RFID Sensor Assemblies and Methods of Use
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor assembly comprising:
- a first RFID tag comprising first means for transmitting a first signal representing an identity of the first RFID tag;
a second RFID tag comprising;
means for transitioning the second RFID tag from a first state to a second state in response to receipt of a first prompt by the second RFID tag;
second means for transmitting a second signal, representing an identity of the second RFID tag and differing from the first signal, only when the second RFID sensor tag is in a predetermined one of the first and second states.
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Abstract
An embodiment of a RFID Sensor Assembly includes two or more RFID tags—an identifier tag and one or more sensor tags, each capable of providing output readable by a RFID tag reader. A processing system may identify, based on one or more signals received from the identifier and sensor tags, and/or the lack of receipt of such signals: (1) the identity of the Sensor Assembly and an associated object, and (2) a state of the Sensor Assembly and the associated object. Such “state” information may relate to whether the Sensor Assembly is, or has been, exposed to a particular prompt, e.g., an external input or trigger. Such prompts may relate, for example, to time, temperature, pressure, physical force or mechanical disruption.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor assembly comprising:
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a first RFID tag comprising first means for transmitting a first signal representing an identity of the first RFID tag; a second RFID tag comprising; means for transitioning the second RFID tag from a first state to a second state in response to receipt of a first prompt by the second RFID tag; second means for transmitting a second signal, representing an identity of the second RFID tag and differing from the first signal, only when the second RFID sensor tag is in a predetermined one of the first and second states. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method performed by a RFID sensor assembly, the RFID sensor assembly comprising a first RFID tag and a second RFID tag, the method comprising:
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(A) at the first RFID tag, transmitting a first signal representing an identity of the first RFID tag; (B) at the second RFID tag, transmitting a second signal, representing an identity of the second RFID tag and differing from the first signal; (C) transitioning the second RFID tag into a second state in response to receipt of a first prompt by the second RFID tag; and (D) at the second RFID tag, while the second RFID tag is in the second state, not transmitting the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method performed by a RFID sensor assembly, the RFID sensor assembly comprising a first RFID tag and a second RFID tag, the method comprising:
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(A) at the first RFID tag, transmitting a first signal representing an identity of the first RFID tag; (B) at the second RFID tag, not transmitting a second signal representing an identity of the second RFID tag and differing from the first signal; (C) transitioning the second RFID tag into a second state in response to receipt of a first prompt by the second RFID tag; and (D) at the second RFID tag, while the second RFID tag is in the second state, transmitting the second signal.
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20. An apparatus comprising:
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first signal reception means for receiving a first signal from a first RFID tag of a RFID sensor assembly, the first signal representing an identity of the first RFID tag; means for determining whether the first signal reception means has received the first signal; second signal reception means for receiving a second signal from a second RFID tag of the RFID sensor assembly; means for determining whether the second signal reception means has received the second signal; means for identifying a state of the RFID sensor assembly comprising; means for concluding that the RFID sensor assembly is in a first state if the first signal reception means has received the first signal and the second signal reception means has received the second signal; and means for concluding that the RFID sensor assembly is in a second state that differs from the first state if the first signal reception means has received the first signal and the second signal reception means has not received the second signal.
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21. A method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising:
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(A) determining whether a first signal, representing an identity of a first RFID tag, has been received by a RFID interrogator device; (B) determining whether a second signal, representing an identity of a second RFID tag and differing from the first signal, has been received by the RFID interrogator device; (C) concluding that a RFID sensor assembly associated with the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag is in a first state if the RFID interrogator device has received the first signal and the second signal; and (D) concluding that the RFID sensor assembly associated with the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag is in a second state that differs from the first state if the RFID interrogator device has received the first signal and has not received the second signal.
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Specification