Methods and apparatus for performing financial transactions

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 method of performing a financial transaction, the method comprising:
 transmitting a first signal from a radio frequency (RF) transceiver apparatus to one or more wireless apparatus, the first signal comprising selection information and modulation information;   receiving a reply signal in response to the transmitted first signal, the reply signal generated in accordance with the selection information and the modulation information in the first signal;   executing an arbitration scheme to determine an identification code for a first of the one or more wireless apparatus;   determining the identification code for the first of the one or more wireless apparatus; and   altering the value of a financial account based at least in part on the determination of the identification code.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first of the one or more wireless apparatus transmits the reply signal if the selection information at least in part matches a value stored in the first of the one or more wireless apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising modulating the first signal using frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the act of altering the value of the financial account further comprises deactivating the first of the one or more wireless apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 generating a random number by the first of the one or more wireless apparatus; and   including the random number and at least a portion of the identification code within the reply signal.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said step of altering the value of the financial account is performed pursuant to collection of a toll for use of a roadway. 
     
     
         8 . A method of performing a financial transaction, the method comprising:
 transmitting a first signal from a RF transceiver apparatus to one or more wireless devices, the first signal comprising selection information and modulation information;   executing a collision arbitration scheme;   when a first wireless device determines that it has been selected by the selection information, receiving at the RF transceiver apparatus a reply signal comprising identification information; and   performing the financial transaction based at least in part on the received identification information;   wherein the reply signal is configured using the return link configuration information to select from at least two different pulse waveforms to multiply with a carrier waveform.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 generating a random number by the first wireless device; and   including the random number within the reply signal.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising modulating said first signal using a frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising modulating said reply signal using frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the act of performing the financial transaction further comprises deactivating the first wireless device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first signal further comprises a preamble comprising at least one data bit-0 and excluding any data bit-1's and wherein each respective reply signal comprises a preamble comprising a plurality of data bit-0's and a plurality of data bit-1's. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 storing an identification code in a first region of a memory;   storing revision information of the first wireless device in a second region of memory;   storing an identifier of the first wireless device to indicate manufacture information; and   dedicating a region of the memory for read/write data operations.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 decrementing a counter at said first wireless device; and   preventing said first wireless device from transmitting a reply signal while the counter value is greater than zero.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first signal further comprises a kill command to disable a transmitter of at least one wireless device of the one or more wireless devices. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the financial transaction is performed as a payment for a toll for use of a roadway. 
     
     
         18 . A method for performing a financial transaction using a wireless transmitter and a radio frequency device, the radio frequency device being one of a plurality of such devices, and affixed to a retail item, the method comprising:
 transmitting an interrogation signal from a wireless transmitter to at least the radio frequency device within a communication range of the wireless transmitter, the interrogation signal comprising:
 a carrier waveform; 
 a parameter to select a group of radio frequency devices from the plurality of radio frequency devices, and 
 return link configuration information; and 
   receiving a reply signal from the radio frequency device when the radio frequency device determines that the radio frequency device is a member of the group based at least in part on comparing the parameter to a value stored in the radio frequency device, the reply signal being modulated in accordance with the return link configuration information; and   receiving payment for the retail item.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein, the interrogation signal is configured using one of at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the interrogation signal further comprises a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the value stored in the radio frequency device comprises at least a portion of a random number. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the interrogation signal comprises a frequency hopping spread spectrum signal. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the reply signal further includes at least a portion of an identification code of the radio frequency device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the reply signal includes a random number. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising an arbitration operation, the arbitration operation comprising:
 generating a first mask comprising a first plurality of bits;   performing collision detection; and   if a collision is detected, generating a second mask comprising a second plurality of bits, said second plurality of bits being greater than the first plurality of bits.   
     
     
         26 . A method of performing a financial transaction using a wireless data exchange, the method comprising:
 receiving at a wireless device an interrogation signal, the interrogation signal comprising:
 a parameter to select a group of wireless devices from a plurality of wireless devices within a communication range of a first radio frequency device that is transmitting said interrogation signal; and 
 return link configuration information; 
   comparing the parameter to a value stored in the wireless device to determine that the wireless device is a member of the group;   transmitting a reply signal from the wireless device in accordance with the return link configuration information; and   receiving payment for a retail item;   wherein, the return link configuration information is used to select at least one of at least two different pulse waveforms to multiply with a carrier waveform; and   wherein the reply signal includes information useful in identifying the retail item with which the wireless device is associated.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the wireless device is further configured to:
 store an identification code in a first region of a memory;   store revision information in a second region of memory;   store an identifier to indicate manufacture information; and   dedicate a region of the memory for read/write data operations.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the interrogation signal is configured using one of at least three different pulse waveforms to multiply with a baseband waveform. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 storing an identification code in a first memory of the wireless device; and   including at least a portion of the identification code within the reply signal.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising generating a random number;
 wherein the value stored in the wireless device comprises at least a portion of the random number.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising decrementing a counter in the wireless device;
 wherein the wireless device refrains from transmitting the reply signal if the counter is greater than zero.