Communication system incorporated in an ingestible product
First Claim
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1. A signal producing food product comprising:
- a digestible material;
a plurality of communication devices associated with the digestible material, wherein each communication device comprises;
a first material physically associated with a support structure; and
a second material physically associated with the support structure at a location different from the first material, wherein the first material and the second material are electrically isolated from each other and are selected such that they form a voltage potential difference when in contact with a conductive fluid to provide power to activate the communication device, wherein the support structure includes a control module electrically coupled to the first material and the second material and configured to control conductance between the first material and the second material to modulate a current flow extending through the conductive fluid between the first material and the second material and thereby generate a detectable encoded current signature;
wherein at least one first communication device of the plurality of communication devices is located within a first coating wherein the first coating is configured to dissolve in a user'"'"'s stomach to thereby activate the at least one first communication device in the user'"'"'s stomach and withstand mastication pressure to prevent the activation of the at least one first communication device as the user chews the signal producing food product, andwherein at least one second communication device of the plurality of communication devices is coated with a second coating configured to break as the user chews the signal producing food product to thereby activate the at least one second communication device in the user'"'"'s mouth.
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Abstract
The system of the present invention includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature. The system can also be associated with food and communicate data about ingestion of food material to a receiver.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A signal producing food product comprising:
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a digestible material; a plurality of communication devices associated with the digestible material, wherein each communication device comprises; a first material physically associated with a support structure; and a second material physically associated with the support structure at a location different from the first material, wherein the first material and the second material are electrically isolated from each other and are selected such that they form a voltage potential difference when in contact with a conductive fluid to provide power to activate the communication device, wherein the support structure includes a control module electrically coupled to the first material and the second material and configured to control conductance between the first material and the second material to modulate a current flow extending through the conductive fluid between the first material and the second material and thereby generate a detectable encoded current signature; wherein at least one first communication device of the plurality of communication devices is located within a first coating wherein the first coating is configured to dissolve in a user'"'"'s stomach to thereby activate the at least one first communication device in the user'"'"'s stomach and withstand mastication pressure to prevent the activation of the at least one first communication device as the user chews the signal producing food product, and wherein at least one second communication device of the plurality of communication devices is coated with a second coating configured to break as the user chews the signal producing food product to thereby activate the at least one second communication device in the user'"'"'s mouth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification