Primary tag and a secondary tag for communication with each other, and a system comprising a primary tag and one or more secondary tags

• US 9,576,461 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2013
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CADI Scientific Pte Ltd.
• Original Assignee: CADI Scientific Pte Ltd.
• Inventors: Yap, Kon Sang, Teh, Jing Feei, Goh, Zenton, Ng, Hon Cheong
• Primary Examiner(s): Yacob, Sisay
• Application Number:
  US14/082,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20150137948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0718 the sensor being of the biometric kind, e.g. fingerprint sensors fingerprint sensors in general G06V40/13; biometric access-control systems in general, see G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0725 the arrangement being a circuit for emulating a plurality of record carriers, e.g. a single RFID tag capable of representing itself to a reader as a cloud of RFID tags
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0258 System arrangements wherein both parent and child units can emit and receive
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD

Abstract

Various embodiments relate to tags, methods of using tags, systems, and methods of using systems. Various embodiments may be suitable for identifying a human or an animal. Various embodiments may provide mother-infant matching and cot-infant matching for both single and multiple births; monitoring of the location, movement, and status of the tags; detection of tampering and unauthorized removal of infant tags; and organizing of tags.

Claims

1. A primary tag for communication with a secondary tag, the primary tag comprising:

a memory circuit configured to store a secondary tag identifier;

a receiver circuit configured to receive a second tag-to-tag signal from the secondary tag, the second tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique secondary tag identification code;

a processor circuit configured to identify the secondary tag as a correct secondary tag associated with the primary tag if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit;

a first transmitter circuit configured to send a first tag-to-tag signal, the first tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique primary tag identification code; and

a second transmitter circuit configured to send an information signal, the information signal comprising the unique primary tag identification code and other information including the location and battery level of the primary tag.

2. The primary tag of claim 1, further comprising:

a receiving portion configured to receive a detachable transmitter,

wherein the first transmitter circuit comprises a built-in transmitter, and

wherein the primary tag is configured to send the first tag-to-tag signal by the detachable transmitter if the detachable transmitter is attached to the primary tag and configured to send the first tag-to-tag signal by the built-in transmitter if the detachable transmitter is detached from the primary tag.

3. The primary tag of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch,

wherein the first transmitter circuit is configured to send the first tag-to-tag signal by manual activation of the switch.

4. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein the first transmitter circuit is further configured to send the first tag-to-tag signal at preset intervals.

5. The primary tag of claim 1, further comprising

a display circuit configured to give a first visual alert if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit;

and

an alarm circuit configured to give additionally a first audio alert if a time lapse exceeds a preset duration, the time lapse being measured from the time at which the unique secondary tag identification code in the previous second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit to the time at which the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit.

6. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein the second transmitter circuit is configured to send a matching information signal if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit and if a time lapse exceeds a preset duration, the time lapse being measured from the time at which the unique secondary tag identification code in the previous second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit to the time at which the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit;

and

wherein the matching information signal comprises the unique primary tag identification code and other information including the location and battery level of the primary tag.

7. The primary tag of claim 5,

wherein the alarm circuit is further configured to give a second audio alert and the display circuit is further configured to give a second visual alert if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal does not match the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit, and

wherein the second audio alert is different from the first audio alert and the second visual alert is different from the first visual alert.

8. The primary tag of claim 6,

wherein the second transmitter circuit is further configured to send a mismatch information signal if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal does not match the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit, and

wherein the mismatch information signal comprises information indicating a mismatch.

9. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein the first transmitter circuit is configured to send the first tag-to-tag signal having a first maximum transmission range when the primary tag is intended to be worn on a person and configured to send the first tag-to-tag signal having a second maximum transmission range when the primary tag is intended to be attached to a cot,

wherein the receiving circuit is configured to receive the second tag-to-tag signal having a first maximum reception range when the primary tag is intended to be worn on a person and configured to receive the second tag-to-tag signal having a second maximum reception range when the primary tag is to intended be attached to a cot,

wherein the first maximum transmission range is longer than the second maximum transmission range, and

wherein the first maximum reception range is longer than the second maximum reception range.

10. The primary tag of claim 8,

wherein the matching information signal and the mismatch information signal are configured to be received by at least one receiver connected to a computer system;

and

wherein information comprised in the matching information signal and the mismatch information signal is configured to be received, stored, and processed by the computer system.

11. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein the receiver circuit is configured to receive a beacon signal from a location beacon,

wherein the second transmitter circuit is configured to send a primary tag response information signal in response to the beacon signal received by the receiver circuit, and

wherein the primary tag response information signal comprises information indicating the location of the primary tag.

12. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein at least one parameter of the primary tag is configured by a tag configuration device, the at least one parameter being selected from a group comprising the intervals at which the first tag-to-tag signal is sent and a transmission range of the first tag-to-tag signal.

13. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit if the unique secondary tag identification code and the secondary tag identifier comprise a common string of characters.

14. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein the primary tag is labeled with the unique primary tag identification code such that the unique primary tag identification code is visually recognizable and readable.

15. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein the primary tag is configured to be stored in a primary storage bracket, and

wherein the primary tag'"'"'s capability to send or receive any signal is turned off by the primary storage bracket after the primary tag is placed in the primary tag storage bracket for a preset period.

16. The primary tag of claim 1,

wherein the memory circuit is further configured to store a plurality of secondary tag identifiers, and

wherein the processor circuit is further configured to identify the secondary tag as a correct secondary tag associated with the primary tag if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches any one of the secondary tag identifiers stored in the memory circuit.

17. A secondary tag for communication with a primary tag, the secondary tag comprising:

a receiver circuit configured to receive a first tag-to-tag signal from the primary tag, the first tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique primary tag identification code;

a first transmitter circuit configured to send a second tag-to-tag signal upon the receiver circuit receiving the first tag-to-tag signal, the second tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique secondary tag identification code;

a skin side configured to be positioned over the skin of a human or an animal; and

a skin detection circuit configured to detect whether the skin side is within a predetermined distance from the skin of a human or an animal;

wherein the first transmitter circuit is further configured to send the second tag-to-tag signal upon the receiver circuit receiving the first tag-to-tag signal if the skin detection circuit determines that the skin side of the secondary tag is within a predetermined distance from the skin of a human or an animal.

18. The secondary tag of claim 17, further comprising

a memory circuit configured to store a primary tag identifier, and

a processor circuit configured to identify the primary tag as a correct primary tag associated with the secondary tag if the unique primary tag identification code matches the primary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit.

19. The secondary tag of claim 17, further comprising:

two opposing electrical terminals,

an electrically conductive strap configured to electrically connect the two opposing electrical terminals, and

a detection circuit configured to detect whether the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically connected by the electrically conductive strap;

wherein the first transmitter circuit is configured to send the second tag-to-tag signal tag upon the receiver circuit receiving the first tag-to-tag signal if the detection circuit determines that the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically connected.

20. The secondary tag of claim 17, further comprising:

a second transmitter circuit,

two opposing electrical terminals,

an electrically conductive strap configured to electrically connect the two opposing electrical terminals, and

a detection circuit configured to detect whether the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically connected by the electrically conductive strap;

wherein the second transmitter circuit is configured to send a connection information signal if the detection circuit determines that the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically connected, and

wherein the connection information signal comprises the unique secondary tag identification code and other information including the location and battery level of the secondary tag.

21. The secondary tag of claim 20,

wherein the secondary tag is configured to send the connection information signal at preset intervals.

22. The secondary tag of claim 17, further comprising:

a second transmitter circuit,

two opposing electrical terminals,

an electrically conductive strap configured to electrically connect the two opposing electrical terminals, and

a detection circuit configured to detect whether the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically connected by the electrically conductive strap;

wherein the second transmitter circuit is configured to send a disconnection information signal if the detection circuit determines that the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically disconnected,

wherein the second transmitter circuit is configured to send the disconnection information signal at preset intervals for a preset surveillance period after the detection circuit determines that the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically disconnected, and

wherein the disconnection information signal comprises information indicating the strap has been severed.

23. The secondary tag of claim 18,

wherein the first transmitter circuit is configured to send the second tag-to-tag signal upon the receiver circuit receiving the first tag-to-tag signal if the processor circuit determines that a time lapse exceeds a preset duration, the time lapse being measured from the time at which the unique primary tag identification code in the previous first tag-to-tag signal matches the primary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit to the time at which the unique primary tag identification code in the first tag-to-tag signal matches the primary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit.

24. The secondary tag of claim 20,

wherein the connection information signal is configured to be received by at least one receiver connected to a computer system;

and

wherein information comprised in the connection information signal is configured to be received, stored, and processed by the computer system.

