RFID sensor tag with manual modes and functions

• US 7,796,038 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zest Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelleflex Corporation
• Inventors: Batra, Naresh
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): McNally; Kerri
• Application Number:
  US11/423,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20070285238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,555 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/10.1, 340/540, 340/539.26
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0705 the battery being connected to a power saving arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer

Abstract

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a controller, a sensor in communication with the controller, a local power source for providing power to the controller, and a user input device for receiving manual input from a user. A function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device. An RFID tag according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a controller having activate circuitry, the activate circuitry being for detecting a valid activate command in an incoming signal and causing the tag to wake from a hibernate state. An electronic display device is in communication with the controller. A local power source provides power to the controller. A user input device receives manual input from a user. The tag is normally in a hibernate state. Manipulation of the user input device wakes the tag from the hibernate state and/or allows function selection.

Claims

1. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a sensor in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a low power hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes the at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is a reading by the sensor; and

further comprising activate circuitry in communication with the controller of the RFID tag for detecting a valid activate command in an incoming radio frequency signal and causing the RFID tag to wake from the hibernate state, and

wherein further functions selectable by manipulation of the user input device further include at least one of outputting a historical compilation based on readings of the sensor, initiating a data gathering mode using the sensor where the data gathering mode includes taking multiple sensor readings with predetermined intervals therebetween without requiring further user input to take said readings, and altering parameters of the data gathering mode using the sensor.

2. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes the at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function sets a future action to occur after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

3. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a sensor in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes the at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is setting of an interval between sensor readings,

wherein the controller exits the hibernate state without user input during the readings.

4. The RFID tag as recited in claim 3, wherein the reading of the sensor is selected from a group consisting of a current reading, a maximum reading and a minimum reading of the sensor.

5. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a sensor in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes the at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is output of a historical compilation based on readings of the sensor.

6. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a sensor in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes the at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is initiating a data gathering mode using the sensor, the data gathering mode comprising taking sensor readings at predetermined intervals without requiring further user input.

7. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a sensor in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes the at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is alteration of parameters of a data gathering mode using the sensor, the data gathering mode comprising taking sensor readings at predetermined intervals without requiring further user input.

8. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a sensor in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a low power hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is a reading by the sensor, and

wherein another function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is selection of a mode of operation of the tag.

9. The RFID tag as recited in claim 8, further comprising an electronic display device in communication with the controller.

10. The RFID tag as recited in claim 9, wherein the electronic display device provides a visual indicator of occurrence of an alarm condition.

11. The RFID tag as recited in claim 8, further comprising activate circuitry, the activate circuitry being for detecting a valid activate command in an incoming radio frequency signal and causing the at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state.

12. The RFID tag as recited in claim 8, further comprising non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory has sufficient capacity to store several sensor readings.

13. The RFID tag as recited in claim 12, wherein the non-volatile memory also has sufficient capacity to be used in processing functions of the controller.

14. An RF1D system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags as recited in claim 8; and

an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.

15. The RFID tag as recited in claim 8, wherein the sensor detects at least one of an environmental condition and a condition of an object to which attached, the sensor taking readings at predetermined intervals, the sensor also taking a manual reading upon manipulation of the user input device.

16. The RFID tag as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensor detects an environmental condition, wherein the environmental condition is selected from a group consisting of temperature, humidity, Ph, sunlight, ultraviolet light, chemicals, radioactivity, pathogens, presence of bacteria, presence of viruses, presence of prions, carbon dioxide level, and combinations thereof.

17. The RFID tag as recited in claim 8, wherein a function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is dependent upon a present state of the tag.

18. The RFID tag as recited in claim 8, wherein indicia of available modes of operation of the tag are displayed on a display device, the modes being selectable using the user input device.

19. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a sensor in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller;

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user; and

an electronic display device in communication with the controller,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a low power hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is a reading by the sensor, and

wherein indicia of available modes of operation of the tag are displayed on the electronic display device, the modes being selectable using the user input device.

20. The RFID tag as recited in claim 19, wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is dependent upon a present state of the tag.

21. The RFID tag as recited in claim 19, wherein the tag is normally in the hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device wakes the tag from the hibernate state.

22. An RFID system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags as recited in claim 19; and

an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.

23. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller of the RFID tag;

a sensor in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller;

a user input device for receiving manual input from a user; and

activate circuitry, the activate circuitry being for detecting a valid activate command in an incoming radio frequency signal and causing the tag to wake from a low power hibernate state,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in the low power hibernate state, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state,

wherein a function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the function selectable by manipulation of the user input device is a reading by the sensor, and

wherein the activate circuitry is in a powered down initial state, wherein a signal from the user input device causes initialization of at least the activate circuitry.

24. The RFID tag as recited in claim 23, wherein indicia of available modes of operation of the tag are displayed on a display device, the modes being selectable using the user input device.

25. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller having activate circuitry, the activate circuitry being for detecting a valid activate command in an incoming signal and causing the tag to wake from a hibernate state;

an electronic display device in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller;

a user input device; and

a sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the sensor takes a reading upon manipulation of the user input device

wherein the tag is normally in the hibernate state,

wherein multiple functions are selectable by manipulation of the user input device,

wherein a function selectable by manipulation of the user input device at a given time is dependent upon a state of the tag at that time,

wherein manipulation of the user input device wakes the tag from the hibernate state.

