JP3148247B6 - Radio frequency identification label - Google Patents

Description

[Background of the invention]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to identification labels. In particular, the present invention relates to an active radio frequency identification label that includes an active battery for remotely detecting, identifying and tracking goods, packages, baggage or the like.
2. Description of Related Technology Optical scanning techniques and labels such as bar code scanning and optical character reading are primarily used in the automated package identification industry. Although optical labels are suitable for use in many applications, they basically have two constraints. That is, a relatively short reading range and poor reading ability in harsh environmental conditions. For accurate reading by the scanner, it is necessary to attach the label at an accurate position on the package, so that a very time-consuming work is required. It can be difficult or impossible to get a line of sight between the scanner and the bar code label when a large number of packages are grouped and the labels wrap around each other on the conveyor, preventing detection and becoming unreadable There is sex. Therefore, the scanner cannot read the label.
The use of radio frequency (RF) identification labels overcomes many of these limitations and provides additional advantages over optical labels. The radio frequency identification label uses a transceiver or transponder placed on the tracked object. The label transmits encoded data of the selected frequency, and this RF signal is received by the antenna. The RF signal generated by these labels can be read at a location remote from the receiving antenna. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to have a direct line of sight between the RF label and the receiving antenna, even an object with an RF label attached to a hidden position can be easily read.
RF identification labels are classified as passive or active based on the power source that provides power to the label. Passive RF labels do not have a separate power source. They rely entirely on power from an externally supplied RF carrier so that all of the power required for the label is supplied. This provides a virtually infinite shelf life and is low cost because there are no battery charging and maintenance issues. However, passive RF labels tend to have a limited transmission range.
A typical passive RF label is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,153,583 by Murdoch, where it has a single inductive coil for simultaneous transmission and reception of signals to and from the interrogator. A portable passive transponder is disclosed. The transponder receives its power from the induction field generated by the interrogator and stores the received energy capacitively.
In contrast, typical active RF labels have a self-contained power source, or battery. These labels have more power than passive labels, greatly increasing the data transmission rate and label transmission range. These devices are typically energized by switches when device operation is desired. Since a strong external RF interrogation field is not required to power the label, concerns about interference with communication and work safety are reduced.
A typical active RF identification label is disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,772,688 by Smith. In this specification, an air cargo safety system comprising a base station and a plurality of active transponders is disclosed. Each transponder includes a battery and a switch that is manually switched to the “on” position when the transponder is positioned over the tracked object. The base station includes a transceiver that detects when the transponder leaves the indicated area.
Another prior art active RF identification label is disclosed in the WO95 / 12091 patent by Ghaem. The system includes an active RF tag that includes a low profile battery power source and an RF transmitter that transmits a predetermined identification code. However, this type of system is limited in that it does not allow selective transmission of information based on the priority of the information stored in the memory.
Since active RF labels include batteries, their shelf life is limited by the battery life. The use of lithium batteries can increase the shelf life to 10 years, but such batteries are significantly more expensive than normal active RF identification labels and also create environmental problems upon disposal . Furthermore, normal active RF labels are not practical for high capacity, low cost applications where the labels are discarded after a single use.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a low cost RF identification label that has a shelf life comparable to passive RF labels, yet provides the operational benefits of conventional active RF labels.
[Summary of Invention]
The present invention provides an RF identification label that includes a selectively energizable battery. This label has control and RF generation circuitry coupled to the battery. The battery consists of two separate parts that are contacted and activated to operate the battery, thereby providing power to the control and RF generation circuitry. A preferred embodiment of the control and RF generation circuit includes a programmable integrated circuit chip having contacts programmable by the user to define the generated identification signal.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive active RF identification label that can be stored for long periods before use.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the embodiments.
[Brief description of drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an active RF identification label according to the technique of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a controllable block diagram used with the active RF identification label shown in FIG.
3 is a side view of the active RF identification label shown in FIG. 1 showing the initial stages of label activation.
