Active RFID Transponder Power Management via Identifier Buffering

The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing the transponder to switch between active and sleep states. The RF receiver can be activated on-demand rather than remaining continuously active, and the controller transitions between active and low-power states based on operational needs. This dynamic state management resolves the contradiction by adapting the system's operational mode to actual requirements.

The patent employs periodic wake-up cycles where the RF receiver is activated at specific intervals to check for incoming queries, then returns to a low-power state. This periodic activation pattern allows the system to maintain responsiveness while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.

The patent implements periodic wake-up signaling where the reader sends wake-up calls at specific intervals rather than requiring the receiver to be continuously active. The transponder activates its RF receiver periodically to check for these wake-up signals, then returns to sleep mode. This approach extends operational lifetime by minimizing the time the receiver spends in high-power states while maintaining the ability to be quickly awakened when needed.

The transponder autonomously manages its own power state transitions, determining when to wake up and when to return to sleep based on its operational context. This self-service power management allows the device to optimize its own power consumption patterns without external control, thereby extending its operational lifetime.

The patent segments the transponder population into different operational states (active and sleep) and implements selective addressing. Instead of awakening all transponders, the system segments them by their query relevance and only activates those that need to respond. This segmentation approach maintains full query handling capability for relevant transponders while preventing unnecessary power consumption by others.

The patent introduces an intermediary addressing mechanism that acts as a filter between the reader and transponders. The reader uses specific addressing protocols to identify and selectively awaken only those transponders intended for querying, rather than broadcasting to all transponders. This intermediary addressing layer prevents unnecessary power consumption while maintaining the ability to query any transponder when needed.