EP2895993A1 - Appareil et procédé de fourniture d'informations concernant un produit - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de fourniture d'informations concernant un produit

Info

Publication number
EP2895993A1
EP2895993A1 EP13767198.8A EP13767198A EP2895993A1 EP 2895993 A1 EP2895993 A1 EP 2895993A1 EP 13767198 A EP13767198 A EP 13767198A EP 2895993 A1 EP2895993 A1 EP 2895993A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tag
antenna
product
interrogator
chip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP13767198.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Grant Edward Striemer
Mathias Amann
Jonathan Livingston Joyce
Faiz Feisal Sherman
Jordan Todorov Bourilkov
Mark Wayne Morrow
Jose Tadeo Vergara De Castro
Stephan James Andreas Meschkat
Michael Franke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gillette Co LLC
Original Assignee
Gillette Co LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US13/616,402 external-priority patent/US20130162403A1/en
Application filed by Gillette Co LLC filed Critical Gillette Co LLC
Publication of EP2895993A1 publication Critical patent/EP2895993A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/0716—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D9/00—Recording measured values
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D9/00—Recording measured values
    • G01D9/005—Solid-state data loggers
    • G01D9/007—Data loggers attached to transport containers for perishable products, e.g. food or medicines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/0716—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
    • G06K19/0717—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
    • G06K19/0775—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card arrangements for connecting the integrated circuit to the antenna
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
    • G06K19/07758—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
    • G06K19/07773—Antenna details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
    • G06K19/07773—Antenna details
    • G06K19/07777—Antenna details the antenna being of the inductive type
    • G06K19/07779—Antenna details the antenna being of the inductive type the inductive antenna being a coil
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
    • G06K19/07773—Antenna details
    • G06K19/07786—Antenna details the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0004—Hybrid readers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/2208—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles 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
    • H01Q1/2216—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles 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 used in interrogator/reader equipment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/42—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators with wetness indicator or alarm
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/42—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators with wetness indicator or alarm
    • A61F2013/424—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators with wetness indicator or alarm having an electronic device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
    • G01N27/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
    • G01N27/12—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluid; of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid, for detecting components in the fluid
    • G01N27/125—Composition of the body, e.g. the composition of its sensitive layer
    • G01N27/126—Composition of the body, e.g. the composition of its sensitive layer comprising organic polymers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
    • G01N27/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
    • G01N27/12—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluid; of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid, for detecting components in the fluid
    • G01N27/125—Composition of the body, e.g. the composition of its sensitive layer
    • G01N27/127—Composition of the body, e.g. the composition of its sensitive layer comprising nanoparticles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to systems and methods for determining information about a product.
  • the invention relates particularly to the remote interrogation of product information and the subsequent use of the acquired information.
  • Consumable goods having a useful life defined in terms of the consumption of the goods are well known.
  • the useful life may be viewed as one or more events associated with the consumption of at least a portion of the useful quantity of the goods.
  • In formation associated with the environment of use of the goods and/or the quantity of goods used and remaining available may exist but may also be generally inaccessible to the typical consumer of the goods. What is needed is a system and method for extracting product relevant information in a manner which makes the information readily accessible and usable by the consumer.
  • a sensor system comprises a tag.
  • the tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip and a first antenna.
  • the chip may be an active or a passive chip.
  • the chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprising electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals.
  • the tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system disposed in electrical communication with at least one output terminal of the chip and adapted to change electrical state in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system.
  • the first antenna is disposed in a circuit also comprising the chip and the conductive polymeric system.
  • a method of determining product information includes the steps of: providing a product comprising a tag, and an interrogator adapted to detect radiation associated with the data of the tag; interrogating the state of the tag; interpreting the state of the tag; and providing an output associated with the interpreted state of the tag.
  • the tag comprises a digital memory storing data associated with the product.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 show s a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention.
  • a "chip” as described herein, may be supplanted by a chipless RFID element as is known in the art.
  • An LC resonant RF tag, or a multiresonator element may be used in place of the chip in the described embodiments.
  • a sensor system comprising a tag.
  • the tag may comprise one or more layers of conductive inks and non-conductive inks printed upon a substrate.
  • Exemplary substrate materials include: polymer films, paper, high permittivity dielectric materials, and FR-4 material.
  • Multiple layer structures may further comprise partial layers of non-conducting material separating at least portions of the conductive layers.
  • Exemplary conductive layers include copper and silver inks.
  • the tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip, a first antenna disposed as a circuit upon a card, coin, or inlay.
  • Exemplary chip/first antenna combinations include model numbers: RI-I03- 112A-03 (13.56 MHz), and RI-INL-R9QM (134.2 kHz), or model TRF7970A, each available from Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX.
  • the antenna may be in the physical form of a coil or a dipole, or may comprise a conductive component of a product or package in electrical communication with the remainder of the tag.
  • the chip/first antenna combination may be integrated into a unit tag available from Kovio, San Jose, CA.
  • the tag further comprises a conductive polymeric system in electrical communication with the chip and the antenna.
  • the needed power supply for the tag may be provided by the harvested energy of the RFID circuit because the needed current is in the micro ampere range.
  • the harvested power may be stored with an element such as a capacitor for use by the tag at a later time.
  • the sensor system also comprises at least one conductive polymer system.
  • the conductive polymer may comprise a polymer coating configured such that the coating ceases to be conductive as or after it is insulted or exposed to an environmental change of a predetermined type. Exemplary environmental changes include: humidity changes, exposure to moisture, exposure to particular chemicals or chemical properties such as pH, changes in environmental temperatures, etc.
  • the polymer system may comprise a polymer coating which becomes conductive as or after the environmental insult.
  • the conductive polymer system may eb used to form portions of the circuitry of the tag including input and output leads or the antenna or a portion of the antenna.
  • the environmental change results in a change in the dimensions of the polymer system via swelling or shrinkage due to the change in the environment.
  • the circuit arrangement of the tag may be configured to provide positive or negative feedback in association with the environmental insult according to the type of polymer system utilized and the physical arrangement of the circuit elements.
  • the circuit is configured with a gap in the circuit such that absent an additional element, the circuit will be open and any effort to interrogate the tag will yield no output from the tag.
  • the gap may be covered by a polymer system which is conductive until insulted yielding a tag which will change state from readable to unreadable as or after the environmental insult occurs (the tag shuts down, considered negative feedback).
  • the gap may be coated with a polymer system which changes from non-conductive to conductive in response to the environmental change (the tag becomes readable, positive feedback to the insult).
  • the tag may be configured with a polymer system arranged such that the insult will alter the state of the tag from off to on using the conductive to non-conductive polymer system, or from on to off using the polymer system which transitions from on to off as or after the insult occurs.
  • the polymer system may be disposed as a coating across two legs of the circuit effective shorting those legs together and bypassing the remainder of the circuit. As an example, if a coating is disposed across two leads from the chip to the antenna, the conductive coating will short the circuit such that upon interrogation, the chip will receive no power and the interrogator will receive no output from the tag. As or after the insult, the coating will transition from on to off removing the short in the circuit and allowing power to pass from the antenna to the chip resulting a readable tag.
  • the tag In a tag having a similarly disposed polymer coating but utilizing the polymer which transitions from non-conductive to conductive as or after it is insulted, the tag will transition from on - prior to the insult - to off - as or after being insulted.
  • one chip antenna pair may comprise a gap while the other comprises a coating across the antenna lead pair.
  • the same polymer system may be disposed on both the gap and the antenna leads to achieve a dual state readable tag regardless of the polymer selected.
