Systems and/or methods of data acquisition from a transceiver

Abstract

Systems and/or Methods are disclosed for acquiring data from a transceiver responsive to one or more signals that are received at the transceiver from one or more devices. In one embodiment, a transceiver is configured to transmit a signal responsive to having received a first signal from a first device, wherein the signal that is transmitted by the transceiver is configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal. The transceiver is further configured to transmit data responsive to having received the second signal that is transmitted by the second device. In other embodiments, a transceiver is configured to receive a signal from a first device over frequencies of a predetermined frequency band that the first device is authorized to use, to receive a signal from a second device over frequencies of the predetermined frequency band and to transmit data responsive to having received both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device. The transceiver is further configured to require that both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device be received at the transceiver before the data is transmitted. Analogous methods are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of acquiring data from an entity; the method comprising:
 configuring the entity to wirelessly transmit information using frequencies of a predetermined frequency band responsive to receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device;   transmitting the information from the entity using the frequencies of the predetermined frequency band responsive to said configuring and responsive to said receiving at the entity the first signal from the first device;   triggering a second device to transmit a second signal responsive to said transmitting the information from the entity; and   transmitting data from the entity responsive to receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device.   
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transmitting the information by the entity and/or said transmitting data by the entity comprises:
 using by the entity a frequency that is provided by the first signal and/or second signal.   
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 configuring the entity to wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of an unlicensed frequency band;   configuring the entity to wirelessly communicate with the first device using frequencies of a cellular frequency band;   configuring the entity to wirelessly receive information from the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band and to wirelessly relay the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device by using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band; and   configuring the entity to wirelessly receive information from the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band and to wirelessly relay the information that the entity receives from the second device to the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band;   wherein the entity is transportable and/or mobile.   
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said configuring the entity to wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of an unlicensed frequency band comprises:
 receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device; and   configuring the entity to wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band responsive to said receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device.   
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 refraining by the entity from wirelessly communicating with the second device by using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band barring having received at the entity the activation message from the first device.   
     
     
       6. A transceiver comprising:
 a system that is configured to wirelessly transmit information using frequencies of a predetermined frequency band responsive to having received a first signal from h first device;   wherein the system is further configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal responsive to the system having received the first signal from the first device; and   wherein the system is further configured to transmit data responsive to having received the second signal that is transmitted by the second device.   
     
     
       7. The transceiver according to  claim 6 , wherein the system is configured to wirelessly transmit the information and/or the data by using a frequency that is provided by the first signal and/or second signal. 
     
     
       8. The transceiver according to  claim 6 , wherein the system is further configured to:
 wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of an unlicensed frequency band;   wirelessly communicate with the first device using frequencies of a cellular frequency band;   wirelessly receive information from the first device over frequencies of the cellular frequency band and wirelessly relay the information that is received from the first device to the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band; and   wirelessly receive information from the second device over frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band and wirelessly relay the information that is received from the second device to the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band;   wherein the transceiver is transportable and/or mobile.   
     
     
       9. The transceiver according to  claim 8 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive an activation message from the first device for the purpose of configuring the system of the transceiver to wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band. 
     
     
       10. The transceiver according to  claim 9 , wherein the system is further configured to refrain from wirelessly communicating with the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band barring having received the activation message from the first device. 
     
     
       11. A wireless communications method comprising:
 receiving a first signal at an entity from a first device over a short-range wireless link;   transmitting data from the entity to a second device over a long-range link responsive to having received the first signal at the entity from the first device over the short-range wireless link;   receiving a second signal at the entity from the second device over the long-range link; and   exchanging data between the entity and the first device over the short-range wireless link, while refraining from exchanging data between the entity and the second device over the long-range link, responsive to having received the second signal at the entity from the second device over the long-range link.   
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the long-range link comprises a wireless link and wherein transmitting data from the entity to the second device over the long-range link comprises transmitting data using frequencies of a licensed band. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein transmitting data using frequencies of a licensed band comprises transmitting data using frequencies of a cellular, PCS, microwave and/or satellite band of frequencies. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein transmitting data from the entity to the first device over the short-range wireless link comprises transmitting data using frequencies of an unlicensed band. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein transmitting data using frequencies of an unlicensed band comprises transmitting data using ISM band frequencies. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the entity is mobile. 
     
