INTERACTIVE RADIO FREQUENCY TAGS

• US 20090284353A1
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bernard J. Kerr, Geoffrey M. Smith, James E. Dishman, John M. Ananny, Mark A. Mccabe, Oliver T. Bayley
• Original Assignee: Bernard J. Kerr, Geoffrey M. Smith, James E. Dishman, John M. Ananny, Mark A. Mccabe, Oliver T. Bayley
• Inventors: Kerr, Bernard J., McCabe, Mark A., Smith, Geoffrey M., Bayley, Oliver T., Ananny, John M., Dishman, James E.
• Application Number:
  US12/533,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20090284353A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches

Abstract

Interactive radio frequency tags that are responsive to external stimuli to change state are disclosed. The tags preferably include a passive radio frequency transponder, having an antenna, an interface for receiving an external stimulus, and one or more integrated circuits responsive to the external stimulus received at the interface to change the state of the transponder. Also disclosed is a “sensor tag” which changes state in response to a particular environmental stimulus. In addition, either of these “button” or “sensor” features may be combined with an output feature which visually, audibly, tactilely or otherwise signals the state or change of state of an RF tag, or the tag may be designed to produce an output in response to the external stimulus of the RF signal received at the tag'"'"'s antenna.

Claims

1. An interactive radio frequency tag apparatus, comprising:

a passive radio frequency transponder, including,

an antenna,

an interface for receiving an external stimulus, and

one or more integrated circuits responsive to an external stimulus received at said interface to change the state of said transponder.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interface comprises one or more buttons.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interface comprises a sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said sensor detects temperature.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said sensor detects light.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an output device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said output device generates a visible signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said output device generates an audible signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said output device generates a tactile signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to exist in alternate states responsive to said external stimulus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to exist in one of several states responsive to said external stimulus.

12. A method of changing the response provided by a polled radio frequency tag, comprising:

providing an interactive radio frequency tag apparatus, having,

a passive radio frequency transponder, including,

an antenna,

an interface for receiving an external stimulus, and

one or more integrated circuits responsive to an external stimulus received at said interface to change the state of said transponder; and

applying an external stimulus to said interface to change the state of said transponder.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating a signal indicating that the state of said radio frequency transponder has changed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said signal is visible.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said signal is audible.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said signal is tactile.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said interface, wherein said interface comprises one or more buttons.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said interface comprises a sensor.

19. A radio frequency tag apparatus, having,

a passive radio frequency transponder, including,

an antenna,

an integrated circuit;

an output device responsive to a radio frequency signal received at said antenna to generate an output signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said output device is a light-emitting diode.