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. A method of acquiring data from an entity; the method comprising:
 receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device that is external to the entity and at a distance from the entity;   relaying by the entity first data responsive to, and based upon, information that the entity receives from the first signal of the first device;   triggering a second device that is external to the entity and at a distance from the entity to transmit a second signal responsive to said relaying by the entity first data;   receiving at the entity the second signal;   transmitting by the entity second data responsive to receiving at the entity the second signal; and   receiving a confirmation at the entity that the second data has been received at the second device;   wherein said relaying by the entity first data comprises:   over a first interval of time, transmitting by the entity a broadcast message at a rate of twice per second, and then, over a second interval of time that follows the first interval of time, ceasing transmissions by the entity of the broadcast message at said rate of twice per second.   
     
     
       34. The method according to claim 33,
 wherein said receiving at the entity a first signal from a first device comprises: wirelessly receiving the first signal at the entity from the first device and directly receiving the first signal at the entity from the first device;   wherein said relaying by the entity first data comprises: wirelessly relaying by the entity the first data and directly relaying by the entity the first data to the second device;   wherein said triggering a second device that is external to the entity and at a distance from the entity to transmit a second signal comprises: wirelessly triggering the second device to transmit the second signal, directly triggering the second device to transmit the second signal and exclusively triggering the second device to transmit the second signal;   wherein said receiving at the entity the second signal comprises: wirelessly receiving at the entity the second signal, directly receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device and exclusively receiving at the entity the second signal from the second device;   wherein said transmitting by the entity second data comprises: wirelessly transmitting by the entity the second data, directly transmitting by the entity the second data to the second device and exclusively transmitting by the entity the second data to the second device; and   wherein said receiving a confirmation at the entity that the second data has been received by the second device comprises: wirelessly receiving the confirmation at the entity that the second data has been received by the second device, directly receiving the confirmation at the entity from the second device that the second data has been received by the second device and exclusively receiving the confirmation at the entity from the second device that the second data has been received by the second device.   
     
     
       35. The method according to claim 33, wherein said relaying by the entity further comprises:
 wirelessly transmitting by the entity only once per 0.5 seconds and over a plurality of 0.5 second intervals that are successive and adjacent to one another, followed by wirelessly transmitting and receiving by the entity a plurality of signals that are associated to said relaying comprising the second signal, the second data and the confirmation, followed by ceasing of said wirelessly transmitting by the entity only once per 0.5 seconds.   
     
     
       36. A transponder comprising a receiver and a transmitter;
 wherein the receiver is configured to receive a first signal from a first device that is external to the transponder and at a distance from the transponder;   wherein the transmitter is configured to relay first data responsive to, and based upon, information that the receiver receives from the first signal and to trigger a second device, that is external to the transponder and at a distance from the transponder, to transmit a second signal responsive to the transmitter having relayed said first data;   wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the second signal;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit second data responsive to having received the second signal;   wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a confirmation that the second data has been received at the second device; and   wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a broadcast message by transmitting, over a first interval of time, at a rate of twice per second, and then, over a second interval of time that follows the first interval of time, to cease transmissions at said rate of twice per second.   
     
     
       37. The transponder according to claim 36,
 wherein said receiver is further configured to receive the first signal from the first device wirelessly and directly therefrom;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to relay to a second device first data wirelessly and directly thereto and to trigger the second device to transmit the second signal wirelessly, directly and exclusively to the receiver;   wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the second signal from the second device wirelessly, directly and exclusively therefrom;   wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit second data to the second device wirelessly, directly and exclusively thereto; and   wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the confirmation from the second device wirelessly, directly and exclusively therefrom.   
     
     
       38. The transponder according to claim 36, wherein the transponder is further configured to:
 wirelessly transmit first data only once per a 0.5 seconds interval and over a plurality of 0.5 second intervals that are successive and adjacent to one another; then   wirelessly transmit and receive a plurality of signals comprising the second signal, the second data and the confirmation; and then   cease the wireless transmissions of first data at said 0.5 seconds interval and over a plurality of 0.5 second intervals that are successive and adjacent to one another.   
     
     
       39. A method comprising:
 transmitting a first signal by an entity responsive to receiving at the entity information;   triggering a device that is external to the entity and at a distance from the entity to transmit a second signal responsive to said transmitting a first signal by an entity;   receiving at the entity the second signal from the device that is external to the entity and at a distance from the entity; and   transmitting data by the entity responsive to receiving at the entity the second signal from the device that is external to the entity and at the distance from the entity;   wherein said transmitting a first signal by an entity responsive to receiving at the entity information comprises:   repeatedly transmitting the first signal by the entity; and then   ceasing transmissions of the first signal by the entity responsive to receiving at the entity a confirmation signal;   wherein said repeatedly transmitting the first signal by the entity comprises:   transmitting the first signal by the entity over a first interval of time followed by transmitting the first signal by the entity over a second interval of time that follows the first interval of time and is adjacent thereto; then   transmitting a plurality of signals by the entity and receiving a plurality of signals by the entity over a third interval of time that follows the second interval of time and is adjacent to the second interval of time; and then   ceasing transmissions by the entity over a fourth interval of time that follows the third interval of time and is adjacent thereto;   wherein over the third interval of time said transmitting a plurality of signals comprises:   transmitting the first signal and transmitting the data; and   wherein over the third interval of time said receiving a plurality of signals comprises:   receiving the second signal; and   receiving the confirmation signal.   
     
     
       40. The method according to claim 39,
 wherein said transmitting a first signal by an entity comprises: wirelessly transmitting the first signal by the entity;   wherein said triggering a device that is external to the entity and at a distance from the entity to transmit a second signal comprises: wirelessly and directly triggering the device that is external to the entity and at the distance from the entity to transmit the second signal;   wherein said receiving at the entity the second signal comprises: receiving at the entity the second signal wirelessly, directly and exclusively from the device that is external to the entity and at the distance from the entity;   wherein said transmitting data by the entity responsive to receiving at the entity the second signal comprises: transmitting data by the entity wirelessly, directly and exclusively to the device that is external to the entity and at the distance from the entity;   wherein said repeatedly transmitting the first signal by the entity comprises: repeatedly and wirelessly transmitting the first signal by the entity;   wherein said transmitting the first signal by the entity over a first interval of time comprises: wirelessly transmitting the first signal by the entity over the first interval of time;   wherein said transmitting the first signal by the entity over a second interval of time that follows the first interval of time comprises: wirelessly transmitting the first signal by the entity over the second interval of time that follows the first interval of time;   wherein said transmitting a plurality of signals by the entity and receiving a plurality of signals by the entity over a third interval of time that follows the second interval of time and is adjacent to the second interval of time comprises: wirelessly transmitting the plurality of signals by the entity and wirelessly receiving the plurality of signals by the entity over the third interval of time that follows the second interval of time and is adjacent to the second interval of time;   wherein said receiving a confirmation signal at the entity comprises: wirelessly receiving the confirmation signal at the entity; and   wherein said receiving at the entity information comprises: wirelessly receiving at the entity information.   
     
     
       41. A transponder that is configured to:
 receive information;   transmit a first signal responsive to having received the information;   trigger a device that is external to the transponder and at a distance from the transponder to transmit a second signal responsive to having transmitted by the transponder the first signal;   receive the second signal; and   transmit data responsive to having received the second signal;   wherein, responsive to having received the information, the transponder is further configured to transmit the first signal repeatedly and then, to cease transmissions of the first signal responsive to having received a confirmation signal associated therewith;   wherein the transponder is further configured to perform operations comprising:   transmitting the first signal over a first interval of time followed by transmitting the first signal over a second interval of time that follows the first interval of time and is adjacent thereto; then   transmitting a plurality of signals and receiving a plurality of signals over a third interval of time that follows the second interval of time and is adjacent to the second interval of time; and then   ceasing transmissions over a fourth interval of time that follows the third interval of time and is adjacent thereto;   wherein over the third interval of time said transmitting a plurality of signals comprises:   transmitting the first signal and transmitting the data; and   wherein over the third interval of time said receiving a plurality of signals comprises:   receiving the second signal; and   receiving the confirmation signal.   
     
     
       42. The transponder according to claim 41, wherein the transponder is further configured to perform operations comprising:
 wirelessly transmitting the first signal;   wirelessly and directly triggering the device that is external to the transponder and at the distance from the transponder to transmit the second signal;   receiving the second signal wirelessly, directly and exclusively from the device that is external to the transponder and at said distance from the transponder;   transmitting the data directly and exclusively to the device that is external to the transponder and at said distance from the transponder;   repeatedly and wirelessly transmitting the first signal;   wirelessly transmitting the first signal over the first interval of time;   wirelessly transmitting the first signal over the second interval of time that follows the first interval of time;   wirelessly transmitting the plurality of signals and wirelessly receiving the plurality of signals over the third interval of time that follows the second interval of time and is adjacent to the second interval of time;   wirelessly receiving the confirmation signal; and   wirelessly receiving the information.