RFID reader 304 may transmit a message instructing all others of RFID tags 306 to not respond to queries. Thereafter, when RFID tags 306 are queried, for example, by subsequent RFID readers (e.g., RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, and/or RFID reader 318) , the header RFID tag may respond with the header identifier. The subsequent RFID readers may not need to wait for non-conflicting responses according to an anti-collision procedure because the subsequent RFID readers may receive one response.
  • RFID readers e.g., RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, and/or RFID reader 318
  • RFID tracking system 300 may track all of RFID tags 306 as a group (e.g., by determining that all of the RFID tags 306 are present at an RFID reader when the RFID reader receives the header identifier in response to a query) .
  • RFID reader 304 may transmit a reader identifier (indicative of RFID reader 304) to at least one of RFID tags 306 (e.g., all of RFID tags 306 similar to what was described with regard to the first example or a subset of RFID tags 306 similar to what was described with regard to the second example) . Further, RFID reader 304 may transmit a message instructing the at least one of RFID tags 306 to respond to queries with the reader identifier and an identifier associated with the group rather than with their individual respective identifiers.
  • the identifier associated with the group may be a group identifier (e.g., as described with regard to prior examples) or an identifier of the at least one of the RFID tags 306 (e.g., which may be used in RFID tracking system 300 in the same way that a header identifier is used) . Thereafter, when RFID tags 306 are queried, for example, by subsequent RFID readers (e.g., RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, and/or RFID reader 318) , the at least one of RFID tags 306 may respond with the reader identifier and the identifier associated with the group.
  • RFID readers e.g., RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, and/or RFID reader 318
  • RFID tracking system 300 may track all of RFID tags 306 as a group (e.g., by determining that all of the RFID tags 306 are present at an RFID reader when the RFID reader receives the identifier associated with the group in response to a query) .
  • the subsequent RFID readers that receive the group identifier may not query RFID tags 306 individually because the subsequent RFID readers may determine that, having received the group identifier (or the identifier associated with the group, or the header identifier) , all RFID tags 306 of the group are present at the subsequent reader.
  • subsequent readers may individually query the RFID tags 306 (e.g., using the individual identifiers of each of RFID tags 306) to confirm that all RFID tags 306 of the group of RFID tags 306 are present.
  • the subsequent readers may query each of RFID tags 306 directly and individually and thus, the subsequent readers need not worry about collisions.
  • RFID tracking system 300 may include a controller 320 which may store information regarding RFID tags scanned at RFID readers of RFID tracking system 300.
  • RFID tracking system 300 may divide the environment into zones according to the location of RFID readers and store information about RFID tags within each of the zones.
  • RFID readers of RFID tracking system 300 may communicate with controller 320 (e.g., using a communicator, such as communicator 206 of FIG. 2) .
  • an initial reader may scan a group of RFID tags (e.g., RFID tags 306) and may associate the group of RFID tags 306 (e.g., by generating a group identifier) .
  • RFID reader 304 may communicate respective identifiers of each of RFID tags 306 and associations between the RFID tags 306 to controller 320.
  • Controller 320 may store the group identifier, each of the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306, and an indication of the association between RFID tags 306. Subsequent RFID readers may obtain each of the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306 and an indication of the association between RFID tags 306 by sending a request to controller 320.
  • a subsequent RFID reader may determine to scan RFID tags 306 (e.g., to inventory RFID tags 306) .
  • RFID reader 314 may query RFID tags 306 when RFID tags 306 is shelved at shelves 312. In response to the query, RFID tags 306 may provide only the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 314 may send the group identifier in a request to controller 320. Controller 320, responsive to the request, may send all of the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306 to RFID reader 314. Thereafter, RFID reader 314 may individually query each of RFID tags 306 using its respective identifier.
  • Controller 320 may be, or may include, any suitable computing device (e.g., computing-device architecture 1100) capable of communicating and storing information. Controller 320 may include a communicator that is the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as communicator 206 of FIG. 2.
  • any suitable computing device e.g., computing-device architecture 1100
  • Controller 320 may include a communicator that is the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as communicator 206 of FIG. 2.
  • RFID readers may operate in an ad hoc fashion (e.g., in some cases without controller 320) .
  • RFID readers may be capable of storing identifiers of RFID tags and associations between the RFID tags.
  • the RFID readers may be capable of communicating the identifiers and associations to other RFID readers (e.g., using a communicator, e.g., communicator 206) .
  • an initial reader may scan a group of RFID tags (e.g., RFID tags 306) and may associate the group of RFID tags 306 (e.g., by generating a group identifier) .
  • RFID reader 304 may broadcast the respective identifiers of each of RFID tags 306 and the group identifier to all RFID readers of RFID tracking system 300. Any subsequent RFID reader that receives the group identifier in response to a query could then inventory RFID tags 306 individually based on the RFID reader having received the group identifier and all of the identifiers of RFID tags 306.
  • an initial reader may scan a group of RFID tags (e.g., RFID tags 306) and may associate the group of RFID tags 306 (e.g., by generating a group identifier) .
  • RFID reader 304 may broadcast the group identifier to all RFID readers of RFID tracking system 300. Any subsequent RFID reader that receives the group identifier in response to a query could then broadcast a request (including the group identifier) for the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306 to other RFID readers. Any other RFID reader in possession of the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306, including RFID reader 304, may respond to such a request by providing the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306. The subsequent RFID reader could then inventory RFID tags 306 individually based on the RFID reader having received the group identifier and all of the identifiers of RFID tags 306.
  • an initial reader may scan a group of RFID tags (e.g., RFID tags 306) and may associate the group of RFID tags 306 (e.g., by determining a header RFID tag) .
  • Any subsequent RFID reader that receives the header identifier in response to a query could then broadcast a request (including the header identifier) for the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306 to other RFID readers.
  • Any other RFID reader in possession of the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306, including RFID reader 304 may respond to such a request by providing the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306.
  • the subsequent RFID reader could then inventory RFID tags 306 individually based on the RFID reader having received all of the identifiers of RFID tags 306.
  • an initial reader may scan a group of RFID tags (e.g., RFID tags 306) and may associate the group of RFID tags 306.
  • RFID reader 304 may associate RFID tags 306 by instructing at least one of RFID tags 306 to respond to queries with a reader identifier (indicative of RFID reader 304) and an identifier associated with RFID tags 306 (e.g., a group identifier or an identifier of one of RFID tags 306) .
  • Any subsequent RFID reader that receives the reader identifier in response to a query could then broadcast a request (including the identifier associated with RFID tags 306) for the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306 to RFID reader 304.
  • RFID reader 304 may respond to such a request by providing the respective identifiers of RFID tags 306. The subsequent RFID reader could then inventory RFID tags 306 individually based on the RFID reader having received all of the identifiers of RFID tags 306.
  • an initial reader e.g., RFID reader 304
  • may scan a group of RFID tags e.g., RFID tags 306 and may associate RFID tags 306 by storing (either locally or at a controller (e.g., controller 320) ) associations between the identifiers of RFID tags 306.
  • a subsequent reader e.g., RFID reader 314) may receive the respective identifiers and may individually query each of RFID tags 306.
  • RFID reader 314 may determine that the one of RFID tags 306 is no longer part of the group and disassociate the one of RFID tags 306 from the others of RFID tags 306 (e.g., by sending a message to others of the RFID readers and/or to controller 320) .
  • FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example process 400 by which an RFID tracking system may track RFID tags, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
  • process 400 may involve an RFID reader 402, an RFID reader 404, and RFID tags 406.