  • the dual tag may comprise identical pairs of chip - antenna combinations and the difference in readable state may be accomplished by coating one chip-antenna combination with a polymer switching from on to off as or after insulted, while coating the second chip-antenna combination with a polymer which will switch from off to on as or after the same insult occurs.
  • the polymer system which transitions from on to off as or after it is insulted comprises a polymer matrix and conductive filler.
  • the polymer has the capability to expand to about 120% - 140%, or more, of its un-insulted volume as or after the insult. The expansion may not, and need not be instantaneous tor the functionality of the tag to be useful.
  • the insult must persist long enough for the polymer system to react by absorbing the liquid or humidity of the insult resulting in the change in conductivity.
  • the polymer system may comprise a solution of water, Triton X-100, polyvinyl alcohol and silver-coated copper flakes. The solution may be applied to the portions of the tags described above and placed in a desiccant chamber to dry the coating upon the tag.
  • the polymer system may be configured to expand in the presence of water, humidity or alternatively to remain stable in the presence of water while changing state in the presence of non- aqueous liquids in the environment.
  • the polymer system may comprise a solution of trichloroethylene, polyethylene co- vinyl acetate, and silver-coated copper flakes.
  • the solution is disposed upon the tag as described above and dried.
  • the polymer system may also be configured such that it will change state from non-conductive to conductive as or after insult. Again, the change may not and need not be instantaneous to be of use.
  • the polymer system may comprise water, polyvinyl alcohol and sodium chloride disposed as a coating. Though initially non-conducting, upon exposure to humidity or water, the electrolytes become soluble in the swelling polymer yielding a now conductive coating.
  • the tag may be read using an radio frequency protocol such as the Near Field Communications (NFC) protocol.
  • NFC Near Field Communications
  • the relevant communications frequency range of the tag may be HF, UHF or other appropriately selected frequency ranges as determined by the specific need of the tag in terms of the intended environment and uses of the tag.
  • the sensor system may further comprise an interrogator.
  • the interrogator comprising a power source and a second antenna adapted to generate electromagnetic radiation comprising a resonant frequency of the first antenna, and a receiver adapted to detect electromagnetic radiation and de- modulate the detected radiation extracting embedded data from the detected radiation.
  • the Bluetooth' 111 RFID Reader, model number 223012, available GAO RFID, of Toronto Canada, exemplifies one form of interrogator.
  • the model 223012 interrogator has the capacity to interrogate the radio frequency tag and to determine the state of the memory of the tag and thus extract information associated with the output of the sensor or sensors relating to the environment of the tag.
  • the 223012 further comprises a secondary network communications link utilizing the Bluetooth' 111 communications protocol for transmitting the information extracted from the tag to a secondary device or secondary interrogator, such as a Bluetooth'TM enabled computer or smart phone.
  • the secondary interrogator may further analyze the information relating to the state of the tag and/or the tags environment and provide an output associated with a particular tag and/or tag environment state.
  • the interrogator may further comprise a display element such as an LCD or LED screen for displaying an output associated with the analyzed tag information.
  • the interrogator may further comprise one or more sensors for ascertaining information associated with the environment of the interrogator.
  • the sensors may include: temperature, humidity, acceleration sensors.
  • the interrogator may further comprise one or more cameras enabling the capture of images associated with a product, the tag or the environment.
  • the interrogator may comprise a Global Positioning capability enabling the interrogator to ascertain and share information relating to the geographic location of the interrogator.
  • the smart phone may serve as the only interrogator.
  • the smart phone may interrogate the tag thereby ascertaining the information from the memory of the tag.
  • the interrogator may analyze or otherwise interpret the information and may create an output.
  • the output may be provided to a system user via an audio output, visual output, haptic output or combinations thereof.
  • the interrogator may utilize inputs from sensors or systems of the smart phone, including information and analysis available from a networked resource such as cloud computing resources
  • exemplary smart phones suitably configured to perform as a system interrogator include: the Acer 1 TM E320 Liquid Express, the Blackberry 1 TM Bold tm 970, available from Research In Motion of ; the Casio IT-800; the Google Nexus 7 tm , available from Google, Inc. Mountain View Ca.; the HTC Desire C"", available from HTC of; the LG Optimus Elite; the Motorola Droid tm Razr 1111 , available from Motorola; the Nokia 700; the Panasonic BizPad 1111 ; and the Samsung Galaxy S Advance 1 TM.
  • the sensor system may include a product.
  • product(s) is used in the broadest sense and refers to any product, product group, services, communications, entertainment, environments, organizations, systems, tools, and the like.
  • product group is personal and household products, such as used by a person, family or household.