4 is a side view of the active RF identification label shown in FIG. 1 showing an intermediate stage of label activation.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the active RF identification label shown in FIG. 1 in the biased position.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an RF identification label according to the technique of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a second alternative embodiment of an RF identification label in accordance with the techniques of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of an RF identification label in accordance with the techniques of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the data input means.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a memory in the data module.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
Referring to FIG. 1, an active radio frequency (RF) identification label 10 is shown. This identification label 10 consists of a thin rectangular strip 12 of flexible material of the type normally used as a baggage label, such as plastic, paper, cardboard, synthetic material, natural material, textile, non-woven material, etc. Can be configured. The substrate 16 is attached to the strip 12 by an ordinary method such as an adhesive. Substrate 16 supports control circuit 14, first battery portion 18, antenna 26, and programmable contacts 28. The substrate 16 also has a small lip 29 that surrounds the components located on the substrate 16.
The first battery portion 18 has an anode 20 and a cathode 22. The anode 20 and cathode 22 supply power to the control circuit 14 via conductors 24. These conductors 24 are made from conventional conductive materials such as conductive inks, thin films, or metal foils. Program contact 28 is coupled to control circuit 14 by conductor 30 to allow the user to program the label with a desired identification signal, as will be described in detail below.
The second battery portion 32 is provided at the end of the strip 12 opposite the end to which the substrate 16 is attached. This second battery portion 32 functions as a substrate for the electrolyte material. In a preferred embodiment, the battery is composed of zinc and manganese dioxide, the anode 20 is magnesium dioxide, the cathode 22 is zinc, and the electrolyte is a liquid gel of ammonia chloride and zinc chloride. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the materials used in the preferred embodiments can be replaced with many other materials without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The second battery portion 32 is arranged such that when the strip 12 is folded back and stacked, the second battery portion 32 contacts and overlaps the first battery portion 18. The adhesive 33 covers the portion of the strip 12 that surrounds the second battery portion 32. This ensures that the contact between the two battery parts 18 and 32 is maintained after the strips are folded and stacked. Adhesive 33 also seals the electrolyte material within lip 29 to prevent leakage. The second region 35 of the strip 12 is not covered with the adhesive 33. A backing material 37 as shown in FIG. 9 covers the adhesive 33 and the second battery part 32 to reliably prevent unwanted material from adhering to the strip 12. When it is desired to operate the label 10, the backing material 37 is removed by the user. A perforated portion 31 is provided near the center of the strip 12.
Referring to FIG. 2, the control circuit 14 includes a control and timing module 40 (hereinafter referred to as a control module), a data encoding and storage module 42 (hereinafter referred to as a data module), an RF modulator 44, and a power amplifier 46. . In the preferred embodiment, the control module 40 and the data module 42 are software configured modules. In order to program label 10 with the desired message or data to be transmitted, data is entered into label 10 from data input source 100 via program contact 28. Data enters the data encoding and storage module 42 in binary form. This data is typically related to the package in which the label 10 is attached with an adhesive. This data may include the package contents, package destination, package shipping source, package weight, and any other data known about the package when label 10 is programmed.
Data encoding and storage module 42 includes non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) for storing and retrieving data. As binary data is stored in memory, it is encoded and compressed by data module 42. In addition, error detection and error correction information is added by the data module 42 to ensure that the data decoded by the receiver is error free. Data compression and encoding may occur before the data is input to the data module 42. This reduces the complexity of both the control circuit 14 and the data module 42 and allows data to be encrypted by the data input source 100 for secrecy if desired.
Radio frequency (RF) modulator 44 uses a frequency shift key (FSK) scheme to modulate the carrier signal. Alternatively, a phase shift key (PSK) scheme or other known modulation method may be used. The binary data signal output from module 42 is mixed with the RF carrier selected for transmission. In the preferred embodiment, the selected RF carrier is 908 MHz. The power amplifier 46 increases the power of the signal given by the modulator 44 and outputs it to the antenna 26.
