Power source system for RF location/identification tags

• US 7,135,974 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Barkan, Edward, Hernandez, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US10/128,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20030197613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 34031001-31008
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0702 the arrangement including a battery
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card

Abstract

Described is a RF device (e.g., an RF tag) which includes a communication arrangement and an input arrangement. The communication arrangement sends and/or receives data relating to a target device. The RF device may also include a memory for storing the target device data. The input arrangement is coupled to the target device. The RF device obtains power from the target device through the input arrangement. The described RF device is provided with a viable alternative to a full reliance on a stand alone battery.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) device, comprising:

an input arrangement coupled to a power supply of a target device separate from the RFID device, wherein the radio frequency identification device obtains power from the power supply through the input arrangement; and

a communication arrangement for at least one of receiving data from and sending data to a data processing unit located separate from the RFID device and the target device, wherein the data is independent of any operation of the target device.

2. The RFID device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory arrangement storing the data.

3. The RFID device according to claim 1, wherein the input arrangement is one of a serial connector, a parallel connector, a USB connector, a firewire connector and a microphone connector.

4. The RFID device according to claim 1, wherein the target device power supply includes a power inductive arrangement, and wherein the input arrangement obtains the power generated by the power inductive arrangement.

5. The RFID device according to claim 1, wherein the target device includes a solar power arrangement, and wherein the input arrangement obtains the power generated by the solar power arrangement.

6. The RFID device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a battery providing power to the RFID device.

7. The RFID device according to claim 6, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

8. The RFID device according to claim 7, wherein the battery is recharged using the power obtained by the input arrangement.

9. The RFID device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a processor processing, modifying and storing the data in the memory.

10. The RFID device according to claim 1, wherein the communication arrangement is an IEEE 802.11 compliant arrangement.

11. The RFID device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit is included in an RFID reader.

12. The RFID device according to claim 1, wherein the communication arrangement sent the data to the data processing unit via wireless communication.

13. A system, comprising:

a target device;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) separate from the target device and including a communication arrangement and an input arrangement, the input arrangement being coupled to a power supply of the target device, the radio frequency identification device obtaining power from the target device power supply through the input arrangement; and

a data processing unit located separate from the RFID device and the target device including a radio frequency receiver for at least one of sending to and receiving data from the radio frequency identification device wherein the data is independent of any operation the target device.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the radio frequency identification device includes a memory arrangement storing data.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the input arrangement is one of a serial connector, a parallel connector, a USB connector, a firewire connector and a microphone connector.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the target device includes a power inductive arrangement, and wherein the input arrangement obtains the power generated by the power inductive arrangement.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the target device includes a solar power arrangement, and wherein the input arrangement obtains the power generated by the solar power arrangement.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the radio frequency identification device includes a battery providing power to the radio frequency identification device.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the battery is recharged using the power obtained by the input arrangement.

21. The system according to claim 13, wherein the radio frequency identification device includes a processor processing, modifying and storing the data in the memory.

22. The system according to claim 13, wherein the communication arrangement is an IEEE 802.11 compliant arrangement.

23. The system according to claim 13, wherein the data processing unit is included in an RFID reader.