IP Library Granted Patent US 12,288,616
Granted Patent B2
US 12,288,616 · App. 18/092,230 · Granted Apr 29, 2025

Method for unlocking machine learning capabilities in a device using embedded RFID authentication

Inventors: Scott Robert Hansen (Irvine, CA); Louisa Marie Hansen (Irvine, CA)
Assignee: Viking Discoveries LLC
G16H40/40G06K7/10297G16H20/30G16H20/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,288,616
App. No.
18/092,230
Granted
Apr 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of unlocking an operation of a Class III medical device suitable for use in treating, for example, COVID 19 in humans is presented. An integrated circuit is inserted or integrated into a medical device having an RFID reader, the medical device having a capability that is in a locked state. The integrated circuit has a first tiny RFID tag embedded therein. The RFID tag has an area of about 0.1 mm 2 or less. The RFID tag is a largely digital tag that is implemented using portable digital IP blocks, the RFID tag utilizing dual-phase RF-only logic.

Claims (31)

1. A method of unlocking an operation of a device, the method comprising:

inserting an integrated circuit into the device having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader, the device having a capability that is in a locked state; the integrated circuit having a first tiny RFID tag embedded therein, the first tiny RFID tag having an area of less than 0.1 mm 2 , the first tiny RFID tag being a primarily digital tiny tag that is implemented using portable digital IP blocks, the first tiny RFID tag utilizing dual-phase power RF-only logic; wherein power supply transistors (PST) cells are shared across a chip that comprises the integrated circuit and the first tiny RFID tag;

encoding authenticity data on the first tiny RFID tag at a foundry, the authenticity data being unerasable and not user-programmable;

reading the authenticity data from the first tiny RFID tag;

after verifying that the authenticity data from the first tiny RFID tag that has been read meets criteria for unlocking the capability of the device; wherein the first tiny RFID tag is characterized by a sensitivity of −2 dBm or better and operates in the 860-960 MHz band;

wherein the device employs machine learning, the step of unlocking the capability of the medical device comprises unlocking a machine learning capability;

wherein the step of unlocking the capability of the device comprises employing artificial intelligence;

wherein the capability of the device comprises a machine vision capability; and

wherein the step of unlocking the device further includes initiating a blockchain transaction.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first tiny RFID tag has an area of less than 0.05 mm 2 .

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is a medical device.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device delivers nanoparticles into a patient.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is used in a veterinary setting on non-human animals.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator and the method includes the step of performing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is a pulse electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy device, and the method includes the step of performing PEMF therapy.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device has a laser, and the method includes performing laser therapy.

9. A method of unlocking an operation of a device, the method comprising:

inserting an integrated circuit into the device having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader, the device having a capability that is in a locked state, the integrated circuit having a first tiny RFID tag embedded therein, the first tiny RFID tag having an area of less than 0.05 mm 2 , the first tiny RFID tag being a primarily digital tiny tag that is implemented using portable digital IP blocks, the first tiny RFID tag utilizing RF-only logic, wherein power supply transistors (PST) cells are shared across a chip that comprises the integrated circuit and the first tiny RFID tag;

encoding authenticity data on the first tiny RFID tag, the authenticity data being unerasable and not user-programmable;

reading the authenticity data from the first tiny RFID tag;

verifying that the authenticity data from the first tiny RFID tag that has been read meets criteria for unlocking the capability of the device; and

wherein the chip comprising the integrated circuit and the first tiny RFID tag is on a card, the method further comprising inserting the card into the device;

wherein the device includes a first component having the RFID reader and at least a second component, the RFID reader and the second component being digitally interconnected but physically spaced apart, wherein the step of inserting an integrated circuit into the device comprises inserting the card into the first component;

wherein the step of unlocking the capability of the device comprises unlocking a machine learning capability; and

wherein the step of unlocking the device further includes initiating a blockchain transaction.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the RFID reader uses an ASK modulation scheme in which circuit operation is paused during low-RF periods.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the device delivers nanoparticles into a patient.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the device is used in a veterinary setting on non-human animals.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the device is a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator and the method includes the step of performing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the device is a pulse electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy device, and the method includes the step of performing PEMF therapy.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the device has a laser, and the method includes performing laser therapy.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2026
From: HANSEN, LOUISA MARIE
To: VIKING DISCOVERIES LLC
Reel/Frame 074614/0504 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2024
From: HANSEN, SCOTT ROBERT
To: VIKING DISCOVERIES LLC
Reel/Frame 067666/0858 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17968783 · Oct 18, 2022
Continuation 17567011 · Dec 31, 2021
Related Publication 20230230688A1 · Jul 20, 2023
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