Opportunistic probing of ambient internet of things (IOT) devices

Abstract

Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, processes, and computer-readable media for opportunistic probing of ambient IoT devices. For example, a device can transmit, to a wireless communication device, an energizing signal based on one of a pre-configuration of the device to transmit on a periodic basis in a specific direction, a reported presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device. The device can receive, from the wireless communication device, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

Description

OPPORTUNISTIC PROBING OF AMBIENT INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)DEVICESFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication devices. For example, aspects of the present disclosure are related to systems and techniques for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices, such as ambient Internet of Things (IOT) devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless communications systems are deployed to provide various telecommunication services, including telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, among others. Wireless communications systems have developed through various generations, including a first-generation analog wireless phone sendee (1G), a second-generation (2G) digital wireless phone service (including interim 2.5G networks), a third-generation (3G) high speed data, Internet-capable wireless service, a fourth-generation (4G) service (e.g., Long- Term Evolution (LTE), WiMax), and a fifth-generation (5G) service (e.g.. New Radio (NR)). There are presently many different types of wireless communications systems in use, including cellular and personal communications service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the cellular Analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), etc.

[0003] Short range wireless communication enables wireless communication over relatively short distances (e g., within thirty meters). For example, BLUETOOTH® is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using short-wavelength ultra- high frequency (UHF) radio waves from 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) to 2.485 GHz.SUMMARY

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Thus, the following summary should not be considered an extensive overview relating to all contemplated aspects, nor should the following summary’ be considered toidentify key or critical elements relating to all contemplated aspects or to delineate the scope associated with any particular aspect. Accordingly, the following summary’ has the sole purpose to present certain concepts relating to one or more aspects relating to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form to precede the detailed description presented below.

[0005] Systems and techniques are described for wireless communications. According to at least one example, a device for wireless communication is provided. The device includes at least one memory and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: output, to a wireless communication device, a signal, based on one of a pre-configuration of the device to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device; and receive, from the wireless communication device, which is energized by the signal, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

[0006] In another illustrative example, a method for wireless communication at a device is provided. The method includes: transmitting, by the device to a wireless communication device, a signal based on one of a pre-configuration of the device to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device; and receiving, by the device from the wireless communication device, which is energized by the signal, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

[0007] In another illustrative example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: output, to a wireless communication device, a signal, based on one of a pre-configuration of a device to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device; and receive, from the wireless communication device, which is energized by the signal, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

[0008] In another illustrative example, an apparatus is provided for wireless communications. The apparatus includes: means for transmitting, to a wireless communication device, a signal based on one of a pre-configuration of the apparatus to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wirelesscommunication device; and means for receiving, from the wireless communication device, which is energized by the signal, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

[0009] In another illustrative example, a device for wireless communication is provided. The device includes at least one memory and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: output a plurality of signals over a region; and receive, from wireless communication devices located within the region, which are energized by at least one of the plurality of signals, response signals based on the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality of signals.

[0010] In another illustrative example, a method for wireless communication at a device is provided. The method includes: transmitting, by the device, a plurality of signals over a region; and receiving, by the device from wireless communication devices located within the region, which are energized by at least one of the plurality of signals, response signals based on the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality of signals.

[0011] In another illustrative example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: output a plurality of signals over a region; and receive, from wireless communication devices located within the region, which are energized by at least one of the plurality of signals, response signals based on the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality of signals.

[0012] In another illustrative example, an apparatus is provided for wireless communications. The apparatus includes: means for transmitting a plurality' of signals over a region; and means for receiving, from wireless communication devices located within the region, which are energized by at least one of the plurality of signals, response signals based on the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality of signals.

[0013] In another illustrative example, a wireless communication device is provided. The wireless communication device includes at least one memory and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: receive, from a device, signals for energizing the wireless communication device; and output, based on receiving the signals, beacon frames for transmission for a period of time or a number of transmissions.

[0014] In another illustrative example, a method for wireless communication is provided. The method includes: receiving, by a wireless communication device from a device, a signal for energizing the wireless communication device; and transmitting, by the wireless communication device based on receiving the signal, beacon frames for a period of time or a number of transmissions.

[0015] In another illustrative example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive, from a device, signals for energizing a wireless communication device; and output, based on receiving the signals, beacon frames for transmission for a period of time or a number of transmissions.

[0016] In another illustrative example, an apparatus is provided for wireless communications. The apparatus includes: means for receiving, from a device, a signal for energizing the apparatus; and means for transmitting, based on receiving the signal, beacon frames for a period of time or a number of transmissions.

[0017] Aspects generally include a method, apparatus, system, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user device, user equipment, wireless communication device, and / or processing system as substantially described with reference to and as illustrated by the drawings and specification.

[0018] Some aspects include a device having a processor configured to perform one or more operations of any of the methods summarized above. Further aspects include processing devices for use in a device configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations of any of the methods summarized above. Further aspects include a non-transitory7processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a device to perform operations of any of the methods summarized above. Further aspects include a device having means for performing functions of any of the methods summarized above.

[0019] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying ordesigning other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both their organization and method of operation, together with associated advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purposes of illustration and description, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims. The foregoing, together with other features and aspects, will become more apparent upon referring to the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0020] This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the description of various aspects of the disclosure and are provided solely for illustration of the aspects and not limitation thereof. So that the above-recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only certain typical aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the description may admit to other equally effective aspects. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example environment in which systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented, in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating example components of a device, in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices, such as ambient IOT devices, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of signaling for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices), in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dedicated device (e.g., a device for energizing) infrastructure, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of signaling for a device (e.g., a device for energizing) triggering wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices), in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of signaling for a device (e.g., a device for energizing) triggering wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices), in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a process for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices), where the process is performed at a device (e.g., a device for energizing), in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a process for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices), where the process is performed at one or more devices (e.g., devices for energizing), in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a process for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices), where the process is performed at one or more wireless communication devices, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing system, which may be employed by the disclosed systems and techniques for opportunistic probing of ambient IOT devices, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Certain aspects and embodiments of this disclosure are provided below. Some of these aspects and embodiments may be applied independently and some of them may beapplied in combination as would be apparent to those of skill in the art. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the application. However, it will be apparent that various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. The figures and description are not intended to be restrictive.

[0034] The ensuing description provides example embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the example embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an example embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the application as set forth in the appended claims.

[0035] Short range wireless communication protocols enable wireless communication over relatively short distances (e.g.. within thirty’ meters). For example, BLUETOOTH® is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio waves from 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) to 2.485 GHz. BLUETOOTH® Low Energy7(BLE) is a form of BLUETOOTH® communication that allow s for communication with devices that operate using low power. Such devices may include beacons, which are wireless communication devices that can use low-energy communication technology^ for positioning, proximity marketing, or other purposes.

[0036] A system, such as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, may include one or more wireless communication devices that are controlled by a network entity. For example, a system may include one or more peripheral devices (e.g., electronic shelf labels (ESLs)) that are controlled by a first network entity7(e.g., an ERP server) via at least a second network entity (e.g., an access point (AP)).

[0037] In one or more examples, to facilitate control by the first network entity (e.g., the ERP server), each peripheral device (e.g., ESL) may have a wireless connection (e.g., a BLUETOOTH® Low Energy (BLE) connection or other connection) to the second network entity (e.g.. the AP) that is communicatively connected to the first network entity (e.g.. via the Internet, such as wirelessly, via an Ethernet connection, etc.). In some cases, commands from the first network entity (e.g., the ERP server) may be wirelessly transmitted to the peripheral devices (e.g., ESLs) by the second network entity (e.g., the AP). Responses or informationfrom the peripheral devices may also be received by the second network entity, and provided by the second network entity to the first network entity (e.g., by the AP to the ERP server).

[0038] The peripheral devices in the system may include a plurality of ambient internet of things (IOT) devices (as examples of wireless communication devices or peripheral devices), which may each be in the form of a low cost, batteryless, energy harvesting tag. One or more of the ambient IOT devices (e.g.. tags) can each be attached to an asset located within a location (e.g., a retail store, a warehouse, etc.) for asset tracking, monitoring, and / or supply chain management purposes. Devices, such as devices for energizing (e.g., which may be referred to as “energizing devices”, “energizers”, or “readers”), can interrogate, scan, read, probe, and / or energize the ambient IOT devices. Such devices can be in the form of mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, tablet computers, handheld reader devices, etc.), robots, forklifts, or other devices.

[0039] The ambient IOT devices can harvest energy (e.g., power) from signals (e.g., energizing signals, sweeping beams, or energizing waveforms) transmitted from the devices (such as energizing devices). After being energized, the ambient IOT devices can each transmit a response signal including some identifying information that is unique to each ambient IOT device. An ERP server may store and maintain a database of information pertaining to the ambient IOT devices (e.g.. information related to their capabilities and last known locations). In the industry today, a generalized protocol to enable interactions (e.g., interrogations) between the devices (such as energizing devices) and the ambient IOT devices (e.g., tags) can be beneficial.

[0040] Systems, apparatuses, methods (also referred to as processes), and computer-readable media (collectively referred to herein as “systems and techniques”) are described herein for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices, such as ambient IOT devices. The systems and techniques provide criteria for when and how a device (e.g., an energizing device) may interrogate an ambient IOT device (e.g., tag). In one or more aspects, the systems and techniques define criteria for the interrogation that include capability’ information for devices (e.g., energizing devices) and ambient IOT devices, different states or modes of operation for the devices (e.g., energizing devices), and message flows between the devices (e.g., the energizing devices and the ambient IOT devices). The systems and techniques can employ a dedicated device infrastructure (e.g., energizing nodes) as well.

