Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for requesting (601), identifying, locating (610), configuring (640) and provisioning devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ("DHCP"), DHCP options may be used to pass provisioning and other information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service ("DNS") and dynamic DNS ("DDNS") to allow easy identification of devices.
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for requesting (601), identifying, locating (610), configuring (640) and provisioning devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ("DHCP"), DHCP options may be used to pass provisioning and other information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service ("DNS") and dynamic DNS ("DDNS") to allow easy identification of devices.
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for identifying, locating and provisioning individual RFID devices in a network with "personalities" that are appropriate for the roles of the RFID devices. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ("DHCP"), DHCP Options may be used to pass provisioning information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service ("DNS") and dynamic DNS ("DDNS") to allow easy identification of RFID devices.
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for identifying (601 and 605), locating (61 0) and provisioning individual RFID devices in a network with "personalities" (625) that are appropriate for the roles of the RFID devices. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, MAC address information and EPC informati on can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a networ k. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ("DHCP"), DHCP Options may be used to pass provisioning information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service ("DNS") and dynamic DNS ("DDNS") to allow easy identification of RFID devices.
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for requesting (601), identifying, locating (610), configuring (640) and provisioning devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ('DHCP'), DHCP options may be used to pass provisioning and other information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service ('DNS') and dynamic DNS ('DDNS') to allow easy identification of devices.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for the provisioning and redundancy of RFID middleware servers. Middleware servers can be automatically provisioned and RFID device/middleware server associations can be automatically updated. Some implementations of the invention provide for automatic detection of middleware server malfunctions. Some such implementations provide for automated provisioning and automated updating of RFID device/middleware server associations, whether a middleware server is automatically brought online or is manually replaced. Changes and reassignments of the RFID device populations may be accommodated.
Abstract:
Some implementations of the invention involve forming "logical" or "virtual" devices by aggregating a plurality of physical devices. The physical devices may be, for example, controllers, RFID readers and/or storage devices. Some logical devices comprise components of physical devices, such as individual antennas from a plurality of RFID readers. The physical devices may be located near one another or may be distributed over a wide geographical area. Logical device definitions can also be concatenated to include devices having two or more levels of logical device definitions. A single logical device grouping may include physical devices at differing levels of a network hierarchy.
Abstract:
The present invention provides enhanced flexibility regarding the use of media devices, including media communication peripheral devices, in communication sessions (120). Communication sessions can be conducted between devices having differing capabilities(125). According to some implementations, requests for communication sessions may be accepted according to the capabilities and/or preferences indicated for local media communication peripheral devices (135). Some components of an incoming communication signal may be selected for reproduction by a local media communication peripheral device and others may be ignored (150).
Abstract:
The present invention provides for the provisioning and redundancy of RFID middleware servers. Middleware servers can be automatically provisioned and RFID device/middleware server associations can be automatically updated. Some implementations of the invention provide for automatic detection of middleware server malfunctions. Some such implementations provide for automated provisioning and automated updating of RFID device/middleware server associations, whether a middleware server is automatically brought online or is manually replaced. Changes and reassignments of the RFID device populations may be accommodated.