DE20013622U1 - Data exchange label - Google Patents

Description

Schreiner GmbH & Co. KG Munich,

Bruckmannring 22 08.08.2000

85674 Oberschleissheim

Gbm 303/166-DE

Data exchange label

The invention relates to a label for data exchange, in particular for determining, detecting and recording the physical state during transport or

Storage of objects, packaging or the like.

When storing and transporting items, especially perishable goods such as food or the like, it is important for the consumer

5 of the goods of interest to know whether the purchased goods are in perfect condition

Particularly when purchasing food, for example frozen food, it is important that such items have not been exposed to excessive temperature fluctuations during storage and transport, as this can sometimes lead to health problems for the consumer. Similar to the temperature in

0 frozen food, for other goods other physical parameters such as

Humidity for objects susceptible to corrosion, light sensitivity for photoactive materials or pressure for fragile materials are important. Furthermore, when storing objects, for example, it is important to know whether and, if so, where the objects are located. 25

Since, as mentioned above, objects of all kinds are inevitably subject to the aforementioned physical influences during transport and storage, it would be very helpful if such objects were able to determine physical parameters that could have an influence on the quality of the objects and their later usability.

0 and to be able to exchange the collected data. In the past

It was proposed to develop a device that would inform about the expiry date of a

It was proposed to attach a device that informs about the expiration date of a product by means of a label to the corresponding object. This label, known from US 5,802,015, has a counter that is operated by a pulse generator. The counter can be set to a number that corresponds to the expiration date. When this time is reached, a gate switch activates a display on which the word "Expired" then appears. The counter can be reset or set to a new expiration time via a wired connection to a computer.

0 The disadvantage of the well-known label is the fact that a counter alone is not

necessarily provide information about whether a product whose expiry date has not yet passed has nevertheless become unusable or not. This is only possible if environmental parameters can be recorded that provide information about the storage and transport status of the item in question and if these

5 can be displayed. In addition, especially in the area of mass production

disadvantageous to have to establish wired connections between a computer and the label, for example to reset a counter.

It is therefore a primary aim of the present invention to provide a label

0 that enables wireless communication with a computer or similar

Another goal is to create a label that is able to record, store and, if necessary, evaluate environmental parameters and to indicate the storage or transport status.

5 The primary objective is achieved according to the present invention by a label for

Data exchange is achieved by a label which has a base layer, an adhesive layer and a transmitting or receiving device connected to the base layer, wherein an electronic circuit unit is arranged on the base layer, which is connected to the transmitting or receiving unit. The label thus created is

0 Transmitting and receiving device capable of sending or receiving data.

The circuit arrangement connected to the transmitting and receiving device serves to prepare the data in such a way that it can be processed by means of a communication device that is wirelessly connected to the transmitting and receiving device, for example a computer or the like. The label according to the invention therefore enables wireless communication between the

label and an external station.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the circuit unit has a chip. Modern semiconductor technology makes it possible to accommodate a large number of electrical and electronic components in a very small space using microchips. Especially in the case of labels, where experience has shown that there is usually very little space available for circuits in view of their intended location, the use of a microchip allows the label to be equipped with a large number of different functions.

0 According to a further advantageous variant of the present invention, the

Circuit arrangement a memory unit for storing data. Often a large amount of data is transmitted via transmitting and receiving devices, so it is desirable that the data is not lost after transmission to the label. The memory unit can comprise a temporary memory (RAM) in which

5 in which received data can be temporarily stored. In addition,

A permanent memory can also be provided in which, for example, program instructions for processing the data can be stored.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the circuit unit is provided with a

0 data processing unit. This is used to receive data and

To control the sending of data via the transmitting or receiving device. Furthermore, the data can be processed and evaluated in the data processing unit according to predetermined process steps.

5 According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the label

a sensor unit connected to the circuit unit for determining environmental parameters. The sensor unit can contain devices for determining the temperature, pressure, humidity, state of movement or the like. The data determined by the said devices can either be transmitted continuously via the transmitting or receiving device or, for example, stored at discrete time intervals in the storage unit for later evaluation.

Storage and processing can also be coordinated by the processing unit

5. It is possible, for example, to measure the temperature with the sensor unit

and store this data in the storage unit. The processing unit

reads the temperature recorded by the sensor unit and compares it with the measured values stored in the memory. This makes it possible, for example, to determine the maximum or minimum temperatures of an object during storage or transport. Such determined values are stored in the memory unit and can later be evaluated using an external computer.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the data processing unit is therefore connected to the sensor unit and the storage unit.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the label has a power supply unit for supplying the circuit unit. The power supply unit can be in the form of a battery. The circuit unit is preferably operated via a power supply unit that is powered externally. The external power supply is generally inductive via an oscillating circuit or the like.

In addition, the circuit unit can have a ballast unit. In the case where direct current is required for operation, the ballast unit can, for example, contain a rectifier circuit that converts the alternating voltage induced in the power supply unit at least in part into a direct current.

0. The ballast unit can also be provided to control the transmitting or

To increase the reception power of the transmitting or receiving unit.

As already mentioned above, the label according to the invention can record, store and process a number of physical environmental parameters.

5 include the recording of temperature curves as a function of time, the determination

of maximum or minimum values and the like. For example, it is possible to determine whether the required ambient temperature of -18°C was maintained for a frozen product during transport or storage. This allows a seller, for example, to clearly determine the circumstances under which a

0 product has become unusable. This is especially important with regard to

Customer complaints and the associated warranty claims are of particular interest. It is also often desirable to be able to see at a glance whether a certain environmental parameter relevant to the quality of the goods was exceeded or not met during storage or transport.

Therefore, according to a further variant, the label according to the invention has a display unit for visually identifying environmental parameters. This enables even the private end user to decide whether a product has been stored correctly or not. Such a display unit can be reversible, i.e. it only indicates a critical value when it is reached, either by lighting up, flashing or changing color. Chemical indicators are particularly preferred here, where a color reaction is triggered at a certain threshold. In the same way, this can also be displayed permanently, i.e. irreversibly, for example to indicate that a certain critical temperature has been exceeded.

Other possibilities for designing the display unit are based on electroluminescence or electrochromography, whereby certain electrical impulses or the voltages applied to the display unit are made visible.

5 can be.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the circuit unit is programmable. This allows the circuit unit to be assigned, for example, measuring intervals or temperature limits depending on requirements and application.

0 can be specified.

The invention and advantageous embodiments are explained in more detail schematically below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the following:

5 Fig. 1: a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2: another second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3: a block diagram of the arrangement of the circuit unit and further

0 components according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the label according to the invention. The base layer 1 of the label is connected to an adhesive layer 2. A transmitting or receiving device 3 is attached to the base layer. This can be designed as an antenna, for example, in the form of a conductor loop on the base layer 1.

The transmitting or receiving device 3 is further provided with a

· I

· a

connected to a circuit arrangement 4 which is also attached to the base layer 1. This circuit arrangement 4 is preferably designed in the form of a microchip, which allows a large number of electrical circuits to be accommodated in a very small space. These circuits can process the signals received by the transmitting or receiving device, store them and transmit them to another receiver or the like.

Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment with an example of possible components arranged on the base layer 1 of the label according to the invention. The transmitting or receiving device 3 is designed as a conductor loop and is able to receive and send signals or external data. The

Conductor loop 3 can be printed in the form of conductive paint on the preferably insulating base layer 1. The received signals can be received by the electrical circuit arrangement 4 and processed by means of a processing unit (not shown) contained therein or by means of an integrated

5 storage unit (not shown). A power supply unit 8

provides the supply voltage required for data processing. The supply unit can be attached to the label as a battery. Alternatively, it is possible to implement the supply inductively using an external voltage source. For this purpose, the power supply unit 8 contains a circuit for inductive

0 Voltage generation (oscillating circuit or similar).

A ballast unit 10 can be connected upstream of the electrical circuit arrangement 4. This is, for example, capable of rectifying, transforming or the like an alternating voltage induced in the power supply unit 8. The

5 Ballast unit 10 may alternatively or additionally comprise an amplifier circuit

which amplifies the signals coming from the transmitting and receiving unit 3 in order to enable transmissions over longer distances.

The label can also be equipped with a display unit 9. The

0 Display unit 9 can, for example, provide information about the charge level of a battery 8

Another possibility is to display the data reception or data transmission by the transmitting or receiving device. In addition, the operating state of the circuit device 4 can be checked via the display unit, so that possible defects or malfunctions are indicated. There are various possibilities for the functioning of the display unit 9. The

Display can be changed, for example, by a chemical reaction. A

Such a reaction triggers a color change in the display unit 9 in the event that, for example, a certain threshold value is exceeded or the circuit unit 4 sends out an electrical impulse. Depending on the application, such a color change can be reversible, i.e. the color change returns to the original state when, for example, a threshold value is undershot.