[0041] In one or more aspects, a device (e.g., an energizing device) may possess capabilities including, but not limited to, being able to support radio frequency identification (RFID) technology (e.g.. which can include having a capability to energize an ambient IOT device, and a beamforming capability for interrogating an ambient IOT device), being able to operate as a radio (e.g., being capable to receive transmissions from ambient IOT devices, and to operate as a relay by transmitting those received transmissions to an ERP server), being able to operate as a camera, being able to operate with transparency (e.g.. by sharing received ambient IOT device information with an ERP server), and / or being able to display a graphical user interface (GUI) to display information (e.g., prices, expiration dates, and / or online reviews) related to assets associated with the ambient IOT devices.

[0042] In some aspects, an ambient IOT device may possess capabilities including, but not limited to, being able to support RFID technology (e.g., which can include being able to harvest energy from received signals and to transmit identifying information after being sufficiently energized with power), being able to operate as a radio (e.g., being capable to receiving transmissions from devices (e.g., energizing devices) and to transmit signals to the devices (e.g., energizing devices)), being able to operate as a camera, and / or being able to operate with transparency (e.g., by sharing identifying information with devices (e.g., energizing devices)).

[0043] In one or more aspects, a device (e.g., an energizing device) may possess different states or modes of operation including, but not limited to, an omnidirectional state or mode (e.g., where the device scans an antenna beam in all directions), a directional state or mode (e.g., where the device scans an antenna beam in a specific direction, such by performing analog beamforming), a beam sweep state or mode (e.g., where the device sweeps over a set of antenna beams, each antenna beam being directional), and an inactive state or mode (e.g., where the device is powered off).

[0044] In some aspects, the systems and techniques provide criteria for when and how a device (e.g., an energizing device) may switch between the different states or modes of operation. In one or more aspects, the systems and techniques define criteria for the switching of the states that include a coarse location of a user (e.g., the switching may be based on a location of the user), a context of the shopping experience (e.g., the switching may be based on the context of the shopping by the user), and a pre-configured interrogation (e.g., the device may be pre-configured to interrogate).

[0045] In one or more examples, the location of the user can be based on the location of a device (e.g., an energizing device) associated with the user. The location of the user may be obtained through other means including, but not limited to. information from indoor Wi-Fi access points (APs), Bluetooth nodes, and / or cameras.

[0046] In one or more examples, the user may specify a context while shopping that may include a discovery context (e.g., where the user may seek to detect the presence of a specific ambient IOT device), an inquiring context (e g., where the user may broadly inquire about the nature of products located within a specified area, such as on a shelf or within an aisle), or a searching context (e.g., where the user may search for a specific type of product within a specified area). In one or more examples, when a discovery context is present, the device (e.g., energizing device) may switch to operate in an omnidirectional state, operating over multiple frequency ranges and / or RFID types. When an inquiring context is present, the device (e.g., energizing device) may switch to operate in an omnidirectional state, operating over a particular frequency range and / or a specific RFID type. When a search context is present, the device (e.g., energizing device) may switch to operate in a beam sweep state.

[0047] In one or more examples, the device (e.g., energizing device) may be pre-configured to interrogate an ambient IOT device on a periodic basis in a specific direction. In some examples, the device (e.g.. energizing device) may be pre-configured to interrogate an ambient IOT device, based on a reported presence of the ambient IOT device or a location of the ambient IOT device.

[0048] In one or more aspects, a server, such as a location management function (LMF) server, may send a capability request to devices (e.g., energizing devices) and to an ERP server. In response, the devices (e.g., energizing devices) and the ERP server may each send a capability report to the server. In response, the server may send assistance data to the devices (e.g., energizing devices). In one or more examples, the assistance data may include capabilities of the ambient IOT devices, a mapping between the ambient IOT devices (e.g., including their RFID type and frequency) and the locations of the devices (e.g., energizing devices), security and decoding information required by the devices (e.g., energizing devices) to interpret the identifiers (e.g., unique assigned identifications) of the ambient IOT devices, and a mapping between states for the devices (e.g., energizing devices) and the locations of the devices (e.g., energizing devices). The devices (e.g., energizing devices) may then interrogate the ambientIOT devices. In response, the ambient IOT devices can each send their identifying information (e.g., which is unique to each ambient IOT device) to the devices (e.g., energizing devices).

[0049] In one or more aspects, a dedicated device (e.g., energizing device) infrastructure (e.g., including energizing nodes) can be utilized to pre-emptively trigger ambient IOT devices (e.g., to send response signals including identifying information). In one or more examples, ambient IOT devices can be configured to transmit beacon frames for a certain period of time or for a certain number of transmissions, based on an energizing waveform (e.g., of a received energizing signal transmitted from a device). In some examples, ambient IOT devices can be configured to transmit beacon frames, based on a certain class or type of device, such as an energizing device (e.g., beacon frames that are compatible with a certain class or type of device). In one or more aspects, one or more devices (e.g., energizing devices) may jointly perform beam sweeping over a certain region and trigger ambient IOT devices (e.g., to send response signals including identifying information) located within that region. In one or more examples, devices (e.g., energizing devices) can trigger ambient IOT devices, based on a type of the ambient IOT devices, a region for location of the ambient IOT devices, a region centered around a specific location for the ambient IOT devices, on certain period of time, or a certain number of transmissions.

[0050] Additional aspects of the present disclosure are described in more detail below with respect to the figures.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example environment 100 in which systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1. the environment 100 may include at least one access point (AP) 110, at least one wireless communication device 120 (e.g., at least one ambient IOT device), a management entity (ME) 130, and a network 140. Devices of the environment 100 may interconnect via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0052] The access point 110 may include one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, providing, and / or routing information associated with access point synchronization and / or handover, as described elsewhere herein. The access point 110 may include a communication device and / or a computing device. The access point 110 may be configured to transmit beacons (e.g., BLE beacons), as well as to scan and locate other devices (e.g., other devices communicating using BLE protocols).

[0053] The wireless communication device 120 may include one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, and / or providing information associated with access point synchronization and / or handover, as described elsewhere herein. The wireless communication device 120 may include a communication device and / or a computing device. In some aspects, the wireless communication device 120 may be, may include, or may be included in an electronic shelf label (ESL).

[0054] The management entity 130 includes one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, providing, and / or routing information associated with access point synchronization and / or handover, as described elsewhere herein. The management entity 130 may include a communication device and / or a computing device. For example, the management entity 130 may include a server, such as an application server, a client server, a web server, a database server, a host server, a proxy server, a virtual server (e.g., executing on computing hardware), or a server in a cloud computing system. In some aspects, the management entity 130 includes computing hardware used in a cloud computing environment. The management entity 130 may provide control of a system (e.g., an ESL system) that includes the access point(s) 1 10, the wireless communication device(s) 120, and / or the device(s) 130. The access point(s) 110 may be communicatively connected to the management entity 130 via a network (not shown), such as the Internet.

[0055] The network 140 may include one or more wireless networks. For example, the network 140 may include a personal area network (e.g., a Bluetooth network). The network 140 enables communication among the devices of environment 100.

[0056] The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in FIG. 1 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional devices and / or networks, fewer devices and / or networks, different devices and / or networks, or differently arranged devices and / or networks than those shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, two or more devices shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented within a single device, or a single device shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of environment 100 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices of environment 100.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating example components of a device 200, in accordance with the present disclosure. Device 200 may correspond to access point 110, wirelesscommunication device 120 (e.g., an ambient IOT device), and / or management entity 130. In some aspects, access point 110, wireless communication device 120, and / or management entity 130 may include one or more devices 200 and / or one or more components of device 200. As show n in FIG. 2, device 200 may include a bus 205, a processor 210, a memory 215, a storage component 220, an input component 225, an output component 230, and / or a communication component 235.

[0058] Bus 205 may include a component that permits communication among the components of device 200. Processor 210 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. Processor 210 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some aspects, processor 210 may include one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform a function. Memory’ 215 may include a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and / or an optical memory) that stores information and / or instructions for use by processor 210.

[0059] Storage component 220 can store information and / or software related to the operation and use of device 200. For example, storage component 220 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, and / or a solid state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.

[0060] Input component 225 may include a component that permits device 200 to receive information, such as via user input (e.g., atouch screen display, akeyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and / or a microphone). Additionally, or alternatively, input component 225 may include a component for determining a position or a location of device 200 (e.g., an indoor location component or system that can be based on a plan-o-gram of an environment in which the device 200 is located, a global positioning system (GPS) component, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) component, any combination thereof, and / or other location component) and / or a sensor for sensing information (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, or another type of position or environment sensor). Output component 230 can includea component that provides output information from device 200 (e.g., a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback component, and / or an audio or visual indicator).

[0061] Communication component 235 may include one or more transceiver-like components (e.g., a transceiver and / or a separate receiver and transmitter) that enables device 200 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. Communication component 235 may permit device 200 to receive information from another device and / or provide information to another device. For example, communication component 235 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a wireless local area interface (e.g., a Wi-Fi interface or a BLE interface), and / or a cellular network interface.

[0062] Communication component 235 may include one or more antennas for receiving wireless radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from one or more other devices, cloud networks, and / or the like. The antenna may be a single antenna or an antenna array (e.g., antenna phased array) that can facilitate simultaneous transmit and receive functionality. The antenna may be an omnidirectional antenna such that signals can be received from and transmitted in all directions. The wireless signals may be transmitted via a wireless network. The wireless network may be any wireless network, such as a cellular or telecommunications network (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, etc ), wireless local area network (e.g., a WiFi network), a Bluetooth™ netw ork, and / or other network.

