Sensors and systems for detecting environmental conditions or changes
First Claim
1. A sensor for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, comprising:
- a circuit capable of providing information; and
a reconfigurable antenna having a radiating element and a soluble link configured to provide a conductive path between the circuit and the antenna, the soluble link having a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the path is conductive to permit access to information provided by the circuit and, in the second condition the path is non-conductive to prevent access to information provided by the circuit, and wherein the soluble link is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition if exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Sensors and systems for detecting predetermined environmental conditions or changes may include a device capable of providing information. The device may include either a shield or reconfigurable antenna. For example, in a first condition, a shield is configured to prevent communications with the device and, in a second condition, the shield is configured to enable communications with the device. Alternately, in a first condition, a reconfigurable antenna is configured to enable communications with the device and in a second condition the reconfigurable antenna is configured to prevent communications with the device. The shield or reconfigurable antenna may be configured to transition from first conditions to second conditions upon exposure to a predetermined environmental condition or change.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A sensor for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, comprising:
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a circuit capable of providing information; and a reconfigurable antenna having a radiating element and a soluble link configured to provide a conductive path between the circuit and the antenna, the soluble link having a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the path is conductive to permit access to information provided by the circuit and, in the second condition the path is non-conductive to prevent access to information provided by the circuit, and wherein the soluble link is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition if exposed to the predetermined environmental condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16)
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13. A sensor for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, comprising:
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a circuit capable of providing information; and a reconfigurable antenna having a radiating element and a soluble link configured to selectively couple the circuit and the antenna, the soluble link having a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the soluble link is configured to permit access to information provided by the circuit and, in the second condition the soluble link is configured to prevent access to information provided by the circuit; wherein the soluble link is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition if expose to the predetermined environmental condition; and wherein the predetermined environmental condition includes exposure to a predetermined vapor.
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14. A sensor for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, comprising:
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a circuit capable of providing information; and a reconfigurable antenna having a radiating element and a soluble link configured to selectively couple the circuit and the antenna, the soluble link having a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the soluble link is configures to permit access to information provided by the circuit and, in the second condition the soluble link is configured to prevent access to information provided by the circuit; wherein the soluble link is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition if exposed to the predetermined environmental condition; and wherein the soluble link comprises a conductive layer, a facilitator, and an at least partially soluble carrier, the conductive layer is at least partially disposed on the carrier and, in the first condition, is configured to provide an electrical path between the circuit and the radiating element, the facilitator is configured to at least partially enable the transition of the soluble link from the first condition to the second condition if the soluble link is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.
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17. A sensor for detecting a predetermined environmental condition, comprising:
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a circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with an interrogator device via a reconfigurable antenna; and the reconfigurable antenna, including; a radiating element configured to interface the circuit to the interrogator device via a radio frequency communication path if there is an electrical connection between the radiating element and the circuit; and a soluble link which in a first condition electrically connects the circuit to the radiating element and in a second condition electrically disconnects the radiating element from the circuit, and wherein the soluble link is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition if exposed to the predetermined environmental condition. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of detecting a predetermined environmental condition, wherein the method comprises:
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transmitting, by an interrogator device, an interrogation signal to a sensor having a reconfigurable antenna including a radiating element and a soluble link, wherein the soluble link in a first condition electrically connects an information-providing circuit to the radiating element and in a second condition electrically disconnects the radiating element from the information-providing circuit, wherein the soluble link is in the first condition prior to exposure to the predetermined environmental condition, and is in the second condition after exposure to the predetermined environmental condition; receiving, by the interrogator device, in response to transmission of the interrogation signal, an information signal transmitted from the sensor while the soluble link is in the first condition; transmitting, by the interrogator device, another interrogation signal to the sensor; detecting, by the interrogator device, a nonresponsiveness of the sensor to the other interrogation signal; and providing, by the interrogator device, an indication of an occurrence of the predetermined environmental condition based on the detected nonresponsiveness. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification