SENSORS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OR CHANGES

• US 20080150732A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: V-Care, Inc. (RealPage Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: V-Care, Inc. (RealPage Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hudnut, Steven W., Bunza, Geoffrey J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,812,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/48 Devices for preventing wetting or pollution of the bed

Abstract

Sensors and systems for detecting predetermined environmental conditions or changes may include a device capable of storing, representing, or providing information, and a shield. The shield may be disposed proximate the device. The shield may have a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition the shield is configured to prevent access to information stored in or on, represented by or provided by the device. In the second condition the shield is configured to permit access to information stored in or on, represented by or provided by the device. The shield may be configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

Claims

1. A system for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, wherein the system comprises:

a device capable of providing information;

a non-human interrogator configured to read information provided by the device; and

a shield, the shield having a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the shield is configured to preclude the interrogator from reading information provided by the device, in the second condition the shield is configured to enable the interrogator to read information provided by the device, and the shield is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined environmental condition includes a fluid proximate at least one of the device and the shield.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid includes a fluid discharged by a patient during an incontinence event.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the device and the shield is disposed within a diaper such that the at least one of the device and the shield is positioned proximate at least one of a urine discharge orifice and a fecal discharge orifice of the patient when the diaper is worn by the patient.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the device comprises a passive RFID transponder, and the interrogator comprises an RFID reader, the interrogator being configured to transmit power to the RFID transponder, the RFID transponder being configured to transmit information to the RFID reader, and the shield in its first condition being configured to preclude at least one of the transmission of power from the interrogator to the RFID transponder and the transmission of information from the RFID transponder to the RFID reader.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein in the first condition the shield comprises a conductive sheet.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein in the first condition the shield comprises a conductive mesh.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein in the first condition the shield comprises a material selected from the group consisting of conductive ink, conductive paint, and conductive grease.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the shield is at least partially soluble in the predetermined fluid such that the shield at least partially transitions from the first condition to the second condition when the at least a portion of the shield at least partially dissolves when the shield is exposed to the predetermined fluid.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer and an at least partially soluble carrier, the shielding layer being at least partially disposed on the carrier, when the shield is in the first condition the shielding layer is configured to preclude the interrogator from reading information provided by the device, the at least partially soluble carrier is subject to breakdown when the carrier is exposed to the fluid, and the breakdown of the carrier at least partially transitions the shield from the first condition to the second condition.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer and a facilitator, when the shield is in the first condition the shielding layer is configured to preclude the interrogator from reading information provided by the device, and the facilitator is configured to at least partially enable the transition of the shield from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the facilitator is configured to increase in volume when exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, the facilitator at least partially encloses the device, the shielding layer encloses at least a portion of the device and at least a portion of the facilitator, and the increase in volume of the facilitator when it is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition induces stresses in the shielding layer sufficient to at least partially rupture the shielding layer.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the shielding layer includes at least one stress enhancer, the shield is configured such that the stress enhancer induces stress concentrations within the shielding layer when the facilitator increases in volume, and the stress concentrations within the shielding layer are sufficient to at least partially enable rupture of the shielding layer.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the shield further comprises a carrier that is subject to breakdown when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, when the shield is in the first condition the shielding layer includes a conductive material deposited on and supported by the carrier with the conductive material having a first surface area, the facilitator includes a non-shielding material disposed within the carrier, and the non-shielding material has a second surface area greater than the first surface area such that when the carrier breaks down upon exposure to the predetermined environmental condition the shield transitions from the first condition to the second condition as the conductive material ruptures as it becomes deposited on the non-shielding material of the facilitator.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the information provided by the device is stored on the device.

16. A method of detecting a predetermined environmental condition, wherein the method comprises:

providing a device capable of storing information, wherein the device includes predetermined information stored thereon;

providing a non-human interrogator configured to read information stored on the device;

providing a shield, the shield having a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the shield is configured to preclude the interrogator from reading information stored on the device, in the second condition the shield is configured to enable the interrogator to read information stored on the device, the shield is provided in the first condition, and the shield is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition;

exposing the shield to the predetermined environmental condition such that the shield transitions from the first condition to the second condition;

reading with the interrogator the predetermined information stored on the device; and

indicating that the predetermined environmental condition exists in response to the interrogator reading the predetermined information stored on the device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the predetermined environmental condition includes a fluid proximate at least one of the device and the shield.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising positioning at least one of the device and the shield proximate at least one of a urine discharge orifice and a fecal discharge orifice of a patient, wherein the fluid includes a fluid discharged by the patient during an incontinence event.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the device comprises a passive RFID transponder and the interrogator comprises an RFID reader, the interrogator is configured to transmit power to the RFID transponder, the RFID transponder is configured to transmit information to the RFID reader, and the shield in its first condition is configured to preclude at least one of the transmission of power from the interrogator to the RFID transponder and the transmission of information from the RFID transponder to the RFID reader.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the shield is at least partially soluble in the fluid such that the shield at least partially transitions from the first condition to the second condition when the at least a portion of the shield at least partially dissolves when the shield is exposed to the fluid.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer and an at least partially soluble carrier, the shielding layer is at least partially disposed on the carrier, when the shield is in the first condition the shielding layer is configured to preclude the interrogator from reading information stored on the device, the at least partially soluble carrier is subject to breakdown when the carrier is exposed to the fluid, and the breakdown of the carrier at least partially transitions the shield from the first condition to the second condition.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer and a facilitator, when the shield is in the first condition the shielding layer is configured to preclude the interrogator from reading information stored on the device, and the facilitator is configured to at least partially enable the transition of the shield from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the facilitator is configured to increase in volume when exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, the facilitator at least partially encloses the device, the shielding layer encloses at least a portion of the device and at least a portion of the facilitator, and the increase in volume of the facilitator when it is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition induces stresses in the shielding layer sufficient to at least partially rupture the shielding layer.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the predetermined information stored on the device consists of the existence of the device.

25. A sensor for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, comprising:

a device capable of providing information; and

a shield disposed proximate the device, the shield having a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the shield is configured to prevent access to information provided by the device, in the second condition the shield is configured to permit access to information provided by the device, and the shield is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

26. The sensor of claim 25, wherein the device provides information in a machine-readable format.

27. The sensor of claim 26, wherein the device includes an RFID transponder configured to transmit information to an external reader in response to an interrogation signal from the external reader, the interrogation signal provides operating power to the RFID transponder, and the shield in its first condition is configured to preclude at least one of the provision of operating power from the external reader to the RFID transponder and the transmission of information from the RFID transponder to the external reader.

28. The sensor of claim 27, wherein in the first condition the shield comprises a conductive sheet.

29. The sensor of claim 27, wherein in the first condition the shield comprises a conductive mesh.

30. The sensor of claim 27, wherein in the first condition at least a portion of the shield is conductive ink, conductive paint, or conductive grease.

31. The sensor of claim 25, wherein the device includes first and second opposed major sides, and the shield is disposed on at least one of the first and second major sides.

32. The sensor of claim 25, wherein the predetermined environmental condition includes a predetermined fluid proximate at least one of the device and the shield.

33. The sensor of claim 32, wherein the predetermined fluid includes a fluid discharged by a patient during an incontinence event.

34. The sensor of claim 32, wherein at least a portion of the shield is at least partially soluble in the predetermined fluid such that the shield at least partially transitions from the first condition to the second condition when the at least a portion of the shield at least partially dissolves when the shield is exposed to the predetermined fluid.

35. The sensor of claim 34, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer and an at least partially soluble carrier, the shielding layer is at least partially disposed on the carrier, when the shield is in the first condition the shielding layer is configured to prevent access to information provided by the device, the at least partially soluble carrier is subject to breakdown when the carrier is exposed to the predetermined fluid, and the breakdown of the carrier at least partially transitions the shield from the first condition to the second condition.

36. The sensor of claim 25, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer and a facilitator, when the shield is in the first condition the shielding layer is configured to prevent access to information provided by the device, and the facilitator is configured to at least partially enable the transition of the shield from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

37. The sensor of claim 36, wherein the predetermined environmental condition includes the presence of a predetermined fluid proximate at least one of the device and the shield, the facilitator is configured to increase in volume when exposed to the predetermined fluid, the facilitator at least partially encloses the device, the shielding layer encloses at least a portion of the device and at least a portion of the facilitator, and the increase in volume of the facilitator when it is exposed to the predetermined fluid induces stresses in the shielding layer sufficient to at least partially rupture the shielding layer.