26. The RFID tag as recited in claim 25, wherein the sensor detects an environmental condition, the sensor taking a reading upon manipulation of the user input device.

27. The RFID tag as recited in claim 26, wherein the environmental condition is selected from a group consisting of temperature, humidity, Ph, sunlight, ultraviolet light, chemicals, radioactivity, pathogens, presence of bacteria, presence of viruses, presence of prions, carbon dioxide level, and combinations thereof.

28. The RFID tag as recited in claim 25, wherein the sensor detects a condition of an object to which attached, the sensor taking a reading upon manipulation of the user input device.

29. The RFID tag as recited in claim 25, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes output of a reading of the sensor on the display device.

30. The RFID tag as recited in claim 29, wherein the reading of the sensor is selected from a group consisting of a current reading, a maximum reading and a minimum reading of the sensor.

31. The RFID tag as recited in claim 25, wherein manipulation of the user input device causes output on the display device of a historical compilation based on readings of the sensor.

32. The RFID tag as recited in claim 25, wherein manipulation of the user input device initiates a data gathering mode using the sensor.

33. The RFID tag as recited in claim 25,

wherein the activate circuitry is in a powered down initial state and manipulation of the user input device causes initialization of at least the activate circuitry,

wherein manipulation of the user input device further selects at least two functions selected from a list comprising:

powering up of the sensor, taking a reading by the sensor, outputting a reading of the sensor, outputting a historical compilation based on readings of the sensor, initiating a data gathering mode using the sensor, altering at least one parameter of a data gathering mode using the sensor,

wherein the electronic display device outputs a visual indication of the function or the functions being performed at any given time.

34. The RFID tag as recited in claim 25, further comprising non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory has sufficient capacity to store several sensor readings.

35. The RFID tag as recited in claim 34, wherein the non-volatile memory also has sufficient capacity to be used in processing functions of the controller.

36. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller having activate circuitry, the activate circuitry being for detecting a valid activate command in an incoming signal and causing the tag to wake from a hibernate state;

an electronic display device in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device,

wherein the tag is normally in the hibernate state;

wherein manipulation of the user input device wakes the tag from the hibernate state,

wherein the electronic display device outputs a visible indication in direct response to the manipulation of the user input device,

wherein a mode of operation of the tag is selected by manipulation of the user input device, wherein the electronic display device outputs a mode indication of the mode selected by the manipulation of the user input device.

37. The RFID tag as recited in claim 36, wherein indicia of available modes of operation of the tag are displayed on the display device.

38. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

a controller having activate circuitry, the activate circuitry being for detecting a valid activate command in an incoming signal and causing the tag to wake from a hibernate state;

an electronic display device in communication with the controller;

a local power source for providing power to the controller; and

a user input device,

wherein the tag is normally in the hibernate state,

wherein manipulation of the user input device wakes the tag from the hibernate state,

wherein the electronic display device outputs a visible indication in direct response to the manipulation of the user input device,

wherein the activate circuitry is in a powered down initial state, wherein a signal from the user input device causes initialization of at least the activate circuitry.

39. The RFID tag as recited in claim 38, wherein the electronic display device provides a visual indicator of occurrence of an alarm condition.

40. An RFID system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags as recited in claim 38; and

an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.

41. A method for taking a sensor reading upon receiving manual user input, the method comprising:

detecting manipulation of a user input device of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag; and

taking a sensor reading upon detecting the manipulation of the user input device,

wherein at least a portion of a controller is normally in a low power hibernate state, wherein manipulation of a user input device causes at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state to take the sensor reading,

wherein the controller exits the hibernate state without user input to take additional sensor readings.

42. The method as recited in claim 41, further comprising displaying a representation of the reading of the sensor.

43. The method as recited in claim 41, further comprising changing parameters of a sensor mode based on the detected manipulation of the user input.

44. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags, each tag performing the method of claim 41; and

an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.

45. An RFID system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags, each tag performing the method of claim 41; and

an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.

46. A method for taking a sensor reading on a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag upon receiving manual user input, the method comprising:

detecting manipulation of a user input device of the RFID tag; and

taking a sensor reading a predetermined period after detecting the manipulation of the user input device,

wherein a sensor reading output is selected from a group consisting of a current reading, a maximum reading and a minimum reading of the sensor, wherein the tag enters a hibernate state between detecting the manipulation and taking the sensor reading.

47. An RFID system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags, each tag performing the following method;

detecting manipulation of a user input device, wherein indicia of available modes of operation of the tag are displayed on a display device, the modes being selectable using the user input device; and

outputting a sensor reading upon detecting the manipulation of the user input device,

wherein at least a portion of the controller is normally in a low power hibernate state,

wherein manipulation of the user input device causes at least a portion of the controller to wake from the hibernate state to output the sensor reading,

wherein the controller exits the hibernate state without user input to take sensor readings,

wherein the output sensor reading is selected from a group consisting of a current reading, a maximum reading and a minimum reading of the sensor,

wherein the visual display device provides a visual indicator of occurrence of an alarm condition; and

an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.