Rfid transponder with modifiable settings

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder comprising: a receiver configured to receive a command from an external RFID reader, wherein the command is a first command transmitted by the RFID reader during a communication session, and wherein the command comprises at least one parameter indicative of one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder; and a controller configured to modify the settings of the RFID transponder in accordance with the value of the parameter. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is conceived a corresponding method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder. Furthermore, this disclosure relates to a corresponding method for operating an RFID transponder. Background Technology

[0002] Today, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponders are widely used in various industrial and commercial sectors and for a wide range of applications. For example, an RFID transponder can manifest as a so-called RFID tag or RFID card. It should be noted that in this disclosure, Near Field Communication (NFC) transponders are considered as a specific type of RFID transponder. Therefore, the principles described herein can also be applied to NFC transponders. RFID transponders may have predefined settings to comply with, for example, security regulations in various countries or regions worldwide. Such predefined settings may be difficult to change, resulting in potentially limited functionality for the types of RFID transponders described. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder is provided, comprising: a receiver configured to receive a command from an external RFID reader, wherein the command is a first command transmitted by the RFID reader during a communication session, and wherein the command includes at least one parameter indicating one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder; and a controller configured to modify the settings of the RFID transponder according to the value of the parameter.

[0004] In one or more embodiments, the parameters are specific to a predefined country or geographic region.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the command is a broadcast command.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the modifiable settings include the hardware settings of the RFID transponder.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the hardware setup includes transmitter setup and / or receiver setup.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the hardware setup includes a modulator setup.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the hardware setup includes a voltage limiter setup.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the hardware setup includes a charge pump setup.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the modifiable settings include settings that indicate the internal state of the RFID transponder.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the modifiable settings include the frequency bandwidth at which the RFID transponder operates.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the RFID transponder is an RFID tag or RFID card.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, a communication system includes an RFID transponder and an RFID reader of the described types, wherein the RFID reader is configured to transmit commands to the RFID transponder.

[0015] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a method for operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder is conceived, comprising: receiving a command from an external RFID reader by a receiver included in the RFID transponder, wherein the command is a first command transmitted by the RFID reader during a communication session, and wherein the command includes at least one parameter indicating one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder; and modifying the settings of the RFID transponder by a controller included in the RFID transponder according to the value of the parameter.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the parameters are specific to a predefined country or geographic region.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the command is a broadcast command. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 An illustrative embodiment of an RFID transponder is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 An illustrative embodiment of a method for operating an RFID transponder is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 An illustrative embodiment of the communication system is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 Another illustrative embodiment of an RFID transponder is shown;

[0023] Figure 5 An illustrative embodiment of command transmission is shown;

[0024] Figure 6 An illustrative embodiment showing modifications to the transponder settings is provided;

[0025] Figure 7A An illustrative embodiment of a modified UHF RFID tag setting is shown;

[0026] Figure 7B Another illustrative embodiment of a modified UHF RFID tag setting is shown;

[0027] Figure 8 Another illustrative embodiment of a modified UHF RFID tag setting is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Today, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponders are widely used in various industrial and commercial sectors and for a wide range of applications. For example, an RFID transponder can manifest as a so-called RFID tag or RFID card. It should be noted that in this disclosure, Near Field Communication (NFC) transponders are considered as a specific type of RFID transponder. Therefore, the principles described herein can also be applied to NFC transponders. RFID transponders may have predefined settings to comply with, for example, security regulations in various countries or regions worldwide. Such predefined settings may be difficult to change, resulting in potentially limited functionality for the types of RFID transponders described.

[0029] RFID communication can be based on, for example, inductive coupling, capacitive coupling, or radial coupling. Communication between an RFID reader and an RFID transponder, such as an RFID tag, is typically achieved using load modulation and can be broken down into a forward link and a return link. More specifically, the RFID reader transmits commands to the RFID transponder via the forward link, and the RFID transponder transmits responses to those commands back to the RFID reader via the return link. The RFID transponder contains a modulator that load modulates the carrier signal. Different types of load modulation exist, such as active load modulation (ALM) and passive load modulation (PLM). The return link can also be referred to as backscattering the signal or, more simply, "backscattering."