     
       17. A transceiver comprising:
 a system that is configured to receive a first signal from a first device over a short-range wireless link; to transmit data to a second device over a long-range link responsive to having received the first signal from the first device over the short-range wireless link; and to receive a second signal from the second device over the long-range link;   wherein the system is further configured to exchange data with the first device over the short-range wireless link, and to refrain from exchanging data with the second device over the long-range link, responsive to having received the second signal from the second device over the long-range link.   
     
     
       18. The transceiver according to  claim 17 , wherein the long-range link comprises a wireless link and wherein the system is configured to transmit data to the second device over the long-range link using frequencies of a licensed band. 
     
     
       19. The transceiver according to  claim 18 , wherein the frequencies of the licensed band comprise frequencies of a cellular, PCS, microwave and/or satellite band of frequencies. 
     
     
       20. The transceiver according to  claim 17 , wherein the system is configured to transmit data to the first device over the short-range wireless link using frequencies of an unlicensed band. 
     
     
       21. The transceiver according to  claim 20 , wherein the frequencies of the unlicensed band comprise ISM band frequencies. 
     
     
       22. The transceiver according to  claim 17 , wherein the transceiver is mobile. 
     
     
       23. A communications method comprising:
 configuring an entity to wirelessly communicate with a first device using frequencies of a cellular frequency band;   configuring the entity to wirelessly communicate with a second device using frequencies of an unlicensed frequency band;   configuring the entity to wirelessly receive information from the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band and to wirelessly relay the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device by using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band; and   configuring the entity to wirelessly receive information from the second device over frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band and to wirelessly relay the information that the entity receives from the second device to the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band;   wherein the entity is transportable and/or mobile; and   wherein said configuring the entity to wirelessly communicate with a second device using frequencies of an unlicensed frequency band comprises:   wirelessly receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device;   configuring the entity to wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band responsive to said wirelessly receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device; and   refraining by the entity from wirelessly communicating with the second device by using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band barring having received at the entity the activation message from the first device.   
     
     
       24. A transceiver comprising a system that is configured to:
 wirelessly communicate with a first device using frequencies of a cellular frequency band;   wirelessly communicate with a second device using frequencies of an unlicensed frequency band;   wirelessly receive information from the first device over frequencies of the cellular frequency band and wirelessly relay the information that is received from the first device to the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band; and   wirelessly receive information from the second device over frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band and wirelessly relay the information that is received from the second device to the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band;   wherein the system is further configured to wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band responsive to having received an activation message from the first device;   wherein the system is further configured to refrain from wirelessly communicating with the second device by using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band barring having received the activation message from the first device; and   wherein the transceiver is transportable and/or mobile.   
     
     
       25. A method of acquiring data from an entity, the method comprising:
 configuring the entity to wirelessly transmit information using frequencies of a predetermined frequency band responsive to receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device;   transmitting the information from the entity using the frequencies of the predetermined frequency band responsive to said configuring and responsive to said receiving at the entity the first signal from the first device;   triggering a second device to transmit a second signal responsive to said transmitting the information from the entity; and   transmitting data from the entity responsive to receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device;   wherein the predetermined frequency band comprises frequencies of an unlicensed frequency band;   wherein said receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device comprises receiving at the entity the first signal from the first device over frequencies of a cellular frequency band; and   wherein the entity is transportable and/or mobile.   
     
     
       26. The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 configuring the entity to wirelessly receive information from the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band and to wirelessly relay the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device by using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band; and   configuring the entity to wirelessly receive information from the second device over frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band and to wirelessly relay the information that the entity receives from the second device to the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band.   
     
     
       27. The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 wirelessly receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device; and   configuring the entity to wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band responsive to said wirelessly receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device.   
     
     
       28. The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 refraining by the entity from wirelessly communicating with the second device by using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band barring having received at the entity the activation message from the first device.   
     
     
       29. A transceiver comprising:
 a system that is configured to:   wirelessly transmit information using frequencies of a predetermined frequency band responsive to having received a first signal from a first device;   wherein the system is further configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal responsive to the system having received the first signal from the first device; and   wherein the system is further configured to transmit data responsive to having received the second signal that is transmitted by the second device;   wherein the system is configured to receive the first signal from the first device over frequencies of a cellular frequency band and to receive the second signal from the second device over frequencies of an unlicensed frequency band;   wherein the transceiver is transportable and/or mobile.   
     
