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WO2024263631A2 - Procédés et systèmes de charge sans fil d'étiquettes intelligentes - Google Patents

Procédés et systèmes de charge sans fil d'étiquettes intelligentes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024263631A2
WO2024263631A2 PCT/US2024/034599 US2024034599W WO2024263631A2 WO 2024263631 A2 WO2024263631 A2 WO 2024263631A2 US 2024034599 W US2024034599 W US 2024034599W WO 2024263631 A2 WO2024263631 A2 WO 2024263631A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
battery
smart labels
radio
multiple smart
labels
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2024/034599
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English (en)
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WO2024263631A3 (fr
Inventor
Keith Michael Crane
Christine Ho
Jeff Louis KRIEGBAUM
Konstantin Tikhonov
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CCL Label Inc
Original Assignee
CCL Label Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CCL Label Inc filed Critical CCL Label Inc
Publication of WO2024263631A2 publication Critical patent/WO2024263631A2/fr
Publication of WO2024263631A3 publication Critical patent/WO2024263631A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
    • H02J50/10—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
    • H02J50/40—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using two or more transmitting or receiving devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/00032—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by data exchange
    • H02J7/00036—Charger exchanging data with battery

Definitions

  • smart labels provide many additional functions such as being able to receive and store new data and being able to communicate data without a need for a direct line of sight, based upon radio frequencies and/or other forms of wireless and/or contact free communication protocols.
  • United States patents 6,520,544; 8,395,504; and 9,495,632 provide examples and additional information, and all of these are incorporated by reference herein.
  • RFID tags are not able to receive, collect, or transmit data unless these tags are within the RFID-reader range and not obstructed by components that reflect or absorb electromagnetic fields. Such ideal tag-interrogation conditions can be very infrequent in atypical supply chain.
  • a smart label comprises a specially-configured battery such that the label thickness is less than 2 millimeters.
  • the smart label also comprises a charging coil (for wireless charging) and an internal radio (for external communication).
  • the batteries of multiple smart labels can be charged simultaneously while these smart labels are positioned in the same general location.
  • the smart labels are wirelessly charged while being carried on a supporting web past the external wireless charger.
  • the smart labels are wirelessly charged after being attached to packages (e.g., while transported and/or upon the delivery).
  • the smart labels are removed from the packages. The batteries of these removed labels can be recharged thereafter, e.g., to retrieve any stored data and/or to reuse the labels on new packages.
  • FIG. 1 A is a top schematic view of a smart label, illustrating various internal components of the smart label, in accordance with some examples.
  • FIG. IB is a side schematic view of a smart label, illustrating the comparative thickness of battery components and antenna of the smart label, in accordance with some examples.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a smart label, illustrating various power and data transfers among different components of the smart label, in accordance with some examples.
  • FIG.3 is a process flowchart corresponding to a method of using multiple smart labels for tracking packages, in accordance with some examples.
  • FIG.4A is a schematic illustration of multiple smart labels, attached to a supporting web and carried by the supporting web past an external wireless charger and an external radio, in accordance with some examples.
  • FIG.4B is a schematic illustration of multiple packages with smart labels positioned within the operating range of an external wireless charger, in accordance with some examples.
  • FIG.4C is a schematic illustration of multiple packages with smart labels positioned with cargo space, equipped with one or more external wireless chargers and one or more external radios, in accordance with some examples.
  • smart labels can receive and store new data (e.g., from an external radio and/or local sensors) and communicate various data without a need for a direct line of sight (in comparison to conventional paper labels, which utilize printed codes and optical scanning).
  • Smart labels can use batteries to power their internal components such that these components can operate even when the labels are away from external power sources
  • labels with passive RFID tags do not use batteries but can operate only when these tags with within the range of RFID readers.
  • the integration of batteries into smart labels and the operation of smart labels with batteries can be challenging. For example, most conventional batteries (even in a pouch-cell format) are quite thick and/or rely on rigid steel or metallic containers that also add cost and weight.
  • Modem circuit designs produce many small and low-powered electronic components, such as radios and sensors.
  • certain batteries e.g., printed batteries
  • a label substrate can be used as an external battery enclosure to protect various internal components from the battery from the environment.
  • Battery current collectors can be formed from the same sheet of metal as antennas, power-transmission lines, and/or signal lines in smart labels.
  • power controllers and charging coils can be integrated into smart labels for wireless charging of batteries without a need to make direct mechanical contacts and have dedicated charging channels.
  • wireless charging can be used to charge the batteries of multiple smart labels positioned in the same location, e.g., on the same supporting web, on packages positioned in the same shipping container.
  • FIG. 1A is a schematic top view of smart label 100, in accordance with some examples.