  • Examples of a representative, and non-limiting list of product categories within the personal and household product group includes antiperspirants, baby care, colognes, commercial products (including wholesale, industrial, and commercial market analogs to consumer-oriented consumer products), cosmetics, deodorants, dish care, feminine protection, hair care, hair color, health care, household cleaners, laundry, oral care, paper products, personal cleansing, disposable absorbent articles, pet health and nutrition, prescription drugs, prestige fragrances, skin care, foods, snacks and beverages, special fabric care, shaving and other hair growth management products, small appliances, devices and batteries, services such as haircutting, beauty treatment, spa treatment, medical, dental, vision services, entertainment venues such as theaters, stadiums, as well as entertainment services such as film or movie shows, plays and sporting events A variety of product forms may fall within each of these product categories.
  • Exemplary products within the laundry category include detergents (including powder, liquid, tablet, and other forms), bleach, conditioners, softeners, anti-static products, and refreshers (including liquid refreshers and dryer sheets).
  • Exemplary products within the oral care category include dentifrice, floss, toothbrushes (including manual and powered forms), mouth rinses, gum care products, tooth whitening products, and other tooth care products.
  • Exemplary feminine protection products include pads, tampons, interlabial products, and pantiliners.
  • Exemplary baby care products include diapers, wipes, baby bibs, baby change and bed mats, and foaming bathroom hand soap.
  • Exemplary health care products include laxatives, fiber supplements, oral and topical analgesics, gastro-intestinal treatment products, respiratory and cough/cold products, heat delivery products, and water purification products.
  • Exemplary paper products include toilet tissues, paper towels, and facial tissues.
  • Exemplary hair care products include shampoos, conditioners (including rinse-off and leave-in forms), and styling aids.
  • Exemplary household care products include sweeper products, floor cleaning products, wood floor cleaners, antibacterial floor cleaners, fabric and air refreshers, and vehicle washing products.
  • Skin care products include, but are not limited to, body washes, facial cleansers, hand lotions, moisturizers, conditioners, astringents, exfoliation products, micro-dermabrasion and peel products, skin rejuvenation products, anti-aging products, masks, UV protection products, and skin care puffs, wipes, discs, clothes, sheets, implements and devices (with or without skin care compositions).
  • product groups include but are not limited to: sports equipment, entertainment (books, movies, music, etc), vision, and in-home-consumed medical and first aid, among others.
  • the tag may be attached to the packaging of the product such as the primary packaging of a liquid product, or a granular product.
  • the tag may be immersed in or float upon the surface of a packaged liquid or granular product.
  • the tag may be incorporated within the product such as within a disposable absorbent article such as within a diaper for the purpose of detecting an insult to the absorbent core of the diaper.
  • the tag may be disposed upon the surface of the product itself.
  • One way to prevent the effects arising from metal proximity to the antenna is to prevent the electromagnetic field from entering the metal. For example, separating the antenna and the metal surface by placing a material with suitable electromagnetic properties and dimensions between them may divert the electromagnetic field around the metallic / conductive body of the product. The properties of the diverter material depend on the exact metal used and the RFID frequency. The magnetic diverter effectively isolates the tag from the can. An effective separation may also be achieved with an air filled gap between the materials.
  • a method of determining product information comprises steps of: providing a product comprising a tag as described above.
  • the tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip and a first antenna.
  • the chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprising electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals.
  • the tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system disposed in electrical communication with at least one output terminal of the chip and adapted to change electrical state in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system.
  • the first antenna is disposed in a circuit also comprising the chip and the conductive polymeric system.
  • the method also includes providing an interrogator adapted to detect radiation associated with the data of the tag.
  • the interrogator may be an RF or NFC protocol reader coupled with a Bluetooth' 111 capability as described above, or a smart phone or other computing device comprising an RF or NFC capable reader.
  • the interrogator may be used to determine the current state of the tag utilizing an RF communications protocol such as the NFC protocol.
  • the interrogator may interpret the data received from the tag using a software application written for that purpose.
  • the interrogator may incorporate a secondary network communication module affording the device an ability to send and receive data over a cellular phone or other networks including a local area or WiFi networks.
  • the interrogator may transmit data received from the tag and/or an analysis of the data from the tag.
