Communication system incorporated in an ingestible product
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A signal producing product comprising:
- a first coating material;
a second coating material; and
a communication device at least partially surrounded by the first coating material, wherein the second coating material at least partially surrounds the communication device and the first coating material, wherein the communication device comprises;
a first material;
a second material; and
a circuit electrically coupled to the first material and the second material and configured to control electrical conductance between the first material and the second material to generate a remotely detectable signal therebetween, wherein the circuit is configured to determine a local impedance and to postpone activation of the communication device, to allow time for the first coating material to dissolve, while the local impedance is at a level such that the detectable signal does not have sufficient signal strength for detection;
wherein the first material and the second material are configured to generate a voltage potential to provide power to the communication device when the first material and the second material are in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; and
wherein the second coating material is configured to withstand mastication pressure to prevent activation of the communication device as a user chews the signal producing product; and
wherein the first coating material is configured to dissolve in the user'"'"'s stomach.
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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.
828 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A signal producing product comprising:
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a first coating material; a second coating material; and a communication device at least partially surrounded by the first coating material, wherein the second coating material at least partially surrounds the communication device and the first coating material, wherein the communication device comprises; a first material; a second material; and a circuit electrically coupled to the first material and the second material and configured to control electrical conductance between the first material and the second material to generate a remotely detectable signal therebetween, wherein the circuit is configured to determine a local impedance and to postpone activation of the communication device, to allow time for the first coating material to dissolve, while the local impedance is at a level such that the detectable signal does not have sufficient signal strength for detection; wherein the first material and the second material are configured to generate a voltage potential to provide power to the communication device when the first material and the second material are in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; and wherein the second coating material is configured to withstand mastication pressure to prevent activation of the communication device as a user chews the signal producing product; and wherein the first coating material is configured to dissolve in the user'"'"'s stomach. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A signal producing product comprising:
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a digestible material; a coating material; and a communication device associated with the digestible material and at least partially surrounded by the coating material, wherein the communication device comprises; a first material; a second material; a circuit electrically coupled to the first material and the second material and configured to control electrical conductance between the first material and the second material to generate a remotely detectable signal therebetween; wherein the first material and the second material are configured to generate a voltage potential to provide power to the communication device when the first material and the second material are in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; and wherein the coating material is configured to withstand mastication pressure to prevent activation of the communication device as a user chews the signal producing product; and wherein the coating material is configured to dissolve in the user'"'"'s stomach; and wherein the communication device is a first communication device and the coating material is a first coating material, wherein the signal producing product further comprises a second communication device; and wherein the second communication device is at least partially surrounded by a second coating, wherein the second coating is configured to break as the user chews the signal producing product.
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21. A signal producing product comprising:
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a digestible material; a coating material; and a communication device associated with the digestible material and at least partially surrounded by the coating material, wherein the communication device comprises; a first material; a second material; a circuit electrically coupled to the first material and the second material and configured to control electrical conductance between the first material and the second material to generate a remotely detectable signal therebetween; wherein the first material and the second material are configured to generate a voltage potential to provide power to the communication device when the first material and the second material are in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; and wherein the coating material is configured to withstand mastication pressure to prevent activation of the communication device as a user chews the signal producing product; and wherein the coating material is configured to dissolve in the user'"'"'s stomach; and wherein the communication device is a first communication device and the coating material is a first coating material, wherein the signal producing product further comprises a second communication device; and wherein the second communication device is configured to activate upon contact with the user'"'"'s saliva.
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Specification