Tag-along microsensor device and method

• US 20060238422A1
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Next-Ro Inc
• Original Assignee: Next-Ro Inc
• Inventors: Schantz, Hans Gregory, Schantz, Barbara McNew, Gabig, Jerome Sylvester
• Granted Patent: US 7,221,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/700.MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/00 Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements

Abstract

A tag-along microsensor device comprises a means for transmitting a signal, adhesion means, and sensing means. In a preferred embodiment, a means for transmitting a signal includes a nano-antenna apparatus. Adhesion means may include mechanical, magnetic, or static electric adhesion means. Mechanical adhesion means may include a hook or barb, or a chemical adhesion means such as glue or other sticky chemical adhesive. Sensing means may include sensing of audio signals, accelerometers, gyros, or other sensors. Alternatively, a tag-along microsensor method includes the steps of deploying a tag-along microsensor, transmitting a signal from a tag-along microsensor, receiving a signal, and acting on a signal. In a preferred embodiment, transmitting a signal includes the steps of charging a first conducting surface with respect to a second conducting surface, and discharging a first conducting surface with respect to a second conducting surface, so that the discharging forms a substantially continuous closed conducting shell from a first conducting surface and a second conducting surface. In other embodiments, deploying a tag-along microsensor results in a tag-along microsensor adhering to an entity such as a person, vehicle, or animal. In still further embodiments, receiving a signal may involve receiving a signal is in the vicinity of a location where a tag-along microsensor was deployed or at a location a substantial distance from where said tag-along microsensor was deployed. Acting on a signal may include recording data from a signal or intercepting an entity to which a tag-along microsensor is attached.

Claims

1. A tag-along microsensor device, said device comprising:

means for transmitting a signal;

adhesion means; and

sensing means.

2. The device in claim 1 in which said means for transmitting a signal include a nano-antenna apparatus, said nano-antenna apparatus comprising

a first conducting surface,

a second conducting surface,

a gap region between said first conducting surface and said second conducting surface;

and

at least one discharge switch.

3. The device in claim 1 in which said adhesion means are mechanical adhesion means.

4. The device in claim 2 in which said mechanical adhesion means include either a hook or a barb.

5. The device in claim 2 in which said mechanical adhesion means include a chemical adhesive.

6. The device in claim 1 in which said adhesion means are magnetic adhesion means.

7. The device in claim 1 in which said adhesion means are static electric adhesion means.

8. The device in claim 1 in which said sensing means include sensing of audio signals.

9. The device in claim 1 in which said sensing means are chosen from the group including accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, and gyrocompasses.

10. A tag-along microsensor method, said method comprising the steps of:

deploying a tag-along microsensor;

transmitting a signal from said tag-along microsensor;

receiving said signal; and

acting on said signal.

11. The method as in claim 10 in which said transmitting a signal from said tag-along microsensor comprises the steps of

charging a first conducting surface with respect to a second conducting surface;

discharging said first conducting surface with respect to said second conducting surface;

said discharging forming a substantially continuous closed conducting shell from said first conducting surface and said second conducting surface.

12. The method as in claim 10 in which said deploying a tag-along microsensor results in said tag-along microsensor adhering to an entity.

13. The method as in claim 12 in which said entity is a person.

14. The method as in claim 12 in which said entity is a vehicle.

15. The method as in claim 12 in which said entity is an animal.

16. The method as in claim 10 in which said receiving said signal is in the vicinity of a location where said tag-along microsensor was deployed.

17. The method as in claim 10 in which said receiving said signal is at a location a substantial distance from where said tag-along microsensor was deployed.

18. The method as in claim 10 in which said acting on said signal further includes recording data from said signal.

19. The method as in claim 10 in which said acting on said signal further includes intercepting an entity to which a tag-along microsensor is attached.