  • RFID reader 402 and RFID reader 404 may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID reader 202 of FIG. 2.
  • RFID tags 406 may include two or more RFID tags, each of which may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID tag 100 of FIG. 1.
  • RFID tags 406 may be a group of RFID tags that may move together. RFID tags 406 may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID tags 306 of FIG. 3. RFID tags 406 may include any number of RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 402 may be an initial RFID reader of an RFID tracking system.
  • RFID reader 402 may be the first RFID reader to query RFID tags 406.
  • RFID reader 404 may be a subsequent RFID reader of an RFID tracking system. For example, RFID reader 404 may query RFID tags 406 after RFID reader 402 has queried RFID tags 406.
  • Process 400 may begin with RFID tags 406 coming into range of RFID reader 402.
  • RFID reader 402 may transmit query 410 to RFID tags 406.
  • Query 410 may be an electromagnetic pulse encoding a request for a response from RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 402 may transmit queries at regular intervals.
  • Process 400 may begin with query 410 because query 410 may be the first of such queries for which RFID tags 406 is in range of RFID reader 402 to respond.
  • RFID reader 402 may transmit query 410 in response to determining that RFID tags 406 are in range of RFID reader 402. For example, RFID reader 402 may be triggered to transmit query 420 in response to another sensor detecting RFID tags 406 within range of RFID reader 404.
  • RFID tags 406 may each respond to query 410 with a respective one of responses 412.
  • Responses 412 may include respective identifiers of each of RFID tags 406.
  • responses 412 may include any number of responses.
  • Query 410 and/or responses 412 may be according to an anti-collision procedure.
  • RFID reader 402 may provide a number greater than an expected number of RFID tags 406.
  • Each of RFID tags 406 may select a respective number lower than the provided number (e.g., randomly) .
  • Each of RFID tags 406 may send its respective response (of responses 412) at a time determined based on its selected number.
  • RFID reader 402 may wait for a time corresponding to the provided number to receive all responses 412 from RFID tags 406. If two or more of responses 412 collide (e.g., coincide in time) such that RFID reader 402 cannot distinguish the two or more of responses 412, RFID reader 402 may send another query 410 and await further responses 412.
  • RFID reader 402 may associate all of RFID tags 406 as a group. For example, RFID reader 402 may generate a group identifier indicative of RFID tags 406. RFID reader 402 associating all of RFID tags 406 as a group may allow process 400 to save time and compute resources when RFID tags 406 are queried by subsequent RFID readers. For example, a different RFID reader may, in response to receiving the group identifier, assume that all of RFID tags 406 are in proximity to (e.g., within communication range of) the different reader without conducting an anti-collision-based query procedure.
  • RFID reader 402 may send a message including instructions 414 to RFID tags 406.
  • Instructions 414 may include the group identifier and may instruct at least one of RFID tags 406 to respond to further queries with the group identifier rather than with the respective identifiers of the at least one of RFID tags 406. Further, instructions 414 may instruct others of RFID tags 406 to not respond to further queries. As a first example, instructions 414 may instruct all of RFID tags 406 to respond to further queries with the group identifier. As a second example, instructions 414 may instruct one of RFID tags 406 to respond to further queries with the group identifier and may instruct the others of RFID tags 406 to not respond to further queries.
  • RFID reader 402 may send data 418 to RFID reader 404.
  • Data 418 may include the group identifier and the respective identifiers of each of RFID tags 406.
  • RFID reader 402 may broadcast data 418 to all RFID readers of the RFID tracking system. Although data 418 is illustrated after instructions 414, data 418 may be send before, at the same time as, or after instructions 414.
  • Process 400 may continue as RFID tags 406 comes into range of RFID reader 404.
  • RFID tags 406 may be moved from a location within range of RFID reader 402 to a location within range of RFID reader 404.
  • RFID reader 404 may transmit query 420 to RFID tags 406.
  • Query 420 may be an electromagnetic pulse encoding a request for a response from RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 404 may regularly transmit queries.
  • Process 400 may continue with query 420 because query 420 may be the first of such queries for which RFID tags 406 is in range of RFID reader 404 to respond.
  • RFID reader 404 may transmit query 420 in response to determining that RFID tags 406 are in range of RFID reader 404.
  • RFID reader 404 may be triggered to transmit query 420 in response to another sensor detecting RFID tags 406 within range of RFID reader 404.
  • query 420 may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as query 410. In other cases, query 420 may be different from query 410.
  • RFID reader 404 may, based on its role and/or position in the RFID tracking system, may transmit query 420 as a subsequent query (e.g., a query assuming that RFID tags 406 has already been grouped by an initial RFID reader) .
  • query 420 may specifically request a group identifier rather than identifiers of RFID tags 406.
  • RFID tags 406 may respond to query 420 with response (s) 424.
  • Response (s) 424 may be, or may include, the group identifier.
  • RFID tags 406 may respond to query 420 with the group identifier whether query 420 is the same as query 410 or whether query 420 requests the group identifier.
  • each of RFID tags 406 may transmit a respective response of response (s) 424.
  • RFID reader 404 may receive all of response (s) 424 and may decode the group identifier from response (s) 424 collectively.
  • Response (s) 424 may be, or may include, the same group identifier and may be transmitted substantially at the same time and thus RFID reader 404 may be able to decode the group identifier despite one or more collisions.
  • response (s) 424 one of RFID tags 406 may transmit a single response 424 and others of RFID tags 406 may not transmit a response.
  • RFID reader 404 having received the group identifier in response (s) 424, may determine that RFID tags 406 are the RFID tags 406 indicated by the group identifier received in data 418. Further, RFID reader 404 may determine that RFID tags 406 include all of the RFID tags associated with the identifiers received in data 418. Further still, RFID reader 404, or an RFID tracking system including RFID reader 404, may determine that all of RFID tags 406 are present at RFID reader 404 based on RFID reader 404 receiving the group identifier from RFID tags 406.
  • RFID reader 404 may inventory RFID tags 406 by individually querying RFID tags 406 using the respective identifiers of RFID tags 406 received in data 418.
  • FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example process 500 by which an RFID tracking system may track RFID tags, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
  • RFID reader 502 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID reader 402 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID reader 504 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID reader 404 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID tags 506 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID tags 406 of FIG. 4.
  • Query 510 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as query 410 of FIG. 4.
  • Responses 512 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as responses 412 of FIG. 4.
  • Instructions 514 may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as instructions 414 of FIG. 4.
  • the RFID reader 502 may send data 518 to RFID reader 504.
  • Data 518 may include a group identifier.
  • data 518 of FIG. 5 may not include respective identifiers of RFID tags 506.
  • RFID reader 502 may not broadcast respective identifiers of RFID tags 506 in data 518 but may instead make the respective identifiers of RFID tags 506 available upon request.
  • Query 520 may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as query 420 of FIG. 4.
  • Response (s) 524 may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as response (s) 524 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID reader 504 may be in possession of a group identifier (having received the group identifier in response (s) 524) , but not in possession of identifiers of RFID tags 506. To obtain the identifiers of RFID tags 506, RFID reader 504 may send request 526 to RFID reader 502. In some cases, RFID reader 504 may broadcast request 526 to all nearby RFID readers. An RFID reader of the RFID tracking system that is in possession of the identifiers of RFID tags 506 (e.g, RFID reader 502) may send data 528 to RFID reader 504. Data 528 may include the respective identifiers of RFID tags 506.
  • RFID reader 504 having received the group identifier in response (s) 524, may determine that RFID tags 506 are the RFID tags 506 indicated by the group identifier received in data 518. Further RFID reader 504 may determine that RFID tags 506 include all of the RFID tags associated with the identifiers received in data 528 (based on data 528 being received responsive to request 526, which included the group identifier) . Further still, RFID reader 504, or an RFID tracking system including RFID reader 504, may determine that all of RFID tags 506 are present at RFID reader 504 based on RFID reader 504 receiving the group identifier from RFID tags 506.
  • RFID reader 504 may inventory RFID tags 506 by individually querying RFID tags 506 using the respective identifiers of RFID tags 506 received in data 528.
  • FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example process 600 by which an RFID tracking system may track RFID tags, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
  • RFID reader 602 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID reader 402 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID reader 604 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID reader 404 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID tags 606 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID tags 406 of FIG. 4.
  • Query 610 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as query 410 of FIG. 4.
  • Responses 612 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as responses 512 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID tag 608 may be one of RFID tags 606. As shown in FIG. 6, Responses 612 may include responses from RFID tags 606 and from RFID tag 608. RFID reader 602 may determine RFID tag 608 from among RFID tags 606. For example, RFID reader 602 may select RFID tag 608 from among RFID tags 606 based on responses 612. In some cases, RFID reader 602 may select RFID tag 608 randomly. In other cases, RFID reader 602 may select RFID tag 608 based on a signal strength of the response from RFID tag 608.
  • RFID reader 602 may select RFID tag 608 based on the response from RFID tag 608 being the strongest of responses 612 or having a strength that is a median of all the strengths of responses 612 (e.g., based on an assumption that no matter which way RFID tags 606 are collectively oriented, RFID tag 608 may still respond with an adequate signal strength) .
  • Instructions 614 may instruct RFID tags 606 to not respond to further queries.
  • Instructions 616 may instruct RFID tag 608 to respond to further queries (e.g., with an identifier of RFID tag 608) .
  • instructions 616 may be omitted because responding to further queries with an identifier may be the default behavior of RFID tags such as RFID tag 608.
  • Query 620 may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as query 420 of FIG. 4.
  • Query 622 may likewise be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as query 420.
  • Query 622 may be the same query as sent by RFID tags 406 as received at RFID tag 608. According to instructions 614, RFID tags 606 may not respond to query 620.
  • RFID tag 608 may respond to query 622 with response 624. Response 624 may include the identifier of RFID tag 608.
  • RFID reader 604 may be in possession of an identifier of RFID tag 608, but not in possession of identifiers of RFID tags 606.
  • RFID reader 604 may send request 626 to RFID reader 602.
  • RFID reader 604 may broadcast request 626 to all nearby RFID readers.
  • An RFID reader of the RFID tracking system that is in possession of the identifiers of RFID tags 606 e.g., RFID reader 602
  • RFID reader 604 may send data 628 to RFID reader 604.
  • Data 628 may include the respective identifiers of RFID tags 606.
  • RFID reader 604 having received the identifier of RFID tag 608 in response to query 622, may determine that RFID tags 606 are the RFID tags 606 indicated by data 628 based on receiving data 628 responsive to request 626 which included the identifier of RFID tag 608. Further RFID reader 604 may determine that RFID tags 606 include all of the RFID tags associated with the identifiers received in data 628. Further still, RFID reader 604, or an RFID tracking system including RFID reader 604, may determine that all of RFID tags 606 are present at RFID reader 604 based on RFID reader 604 receiving the identifier of RFID tag 608.
  • RFID reader 604 may inventory RFID tags 606 by individually querying RFID tags 606 using the respective identifiers of RFID tags 606 received in data 628.
  • FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example process 700 by which an RFID tracking system may track RFID tags, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
  • RFID reader 702 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID reader 402 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID reader 704 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID reader 404 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID tags 706 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as RFID tags 406 of FIG. 4.
  • Query 710 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as query 410 of FIG. 4.
  • Responses 712 may be the same as, may be substantially similar to, or may perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as responses 412 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID reader 702 may send a message including instructions 714 to RFID tags 706.
  • Instructions 714 may include the group identifier and may instruct at least one of RFID tags 706 to respond to further queries with a reader identifier (indicative of RFID reader 702) and with an identifier associated with RFID tags 706 rather than with the respective identifiers of the at least one of RFID tags 706. Further, instructions 714 may instruct others of RFID tags 706 to not respond to further queries.
  • instructions 714 may instruct all of RFID tags 706 to respond to further queries with the reader identifier and an identifier associated of the group (e.g., a group identifier or an identifier of one of RFID tags 706) .
  • instructions 414 may instruct one of RFID tags 706 to respond to further queries with the reader identifier and with the identifier associated with the group identifier (e.g., the group identifier or the identifier of the one of RFID tags 706) and may instruct the others of RFID tags 706 to not respond to further queries.
  • Query 720 may be the same as, be substantially similar to, or perform the same, or substantially the same, operations as query 420 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID tags 706 may respond to query 720 with response (s) 724.
  • Response (s) 724 may be, or may include, the reader identifier and the identifier associated with RFID tags 706.
  • each of RFID tags 706 may transmit a respective response of response (s) 724.
  • RFID reader 704 may receive all of response (s) 724 and may decode the reader identifier and the identifier associated with RFID tags 706 from response (s) 724 collectively.
  • Response (s) 724 may be, or may include, the same reader identifier and may be transmitted substantially at the same time and thus RFID reader 704 may be able to decode the reader identifier and the identifier associated with RFID tags 706 despite one or more collisions.
  • one of RFID tags 706 may transmit a single response 724 and others of RFID tags 706 may not transmit any response.
  • RFID reader 704 may be in possession of the identifier associated with RFID tags 706, but not in possession of identifiers of RFID tags 706.
  • RFID reader 704 may send request 726 to RFID reader 702 based on having received the reader identifier indicative of RFID reader 702. In some cases, RFID reader 704 may broadcast request 726 to all nearby RFID readers.
  • RFID reader 702 (or an RFID reader of the RFID tracking system that is in possession of the identifiers of RFID tags 706) may send data 728 to RFID reader 704. Data 728 may include the respective identifiers of RFID tags 706.
  • RFID reader 704 having received the identifier associated with RFID tags 706 in response (s) 724, may determine that RFID tags 706 are the RFID tags 706 indicated by data 728 based on receiving data 728 responsive to request 726 which included the identifier associated with RFID tags 706. Further RFID reader 704 may determine that RFID tags 706 include all of the RFID tags associated with the identifiers received in data 728. Further still, RFID reader 704, or an RFID tracking system including RFID reader 704, may determine that all of RFID tags 706 are present at RFID reader 704 based on RFID reader 704 receiving the identifier of associated with RFID tags 706.
  • RFID reader 704 may inventory RFID tags 706 by individually querying RFID tags 706 using the respective identifiers of RFID tags 706 received in data 728.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 800 for tracking objects, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
  • One or more operations of process 800 may be performed by a computing device (or apparatus) or a component (e.g., a chipset, codec, etc. ) of the computing device.
  • the computing device may be an RFID reader, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) , a network-connected wearable such as a watch, an extended reality (XR) device such as a virtual reality (VR) device or augmented reality (AR) device, a vehicle or component or system of a vehicle, or other type of computing device.
  • the one or more operations of process 800 may be implemented as software components that are executed and run on one or more processors.
  • a computing device may transmit, by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system, a query to a group of RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 202 of FIG. 2 may transmit (using scanner 204 of FIG. 2) a query.
  • RFID reader 402 of FIG. 4 may transmit query 410 of FIG. 4 to RFID tags 406 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID reader 502 of FIG. 5 may transmit query 510 of FIG. 5 to RFID tags 506 of FIG. 5.
  • RFID reader 702 of FIG. 7 may transmit query 710 of FIG. 7 to RFID tags 706 of FIG. 7.
  • the computing device may receive, in response to the query, a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 202 may receive (using scanner 204 of FIG. 2) responses to the query from RFID readers (e.g., instances of RFID tag 100 of FIG. 1) .
  • RFID reader 402 may receive responses 412 of FIG. 4 from RFID tags 406.
  • RFID reader 502 may receive responses 512 of FIG. 5 from RFID tags 506.
  • RFID reader 702 may receive responses 712 of FIG. 7 from RFID tags 706.
  • receiving the plurality of identifiers may include waiting to receive the respective identifier from each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags according to an anti-collision procedure.
  • the computing device may associate a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers.
  • RFID reader 202 may associate a group identifier with plurality of identifiers received at block 804.
  • RFID reader 402 may associate a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers of RFID tags 406 received in responses 412.
  • RFID reader 502 may associate a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers of RFID tags 506 received in responses 512.
  • RFID reader 702 may associate a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers of RFID tags 706 received in responses 712.
  • the computing device may broadcast, by the RFID reader, the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 202 may broadcast (using communicator 206 of FIG. 2) the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 402 may broadcast data 418, which may include the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 502 may broadcast data 518, which may include the group identifier.
  • the computing device may broadcast, by the RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 202 may broadcast (using communicator 206) the plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 402 may broadcast data 418, which may include plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier.
  • the computing device may transmit, by the RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier responsive to a request from another RFID reader of the tracking system.
  • RFID reader 202 may transmit (using communicator 206) the plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier responsive to a request including the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 502 may transmit data 528, which may include plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier responsive to receiving request 526 from RFID reader 504.
  • RFID reader 702 may transmit data 728, which may include plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier responsive to receiving request 726 from RFID reader 704.
  • the computing device may transmit the group identifier to one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 202 may transmit (using scanner 204 of FIG. 2) the group identifier to the RFID tags (e.g, instances of RFID tag 100) .
  • RFID reader 402 may transmit instructions 414 of FIG. 4, including the group identifier, to RFID tags 406.
  • RFID reader 502 may transmit instructions 514 of FIG. 5, including the group identifier, to RFID tags 506.
  • RFID reader 702 may transmit instructions 714 of FIG. 7, including the group identifier, to RFID tags 706.
  • the group identifier is to be transmitted by the one or more RFID tags in response to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system.
  • the computing device (or one or more components thereof) may transmit a message to the one or more RFID tags instructing the one or more RFID tags to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • the group identifier provided at block 808 may be transmitted with instructions indicating that one or more of the RFID tags are to respond to further queries using the group identifier (e.g., rather than the respective identifiers of each of the respective RFID tags) .
  • RFID reader 202 may transmit (using scanner 204) instructions to the RFID tags (e.g., instances of RFID tag 100) .
  • the RFID tags e.g., the instances of RFID tag 100 may respond to further queries according to the instructions.
  • instructions 414 may instruct RFID tags 406 to respond to further queries using the group identifier.
  • RFID tags 406 may respond with response (s) 424 of FIG. 4, which may include the group identifier.
  • instructions 514 may instruct RFID tags 506 to respond to further queries using the group identifier.
  • RFID tags 506 may respond with response (s) 524 of FIG.
  • instructions 714 may instruct RFID tags 706 to respond to further queries using the group identifier.
  • RFID tags 706 may respond with response (s) 724 of FIG. 7, which may include the group identifier.
  • the computing device may transmit a message to the group of RFID tags instructing all RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 202 may transmit (using scanner 204) instructions to the RFID tags (e.g., instances of RFID tag 100) .
  • the RFID tags e.g., the instances of RFID tag 100 may respond to further queries according to the instructions.
  • instructions 414 may instruct all of RFID tags 406 to respond to queries with the group identifier and response (s) 424 may include one response from each of RFID tags 406.
  • instructions 514 may instruct all of RFID tags 506 to respond to queries with the group identifier and response (s) 524 may include one response from each of RFID tags 506.
  • instructions 714 may instruct all of RFID tags 706 to respond to queries with the group identifier and response (s) 724 may include one response from each of RFID tags 706.
  • the computing device may (at block 808) transmit the group identifier to one RFID tag of the group of RFID tags.
  • the computing device (or one or more components thereof) may further transmit a message to the one RFID tag instructing the one RFID tag to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • the computing device (or one or more components thereof) may further transmit a message to one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags instructing the one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to not respond to queries.
  • RFID reader 202 may transmit (using scanner 204) instructions to the RFID tags (e.g., instances of RFID tag 100) .
  • the RFID tags may respond to further queries according to the instructions.
  • instructions 414 may instruct one of RFID tags 406 to respond to queries with the group identifier (and others of RFID tags 406 to not respond to queries) and response (s) 424 may include one response from the one of RFID tags 406.
  • instructions 514 may instruct one of RFID tags 506 to respond to queries with the group identifier (and others of RFID tags 506 to not respond to queries) and response (s) 524 may include one response from the one of RFID tags 506.
  • instructions 714 may instruct one of RFID tags 706 to respond to queries with the group identifier (and others of RFID tags 706 to not respond to queries) and response (s) 724 may include one response from the one of RFID tags 706.
  • the computing device may transmit, by the RFID reader to the one or more RFID tags, a reader identifier indicative of the RFID reader and transmit a message to the one or more RFID tags instructing the one or more RFID tags to respond to queries using the reader identifier.
  • an RFID reader may transmit a reader identifier to the RFID tags along with an instruction that one or more of the RFID tags are to respond to further queries using the reader identifier.
  • the reader identifier may be the group identifier transmitted at block 808. In some cases, the reader identifier may be in addition to the group identifier transmitted at block 808.
  • RFID reader 202 may transmit (using scanner 204) instructions to the RFID tags (e.g., instances of RFID tag 100) .
  • the RFID tags e.g., the instances of RFID tag 100 may respond to further queries according to the instructions.
  • RFID reader 702 may transmit instructions 714, which may include a reader identifier indicative of RFID reader 702. Instructions 714 may instruct RFID tags 706 to respond to queries (e.g., query 720) with a response (e.g., response (s) 724) including the reader identifier.
  • the computing device may receive, by the RFID reader from another RFID reader of the tracking system, a request for the plurality of identifiers and transmit, from the RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers responsive to the request.
  • RFID reader 704 having received the reader identifier indicative of RFID reader 702 in response (s) 724, may send request 726 to RFID reader 702 and RFID reader 702 may respond with data 728 including the plurality of identifiers of RFID tags 706.
  • the group identifier identifies the group of RFID tags to one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system based on the association between the group identifier and the plurality of identifiers.
  • the group identifier provided at block 808 may serve to identify the group of RFID tags to other readers of the RFID tracking system based on the association between the group identifier and the group of RFID tags formed at block 806.
  • RFID reader 404 having received the group identifier in data 418 and in response (s) 424 may identify RFID tags 406 as RFID tags 406 based on the association formed at block 806.
  • RFID reader 504 having received the group identifier in data 518 and in response (s) 524 may identify RFID tags 506 as RFID tags 506 based on the association formed at block 806.
  • RFID reader 704 having received the group identifier in data 728 and in response (s) 724 may identify RFID tags 706 as RFID tags 706 based on the association formed at block 806.
  • FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 900 for tracking objects, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
  • One or more operations of process 900 may be performed by a computing device (or apparatus) or a component (e.g., a chipset, codec, etc. ) of the computing device.
  • the computing device may be an RFID reader, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) , a network-connected wearable such as a watch, an extended reality (XR) device such as a virtual reality (VR) device or augmented reality (AR) device, a vehicle or component or system of a vehicle, or other type of computing device.
  • the one or more operations of process 900 may be implemented as software components that are executed and run on one or more processors.
  • a computing device may transmit, by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system, a request to a group of RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 202 of FIG. 2 may transmit (using scanner 204 of FIG. 2) a query.
  • RFID reader 602 of FIG. 6 may transmit query 610 of FIG. 6 to RFID tags 606 of FIG. 6.
  • the computing device may receive a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 202 may receive (using scanner 204 of FIG. 2) responses to the query from RFID readers (e.g., instances of RFID tag 100 of FIG. 1) .
  • RFID reader 602 may receive responses 612 of FIG. 6 from RFID tags 606.
  • receiving the plurality of identifiers may include waiting to receive the respective identifier from each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags according to an anti-collision procedure.
  • the computing device may determine an RFID tag of the group of RFID tags as a header RFID tag.
  • RFID reader 202 may determine (e.g., using computing device 208) one of the RFID tags that responded to the query of block 902 is the header RFID tag.
  • RFID reader 602 may determine RFID tag 608 of RFID tags 606 as the header RFID tag.
  • the computing device may associate an identifier of the header RFID tag with the plurality of identifiers.
  • RFID reader 202 may associate (e.g., using computing device 208) all of the identifiers of the RFID tags with the identifier of the header RFID tag.
  • RFID reader 602 may associate the identifier of RFID tag 608 with the identifiers of all of RFID tags 606.
  • the computing device may transmit a message instructing the header RFID tag to respond to queries.
  • RFID reader 202 may transmit (using scanner 204) the instruction to the header RFID tag.
  • RFID reader 602 may transmit instructions 616, which may instruct RFID tag 608 to respond to further queries (e.g., query 622) .
  • the computing device may transmit a message instructing one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to not respond to queries.
  • RFID reader 202 may transmit (using scanner 204) the instructions to the other RFID tag.
  • RFID reader 602 may transmit instructions 614 instructing RFID tags 606 to not respond to further queries (e.g., query 620) .
  • the computing device may receive, by the RFID reader from another RFID reader of the tracking system, a request for the plurality of identifiers, the request including the identifier of the header RFID tag and transmit, from the RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers responsive to the request.
  • RFID reader 202 may receive (using communicator 206) a request and respond to the request (using communicator 206) .
  • RFID reader 602 may receive request 626 from RFID reader 604. Request 626 may include the identifier of RFID tag 608.
  • RFID reader 602 may respond to request 626 with data 628, which may include the identifiers of all of RFID tags 606.
  • FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 1000 for tracking objects, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
  • One or more operations of process 1000 may be performed by a computing device (or apparatus) or a component (e.g., a chipset, codec, etc. ) of the computing device.
  • the computing device may be an RFID reader, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) , a network-connected wearable such as a watch, an extended reality (XR) device such as a virtual reality (VR) device or augmented reality (AR) device, a vehicle or component or system of a vehicle, or other type of computing device.
  • the one or more operations of process 1000 may be implemented as software components that are executed and run on one or more processors.
  • a computing device may transmit, by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system, a query to a group of RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 202 of FIG. 2 may transmit (using scanner 204 of FIG. 2) a query.
  • RFID reader 404 of FIG. 4 may transmit query 420 of FIG. 4 to RFID tags 406 of FIG. 4.
  • RFID reader 504 of FIG. 5 may transmit query 520 of FIG. 5 to RFID tags 506 of FIG. 5.
  • RFID reader 604 of FIG. 6 may transmit query 620 of FIG. 6 to RFID tags 606 of FIG. 6.
  • RFID reader 704 of FIG. 7 may transmit query 720 of FIG. 7 to RFID tags 706 of FIG. 7.
  • the computing device may receive, responsive to the query, a group identifier from one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 202 may receive (using scanner 204 of FIG. 2) a group identifier from one or more RFID tags (e.g., RFID tag 100 of FIG. 1) .
  • RFID reader 404 may receive response (s) 424 from RFID tags 406.
  • Response (s) 424 may include the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 504 may receive response (s) 524 from RFID tags 506.
  • Response (s) 524 may include the group identifier.
  • RFID reader 604 may receive response (s) 624 from RFID tags 606.
  • Response (s) 624 may include the group identifier and/or an identifier of a header RFID tag.
  • RFID reader 704 may receive response (s) 724 from RFID tags 706.
  • Response (s) 724 may include the group identifier.
  • receiving the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags at block 1004 may be, or may include receiving the group identifier from the plurality of the RFID tags of the group of RFID tags without waiting to receive non-conflicting responses from the group of RFID tags. In some aspects, receiving the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags at block 1004 may be, or may include, receiving the group identifier from one RFID tag of the group of RFID tags without waiting to receive responses from others of the group of RFID tags. In some aspects, receiving, by the RFID reader, the group identifier may be, or may include, receiving the group identifier without waiting to receive non-conflicting responses, based on a role of the RFID reader within the tracking system.
  • the RFID reader querying at block 1002 and receiving responses at block 1004 may have a role in the RFID tracking system that indicates that the RFID reader will not be the first RFID reader of the RFID tracking system to query RFID tags.
  • the RFID reader may be positioned within a warehouse and there may be other RFID readers positioned at entry points into the warehouse. Thus, the RFID reader may operate based on an assumption that all groups of RFID tags will have been identified and associated with a group identifier prior to being queried by the RFID reader.
  • the computing device may request, by the first RFID reader from a second RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers responsive to receiving the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags.
  • RFID reader 504 may request the plurality of identifiers by sending request 526, which may include the group identifier, to RFID reader 502.
  • RFID reader 604 may request the plurality of identifiers by sending request 626, which may include the header RFID identifier, to RFID reader 602.
  • RFID reader 704 may request the plurality of identifiers by sending request 726, which may include the group identifier, to RFID reader 702.
  • the computing device may receive, by the RFID reader, a plurality of identifiers, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of a group of RFID tags.
  • the plurality of identifiers may be received from another RFID reader of the tracking system.
  • RFID reader 202 may receive (using communicator 206) a plurality of identifiers from another instance of RFID reader 202.
  • RFID reader 404 may receive data 418 from RFID reader 402, which data 418 may include the plurality of identifiers.
  • RFID reader 504 may receive data 528 from RFID reader 502, which data 528 may include the plurality of identifiers.
  • RFID reader 604 may receive data 628 from RFID reader 602, which data 628 may include the plurality of identifiers.
  • RFID reader 704 may receive data 728 from RFID reader 702, which data 728 may include the plurality of identifiers.
  • the computing device may identify the group of RFID tags based on an association between the group identifier and the plurality of identifiers. For example, the RFID reader may determine that RFID tags are the RFID tags based on an association between the plurality of identifiers received at block 1006 and the group identifier received at block 1004.
  • the computing device may transmit, by the RFID reader, a respective query to each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags using the respective identifier of each of the respective RFID tags.
  • the computing device may inventor the RFID tags.
  • the methods described herein can be performed, in whole or in part, by a computing device or apparatus.
  • one or more of the methods can be performed by RFID reader 202 of FIG. 2, RFID tracking system 300 of FIG. 3, one or more of RFID reader 304, RFID reader 310, RFID reader 314, RFID reader 318, and/or controller 320 of FIG. 3, RFID reader 402 of FIG. 4, RFID reader 404 of FIG. 4, RFID reader 502 of FIG. 5, RFID reader 504 of FIG. 5, RFID reader 602 of FIG.
  • one or more of the methods can be performed, in whole or in part, by the computing-device architecture 1100 shown in FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 7 can include a computing device with the computing-device architecture 1100 shown in FIG. 11 configured to implement the operations of process 400 of FIG. 4, process 500 of FIG. 5, process 600 of FIG. 6, process 700 of FIG. 7, process 800 of FIG. 8, process 900 of FIG. 9, process 1000 or FIG. 10, and/or other process described herein.
  • the computing device can include any suitable device, such as a vehicle or a computing device of a vehicle, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) , a desktop computing device, a tablet computing device, a wearable device (e.g., a VR headset, an AR headset, AR glasses, a network-connected watch or smartwatch, or other wearable device) , a server computer, a robotic device, a television, and/or any other computing device with the resource capabilities to perform the processes described herein, including process 400, process 500, process 600, process 700, process 800, process 900, process 1000, and/or other process described herein.
  • a mobile device e.g., a mobile phone
  • a desktop computing device e.g., a tablet computing device
  • a wearable device e.g., a VR headset, an AR headset, AR glasses, a network-connected watch or smartwatch, or other wearable device
  • server computer e.g., a robotic device with the resource capabilities to perform the
  • the computing device or apparatus can include various components, such as one or more input devices, one or more output devices, one or more processors, one or more microprocessors, one or more microcomputers, one or more cameras, one or more sensors, and/or other component (s) that are configured to carry out the steps of processes described herein.
  • the computing device can include a display, a network interface configured to communicate and/or receive the data, any combination thereof, and/or other component (s) .
  • the network interface can be configured to communicate and/or receive Internet Protocol (IP) based data or other type of data.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • the components of the computing device can be implemented in circuitry.
  • the components can include and/or can be implemented using electronic circuits or other electronic hardware, which can include one or more programmable electronic circuits (e.g., microprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs) , digital signal processors (DSPs) , central processing units (CPUs) , and/or other suitable electronic circuits) , and/or can include and/or be implemented using computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof, to perform the various operations described herein.
  • programmable electronic circuits e.g., microprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs) , digital signal processors (DSPs) , central processing units (CPUs) , and/or other suitable electronic circuits
  • Process 400, process 500, process 600, process 700, process 800, process 900, process 1000, and/or other process described herein are illustrated as logical flow diagrams, the operation of which represents a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, computer instructions, or a combination thereof.
  • the operations represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations.
  • computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular data types.
  • the order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described operations can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the processes.
  • process 400, process 500, process 600, process 700, process 800, process 900, process 1000, and/or other process described herein can be performed under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions and can be implemented as code (e.g., executable instructions, one or more computer programs, or one or more applications) executing collectively on one or more processors, by hardware, or combinations thereof.
  • code e.g., executable instructions, one or more computer programs, or one or more applications
  • the code can be stored on a computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, for example, in the form of a computer program comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors.
  • the computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium can be non-transitory.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates an example computing-device architecture 1100 of an example computing device which can implement the various techniques described herein.
  • the computing device can include a mobile device, a wearable device, an extended reality device (e.g., a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, or a mixed reality (MR) device) , a personal computer, a laptop computer, a video server, a vehicle (or computing device of a vehicle) , or other device.
  • the computing-device architecture 1100 may include or implement any or all of process 400 of FIG. 4, process 500 of FIG. 5, process 600 of FIG. 6, process 700 of FIG. 7, process 800 of FIG. 8, process 900 of FIG. 9 and/or process 1000 or FIG. 10.
  • the components of computing-device architecture 1100 are shown in electrical communication with each other using connection 1112, such as a bus.
  • the example computing-device architecture 1100 includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 1102 and computing device connection 1112 that couples various computing device components including computing device memory 1110, such as read only memory (ROM) 1108 and random-access memory (RAM) 1106, to processor 1102.
  • CPU central processing unit
  • RAM random-access memory
  • Computing-device architecture 1100 can include a cache of high-speed memory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of processor 1102.
  • Computing-device architecture 1100 can copy data from memory 1110 and/or the storage device 1114 to cache 1104 for quick access by processor 1102. In this way, the cache can provide a performance boost that avoids processor 1102 delays while waiting for data.
  • These and other modules can control or be configured to control processor 1102 to perform various actions.
  • Other computing device memory 1110 may be available for use as well. Memory 1110 can include multiple different types of memory with different performance characteristics.
  • Processor 1102 can include any general-purpose processor and a hardware or software service, such as service 1 1116, service 2 1118, and service 3 1120 stored in storage device 1114, configured to control processor 1102 as well as a special-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporated into the processor design.
  • Processor 1102 may be a self-contained system, containing multiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc.
  • a multi-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric.
  • input device 1122 can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth.
  • Output device 1124 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanisms known to those of skill in the art, such as a display, projector, television, speaker device, etc.
  • multimodal computing devices can enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicate with computing-device architecture 1100.
  • Communication interface 1126 can generally govern and manage the user input and computing device output. There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement and therefore the basic features here may easily be substituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed.
  • Storage device 1114 is a non-volatile memory and can be a hard disk or other types of computer readable media which can store data that are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random-access memories (RAMs) 1106, read only memory (ROM) 1108, and hybrids thereof.
  • Storage device 1114 can include services 1116, 1118, and 1120 for controlling processor 1102. Other hardware or software modules are contemplated.
  • Storage device 1114 can be connected to the computing device connection 1112.
  • a hardware module that performs a particular function can include the software component stored in a computer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardware components, such as processor 1102, connection 1112, output device 1124, and so forth, to carry out the function.
  • substantially, in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition may refer to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as, for example, within acceptable manufacturing tolerances.
  • the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90%met, at least 95%met, or even at least 99%met.
  • aspects of the present disclosure are applicable to any suitable electronic device (such as security systems, smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, vehicles, drones, or other devices) including or coupled to one or more active depth sensing systems. While described below with respect to a device having or coupled to one light projector, aspects of the present disclosure are applicable to devices having any number of light projectors and are therefore not limited to specific devices.
  • a device is not limited to one or a specific number of physical objects (such as one smartphone, one controller, one processing system and so on) .
  • a device may be any electronic device with one or more parts that may implement at least some portions of this disclosure. While the below description and examples use the term “device” to describe various aspects of this disclosure, the term “device” is not limited to a specific configuration, type, or number of objects.
  • the term “system” is not limited to multiple components or specific aspects. For example, a system may be implemented on one or more printed circuit boards or other substrates and may have movable or static components. While the below description and examples use the term “system” to describe various aspects of this disclosure, the term “system” is not limited to a specific configuration, type, or number of objects.
  • a process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure.
  • a process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc.
  • a process corresponds to a function
  • its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
  • Processes and methods according to the above-described examples can be implemented using computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwise available from computer-readable media.
  • Such instructions can include, for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or a processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network.
  • the computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, source code, etc.
  • computer-readable medium includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing, or carrying instruction (s) and/or data.
  • a computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory medium in which data can be stored and that does not include carrier waves and/or transitory electronic signals propagating wirelessly or over wired connections. Examples of a non-transitory medium may include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk or tape, disks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory, networked storage devices, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD) , any suitable combination thereof, among others.