  • Smart label 100 comprises charging coil 110, battery 130, and internal radio 140.
  • smart label 100 comprises power controller 120 that is electrically coupled to charging coil 110 and battery 130 and configured to transfer an electrical current from charging coil 110 to battery 130, e.g., to charge battery 130.
  • charging coil 110 and power controller 120 are configured to wirelessly charge battery 130 while smart label 100 is proximate to external wireless charger 190 (e.g., in the operating zone of external wireless charger 190) as further described below with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C.
  • Internal radio 140 comprises radio circuit 142 and radio antenna 144, connected to radio circuit 142.
  • Radio circuit 142 is electrically coupled to and powered by battery 130.
  • Radio circuit 142 and radio antenna 144 are configured to form a wireless communication channel with external radio 195 and transmit data to and from smart label 100.
  • smart label 100 can be positioned within the same plane to minimize the total thickness of smart label 100.
  • smart label 100 has a thickness of less than 2 millimeters or even less than 1 millimeter.
  • radio antenna 144 and/or charging coil 110 can be arranged based on their operating requirements and to surround other components.
  • battery 130 may have a custom footprint to fdl in any available space between other components.
  • battery 130 is formed on substrate 102 of smart label 100.
  • battery 130 may be formed together with other components, such as radio antenna 144 and/or charging coil 110 as further described below with reference to FIG. IB.
  • internal radio 140 is one of near-field communication (NFC) radio, ultra- wideband (UWB) radio, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) radio, long-range (LoRa) radio, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) radio, and/or satellite radio.
  • internal radio 140 comprises two or more radios using different communications protocols. These communication protocols have been developed for different communication needs and require different power levels.
  • a BLE radio is used for meter-range data transmission and requires pulses of 3-15 mW.
  • a LoRa protocol is used for kilometer-range data transmission and requires pulses of 100-250 mW.
  • An NB-IoT protocol- for multi -kilometer-range data transmission and requires pulses of 1-2 W.
  • Smart label 100 may include various features and components for powering internal radio 140.
  • the smart label comprises a step-down power converter (e.g., as a part of power controller 120), which allows bringing the voltage (and the power) of battery 130 to the level needed for internal radio 140.
  • internal radio 140 is configured to perform periodic/cyclic operations. For example, every few minutes or hours, internal radio 140 attempts to form a communication channel, effectively searching for nearby signals from other radio gateways, phones, or base stations available for communication over the forward and reverse channels. This part of the overall communication process may be referred to as a handshake. If the communication channel is formed, internal radio 140 then can complete data transmission.
  • the battery performance is determined in part by the battery chemistry, design (e.g., size, shape), environmental factors (e.g., temperature), and the like. Without being restricted to any specific theory, it is believed that various electrochemical factors can impact the discharge capabilities of a battery. For example, a high discharge rate can cause the passivation of active material particles, especially in zinc batteries. More specifically, zinc particles can dissolve at high discharge rates causing a release of various byproducts. These byproducts can passivate the remaining zinc particles. In some examples, a battery can take hours, days, and even weeks before another high-rate discharge pulse can be applied, which may be referred to as a relaxation period. In some examples, higher discharge rates cause diffusion limitations in the negative and positive electrodes. As such, some portions of the electrode active materials can remain unused or underutilized.
  • battery 130 is one of a zinc battery, sodium battery, lithium -metal battery, and/or lithium-ion battery.
  • Battery 130 can have a total thickness of less than 2 millimeters or, more specifically, less than 1 millimeter. With such small thickness, battery 130 or, more generally, smart label 100 do not protrude too far from shipment containers (to which this smart label 100 is attached) and is less likely to be damaged or tom off during the shipping process.
  • battery 130 is flexible, and can be bent around a 3” core (e.g., a 3” core is typically used for containing rolls of labels). Battery 130 can be disposable and not classified as dangerous goods (e.g., zinc batteries).
  • the operating temperature range of battery 130 can range from -40°C to +60°C or, more specifically, from -20°C to +60°C (e.g., to be able to transmit the signal in a variety of environmental conditions).
  • battery 130 is a printed battery.
  • printing techniques to form various battery components such as positive active materials layers, electrolyte layers, and negative active material layers provide unique opportunities for battery design and for achieving specific performance characteristics of these batteries.
  • printing an active material layer on a current collector establishes a robust electro-mechanical connection between this active material layer and the current collector.
  • Printing involves depositing a layer of ink onto a base, which may be a substrate or another printed layer.
  • printing an electrolyte layer over an active material layer establishes a robust ionic connection between these layers by reducing voids and gaps between these layers.
  • printing allows making batteries with various shapes (not possible with the conventional wound or stacked batteries). This shape flexibility opens doors to various integration opportunities.
  • battery 130 comprises first current collector 131, second current collector 132, and active portion 133 disposed between and electrically coupled to each of first current collector 131 and second current collector 132.
  • active portion 133 can comprise positive and negative active materials as well as an electrolyte disposed on, in, and/or between the positive and negative active materials.
  • a separator material prevents unwanted shorting between the positive and negative active materials. Selection of all of these components may be dependent upon the desired battery chemistry.
  • first current collector 131 and at least one of charging coil 110 and radio antenna 144 and/or charging coil 110 is formed by patterning the same metal sheet. Furthermore, portions of first current collector 131 and/or second current collector 132 can extend outside of active portion 133 and be operable for power transmission between battery 130 and other components.
  • printed batteries that are potentially useful in the various disclosed aspects herein, including designs, materials, and manufacturing methods therefor, include those described in United States patents 11,757,492; 11,417,913; 11,264,643; 11,271,207 and/or 10,530,001 and/or United States patent publications 2022/0384771 Al and 2022/0416306A1. All of these documents are incorporated by reference herein.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of smart label 100 schematically illustrating various power and signal connections among different components of smart label 100.
  • Battery 130 supplies and received power from power controller 120.
  • power controller 120 is responsible for powering other components of smart label 100.
  • battery 130 can directly power one or more components (e.g., input components 164 and/or output components 166 as shown in FIG. 2).
  • Battery 130 also supplies various operating parameters to power controller 120. Some examples of these battery operating parameters include, but are not limited to, open circuit voltage (OCV), temperature, Coulomb counter output, state of health (SOH), and sensor readings (e.g., accelerometer, pressure sensor). These factors indicate the power output capabilities of battery 130.
  • OCV open circuit voltage
  • SOH state of health
  • sensor readings e.g., accelerometer, pressure sensor
  • a higher OCV generally corresponds to a higher power output capability (e.g., due to a higher state of charge, or SOC).
  • a higher temperature may also correspond to a higher power output capability.
  • the operation of battery 130 may need to be limited upon reaching a certain uppertemperature threshold (e.g., to prevent overheating of battery 130).
  • a Coulomb counter may be employed to indicate the current SOC, and a higher SOC generally corresponds to a higher power output capability.
  • a SOH may be represented by a voltage drop during the last power-drawn pulse, while a higher voltage drop corresponds to a lower power output capability.
  • Power controller 120 can be coupled to charging coil 110.
  • Charging coil 110 is configured to generate an electrical current when positioned in the electromagnetic field produced by external wireless charger 190.
  • Power controller 120 can be coupled to and provide power to internal radio 140.
  • internal radio 140 is coupled directly to battery 130.
  • power controller 120 can be coupled to and provide power to various sensors 162. Alternatively, sensors 162 can be powered directly by battery 130.
  • sensors 162 include, but are not limited to, thermocouple, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an altimeter, an accelerometer, a drop sensor, a package -integrity sensor, a label identifier, a global positioning sensor GPS, an interrupt sensor (e.g., for detecting the integrity of the package), a conductivity sensor (e.g., to measure the wetness), a proximity sensor, a radiation sensor, a position sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a particle sensor, a motion sensor, a level sensor, a leak sensor, a moisture sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a chemical sensor, a force sensor, a fire sensor, an electrical sensor, and a contact sensor.
  • smart label 100 also comprises memory 160 configured to store data from sensor 162 and/or received from internal radio 140. Internal radio 140 can also receive various data from memory 160 for an external broadcast.
  • smart label 100 comprises input component 164, such as a microphone, a switch, and the like.
  • Input component 164 can be powered by battery 130.
  • Input component 164 receives external input (e.g., from a user), which can include various commands (e.g., to respond, to supply available data, to start collecting data, to add new data, to initiate communication, and the like).
  • external input e.g., from a user
  • commands e.g., to respond, to supply available data, to start collecting data, to add new data, to initiate communication, and the like.
  • input component 164 can receive and interpret a voice command, such as “Are you Ok?”, “Was the temperature in spec?”, “When were you shipped?”.
  • smart label 100 comprises output component 166, such as a speaker, a light, and a display.
  • Output component 166 can be powered by battery 130.
  • Output component 166 can provide output that can be directly interpreted by a user. Some output examples include, but are limited to, turning on a light, displaying a message (e.g., text, warning, and the like), and producing voice output.
  • the display displays a quick Response code (QR code).
  • QR code can convey information about the shipping history, information of the sensor output over a period of time, information about the content of the package, sender or receiver information, or encode a link to this information.
  • the display may also show the state -of-charge or state -of-health of battery 130.