[0063] The one or more transceiver-like components (e.g., a wireless transceiver) of the communication component 235 may include an RF front end including one or more components, such as an amplifier, a mixer (also referred to as a signal multiplier) for signal down conversion, a frequency synthesizer (also referred to as an oscillator) that provides signals to the mixer, a baseband filter, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), one or more power amplifiers, among other components. The RF front-end can generally handle selection and conversion of the wireless signals into a baseband or intermediate frequency and can convert the RF signals to the digital domain.

[0064] In some cases, a CODEC may be implemented (e.g., by the processor 210) to encode and / or decode data transmitted and / or received using the one or more wireless transceivers. In some cases, encryption-decryption may be implemented (e.g., by the processor 210) to encryptand / or decrypt data (e.g., according to the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and / or Data Encryption Standard (DES) standard) transmitted and / or received by the one or more wireless transceivers.

[0065] In some aspects, device 200 may represent an ESL. The ESL may include a batteryin addition to the aforementioned components. In some aspects, the output component 230 of the ESL may be an electronic paper (e-paper) display or a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0066] Device 200 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device 200 may perform these processes based on processor 210 executing software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 215 and / or storage component 220. A computer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A memory' device includes memory- space within a single physical storage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storage devices.

[0067] Software instructions may be read into memory 215 and / or storage component 220 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication component 235. When executed, software instructions stored in memory- 215 and / or storage component 220 may cause processor 210 to perform one or more processes described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, aspects described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardw are circuitry- and software.

[0068] The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 2 are provided as an example. In practice, device 200 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 200 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 200.

[0069] As previously mentioned, a sy stem, such as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, may include one or more wireless communication devices that are controlled by a network entity. For example, a system can include one or more peripheral devices (e.g., ESLs) that are controlled by a network entity (e.g., an ERP server) via at least one additional network entity (e.g.. an AP).

[0070] In one or more examples, to facilitate control by the ERP server, each peripheral device (e.g., ESL) may have a wireless connection (e.g., a BLE connection or other connection) to an AP that is communicatively connected to the ERP server (e.g.. via the Internet, such as wirelessly, via an Ethernet connection, etc ). In some cases, commands from the ERP server can be wirelessly transmitted to the peripheral devices (e.g., ESLs) by the AP. Responses or information from the peripheral devices may also be received by the AP. and provided by the AP to the ERP server.

[0071] The system can include a plurality of ambient IOT devices (as examples of wireless communication devices or peripheral devices). An ambient IOT device can be in the form of a low cost, battery less, energy’ harvesting tag, such as a near field communication (NFC) tag. One or more of the ambient IOT devices (e.g., tags) may each be attached to an asset located within a retail store or a warehouse for asset tracking, monitoring, and / or supply chain management purposes. Devices (such as energizing devices) may also be deployed within the retail store or warehouse. Devices (such as energizing devices, e.g., equipped with power resources) can interrogate, scan, read, probe, and / or energize any ambient IOT devices located within their vicinity. Such devices can be in the form of mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, tablet computers, handheld reader devices, etc.), robots, forklifts, or other devices.

[0072] The ambient IOT devices can harvest energy (e.g., power) from signals (e.g.. energizing signals, which are signals (radio waves) that can be used for harvesting energy) transmitted from the devices (such as energizing devices). After being energized, the ambient IOT devices can each transmit a response signal, which includes some identifying information (e.g.. metadata) that is unique to each ambient IOT device. An ERP server can store and maintain a database of information pertaining to the ambient IOT devices (e.g., information related to their capabilities and last known locations). In the industry today, a generalized protocol to enable interactions (e.g., interrogations) between the devices (such as energizing devices) and the ambient IOT devices (e.g., tags) can be useful.

[0073] In one or more aspects, the systems and techniques provide opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices, such as ambient IOT devices. The systems and techniques provide criteria for when and how a device (such as an energizing device) may interrogate an ambient IOT device (e.g., tag). In one or more examples, the systems and techniques define criteria for the interrogation (e.g., criteria that include capability information for devices, suchas energizing devices, and ambient IOT devices), different states or modes of operation for the devices, such as energizing devices (e.g., the different states or modes may be influenced by location, context, and / or pre-configuration). and message flows (e.g., for a proprietary solution and a third generation partnership project (3GPP) based framework) between the devices (e.g., between an energizing device and an ambient IOT device), the ERP system, and / or a private sector, such as a location management function (LMF). The systems and techniques can employ a dedicated device (such as energizing devices) infrastructure (e.g., energizing nodes) as well.

[0074] In one or more aspects, the devices, such as energizing devices (e g., mobile devices, such as a smart phone, a robot, a fork lift, etc.) may have one or more capabilities. The following further describes the devices by taking the energizing device as an example. Device and energizing device can be used interchangeably. In one or more examples, the energizing devices (e.g., energizing device 320 of FIG. 3 and / or energizing devices 520 of FIG. 5) may- have a capability of supporting RFID technology, which may include the ability to read and scan a wireless communication device (e.g., such as an ambient IOT device in the form of an RFID tag) and include the ability- to support communications using one or more frequency bands related to RFID technology, such as low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), near field communication (NFC) frequency, and ultra high frequency (UHF). In some examples, the energizing devices may have an energizing capability, which can include the ability to energize a wireless communication device (e g., atag) and to instruct the wireless communication device (e.g., an ambient IOT device in the form of a tag) to communicate (e.g., via a broadcast or a unicast) with another device (e.g., communicate information about a particular item to an access point, such as for inventory purposes). In one or more examples, the energizing devices may have a capability to support beamforming (e.g., a beamforming capability to be able to form an antenna beam and scan the beam towards a particular wireless communication device), such as for the purpose of interrogating a wireless communication device (e g., an ambient IOT device in the form of a tag).

[0075] In one or more examples, the energizing devices (e.g., energizing device 320 of FIG. 3 and / or energizing devices 520 of FIG. 5) may have a capability to support radio communications, such as radio frequency (RF) communications (e.g., using cellular, satellite, Wi-Fi, and / or Bluetooth communications). For example, the energizing devices may be able to receive transmissions (e.g., RF signal transmissions) from one or more wireless communicationdevices (e.g., ambient IOT devices in the form of a tag), such as for the purpose of relaying the received information to a gateway node (e.g., gateway node 540 of FIG. 5) and / or an ERP system (e.g.. ERP server 550 of FIG. 5).

[0076] In some examples, the energizing devices (e.g., energizing device 320 of FIG. 3 and / or energizing devices 520 of FIG. 5) may have a capability of including a camera for capturing images and / or video of the surrounding environment (e.g.. within the retail store or warehouse). The energizing devices may receive information (e.g., about a product associated with a wireless communication device) via images taken by the camera of the local environment.

[0077] In one or more examples, the energizing devices e.g., energizing device 320 of FIG. 3 and / or energizing devices 520 of FIG. 5) may have a capability of having transparency, which may include an ability' to share information associated with one or more wireless communication devices, which may each be in the form of a tag, with an external server, such as the ERP system (e.g., ERP server 550 of FIG. 5). In some examples, the energizing devices may have the capability- to share information (e.g., prices, expiration dates, and / or online reviews related to the items associated with the wireless communication devices) to a user or a store employee by displaying the information on a graphical user interface (GUI), which may be implemented within the energizing devices. In one or more examples, when an energizing device is able to share information associated with one or more wireless communication devices, there may be an expected latency (e.g., an expected amount of delay in time) in the energizing device delivering the information to the ERP system.

[0078] In one or more aspects, wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices each the form of a tag) may have one or more capabilities. In one or more examples, the wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless communication device 120 of FIG. 1, wireless communication devices 310a. 310b, 310c, 310d of FIG. 3, and / or wireless communication devices 510 of FIG. 5) may be part of a larger system, such as a system that includes ESLs and / or rail controllers (e.g., such as ESLs or rail controllers 560 of FIG. 5), which may each be equipped with wireless radios (e.g., RF radios) and / or cameras.

[0079] In one or more examples, the wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless communication device 120 of FIG. 1, wireless communication devices 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d of FIG. 3, and / or wireless communication devices 510 of FIG. 5) may have one or more of thesame capabilities as previously mentioned for the energizing devices, except for the energizing and beamforming capabilities. For example, the wireless communication devices may have capabilities including the ability to support RFID technology (e.g., which can include the ability to harvest energy from received signals (energizing signals) from energizing devices and to transmit identifying information after being sufficiently energized with power), the ability to operate as a radio (e.g., the ability to receive transmissions from energizing devices and to transmit signals to the energizing devices), the ability- to operate as a camera, and / or the ability to operate with transparency (e.g., by sharing identifying information for itself with energizing devices).

[0080] In one or more aspects, the energizing devices may have different states or modes of operation. In the one or more examples, the different states or modes of operation may include an omnidirectional state or mode, a directional state or mode, a beam sweep state or mode, and / or an inactive state or mode. In one or more examples, the omnidirectional state or mode may be a state or mode where the energizing device scans one or more antennas associated with the energizing device in all directions (e.g., to form an omnidirectional antenna beam pattern). In some examples, the directional state or mode may be a state or mode where the energizing device forms an antenna beam and scans the beam in a specific direction (e.g., analog beamforming). In one or more examples, the beam sweep state or mode may be a state or mode where the energizing device forms a set of antenna beams, where each beam is a directional beam, and scans the set of beams. In some examples, the inactive state or mode may be a state or mode where the energizing device is not operational (e.g., the energizing device is powered off).

