NFC/RF Mechanism with Multiple Valid States for Detecting an Open Container, and Methods of Making and Using the Same

• US 20160110725A1
• Filed: 08/06/2015
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ensurge Micropower ASA
• Original Assignee: Thin Film Electronics ASA
• Inventors: BRIGHT, Matthew A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,519,904 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/00 Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes capsules or the like for oral use A61J3/07; specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments A61B50/30; containers for radioactive substances G21F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 27/30 with special means for indicating unauthorised opening
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/028 initial opening or unauthorised access being indicated by the presence or absence of an audible or electrical signal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 79/02 Arrangements or devices for indicating incorrect storage or transport B65D79/005 takes precedence ; measuring devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/00 Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0185 Product, service or business identity fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

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.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a) a receiver and/or transmitter;

b) a substrate with an antenna thereon, said antenna receiving a first wireless signal and/or transmitting or broadcasting a second wireless signal;

c) an integrated circuit configured to (i) process said first wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or (ii) generate said second wireless signal and/or information therefor, said integrated circuit having a first set of terminals electrically connected to said antenna; 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 stat 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 a second set of terminals of said integrated circuit different from said first set of terminals.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said one or more protection lines comprises a plurality of said protection lines.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising one or more redundant protection lines.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit comprises one or more printed layers.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 4, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises one or more thin films.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the antenna consists of a single metal layer.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the antenna and the one or more protection lines consist of a single common metal layer on a common substrate.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 1, comprising a near field and/or radio frequency communication device.

9. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a continuity sensor electrically connected to at least one of said one or more protection lines.

10. The wireless communication device of claim 9, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a second sensor.

11. The wireless communication device of claim 9, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a memory including one or more bits configured to store a value corresponding to a continuity state of the container or package.

12. A package or container, comprising:

a) first and second separable parts with an interface therebetween; and

b) the wireless communication device of claim 1, on the first and second separable parts of the package or container, and over the interface.

13. The package or container of claim 12, wherein the integrated circuit and the antenna are on the first separable part of the package or container, and the one or more protection lines are on each of the first and second separable parts of the package or container.

14. The package or container of claim 12, wherein the package or container comprises multiple sealed or closed compartments, said one or more protection lines comprises a plurality of said protection lines, and each of the plurality of protection lines extends over a unique one of the multiple sealed or closed compartments.

15. A method of manufacturing a wireless communication device, comprising:

a) forming an antenna on a first substrate, said antenna being configured to receive and/or 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); 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.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said wireless communication device comprises a near field and/or radio frequency communication device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said one or more protection lines comprises a plurality of said protection lines.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising forming one or more redundant protection lines.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the integrated circuit comprises printing one or more layers of the integrated circuit.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein forming the integrated circuit further comprises forming one or more layers of the integrated circuit by one or more thin film processing techniques.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the antenna consists of forming a single metal layer on the first substrate, and etching the single metal layer to form the antenna.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the antenna comprises printing a metal ink on the first substrate in a pattern corresponding to the antenna.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the antenna and the protection lines consist of a single common metal layer on a common substrate.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a sensor, and electrically connecting said one or more protection lines to the integrated circuit comprises electrically connecting said one or more protection lines to the sensor.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a threshold comparator receiving an output of said sensor.

26. A method of detecting an opened package or container, comprising:

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; and

b) using the integrated circuit, sensing a continuity state of the package or container.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a near field and/or radio frequency communication device.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the integrated circuit and the antenna are on the first separable part of the package or container, and the one or more protection lines are on each of the first and second separable parts of the package or container.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein said one or more protection lines comprises a plurality of said protection lines.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said wireless communication device further comprises one or more redundant protection lines.