The control (and timing) module 40 oversees all operations of the control circuit 14. The control module 40 includes a processor that commands the data module 42 to encode and store data. When the label 10 is assembled and the power source is enabled, the control module 40 activates the data module 42, the RF modulator 44, and the power amplifier 46. When energized, the label 10 transmits data stored on the selected RF carrier for reception by an external receiver. The data is preferably transmitted at irregular intervals and transmitted several times per second. By shifting the transmission interval, the receiver has the opportunity to receive a secure transmission from each of several labels 10 in its coverage area.
In the preferred embodiment, coded data that is considered to be of higher priority is transmitted more frequently than coded data without priority. For example, routing and unique identification information is sent each time, while the entire content stored in the data module 42 contains additional information such as content, weight, original date and location of the package. Sent once every three times.
The data is stored in a selective form in the memory 43 as shown in FIG. 11 so that non-priority data and priority data can be separated. In applications such as routing packages for mailing, the package recipient's zip code, city, street, street address and name are required to ensure proper delivery of the package. The highest priority data 102, such as a zip code, is transmitted in each transmission. Low priority data 104, 106 and non-priority data 108 are transmitted less frequently.
The memory 43 can also be programmed to send a message after a predetermined time has elapsed when the label 10 is activated. For example, if label 10 is still present on the package after a week, label 10 sends a message indicating that the package has been lost. This can facilitate identification and tracking of packages sent to the wrong location. The data module 42 can also be programmed specifically for each application. Thus, the data can be transmitted in any desired format and time interval.
In another embodiment, label 10 receives an RF signal from an external source such as an RF transmitter. This signal can include control instructions for controlling the operation of the control module 40 or additional data for storage in the data module 42. In this embodiment, the modulator 44 is a modulator / demodulator (modem) and the preferred received RF carrier is 2.45 GHz. The received RF signal is demodulated by modem 44 and processed by control module 40. The control module 40 executes the control command and stores the received data in the data module 42. The received data may erase the data currently stored in the data module 42 or may be added to the data. In this way, the contents of the data module 42 can be updated as the package is sent along its predetermined path. Furthermore, the desired destination of the package can be changed from the original destination to a new destination when the package is in the middle.
The received control instructions enable or disable the desired specific operating mode of label 10. For example, if label 10 is used for air baggage routing, label 10 is instructed to stop all RF transmissions (RF transmission stop mode) before loading the cargo into the aircraft cargo holding device. It is desirable to do. This eliminates the risk of communication interruption during flight. The RF transmission mode can be enabled when the package is removed from the aircraft cargo holding device.
Referring again to FIG. 9, the data input means 100 is shown. An unprogrammed label 10 is supplied from a delivery roll 110 to a programming mechanism 112. Although a feeding roll 110 is shown, a fanfold (continuous paper) box may be used. Programming mechanism 112 includes programming probes 114, 116 and a print head 118 that contacts the opposite side of label 10. The programming probes 114, 116 contact the corresponding programming contacts 28 on the label 10 as the label 10 is supplied and supplied past the programming probes 114, 116. At the same time, the print head 118 prints information on the opposite side of the label 10. Direct heating, thermal transfer, ink jetting, or other known printing techniques may be used to print human or machine readable information on one side of the label 10.
The data input means 100 receives programmed data from an external source (not shown) such as a personal computer. Data input means 100 programs the desired data into label 10 and prints visible information on the surface of label 10. Programming probes 114 and 116 also provide temporary power to control circuit 14 during label 10 programming. The contact between the programming probes 114, 116 and the programming contact 128 as well as the contact between the print head 118 and the label 10 is shown in more detail in FIG.
Referring again to FIG. 9, once a label 10 is formed, the label 10 is separated from the adjacent label 10 by tearing along the perforations 120 between the labels 10. The label 10 is then affixed to the tracked object and biased by pressing the second battery portion 32 against the first battery portion 18.
In order to bias the label 10, a flexible strip 12 is folded back and overlaid as shown in FIGS. The electrolyte 32 effectively contacts the anode 20 and cathode 22 of the first battery portion 18, thereby completing the battery and powering the control circuit 14. At that time, the data programmed into the label 10 is transmitted by the label 10 on the RF carrier selected to be received by the receiving means. The active RF identification label 10 is particularly suitable for use as a label for air baggage, where the strip 12 is wrapped around the baggage portion of the baggage and the adhesive-free portion 35 of the strip 12 is Contact. The label 10 is easily removed after use by the perforated portion 31.
Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the RF identification label 50 is shown. The RF identification label 50 has been described with respect to the label 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 except that instead of a single strip 12, two parts made of separate materials 52, 54 are provided. It consists of the same methods and parts. The label 50 is biased by affixing the two parts 52, 54 together so that the first battery part 18 is effectively joined by the adhesive 32 of the second battery part. Adhesive is applied to the outer side 52 of the part 52 or the outer side 58 of the part 54 to facilitate adhesion of the identification label 50 to a box or another object.
In a second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the electrolyte 32 includes two inert portions 60, 62 that are encapsulated separately. Both parts are maintained in a sealed enclosure 64. The battery is energized by breaking the encapsulant 66 between portions 60 and 62. Sealed enclosure 64 keeps energized electrolyte 32 in contact with anode 20 and cathode 22.
In FIG. 8, a third alternative embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the label 80 comprises a single container 82 that houses the control circuit 14 and a battery. In this embodiment, the battery is a zinc-air battery composed of an aqueous solution of zinc and potassium hydroxide. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, the battery 81 is energized when the solution is exposed to air (oxygen). In its inactive form, the solution is isolated from the air by a separator strip 84. To activate the label 80, the separator strip 84 is removed from the container 82, thereby exposing the solution to air. A programming contact 28 is provided on one side of the housing 82 so that the data input means 100 can access the control circuit 14. Adhesive 86 is applied to the second side of label 80 to apply label 80 onto the package. Additionally, a bar code label 88 may be provided to optically identify the label 80.
Although the present invention has been described in part with reference to preferred embodiments, such detailed description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should recognize that many configurations and operation modes can be changed based on the technology disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

A memory for storing data; an RF generating means for generating an RF identification signal based on the stored data; and an active battery connected to the RF generating means for supplying power to the RF generating means, The active battery comprises at least a first portion and a second portion separated therefrom, the active battery being energized when the first portion is in operative contact with the second portion, and The second part comprises means for maintaining the first battery part and the second battery part in operative contact with each other after energization of the battery, whereby the RF identification signal is applied to the battery. In an active RF identification label that can be generated when requested by
A controller coupled to the battery, the RF generating means and the memory for controlling the generation of the RF identification signal and selectively outputting the data from the memory to the RF identification signal for transmission; ,
An active RF identification label programmed to cause the controller to output data with a higher priority more frequently than data with a lower priority. The active RF identification label of claim 1, wherein the first battery portion comprises an anode and a cathode supported on a dielectric substrate, and the second battery portion includes an electrolyte. Adhesive is applied to the support substrate such that the support substrate adheres to the anode and the cathode and biases the battery, the adhesive being in contact with the first battery portion and the second battery portion. 3. An active RF identification label according to claim 2, comprising means for maintaining the performance. The RF identification label according to claim 1, wherein the highest priority data is transmitted at every transmission, and the low priority data and the non-priority data are transmitted less frequently. The active RF identification label of claim 1, wherein the memory is programmed to transmit a message after a predetermined time has elapsed since the activation of the active RF identification label. A memory for storing data; an RF generation means for generating an RF identification signal based on the stored data; and an active battery connected to the RF generation means for supplying power to the RF generation means, The active battery comprises at least a first portion and a second portion separated therefrom, the active battery being energized when the first portion is in operative contact with the second portion, and The second part comprises means for maintaining the first battery part and the second battery part in operative contact with each other after energization of the battery, whereby the RF identification signal is applied to the battery. In an active RF identification label that can be generated when requested by
Control coupled to the battery, the RF generating means, and the memory, controlling generation of the RF identification signal, selectively outputting data from the memory, and inserting the selected data into the RF identification signal Equipped with equipment,
An active RF identification label programmed to cause the controller to output data with a higher priority more frequently than data with a lower priority.

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