[0030] As mentioned above, RFID transponders may have predefined settings that are difficult to change. For example, all wireless products must ensure compliance with country-specific regulations. This is typically achieved through country-specific user configurations, country-specific hardware configurations, or by limiting power to levels that comply with all regulations (i.e., in the US, UHF regulations allow 3dB—twice—more power). This can result in development overhead. Furthermore, device performance may be adversely affected in order to comply with all regulations, specifically, in cases where rules are not strictly enforced. Additionally, users may still be able to change the configuration and thereby violate regulations. As an example, in RFID systems, tags are often designed to meet worldwide requirements (i.e., national regulations as well as more reader-specific requirements). This can lead to suboptimal performance and increased customer effects due to the need to ensure compliance with all requirements.

[0031] Figure 1 An illustrative embodiment of an RFID transponder 100 is shown. The RFID transponder 100 includes a receiver 102 and a controller 104. The receiver 102 is configured to receive a command from an external RFID reader (not shown), wherein the command is a first command transmitted by the RFID reader during a communication session, and wherein the command includes at least one parameter instructing one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder 100. Furthermore, the controller 104 is configured to modify the settings of the RFID transponder 100 according to the value of the parameter. In this way, the settings can be easily modified to achieve a trade-off between performance and compliance with various regulations. More specifically, the settings can be modified at the start of a communication session between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder. In other words, all responses transmitted by the RFID transponder will be transmitted using the modified settings until, for example, the settings are modified again at the start of the next communication session. Since the command is a first command sent by the RFID reader during a communication session, the command effectively initiates the communication session and ensures that the correct settings are used throughout the session. Therefore, the performance of the RFID transponder can be optimized throughout the communication session.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the parameters are specific to a predefined country or geographic region. This ensures compliance with country-specific or region-specific regulations. Furthermore, in practical implementations, the command is a broadcast command. This allows the RFID transponder to be easily managed by a broadcast reader. As mentioned above, a broadcast is essentially the first command sent by the RFID reader during a communication session.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the modifiable settings include the hardware settings of the RFID transponder. By modifying the hardware settings of the RFID transponder, compliance with regulations or other requirements (e.g., technical requirements imposed on the RFID transponder by the reader infrastructure) can be easily ensured. In practical implementations, the hardware settings include transmitter settings and / or receiver settings. It should be noted that the transponder's transmitter and receiver may also be combined in a single unit referred to as a transceiver. In this case, the hardware settings may include transceiver settings. Furthermore, it should be noted that the transmitter settings and / or receiver settings can be easily modified. For example, the strength of the signal transmitted by the transmitter of the RFID transponder can be limited by a controller to prevent the signal strength from exceeding a specified maximum strength. In the context of this disclosure, the transmitter includes transistors or devices for implementing communication with the RFID reader, such as an inverting modulator or amplifier of the RFID transponder.

[0034] Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the hardware setup includes modulator settings. Modifying the modulator settings of the RFID transponder, such as modulation intensity, can further facilitate compliance with the aforementioned regulations and requirements. Additionally, the hardware setup may include voltage limiter settings and / or charge pump settings. Modifications to these settings further facilitate the aforementioned compliance with various regulations and requirements.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the modifiable settings include settings indicating the internal state of the RFID transponder. In the context of this disclosure, modifying the settings indicating the internal state may include, for example, changing the configuration of the state machine by applying other states and / or combinations of states. In this way, the operation of the RFID transponder can be easily adapted. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the modifiable settings include the frequency bandwidth through which the RFID transponder should operate. Country-specific or region-specific regulations typically specify the frequency bandwidth through which the RFID transponder should operate. Therefore, according to this disclosure, this frequency bandwidth can be easily adjusted in response to receiving a command carrying information about the country or region in which the RFID transponder should operate. In practical implementations, the RFID transponder is an RFID tag or RFID card.

[0036] Figure 2 An illustrative embodiment of a method 200 for operating an RFID transponder is shown. Method 200 includes the following steps: at 202, a receiver included in the RFID transponder receives a command from an external RFID reader, said command including at least one parameter instructing one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder; and at 204, a controller included in the RFID transponder modifies the settings of the RFID transponder according to the value of said parameter. As mentioned above, in this manner, the settings can be easily modified to achieve a trade-off between performance and compliance with various regulations.

[0037] Figure 3 An illustrative embodiment of a communication system 300 is shown. The communication system 300 includes an RFID transponder 302 and an RFID reader 304 of the types described herein. The RFID reader 304 is configured to transmit commands to the RFID transponder. According to this disclosure, the commands include one or more modifiable settings instructing the RFID transponder 302. The RFID transponder 302 includes a receiver (not shown) configured to receive commands. Furthermore, the RFID transponder 302 includes a controller (not shown) configured to modify settings of the RFID transponder 302 based on the values ​​of the parameters.

