Trolleyponder protocol patents allowed by EU and US authorities

6 November 2002 News

Trolley Scan has been informed by both the European and the United States patent offices, that they are allowing the claims filed by Trolley Scan in its patent applications for its unique protocol. These countries join Taiwan, Singapore, New Zealand and South Africa in granting this patent; while applications are still pending inspection and decision in most of the other countries that constitute major trading countries.

Trolleyponder protocol is one of the important developments in UHF RFID. It allows many transponders to communicate with a reader at the same time using one frequency. Trolleyponder protocol is further significant, in that it allows transponders with either unique or common identities to be read accurately. The common identity allows many tags to have identical data, which might be used when groceries, books, clothing and similar mass produced items are being labelled - for example identifying 100 of 500 g boxes of a breakfast cereal.

Included in the Trolleyponder protocol is the ability to integrate EAS (anti-shoplift features) in the signalling, making this protocol suitable for un-manned checkouts in the retail environment, such as the 'Branders' prototype shown on the Trolley Scan website.

Trolleyponder is a 'transponder talks first' protocol. Whenever a transponder enters the energising field of the reader, it communicates its presence to the reader without any polling protocol being needed by the reader. This means that the Trolleyponder protocol does not require the reader to continually broadcast polling messages to potential transponders in case a transponder has entered its zone, even when the reading zone is quiet - thereby reducing interference from the reader, increasing reliability and read rates.

Trolley Scan licences its patents to companies wishing to use the protocol and provides technical assistance to help those licensees enter production.

For more information see www.trolleyscan.com

Further reading:

RE+ South Africa 2026: From strategy to execution
News
Taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 02 to 04 June 2026, this new addition to South Africa’s energy landscape introduces a focused commercial and industrial energy event within a proven exhibition platform.

Read more...

---

Africa Energy Indaba announces 2027 dates
News
Following the continued success and growing global impact of the Africa Energy Indaba, organisers have announced the dates for the 19th edition of the Africa Energy Indaba 2027.

Read more...

---

RS South Africa named master distributor for the Arduino UNO Q
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa announced that it has been named Master Distributor for the Arduino UNO Q SBC platform across South Africa and the broader African region.

Read more...

---

Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.

Read more...

---

IOT secures major industry partnership
IOT Electronics News
IOT Electronics has announced a new strategic partnership with Powell Electronics, becoming an Official Authorised Reseller in South Africa.

Read more...

---

Successful Proteus training conference
Dizzy Enterprises News
Dizzy Enterprises recently hosted two hands-on Proteus Training Conferences, bringing together electronics professionals, designers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest capabilities of the Proteus Design Suite from Labcenter Electronics.

Read more...

---

Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.

Read more...

---

Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.

Read more...

---

AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Read more...

---

European components distribution growing
News
European electronic components distribution returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from DMASS Europe.

Read more...

---