     
       30. The transceiver according to  claim 29 , wherein the system is further configured to:
 wirelessly receive information from the first device over frequencies of the cellular frequency band and wirelessly relay the information that is received from the first device to the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band; and   wirelessly receive information from the second device over frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band and wirelessly relay the information that is received from the second device to the first device using frequencies of the cellular frequency band.   
     
     
       31. The transceiver according to  claim 29 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive an activation message from the first device for the purpose of configuring the system of the transceiver to wirelessly communicate with the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band. 
     
     
       32. The transceiver according to  claim 31 , wherein the system is further configured to refrain from wirelessly communicating with the second device using frequencies of the unlicensed frequency band barring having received the activation message from the first device. 
     
     
       33. An interrogator comprising a first transceiver;
 wherein the first transceiver is configured to communicate with a transponder using a first link comprising a wireless short-range link;   wherein the first transceiver is further configured to wirelessly transmit an interrogation and to wirelessly receive a response to the interrogation using a Time Division Duplex Multiplexing protocol;   wherein the first transceiver is further configured to wirelessly transmit a plurality of interrogations, comprising a periodic sequence of interrogations and a time separation between successive interrogations of less than 0.5 seconds;   wherein the first transceiver is further configured to wirelessly receive a data packet comprising an identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder followed by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field, responsive to an interrogation of said plurality of interrogations having triggered the transponder to provide a response; and   wherein the interrogator is positioned at a location proximate to a highway or road that is being traversed by motor vehicles.   
     
     
       34. The interrogator according to claim 33, wherein the first transceiver is further configured to transmit data to the transponder following having received said data packet but prior to transmitting a second interrogation of said periodic sequence of interrogations that follows said first interrogation. 
     
     
       35. The interrogator according to claim 33, wherein the first transceiver is further configured to receive further information from the transponder following having received said identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder but before receiving said CRC field. 
     
     
       36. The interrogator according to claim 33, further comprising a second transceiver;
 wherein the second transceiver is configured to communicate with a central processing unit (CPU) using a second link that spans a distance exceeding a distance spanned by the first link;   wherein the second transceiver is further configured to communicate with the CPU using a wireless link, a cable link and/or a fiber link; and   wherein the second transceiver comprises a connection to the first transceiver and is further configured to receive information from the CPU and to convey the information that is received from the CPU to the first transceiver and/or to receive information from the first transceiver and to convey the information received from the first transceiver to the CPU.   
     
     
       37. A method of operating an interrogator, the method comprising:
 wirelessly transmitting and receiving by the interrogator using a Time Division Duplex Multiplexing approach;   wirelessly transmitting a plurality of interrogations, comprising a periodic sequence of interrogations and a time separation between successive interrogations of less than 0.5 seconds;   triggering, by an interrogation of said plurality of interrogations, the transponder to provide a response;   responsive to wirelessly transmitting by the interrogator the interrogation of said plurality of interrogations that triggers the transponder to provide the response, wirelessly receiving by the interrogator a data packet comprising an identification field that is uniquely associated with a transponder followed by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field;   wherein the interrogator is positioned at a location proximate to a highway or road that is being traversed by motor vehicles.   
     
     
       38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:
 following receiving the identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder but before receiving the CRC field, wirelessly receiving by the interrogator from the transponder further information.   
     
     
       39. The method according to claim 37, wherein the method further comprises:
 communicating with a central processing unit (CPU) using a wireless link, a cable link and/or a fiber link; and   receiving information from the CPU and conveying the information received from the CPU to the transponder, and receiving information from the transponder and conveying the information received from the transponder to the CPU.   
     
     
       40. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:
 following said wirelessly receiving by the interrogator said data packet, and prior to wirelessly transmitting by the interrogator a second interrogation, of said periodic sequence of interrogations, that follows said first interrogation, wirelessly transmitting by the interrogator data to the transponder.   
     
     
       41. A transponder comprising a transmitter and a receiver;
 wherein the transponder is configured to wirelessly receive and transmit using a Time Division Duplex Multiplexing approach;   wherein the receiver is configured to wirelessly receive a plurality of interrogations from an interrogator comprising a periodic sequence of interrogations and a time separation between successive interrogations of less than 0.5 seconds;   wherein, responsive to an interrogation of said plurality of interrogations, the transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit a data packet, the data packet comprising an identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder followed by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly transmit said data packet by wirelessly transmitting the identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder, followed by wirelessly transmitting the CRC field; and   wherein the transponder is in motion relative to the interrogator.   
     
     
       42. The transponder according to claim 41,
 wherein following having wirelessly transmitted the identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder but before wirelessly transmitting the CRC field, the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly transmit information that has been provided to the transponder by a device external to the transponder.   
     
     
       43. The transponder according to claim 41,
 wherein the transponder is further configured to refrain from responding to at least one interrogation of said plurality of interrogations that are received at the receiver.   
     
     
       44. A method of operating a transponder to provide data to an interrogator, the method comprising:
 wirelessly receiving and transmitting by the transponder using a Time Division Duplex Multiplexing approach;   wirelessly receiving by the transponder, a plurality of interrogations from the interrogator comprising a periodic sequence of interrogations and a time separation between successive interrogations of less than 0.5 seconds; and   responsive to an interrogation of said plurality of interrogations, wirelessly transmitting by the transponder a data packet, the data packet comprising an identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder, followed by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field,   wherein said wirelessly transmitting by the transponder a data packet comprises wirelessly transmitting by the transponder the identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder, followed by wirelessly transmitting by the transponder said CRC field, and   wherein the transponder is in motion relative to the interrogator.   
     
     
       45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the method further comprises:
 following wirelessly transmitting by the transponder the identification field that is uniquely associated with the transponder and before wirelessly transmitting by the transponder said CRC field, wirelessly transmitting by the transponder information that is received by the transponder via a wireless transmission thereto from a device external to the transponder.   
     
     
       46. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:
 refraining by the transponder from responding to at least one interrogation of said plurality of interrogations that are received at the transponder.   
     
     
       47. A method of acquiring data from an entity; the method comprising:
 transmitting from the entity first data responsive to receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device;   triggering a second device to transmit a second signal responsive to said transmitting from the entity the first data;   transmitting second data from the entity responsive to receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device;   communicating with the second device; and   receiving information at the entity from the first device and relaying data based on the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device; and   receiving and processing at the entity information from the second device;   wherein the entity is transportable and/or mobile;   wherein said communicating with the second device comprises:
 receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device; and 
 communicating with the second device responsive to said receiving the activation message at the entity from the first device. 
   
     
     
       48. The method according to claim 47, further comprising:
 refraining by the entity from communicating with the second device barring having received at the entity the activation message from the first device.   
     
     
       49. The method according to claim 47,
 wherein said receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device comprises wirelessly receiving at the entity the first signal from the first device; and   wherein the first device is external to the entity and at a non-zero distance from the entity.   
     
     
       50. The method according to claim 49,
 wherein said transmitting from the entity first data comprises wirelessly transmitting from the entity the first data;   wherein said triggering a second device to transmit a second signal responsive to said transmitting from the entity the first data comprises wirelessly triggering the second device to wirelessly transmit the second signal responsive to said wirelessly transmitting from the entity the first data;   wherein the second device is external to the entity and at a non-zero distance from the entity;   wherein said transmitting second data from the entity comprises wirelessly transmitting the second data from the entity;   wherein said communicating with the second device comprises wirelessly communicating with the second device;   wherein said receiving information at the entity from the first device and relaying data based on the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device comprises wirelessly receiving the information at the entity from the first device and wirelessly relaying the data that is based on the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device;   wherein said receiving and processing at the entity information from the second device comprises wirelessly receiving at the entity and then processing at the entity the information from the second device; and   wherein said receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device comprises wirelessly receiving the activation message at the entity from the first device.   
     
     
       51. The method according to claim 47,
 wherein said transmitting from the entity first data responsive to receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device comprises wirelessly transmitting from the entity the first data responsive to receiving at the entity the first signal from the first device;   wherein said triggering a second device to transmit a second signal responsive to said wirelessly transmitting from the entity the first data comprises wirelessly triggering the second device to wirelessly transmit the second signal responsive to wirelessly transmitting from the entity the first data; and   wherein the second device is external to the entity and at a non-zero distance from the entity.   
     
     
       52. The method according to claim 51,
 wherein said receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device comprises wirelessly receiving at the entity the first signal from the first device;   wherein the first device is external to the entity and at a non-zero distance from the entity;   wherein said transmitting second data from the entity comprises wirelessly transmitting the second data from the entity;   wherein said communicating with the second device comprises wirelessly communicating with the second device;   wherein said receiving information at the entity from the first device and relaying data based on the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device comprises wirelessly receiving the information at the entity from the first device and wirelessly relaying the data that is based on the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device;   wherein said receiving and processing at the entity information from the second device comprises wirelessly receiving at the entity and then processing at the entity the information from the second device; and   wherein said receiving an activation message at the entity from the first device comprises wirelessly receiving the activation message at the entity from the first device.   
     
     
       53. The method according to claim 47, wherein said transmitting from the entity first data further comprises:
 transmitting from the entity first data once per 0.5 seconds.   
     
     
       54. The method according to claim 47, wherein said relaying data based on the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device comprises:
 relaying data based on the information that the entity receives from the first device to the second device once per 0.5 seconds.   
     
     
       55. A transponder comprising a receiver and a transmitter;
 wherein the receiver is configured to receive a first signal from a first device;   wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit first data responsive to having received by the receiver the first signal from the first device;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal by transmitting by the transmitter said first data;   wherein the transponder is configured to transmit second data responsive to having received the second signal from the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to communicate with the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to receive information from the first device and to relay data based on the information that the transponder receives from the first device to the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to receive information from the second device and to process the information that the transponder receives from the second device;   wherein the transponder is transportable and/or mobile; and   wherein the transponder is further configured to communicate with the second device responsive to receiving an activation message to do so from the first device.   
     
     
       56. The transponder according to claim 55, wherein the transponder is further configured to refrain from communicating with the second device barring having received the activation message from the first device. 
     
     
       57. The transponder according to claim 55,
 wherein the receiver is further configured to wirelessly receive the first signal from the first device; and   wherein the first device is external to the transponder and at a non-zero distance from the transponder.   
     
     
       58. The transponder according to claim 57,
 wherein the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly transmit the first data responsive to having wirelessly received by the receiver the first signal from the first device;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly trigger the second device to transmit the second signal by wirelessly transmitting by the transmitter the first data;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly transmit the second data responsive to having wirelessly received the second signal from the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly communicate with the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly receive information from the first device and to wirelessly relay data, that is based on the information that the transponder wirelessly receives from the first device, to the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly receive information from the second device and to process the information that the transponder receives from the second device;   wherein the second device is external to the transponder and at a non-zero distance from the transponder; and   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly communicate with the second device responsive to wirelessly receiving an activation message to do so from the first device.   
     
     
       59. The transponder according to claim 55,
 wherein the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly transmit the first data;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly trigger the second device to wirelessly transmit the second signal by wirelessly transmitting by the transmitter the first data; and   wherein the second device is external to the transponder and at a non-zero distance from the transponder.   
     
     
       60. The transponder according to claim 59,
 wherein the receiver is further configured to wirelessly receive the first signal from the first device;   wherein the first device is external to the transponder and at a non-zero distance from the transponder;   wherein the receiver is further configured to wirelessly receive the first signal from the first device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly transmit the second data responsive to having received the second signal from the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly communicate with the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly receive information from the first device and to relay the data that is based on the information that the transponder receives from the first device to the second device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly receive information from the second device and to process the information that the transponder receives from the second device; and   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly communicate with the second device responsive to wirelessly receiving the activation message to do so from the first device.   
     
     
       61. The transponder according to claim 55, wherein the transponder is further configured to relay data based on the information that the transponder receives from the first device, to the second device, once per 0.5 seconds. 
     
     
       62. A method comprising:
 transmitting a first signal from an entity responsive to receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device that is external to the entity;   triggering a second device that is also external to the entity to transmit a second signal responsive to said transmitting the first signal from the entity;   receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device;   transmitting data from the entity responsive to receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device;   communicating by the entity with the second device; and   responding by the entity to information received at the entity from the first device;   wherein said communicating by the entity with the second device comprises:
 receiving an activation and/or information message at the entity from the first device; and 
 communicating by the entity with the second device responsive to said receiving the activation and/or information message; and 
   wherein said transmitting a first signal from an entity responsive to receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device that is external to the entity comprises:
 receiving at the entity information from the first device and transmitting by the entity the first signal to the second device based on the information that is received at the entity from the first device. 
   
     
     
       63. The method according to claim 62, further comprising:
 refraining from communicating by the entity with the second device barring having received the activation and/or information message at the entity from the first device.   
     
     
       64. The method according to claim 62, further comprising:
 receiving at the entity the second signal directly, and wirelessly, from the second device; and/or   transmitting the data from the entity directly, wirelessly, via cable and/or via fiber to the first device responsive to said receiving at the entity the second signal directly, and wirelessly, from the second device.   
     
