Semi-passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with active beacon

• US 7,348,875 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Inventors: Pratt, Richard M., Hughes, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): AU, SCOTT D
• Application Number:
  US10/839,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.4, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/572.4, 340/572.2, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07786 the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole

Abstract

A radio frequency beacon device for use with a backscatter interrogator includes a processor; a receiver coupled to the processor; a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor; and an active transmitter coupled to the processor, the active transmitter being configured to transmit an RF signal, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator. Other methods and apparatus are provided.

Claims

1. A radio frequency beacon device for use with a backscatter interrogator, comprising:

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor;

a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor; and

an active transmitter coupled to the processor, the active transmitter being configured to transmit an RF signal, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator.

2. A radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a common antenna coupled to the backscatter modulator and to the active transmitter.

3. A radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a first antenna coupled to the active transmitter and a second antenna coupled to the receiver.

4. A radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a power source coupled to the processor, backscatter modulator, receiver and active transmitter, and wherein power is supplied temporarily to the transmitter, from the power source, in response to the trigger signal.

5. A radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a battery coupled to the processor, backscatter modulator, receiver and active transmitter, and wherein power is supplied temporarily to the transmitter, from the battery, in response to the trigger signal.

6. A radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 1 and configured to provide an attention signal to the interrogator and have the interrogator thereafter contact the beacon device in response to receiving the attention signal.

7. The radio frequency beacon device of claim 1 wherein the trigger signal is not communicated by the interrogator.

8. The radio frequency beacon device of claim 1 wherein the trigger signal originates using the beacon device.

9. The radio frequency beacon device of claim 6 wherein the beacon device is configured to transmit the attention signal when the beacon device is not concurrently receiving a carrier wave from the interrogator.

10. The radio frequency beacon device of claim 6 wherein the attention signal is a wireless signal transmitted by the active transmitter of the beacon device.

11. A radio frequency communications system comprising:

a backscatter interrogator; and

a beacon device comprising;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor;

a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor;

an active transmitter coupled to the processor, the active transmitter being configured to transmit an RF signal to the interrogator, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator; and

a sensor coupled to the processor, the trigger signal being generated in response to a condition sensed by the sensor;

wherein the interrogator is configured to contact the beacon device in response to receiving the RF signal transmitted by the active transmitter.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the sensor is a make-break sensor.

13. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the sensor is a tamper detection sensor.

14. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

15. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the sensor is a moisture sensor.

16. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the sensor is a shock sensor.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the backscatter interrogator comprises:

a transmitter configured to transmit the carrier wave to the beacon device;

a first receiver configured to receive backscatter transmissions from the backscatter modulator of the beacon device, the backscatter transmissions comprising a backscattered version of the carrier wave;

a second receiver configured to receive the RF signal transmitted by the active transmitter of the beacon device; and

wherein the backscatter interrogator is configured to transmit a message to the beacon device via the transmitter in response to receiving the RF signal from the beacon device via the second receiver.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the message indicates that the beacon device is to respond to the message by transmitting a response message via the active transmitter.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the message indicates that the beacon device is to respond to the message by transmitting a response message via the backscatter modulator and the active transmitter.

20. The system of claim 11 wherein the trigger signal is not communicated by the interrogator and the beacon device is configured to transmit the RE signal when the beacon device is not concurrently receiving a carrier wave from the interrogator.

21. The system of claim 11 wherein the sensor is configured to sense a condition with respect to the beacon device and to generate the trigger signal responsive to the sensing.

22. A radio frequency communications device, for use with a backscatter interrogator, comprising:

a battery;

a semi-passive radio frequency device, coupled to the battery, for use with a backscatter interrogator, including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive backscatter radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor; and

an active transmitter coupled to the processor and to the battery, the active transmitter being configured to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator.

23. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 22 and further comprising a common antenna selectively used by the backscatter modulator and the active transmitter.

24. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 22 and further comprising a first antenna coupled to the active transmitter and a second antenna coupled to the receiver.

25. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 22 wherein power is supplied temporarily to the transmitter, from the battery, in response to the trigger signal.

26. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 22, wherein the active transmitter is configured to merely provide an attention signal to the interrogator whereby the interrogator thereafter contacts the device via backscatter communications.

27. The radio frequency communications device of claim 22 wherein the trigger signal is not communicated by the interrogator.

28. The radio frequency communications device of claim 22 wherein the trigger signal originates using the beacon device.

29. A radio frequency communications device, for use with a backscatter interrogator, comprising:

a battery;

a semi-passive radio frequency device, coupled to the battery, for use with a backscatter interrogator, including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive backscatter radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor; and

an active transmitter coupled to the processor and to the battery, the active transmitter being configured to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator; and

a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor being configured to sense a condition with respect to the radio frequency communication device and to generate the trigger signal responsive to the sensing and independent of communications of the interrogator.

30. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a make-break sensor.

31. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a tamper detection sensor.

32. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

33. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a moisture sensor.

34. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a shock sensor.

35. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a temperature threshold sensor.

36. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor.

37. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is an acceleration sensor.

38. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a humidity sensor.

39. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a tilt sensor.

40. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is an electric field sensor.

41. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a magnetic field sensor.

42. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a gas concentration sensor.

43. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor.

44. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is an illumination sensor.

45. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is a fluid level sensor.

46. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the sensor is an immersion sensor.

47. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency beacon device for use with a backscatter interrogator, the method comprising:

coupling a receiver to a processor, coupling a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor, and coupling an active transmitter to the processor; and

arranging the active transmitter to transmit an RF signal, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator.

48. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 47 and further comprising coupling a common antenna to the backscatter modulator and to the active transmitter.

49. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 47 and further comprising coupling a first antenna to the active transmitter and coupling a second antenna to the receiver.

50. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 47 and further comprising coupling a power source to the processor, backscatter modulator, receiver and active transmitter, and supplying power temporarily to the transmitter, from the power source, in response to the trigger signal.

51. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 47 and further comprising coupling a battery to the processor, backscatter modulator, receiver and active transmitter, and supplying power temporarily to the transmitter, from the battery, in response to the trigger signal.

52. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 47, wherein the beacon device provides an attention signal to the interrogator and in response to receiving the attention signal, the interrogator thereafter contacts the device via backscatter communications.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the beacon device provides the attention signal during a period of time when the beacon device is not concurrently receiving a carrier wave from the interrogator.

54. The method of claim 47 wherein the trigger signal is not communicated by the interrogator.

55. The method of claim 47 wherein the trigger signal originates using the beacon device.

56. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency beacon device for use with a backscatter interrogator, the method comprising:

coupling a receiver to a processor, coupling a backscatter modulator to the processor, and coupling an active transmitter to the processor;

arranging the active transmitter to transmit an RF signal, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator; and

coupling a sensor to the processor, the trigger signal being generated in response to a condition sensed by the sensor.

57. A method of manufacturing radio frequency beacon device in accordance with claim 56 wherein the sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a make-break sensor, a tamper detection sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, a shock sensor, a temperature threshold sensor, a shock sensor, a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, a humidity sensor, a tilt sensor, an electric field sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a gas concentration sensor, a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, a fluid level sensor, and an immersion sensor.

58. The method of claim 56 wherein the trigger signal is not communicated by the interrogator.

59. The method of claim 56 wherein the trigger signal originates using the beacon device.

60. The method of claim 56 wherein the sensor is configured to sense a condition with respect to the beacon device and to generate the trigger signal responsive to the sensing.

61. The method of claim 56 wherein the active transmitter transmits the RE signal during a period of time when the beacon device is not concurrently receiving a carrier wave from the interrogator.

62. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device, for use with a backscatter interrogator, the method comprising:

providing a battery;

coupling a semi-passive radio frequency device to the battery, the device being for use with a backscatter interrogator and including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive backscatter radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor; and

coupling an active transmitter to the processor of the semi-passive tag and to the battery, and configuring the active transmitter to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator.

63. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 62 and further comprising the backscatter modulator and the active transmitter selectively using a common antenna.

64. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 62 and further comprising coupling a first antenna to the active transmitter and coupling a second antenna coupled to the receiver.

65. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 62 and comprising supplying power temporarily to the transmitter, from the battery, in response to the trigger signal.

66. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 62 and comprising configuring the active transmitter to provide an attention signal to the interrogator and planning on the interrogator to contact the device via backscatter communications in response to receiving the attention signal for communications relating to the attention signal.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein the radio frequency communications device is configured to transmit the attention signal during a period of time when the radio frequency communications device is not concurrently receiving a carrier wave from the interrogator.

68. The method of claim 62 wherein the trigger signal is not communicated by the interrogator.

69. The method of claim 62 wherein the trigger signal originates using the beacon device.

70. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device, for use with a backscatter interrogator, the method comprising:

providing a battery;

coupling a semi-passive radio frequency device to the battery, the device being for use with a backscatter interrogator and including components configured to be supplied with power from the battery, wherein range is greater than for a passive backscatter radio frequency device, the semi-passive radio frequency device including;

a processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor; and

a backscatter modulator coupled to the processor; and

coupling an active transmitter to the processor of the semi-passive tag and to the battery, and configuring the active transmitter to transmit, in response to a trigger signal, regardless of whether the interrogator is providing a carrier wave for backscatter modulation by the backscatter modulator, the trigger signal being independent of the interrogator; and

coupling a sensor to the processor of the semi-passive tag, the sensor being configured to sense a condition with respect to the semi-passive tag and to generate the trigger signal responsive to the sensing.

71. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 70 wherein the sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a make-break sensor, a tamper detection sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, a shock sensor, a temperature threshold sensor, a shock sensor, a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, a humidity sensor, a tilt sensor, an electric field sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a gas concentration sensor, a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, a fluid level sensor, and an immersion sensor.

72. The method of claim 70 wherein the trigger signal originates using the beacon device.