  • CD compact disk
  • DVD digital versatile disk
  • a computer-readable medium may have stored thereon code and/or machine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements.
  • a code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.
  • Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, or the like.
  • the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, and memories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bit stream and the like.
  • non-transitory computer-readable storage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.
  • Devices implementing processes and methods according to these disclosures can include hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof, and can take any of a variety of form factors.
  • the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a computer-readable or machine-readable medium.
  • a processor may perform the necessary tasks.
  • form factors include laptops, smart phones, mobile phones, tablet devices or other small form factor personal computers, personal digital assistants, rackmount devices, standalone devices, and so on.
  • Functionality described herein also can be embodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionality can also be implemented on a circuit board among different chips or different processes executing in a single device, by way of further example.
  • the instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computing resources for executing them, and other structures for supporting such computing resources are example means for providing the functions described in the disclosure.
  • Such configuration can be accomplished, for example, by designing electronic circuits or other hardware to perform the operation, by programming programmable electronic circuits (e.g., microprocessors, or other suitable electronic circuits) to perform the operation, or any combination thereof.
  • programmable electronic circuits e.g., microprocessors, or other suitable electronic circuits
  • Coupled to refers to any component that is physically connected to another component either directly or indirectly, and/or any component that is in communication with another component (e.g., connected to the other component over a wired or wireless connection, and/or other suitable communication interface) either directly or indirectly.
  • Claim language or other language reciting “at least one of” a set and/or “one or more” of a set indicates that one member of the set or multiple members of the set (in any combination) satisfy the claim.
  • claim language reciting “at least one of A and B” or “at least one of A or B” means A, B, or A and B.
  • claim language reciting “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” means A, B, C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C.
  • the language “at least one of” a set and/or “one or more” of a set does not limit the set to the items listed in the set.
  • claim language reciting “at least one of A and B” or “at least one of A or B” can mean A, B, or A and B, and can additionally include items not listed in the set of A and B.
  • the techniques described herein may also be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Such techniques may be implemented in any of a variety of devices such as general-purposes computers, wireless communication device handsets, or integrated circuit devices having multiple uses including application in wireless communication device handsets and other devices. Any features described as modules or components may be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable data storage medium including program code including instructions that, when executed, performs one or more of the methods described above. The computer-readable data storage medium may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging materials.
  • the computer-readable medium may include memory or data storage media, such as random-access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) , read-only memory (ROM) , non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) , electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) , FLASH memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, and the like.
  • RAM random-access memory
  • SDRAM synchronous dynamic random-access memory
  • ROM read-only memory
  • NVRAM non-volatile random-access memory
  • EEPROM electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
  • FLASH memory magnetic or optical data storage media, and the like.
  • the techniques additionally, or alternatively, may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable communication medium that carries or communicates program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed, read, and/or executed by a computer, such as propagated signals or waves.
  • the program code may be executed by a processor, which may include one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) , general-purpose microprocessors, an application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) , field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs) , or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry.
  • DSPs digital signal processors
  • ASICs application specific integrated circuits
  • FPGAs field programmable logic arrays
  • a general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor; but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.
  • a processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Accordingly, the term “processor, ” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structure, any combination of the foregoing structure, or any other structure or apparatus suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein.
  • Illustrative aspects of the disclosure include:
  • a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: cause at least one transmitter to transmit, a query to a group of RFID tags; receive, in response to the query, a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; associate a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers; and cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the group identifier to one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • Aspect 2 The RFID reader of aspect 1, wherein the group identifier is to be transmitted by the one or more RFID tags in response to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system.
  • Aspect 3 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 or 2, wherein the group identifier identifies the group of RFID tags to one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system based on the association between the group identifier and the plurality of identifiers.
  • Aspect 4 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit a message to the one or more RFID tags instructing the one or more RFID tags to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • Aspect 5 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit a message to the group of RFID tags instructing all RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • Aspect 6 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein: to transmit the group identifier to the one or more RFID tags, the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the group identifier to one RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; and the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit a message to the one RFID tag instructing the one RFID tag to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • Aspect 7 The RFID reader of aspect 6, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit a message to one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags instructing the one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to not respond to queries.
  • Aspect 8 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to broadcast the group identifier.
  • Aspect 9 The RFID reader of aspect 8, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to broadcast the plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier.
  • Aspect 10 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier responsive to a request from another RFID reader of the tracking system.
  • Aspect 11 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to: transmit, to the one or more RFID tags, a reader identifier indicative of the RFID reader; and transmit a message to the one or more RFID tags instructing the one or more RFID tags to respond to queries using the reader identifier.
  • Aspect 12 The RFID reader of aspect 11, wherein: wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive, from another RFID reader of the tracking system, a request for the plurality of identifiers; and the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the plurality of identifiers responsive to the request.
  • Aspect 13 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein to receive the plurality of identifiers the at least one processor is further configured to wait to receive the respective identifier from each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags according to an anti-collision procedure.
  • Aspect 14 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 1 to 13, further comprising the at least one transmitter, the at least one transmitter configured to transmit: the query to the group of RFID tags; and the group identifier to the one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: cause at least one transmitter to transmit a request to a group of RFID tags; receive a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; determine an RFID tag of the group of RFID tags as a header RFID tag; associate an identifier of the header RFID tag with the plurality of identifiers; and cause the at least one transmitter to transmit a message instructing the header RFID tag to respond to queries.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • Aspect 16 The RFID reader of aspect 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit a message instructing one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to not respond to queries.
  • Aspect 17 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 15 or 16, wherein: wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive, from another RFID reader of the tracking system, a request for the plurality of identifiers, the request including the identifier of the header RFID tag; and the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the plurality of identifiers responsive to the request.
  • Aspect 18 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 15 to 17, further comprising the at least one transmitter, the at least one transmitter configured to transmit: the request to the group of RFID tags; and the message instructing the header RFID tag to respond to the queries.
  • a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: cause at least one transmitter to transmit a query to a group of RFID tags; receive, responsive to the query, a group identifier from one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags; receive a plurality of identifiers, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of a group of RFID tags; and identify the group of RFID tags based on an association between the group identifier and the plurality of identifiers.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • Aspect 20 The RFID reader of aspect 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit a respective query to each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags using the respective identifier of each of the respective RFID tags.
  • Aspect 21 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 19 or 20, wherein to receive the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags, the at least one processor is further configured to receive the group identifier from a plurality of the RFID tags of the group of RFID tags without waiting to receive non-conflicting responses from the group of RFID tags.
  • Aspect 22 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 19 to 21, wherein to receive the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags, the at least one processor is further configured to receive the group identifier from one RFID tag of the group of RFID tags without waiting to receive responses from others of the group of RFID tags.
  • Aspect 23 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 19 to 22, wherein the plurality of identifiers are received from another RFID reader of the tracking system.
  • Aspect 24 The RFID reader of aspect 23, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to request, from the other RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers responsive to receiving the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags.
  • Aspect 25 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 19 to 24, wherein to receive the group identifier, the at least one processor is further configured to receive the group identifier without waiting to receive non-conflicting responses, based on a role of the RFID reader within the tracking system.
  • Aspect 26 The RFID reader of any one of aspects 19 to 25, further comprising the at least one transmitter, the at least one transmitter configured to transmit the query to the group of RFID tags.
  • a method for tracking objects comprising: transmitting, by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system, a query to a group of RFID tags; receiving, in response to the query, a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; associating a group identifier with the plurality of identifiers; and transmitting the group identifier to one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • Aspect 28 The method of aspect 27, wherein the group identifier is to be transmitted by the one or more RFID tags in response to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system.