  • the software application of the interrogator may analyze the data from the tag to determine if replenishment of the product associated with the tag in needed, or to project when such replenishment will be needed in view of usage history of the product established via a series of interrogations of the tag.
  • the application may be used to consummate a purchase of addition product via the network.
  • the application may be further utilized to offer the user related products for purchase, or to make offers of other products not directly related to the product.
  • the system and methods may be utilized to provide event information associated with consumer products.
  • the system may be embedded within an absorbent product such as a diaper or feminine care product such that polymer system will interact with the absorbed fluids altering the state of the tag and enabling a user of the method to detect the altered state of the tag.
  • the system tag may be configured as part of a package in contact with the packaged product such that use and consumption of the product will lead to removal of the product in contact with the polymer system, changing the state of the tag and enabling detection of this event and change of state.
  • a circuit may be configured with two antenna elements which are separated by a gap. In the absence of a conductive gap filling material, the antenna are not coupled.
  • the design of the antenna may be such that a first antenna connected to the remainder of the tag, is insufficient to adequately power the tag when interrogated.
  • the combination of the two antennae and a coupling gap filling element may be sufficient and will lead to a successful interrogation of the tag indicating the presence of the gap filling material of interest.
  • a circuit gap may be partially filled with a polymer element adapted to expand in the presence of an appropriate environmental change.
  • a polymer such as poly(pyrrole), poly (acetylene), or poly(aniline) may be used to partially fill a circuit gap.
  • the tag polymer Upon exposure of the exposed polymer to an environment comprising a solvent having a solubility parameter similar to that of the tag polymer, the tag polymer will swell, filling the gap and completing the circuit rendering the tag operational due to the environmental change.
  • a polyelectrolyte coating with high salt content was developed as follows.
  • a vial was filled with 10 mL of ultra filtered deionized water. 1.1688 grams of sodium chloride was added to the vial and mixed with a magnetic stir bar at room temperature until the salt dissolved resulting in a 2 molar salt solution. When the system appeared clear, 0.3 grams of poly(vinyl alcohol) was added. The solution was heated to 90°C allowing the polymer to go into solution. When the system cleared it was ready to be applied to the surface using 10 microliter pipette tips with approximately 1-2 millimeters of the tips removed. The pipette was set to 5 microliters and the hot polymer solution was applied to the area of interest on the RFID tag. The system was then placed into a desiccant chamber and allowed to dry at room temperature overnight.
  • a chemiresistor polymer coating was developed as follows. A vial was filled with 9 mL of ultra filtered deionized water. A separate vial was used to add 0.1 grams of triton XI 00 to 10 milliliters of ultra filtered deionized water for a 1 % by weight solution. 1 milliliter of the 1 % by weight Triton X-100 was added to the 9 milliliters of ultra filtered deionized water for a 0.1% by weight Triton X-100 solution. 0.3 grams of poly( vinyl alcohol) was added to the 0.1% by weight Triton X-100 solution, add (lower MW and higher % hydrolysis makes the system respond faster than the higher MW and lower % hydrolysis).
  • the solution was heated to 90°C allowing the polymer to go into solution.
  • 0.1 grams of the silver coated copper (AgCU550) conductive filler available from Ferro Electronic Materials Systems, of Mayfield Heights, OH, was added.
  • the solution was sonicated (degas mode, level 5) for 5 minutes.
  • the system was applied to the surface using 10 microliter pipette tips with approximately 1-2 millimeters of the tips removed.
  • the pipette was set to 5 microliters and the hot polymer solution was applied to the area of interest on the RFID tag.
  • the system was then placed into a desiccant chamber and allowed to dry at room temperature overnight.
  • a second chemiresistor polymer coating designed to respond not to water but instead to other environmental chemicals was developed as follows.
  • a vial was filled with 10 mL of Trichloroethylene.
  • 0.6 grams of [poly(ethylene co-vinyl acetate] was added to the vial.
  • the solution to mix at room temperature until the polymer went into solution.
  • 0.2 grams of the silver coated copper (AgCU550) conductive filler was added.
  • the system was applied to the surface using 10 microliter pipette tips with approximately 1-2 millimeters of the tips removed.
  • the pipette was set to 5 microliters and the hot polymer solution was applied to the area of interest on the RFID tag.
  • the system was then placed into a fume hood and allowed to dry at room temperature overnight.
  • a chemiresistor polymer system designed to respond only to an environment having a pH within a target range was developed as follows: The method may use either Talc as the anti-tacking agent and triethyl citrate as the plasticizer or PlasACRYL HTP20 as the anti-tacking/plasticizer.
  • Talc as the anti-tacking agent and triethyl citrate
  • PlasACRYL HTP20 as the anti-tacking/plasticizer.
  • the solution was mixed with a magnetic stir bar for 10 minutes.
  • the solution was used to coat the desired area of the RF tags and cured in a circulating drying oven for 2 hours at 40°C.
