RFID transducer alignment system

• US 20060066453A1
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABR LLC
• Original Assignee: ABR LLC
• Inventors: Massey, David, Incze, Bela, Homanfar, Ramin
• Granted Patent: US 7,319,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/51 for dentistry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/587 Alignment of source unit to detector unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/047 provided with marking means

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system having the capacity to detect the parameter of alignment, wherein the system may be used with hand-held, fixed-in-place, stationary and permanently mounted apparatus. The system includes an RF transponder configured for use with dental x-ray, medical imaging and digital radiography apparatus The system may include a multiplicity of RF transponder carrier transmit/data receive coils, each resonant to the same or differing frequencies. An RF tag, an RF transponder and an x-ray film holder are configured to be critically aligned to a dental x-ray machine head apparatus, rendering repeat imaging unnecessary. The x-ray head apparatus may be further configured to automatically obtain a desired x-ray image or configured so that the device cannot activate and provide a radiograph until alignment to an RF tag device has occurred.

Claims

1. An apparatus for aligning two devices, comprising:

a transponder configured to emit an electromagnetic force within a predetermined area of alignment;

a tag configured to emit a radio frequency signal when excited by the electromagnetic force from the transponder; and

a reader configured to detect the signal from the tag.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to activate when the reader detects the signal from the tag.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a microprocessor associated with the reader and configured for processing the signal from the tag;

display means operatively connected to the microprocessor for indicating when the tag has been detected by the reader; and

memory associated with the microprocessor for storing data obtained from the signal from the tag.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an imaging device attached to the tag.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an imaging device attached to the transponder.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an x-ray emitter associated with the transponder and an x-ray sensitive film associated with the tag.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of transponders.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tags.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an amplifier configured to enhance the signal from the tag; and

a filter for conditioning the amplified signal.

10. A method for aligning two devices, comprising:

emitting from a transponder an electromagnetic force within a predetermined area of alignment;

emitting a radio frequency signal from a tag when the tag is in proximity to the electromagnetic force from the transponder;

detecting the signal from the tag when the tag is aligned with the transponder; and

indicating when the signal from the tag is detected.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising moving the transponder until the signal from the tag is detected.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising moving the tag until the signal from the tag is detected.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

embedding identification data within the signal emitted from the tag;

processing the signal from the tag to obtain the embedded identification data;

displaying the identification data; and

storing the identification data in memory associated with the microprocessor.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

placing the tag associated with an x-ray film in a mouth of a patient; and

moving the transponder associated with an x-ray emitter until the signal from the tag is detected.

15. A system for obtaining a dental x-ray, comprising:

an x-ray emitter having a head section;

a transponder associated with the head section and configured to emit an electromagnetic force within a predetermined area of alignment;

a film sensitive to x-rays;

a tag associated with the film and configured to emit a radio frequency signal when excited by the electromagnetic force from the transponder; and

a reader configured to detect the signal from the tag.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an indicator configured to be activated when the reader detects the signal from the tag.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the x-ray emitter is configured so as to inhibit the emission of x-rays unless the reader detects the signal from the tag.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the tag is further configured to embed within the signal predefined identification data associated with a patient.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising

a microprocessor associated with the reader and configured for processing the signal from the tag;

display means operatively connected to the microprocessor for indicating when the tag has been detected by the reader; and

memory associated with the microprocessor for storing the identification data obtained from the signal from the tag.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the microprocessor is configured so as to activate the emission of x-rays when the reader detects alignment between the tag and the transponder.