  • Aspect 29 The method of any one of aspects 27 or 28, wherein the group identifier identifies the group of RFID tags to one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system based on the association between the group identifier and the plurality of identifiers.
  • Aspect 30 The method of any one of aspects 27 to 29, further comprising transmitting a message to the one or more RFID tags instructing the one or more RFID tags to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • Aspect 31 The method of any one of aspects 27 to 30, further comprising transmitting a message to the group of RFID tags instructing all RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • Aspect 32 The method of any one of aspects 27 to 31, wherein: transmitting the group identifier to the one or more RFID tags comprises transmitting the group identifier to one RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; and the method further comprises transmitting a message to the one RFID tag instructing the one RFID tag to respond to one or more queries from one or more other RFID readers of the tracking system using the group identifier.
  • Aspect 33 The method of aspect 32, further comprising transmitting a message to one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags instructing the one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to not respond to queries.
  • Aspect 34 The method of any one of aspects 27 to 33, further comprising broadcasting, by the RFID reader, the group identifier.
  • Aspect 35 The method of aspect 34, further comprising broadcasting, by the RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier.
  • Aspect 36 The method of any one of aspects 27 to 35, further comprising transmitting, by the RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers in association with the group identifier responsive to a request from another RFID reader of the tracking system.
  • Aspect 37 The method of any one of aspects 27 to 36, further comprising: transmitting, by the RFID reader to the one or more RFID tags, a reader identifier indicative of the RFID reader; and transmitting a message to the one or more RFID tags instructing the one or more RFID tags to respond to queries using the reader identifier.
  • Aspect 38 The method of aspect 37, further comprising: receiving, by the RFID reader from another RFID reader of the tracking system, a request for the plurality of identifiers; and transmitting, from the RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers responsive to the request.
  • Aspect 39 The method of any one of aspects 27 to 38, wherein receiving the plurality of identifiers comprises waiting to receive the respective identifier from each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags according to an anti-collision procedure.
  • a method of tracking objects comprising: transmitting, by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system, a request to a group of RFID tags; receiving a plurality of identifiers from the group of RFID tags, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags; determining an RFID tag of the group of RFID tags as a header RFID tag; associating an identifier of the header RFID tag with the plurality of identifiers; and transmitting a message instructing the header RFID tag to respond to queries.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • Aspect 41 The method of aspect 40, further comprising transmitting a message instructing one or more other RFID tags of the group of RFID tags to not respond to queries.
  • Aspect 42 The method of any one of aspects 40 or 41, further comprising: receiving, by the RFID reader from another RFID reader of the tracking system, a request for the plurality of identifiers, the request including the identifier of the header RFID tag; and transmitting, from the RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers responsive to the request.
  • a method of tracking objects comprising: transmitting, by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a tracking system, a query to a group of RFID tags; receiving, responsive to the query, a group identifier from one or more RFID tags of the group of RFID tags; receiving, by the RFID reader, a plurality of identifiers, the plurality of identifiers comprising a respective identifier for each RFID tag of a group of RFID tags; and identifying the group of RFID tags based on an association between the group identifier and the plurality of identifiers.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • Aspect 44 The method of aspect 43, further comprising transmitting, by the RFID reader, a respective query to each RFID tag of the group of RFID tags using the respective identifier of each of the respective RFID tags.
  • Aspect 45 The method of any one of aspects 43 or 44, wherein receiving the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags comprises receiving the group identifier from a plurality of the RFID tags of the group of RFID tags without waiting to receive non-conflicting responses from the group of RFID tags.
  • Aspect 46 The method of any one of aspects 43 to 45, wherein receiving the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags comprises receiving the group identifier from one RFID tag of the group of RFID tags without waiting to receive responses from others of the group of RFID tags.
  • Aspect 47 The method of any one of aspects 43 to 46, wherein the RFID reader comprises a first RFID reader of the tracking system and wherein the plurality of identifiers are received from a second RFID reader of the tracking system.
  • Aspect 48 The method of aspect 47, further comprising requesting, by the first RFID reader from the second RFID reader, the plurality of identifiers responsive to receiving the group identifier from the one or more RFID tags.
  • Aspect 49 The method of any one of aspects 43 to 48, wherein receiving, by the RFID reader, the group identifier comprises receiving the group identifier without waiting to receive non-conflicting responses, based on a role of the RFID reader within the tracking system.
  • Aspect 50 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations according to any of aspects 27 to 49.
  • Aspect 51 An apparatus for providing virtual content for display, the apparatus comprising one or more means for perform operations according to any of aspects 27 to 49.

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Abstract

L'invention décrit des systèmes et des techniques pour suivre des objets. Par exemple, l'invention propose un procédé de suivi d'objets. Le procédé peut comprendre la transmission, par un lecteur d'identification par radiofréquence (RFID) d'un système de suivi, d'une demande à un groupe d'étiquettes RFID ; la réception, en réponse à la demande, d'une pluralité d'identifiants à partir du groupe d'étiquettes RFID, la pluralité d'identifiants comprenant un identifiant respectif pour chaque étiquette RFID du groupe d'étiquettes RFID ; l'association d'un identifiant de groupe à la pluralité d'identifiants ; et la transmission de l'identifiant de groupe à une ou plusieurs étiquettes RFID du groupe d'étiquettes RFID.
PCT/CN2023/085421 2023-03-31 2023-03-31 Regroupement d'étiquettes d'identification par radiofréquence (rfid) WO2024197801A1 (fr)

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PCT/CN2023/085421 WO2024197801A1 (fr) 2023-03-31 2023-03-31 Regroupement d'étiquettes d'identification par radiofréquence (rfid)

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040046642A1 (en) * 2002-09-05 2004-03-11 Honeywell International Inc. Protocol for addressing groups of RFID tags
US20050001719A1 (en) * 2003-07-02 2005-01-06 International Business Machines Corporation Object matching via RFID
US20110133901A1 (en) * 2009-12-08 2011-06-09 Martin Strzelczyk Method and device for reading radio frequency identification (rfid) tags
WO2012131461A1 (fr) * 2011-03-25 2012-10-04 Leung Victor Chung Ming Procédés et appareils pour la détection simultanée d'une pluralité d'étiquettes d'identification par radiofréquence
US20170076117A1 (en) * 2014-09-12 2017-03-16 Deductomix, Inc. Read Cycles For Identifying RFID Tags
US20180032765A1 (en) * 2016-08-01 2018-02-01 Intel Corporation Methods, systems and apparatus to improve radio frequency identification (rfid) tag communication

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040046642A1 (en) * 2002-09-05 2004-03-11 Honeywell International Inc. Protocol for addressing groups of RFID tags
US20050001719A1 (en) * 2003-07-02 2005-01-06 International Business Machines Corporation Object matching via RFID
US20110133901A1 (en) * 2009-12-08 2011-06-09 Martin Strzelczyk Method and device for reading radio frequency identification (rfid) tags
WO2012131461A1 (fr) * 2011-03-25 2012-10-04 Leung Victor Chung Ming Procédés et appareils pour la détection simultanée d'une pluralité d'étiquettes d'identification par radiofréquence
US20170076117A1 (en) * 2014-09-12 2017-03-16 Deductomix, Inc. Read Cycles For Identifying RFID Tags
US20180032765A1 (en) * 2016-08-01 2018-02-01 Intel Corporation Methods, systems and apparatus to improve radio frequency identification (rfid) tag communication

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