[0081] FIG. 3 shows an example of an energizing device switching states or modes within a retail store scenario. In particular, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system 300 for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices (e.g., including wireless communication devices 310a, 310b. 310c, 310d), such as ambient IOT devices. In FIG. 3, an aisle 330 of a retail store is shown. The aisle 330 is shown to be flanked by two shelving units, which each include a plurality of wireless communication devices (e.g., in the form of tags and / or ESLs that are associated with products located on the shelving units). For example, one shelving unit includes wireless communication devices 310a, 310c, and the other shelving unit includes wireless communication devices 310b, 310d. In FIG. 3, a user is shown to be walking down the aisle 330 with an associated energizing device 320. In one or more examples, theenergizing device 320 may be in the form of a smart phone that is being held by the user. In some examples, the energizing device 320 may be an energizing device that is incorporated into a shopping cart that is being pushed by the user.

[0082] In FIG. 3, as the user is walking down the aisle 330, the energizing device 320 maybe operating in an omnidirectional state or more to form an omnidirectional beam to perform omnidirectional interrogation 340 (e.g.. to proactively interrogate) of all wireless communication devices surrounding the user that are within range of the user (e g., the wireless communication devices that are located within the omnidirectional antenna beam). In response to being interrogated by the omnidirectional interrogation 340, the wireless communication devices that are located within range (e.g., located within the omnidirectional beam) can transmit their associated information (e.g., information related to the wireless communication devices themselves, such as unique identifying information, and / or information related to items or product associated with the wireless communication devices) to the energizing device 320.

[0083] In one or more examples, the energizing device 320 can transmit (e.g., relay) the received information from the wireless communication devices to a gateway node (e.g., gateway node 540 of FIG. 5) and / or to an ERP system (e.g., ERP server 550 of FIG. 5). In some examples, the energizing device 320. when transmitting this information, can operate passively (e.g.. operate independent of the user).

[0084] In some examples, the energizing device 320 may display, via a GUI implemented within the energizing device 320, graphical details and / or information (e g., prices, expiration dates, and / or online reviews) to the user or store employee regarding items or products associated with the wireless communication devices. Displaying information to a user (e.g., customer) regarding the products or items on the shelves can enhance the overall shopping experience for the user. In one or more examples, the graphical details and / or information may be displayed on an energizing device (e.g., a smart phone or a device mounted on a shopping cart) that is associated with a user. In some examples, the graphical details and / or information may be displayed on a device (e.g., an ESL mounted on the shelving unit) that is associated with the product or item.

[0085] In one or more aspects, the systems and techniques provide criteria for when and how an energizing device may switch betw een the different states or modes of operation. In one or more examples, the systems and techniques define criteria for the switching of the states ormodes, where the criteria may include, but is not limited to, a coarse location of a user (e.g., the switching may be based on a location of the user), a context of the shopping experience (e.g.. the switching may be based on the context of the shopping by the user), and a preconfigured interrogation (e.g., the energizing device may be pre-configured to interrogate).

[0086] In one or more examples, a location (e.g., a coarse location) of the user may be based on the location of an energizing device associated with the user. In some examples, the location of the user may be obtained through other means including, but not limited to, information from indoor Wi-Fi access points (APs), Bluetooth nodes, and / or cameras. In some examples, the user may be prompted (e.g., via a GUI on the energizing device) to operate in any of the states or modes.

[0087] For example, referring to FIG. 3, an ERP system (e.g., ERP inventory management system, such as ERP server 550 of FIG. 5) may be aware of the last known location of a wireless communication device (e.g.. wireless communication device 310d. which may be in the form of a tag). Based on this last known location of the wireless communication device, the ERP system (e.g., via a GUI on the energizing device) can guide the user to use their associated energizing device 320 to omnidirectionally interrogate 340 or directionally interrogate 350 (e.g., by forming an antenna beam and scanning the beam in a direction towards the known location) a specific wireless communication device (e.g., wireless communication device 310d). In one or more examples, when there are no known wireless communication devices located within the vicinity of the energizing device 320, the ERP system (e.g., via a GUI on the energizing device) may guide the user to switch the energizing device 320 to operate in an inactive state or mode.

[0088] In one or more examples, the user may specify a context while shopping that may be used for the switching of the states or modes for an energizing device. The context may include, but is not limited to, a discovery context (e.g.. where the user may seek to detect the presence of a specific wireless communication device, such as in the form of a tag), an inquiring context (e.g., where the user may broadly inquire about the nature of products located within a specified area, such as on a shelf or within an aisle), or a searching context (e.g., where the user maysearch for a specific type of product within a specified area). In one or more examples, when a discovery' context is present, the energizing device may switch to operate in an omnidirectional state, operating over multiple frequency ranges and / or RFID types. When an inquiring contextis present, the energizing device may switch to operate in an omnidirectional state, operating over a particular frequency range and / or a specific RFID type. When a search context is present, the energizing device may switch to operate in a beam sweep state.

[0089] In one or more examples, the wireless communication device may be pre-configured for interrogation (e.g., have a pre-configured interrogation). In some examples, the energizing device may be pre-configured to interrogate (e.g., scan) a wireless communication device (e.g.. in the form of a tag) on a periodic basis in a specific direction. For example, a robot may be pre-configured to scan products or items that are moving on a conveyor belt running along a certain specific trajectory. The use of a robot that is pre-configured to interrogate (e.g., scan) wireless communication devices (e.g., tags) associated with items can allow for enhanced automation in inventory management of items, which can lead to a reduction in costs for inventory management.

[0090] In one or more examples, the energizing device may be pre-configured to interrogate a wireless communication device, based on a reported presence of the wireless communication device (e.g., based on a detection of the wireless communication device by a camera, using a radio frequency (RF)-based detection such as based on WiFi, ultra- wideband (UWB), etc.) or a location of the wireless communication device. For example, a camera or radar (e.g., using RF sensing) may detect a pallet (e.g.. containing wireless communication devices associated with items or products on the pallet) that is moving (e.g., traveling) along an aisle of a store or warehouse. A nearby energizing device may be triggered to scan an antenna beam in the direction of the pallet for wireless communication devices located on the pallet (e.g., for inventory purposes), based on the detected location of the pallet. The triggering of an energizing device to interrogate (e.g., scan) wireless communication devices (e.g., tags) associated with items located on a pallet, based on the detection of the pallet being located nearby the energizing device, can allow for enhanced automation in inventory' management of items that can reduce inventory management costs.

[0091] FIG. 4 shows an example of signaling for interrogation of w ireless communication devices. In particular, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of signaling 400 for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices 440 (e.g., ambient IOT devices, which may be in the form of ESLs or tags, or UEs). In FIG. 4, signaling 400 is shown for a system including an ERP server 410 (e.g., such as ERP server 550 of FIG. 5, which may be inthe form of an LMF server), energizing devices 420 (e.g., mobile devices, such as UEs) that may each associated with a user, a gateway node 430 (e.g., which may be in the form of a management entity, such as management entity 130 of FIG. 1). and the wireless communication devices 440.

[0092] During operation of the system for FIG. 4, the ERP server 410 may send (e.g., transmit) a capability request 405 to the energizing devices 420 requesting a capability report from each of the energizing devices 420 regarding their respective capabilities. In response, the energizing devices 420 may each transmit a capability report 425 including their respective capabilities to the ERP server 410.

[0093] The ERP server 410 may send (e.g., transmit) a capability request 415 to the gateway node 430 requesting a capability report including capabilities of the wireless communication devices 440. The gateway node 430, in response, may transmit a capability report 435 including the capabilities of the wireless communication devices 440 (and, optionally, a mapping of the RFID type and current location for each of the wireless communication devices 440 so that a specific type of scanning can be performed) to the ERP server 410. In one or more examples, the capability report 435 may also include information regarding the store or warehouse layout and / or currently known or expected locations of the wireless communication devices 440.

[0094] In one or more examples, in response to receiving the capability reports 425, 435, the ERP server 410 may send (e.g., transmit) assistance data 445 to the energizing devices 420. In one or more examples, the assistance data 445 may include, but is not limited to, capabilities of the wireless communication devices 440, a mapping between the wireless communication devices 440 (e.g., including their RFID type and frequency) and the locations of the energizing devices 420, security and decoding information required by the energizing devices 420 to interpret the identifiers (e.g., unique assigned identifications) of the wireless communication devices 440, and a mapping between states for the energizing devices 420 and the locations of the energizing devices 420.

[0095] In one or more examples, the energizing devices 420 may interrogate 450 (e.g.. send energizing signals to) the wireless communication devices 440. The wireless communication devices 440 can receive the energizing signals and can harvest energy from the energizing signals. In response to being interrogated (e.g., receiving the energizing signals and being energized by the energizing signals), the wireless communication devices 440 may each send(e.g., transmit) their respective identifying information (e.g., within a response signal) to the energizing devices 420. In one or more examples, the identifying information is a unique identification (e.g.. software and / or hardware identification) that is assigned to each wireless communication device 440.

[0096] In response to receiving the identifying information from the wireless communication devices 440, the energizing devices 420 may send (e.g., transmit or report 455) the identifier information for the wireless communication devices 440 to the gateway node 430. In response to receiving the identifying information from the energizing devices 420, the gatew ay node 430 may, optionally, send (e.g., transmit or provide 465) to the energizing devices 420 information associated with the wireless communication devices 440, where the information may have been stored within an existing database associated with the gateway node 430.

[0097] In one or more aspects, a dedicated energizing device infrastructure (e g., including energizing devices) can be utilized to pre-emptively trigger wireless communication devices (e.g., tags or ESLs) to send response signals including their respective identifying information. In one or more examples, wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices) of an energizing device infrastructure may be configured to transmit beacon frames (e.g., response signals, which may include identifying information associated with the wireless communication devices).

[0098] FIG. 5 show s an example of energizing device infrastructure. In particular, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dedicated energizing device infrastructure 500. In FIG. 5, the infrastructure 500 is shown to be located within a retail store. The infrastructure is shown to include an ERP server 550 (e.g., in the form of a server or cloud server, which may be located remotely from the retail store), a gatew ay node 540 (e.g., in the form of an edge server, which may be located within the retail store), an access point 530 (e.g., an ESL AP, which may be located within the retail store), wireless communication devices 510 (e.g.. which may be in the form of energy harvesting BLE tags that are each associated with a parcel), energizing devices 520 (e.g., mounted on the shelving units within the retail store), and wireless communication devices 560 (e.g., in the form of ESLs that are mounted on the shelving units, where the ESLs are powered and controlled by an electric rail mounted within the shelving units).

[0099] During operation of the infrastructure 500 of FIG. 5, the energizing devices 520 can send (e g., transmit) energizing signals to the wireless communication devices 510 (e.g., tags).The wireless communication devices 510 can receive the energizing signals and harvest energy from the energizing signals to energize themselves. After the wireless communication devices 510 have harvested enough energy to be able to transmit, the wireless communication devices 510 (e.g., tags) can send (e.g., transmit) beacon frames. In one or more examples, the wireless communication devices 510 can be configured to transmit beacon frames for a certain period of time or for a certain number of transmissions, based on a waveform of the received energizing signals transmitted from the energizing devices 520. In some examples, the wireless communication devices 510 can be configured to transmit beacon frames, based on a certain class or type of the energizing devices 520 (e.g., beacon frames that are compatible with a certain class or type of energizing device 520).

[0100] In one or more examples, the wireless communication devices 560 (e.g., ESLs), which are located within the vicinity of the wireless communication devices 510 (e.g., tags), can receive the beacon frames from the wireless communication devices 510 (e.g., tags). In some examples, a receiver (e.g., a mobile device) may receive the beacon frames. In response to receiving the beacon frames, the receiver may not perform an interrogation itself, but rather may relay the information within the beacon frames to the ERP system 450.

[0101] In one or more aspects, the energizing devices 520 may jointly perform beam sweeping over a certain region and trigger the wireless communication devices 510 (e.g., to send response signals including identifying information) located within that region. In one or more examples, the energizing devices 520 can trigger the wireless communication devices 510, based on a type of the wireless communication devices 510, a region for location of the wireless communication devices 510, a region centered around a specific location for the wireless communication devices 510, on certain period of time, or a certain number of transmissions. In one or more examples, the beam sweeping may be performed in an efficient non-overlapping manner such that different energizing devices 520 do not energize the same set of the wireless communication devices 510 (e.g., tags).

[0102] For example, within a retail store scenario, a store employee or store robot may enter an aisle for performing an inventory7of items or products located within the aisle. Wireless communication devices (e.g., tags) located within the aisle may be pre-emptively triggered by energizing devices (e.g., associated with the store employee or store robot) to send (e.g., transmit) beacon frames. The energizing devices may receive the transmitted beacon frames.

[0103] For another example, a device (e.g., mobile phone) associated with a user (e.g., customer) within a retail store may not have the capability to interrogate wireless communication devices (e.g., tags) within the retail store of a certain frequency and / or type. The device may pre-emptively trigger energizing devices located within the store to trigger the wireless communication devices (e.g., tags) to transmit beacon frames. The device (e.g., mobile phone) can receive the transmitted beacon frames.

[0104] FIG. 6 shows example of signaling (e g., for a proprietary use case) for pre-emptively triggering wireless communication devices. In particular, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of signaling 600 for an energizing device 620 triggering wireless communication devices 640 (e.g., ambient IOT devices, which may be in the form of tags). In FIG. 6, the signaling 600 is shown for a system including an ERP server 610 (e.g., such as ERP server 550 of FIG. 5), mobile devices 620 (e.g., mobile devices, such as smart phones, that may each be associated with a user and may not have energizing capabilities), a gateway node 630 (e.g., which may be in the form of a management entity, such as management entity 130 of FIG. 1), the wireless communication devices 640, and an energizing device 650.

[0105] During operation of the system for FIG. 6, the ERP server 610 may send (e.g., transmit) a capability request 605 to the mobile devices 620 requesting a capability report from the mobile devices 620 regarding their respective capabilities. In response, the mobile devices 620 may each transmit a capability report 625 including their respective capabilities to the ERP server 610.

[0106] The ERP server 610 may send (e.g., transmit) a capability request 615 to the gateway node 630 requesting a capability report including capabilities of the wireless communication devices 640. The gateway node 630, in response, may transmit a capability report 635 including the capabilities of the wireless communication devices 640 (and, optionally, a mapping of the RFID type and current location for each of the wireless communication devices 640 for a specific type of scanning to be performed) to the ERP server 610. In one or more examples, the capability' report 635 can also include information regarding the store or warehouse layout and / or currently known or expected locations of the w ireless communication devices 640.

[0107] In one or more examples, in response to receiving the capability reports 625, 635, the ERP server 610 may send (e.g., transmit) assistance data 645 to the mobile devices 620. In one or more examples, the assistance data 645 can include capabilities of the wirelesscommunication devices 640, a mapping between the wireless communication devices 640 (e.g., including their RFID type and frequency) and the location of the energizing device 650, security and decoding information required by the energizing device 650 to interpret the identifiers (e g., unique assigned identifications) of the wireless communication devices 640, and a mapping between states for the energizing device 650 and the location of the energizing device 650.

[0108] The ERP server 610 may send (e.g., transmit) a location request 655 to the mobile devices 620. In response to receiving the location request 655, the mobile devices 620 can each send (e g., transmit) a location report 660 (e.g., including their respective locations) to the ERP server 610. In response to receiving the location reports 660, the ERP server 610 may send instructions 665 to the energizing device 650. In one or more examples, the instructions 665 may include an instruction to the energizing device 650 to trigger wireless communication devices 640 of a certain type, located within a certain region (e.g., of the retail store), located within a region centered around a specific location (e.g., within the retail store), for a certain period of time, and / or for a certain number of transmissions (e.g., beacon frame transmissions).

[0109] In response to receiving the instructions 665, the energizing device 650 may energize and interrogate 670 the wireless communication devices 640, according to the instructions 665. In response to being energized and interrogated, the wireless communication devices 640 may send (e.g., transmit) their unique identifiers 675 to the mobile devices 620. In response to receiving the unique identifiers 675, the mobile devices 620 can send (e.g., report 680) the received identifier information to the gateway node 630. In response, the gateway node 630 may, optionally, send (e.g., transmit or provide 685) to the mobile devices 620 information associated with the wireless communication devices 640, where the information may have been stored within an existing database associated with the gateway node 630.

[0110] FIG. 7 shows an example of signaling (e.g.. for a 3GPP use case) for pre-emptively triggering wireless communication devices. In particular, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of signaling 700 for an energizing device 750 triggering wireless communication devices 740 (e g., ambient IOT devices, which may be in the form of tags). In FIG. 7, the signaling 700 is shown for a system including an ERP server 710 (e.g., which may be in the form of an LMF, such as ERP server 550 of FIG. 5), mobile devices 720 (e.g., mobile devices, such as smart phones, that may each associated with a user and may not have energizingcapabilities), a gateway node 730 (e.g., which may be in the form of a management entity, such as management entity 130 of FIG. 1), the wireless communication devices 740, and an energizing device 750.

[0111] During operation of the system for FIG. 7, the ERP server 710 may send (e.g., transmit) a capability request 705 to the mobile devices 720 requesting a capability report from the mobile devices 720 regarding their respective capabilities. In response, the mobile devices 720 can each transmit a capability report 725 including their respective capabilities to the ERP server 710.

[0112] The ERP server 710 can send (e.g., transmit) a capability request 715 to the gateway node 730 requesting a capability report including capabilities of the wireless communication devices 740. In response, the gateway node 730 can send (e.g., transmit) a capability' report 735 (e.g., an ambient device information response) including the capabilities of the wireless communication devices 740 (and, optionally, including a mapping of the RFID type and current location for each of the wireless communication devices 740 for a specific type of scanning to be performed) to the ERP server 710. In one or more examples, the capability report 735 may also include information regarding the store or warehouse layout and / or currently known or expected locations of the wireless communication devices 740.

[0113] In response to receiving the capability reports 725, 735, the ERP server 710 may send (e.g., transmit) assistance data 745 to the mobile devices 720. The assistance data 745 may include capabilities of the wireless communication devices 740, a mapping between the wireless communication devices 740 (e.g., including their RFID type and frequency) and the location of the energizing device 750, security and decoding information required by the energizing device 750 to interpret the identifiers (e.g., unique assigned identifications) of the wireless communication devices 740, and a mapping between states for the energizing device 750 and the location of the energizing device 750.

[0114] The ERP server 710 may send (e.g., transmit) a location request 755 to the mobile devices 720. In response to receiving the location request 755, the mobile devices 720 may each send (e.g., transmit) a location report 760 (e.g.. including their respective locations) to the ERP server 710. In response to receiving the location reports 760, the ERP server 710 can send instructions 765 (e.g., as an on-demand request) to the energizing device 750. In one or more examples, the instructions 765 can include an instruction to the energizing device 750 to triggerwireless communication devices 740 of a certain type, located within a certain region (e.g., of the retail store), located within a region centered around a specific location (e.g.. within the retail store), for a certain period of time, and / or for a certain number of transmissions (e.g.. beacon frame transmissions).

[0115] In response to receiving the instructions 765, the energizing device 750 can energize and interrogate 770 the wireless communication devices 740, according to the instructions 765. In response to being energized and interrogated, the wireless communication devices 740 can send (e.g., transmit) their unique identifiers 775 to the mobile devices 720. In response to receiving the unique identifiers 775, the mobile devices 720 can send (e.g., report 780) the received identifier information to the gateway node 730. In response, the gateway node 730 can, optionally, send (e.g., transmit or provide 785) to the mobile devices 720 information associated with the wireless communication devices 740, where the information may have been stored within an existing database associated with the gateway node 730.

