SENSOR-BASED NFC/RF MECHANISM WITH MULTIPLE VALID STATES FOR DETECTING AN OPEN OR COMPROMISED CONTAINER, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A wireless communication device, comprising:
- a) a receiver and/or transmitter;
b) a substrate with an antenna thereon, said antenna receiving a first wireless signal and/or transmitting or broadcasting a second wireless signal;
c) an integrated circuit configured to (i) process said first wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or (ii) generate said second wireless signal and/or information therefor, said integrated circuit having a first set of terminals electrically connected to said antenna; and
d) one or more continuity sensors on a common or different substrate, the continuity sensor(s) comprising (i) a chemical sensor configured to sense or determine a presence of material in a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and (ii) a trace electrically connecting the chemical sensor to a second terminal of said integrated circuit different from said first set of terminals.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more continuity sensors. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The continuity sensor(s) are configured to sense or determine the presence of a chemical or substance in the package or container, and thus a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered. The continuity sensor(s) are electrically connected to a set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the set of terminals to which the antenna is electrically connected.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wireless communication device, comprising:
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a) a receiver and/or transmitter; b) a substrate with an antenna thereon, said antenna receiving a first wireless signal and/or transmitting or broadcasting a second wireless signal; c) an integrated circuit configured to (i) process said first wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or (ii) generate said second wireless signal and/or information therefor, said integrated circuit having a first set of terminals electrically connected to said antenna; and d) one or more continuity sensors on a common or different substrate, the continuity sensor(s) comprising (i) a chemical sensor configured to sense or determine a presence of material in a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and (ii) a trace electrically connecting the chemical sensor to a second terminal of said integrated circuit different from said first set of terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a wireless communication device, comprising:
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a) forming an antenna on a first substrate, said antenna being configured to receive and/or transmit or broadcast a wireless signal; b) forming one or more continuity sensors on a common or different substrate; c) forming an integrated circuit on a substrate common with at least one of the antenna and the continuity sensor(s), or different from each of the antenna and the continuity sensor(s); and d) electrically connecting the antenna to a first set of terminals of the integrated circuit, and the continuity sensor(s) to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of detecting an opened package or container, comprising:
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a) placing a wireless communication device comprising an antenna, one or more continuity sensors, and an integrated circuit electrically connected to each of the antenna and the continuity sensor(s) on the package or container such that at least one of the continuity sensor(s) is near an interface between first and second separable parts of the package or container; and b) using the integrated circuit and the at least one continuity sensor, sensing a continuity state of the package or container. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification