Long range RFID device for battery monitoring and systems implementing same
An RFID system according to one embodiment includes an electronic device being powered by a battery; an RFID device in electrical communication with the electronic device; and a mechanism for estimating a remaining potential energy of the battery, wherein a flag is set on the RFID device when an estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold. In an RFID system according to another embodiment, the RFID device stores an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device. An RFID device according to yet another embodiment of the invention includes an interface for providing a direct physical connection to an electronic device that is powered by a battery; a memory for storing an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device; and circuitry for sending the indication stored in the memory to a remote device via an air interface.
1. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, comprising:
an electronic device being powered by a battery;
an RFID device, external to the electronic device, and in electrical communication with the electronic device; and
a mechanism for estimating a remaining potential energy of the battery, wherein a flag is set on the RFID device when an estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold, the RFID device being configured to send an indication to a remote device, upon receiving a query from the remote device, of whether the flag is set or not set,
wherein the RFID device includes circuitry for monitoring usage of the battery, the RFID device being configured to store and output, in addition to the indication of whether the flag is set or not, an estimated life remaining in the battery and an indication of actual battery usage: wherein a remote device queries the RFID device to determine whether the flag is set, the RFID device being configured to send the indication of whether the flag is set to the remote device via an air interface, the indication only indicating whether the flag is set or not set; wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a visual display device and a sensor.
2. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RFID device includes circuitry for monitoring usage of the battery, the RFID device being configured to store and output, in addition to the indication of whether the flag is set or not, an estimated life remaining in the battery, and at least one of: an indication of actual battery usage, whether the battery is dead, and an output level of the battery.
3. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein a remote device queries the RFID device to determine whether the flag is set, wherein the RFID device sends the indication of whether the flag is set to the remote device via an air interface, the indication only indicating whether the flag is set or not set.
4. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electronic device includes circuitry for monitoring usage of the battery, the electronic device setting the flag on the RFID device, wherein the RFID device is configured to remain in a hibernation state when the RFID device is inactive and the electronic device is active, wherein the electronic device is configured to wake the RFID device from the hibernation state.
5. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a visual display device and a sensor, wherein the RFID device has an RFID energy capture circuit for at least one of recharging a battery of the RFID device, and power components of the RFID device.
6. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RFID device is configured to store and output, in addition to the flag, at least one of an indication of actual usage, an estimated life remaining in the battery, whether the battery is dead, and an output level of the battery; wherein the RFID device is configured to remain in a hibernation state when the RFID device is inactive and the electronic device is active, wherein the electronic device is configured to wake the RFID device from the hibernation state; wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a sensor and a visual display device.
7. A method for indicating a condition of a battery, comprising:
estimating a remaining potential energy of a battery coupled to an electronic device;
setting a flag on an RFID device when the estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold;
sending a state of the flag to a remote device via an air interface; and
sending, in addition to the state of the flag, at least an estimated life remaining in the battery;
wherein the RFID device includes circuitry for monitoring usage of the battery, the RFID device being configured to store and output, in addition to the indication of whether the flag is set or not, an estimated life remaining in the battery and an indication of actual battery usage; wherein a remote device queries the RFID device to determine whether the flag is set, the RFID device being configured to send the indication of whether the flag is set to the remote device via an air interface, the indication only indicating whether the flag is set or not set; wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a visual display device and a sensor.
8. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the RFID device is in communication with the electronic device via a direct physical connection, wherein the RFID device is external to the electronic device.
9. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the RFID device includes circuitry for monitoring usage of the battery.
10. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein estimating the remaining potential energy of the battery comprises monitoring an amount of time the electronic device is active.
11. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the RFID device is configured to remain in a hibernation state when the RFID device is inactive and the electronic device is active, wherein the electronic device is configured to wake the RFID device from the hibernation state.
12. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the electronic device includes circuitry for monitoring usage of the battery, the electronic device setting a flag on the RFID device when the condition of the battery is such that an estimated remaining potential energy thereof is below a predefined threshold.
13. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a visual display device and a sensor.
14. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the RFID device is configured to remain in a hibernation state when the RFID device is inactive and the electronic device is active, wherein the electronic device is configured to wake the RFID device from the hibernation state; wherein the RFID device is external to the electronic device; wherein the RFID device has an RF energy capture circuit for at least one of recharging a battery of the RFID device, and power components of the RFID device.