An apparatus and method for bi-directional communication with an external transceiver; the apparatus comprising a transmitter for transmitting an engagement request message from a tag to said external transceiver when said tag is in a non-engaged mode and for transmitting a directed message from said tag to an engaged external transceiver when said tag is in an engaged mode; a processor for bi-directional communication and for changing said engaged mode of said tag to the non-engaged mode, following a lost connection with said engaged external transceiver; and a receiver for receiving a response for said engagement request message from said external transceiver and for receiving an acknowledgement message to said directed message from said engaged external transceiver.