[0116] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a process 800 for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices). The process 800 can be performed by a device (e.g., energizing device 320 of FIG. 3 or energizing device 520 of FIG. 5) or by a component or system (e.g., a chipset) of the device. The operations of the process 800 may be implemented as software components that are executed and run on one or more processors (e g , processor 210 of FIG. 2, processor 1110 of FIG. 11, and / or other processor(s)). Further, the transmission and reception of signals by the device in the process 800 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas and / or one or more transceivers, such as one or more wireless transceiver(s) (e.g.. communication component 235 of FIG. 2, communication interface 1140 of FIG. 11, and / or other antenna and / or transceiver).

[0117] At block 810, the device (or component thereof) can transmit (or output for transmission, to a wireless communication device, a signal (e.g., an energizing signal), based on a pre-configuration of the device to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device. As noted previously, in some cases, the device may be an energizing device, in which case the signal is an energizing signal for energizing the wireless communication device. In such cases, the energizing device is capable of opportunistic probing of the wireless communication device.

[0118] In some aspects, the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction includes the pre-configuration of the device to transmit on a periodic basis in the specific direction. In some cases, the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction specifies transmitting an antenna beam including the signal on a periodic basis in the specific direction towards the wireless communication device.

[0119] In some cases, the presence of the wireless communication device is based on a detection of the wireless communication device using a camera, radio frequency-based detection, and / or other device or technique.

[0120] At block 820, the device (or component thereof) can receive, from the wireless communication device (which is energized by the signal), a response signal including identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

[0121] In some aspects, the device (or component thereof) can operate in a mode of operation including an omnidirectional mode, a directional mode, a beam sweep mode, or an inactive mode. In some cases, the device (or component thereof) can operate in the omnidirectional mode for discovering the wireless communication device. In some examples, the device (or component thereof) can operate in the omnidirectional mode when broadly inquiring about one or more assets. In some examples, the device (or component thereof) can operate in the beam sweep mode when searching for a specific type of asset. In some cases, the device (or component thereof) can switch the mode of operation to a different mode of operation based on a location of a user of the wireless communication device, a context of an action of the user, a pre-configured interrogation, and / or other factors.

[0122] In some examples, the device (or component thereof) can receive a capability7request requesting capabilities of the device. In some cases, device (or component thereof) can output a capability report including one or more capabilities of the device. For instance, the one or more capabilities can include a capability to support radio frequency identification technology, a capability to energize devices, a beamforming capability', a capability7to operate as a radio, a capability7to operate as a relay, a capability7to operate as a camera, a capability to operate with transparency, a capability to display a graphical user interface including information related to one or more assets associated with the wireless communication device, and / or other capabilities.

[0123] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a process 900 for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices). The process 900 can be performed by a devices (e.g.. energizing device 320 of FIG. 3 and / or energizing device 520 of FIG. 5) or by a component or system (e g., a chipset) of the energizing device. The operations of the process 900 may be implemented as software components that are executed and run on one or more processors (e.g., processor 210 of FIG. 2, processor 1110 of FIG. 11, and / or other processor(s)). Further, the transmission and reception of signals by the device in the process 900 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas and / or one or more transceivers, such as one or more wireless transceiver(s) (e.g., communication component 235 of FIG. 2, communication interface 1140 of FIG. 11, and / or other antenna and / or transceiver).

[0124] At block 910, the device (or component thereof) can output a plurality of signals over a region. In some cases, the plurality of signals include a plurality7of sweeping beams. In some aspects, the device (or component thereof) can transmit (or output for transmission) the plurality of signals such that each beam of the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other beams of the plurality of sweeping beams. In some cases, the device (or component thereof) can transmit (or output for transmission) the plurality7of signals such that the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other sweeping beams transmitted by one or more other devices.

[0125] At block 920, the device (or component thereof) can receive, from wireless communication devices located within the region (which are energized by at least one of the plurality of signals), response signals based on the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality of signals. In some examples, the response signals include identifying information associated with the wireless communication devices.

[0126] FIG. 10 is a flow7chart illustrating an example of a process 1000 for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices (e.g., ambient IOT devices). The process 1000 can be performed by a wireless communication device (e.g., wireless communication device 120 ofFIG. 1, wireless communication device 510 of FIG. 5, and / or wireless communication device 560 of FIG. 5) or by a component or system (e.g., a chipset) of the one or more wireless communication devices. The operations of the process 1000 may be implemented as software components that are executed and run on one or more processors (e.g., processor 210 of FIG. 2, processor 1110 of FIG. 11, and / or other processor(s)). Further, the transmission andreception of signals by the wireless communications device in the process 1000 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas and / or one or more transceivers, such as one or more wireless transceiver(s) (e.g., communication component 235 of FIG. 2, communication interface 1140 of FIG. 11, and / or other antenna and / or transceiver).

[0127] At block 1010, the wireless communication device (or component thereof) can receive, from a device, a signal. For instance, the signal may be an energizing signal configured to energize the wireless communication device.

[0128] At block 1020, the wireless communication device (or component thereof) can transmit, based on receiving the signal, beacon frames for a period of time or a number of transmissions. For instance, the beacon frames may be based on a class or type of the device (e.g., beacon frames that are compatible with a certain class or type of energizing device 520). For instance, referring to FIG. 5 as an illustrative example, after the wireless communication devices 510 have harvested enough energy to be able to transmit, the wireless communication devices 510 (e.g., tags) can send (e.g., transmit) beacon frames. In one or more examples, the wireless communication devices 510 can be configured to transmit beacon frames for a certain period of time or for a certain number of transmissions, based on a waveform of the received energizing signals transmitted from the energizing devices 520.

[0129] The one or more energizing devices and / or the one or more wireless communication devices may 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, one or more receivers, transmitters, and / or transceivers, and / or other component(s) that are configured to carry out the steps of processes described herein. In some examples, the computing device may 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 may be configured to communicate and / or receive Internet Protocol (IP) based data or other type of data.

[0130] The components of the one or more energizing devices and / or the one or more wireless communication devices configured to perform the process 800 of FIG. 8, the process 900 of FIG. 9, and / or the process 1000 of FIG. 10 can be implemented in circuitry. For example, 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.

[0131] The process 800 of FIG. 8, the process 900 of FIG. 9, and the process 1000 of FIG. 10 are each 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. In the context of computer instructions, 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. Generally, 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.

[0132] Additionally, the process 800 of FIG. 8, the process 900 of FIG. 9, the process 1000 of FIG. 10 and / or any other process described herein may be performed under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions and may 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. As noted above, the code may be stored on a computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, for example, in the form of a computer program including a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors. The computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium may be non-transitoiy.

[0133] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing system 1100, which may be employed by the disclosed systems and techniques for opportunistic probing of wireless communication devices, such as ambient IOT devices. In particular, FIG. 11 illustrates an example of computing system 1100, which can be, for example, any computing device making up internal computing system, a remote computing system, a camera, or any component thereof in which the components of the system are in communication with each other using connection 1105. Connection 1105 can be a physical connection using a bus, or a direct connection intoprocessor 1110, such as in a chipset architecture. Connection 1105 can also be a virtual connection, networked connection, or logical connection.

[0134] In some aspects, computing system 1100 is a distributed system in which the functions described in this disclosure can be distributed within a data center, multiple data centers, a peer network, etc. In some aspects, one or more of the described system components represents many such components each performing some or all of the function for which the component is described. In some aspects, the components can be physical or virtual devices.

[0135] Example system 1100 includes at least one processing unit (CPU or processor) 1110 and connection 1105 that communicatively couples various system components including system memory 1115, such as read-only memory (ROM) 1120 and random access memory (RAM) 1125 to processor 1110. Computing system 1100 can include a cache 1112 of highspeed memory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of processor 1110.

[0136] Processor 1110 can include any general purpose processor and a hardware service or software service, such as services 1132, 1134, and 1136 stored in storage device 1130, configured to control processor 1110 as well as a special-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporated into the actual processor design. Processor 11 10 may essentially be a completely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric.

[0137] To enable user interaction, computing system 1100 includes an input device 1145, which 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, etc. Computing system 1100 can also include output device 1135, which can be one or more of a number of output mechanisms. In some instances, multimodal systems can enable a user to provide multiple types of input / output to communicate with computing system 1 100.

[0138] Computing system 1100 can include communications interface 1140, which can generally govern and manage the user input and system output. The communication interface may perform or facilitate receipt and / or transmission wired or wireless communications using wired and / or wireless transceivers, including those making use of an audio jack / plug, a microphone jack / plug, a universal serial bus (USB) port / plug, an Apple™ Lightning™port / plug, an Ethernet port / plug, a fiber optic port / plug, a proprietary wired port / plug, 3G, 4G, 5G and / or other cellular data network wireless signal transfer, a Bluetooth™ wireless signal transfer, a Bluetooth™ low energy (BLE) wireless signal transfer, an IBEACON™ wireless signal transfer, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) wireless signal transfer, near-field communications (NFC) wireless signal transfer, dedicated short range communication (DSRC) wireless signal transfer, 802.11 Wi-Fi wireless signal transfer, wireless local area network (WLAN) signal transfer. Visible Light Communication (VLC), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Infrared (IR) communication wireless signal transfer, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) signal transfer, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) signal transfer, ad-hoc network signal transfer, radio wave signal transfer, microwave signal transfer, infrared signal transfer, visible light signal transfer, ultraviolet light signal transfer, wireless signal transfer along the electromagnetic spectrum, or some combination thereof.

[0139] The communications interface 1140 may also include one or more range sensors (e.g., light-based sensors, laser range finders, RF-based sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and infrared (IR) sensors) configured to collect data and provide measurements to processor 1110, whereby processor 1110 can be configured to perform determinations and calculations needed to obtain various measurements for the one or more range sensors. In some examples, the measurements can include time of flight, wavelengths, azimuth angle, elevation angle, range, linear velocity and / or angular velocity, or any combination thereof. The communications interface 1 140 may also include one or more Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers or transceivers that are used to determine a location of the computing system 1100 based on receipt of one or more signals from one or more satellites associated with one or more GNSS systems. GNSS systems include, but are not limited to, the US-based GPS, the Russia-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the China-based BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), and the Europe-based Galileo GNSS. 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.

[0140] Storage device 1130 can be a non-volatile and / or non-transitory and / or computer- readable memory device 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, a floppy disk, aflexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, a magnetic strip / stripe, any other magnetic storage medium, flash memory, memristor memory, any other solid-state memory, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) optical disc, a rewritable compact disc (CD) optical disc, digital video disk (DVD) optical disc, a blu-ray disc (BDD) optical disc, a holographic optical disk, another optical medium, a secure digital (SD) card, a micro secure digital (microSD) card, a Memory Stick® card, a smartcard chip, a EMV chip, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a mini / micro / nano / pico SIM card, another integrated circuit (IC) chip / card, random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory' (EEPROM), flash EPROM (FLASHEPROM). cache memory (e.g., Level 1 (LI) cache, Level 2 (L2) cache, Level 3 (L3) cache, Level 4 (L4) cache, Level 5 (L5) cache, or other (L#) cache), resistive random-access memory (RRAM / ReRAM), phase change memory (PCM), spin transfer torque RAM (STT- RAM), another memory chip or cartridge, and / or a combination thereof.

[0141] The storage device 1130 can include software services, servers, services, etc., that when the code that defines such software is executed by the processor 1110, it causes the system to perform a function. In some aspects, a hardware service 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 1110, connection 1105, output device 1135, etc., to carry' out the function. The term “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, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash memory’, memory or memory devices. 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 viaany suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, or the like.

[0142] Specific details are provided in the description above to provide a thorough understanding of the aspects and examples provided herein, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the application is not limited thereto. Thus, while illustrative aspects of the application have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art. Various features and aspects of the above-described application may be used individually or jointly. Further, aspects can be utilized in any number of environments and applications beyond those described herein without departing from the broader scope of the specification. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. For the purposes of illustration, methods were described in a particular order. It should be appreciated that in alternate aspects, the methods may be performed in a different order than that described.

[0143] For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present technology may be presented as including individual functional blocks including devices, device components, steps or routines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardware and software. Additional components may be used other than those shown in the figures and / or described herein. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the aspects in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the aspects.

[0144] Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varyingways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0145] Individual aspects may be described above as a process or method which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. 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. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.

[0146] 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. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used to store instructions, information used, and / or information created during methods according to described examples include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory. USB devices provided with non-volatile memory, networked storage devices, and so on.

[0147] In some aspects the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, and memories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bitstream and the like. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readable storage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

[0148] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof, insome cases depending in part on the particular application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc.

[0149] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed using hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof, and can take any of a variety of form factors. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary' tasks (e.g., a computer-program product) may be stored in a computer-readable or machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks. Examples of 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. Functionality7described 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.

[0150] 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.

[0151] 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, algorithms, and / or operations 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 memory7(NVRAM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), 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.

[0152] 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. Such a processor may be configured to perform any’ of the techniques described in this disclosure. 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.

[0153] One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the less than (“<”) and greater than (“>”) symbols or terminology’ used herein can be replaced with less than or equal to (“<”) and greater than or equal to (“>”) symbols, respectively, without departing from the scope of this description.

[0154] Where components are described as being “configured to” perform certain operations, 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.

[0155] The phrase “coupled to” or “communicatively 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 othercomponent over a wired or wireless connection, and / or other suitable communication interface) either directly or indirectly.

[0156] 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. For example, 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. In another example, 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, A and B and C, or any duplicate information or data (e.g., A and A, B and B, C and C, A and A and B, and so on), or any other ordering, duplication, or combination of A. 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. For example, claim language reciting “at least one of A and B” or “at least one of A or B” may mean A, B, or A and B, and may additionally include items not listed in the set of A and B. The phrases “at least one” and “one or more” are used interchangeably herein.

[0157] Claim language or other language reciting “at least one processor configured to,” “at least one processor being configured to,” “one or more processors configured to,” “one or more processors being configured to,” or the like indicates that one processor or multiple processors (in any combination) can perform the associated operation(s). For example, claim language reciting “at least one processor configured to: X, Y, and Z” means a single processor can be used to perform operations X, Y, and Z; or that multiple processors are each tasked with a certain subset of operations X, Y, and Z such that together the multiple processors perform X,Y, and Z; or that a group of multiple processors work together to perform operations X. Y, andZ. In another example, claim language reciting “at least one processor configured to: X, Y, and Z” can mean that any single processor may only perform at least a subset of operations X, Y, and Z.

[0158] Where reference is made to one or more elements performing functions (e.g., steps of a method), one element may perform all functions, or more than one element may collectively perform the functions. When more than one element collectively performs the functions, each function need not be performed by each of those elements (e.g., different functions may be performed by different elements) and / or each function need not be performed in whole by only one element (e.g., different elements may perform different sub-functions of a function).Similarly, where reference is made to one or more elements configured to cause another element (e.g., an apparatus) to perform functions, one element may be configured to cause the other element to perform all functions, or more than one element may collectively be configured to cause the other element to perform the functions.

[0159] Where reference is made to an entity (e.g.. any entity or device described herein) performing functions or being configured to perform functions (e.g., steps of a method), the entity may be configured to cause one or more elements (individually or collectively) to perform the functions. The one or more components of the entity may include at least one memory, at least one processor, at least one communication interface, another component configured to perform one or more (or all) of the functions, and / or any combination thereof. Where reference to the entity performing functions, the entity may be configured to cause one component to perform all functions, or to cause more than one component to collectively perform the functions. When the entity is configured to cause more than one component to collectively perform the functions, each function need not be performed by each of those components (e.g., different functions may be performed by different components) and / or each function need not be performed in whole by only one component (e.g., different components may perform different sub-functions of a function).

[0160] Illustrative aspects of the disclosure include:

[0161] Aspect 1. A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: output, to a wireless communication device, a signal, based on one of a pre-configuration of the device to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device; and receive, from the wireless communication device, which is energized by the signal, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

[0162] Aspect 2. The device of Aspect 1, wherein the device is an energizing device, and the signal is an energizing signal for energizing the wireless communication device.

[0163] Aspect 3. The device of Aspect 2, wherein the energizing device is capable of opportunistic probing of the wireless communication device.

[0164] Aspect 4. The device of any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction comprises the pre-configuration of the device to transmit on a periodic basis in the specific direction.

[0165] Aspect 5. The device of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the device to operate in a mode of operation comprising one of an omnidirectional mode, a directional mode, a beam sweep mode, or an inactive mode.

[0166] Aspect 6. The device of Aspect 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the device to operate in the omnidirectional mode for discovering the wireless communication device.

[0167] Aspect 7. The device of Aspect 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the device to operate in the omnidirectional mode when broadly inquiring about one or more assets.

[0168] Aspect 8. The device of any one of Aspects 5 to 7, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the device to operate in the beam sweep mode when searching for a specific type of asset.

[0169] Aspect 9. The device of any one of Aspects 5 to 8, wherein the at least one processor is configured to switch the mode of operation to a different mode of operation based on at least one of a location of a user of the wireless communication device, a context of an action of the user, or a pre-configured interrogation.

[0170] Aspect 10. The device of any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction specifies transmitting an antenna beam comprising the signal on a periodic basis in the specific direction towards the wireless communication device.

[0171] Aspect 11. The device of any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the presence of the wireless communication device is based on a detection of the wireless communication device using at least one of a camera or radio frequency-based detection.

[0172] Aspect 12. The device of any one of Aspects 1 to 11. wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive a capability request requesting capabilities of the device.

[0173] Aspect 13. The device of any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured to output a capability report comprising one or more capabilities of the device.

[0174] Aspect 14. The device of Aspect 13, wherein the one or more capabilities comprise at least one of a capability to support radio frequency identification technology, a capability to energize devices, a beamforming capability, a capability to operate as a radio, a capability to operate as a relay, a capability to operate as a camera, a capability to operate with transparency, or a capability to display a graphical user interface comprising information related to one or more assets associated with the wireless communication device.

[0175] Aspect 15. A method of wireless communication performed at a device, the method comprising: transmitting, by the device to a wireless communication device, a signal based on one of a pre-configuration of the device to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device; and receiving, by the device from the wireless communication device, which is energized by the signal, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

[0176] Aspect 16. The method of Aspect 15, wherein the device is an energizing device, and the signal is an energizing signal for energizing the wireless communication device.

[0177] Aspect 17. The method of Aspect 16, wherein the energizing device is capable of opportunistic probing of the wireless communication device.

[0178] Aspect 18. The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 17, wherein the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction comprises the pre-configuration of the device to transmit on a periodic basis in the specific direction.

[0179] Aspect 19. The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 18, further comprising operating the device in a mode of operation comprising one of an omnidirectional mode, a directional mode, a beam sweep mode, or an inactive mode.

[0180] Aspect 20. The method of Aspect 19, wherein the device operates in the omnidirectional mode for discovering the wireless communication device.

