RFID TAG BASED DISCRETE CONTACT POSITION INDICATION

• US 20100079289A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Brandt, David Dale, Wielebski, Wayne H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,994,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.700
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/168 making use of an electromagnetic wave communication
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment

Abstract

An RF based state indicator for indicating the state of a control device is provided. The RF-based state indicator indicates the position of a control mechanism by using the position of the control mechanism to enable or disable an RF tag. An RF reader acquires RF transmitted data from enabled RF tags and uses the data to indicate or control an operation aspect of a device.

Claims

1. A wireless input device comprising:

a radio frequency antenna;

a data storage circuit couplable to the antenna; and

an operator movable with respect to the antenna for altering operation of the antenna and the circuit to selectively communicate data stored on the circuit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the operator completes or interrupts a conductive path defining the antenna.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the operator shorts or unshorts the antenna.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the operator alters an electromagnetic property of the antenna.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the operator shields or unshields the antenna.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the operator changes a resonant frequency of the antenna.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the data storage circuit is separated from the antenna by a gap and wherein the operator includes a body and a mechanism to engage a conductive portion that spans the gap to complete the conductive path.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the data storage circuit is separated from the antenna by a plurality of gaps and wherein the operator engages a corresponding number of conductive portions that span the respective gaps to complete the conductive path.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the operator is movable linearly towards and away from the antenna and circuit.

10. The device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of antennas and a plurality of respective data storage circuits.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the operator is rotatable with respect to the respective antennas for selectively completing and interrupting a conductive path between one antenna and a respective circuit at any one time.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the actuator includes a plurality of conductive portions at ends thereof, and wherein the operator is movable linearly with respect to the respective antennas and circuits for completing and interrupting a conductive path between one antenna and a respective circuit at any one time.

13. The device of claim 1, comprising a further radio frequency antenna and a further data storage circuit couplable to the further antenna, the operator being movable with respect to the antenna and the further antenna for altering operation of the antenna and the further antenna and the circuits to enable the antennas to communicate signals in accordance with data stored on the respective data storage circuit.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the antenna is enabled when the further antenna is disabled, and the further antenna is enabled when the antenna is disabled.

15. A wireless input device comprising:

a radio frequency antenna;

a data storage circuit couplable to the antenna; and

an operator movable with respect to the antenna for affecting a connection between the antenna and the circuit to selectively enable the antenna to communicate signals in accordance with data stored on the circuit and to disable the antenna from communicating the signals.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the operator completes and interrupts a conductive path between the antenna and the circuit to allow the antenna to communicate signals and to interrupt the communication of signals, respectively.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the antenna and the circuit are electrically coupled to one another, and wherein the operator establishes an alternative current path around the circuit to interrupt the communication of signals.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the antenna and the circuit are electrically coupled to one another, and wherein the operator alters a characteristic of the antenna to interrupt the communication of signals.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the operator is movable linearly towards and away from the antenna and circuit.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the operator is rotatable with respect to the antenna and circuit.

21. The device of claim 15, comprising a plurality of antennas and a plurality of respective data storage circuits.

22. An electrical system configured to receive an input signal comprising:

an input device including a radio frequency antenna, a data storage circuit couplable to the antenna, and an operator movable with respect to the antenna for affecting a connection between the antenna and the circuit to selectively enable the antenna to communicate signals in accordance with data stored on the circuit and to disable the antenna from communicating the signals;

a radio frequency reader configured to receive signals from the input device; and

processing circuitry coupled to the reader and configured to provide an output signal to an electrical load based upon the received signals.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the reader transmits a read signal to the input device, and wherein the circuit and antenna are powered by the read signal.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the reader is coupled to the processing circuitry remotely via a network.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the processing circuitry provides the output signal to drive circuitry for driving the load.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the drive circuitry includes electrical switchgear for driving a motor.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein the load includes a human perceivable indicator of a state of the actuator.