NFC/RF mechanism with multiple valid states for detecting an open container, and methods of making and using the same

• US 10,360,493 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2018
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ensurge Micropower ASA
• Original Assignee: Thin Film Electronics ASA
• Inventors: Bright, Matthew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Shirley
• Application Number:
  US16/154,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20190050707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/00 Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes capsules or the like for oral use A61J3/07; specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments A61B50/30; containers for radioactive substances G21F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 27/30 with special means for indicating unauthorised opening
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/028 initial opening or unauthorised access being indicated by the presence or absence of an audible or electrical signal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 79/02 Arrangements or devices for indicating incorrect storage or transport B65D79/005 takes precedence ; measuring devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/00 Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0185 Product, service or business identity fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a) a receiver and a transmitter;

b) a substrate with an antenna thereon, said antenna receiving a first wireless signal and transmitting or broadcasting a second wireless signal;

c) an integrated circuit configured to (i) process said first wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and (ii) generate said second wireless signal and/or information therefor, said integrated circuit comprising a continuity sensor, a memory, a first set of terminals electrically connected to said antenna, and a second set of terminals electrically connected to said continuity sensor, said second set of terminals being different from said first set of terminals; and

d) one or more protection lines connected to said second set of terminals, the protection line(s) being configured to sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered,

wherein;

the memory includes one or more dynamic sensor bits configured to store a value corresponding to the continuity state of the container or package,

the continuity state of the package or container is opened when at least one of the one or more protection lines is broken,

the continuity state of the package or container is closed or sealed when each of the one or more protection lines is not broken,

the one or more dynamic sensor bits is/are changed from a first value when the continuity state is closed or sealed to a second value when the continuity state is opened, and

the second wireless signal communicates the value of the continuity state of the container or package.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, comprising a near field and/or radio frequency communication device.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a threshold comparator receiving an output of said continuity sensor, and an output of the threshold comparator is stored in the memory as the one or more dynamic sensor bits.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises one or more bit lines for reading data from the memory, and one or more sense amplifiers that convert signals on the one or more bit lines to digital signals.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 4, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises one or more latches that temporarily store data from the one or more sense amplifiers.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises a first plurality of bits configured to store a unique identification code.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the memory further comprises a second plurality of bits configured to store overhead data.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 7, wherein the memory contains at least 256 bits of data.

9. A package or container, comprising:

a) first and second separable parts with an interface therebetween; and

b) wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the one or more protection lines is/are on the first and second separable parts of the package or container and over the interface.

10. The package or container of claim 9, wherein the integrated circuit and the antenna are on the first separable part of the package or container.

11. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a) a receiver comprising a demodulator and a transmitter comprising a modulator;

b) a substrate with an antenna thereon, said antenna receiving a first wireless signal and transmitting or broadcasting a second wireless signal;

c) an integrated circuit configured to (i) process said first wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and (ii) generate said second wireless signal and/or information therefor, said integrated circuit comprising;

i) a continuity sensor,

ii) a memory,

iii) a first set of terminals electrically connected to said antenna, and

iv) a second set of terminals electrically connected to said continuity sensor, said second set of terminals being different from said first set of terminals; and

d) one or more protection lines connected to said second set of terminals, the protection line(s) being configured to sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered,

wherein;

the memory includes one or more sensor bits configured to store a value corresponding to the continuity state of the container or package,

the continuity state of the package or container is opened when at least one of the one or more protection lines is broken,

the continuity state of the package or container is closed or sealed when each of the one or more protection lines is not broken,

the one or more sensor bits is/are changed from a first value when the continuity state is closed or sealed to a second value when the continuity state is opened,

the wireless communication device is configured such that it recognizes a change in the value of the continuity state and provides (i) a first consumer and/or user experience through the wireless communication device when the value of the continuity state of the container or package corresponds to a closed or sealed continuity state and (ii) a different consumer and/or user experience through the wireless communication device when the continuity state of the container or package corresponds to an opened continuity state, and

the second wireless signal communicates the value of the continuity state of the container or package.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11, comprising a near field and/or radio frequency communication device.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a threshold comparator receiving an output of said continuity sensor, and an output of the threshold comparator is stored in the memory as the one or more sensor bits.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the receiver comprises a demodulator, and the transmitter comprises a modulator.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a clock configured to provide a timing signal that controls a timing of a plurality of operations in the integrated circuit.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the memory further comprises a first plurality of bits configured to store a unique identification code.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 16, wherein the memory further comprises a second plurality of bits configured to store overhead data.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 17, wherein the memory contains at least 256 bits of data.

19. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein after the one or more sensor bits is/are changed from the first value to the second value, it is impossible for the first value to be read.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein after the second wireless signal communicates the second value indicating an opened continuity state, an alert is automatically triggered when the second wireless signal communicates the first value indicating a closed continuity state.