NFC/RF mechanism with multiple valid states for detecting an open container, and methods of making and using the same
First Claim
1. A wireless communication device, comprising:
- a) a receiver and a transmitter;
b) a substrate with an antenna thereon, said antenna receiving a first wireless signal and transmitting or broadcasting a second wireless signal;
c) an integrated circuit configured to (i) process said first wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and (ii) generate said second wireless signal and/or information therefor, said integrated circuit having a first set of terminals electrically connected to said antenna, the integrated circuit comprising (i) a continuity sensor and (ii) a memory; and
d) one or more protection lines on a common or different substrate, the protection line(s) being (i) configured to sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and (ii) electrically connected to said continuity sensor through a second set of terminals of said integrated circuit different from said first set of terminals,wherein the memory includes one or more bits configured to store a value corresponding to the continuity state of the container or package, and the second wireless signal communicates the value of the continuity state of the container or package.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A wireless communication device, comprising:
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a) a receiver and a transmitter; b) a substrate with an antenna thereon, said antenna receiving a first wireless signal and transmitting or broadcasting a second wireless signal; c) an integrated circuit configured to (i) process said first wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and (ii) generate said second wireless signal and/or information therefor, said integrated circuit having a first set of terminals electrically connected to said antenna, the integrated circuit comprising (i) a continuity sensor and (ii) a memory; and d) one or more protection lines on a common or different substrate, the protection line(s) being (i) configured to sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and (ii) electrically connected to said continuity sensor through a second set of terminals of said integrated circuit different from said first set of terminals, wherein the memory includes one or more bits configured to store a value corresponding to the continuity state of the container or package, and the second wireless signal communicates the value of the continuity state of the container or package. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of manufacturing a wireless communication device, comprising:
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a) forming an antenna on a first substrate, said antenna being configured to receive and transmit or broadcast a wireless signal; b) forming one or more protection lines on a common or different substrate; c) forming an integrated circuit on a substrate common with at least one of the antenna and the protection line(s), or different from each of the antenna and the protection line(s), the integrated circuit comprising (i) a continuity sensor electrically connected to at least one of said one or more protection lines and (ii) a memory; and d) electrically connecting the antenna to a first set of terminals of the integrated circuit, and the protection line(s) to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit, wherein the memory includes one or more bits configured to store a value corresponding to a continuity state of the container or package, and the wireless communication device is configured to communicate the value of the continuity state of the container or package. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of detecting an opened package or container, comprising:
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a) placing a wireless communication device comprising an antenna, one or more protection lines, and an integrated circuit electrically connected to each of the antenna and the protection line(s) on the package or container such that at least one of the protection line(s) are over an interface between first and second separable parts of the package or container, the integrated circuit comprising (i) a continuity sensor electrically connected to at least one of said one or more protection lines and (ii) a memory that includes one or more bits configured to store a value corresponding to the continuity state of the container or package; b) using the integrated circuit, sensing the continuity state of the package or container; and c) communicating the value of the continuity state of the container or package using the wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification