NFC/RF Mechanism With Multiple Valid States for Detecting an Open Container, and Methods of Making and Using the Same
First Claim
1. An integrated circuit, comprising:
- a) a receiver configured to process a first signal from an antenna;
b) a transmitter configured to output a second signal to said antenna;
c) a first set of terminals to be electrically connected to said antenna;
d) a continuity sensor configured to determine whether a protection line electrically connected thereto is broken;
e) a memory including one or more dynamic sensor bits and a plurality of ROM bits configured to store a unique identification code for a container or package; and
f) a second set of terminals to be electrically connected to said continuity sensor,said second set of terminals being different from said first set of terminals, wherein;
the protection line is configured to sense or determine a continuity state of the package or container,the continuity state of the package or container is opened when the protection line is broken,the continuity state of the package or container is closed or sealed when the protection line is not broken,the one or more dynamic sensor bits store a value corresponding to the continuity state of the container or package and is/are changed from a first value when the continuity state is closed or sealed to a second value when the continuity state is opened, andthe second signal communicates the value of the continuity state of the container or package.
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 protection lines. 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 integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine 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, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.
2 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit, comprising:
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a) a receiver configured to process a first signal from an antenna; b) a transmitter configured to output a second signal to said antenna; c) a first set of terminals to be electrically connected to said antenna; d) a continuity sensor configured to determine whether a protection line electrically connected thereto is broken; e) a memory including one or more dynamic sensor bits and a plurality of ROM bits configured to store a unique identification code for a container or package; and f) a second set of terminals to be electrically connected to said continuity sensor, said second set of terminals being different from said first set of terminals, wherein; the protection line is configured to sense or determine a continuity state of the package or container, the continuity state of the package or container is opened when the protection line is broken, the continuity state of the package or container is closed or sealed when the protection line is not broken, the one or more dynamic sensor bits store a value corresponding to the continuity state of the container or package and is/are changed from a first value when the continuity state is closed or sealed to a second value when the continuity state is opened, and the second signal communicates the value of the continuity state of the container or package. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A wireless communication device, comprising:
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a) a substrate with an antenna thereon, said antenna receiving a first wireless signal and transmitting or broadcasting a second wireless signal; b) an integrated circuit comprising a receiver configured to process said first wireless signal and/or information therefrom, a transmitter configured to generate said second wireless signal and/or information therefor, a continuity sensor, a memory configured to store a unique identification code for a container or package and that includes one or more bits configured to store a value corresponding to the continuity state of the container or package, a first set of terminals electrically connected to said antenna, and a second set of terminals electrically connected to said one or more continuity sensors, said second set of terminals being different from said first set of terminals; and c) a plurality of protection lines connected to said second set of terminals, the protection line(s) being configured to sense or determine one or more continuity states of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, wherein; the continuity state of the package or container is at least partially opened when at least one of the one or more protection lines is broken, the continuity state of the package or container is closed or sealed when each of the one or more protection lines is not broken, the second wireless signal communicates the value of the continuity state of the container or package. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification