Patent Application
20060176179
An embodiment of the present invention encompasses a bendable, active radio-frequency (RF) tag (i.e., FlexiTag) having a plurality of power-consumption modes, which can include a power-saving sleep mode, a low-power RF sniff mode, and a fast RF sniff mode. The FlexiTag can comprise an application-specific, integrated-circuit (ASIC) RF chipset, an antenna, a timing element, at least one power source, and a bendable housing encasing the above components. While the ASIC RF chipset can comprise an RF transmitter, an RF receiver, and a microcontroller all in a single package, the FlexiTag can alternatively employ separate RF link and microcontroller chips. The antenna can operably connect to the RF chipset for sending and receiving wireless transmissions. The timing element can connect to the ASIC RF chipset and/or separate microcontrollers, if present. The timing element can be used as the RF and microcontroller clock(s). The power source can operably connect to the ASIC RF chipset and/or separate microcontrollers. In some embodiments, the bendable power source is connected to the circuitry described above through an activation device. The FlexiTag can further comprise at least one sensor for acquiring situational data regarding the environment surrounding the FlexiTag and/or at least one memory device to store data and operational firmware. The sensors can reside inside and/or outside of the bendable housing. In one embodiment, the FlexiTag is designed for single-use.
Another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a deployment of a plurality of FlexiTags in a given volume. The deployment of FlexiTags can also include at least one reader. The reader can comprise a FlexiTag, as previously described, additionally having an external-device communication interface, which allows the reader to communicate with higher-order devices, such as an interrogator.
It is an object of the present invention to provide low-cost, power-saving, FlexiTags. The tags are bendable to have the capability to conform to non-planar surfaces.
It is another object of the present invention to provide FlexiTags for long-term status monitoring of objects in harsh environments and/or difficult to reach locations.
It is yet another object of present invention to provide FlexiTags having a minimal number of rigid components to maximize the bendability of the tags. Thus, the tags can utilize bendable integrated circuits (ICs) and/or components having small footprints that do not impede the bending radius of the FlexiTags.
It is another object of the present invention to provide FlexiTags having low-power, RF-transmission capabilities and efficient power management.
Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
For a clear and concise understanding of the specification and claims, including the scope given to such terms, the following definitions are provided.
As used herein, bendable does not only imply malleability, but can also refer to flexibility, resiliency, and the ability of an object to bend and/or flex without breaking or necessarily losing its original shape.
Single-use, as used herein, can refer to an object that is disposable and not designed for maintenance. For example, one embodiment of the present invention encompasses a low-cost FlexiTag that is completely encased in a bendable housing. In such an embodiment, no maintenance, such as battery replacement, is anticipated. Thus, the tag can be disposed of when depleted.
RF devices can be described by three classes—passive, semi-passive, and active. When used herein with reference to tags and RF communications, Active can refer to tags having RF communication electronics supplied by an on-board battery. Active tags are typically the most versatile and can be characterized by the presence of an active RF transmitter. In contrast, passive tags typically use backscatter modulation to reflect incoming RF energy to communicate via a code sequence. Passive tags do not usually contain batteries, but rather rely on the RF energy to power the electronic components. Semi-passive tags often have an energy-storage device (e.g., battery, capacitor, etc.) that powers the electronics. However, semi-passive tags use backscatter modulation for communication, like fully-passive tags.
A reader, as used herein, can refer to a device that interrogates RF tags within a given range. In one embodiment, the reader can be an RF tag-based device. Generally, the reader can have the ability to initiate transmission of command data and to retrieve information such as situational data, health, and more. The reader can comprise a FlexiTag, which has been designated and equipped to interrogate other tags. In such an instance, the FlexiTag/reader can have additional electronics and software to allow the reader to interface with a higher-order device including, but not limited to a PDA or laptop.
An interrogator can refer to a device that retrieves data from FlexiTags within range, typically through the reader. The interrogator can also have the ability to condition, display, process, or analyze the retrieved information. It can comprise a higher-order device, such as a computer, laptop, or PDA. Alternatively, it can comprise the combination of a higher-order device interfaced to the reader, as described above.
Situational data can refer to information regarding the physical conditions near or surrounding the FlexiTag, including, but not limited to temperature, acceleration, FlexiTag position, vibrations, shock, motion, strain, humidity, pressure, radiation, electrical fields, conductivity, impedance, magnetic fields, electromagnetic irradiation, chemical, biological, flow, viscosity, density, sound, ultrasound. It can also refer to an event, a series of events, object status, and more; for example, inappropriate tampering, human pulse rate, and battery life, respectively.
One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus comprising a FlexiTag based on a low-power design that utilizes a minimum number of parts. Another embodiment utilizes flexible integrated circuits and components having minimal footprints so as not to compromise the tag's ability to bend. The apparatus can comprise an ASIC RF chipset, an antenna, a timing element, a memory device, at least one bendable power source, a bendable housing, and a sensor. Referring to the embodiment shown in
The ASIC RF chipset 110 can comprise, in a single package, an RF transmitter, RF receiver, and a microcontroller. Alternatively, a separate processor can be used instead of, or in addition to, the integrated microcontroller. The microcontroller (whether integrated with the RF link or not) can serve as the FlexiTag's system controller allowing the tag to perform application-specific requirements such as, but not limited to, sensor acquisition and data reporting. An embodiment of the present invention encompasses FlexiTags that do not use conventional memory devices, but rather utilize microchips having preprogrammed logic. For example, the memory-less FlexiTags can operate as finite state machines.
The RF transceiver can have multiple RF channels. The multiple channels can enable the FlexiTag to employ frequency hopping. The tag can operate at a number of frequency bands including, but not limited to industrial-scientific-medical (ISM) frequency bands. More specifically, the tag can operate at 2.4 GHz, 916 MHz, 868 MHz, or 433 MHz. Selection of a particular frequency band would involve outfitting the tag with the appropriately-tuned RF chipset and antenna.
The antenna 160 can be external to the tag or it can be embedded within the housing and/or be part of the same printed circuit board as the FlexiTag. Furthermore, the FlexiTag can draw on a proximally-located object, or an object to which it is attached, for antenna functionality. The antenna can be tuned for transmission and/or reception of signals at a desired frequency and a variety of designs can be employed including, but not limited to, planar and loop. The antenna 160 can also employ a “paperclip” design. A paperclip antenna can comprise the proper width and length copper trace etched onto a printed circuit board and can look like a quarter wavelength antenna at the operational frequency. When available area on the circuit board is small, the copper trace can be folded into the shape of a paperclip.
The timing element 150, which can connect to the RF chipset 110 and/or the microcontroller, can regulate operation of the microcontroller. Alternatively, as will be described below, the timing element 150 can connect to both the memory device 130 and the RF chipset, or microprocessor, to allow autonomous initiation of a specific tag activity in response to particular events or stimuli. A common crystal oscillator can be a quartz crystal. A non-crystal example of a timing element includes timing circuits, which comprise logic modules that are self-timed. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention utilizes at least one clockless processor.
The memory device 130 can store information including, but not limited to, the tag's operational firmware, on-board software, routing indices, situational data, event history, background information regarding the object on which it is affixed, and combinations thereof. In one version of the invention, the memory device 130 can load the operational firmware into the RF chipset 110 upon tag power-up (boot loader). Multiple memory devices can be used in each FlexiTag for increased storage capabilities. Non-limiting examples of a memory device include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable-read-only memory (PROM), electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and combinations thereof. Some embodiments of the present invention do not require a memory device. Such tags can simply run a pre-programmed process in a repetitious fashion without storing any situational data.
Examples of bendable power supplies include, but are not limited to batteries, fuel cells, solar cells, thin films power sources, and combinations thereof. The FlexiTags can also draw power parasitically from nearby devices, or from objects to which it is attached. Examples of bendable batteries can include, but are not limited to, lithium-based or zinc-manganese-dioxide-based batteries. To maximize battery life, the batteries should have low leakage current that minimizes self discharging. One embodiment of the present invention encompasses a single-use FlexiTag. Therefore, the battery 140 can comprise non-toxic, non-flammable materials to minimize the environmental impact of battery disposal. Examples of such batteries include, but are not limited to POWERPAPER™ (Power Paper Ltd., Israel) and FLEXION™ (Solicore, Lakeland, Fla.).
Currently-available bendable batteries can be very thin (˜0.6 mm) and can be bent to a radius of curvature of approximately 25 mm. Next generation batteries, as well as other power sources, may exceed these specifications but fall within the scope of the present invention. Due to the fact that the flat, bendable batteries typically have relatively small volumes, they can have low amp-hour capacities (approximately 3V at 30 mA-hrs). While not critical to tag operation, the power sources should have straight, stable discharge curves until completely depleted. This enables the FlexiTags to exhibit steady performance over the lifetime of the tag. In order to achieve higher power densities, the FlexiTag can comprise a combination of the above-mentioned power sources, or a plurality of batteries, in either series or parallel configurations. When using multiple batteries, the batteries can be stacked to minimize the total surface area of the resultant tag.
The low amp-hour capacity can increase the need for efficient power management and dictate a low-power tag design. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a FlexiTag having a plurality of power-consumption modes, once activated. The modes include but are not limited to, a power-saving sleep mode, a low-power RF sniff mode, and a fast-sniff mode.
Since the greatest power-consuming activity can involve RF transmission and/or sniffing, the power-saving sleep mode can comprise a state characterized by a lack of RF activity. During the power-saving sleep mode, the FlexiTag can, for example, hibernate or it can collect situational data through its sensor. The tag can be programmed to switch out of the power-saving sleep mode in response to certain stimuli, including but not limited to time intervals, scheduled wake-ups, sensor events, and RF energy.
Situational data might also be collected during the low-power RF sniff mode. Additional activity can include, but is not limited to state-of-health checks and beacon transmissions. In this low-power mode, the FlexiTag can activate its receiver (i.e. sniffs) for a very short period at a regular interval or a predetermined time (i.e., time events). For example, the tag may sniff for approximately two milliseconds every several seconds or it might sniff at 3 am on even days and 5 pm on odd days. Regardless of receiver-activation schedule, the tag would consume as little power as necessary since the sniff period would be short. During the period in which the RF receiver would actually be activated, the tag would await an open-session command signaling the need to switch to the fast-sniff mode. The open-session command can indicate that data collection is forthcoming, for example, from the tag to the reader.
In the fast-sniff RF mode, the FlexiTag sniffs for commands at much shorter intervals than in the low-power RF sniff mode because additional commands will likely be received shortly. This mode can minimize the latency period required to respond to commands, which may have been sent by a reader or by another tag in the vicinity. A close-session command can return the tag to either the low-power RF sniff mode or the power-saving sleep mode. In the absence of a close-session command, the FlexiTag can autonomously revert to a low-power state following a pre-determined duration of no RF activity.
One way for the FlexiTag to autonomously initiate activity, which can include but is not limited to RF transmission/reception, data collection, and changes in power modes, is by operably connecting the timing element to the memory device and the microprocessor. In one embodiment, referring to
The embodiment in
The FlexiTag of the present embodiment also has an interface for attaching a sensor that is external to the tag. This can allow collection of information including but not limited to humidity, pressure, radiation, chemical data, and biological data. Biological data can include, but is not limited to proteins, enzymes, antigens, antibodies, DNA sequences, human vital signs, and combinations thereof. The external-sensor device interface can comprise a physical connector adapting to standard interfaces including, but not limited to USB, parallel, serial, PCMCIA, BNC, fiber optic, BLUETOOTH, cell phone, IR, satellite link, land wire, internet link, acoustic coupling, and combinations thereof.
Another type of interface can be used to transfer data between a reader and an interrogator. Such an external-device interface can comprise the same types of physical connectors as listed for the external-sensor device interface. In one embodiment, the external-device interface can comprise a programming interface 113. The programming interface can be used, for example, to update firmware or perform initial FlexiTag setup.
In one embodiment, a designated FlexiTag can serve as a reader for a plurality of other FlexiTags within a given range. In such an instance, the reader can have additional functionality compared with the FlexiTags to be interrogated. For example, the reader can have the ability to initiate transmission of command data and to retrieve information including, but not limited to tag location, situational data, and tag health. Therefore, the reader can further comprise additional processing power, increased memory capacity, enhanced communication options, an external-device interface to communicate with the interrogator, and higher-capacity or additional batteries.
Additional processing power and increased memory capacity can be realized by utilizing superior, or additional, microprocessors and memory chips, respectively. The enhanced communication options can allow the reader to interface with a higher-order device such as a desktop computer, a laptop, a PDA, or some other device dedicated to communicating with the reader. Referring to
Elements described above including, but not limited to, the microcontroller, RF transceiver, ASIC RF chipset, the memory device, and the timing element can be mounted on a circuit board, which also interconnects the antenna and the battery to the other electronics. The circuit board can comprise a flexible electronic circuit board. Such boards can commonly comprise a polyimide-based substrate, such as KAPTON®, however any flexible board can conceivably be used. Alternatively, the ability to bend can be imparted by hingedly connecting a plurality of traditional, rigid circuit boards that are electrically connected. In one example, the hinges connecting the rigid circuit boards can comprise thin copper wires supported by, or formed in, a flexible substrate.
The housing of the FlexiTag can be selected for reliable operation under rugged conditions including but not limited to those existing in industry, manufacturing, emergency-response situations, battlefields, severe weather, harsh chemical environments, high-radiation areas, and difficult to access areas. While
Since some versions of the present invention can be completely enclosed by the bendable housing, the FlexiTags can further comprise an activation device. Referring to the embodiment shown in
Alternatively, the activation device can be optically-based, in which a photocell is employed as a receiver. A light beam can excite the photocell to produce a voltage output. The photocell output can activate a switch to connect the battery. The microcontroller can then toggle an output line that drives the same switch allowing the light source to be removed.
The FlexiTag of the present invention can be useful in a number of applications, wherein a plurality of tags can be deployed in a given volume. Among the plurality of FlexiTags can exist at least one reader. In one configuration, a relatively large number of tags can act as slave units to relatively few readers. Depending on the communication protocol, the reader can communicate with each FlexiTag directly, or communication can be established through intermediate tags. One example of a communication protocol is described in U.S. Patent Application Attorney Docket 14423-B B, entitled Method for Autonomous Establishment and Utilization of an Active-RF Tag Network, by Burghard et al., which description is incorporated herein by reference. In order to maximize the distance between FlexiTags, a plurality of signal-repeater tags can be co-deployed. The signal-repeater tags can comprise an RF transceiver, a microprocessor, and a battery and can serve to receive and re-transmit data between the reader and the FlexiTags and/or between FlexiTags. Alternatively, the FlexiTags themselves can serve as signal-repeater tags. An interrogator can then retrieve the data from the reader for analysis and/or taking appropriate actions. The following examples are provided to illustrate specific applications of the FlexiTags.
The FlexiTags can be employed to monitor the health of a piece of equipment. Many devices can have a vibration and/or resonant frequency during normal operation. Examples of such equipment can include, but are not limited to windmills, pumps, pistons, motors, and other devices having regular motion. When the frequency begins to change or drift, it can indicate failure, wear, and/or a need for maintenance. A FlexiTag having an accelerometer can monitor the vibration frequency and provide early notice of required maintenance. Similarly, a FlexiTag having a temperature sensor can monitor a change in temperature, which may indicate an abnormal increase in friction between moving parts, overheating electronics, and more. Alternative health-monitoring techniques, which would also apply to equipment in which vibrations are damped or absent, can include, but are not limited to, measuring the humidity, impedance, and/or strain. For example, long periods of elevated humidity levels can suggest higher potential for corrosion. Similarly, an increase in impedance could indicate deterioration of electrical components caused, perhaps, by corrosion and/or oxidation. FlexiTags having strain gauges could be used to monitor deformation of structural components and members to accurately indicate the need for repair or replacement of such components. Strain gauges would also be applicable in monitoring long-term curing of objects to ensure that excess volume changes do not result in faulty products after curing.
Since the FlexiTag described herein can bend, it can be attached to non-planar surfaces of the equipment including, but not limited to, a drive shaft or cylindrically-shaped housing. The FlexiTag can have an adhesive backing to simplify attachment of the tag to the equipment.
Ultimately, the FlexiTags can be used to monitor the health of a variety of objects and equipment, which might need maintenance, by including the appropriate sensor in the tag. FlexiTags are especially applicable to those objects having non-planar surfaces, those that are difficult to reach, and those that might benefit from real-time monitoring.
The FlexiTags can be employed to monitor a particular inventory. In addition to tracking presence and location of the inventory, the FlexiTags of the present invention can monitor situational data in real-time and can record event history. This type of monitoring can be relevant to items requiring particular ambient conditions during storage and/or transportation. Such items can include but are not limited to, food products, weapons, live animals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and delicate specialty items. Furthermore, an accelerometer can measure sudden impacts that might indicate tampering or improper handling. FlexiTags can be attached to such items and can monitor temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration, electric fields, magnetic fields, etc. and can alert operators if unfavorable conditions develop. The active RF sensor tag can also comprise geolocation electronics for identifying the position of the tag. An example can include a global positioning system (GPS). The acquisition and data storage capabilities on the FlexiTag can allow the receiver of the items to review the historic conditions before accepting delivery to ensure that the items were handled properly.
The FlexiTags can be employed to monitor vital signs including, but not limited to, the heart rate, pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and brain waves of humans. The tags can be attached to a soldier or emergency worker's clothing, equipment or skin. In one configuration, a plurality FlexiTags can be attached to the individual along with at least one reader. The reader could periodically collect health data, which can then be transmitted to a feedback system and/or an interrogator that can respond by notifying the individual or sending an alert to others in the vicinity.
While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims, therefore, are intended to cover all such changes and modifications as they fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