     
       65. The method according to claim 64,
 wherein said receiving at the entity the second signal directly, and wirelessly, from the second device comprises:   receiving at the entity the second signal directly, wirelessly and exclusively from the second device.   
     
     
       66. The method according to claim 62, wherein said communicating by the entity with the second device further comprises:
 communicating by the entity with the second device directly and wirelessly.   
     
     
       67. The method according to claim 66, wherein said communicating by the entity with the second device directly and wirelessly comprises:
 communicating by the entity with the second device directly, wirelessly and exclusively.   
     
     
       68. The method according to claim 62,
 wherein said transmitting a first signal from an entity responsive to receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device that is external to the entity comprises wirelessly transmitting the first signal from the entity;   wherein said triggering a second device that is also external to the entity to transmit a second signal comprises wirelessly triggering the second device to wirelessly transmit the second signal;   wherein said receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device comprises wirelessly receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device;   wherein said communicating by the entity with the second device comprises wirelessly communicating by the entity with the second device; and   wherein the second device is external to the entity and at a non-zero distance from the entity.   
     
     
       69. The method according to claim 68,
 wherein said receiving at the entity the first signal from a first device that is external to the entity comprises wirelessly receiving at the entity the first signal from the first device that is external to the entity;   wherein the first device is external to the entity and at a non-zero distance from the entity;   wherein said transmitting data from the entity comprises wirelessly transmitting data from the entity;   wherein said communicating by the entity comprises wirelessly communicating by the entity; and   wherein said receiving an activation and/or information message at the entity comprises wirelessly receiving the activation and/or information message at the entity.   
     
     
       70. The method according to claim 62, wherein said transmitting a first signal from an entity responsive to receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device that is external to the entity further comprises:
 receiving at the entity information from the first device and transmitting by the entity the first signal to the second device based on the information that is received at the entity from the first device once per 0.5 seconds.   
     
     
       71. A transponder comprising a receiver and a transmitter;
 wherein the receiver is configured to receive an information signal from a first device;   wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a first signal responsive to having received by the receiver the information signal from the first device;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal by having transmitted by the transmitter the first signal;   wherein the transponder is configured to receive the second signal;   wherein the transponder is further configured to transmit data responsive to having received the second signal;   wherein the transponder is further configured to receive the information signal from the first device and to transmit the first signal to the second device based on information received from the first device;   wherein the transponder is further configured to receive an activation and/or information message from the first device; and   wherein the transponder is further configured to communicate with the second device responsive to having received the activation and/or information message from the first device.   
     
     
       72. The transponder according to claim 71,
 wherein the transponder is further configured to refrain from communicating with the second device barring having received the activation and/or information message from the first device.   
     
     
       73. The transponder according to claim 71,
 wherein the transponder is further configured to receive the second signal directly, and wirelessly, from the second device; and/or   wherein the transponder is further configured to transmit the data directly, wirelessly, via cable and/or via fiber to the first device responsive to having received the second signal directly, and wirelessly, from the second device.   
     
     
       74. The transponder according to claim 73,
 wherein the transponder is further configured to receive the second signal directly, wirelessly and exclusively from the second device.   
     
     
       75. The transponder according to claim 71,
 wherein the transponder is further configured to communicate with the second device directly and wirelessly.   
     
     
       76. The transponder according to claim 75,
 wherein the transponder is further configured to communicate with the second device directly, wirelessly and exclusively.   
     
     
       77. The transponder according to claim 71,
 wherein the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly transmit the first signal;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly trigger the second device to wirelessly transmit the second signal;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly receive the second signal;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly communicate with the second device; and   wherein the second device is external to the transponder and at a non-zero distance from the transponder.   
     
     
       78. The transponder according to claim 77,
 wherein the receiver is further configured to wirelessly receive the information signal from the first device;   wherein the first device is external to the transponder and at a non-zero distance from the transponder;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly transmit data responsive to having received the second signal;   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly receive an activation and/or information message from the first device; and   wherein the transponder is further configured to wirelessly communicate with the second device responsive to having wirelessly received the activation and/or information message from the first device.   
     
     
       79. The transponder according to claim 71, wherein the transponder is further configured to transmit the first signal to the second device based on information received from the first device once per 0.5 seconds.