[0181] Aspect 21. The method of Aspect 19, wherein the device operates in the omnidirectional mode when broadly inquiring about one or more assets.

[0182] Aspect 22. The method of any one of Aspects 19 to 21, wherein the device operates in the beam sweep mode when searching for a specific type of asset.

[0183] Aspect 23. The method of any one of Aspects 19 to 22, further comprising switching, by the device, the mode of operation to a different mode of operation based on at least one of a location of a user of the wireless communication device, a context of an action of the user, or a pre-configured interrogation.

[0184] Aspect 24. The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 23, wherein the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction specifies transmitting an antenna beam comprising the signal on a periodic basis in the specific direction towards the wireless communication device.

[0185] Aspect 25. The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 24, wherein the presence of the wireless communication device is based on a detection of the wireless communication device using at least one of a camera or radio frequency based detection.

[0186] Aspect 26. The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 25, further comprising receiving, by the device, a capability request requesting capabilities of the device.

[0187] Aspect 27. The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 26, further comprising transmitting, by the device, a capability report comprising one or more capabilities of the device.

[0188] Aspect 28. The method of Aspect 27, wherein the one or more capabilities comprise at least one of a capability to support radio frequency identification technology, a capability to energize devices, a beamforming capability, a capability to operate as a radio, a capability to operate as a relay, a capability to operate as a camera, a capability to operate with transparency, or a capability to display a graphical user interface comprising information related to one or more assets associated with the wireless communication device.

[0189] Aspect 29. A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to:output a plurality of signals over a region; and receive, from wireless communication devices located within the region, which are energized by at least one of the plurality of signals, response signals based on the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality of signals.

[0190] Aspect 30. The device of Aspect 29. wherein the plurality of signals comprise a plurality of sweeping beams.

[0191] Aspect 31. The device of Aspect 30, wherein the at least one processor is configured to output the plurality of signals for transmission such that each beam of the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other beams of the plurality of sweeping beams.

[0192] Aspect 32. The device of any one of Aspects 30 or 31, wherein the at least one processor is configured to output the plurality of signals for transmission such that the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other sweeping beams transmitted by one or more other devices.

[0193] Aspect 33. The device of any one of Aspects 29 to 32, wherein the response signals comprise identifying information associated with the wireless communication devices.

[0194] Aspect 34. A method of wireless communication performed at a device, the method comprising: transmitting, by the device, a plurality of signals over a region; and receiving, by the device from wireless communication devices located within the region, which are energized by at least one of the plurality' of signals, response signals based on the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality of signals.

[0195] Aspect 35. The method of Aspect 34, wherein the plurality of signals comprise a plurality of sweeping beams.

[0196] Aspect 36. The method of Aspect 35, wherein the plurality' of signals are transmitted such that each beam of the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other beams of the plurality of sweeping beams.

[0197] Aspect 37. The method of any one of Aspects 35 or 36, wherein the plurality7of signals are transmitted such that the plurality7of sweeping beams does not overlap with other sweeping beams transmitted by one or more other devices.

[0198] Aspect 38. The method of any one of Aspects 34 to 37, wherein the response signals comprise identifying information associated with the wireless communication devices.

[0199] Aspect 39. A wireless communication device, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory' and configured to: receive, from a device, signals for energizing the wireless communication device; and output, based on receiving the signals, beacon frames for transmission for a period of time or a number of transmissions.

[0200] Aspect 40. The wireless communication device of Aspect 39, wherein the signals are energizing waveforms.

[0201] Aspect 41. The wireless communication device of any one of Aspects 39 or 40, wherein the beacon frames comprise identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

[0202] Aspect 42. The wireless communication device of any one of Aspects 39 to 41, wherein the beacon frames are based on a class or fype of the device.

[0203] Aspect 43. A method of wireless communication performed at a yvireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving, by the yvireless communication device from a device, a signal for energizing the wireless communication device; and transmitting, by the wireless communication device based on receiving the signal, beacon frames for a period of time or a number of transmissions.

[0204] Aspect 44. The method of Aspect 43, yvherein the beacon frames are based on a class or type of the device.

[0205] Aspect 45. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations according to any one of Aspects 15 to 28.

[0206] Aspect 46. An apparatus comprising one or more means for performing operations according to any one of Aspects 15 to 28.

[0207] Aspect 47. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations according to any one of Aspects 34 to 38.

[0208] Aspect 48. An apparatus comprising one or more means for performing operations according to any one of Aspects 34 to 38.

[0209] Aspect 49. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations according to any one of Aspects 43 or 44.

[0210] Aspect 50. An apparatus comprising one or more means for performing operations according to any one of Aspects 43 or 44.

[0211] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.”

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: output, to a wireless communication device, a signal, based on one of a preconfiguration of the device to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device; and receive, from the wireless communication device, which is energized by the signal, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an energizing device, and the signal is an energizing signal for energizing the wireless communication device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the energizing device is capable of opportunistic probing of the wireless communication device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction comprises the pre-configuration of the device to transmit on a periodic basis in the specific direction.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the device to operate in a mode of operation comprising one of an omnidirectional mode, a directional mode, a beam sweep mode, or an inactive mode.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the device to operate in the omnidirectional mode for discovering the wireless communication device.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the device to operate in the omnidirectional mode when broadly inquiring about one or more assets.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the device to operate in the beam sweep mode when searching for a specific type of asset.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to switch the mode of operation to a different mode of operation based on at least one of a location of a user of the wireless communication device, a context of an action of the user, or a pre-configured interrogation.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction specifies transmitting an antenna beam comprising the signal on a periodic basis in the specific direction towards the wireless communication device.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the presence of the wi reless communication device is based on a detection of the wireless communication device using at least one of a camera or radio frequency -based detection.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive a capability request requesting capabilities of the device.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to output a capability report comprising one or more capabilities of the device.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more capabilities comprise at least one of a capability to support radio frequency identification technology, a capability to energize devices, a beamforming capability, a capability to operate as a radio, a capability to operate as a relay, a capability to operate as a camera, a capability to operate with transparency, or a capability to display a graphical user interface comprising information related to one or more assets associated with the wireless communication device.

15. A method of wireless communication performed at a device, the method comprising: transmitting, by the device to a wireless communication device, a signal based on one of a pre-configuration of the device to transmit in a specific direction, a presence of the wireless communication device, or a location of the wireless communication device; and receiving, by the device from the wireless communication device, which is energized by the signal, a response signal comprising identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the device is an energizing device, and the signal is an energizing signal for energizing the wireless communication device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the energizing device is capable of opportunistic probing of the wireless communication device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction comprises the pre-configuration of the device to transmit on a periodic basis in the specific direction.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising operating the device in a mode of operation comprising one of an omnidirectional mode, a directional mode, a beam sweep mode, or an inactive mode.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the device operates in the omnidirectional mode for discovering the wireless communication device.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the device operates in the omnidirectional mode when broadly inquiring about one or more assets.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the device operates in the beam sw eep mode when searching for a specific type of asset.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising switching, by the device, the mode of operation to a different mode of operation based on at least one of a location of a user of the wireless communication device, a context of an action of the user, or a preconfigured interrogation.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the pre-configuration of the device to transmit in the specific direction specifies transmitting an antenna beam comprising the signal on a periodic basis in the specific direction towards the wireless communication device.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the presence of the wireless communication device is based on a detection of the wireless communication device using at least one of a camera or radio frequency based detection.

26. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving, by the device, a capability request requesting capabilities of the device.

27. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting, by the device, a capability report comprising one or more capabilities of the device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more capabilities comprise at least one of a capability to support radio frequency identification technology, a capability to energize devices, a beamforming capability, a capability to operate as a radio, a capability to operate as a relay, a capability to operate as a camera, a capability to operate with transparency, or a capability to display a graphical user interface comprising information related to one or more assets associated with the wireless communication device.

29. A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: output a plurality of signals over a region; and receive, from wireless communication devices located within the region, which are energized by at least one of the plurality of signals, response signals basedon the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality7of signals.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the plurality of signals comprise a plurality of sweeping beams.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the at least one processor is configured to output the plurality of signals for transmission such that each beam of the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other beams of the plurality of sweeping beams.

32. The device of claim 30, wherein the at least one processor is configured to output the plurality of signals for transmission such that the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other sweeping beams transmitted by one or more other devices.

33. The device of claim 29, wherein the response signals comprise identifying information associated with the wireless communication devices.

34. A method of wireless communication performed at a device, the method comprising: transmitting, by the device, a plurality of signals over a region; and receiving, by the device from wireless communication devices located within the region, w hich are energized by at least one of the plurality of signals, response signals based on the wireless communication devices receiving at least one of the plurality of signals.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the plurality of signals comprise a plurality of sw eeping beams.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of signals are transmitted such that each beam of the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other beams of the plurality of sweeping beams.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of signals are transmitted such that the plurality of sweeping beams does not overlap with other sweeping beams transmitted by one or more other devices.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the response signals comprise identifying information associated with the wireless communication devices.

39. A wireless communication device, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: receive, from a device, signals for energizing the wireless communication device; and output, based on receiving the signals, beacon frames for transmission for a period of time or a number of transmissions.

40. The wireless communication device of claim 39. wherein the signals are energizing waveforms.

41. The wireless communication device of claim 39. wherein the beacon frames comprise identifying information associated with the wireless communication device.

42. The wireless communication device of claim 39, wherein the beacon frames are based on a class or type of the device.

43. A method of wireless communication performed at a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving, by the wireless communication device from a device, a signal for energizing the wireless communication device; and transmitting, by the wireless communication device based on receiving the signal, beacon frames for a period of time or a number of transmissions.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the beacon frames are based on a class or type of the device.

Images