Point of sale inductive systems and methods

• US 8,893,977 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2011
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W., Mollema, Scott A., Stoner, William T. Jr., Dean, Cody D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Savusdiphol, Paultep
• Application Number:
  US13/082,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20110259960A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/385, 235/439, 235/440, 235/487, 235/492
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/02 for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets A47F10/06 takes precedence; hand-carts B62B; baskets B65D
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1056 comprising rotatable or articulated levers B05B11/1053 takes precedence; lever actuated piston pumps B05B11/1009; lever actuated pumps with deformable chamber B05B11/1029
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 93/005 Marking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/24 by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/244 comprising oscillating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/26 by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4144 for controlling weight of goods in commercial establishments, e.g. supermarket, P.O.S. systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 7/00 Weighing apparatus wherein the balancing is effected by magnetic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic action, or by means not provided for in the preceding groups
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0672 with resonating marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/086 sensing passive circuit, e.g. resonant circuit transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/04 Electronic labels
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 21/02 continuously variable, e.g. variometers
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.

Claims

1. A product identification device for use with an inductive reader comprising:

a point of sale storage device for a product;

a product identification circuit supported by the storage device and including a plurality of isolated resonant circuits electrically isolated from one another and each defining a resonant frequency, wherein each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits includes an inductive element and a shielding element to at least partially encompass the inductive element, and wherein the product identification circuit includes a reflected impedance based on the resonant frequency of each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits and based on the shielding element of each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits, such that the product can be identified remotely at a point of sale based on the reflected impedance; and

a secondary coil electrically coupled to an electrical load supported by the point of sale storage device, the secondary coil being configured to receive power from the inductive reader for transfer to the electrical load.

2. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein the storage device comprises a container including a base and an upwardly extending sidewall defining a storage space.

3. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits includes a switch to vary the resonant frequency of the corresponding isolated resonant circuit from among a plurality of resonant frequencies.

4. The product identification device of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits includes an inductive element electrically coupled to a resistive element, wherein the switch is operable to short the resistive element.

5. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits includes a rectifying diode.

6. The product identification device of claim 5 wherein the rectifying diode comprises a light emitting diode.

7. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein the load includes one of a light emitting diode, an e-ink display, an electroluminescent display and a liquid crystal display.

8. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein:

the support device includes a base and a forward facing sidewall extending upwardly therefrom; and

the load is supported by the forward facing sidewall of the support device.

9. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein the load includes an electrostatic speaker.

10. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein the load includes a rechargeable battery.

11. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein the load includes a heater element.

12. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of isolated resonant circuits are at least partially disposed in overlapping alignment with each other.

13. The product identification device of claim 1 wherein each shielding element encompasses the corresponding inductive element to a varying degree.

14. A product identification system comprising:

an inductive reader including a primary tank circuit, the inductive reader being adapted to generate an electromagnetic field and adapted to determine the identity of a product at the point of sale based on the reflected impedance of a product identification circuit generated as a result of the electromagnetic field, wherein the product identification circuit includes a plurality of isolated resonant circuits, each isolated resonant circuit being electrically isolated from each other and including an inductive element defining a resonant frequency and a shielding element to at least partially encompass the inductive element, the plurality of isolated resonant circuits being included on a storage device for the product, wherein the storage device includes a secondary coil electrically coupled to an electrical load and configured to receive power from the inductive reader at the point of sale for transfer to the electrical load.

23. The product identification system of claim 14 wherein the inductive reader includes a driver electrically connected to the primary tank circuit, the driver being adapted to generate in the primary tank circuit a time varying current having a frequency selected as a function of the resonant frequencies of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits.

24. The product identification system of claim 23, wherein the time varying current in the primary tank circuit induces a current in the secondary coil for powering the load.

25. The product identification system of claim 24 wherein the load includes one of a heater element, a battery, an electrostatic speaker, an LCD display, an LED, an e-ink display and an electroluminescent device.

