Temperature tracking device and method using same

• US 9,104,924 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2011
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KLT Techonology Inc.
• Original Assignee: KLT Techonology Inc.
• Inventors: Lane, T. Randall, Brotzel, Dean, Graham, R. William
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHERWIN, RYAN W
• Application Number:
  US13/239,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20120009872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5729, 340 101- 106, 340/500, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/540, 340/601, 340/588, 229/92.8, 229/68.1, 229300-306
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 5/026 with return letter or return card
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/00 Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature G01K7/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10237 the reader and the record carrier being capable of selectively switching between reader and record carrier appearance, e.g. in near field communication [NFC] devices where the NFC device may function as an RFID reader or as an RFID tag

Abstract

A device for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an item is disposed includes a environment monitoring tag operably disposed adjacent an article to sense environment surrounding said article and store environmental data sensed, wherein said tag is equipped with software and hardware to communicate said data using Near Field Communication and a hand held communication device equipped with software and hardware to communicate using Near Field Communication to receive environmental data sensed by said tag and analyze said data.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an item is disposed, which includes:

an environment monitoring tag operably disposed adjacent an item to be monitored, said tag equipped to sense and store surrounding environmental conditions thereof, wherein said tag is equipped with software and hardware to communicate said conditions using Near Field Communication protocol; and

an electronic reader which employs Near Field Communication hardware and software to receive said environmental conditions sensed and stored by said tag and includes software for analyzing the environmental conditions sensed by said tag for purposes of generating a report of whether a critical condition has been detected, wherein said electronic reader is equipped to control said tag'"'"'s start and stop time, log time, and excursion temperature which is rendered storable data on said tag,

wherein said tag is positionally connected and integrated into a return mail postcard using an adhesive, wherein said postcard can be disposed adjacent an item to be monitored, said tag equipped with a power source to sense surrounding environmental conditions thereof wherein said tag is of a size and configuration to become part of said return mail postcard adhering to U.S. mail standards, wherein said tag is disposed within opposing substrates which are sealably connected to form said return mail postcard and said tag hag a start/stop button and status indicator in predetermined fixed positions thereon and said return mail postcard is provided with a cutout portion and said tag connected to a predetermined area of an inside surface of said substrates to positionably maintain said start/stop button and said status indicator within said cutout portion and not extending beyond said substrates, and

wherein said electronic reader is equipped to communicate and store data for a plurality of environment monitoring tags using Near Field Communication protocol.

2. The system for monitoring of claim 1, wherein said electronic reader electronic reader includes one of a smart reader, personal digital assistant or cell phone equipped with Near Field Communication hardware and software to enable retrieving and analyzing the data sensed by said tag.

3. The system for monitoring of claim 1, wherein said tag equipped is equipped to monitor one of temperature, vibration, pressure, radiation, shock, light, position and atmosphere.

4. The system for monitoring of claim 1, wherein said electronic reader electronic reader is equipped to identify and control operation of said tag.

5. The system for monitoring of claim 1, wherein said electronic reader electronic reader is equipped to generate a report based on said environmental data.

6. The system for monitoring of claim 5, wherein said hand held communication device is equipped to generate a report based on said data.