RFID SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20150108226A1
• Filed: 12/22/2014
• Published: 04/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dominic Kotab
• Original Assignee: Dominic Kotab
• Inventors: Batra, Naresh
• Granted Patent: US 9,754,201 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/00 Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings G01M9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0704 the battery being rechargeable, e.g. solar batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07707 the visual interface being a display, e.g. LCD or electronic ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a housing configured for permanent or detachable coupling to an object, control circuitry coupled to the housing, and a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry. A secondary power source is also present for recharging the first power source. A memory stores information.

Claims

1. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a housing configured for permanent coupling to an object;

control circuitry coupled to the housing;

a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry;

a secondary power source for recharging the first power source; and

a memory for storing information.

2. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondary power source generates electricity from light.

3. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondary power source generates electricity from thermal energy.

4. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondary power source generates electricity from kinetic energy.

5. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the control circuitry draws power from the secondary power source when the secondary power source is generating electricity.

6. The RFID tag as recited in claim 5, wherein the control circuitry remains in an active state when drawing power from the secondary power source.

7. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory stores information including at least one of a vehicle identification number, a license plate number associated with a vehicle, a name of the owner of the vehicle, and a government-issued registration number associated with the vehicle.

8. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory stores information relating to an insurance policy associated with a vehicle.

9. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory stores information relating to a service history of a vehicle.

10. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein access to portions of the information stored in the memory is selectively allowed or denied based on information received from an inquiring entity.

11. The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory stores information relating to a toll payment account associated with the at least one of a vehicle and an owner of the vehicle.

12. The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for permanent coupling to the object.

13. The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for detachable coupling to the object.

14. The RFID tag of claim 1, further comprising a display device, the display device displaying at least a portion of information stored in the memory.

15. The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the first power source includes at least one of a capacitor or a battery for providing power to the control circuitry.

16. The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the first power source includes a capacitor for providing power to the control circuitry.

17. The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the first power source includes at least one of a battery for providing power to the control circuitry

18. The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the tag is configured such that the information includes user programmable information

19. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags, wherein each of the RFID tags include;

a housing configured for coupling to an object;

control circuitry coupled to the housing;

a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry;

a second power source for recharging the first power source; and

a memory for storing information; and

an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.

20. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a housing configured for detachable coupling to an object;

control circuitry coupled to the housing;

at least one of a capacitor or a battery for providing power to the control circuitry;

a power source capable of recharging the capacitor or the battery; and

a memory for storing user programmable information.