26. The product identification system of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits includes a switch to vary the resonant frequency of the corresponding isolated resonant circuit from among a plurality of resonant frequencies.

27. The product identification system of claim 26 wherein each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits include an inductive element and a parallel resistive load, wherein the switch is operable to short the parallel resistive load.

28. The product identification system of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits are printed on a non-conductive substrate.

29. The product identification system of claim 28 wherein:

the substrate includes a perforation; and

each of the plurality of resonant circuits extend across the perforation.

30. The product identification system of claim 29 wherein separation of the perforation varies the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonant circuits.

31. The product identification system of claim 29 wherein:

each of the plurality of resonant circuits include an impedance element and a current path; and

separation of the perforation alters the current path through the impedance element.

32. The product identification system of claim 31 wherein the perforation defines a tear tab, the tear tab including a conductive trace to short the impedance element.

33. The product identification system of claim 31 wherein the impedance element is one of a resistor, a capacitor, and an inductor.

34. The product identification system of claim 14 wherein the inductive reader includes a controller, the controller being adapted to assign a prime number to the resonant frequency of each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits.

35. The product identification system of claim 34 wherein the controller is further adapted to assign an integer to the resonant frequency of each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits.

36. The product identification system of claim 34 wherein the controller is further adapted to assign a unique identifier to the product, the unique identifier being based on the product of the prime number raised to the corresponding integer for each resonant frequency.

37. The product identification system of claim 36 wherein the unique identifier defines a prime factorization.

44. The method according to claim 37 wherein the inductive element is electrically coupled to a capacitive element.

15. The product identification system of 14 wherein the inductive reader is a first inductive reader, the system further comprising a second inductive reader.

16. The product identification system of claim 15 wherein the first and second inductive readers are adapted to transmit the identity of the product to a hub that is remote from the first and second inductive readers.

17. The product identification system of claim 16 wherein the hub is operable to accumulate an inventory of identified products.

18. The product identification system of claim 16 wherein the hub is operable to generate a recipe based on the inventory of identified products.

19. The product identification system of claim 16 wherein the hub is operable to generate a shopping list based on the inventory of identified products.

20. The product identification system of claim 16 wherein the hub is operable to associate each identified product with a characteristic of the corresponding identified product.

21. The product identification system of claim 20 wherein:

each identified product is a food product; and

the characteristic includes the nutritional content of each identified food product.

22. The product identification system of claim 15 wherein the first and second inductive readers are located in one of a kitchen, a pantry, a bathroom and a laundry room.

38. A method for forming a product identification device for use with an inductive reader at a point of sale, comprising:

providing a point of sale storage device associated with a device identifier;

providing a passive identification circuit including a reflected impedance based on a plurality of isolated resonant circuits each including an inductive element defining a resonant frequency and a shielding element at least partially encompassing the inductive element, wherein the plurality of isolated resonant circuits are electrically isolated from each other, and wherein the device identifier is based on the reflected impedance of the passive identification circuit;

providing an electrical load coupled to a secondary coil that is configured to receive power from the inductive reader for powering the electrical load; and

joining the product identification circuit, the secondary coil and the electrical load to the storage device.

39. The method according to claim 38 further comprising defining with the storage device a base and a sidewall.

40. The method according to claim 38 wherein providing a passive identification circuit includes printing the plurality of isolated resonant circuits on a non-conductive substrate.

41. The method according to claim 40 further comprising perforating at least a portion of the non-conductive substrate to define a plurality of tear tabs.

42. The method according to claim 38 further comprising joining a heater element to the support device, the heater element being activated in response to a time varying electromagnetic field.

43. The method according to claim 42 wherein the heater element includes a ferromagnetic material.

45. The method according to claim 38 wherein the plurality of isolated resonant circuits define substantially different resonant frequencies.

46. The method according to claim 38 wherein the device identifier defines a prime factorization.

47. The method according to claim 38 wherein joining the product identification circuit to the storage device includes printing the plurality of isolated resonant circuits on the storage device.