Timothy J Collins

US Patent:

6384727, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Aug 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/630987

Inventors:

Giuseppe Mario Diprizio - Chicago IL
Timothy James Collins - Lockport IL
Patrick L. Rakers - Kildeer IL
Victor Vega - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G08B 1314

US Classification:

3405727, 29846

Abstract:

A capacitively powered radio frequency identification device ( ) comprises a substrate ( ), a conductive pattern ( ) and a circuit ( ). The substrate ( ) has a first surface and a second surface. The conductive pattern is formed on the first surface of the substrate ( ). The conductive pattern has a first electrode ( ) and a second electrode ( ). The first and second electrodes ( ) are isolated from each other by a non-conductive region disposed therebetween. The circuit ( ) comprises polymers. The circuit ( ) is electrically coupled to the first electrode ( ) and the second electrode ( ).

US Patent:

6392544, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Sep 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/669289

Inventors:

Timothy James Collins - Lockport IL
Patrick L. Rakers - Kildeer IL
Richard Stanley Rachwalski - Lemont IL
James G. Quaderer - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumberg IL

International Classification:

G08B 1314

US Classification:

3405727, 3405681, 34082554, 340571, 340539, 3405721, 340 101, 340 102, 340 1031, 340 1032, 340 22, 340 591

Abstract:

A radio frequency identification exciter ( ) includes a plurality of antenna elements ( ) that are spaced to define active areas ( ). A matrix switch ( ) flexibly connects the plurality of antenna elements to an exciter circuit ( ). Independent switches ( ) are selectively switched such that an electric field is generated between at least two antenna elements whereby radio frequency identification tags ( ) in the vicinity of the two antenna elements are capacitively powered to exchange data with the exciter. Antenna elements other than the at least two antenna elements may be selectively coupled to a signal from the exciter circuit that inhibits activation of radio frequency identification tags in the vicinity of those antenna elements. The matrix switch preferably comprises polymer-based circuits.

US Patent:

6466126, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Jan 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/765684

Inventors:

Timothy James Collins - Lockport IL
Patrick Lee Rakers - Kildeer IL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G08B 100

US Classification:

340333, 3405721, 3405727, 340635, 340636, 34082553

Abstract:

A portable data device ( ) having a power controller ( ), a clock generator ( ) and a digital circuit ( ). The power controller ( ) has an output signal. The output signal is representative of available power. The clock generator ( ) is coupled to the output signal of the power controller ( ) for generating a variable clock rate corresponding to the output signal. The digital circuit ( ) is coupled to the clock generator ( ), and the digital circuit ( ) is controlled by the variable clock rate.

US Patent:

6754190, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Oct 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/981031

Inventors:

David P. Gurney - Des Plaines IL
Stephen L. Kuffner - Algonquin IL
Timothy James Collins - Lockport IL
Richard Stanley Rachwalski - Lemont IL
Bruce C. Eastmond - Downers Grove IL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H04Q 700

US Classification:

370329, 370342

Abstract:

A source device ( ) stores predetermined data and establishes a channel selection profile comprising a plurality of channel selections. Each channel selection is derived from a subset of the predetermined data. The source device ( ) transmits at least a portion of the predetermined data over at least a first channel selected from the channel selection profile.

US Patent:

7068169, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

Jun 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/455208

Inventors:

Timothy J. Collins - Lockport IL, US
Patrick L. Rakers - Kildeer IL, US

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G08B 13/14

US Classification:

3405721, 34082571, 34082573, 34082576, 375275, 375326, 375335

Abstract:

A radio frequency identification system comprising a radio reader circuit operable to emit a radio frequency carrier signal modulated with a subcarrier, which has a subcarrier modulation rate. The radio frequency identification tag circuit is operable to extract the subcarrier from the emitted radio frequency carrier signal and the extracted subcarrier then functions as a clock, which operates to assist in the transfer of a modulated backscattered signal to the radio frequency identification reader circuit. The radio frequency identification reader circuit decodes the modulated backscattered signal and the data encoded in the radio frequency identification tag circuit is obtained.

US Patent:

7248165, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Sep 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/937208

Inventors:

Timothy J. Collins - Homer Glen IL, US
David P. Gurney - Carpentersville IL, US
Stephen L. Kuffner - Algonquin IL, US
Richard S. Rachwalski - Lemont IL, US

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G08B 13/14

US Classification:

3405721, 3405727

Abstract:

The present invention provides a multi-band, multi-mode RFID tag that uses a single antenna structure and integrated circuit to provide asset location information at any stage of a supply chain. The unified tag design operates at multiple frequencies (or bands) using the antenna structure, for example, 125 kHz, 13. 56 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2. 45 GHz, and preferably operates electrostatically (at lower frequencies) and electromagnetically (ay higher frequencies). An on-chip frequency monitor in the integrated circuit automatically determines which frequency is present and derives a local clock for the tag's integrated circuit, which can vary in accordance with the frequency or which can be constant. Alternatively, a phase locked loop circuit can be used to derive a local clock signal modulated into the interrogation signal. On-chip matching and power extraction circuits derive power for the tag from the interrogation signal, which is preferably passive.

US Patent:

7411502, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Apr 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/380729

Inventors:

Timothy J. Collins - Homer Glen IL, US
Michael K. Bullock - Wauconda IL, US
Andrew M. Khan - Schaumburg IL, US
Robert A. Perri - Bartlett IL, US
Richard S. Rachwalski - Lemont IL, US

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H04Q 5/22
G08B 13/14
G08B 23/00
G06F 17/00
G06F 19/00
G06F 7/00
G06K 19/06

US Classification:

3405721, 340 101, 340 1051, 3405681, 3405687, 3405727, 3405731, 235375, 235385, 235492, 700214, 700215, 700219, 700220, 700221

Abstract:

A tray () comprises electrically conductive material and has at least one hand-graspable fixture (). This hand-graspable fixture comprises an electrical conductor () disposed in a location that is likely to be operably interacted with by a human who grasps the hand-graspable fixture. A capacitively-coupled RFID tag is then disposed on the hand-graspable fixture with a first antenna plate () being electrically coupled to the tray and a second antenna plate () that electrically couples to the electrical conductor. A corresponding tray receiving compartment () has a front lip () over which the tray must pass and upon which the tray will rest when properly disposed within the tray receiving compartment. One or more capacitively-coupled RFID tag reader antennas () are disposed proximal to the front lip. These antennas may be positioned to facilitate reading the capacitively-coupled RFID tag when the tray is properly disposed within the tray receiving compartment.

US Patent:

7528720, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Apr 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/380724

Inventors:

Timothy J. Collins - Homer Glen IL, US
Katherine M. Devanie - Glendale Heights IL, US
Richard S. Rachwalski - Lemont IL, US

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G08B 13/14

US Classification:

3405721

Abstract:

An identifier of choice is correlated () with a predetermined task that potentially comprises a plurality of discrete human-enabled events. At least some of these discrete human-enabled events are then associated () with a corresponding capacitively-coupled radio frequency identification tag and the identifier then used () to monitor effectuation of the predetermined task. By one approach this monitoring comprises, at least in part, monitoring human-based task effectuation events via the capacitively-coupled radio frequency identification tags.