Apparatus and method for monitoring and communicating data associated with a product

• US 7,764,183 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infratab, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Infratab, Inc.
• Inventors: Patterson, Michael, Ono, Kenji, Pope, Gary W., Myers, Therese E., Burchell, Jonathan, Kaye, Stanton, Eversley, Fred
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US11/655,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 340/585, 340/572.1, 340/539.24, 340/539.26, 340/505, 340/10.1, 340/825.69, 340/309.16, 700/224, 700/225, 700/241, 700/244
• US Class Current: 340/585
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/04 in respect of time
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07705 the visual interface being a single light or small number of lights capable of being switched on or off, e.g. a series of LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07713 the interface, upon reception of an interrogation signal, being capable of signaling to indicate its position to a user or a detection device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083

Abstract

Visual and audio communication interface for a perishable integrity indicator system which includes a RFID transponder and perishable integrity sensor. A perishable integrity indicator system includes a RFID transponder and a perishable integrity sensor. The RFID transponder includes a RF integrated circuit coupled with an antenna. The sensor monitors the time and temperature of the perishable. A freshness determining module receives time- and temperature-dependent measurement data from the perishable integrity sensor and determines a current freshness status. A communications interface to the RFID transponder permits a RFID reader to retrieve current freshness status data corresponding to the freshness status determined by the freshness determining module. The system further includes a power management module. The visual and audio communication interface provides a communications means for sending sensor alerts, sensor setup and history as either a supplement to the RF communication or as an alternative to RF when RF is either not available or not able to communicate.

Claims

1. A sensor for monitoring and communicating data related to a perishable item, the sensor being adapted to operate with an RFID device including an antenna for receiving signals from an RF reader, the sensor comprising:

a sensor module that monitors time and temperature of a perishable item, that determines a current freshness status based on the time and temperature, and that selectively transmits data representing the freshness status;

a communication interface with the RFID device, the interface allowing an RFID reader to retrieve data representing the freshness status from the sensor module, and allowing the sensor module to detect activation of the RFID device; and

an indicator communicatively coupled to the sensor module, the indicator being adapted to selectively activate and communicate the freshness status by use of a humanly perceivable signal under control of the sensor module;

wherein the sensor module is adapted to selectively activate the indicator in response to detecting activation of the RFID device.

2. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the indicator comprises a visual display.

3. The sensor of claim 2 wherein the visual display comprises an LED, an OLED or an LCD device.

4. The sensor of claim 2 wherein the indicator includes a depressible electrical switch for manually activating the visual display.

5. The sensor of claim 4 wherein the electrical switch and display are arranged in a stacked configuration.

6. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a memory module for storing data relating to the freshness of the perishable item.

7. The sensor of claim 6 wherein the memory module is external to the sensor module.

8. The sensor of claim 7 wherein the memory module is located in the RFID device.

9. The sensor of claim 6 wherein the memory module is internal to the sensor module.

10. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the indicator generates a periodic signal that varies, based on one or more factors.

11. The sensor of claim 10 wherein the indicator generates a first periodic signal representative of freshness data.

12. The sensor of claim 11 wherein the indicator generates a second periodic signal representative of a type of perishable item.

13. The sensor of claim 10 wherein the first periodic signal varies according to a predetermined code effective to communicate a value.

14. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor module is formed in a substantially planar label that is adapted to be attached to a surface.

15. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the communication interface includes an elongated and flexible interface which communicatively couples the sensor module to the antenna of the RFID device.

16. A method for locating a perishable item by use of an identification signal generated from an RFID reader, the method comprising:

receiving an identification signal from an RFID reader, wherein the identification number is received using a smart label that is attachable to a container including the perishable item, the smart label having an RFID device and a sensor module that is communicatively coupled to the RFID device, the sensor module including an indicator for generating a humanly perceivable signal;

detecting receipt of an identification signal by the RFID device by use of the sensor module; and

causing the indicator to generate a humanly perceivable signal in response to the detected receipt of the identification signal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the sensor module comprises logic for detecting the receipt of the identification signal by the RFID device.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

receiving time- and temperature-dependent measurement data for the perishable item;

determining a current freshness status by use of the measurement data; and

communicating the freshness status of the perishable item.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the sensor module receives the time- and temperature-dependent measurement data for the perishable item and determines the current freshness status of the perishable item by use of the measurement data.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the freshness status of the perishable item is communicated by causing the indicator to generate a humanly perceivable signal representative of the freshness status.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the humanly perceivable signal comprises a visual or an audible periodic signal that varies based on one or more parameters.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the signal varies according to a predetermined code effective to communicate a value.