[0038] Figure 4Another illustrative embodiment of an RFID transponder 400 is shown. The RFID transponder 400 includes a receiver 402, a controller 404, a modulator 406, and a transmitter 408. The receiver 402 is configured to receive commands from an external RFID reader (not shown). The commands include parameters indicating one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder 400. The controller 404 is configured to modify the settings of the RFID transponder 400 according to the values ​​of the parameters. For example, the parameters may indicate the maximum modulation strength of the transponder 400, the maximum strength of the signal transmitted by the transmitter 408, and / or a charge pump setting that affects the degree to which the voltage derived from the signal received by the receiver 402 is boosted by a charge pump (not shown). For example, the charge pump setting may define the number of charge pump stages used to boost the voltage. The charge pump may be integrated into the receiver 402, in which case the charge pump setting can be considered a specific example of modifiable receiver settings. It should be noted that the controller 404 can change the modulation strength of the transponder 400 by controlling the transmitter 408. More specifically, modulator 406 typically generates a modulation pattern, while transmitter 408 performs signal shaping and level shifting, thus adjusting the strength of the transmitted modulated signal. Similarly, controller 404 can control transmitter 408 in a manner that prevents it from transmitting signals exceeding a predefined maximum signal strength, provided that this maximum signal strength is directly specified by a parameter. Therefore, both the specified maximum modulation strength and the specified maximum signal strength can trigger controller 404 to cause transmitter 408 to reduce the strength of the transmitted signal.

[0039] Figure 5An illustrative embodiment of command transmission 500 is shown. A transmitter 502 on the reader side broadcasts a command 506, which is received by a receiver 504 on the transponder side. The transponder may be, for example, an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID transponder. The broadcast command 506 is a first command sent by the transmitter 502 during a communication session, and the broadcast command 506 includes setting parameters, i.e., parameters indicating one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder. The setting parameters may indicate country-specific or region-specific settings or settings specific to a particular type of reader or application. The broadcast command 506 may be the first command in a communication session between a reader and a transponder according to a predefined communication protocol. It should be noted that the first command may be an uncoded command or an encoded command. In the context of this disclosure, encoding a command may include encrypting the command or applying overlay codes to the command. Furthermore, it should be noted that not only parameter values ​​may differ between different countries, regions, readers, or applications, but the commands themselves may also differ. The receiver 504 may decode a command that includes setting parameters, or extract only the setting parameters from the command if the command is not encoded. Subsequently, the transponder's controller can modify or configure, depending on the values ​​of the set parameters, such as hardware settings, internal status, return link strength, charge pump status, and / or other device settings. The modified settings can then be retained, for example, until the next communication session.

[0040] Figure 6 An illustrative embodiment of transponder setting modification 600 is shown. Setting modification 600 includes a first command sent by a reader at 602 to a communication session with the transponder. The first command includes country information, i.e., setting parameters indicating country-specific settings of the transponder. Furthermore, setting modification 600 includes various steps 604 performed by the transponder. These steps 604 include receiving the command, decoding or extracting the country information, adjusting internal states and / or transponder characteristics based on the received information (e.g., influenced by the transponder's hardware settings), and transmitting a response to the reader while applying the modified settings until the next communication session, the next inventory cycle, a field reset, a change request, or another event occurs.

[0041] Figure 7AAn illustrative embodiment of a UHF RFID tag setting modification 700 is shown. Setting modification 700 includes a first command sent by the reader at 702 to a communication session with the transponder. The first command includes information that the system is operating in the United States. Furthermore, setting modification 700 includes various steps 704 performed by the transponder. These steps 704 include receiving the command, decoding or extracting country information, adjusting the backscatter strength and voltage limiter strength to meet US-specific restrictions, and transmitting a response to the reader while applying the modified settings until the next communication session, the next inventory cycle, a field reset, a change request, or another event occurs.