Circumstances may also require that the color change is irreversible. This is useful, for example, if it is to be indicated that the circuit device 4 is defective. In addition to chemical color reactions, it is possible to operate a display unit 9 by electroluminescence. In this case, the display unit 0 has a high-resistance semiconductor material in which a

Electrons are accelerated by an applied electric field and other electrons are released from impurities by impact ionization and then recombine again by emitting light. The light can be emitted in different colors depending on the material used. Another possibility for the

5 Operation of the display unit 9 is based on electrochromography.

Color change in the display unit 9 varies proportionally to the applied voltage. Voltage pulses or continuous voltages as well as electric fields can be generated in a part of the circuit unit and transmitted to the display unit if required.
20

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram which gives an overview of possible embodiments of the circuit unit 4 and other components provided on the base layer 1 of the label according to the invention. The electrical circuit unit 4 comprises a processor 7 which coordinates the

5 the transmitter/receiver 3 to send or receive data

In addition, the processor 7 can read data from a memory 5 or write it into it. The memory 5 preferably contains a temporary storage part in which incoming data can be temporarily stored. It is provided that the memory 5 can manage several types of data. A

0 Data type is transferred to memory 5 via the transmitter/receiver 7. This data can

be changed or overwritten by the processor. However, it is also possible to store data in the memory 5 that cannot be changed by the processor, but can only be read. This data, which is also transmitted from an external source via the transmitter/receiver 3, can contain 5 program information for the processor 7, so that the circuit unit

is variably programmable. In addition, the memory can also store fixed programmed

Contain data that cannot be changed.

Further data can be transmitted directly to the processor 7 as well as to the memory 5 via a sensor 6. The sensor 6 is used to detect environmental parameters such as pressure, temperature, humidity, acceleration, light intensity and the like. This enables the label according to the invention to detect, store and process environmental parameters. This makes the label ideal for use on outer packaging of goods and objects that need to be transported or stored. The determination of environmental parameters can provide valuable information for the objects mentioned.

Provide information about their physical condition, so that defects or faults can be quickly and reliably identified, especially in mass-produced products. The condition of the object can be made visible using the display unit 9. For perishable goods that require cool storage

5, the temperature can be measured using the sensor 6. The

The temperature values recorded are stored in the memory 5. In the memory 5, for example, a program can be executed by the processor 7, which allows the processor 7 to determine the maximum temperature. This maximum temperature is then compared with a predetermined threshold value. If the

0 Maximum temperature above the threshold, the processor 7 can display 9

which then signals, by the appearance of a text or by a color change, that a critical temperature value has been exceeded, so that the product, for example a frozen product, has possibly gone bad. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the processor only activates the display unit 9 when

5 if a critical parameter is exceeded or underestimated over a certain, specified period of time

is exceeded.

The memory 5 can also be read by an external computer or the like via the transmitter/receiver 5 and thus transport and storage of the objects

0 can be constantly monitored. This can be done wirelessly using the transmitter/receiver 3.

For example, existing registration or processing equipment such as barcode scanners can be additionally equipped with a plug-in reading unit adapted to the transmitter/receiver, so that existing systems can be used for communication. An amplifier can also be included in a 5 pre-switching unit 10, so that the

Communication of the label with an external source even over larger

distances without interference. If necessary, the ballast unit 10 can contain a rectifier which rectifies an alternating voltage induced in the power supply 8 to operate the circuit arrangement. A battery or a rechargeable battery can also serve as the power supply 8 instead.
5

The labels according to the invention are particularly suitable for objects or goods whose quality depends significantly on the environmental parameters prevailing during storage and transport, such as temperature, pressure and the like. The label can be attached to the objects themselves or to a collection container (box,

0 pallet and the like). Especially goods such as frozen food,

Medicines and the like can become unusable if stored incorrectly, which can sometimes lead to unpleasant health side effects. Therefore, with the help of the label according to the invention, both the distributor and the consumer can be informed of such products, for example by displaying 9

5 indicate whether the product is in perfect condition

is or not.

Claims (13)

1. Label for data exchange, comprising a base layer ( 1 ), an adhesive layer ( 2 ) and a transmitting or receiving device ( 3 ) connected to the base layer ( 1 ), wherein an electronic circuit unit ( 4 ) is arranged on the base layer ( 1 ), which is connected to the transmitting or receiving unit ( 3 ). 2. Label according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit unit ( 4 ) comprises a chip. 3. Label according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the circuit unit ( 4 ) has a memory unit ( 5 ) for storing data. 4. Label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a data processing unit ( 7 ) connected to the circuit unit ( 4 ). 5. Label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a sensor unit ( 6 ) connected to the circuit unit ( 4 ) for determining environmental parameters. 6. Label according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 6 ) contains a device for measuring temperature. 7. Label according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 6 ) contains a device for measuring pressure. 8. Label according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 6 ) contains a device for measuring moisture. 9. Label according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 7 ) is connected to the sensor unit ( 6 ) and the storage unit ( 5 ). 10. Label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a power supply unit ( 8 ) for supplying the circuit unit ( 4 ). 11. Label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit unit ( 4 ) has a ballast unit ( 10 ). 12. Label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a display unit ( 9 ) for visually identifying environmental parameters. 13. Label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit unit ( 4 ) is programmable.