  • the RFID tag turned off when the polymer was exposed to an environment having pH values greater than 5.5.
  • a polymeric system sensitive to mechanical strain was developed by substituting an elastic polymer for the environmentally sensitive polymer as follows: 8 grams of silicone RTV rubber was mixed with 8 grams of conductive filler in a beaker to obtain a 50/50 ratio of polymer. The mixture was extruded through a plastic 20 mL syringe. The strips were extruded onto a silicone surface for easy removal. The room temperature vulcanization was allowed to proceed for 24 hours. The strain sensor strip was removed and tested for dynamic conductivity and mechanical properties (Young's modulus, elastic region, Yield point). The Instron was set to constant extension at 1 mm/sec until break.
  • the resistance was measured in parallel with a 283 IE Measurement (Data Logging Multimeter) and small alligator clips attached to the sample.
  • the Young's modulus was calculated with the Instron software.
  • a secondary test was conducted without alligator clips where the final strain of 150% strain from extension where the break occurred in the middle of the strain sensor.
  • the system tag may be subdivided into portions. One portion may contain at least a portion of the antenna and the chip, the other portion may contain the conductive polymer system and any remaining portion of the antenna.
  • the two portions of the tag may be disposed with the polymer exposed to the functional environment of an absorbent article, and the antenna and chip portion removed from exposure to the functional environment of the article.
  • the antenna and chip portion may be made removable and therefore reusable as well.
  • the sensor may be made removable while the antenna and chip portion is retained in the product.
  • a removable sensing element may be coupled to a resident chip/antenna element.
  • a personal care device such as a shaver or oral care implement
  • a personal care device such as a shaver or oral care implement
  • the sensing element may be removed for disposal or replacement or cleaning and reinstallation.
  • conductive hook and loop fasteners such as are available from APLIX Inc., of Charlotte, NC, may be used to create an interface between the functional environment of the article and the exterior of the article.
  • the attachment mechanism between the article, sensor and the removable tag to enable conductivity can be hook & loop, compression (e.g. elastic band, garter), adhesion (e.g. adhesive strip), magnetic, or combinations thereof.
  • the polymer system may be fabricated as an assembly in electrical contact with the conductive hook and loop pads which in turn are disposed upon an exterior surface of the article while the conductive polymer is disposed within the interior of the article.
  • Matching pads may be incorporated as part of the assembly of the antenna and chip assembly and the two respective assemblies may be united using the matching hook and loop pads for operational use of the tag.
  • the more costly antenna and chip assembly may be rendered reusable thereby reducing the overall cost associated with using the system with a number of respective disposable articles.
  • the respective assemblies may be formed using conductive adhesive, such as is available from MG Chemicals, of Surrey, B.C., Canada to affix the electrical leads of the respective portions of the tags to their respective hook and loop fastener pads.
  • a system 1000 comprises an absorbent article 300, and an interrogator 200.
  • the absorbent article 300 comprises a tag 100.
  • the tag 100 includes a removable portion comprising a chip 130, and a second portion including: a conductive polymer system 125 and an antenna 140.
  • the interrogator 200 comprises a sensor 210, a power source 220, an antenna 230, an analysis element 240, a display element 250, and a network link 260.
  • the absorbent article 300 comprises a tag 100.
  • the tag 100 includes a removable portion comprising a chip 130, and a second portion including: a conductive polymer system 125 and an antenna 140.
  • the absorbent article 300 comprises a tag 100.
  • the tag 100 includes a removable portion comprising a chip 130, and a second portion including: a conductive polymer system 125 and an antenna 140.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)
  • Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système capteur qui comporte une étiquette. L'étiquette comporte au moins une puce radiofréquence et une première antenne. La puce comporte un élément de mémoire, l'élément de mémoire comportant un dispositif de stockage électrique d'un mot codé binaire comportant au moins un bit, et des bornes de sortie. L'étiquette comporte en outre au moins un système polymère conducteur, agencé en communication électrique avec au moins une borne de sortie de la puce et conçu pour changer d'état électrique en association avec un changement prédéterminé dans l'environnement du système polymère conducteur. La première antenne est agencée en communication électrique avec la ou les bornes de sortie de la puce et le système polymère conducteur.
EP13767198.8A 2012-09-14 2013-09-13 Appareil et procédé de fourniture d'informations concernant un produit Withdrawn EP2895993A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/616,402 US20130162403A1 (en) 2011-12-27 2012-09-14 Apparatus and Method for Providing Product Information
PCT/US2013/059585 WO2014043429A1 (fr) 2011-12-27 2013-09-13 Appareil et procédé de fourniture d'informations concernant un produit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2895993A1 true EP2895993A1 (fr) 2015-07-22

Family

ID=49253423

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13767198.8A Withdrawn EP2895993A1 (fr) 2012-09-14 2013-09-13 Appareil et procédé de fourniture d'informations concernant un produit

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2895993A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2015535976A (fr)
CA (1) CA2882890A1 (fr)
IN (1) IN2015DN00907A (fr)
RU (1) RU2621602C2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2015535977A (ja) * 2012-09-14 2015-12-17 ザ ジレット コンパニー 製品情報を提供するための装置および方法

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012071123A2 (fr) * 2010-08-25 2012-05-31 Avery Dennison Corporation Étiquette d'identification par radiofréquence incluant des substances réagissant à l'environnement

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6342830B1 (en) * 1998-09-10 2002-01-29 Xerox Corporation Controlled shielding of electronic tags
FI121415B (fi) * 2001-01-22 2010-11-15 Avantone Oy Kerrosrakenne, ilmaisin sekä saman valmistusmenetelmä ja käyttö
JP2005000602A (ja) * 2003-06-10 2005-01-06 Yukihiko Takada おむつ濡れ報知表示装置および濡れ検知装置を備えたおむつ
US20080287747A1 (en) * 2005-02-28 2008-11-20 Michael Mestrovic Flexible Electronic Device
US20080162291A1 (en) * 2006-12-27 2008-07-03 Motorola, Inc. Dynamic updating of product profiles for active lifestyles
US7911345B2 (en) * 2008-05-12 2011-03-22 General Electric Company Methods and systems for calibration of RFID sensors
US8955765B2 (en) * 2008-08-20 2015-02-17 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Diffusion device with odor sensor
JP2010134573A (ja) * 2008-12-03 2010-06-17 Panasonic Corp Ｒｆｉｄタグ付きロゴ板およびｒｆｉｄシステム
WO2011163279A2 (fr) * 2010-06-21 2011-12-29 Rose Mark D Système de suivi rfid à liaison sans fil de basse puissance
US20130162404A1 (en) * 2011-12-27 2013-06-27 Grant Edward Striemer Apparatus and Method for Providing Product Information
JP2015535977A (ja) * 2012-09-14 2015-12-17 ザ ジレット コンパニー 製品情報を提供するための装置および方法
JP2015528615A (ja) * 2012-09-14 2015-09-28 ザ ジレット コンパニー 無線周波識別タグ
JP6018314B2 (ja) * 2012-09-14 2016-11-02 ザ ジレット コンパニー センサー素子を含む無線周波数識別装置トランスポンダ

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012071123A2 (fr) * 2010-08-25 2012-05-31 Avery Dennison Corporation Étiquette d'identification par radiofréquence incluant des substances réagissant à l'environnement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2882890A1 (fr) 2014-03-20
JP2015535976A (ja) 2015-12-17
RU2621602C2 (ru) 2017-06-06
RU2015105520A (ru) 2016-11-10
IN2015DN00907A (fr) 2015-06-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20140022058A1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Providing Product Information
US20130162403A1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Providing Product Information
US20140015644A1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Providing Product Information
US20140015645A1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Providing Product Information
US20140014716A1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Providing Product Information
EP2895988A2 (fr) Appareil et procédé servant à fournir des informations sur des produits
EP2895993A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé de fourniture d'informations concernant un produit
EP2895992A1 (fr) Transpondeur rfid comprenant un élément capteur
EP2895991A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé de fourniture d'informations de produit

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20150225

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: THE GILLETTE COMPANY LLC

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20180524

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20181005