RFID tag with visual environmental condition monitor
First Claim
1. An RFID tag intended to be associated with a host product, the RFID tag comprising:
- a) a data memory to receive data regarding the host product;
b) a transponder to transmit data in the data memory to an external RF interrogator in response to interrogation; and
c) a nonelectric visually readable environmental-condition exposure indicator, the visual indicator being capable of sensing exposure of the RFID tag to an environmental condition experienced by the host product and of providing a visual indication readable externally of the RFID tag of the sensed environmental condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combination RFID tag intended to be associated with a host product, for example by being secured to the outside of a package containing a perishable product, e.g. foodstuffs or vaccines, which RFID tag is provided with a visually readable environmental condition exposure indicator. The visual indicator can sense the exposure of the RFID tag to an environmental condition e.g. temperature, experienced by the host product providing a visual indication, e.g. a color change, readable externally of the RFID tag of the sensed environmental condition. The visual indicator can be chemically active, for example an acetylenic agent, and may be responsive to cumulative temperature excursions over time. The novel RFID tag 11 and tag inspection methods of the invention permit an efficacious harnessing of information about the condition exposure history of a specific inventory item including product identification and related data. The information from multiple items can be compiled into a database that may be audited or statistically analyzed to reveal useful information regarding the handling of the items.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An RFID tag intended to be associated with a host product, the RFID tag comprising:
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a) a data memory to receive data regarding the host product;
b) a transponder to transmit data in the data memory to an external RF interrogator in response to interrogation; and
c) a nonelectric visually readable environmental-condition exposure indicator, the visual indicator being capable of sensing exposure of the RFID tag to an environmental condition experienced by the host product and of providing a visual indication readable externally of the RFID tag of the sensed environmental condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification