Systems Utilizing an Interrogator and One or More RFID Tags

Abstract

A radio frequency identification device includes an integrated circuit including a receiver, a transmitter, and a microprocessor. The receiver and transmitter together define an active transponder. The integrated circuit is preferably a monolithic single die integrated circuit including the receiver, the transmitter, and the microprocessor. Because the device includes an active transponder, instead of a transponder which relies on magnetic coupling for power, the device has a much greater range.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 : A system comprising: 
 an interrogator for transmitting and receiving spread spectrum radio frequency signals; and    one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, each RFID tag comprising a flexible substrate, one or more antennas disposed adjacent the flexible substrate and coupled to a monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate, the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit comprising a radio frequency transmitter, a radio frequency receiver, a random number generator, control logic, a memory, and a battery coupled to supply power to the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit;    wherein at least one of the RFID tags is operable to generate a random number and to communicate the random number to the interrogator using spread spectrum radio frequency signals, responsive to a command message received from a spread spectrum radio frequency interrogatory signal transmitted by the interrogator.    
     
     
         3 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags, the battery further comprises a thin film battery.  
     
     
         4 : The system of  claim 3 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags, the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit further comprises a wake circuit for causing the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit to transition from a low power mode to a high power mode of operation in the presence of predetermined radio frequency signals.  
     
     
         5 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit transmitter is operable to communicate spread spectrum radio frequency signals by reflection of received radio frequency signals.  
     
     
         6 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit transmitter is operable to communicate spread spectrum radio frequency signals by actively transmitting radio frequency signals.  
     
     
         7 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit receiver is operable to receive spread spectrum modulated signals modulated using one selected from the group of amplitude shift keying, phase shift keying, and the combination thereof.  
     
     
         8 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit is operable to generate a random number responsive to a radio frequency command by the radio frequency receiver received as a portion of a radio frequency signal.  
     
     
         9 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit random number generator further comprises a linear feedback shift register.  
     
     
         10 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit further comprises an analog-to-digital converter.  
     
     
         11 : The system of  claim 10 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags, the RFID tag further comprises a sensor for sensing a physical characteristic coupled to the analog-to-digital converter.  
     
     
         12 : The system of  claim 11 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the sensor is formed within the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit.  
     
     
         13 : The system of  claim 11 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the sensor is one selected from the group of a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, a magnetic field sensor, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit is operable to communicate a random number generated by the random number generator using spread spectrum radio frequency signals communicated by the radio frequency transmitter.  
     
     
         15 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags, the memory of the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit further comprises a non-volatile memory.  
     
     
         16 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags, the memory of the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit further comprises a readable and writeable memory.  
     
     
         17 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the memory of the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit further comprises unalterable indicia uniquely assigned to the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit.  
     
     
         18 : The system of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more RFID tags the control logic of the monolithic radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit further comprises one selected from the group of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, and combinations thereof.