Methods and apparatuses for creating and using a wireless tag
Systems, methods and apparatuses are described for creating, activating, monitoring and/or programming an RFID tag. The RFID tag may include a power activation circuit that, when opened, allows the RFID tag to draw power, or additional power, from a battery. The RFID tag may include one or more contacts that may be altered in different combinations to provide programming instructions to the RFID tag.
1 . A wireless tag, comprising:
a substrate;
a circuit board disposed on the substrate;
an antenna disposed on the substrate and communicably coupled to the circuit board;
a power source disposed on the substrate; and
a power activation circuit comprising a circuit trace having a first end and a distal second end, wherein each of the first end and the second end are electrically coupled to the circuit board and wherein at least a portion of the circuit trace extends to an adjacent wireless tag.
2 . The wireless tag of claim 1 , wherein the power source is configured to provide electrical power to the circuit board when the wireless tag is detached from the adjacent wireless tag.
3 . The wireless tag of claim 1 , wherein the power activation circuit comprises a closed circuit when the wireless tag is attached to the adjacent wireless tag and the power activation circuit comprises an open circuit when the wireless tag is detached from the adjacent wireless tag.
4 . The wireless tag of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor communicably coupled to the circuit board, wherein the sensor is configured to receive programming instructions associated with the circuit board.
5 . The wireless tag of claim 1 , wherein the wireless tag further comprises a support base comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises an adhesive layer.
6 . The wireless tag of claim 5 , wherein the support base comprises a radio frequency identification label.
7 . The wireless tag of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of programming contacts, wherein each programming contact of the plurality of programming contacts is electrically coupled to the circuit board.
8 . The wireless tag of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of programming contacts are configured to provide programming instructions associated with the circuit board.
9 . The wireless tag of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless tag identifier disposed along a surface of the wireless tag.
10 . The wireless tag of claim 1 , further comprising a programming contact comprising:
a first contact;
a second contact; and
a spring disposed between the first contact and the second contact,
wherein the programming contact is configured to provide programming instructions associated with the circuit board.
11 . The wireless tag of claim 1 , further comprising a support base, wherein the substrate is disposed along a top side of the support base and wherein the support base comprises:
an adhesive layer disposed along a bottom surface of the support base; and
a backing layer covering at least a portion of the adhesive layer,
wherein the backing layer comprises a plurality of openings configured to identify the wireless tag.
12 . A wireless tag carrier, comprising:
a first wireless tag comprising a first support base, an antenna, and a power source:
a second wireless tag comprising a second support base coupled to the first support base and a second antenna; and
a power activation circuit comprising a circuit trace extending from the first wireless tag to the second support base.
13 . The wireless tag carrier of claim 12 , wherein the power source is configured to provide power to the first wireless tag when the first support base is detached from the second support base.
14 . The wireless tag carrier of claim 12 , wherein the power activation circuit is configured to open when the first support base is detached from the second support base and wherein the open power activation circuit allows the power source to supply electrical power to the first wireless tag.
15 . The wireless tag carrier of claim 12 , wherein the power source comprises a battery.
16 . The wireless tag carrier of claim 12 , wherein the first support base further comprises a plurality of programming contacts, wherein each programming contact of the plurality of programming contacts is electrically coupled to a circuit of the first wireless tag, wherein the plurality of programming contacts are configured to provide programming instructions associated with the first wireless tag.
17 . The wireless tag carrier of claim 12 , wherein the first wireless tag further comprises a sensor communicably coupled to a circuit of the first wireless tag, wherein the sensor is configured to receive programming instructions associated with the first wireless tag.
18 . A method comprising:
receiving a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to a second RFID tag, wherein the first RFID tag comprises:
a battery configured to provide power to the first RFID tag;
detaching the first RFID tag from the second RFID tag; and
causing, based on detaching the first RFID tag from the second RFID tag, the battery to provide power to the first RFID tag.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the first RFID tag further comprises a power activation circuit extending from the first RFID tag to the second RFID tag, the method further comprising:
opening, based on detaching the first RFID tag from the second RFID tag, the power activation circuit,
wherein causing the battery to provide power to the first RFID tag is further based on opening the power activation circuit.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the first RFID tag further comprises a sensor, the method further comprising:
receiving by the sensor, one or more inputs; and
programming, based on the one or more inputs, the first RFID tag.