RF communication device with energy enhancement
A method of operating a radio frequency (RF) communication device includes internally storing energy received by the RF communication device, and using that energy to enhance communication by the RF communication device upon occurrence of a predetermined event. The energy received by the RF communication device may be energy transmitted by a shelf or other display unit that an object with the RF communication device is located on. The predetermined event may be any of a wide variety of events. The energy storage may be accomplished in a battery, capacitor, or other energy storage device. The use of energy to enhance communication may be used to provide increased power for sending, receiving, or detecting signals. The enhanced power may be provided continuously, and/or may include periods of power enhancement alternating with periods of non-enhancement.
1. A method of operating a radio frequency (RF) communication device, the method comprising:
providing a RF communication device on a label or tag;
placing the RF communication device on a product and placing the product on a shelf or display;
storing energy received by the RF communication device from the shelf or display in an energy storage device of the RF communication device through a second antenna; and
upon occurrence of a predetermined event, after removal from the shelf or display using the energy stored in the energy storage device to temporarily enhance communication by the RF communication device through a first antenna of the RF communication device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the using includes providing pulsed energy to a chip of the RF communication device.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the providing pulsed energy only occurs after the energy stored in the energy storage device passes below a predetermined threshold.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the providing includes providing the energy for 1% or less of a period of each cycle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the energy storage device is part of an interposer that includes the chip.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined event includes the RF communication device reaching a predetermined temperature.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined event is an environmental condition in the vicinity of the RF communication device.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising detecting the environmental condition using a sensor of the RF chip and the sensor is connected to a sensing material including a flexible polymer to change a parameter when the RF communication device is on the shelf or display.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined event includes receipt of a predetermined signal by the RF communication device.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the enhancing communication includes improving functionality of the RF communication device as an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device is part of chip.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device includes a capacitor.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device includes a battery.
14. A radio frequency (RF) communication device comprising:
an RF chip as part of a tag or label;
a first antenna coupled to the RF chip for communicating information between the RF communication device and an external reader/detector device provided on a shelf or display;
an energy storage device coupled to the RF chip for temporarily providing enhanced power to the RF chip during communication upon occurrence of a predetermined event;
a sensing material including a flexible polymer; and
a second antenna coupled to the energy storage device, for providing power to the energy storage device.
15. The RF communication device of claim 14 , wherein the energy storage device is a battery.
16. The RF communication device of claim 14 , wherein the energy storage device is a capacitor.
17. The RF communication device of claim 14 , further comprising:
a first rectifier coupled to the first antenna; and
a second rectifier coupled to the second antenna.
18. A radio frequency (RF) communication device comprising:
an interposer that includes:
an RF chip; and
conductive pads electrically coupled to contacts on the RF chip the conductive pads are connected to a flexible polymer;
an antenna electrically coupled to the conductive pads distinct from pads connected to the flexible polymer; and
a battery that includes:
an electrolyte layer; and
parts of first and second antennas and one of conductive pads on opposite respective sides of the electrolyte layer, wherein the parts of the first and second antennas and the one of the conductive pads serve as electrodes for the battery.