Primary tag and a secondary tag for communication with each other, and a system comprising a primary tag and one or more secondary tags
Inventors
Yap, Kon Sang • Teh, Jing Feei • Goh, Zenton • Ng, Hon Cheong
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9576461-B2
Publication Date
2017-02-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various embodiments relate to tags, methods of using tags, systems, and methods of using systems. Various embodiments may be suitable for identifying a human or an animal. Various embodiments may provide mother-infant matching and cot-infant matching for both single and multiple births; monitoring of the location, movement, and status of the tags; detection of tampering and unauthorized removal of infant tags; and organizing of tags.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a primary tag and a secondary tag communication architecture that uses tag-to-tag signals containing unique identification codes and matching information to identify whether the received secondary tag is associated with the primary tag. The primary tag stores a secondary tag identifier in a memory circuit, receives a tag-to-tag signal from the secondary tag that includes a unique secondary tag identification code, and identifies the secondary tag as correct when the unique secondary tag identification code matches the stored secondary tag identifier.
The invention further specifies how the secondary tag responds to the primary tag by sending a second tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique secondary tag identification code upon receiving a first tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique primary tag identification code. The secondary tag includes a skin side positioned over the skin of a human or an animal, and a skin detection circuit that detects whether the skin side is within a predetermined distance from the skin, and conditions sending the second tag-to-tag signal on that determination.
The invention addresses identification reliability and monitoring by providing location and status tracking through match/mismatch/connection/disconnection signals received by a computer system, and by issuing alerts on nondetection periods. It also includes a primary tag storage bracket configured to turn off the primary tag capability to send or receive any signal whenever the primary tag is placed in the primary tag storage bracket for a preset period to conserve power.
Claims Coverage
The provided partial content contains three independent claims: the primary tag, the secondary tag with skin-proximity conditional signaling, and a system for identifying a human or an animal with a primary tag storage bracket that disables send/receive for a preset period. The independent claims contribute inventive features based on code-based association matching, conditional secondary-tag response criteria, and system-level monitoring and power-off behavior.
Code matching for correct secondary tag identification
A memory circuit configured to store a secondary tag identifier; a receiver circuit configured to receive a second tag-to-tag signal from the secondary tag, the second tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique secondary tag identification code; and a processor circuit configured to identify the secondary tag as a correct secondary tag associated with the primary tag if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the memory circuit.
Unique primary tag identification signal with location and battery level
A first transmitter circuit configured to send a first tag-to-tag signal, the first tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique primary tag identification code; and a second transmitter circuit configured to send an information signal, the information signal comprising the unique primary tag identification code and other information including the location and battery level of the primary tag.
Skin-proximity conditional secondary-tag response
A skin side configured to be positioned over the skin of a human or an animal; and a skin detection circuit configured to detect whether the skin side is within a predetermined distance from the skin of a human or an animal, wherein the first transmitter circuit is further configured to send the second tag-to-tag signal upon the receiver circuit receiving the first tag-to-tag signal if the skin detection circuit determines that the skin side of the secondary tag is within a predetermined distance from the skin of a human or an animal.
System identification of human or animal using primary-secondary tag association
A system comprising a primary tag, a secondary tag, and a primary tag storage bracket for storing the primary tag, wherein the primary tag is configured to send a first tag-to-tag signal; wherein the secondary tag is configured to receive the first tag-to-tag signal; wherein the secondary tag is further configured to send a second tag-to-tag signal upon receiving the first tag-to-tag signal, the second tag-to-tag signal comprising a unique secondary tag identification code; wherein the primary tag is further configured to store a secondary tag identifier and receive the second tag-to-tag signal; wherein the primary tag is further configured to identify the secondary tag as a correct secondary tag associated with the primary tag if the unique secondary tag identification code in the second tag-to-tag signal matches the secondary tag identifier stored in the primary tag.
Primary tag storage bracket disables send/receive for a preset period
A primary tag storage bracket for storing the primary tag, configured such that it turns off the primary tag's capability to send or receive any signal whenever the primary tag is placed in the primary tag storage bracket for a preset period.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage centers on memory-stored secondary tag identifiers and processor-based code matching for correct secondary tag identification, secondary tag communication that conditionally sends its unique secondary tag identification code based on skin detection within a predetermined distance, and a system-level structure that includes a primary tag storage bracket turning off primary tag send/receive capability for a preset period.
Stated Advantages
Enables identifying whether the received secondary tag is a correct secondary tag associated with the primary tag based on code matching.
Provides information signals including location and battery level of the primary tag.
Supports conditional secondary-tag signaling based on skin proximity to a human or an animal.
Provides system monitoring through match/mismatch/connection/disconnection signals to a computer system and alerts on nondetection periods.
Conserves power by turning off primary tag send/receive capability when placed in a primary tag storage bracket for a preset period.
Documented Applications
Identifying a human or an animal using tag-to-tag communication between a primary tag and a secondary tag.
Infant matching for mother-infant and cot-infant matching.
Location and status tracking using match/mismatch/connection/disconnection signals to a computer system with alerts based on preset nondetection periods.
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