25. The secondary tag of claim 24,

wherein an alert is issued by the computer system if the computer system does not receive the connection information signal for a preset nondetection period.

26. The secondary tag of claim 22,

wherein the disconnection information signal is configured to be received by at least one receiver connected to a computer system;

and

wherein information comprised in the disconnection information signal is configured to be received, stored, and processed by the computer system.

27. The secondary tag of claim 26,

wherein an alert is issued by the computer system if the computer system does not receive the disconnection information signal for a preset nondetection period.

28. The secondary tag of claim 17, further comprising

a second transmitter circuit,

wherein the receiver circuit is configured to receive a beacon signal from a location beacon,

wherein the second transmitter circuit is configured to send a secondary tag response information signal in response to the beacon signal received by the receiver circuit, and

wherein the secondary tag response information signal comprises information indicating the location of the secondary tag.

29. The secondary tag of claim 17, further comprising

a second transmitter circuit,

wherein the second transmitter circuit is configured to send an information signal, and

wherein the information signal comprises the unique secondary tag identification code and other information including the location and battery level of the secondary tag.

30. The secondary tag of claim 17,

wherein at least one parameter of the secondary tag is configured by a tag configuration device, the at least one parameter being selected from a group comprising the intervals at which the second tag-to-tag signal is sent and a transmission range of the second tag-to-tag signal.

31. The secondary tag of claim 18,

wherein the unique primary tag identification code in the first tag-to-tag signal matches the primary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit if the unique primary tag identification code and the primary tag identifier comprise a common string of characters.

32. The secondary tag of claim 17,

wherein the secondary tag is labeled with the unique secondary tag identification code such that the unique secondary tag identification code is visually recognizable and readable.

33. The secondary tag of claim 17, further comprising

a second transmitter circuit,

wherein the second transmitter circuit is configured to send an information signal if the skin detection circuit detects that the skin side of the secondary tag is within a predetermined distance from the skin.

34. The secondary tag of claim 17,

wherein the secondary tag is configured to be stored in a secondary tag bracket.

35. A system for identifying a human or an animal, the system comprising:

a primary tag,

a secondary tag, and

a primary tag storage bracket for storing the primary tag;

wherein the primary tag is configured to send a first tag-to-tag signal;

wherein the secondary tag is configured to receive the first tag-to-tag signal;

wherein the secondary tag is further configured to send a second tag-to-tag signal upon receiving the first tag-to-tag signal, the second tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique secondary tag identification code;

wherein the primary tag is further configured to store a secondary tag identifier and receive the second tag-to-tag signal;

wherein the primary tag is further configured to identify the secondary tag as a correct secondary tag associated with the primary tag if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the primary tag; and

wherein the primary tag storage bracket is configured such that it turns off the primary tag'"'"'s capability to send or receive any signal whenever the primary tag is placed in the primary tag storage bracket for a preset period.

36. The system of claim 35,

wherein the first tag-to-tag signal comprises a unique primary tag identification code.

37. The system of claim 35,

wherein the system comprises a plurality of secondary tags,

wherein the primary tag is configured to store a plurality of secondary tag identifiers and receive a second tag-to-tag signal from each secondary tag of the plurality of secondary tags, and

wherein the primary tag is further configured to identify a secondary tag as a correct secondary tag associated with the primary tag if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal sent by the secondary tag matches any one of the secondary tag identifiers stored in the primary tag.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the secondary tag comprises

a skin side configured to be positioned over the skin of a human or an animal,

wherein the secondary tag is further configured to send the second tag-to-tag signal if the skin side of the secondary tag is within a predetermined distance from the skin of a human or an animal.

39. The system of claim 35, wherein the secondary tag further comprises

two opposing electrical terminals, and

an electrically conductive strap configured to electrically connect the two opposing electrical terminals;

wherein the secondary tag is configured to send a disconnection information signal if the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically disconnected,

wherein the secondary tag is configured to send the disconnection information signal at preset intervals for a preset surveillance period after the two opposing electrical terminals are electrically disconnected, and

wherein the disconnection information signal comprises information indicating the strap has been severed.

40. The system of claim 35, wherein the primary tag comprises

a built-in transmitter and

a detachable transmitter,

wherein the primary tag is further configured to send the first tag-to-tag signal by the detachable transmitter if the detachable transmitter is attached to the primary tag and configured to send the first tag-to-tag signal by the built-in transmitter if the detachable transmitter is detached from the primary tag.