Using unique identifiers to retrieve configuration data for tag devices

• US 10,599,888 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Issued: 03/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Lin, Alice, Nelson, Andrew, Yeager, Daniel, Otis, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Point, Rufus C
• Application Number:
  US14/984,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20160117532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10198 setting parameters for the interrogator, e.g. programming parameters and operating modes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices

Abstract

Methods and systems for using unique identifiers to retrieve configuration data for tag devices are described herein. An example method may involve obtaining a unique identifier associated with a tag device. The tag device may include an antenna and a sensor configured to obtain sensor readings that can be wirelessly transmitted to a reader device via the antenna. The method may also involve determining configuration parameters associated with the tag device based on the unique identifier. The method may further involve storing, in at least one memory, at least a portion of the configuration parameters in association with the unique identifier.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

obtaining, by a reader device, a unique identifier of a tag device, wherein the tag device includes an antenna and an analyte sensor, the unique identifier uniquely identifying the tag device;

receiving, using a radio frequency receiver of the reader device, a sensor reading from the tag device, the sensor reading obtained from the analyte sensor;

using the unique identifier to obtain, by the reader device, a plurality of configuration parameters for the tag device, wherein a first configuration parameter of the plurality of configuration parameters relates to the analyte sensor of the tag device;

communicating a second configuration parameter of the plurality of configuration parameters to the tag device; and

determining, by the reader device, a measured value based on the sensor reading and at least the first configuration parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein using the unique identifier to obtain, by the reader device, the plurality of configuration parameters for the tag device comprises the reader device transmitting the unique identifier to a server and the reader device receiving the plurality of configuration parameters from the server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the unique identifier comprises scanning an optical code associated with the tag device, wherein the optical code encodes the unique identifier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tag device is in a body-mountable device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the body-mountable device is an eye-mountable device.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the unique identifier to determine, by the reader device, calibration information associated with the analyte sensor; and

storing, in a memory of the reader device, the calibration information in association with the unique identifier.

6. A reader device, comprising:

at least one radio frequency (RF) transceiver unit;

at least one processor;

at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that upon execution by the at least one processor cause the reader device to;

obtain a unique identifier of a tag device, wherein the tag device includes an antenna and an analyte sensor, the unique identifier uniquely identifying the tag device;

receive, using a radio frequency receiver, a sensor reading from the tag device, the sensor reading obtained from the analyte sensor;

use the unique identifier to obtain a plurality of configuration parameters for the tag device, wherein a first configuration parameter of the plurality of configuration parameters relates the analyte sensor of the tag device;

communicate a second configuration parameter of the plurality of configuration parameters to the tag device; and

determine a measured value based on the sensor reading and at least the first configuration parameter.

7. The reader device of claim 6, wherein receiving the sensor reading comprises transmitting an RF signal to the tag device using a radio-frequency identification (RFID) protocol.

8. The reader device of claim 6, wherein obtaining the unique identifier comprises scanning an optical code associated with the tag device, wherein the optical code encodes the unique identifier.

9. The reader device of claim 8, wherein the optical code includes a Quick Response (QR) code.

10. The reader device of claim 8, wherein the optical code encodes additional information associated with the tag device.

11. The reader device of claim 10, wherein the additional information includes a date associated with fabrication of the tag device.

12. The reader device of claim 10, wherein the additional information includes a lot number associated with fabrication of the tag device.

17. The reader device of claim 6, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that upon execution by the at least one processor cause the reader device to:

use the unique identifier to determine calibration information associated with the analyte sensor; and

store, in the at least one memory, the calibration information in association with the unique identifier.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to:

obtain a unique identifier of a tag device, wherein the tag device includes an antenna and an analyte sensor, the unique identifier uniquely identifying the tag device;

receive, using a RF transceiver unit, a sensor reading from the tag device, the sensor reading obtained from the analyte sensor;

use the unique identifier to obtain a plurality of configuration parameters for the tag device, wherein a first configuration parameter of the plurality of configuration parameters relates to the analyte sensor of the tag device;

communicate a second configuration parameter of the plurality of configuration parameters to the tag device; and

determine a measured value based on the sensor reading and at least the first configuration parameter.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to:

transmit the unique identifier to a server; and

receive the plurality of configuration parameters from the server.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to scan an optical code associated with the tag device, wherein the optical code encodes the unique identifier.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to:

use the unique identifier to determine calibration information associated with the analyte sensor; and

store, in at least one memory, the calibration information in association with the unique identifier.