Tag-along microsensor device and method

• US 7,221,323 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barbara Mcnew Schantz, Hans Gregory Schantz, Jerome Sylvester Gabig
• Original Assignee: Barbara Mcnew Schantz, Hans Gregory Schantz, Jerome Sylvester Gabig
• Inventors: Schantz, Hans Gregory, Gabig, Jerome Sylvester, Schantz, Barbara McNew
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan; Tho
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Chuc
• Application Number:
  US11/474,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20060238422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 343/718, 343/700.MS, 343/701, 455/96, 340/539.1, 340/870.01
• US Class Current: 343/700.0MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/00 Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements

Abstract

A tag-along microsensor device comprises a means for transmitting a signal, adhesion means, and sensing means. In a preferred embodiment, a means for transmitting a signal includes a nano-antenna apparatus. Adhesion means may include mechanical, magnetic, or static electric adhesion means. Mechanical adhesion means may include a hook or barb, or a chemical adhesion means such as glue or other sticky chemical adhesive. Sensing means may include sensing of audio signals, accelerometers, gyros, or other sensors.

Claims

1. A tag-along microsensor device, said device comprising:

means for transmitting a signal;

adhesion means for attaching said device to an entity, and sensing means providing information of value, said signal conveying information of value, said means for transmitting a signal further including a nano-antenna apparatus

said nano-antenna apparatus comprising

a first conducting surface,

a second conducting surface,

a gap region between said first conducting surface and said second conducting surface; and

at least one discharge switch.

2. The device in claim 1 in which said adhesion means are mechanical adhesion means.

3. The device in claim 2 in which said mechanical adhesion means include either a hook or a barb.

4. The device in claim 2 in which said mechanical adhesion means include a chemical adhesive.

5. The device in claim 1 in which said adhesion means are magnetic adhesion means.

6. The device in claim 1 in which said adhesion means are static electric adhesion means.

7. The device in claim 1 in which said sensing means include sensing of audio signals.

8. The device in claim 1 in which said sensing means are chosen from the group including accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, and gyrocompasses.

9. A tag-along microsensor method, said method comprising the steps of:

deploying a tag-along microsensor;

transmitting a signal from said tag-along microsensor;

receiving said signal; and

acting on said signal,

in which said transmitting a signal from said tag-along microsensor utilizes a nano-antenna apparatus and in which said transmitting a signal from said tag-along microsensor comprises the steps of

charging a first conducting surface with respect to a second conducting surface;

discharging said first conducting surface with respect to said second conducting surface;

said discharging forming a substantially continuous closed conducting shell from said first conducting surface and said second conducting surface.

10. The method as in claim 9 in which said deploying the tag-along microsensor results in said tag-along microsensor adhering to an entity.

11. The method as in claim 10 in which said entity is a person.

12. The method as in claim 10 in which said entity is a vehicle.

13. The method as in claim 10 in which said entity is an animal.

14. The method as in claim 9 in which said receiving said signal is in the vicinity of a location where said tag-along micro sensor was deployed.

15. The method as in claim 9 in which said receiving said signal is at a location a substantial distance from where said tag-along microsensor was deployed.

16. The method as in claim 9 in which said acting on said signal further includes recording data from said signal.

17. The method as in claim 9 in which said acting on said signal further includes intercepting an entity to which the tag-along microsensor is attached.