Power source system for RF location/identification tags

• US 20030197613A1
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Barkan, Edward, Hernandez, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,135,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0702 the arrangement including a battery
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card

Abstract

Described is a RF device (e.g., an RF tag) which includes a communication arrangement and an input arranement. The communication arrangement sends and/or receives data relating to a target device. The RF device may also include a memory for storing the target device data. The input arrangement is coupled to the target device. The RF device obtains power from the target device through the input arrangement. The described RF device is provided with a viable alternative to a full reliance on a stand alone battery.

Claims

1. An RF device, comprising:

a communication arrangement for at least one of receiving data from and sending data to a data processing unit, the data corresponding to a target device; and

an input arrangement coupled to a power supply of the target device, wherein the RF device obtains power from the target device power supply through the input arrangement.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory arrangement storing the target device data.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the input arrangement is one of a serial connector, a parallel connector, a USB connector, a firewire connector and a microphone connector.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the target device power supply includes a power inductive arrangement, and wherein the input arrangement obtains the power generated by the power inductive arrangement.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the target device includes a solar power arrangement, and wherein the input arrangement obtains the power generated by the solar power arrangement.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a battery providing power to the device.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the battery is recharged using the power obtained by the input arrangement.

9. The device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a processor processing, modifying and storing the data in the memory.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication arrangement is an IEEE 802.11 compliant arrangement.

11. An RF device, comprising:

a communication arrangement for at least one of receiving data from and sending data to a data processing unit, the data corresponding to a target device; and

a solar cell/panel providing power for the RF device.

12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery providing power to the device and recharged by power from the solar cell/panel.

13. The device according to claim 11, further comprising:

a memory storing the target device data.

14. A system, comprising:

a target device;

an RF device including a communication arrangement and an input arrangement, the input arrangement being coupled to a power supply of the target device, the RF device obtaining power from the target device power supply through the input arrangement; and

a data processing unit including a RF receiver for at least one of sending to and receiving data from the RF device.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the RF device includes a memory arrangement storing data.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the input arrangement is one of a serial connector, a parallel connector, a USB connector, a firewire connector and a microphone connector.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein the target device includes a power inductive arrangement, and wherein the input arrangement obtains the power generated by the power inductive arrangement.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the target device includes a solar power arrangement, and wherein the input arrangement obtains the power generated by the solar power arrangement.

19. The system according to claim 14, wherein the RF device includes a battery providing power to the RF device.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the battery is recharged using the power obtained by the input arrangement.

22. The system according to claim 14, wherein the RF device includes a processor processing, modifying and storing the data in the memory.

23. The system according to claim 14, wherein the communication arrangement is an IEEE 802.11 compliant arrangement.

24. A system, comprising:

a target device;

an RF device including a communication arrangement and a solar cell/panel, the RF device obtaining power from the solar cell/panel; and

a data processing unit including a RF receiver for at least one of sending to and receving data from the RF device.

25. The system according to claim 24, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery providing power to the RF device and recharged by power from the solar cell/panel.

26. The system according to claim 24, wherein the RF device includes a memory arrangement storing data.