[0042] Figure 7B Another illustrative embodiment of UHF RFID tag setting modification 706 is shown. Setting modification 706 includes a first command sent by the reader at 708 to a communication session with the transponder. The first command includes information about the system's operation within the European Union. Furthermore, setting modification 706 includes various steps 710 performed by the transponder. These steps 710 include receiving the command, decoding or extracting country information, adjusting the backscatter intensity (i.e., reducing the intensity) to meet EU-specific restrictions, and transmitting a response to the reader while applying the modified settings until the next communication session, the next inventory cycle, a field reset, a change request, or another event occurs.

[0043] Figure 8 Further illustrative embodiments of UHF RFID tag setting modification 800 are shown. Setting modification 800 includes a first command sent by the reader at 802 to a communication session with the transponder. The first command includes information about the reader (e.g., technical specifications) or a country-specific frequency bandwidth. Furthermore, setting modification 800 includes various steps 804 performed by the transponder. These steps 804 include receiving the command, decoding or extracting reader-specific or country-specific information, adjusting or tuning the frequency bandwidth based on said information, and transmitting a response to the reader while applying the modified settings until the next communication session, the next inventory cycle, a field reset, a change request, or another event occurs.

[0044] It should be noted that the above embodiments have been described with reference to different subjects. Specifically, some embodiments may have been described with reference to claims of the method class, while others may have been described with reference to claims of the device class. However, those skilled in the art will understand from the foregoing that, unless otherwise specified, any combination of features relating to different subjects, specifically combinations of features of the method class claims and features of the device class claims, are also considered to be disclosed with this document, except for any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter.

[0045] Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic. Similar or identical elements are represented by the same reference numerals in different drawings. Additionally, it should be noted that, in order to provide a concise description of illustrative embodiments, implementation details that are customary to those skilled in the art may not be described. It should be understood that in the development of any such implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific objectives, such as complying with system-related and business-related constraints, which may differ in different implementations. Furthermore, it should be understood that such development work can be complex and time-consuming, but is merely a routine task for those skilled in the art in designing, manufacturing, and producing.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Any reference numerals placed between parentheses in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprise / comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in the claims. The indefinite article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The measures recited in the claims can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and / or by means of a processor with appropriate programming design. In a device claim listing several components, several of these components can be embodied by the same object in the hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in different appendix claims does not indicate that combinations of these measures cannot be advantageously used.

[0047] List of reference numerals

[0048] 100 RFID transponders

[0049] 102 Receiver

[0050] 104 Controller

[0051] 200 Methods for operating RFID transponders

[0052] 202 A command is received from an external RFID reader by a receiver included in the RFID transponder, wherein the command is a first command transmitted by the RFID reader during a communication session, and wherein the command includes at least one parameter indicating one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder.

[0053] 204 The controller included in the RFID transponder modifies the settings of the RFID transponder according to the value of the parameter.

[0054] 300 Communication System

[0055] 302 RFID transponder

[0056] 304 RFID reader

[0057] 400 RFID transponders

[0058] 402 Receiver

[0059] 404 controller

[0060] 406 modulator

[0061] 408 Transmitter

[0062] 500 Command Transmission

[0063] 502 Transmitter (Reader Side)

[0064] 504 Receiver (Transponder Side)

[0065] 506 Broadcast Command

[0066] 600 Transponder Settings Modification

[0067] 602 Command transmission performed by the reader

[0068] 604 Operations performed by the transponder

[0069] 700 UHF RFID tag settings modification

[0070] 702 Command transmission by UHF RFID reader

[0071] 704 Operations performed by UHF RFID tags

[0072] 706 UHF RFID Tag Settings Modification

[0073] 708 Command transmission by UHF RFID reader

[0074] 710 Operations performed by UHF RFID tags

[0075] 800 UHF RFID tag settings modification

[0076] 802 Command transmission by UHF RFID reader

[0077] 804 Operations performed by UHF RFID tags.

Claims

1. A method for operating a communication system including a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and an RFID transponder, characterized in that, The method includes: The RFID reader transmits a command to the RFID transponder, wherein the command is a broadcast command, which is the first command in a communication session between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder according to a predefined communication protocol, wherein the command includes at least one parameter indicating one or more modifiable settings of the RFID transponder, and wherein the modifiable settings include the hardware settings of the RFID transponder. The command is received from an external RFID reader by a receiver included in the RFID transponder; The settings of the RFID transponder are modified by a controller included in the RFID transponder based on the values ​​of the parameters. The hardware setup includes a charge pump setup, wherein the charge pump setup defines the number of charge pump stages for increasing the voltage derived from the signal received by the RFID transponder.

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