Analog Heterogeneous Connectivity Tags for Multi-Protocol Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic tag devices are costly and complex due to their requirement of multiple communication technologies and the entire communication protocol stack, limiting their functionality to single communication techniques and increasing their cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A programmable and extendible electronic tag device that can operate in transmit-only, receive-only, or transmit/receive modes using multiple communication technologies, storing I/Q samples for each technology and configuring them using a configuration device, allowing for efficient communication without the need for a complete technology-specific protocol stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a tag uses multiple communication technologies, then the communication versatility is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal tag device that can operate with multiple communication technologies (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, RFID) through a single heterogeneous connectivity manager. This manager dynamically configures the tag to support different communication protocols as needed, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for each technology and achieving multi-functionality in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectivity manager dynamically adapts the tag's communication capabilities based on real-time requirements. The system can switch between different communication technologies and configure protocol stacks on-demand, rather than maintaining fixed static configurations for each technology. This dynamic approach allows the tag to optimize its resource usage and support multiple technologies without permanent hardware commitments.
2Reliability
If a tag uses the entire communication protocol stack, then the communication reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication protocol stack into modular components that can be selectively activated. Instead of loading entire protocol stacks for all possible communication technologies, the system divides the protocol requirements into manageable segments and only loads the specific segments needed for the current communication task, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the protocol stack by dynamically loading and unloading protocol components based on the active communication technology. The connectivity manager adjusts the protocol stack configuration parameters in real-time, enabling the tag to use simplified protocols when sufficient and full protocol stacks only when necessary for reliable communication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tag supports multiple communication technologies, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality through a single heterogeneous connectivity manager that can handle multiple communication technologies. This software-based approach allows one manufactured tag design to support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, and RFID technologies through configuration rather than hardware variation, significantly reducing manufacturing costs compared to producing separate dedicated tags for each technology.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manufacturing separate hardware for each communication technology, the system uses software copies and emulations of protocol stacks. The connectivity manager loads virtual representations of different communication protocols as needed, allowing a single physical tag to replicate the functionality of multiple specialized tags without the associated manufacturing costs.
4Ease of operation
If a tag uses preconfigured identity messages, then the communication simplicity is improved, but the functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static preconfigured identity messages into dynamic, adaptable communication capabilities. The connectivity manager can modify and reconfigure message formats, protocols, and communication behaviors in real-time based on the required functionality, allowing the tag to maintain communication simplicity while gaining access to extended functionalities across multiple technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-loading multiple protocol stack options and identity message templates into the tag's memory during manufacturing. However, these are kept inactive until needed, allowing the tag to maintain simple operation by default while having the capability to activate additional functionalities on-demand through the connectivity manager.
Data Source
AI summary
Analog heterogeneous tags and methods and systems to configure the tags are described. The present invention relates to the field of electronic devices and more particularly to electronic tag devices using analog technology. Embodiments herein disclose a tag that can work in at least one of transmit only, receive only or transmit/receive modes and can transmit/receive using a plurality of communication technologies without the complex stack functionality with minimal hardware and memory requirements, wherein the tag uses I/Q samples corresponding to each technology pre-stored on the tag. Embodiments herein also disclose methods and systems for configuring the electronic tags using a configuration device, wherein the configuration device provides the I/Q samples of each technology to the tag.