38. The sensor of claim 25, wherein the shield is configured to transition from the second condition to the first condition when the shield is removed from exposure to the predetermined environmental condition.

39. A system for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, wherein the system comprises:

a first device configured to transmit a first signal;

a second device configured to receive a second signal;

a sensor, comprising;

a third device, wherein responsive to receipt of the first signal by the third device the third device is configured to transmit the second signal; and

a shield disposed proximate the third device, wherein the shield is configured to preclude transmission of at least one of the first signal to the third device and the second signal from the third device, and upon exposure of the shield to the predetermined environmental condition the efficacy of the shield is sufficiently disrupted such that the disrupted shield permits transmission of at least one of the first signal to the third device and the second signal from the third device.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the second signal at least partially includes at least a portion of the first signal that is reflected by the third device.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the first signal generates an electromagnetic field within an interrogation zone, the sensor is disposed within the interrogation zone, and the third device is configured to reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic field to the second device.

42. The system of claim 41, further comprising an antenna, wherein at least one of the first and second devices are coupled to the antenna.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the third device comprises a coupling element conductively coupled to an electronic microchip.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the first device continuously transmits the first signal.

45. The system of claim 39, wherein the predetermined environmental condition includes a fluid discharged by a patient during an incontinence event proximate at least one of the third device and the shield.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer and an at least partially soluble carrier, the shielding layer is at least partially disposed on the carrier, when intact the shielding layer is configured to preclude transmission of at least one of the first signal to the third device and the second signal from the third device, the at least partially soluble carrier is subject to breakdown when the carrier is exposed to the fluid, and the breakdown of the carrier at least partially disrupts the shield to permit transmission of at least one of the first signal to the third device and the second signal from the third device.

47. The system of claim 39, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer and a non-shielding facilitator, when intact the shielding layer is configured to preclude transmission of at least one of the first signal to the third device and the second signal from the third device, the facilitator is configured to increase in volume when exposed to the predetermined environmental condition and the facilitator at least partially encloses the device, the shielding layer encloses at least a portion of the device and at least a portion of the facilitator, and the increase in volume of the facilitator when it is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition induces stresses in the shielding layer sufficient to at least partially rupture the shielding layer to permit transmission of at least one of the first signal to the third device and the second signal from the third device.

48. The system of claim 39, wherein the shield comprises a shielding layer, a facilitator and a carrier that is subject to breakdown when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, wherein when intact the shielding layer includes a conductive material that is deposited on and supported by the carrier, has a first surface area, and is configured to preclude transmission of at least one of the first signal to the third device and the second signal from the third device, the facilitator includes a non-shielding material disposed within the carrier, and the non-shielding material has a second surface area greater than the first surface area such that when the carrier breaks down upon exposure to the predetermined environmental condition the conductive material ruptures as it becomes deposited on the non-shielding material of the facilitator which disrupts the shield and permits transmission of at least one of the first signal to the third device and the second signal from the third device.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the shielding layer includes a conductive material that is deposited on the carrier, wherein the conductive material is conductive ink, conductive paint, or conductive grease.

50. The system of claim 39, wherein the efficacy of the shield is at least partially restored when the shield is no longer exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

51. A system for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, wherein the system comprises:

a non-human interrogator; and

a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises;

a device capable of storing information, wherein the device is configured such that the information stored thereon is readable by the interrogator; and

a shield disposed proximate the device, the shield having a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the shield is configured to preclude the interrogator from reading information stored on the device, in the second condition the shield is configured to enable the interrogator to read information stored on the device, and the shield is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

52. A system for detecting a predetermined environmental change, wherein the system comprises:

a device capable of storing information;

a non-human interrogator, wherein the interrogator is configured to read information stored on the device; and

a shield disposed proximate the device, wherein the shield is configured to preclude the interrogator from reading information stored on the device, occurrence of the predetermined environmental change disrupts the shield, and the disruption of the shield causes the information stored on the device to become readable by the interrogator.