1. A method for interrogating objects to be identified over a communication medium, wherein the objects provide predetermined responses indicative of object identification numbers and each include a counter, the method comprising the steps of:
sending interrogation signals to and receiving responses from the objects over the communication medium, the interrogation signals operating to interrogate a single digit from the objects to be identified;
recording incomplete identification numbers whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects;
retrieving incomplete identification numbers whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects;
sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively add a number to their respective counter, wherein the number is determined by each object and is dependent upon one or more previous responses of the object to interrogation signals;
sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively subtract a number from their respective counter, wherein the number is determined by each object and is dependent upon one or more previous responses of the object to the interrogation signals; and
recording complete identification numbers as they are determined.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the objects are identified based on a depth-first tree traversal algorithm.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein a speed for determining the identification numbers is deterministic given a set of objects to have their identification numbers determined.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to interrogation of a signal digit from the objects, each object provides a response regardless of the value of the digit being interrogated.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication channel comprises a radio channel.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the objects each include an RFID transponder.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the counter is included in control circuitry for the RFID transponder.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication channel comprises a wired communication channel.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein values of the counters selectively inhibit objects from responding to interrogation signals.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the selective inhibit occurs as part of a depth-first tree traversal algorithm.
11. A method for interrogating objects to be identified over a communication medium, wherein the objects provide predetermined responses indicative of object identification numbers and each includes a counter, the interrogation comprising the steps of:
sending signals to and receiving signals from the objects over the communication medium;
recording and later retrieving incomplete identification numbers whenever two or more predetermined responses are received from the objects;
sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively add a number to their respective counter, the number to be determined by each individual object and dependent upon one or more previous responses of the individual object to the interrogation;
sending a signal to the objects to cause the objects to selectively subtract a number from their respective counter, the number to be determined by each individual object and dependent upon one or more previous responses of the individual object to the interrogation;
recording complete identification numbers as they are determined; and
sending a signal to interrogate a single digit from the objects to be identified.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the objects are identified based on a depth-first tree traversal algorithm.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a speed for determining the identification numbers is deterministic given a set of objects to have their identification numbers determined.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein, in response to interrogation of a signal digit from the objects, each object provides a response regardless of the value of the digit being interrogated.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication channel comprises a radio channel.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the objects each include an RFID transponder.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the counter is included in control circuitry for the RFID transponder.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication channel comprises a wired communication channel.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein values of the respective counters selectively inhibit objects from responding to interrogation signals.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein the selective inhibit occurs as part of a depth-first tree traversal algorithm.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of welding comprising:
providing a first workpiece that is made of a material that conducts electricity;
providing a second workpiece that is made of a material that conducts electricity and has a plurality of projections formed therein;
applying a material between each projection of said plurality of projections, said material has an electrical conductivity that is lower than the conductivity of said second workpiece;
disposing an area of said first workpiece at said plurality of projections of said second workpiece; and
conducting electricity through said first workpiece and through at least one of said plurality of projections of said second workpiece.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising melting said plurality of projections progressively.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein a first set of said plurality of projections has a height and a second set of said plurality of projections has a different height.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein said height and said different height of each of said plurality of projections ranges from 0.2 millimeter to 2.5 millimeter.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a first electrode to said first workpiece and connecting a second electrode to said second workpiece.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second workpiece are formed by hydroforming.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising said plurality of projections are formed by hydroforming.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said material is an adhesive.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said material is non-electrically conductive.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying said material includes applying said material through a nozzle.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein said first workpiece is hollow and has a first wall thickness and said second workpiece is hollow and has a second wall thickness.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of projections has a length, said length ranges from 0.4 to 0.7 of a width of said first workpiece.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of projections has a base width, said base width of each of said plurality of projections ranges from 0.8 to 10 millimeters
14. A projection weld bond system comprising:
a first workpiece that is made of a material that conducts electricity;
a second workpiece that is made of a material that conducts electricity and has a plurality of projections formed therein;
an area of said first workpiece is disposed at said plurality of projections;
a material that has an electrical conductivity lower than the conductivity of said second workpiece and is disposed between each of said plurality of projections; and
means for conducting electricity through said first workpiece and through at least one of said plurality of projections of said second workpiece.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for melting said plurality of projections progressively.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein a first set of said plurality of projections has a height and a second set of said plurality of projections has a different height.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein said height and said different height of each of said plurality of projections ranges from 0.2 millimeter to 2.5 millimeter.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein said means for conducting includes a first electrode connected to said first workpiece and a second electrode connected to said second workpiece.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein said low electrically conductive material is an adhesive.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein said material is non-electrically conductive.
21. The system of claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of projections has a length, said length ranges from 0.4 to 0.7 of a width of said first workpiece.
22. The system of claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of projections has a base width, said base width of each of said plurality of projections ranges from 0.8 to 10 millimeters.