  • smart label 100 is formed in a traditional rectangular shape and size, e.g., 4 x 6 inches, 4 x 4 inches, or 6 x 6 inches, although any number of configurations are possible. Smart label 100 can also be circular in shape, which is beneficial for some applications (e.g., putting on the top of drums). In some examples, smart label 100 can be flexible or conformal to be applied to the side of the drums or bottles. In all instances, the thickness of the label will be orders of magnitude smaller than either of its two dimensional shapes (typically less than two tenths of an inch and even as small as about 0.08 inches (2 mm) or even 0.04 inches (1 mm)), and labels typically require sufficient flexibility and structural integrity to withstand handling.
  • FIG. 3 is a process flowchart corresponding to method 300 of using multiple smart labels 100 for tracking packages 180, in accordance with some examples.
  • Method 300 comprises (block 305) providing multiple smart labels 100, each comprising charging coil 110 and battery 130. Additional examples and features of smart labels 100 are described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C above. Battery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 can be already wirelessly charged before this providing operation, wirelessly charged during this operating, and/or wirelessly charged after this operating.
  • battery 130 can be (block 312) wirelessly charged while (block 310) fabricating battery 130, battery 130 can be (block 322) wirelessly charged while (block 320) integrating battery 130 into smart label 100, battery 130 can be (block 332) wirelessly charged upon (block 330) attaching smart label 100 onto package 180, battery 130 can be (block 342) wirelessly charged while (block 340) shipping package 180, and/or battery 130 can be (block 352) wirelessly charged while (block 340) retrieving data from smart label 100 after shipping.
  • the wireless charging operation can be different depending on when this charging is performed.
  • wirelessly charging battery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 is performed simultaneously for all of multiple smart labels 100.
  • This charging involves generating an electromagnetic field using external wireless charger 190 and interrogating charging coil 110 of each of multiple smart labels 100 with this electromagnetic field.
  • the interrogation of charging coil 110 induces an electrical current within charging coil 110 that is used to charge battery 130.
  • method 300 comprises testing each of multiple smart labels 100 for at least one of sensor performance, communication performance, and battery performance. This testing causes battery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 at least partially discharged. In these examples, wirelessly recharging battery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 is repeated after this testing. Alternatively, the discharge level associated with the testing is minimal, and/or further recharging (downstream in the supply chain) is available, in which case the post-testing recharging is not performed.
  • (block 305) providing multiple smart labels 100 comprises (block 310) fabricating battery 130.
  • battery 130 Various examples of battery 130 are described below.
  • other components of batteries, such as radio antenna 144 and/or charging coil 110 are fabricated at the same time with the battery.
  • batery 130 can be (block 312) wirelessly charged while (block 310) fabricating batery 130.
  • charging coil 110 can be fabricated together with batery 130 and can be used for charging batery 130 before providing other components of smart label 110.
  • (block 305) providing multiple smart labels 100 comprises (block 320) integrating batery 130 into smart label 100.
  • This integration operation involves connecting charging coil 110 to batery 130, e.g., either directly or through power controller 120 as described above with reference to FIG. 1A.
  • batery 130 can be (block 322) wirelessly charged while (block 320) integrating batery 130 into smart label 100.
  • smart label 100 can be positioned on supporting web 188 as, e.g., is schematically shown in FIG. 4A. Supporting web 188 can travel between two rollers and pass external wireless charger 190, which generated the electromagnetic field. Multiple smart labels 100 can pass through this electromagnetic field at the same time, while being on supporting web 188, causing the simultaneous charging of bateries 130 in these smart labels 100.
  • method 300 further comprises (block 330) ataching multiple smart labels 100 to packages 180.
  • smart labels 100 may have an adhesive backing (e.g., formed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer) on substrate 102.
  • PSA pressure-sensitive adhesive
  • the adhesive backing can be protected by a temporary liner.
  • the removal of the temporary liner not only exposes the adhesive backing but also activates one or more functions in smart labels 100, e.g., effectively turning on smart labels 100.
  • the temporary liner can initially extend between two contacts. When the temporary liner is removed these two contacts can interface with each other and form an electrical coupling, effectively operating as a switch.
  • batery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 can be charged prior to ataching multiple smart labels 100 to packages 180.
  • batery 130 can be (block 332) wirelessly charged while (block 330) ataching multiple smart labels 100 to packages 180 or, more specifically, as a part of the general label atachment operation.
  • a shipping service may receive smart labels 100 to be atached to different types of packages 180. The shipping service may charge each batery 130 to a maximum SOC or charge batery 130 to a SOC level associated with a specific package (e.g., shipping duration, power demands, and the like).
  • Charging to a specific tailored SOC can expedite the charging process and prolong the life of selected bateries.
  • wireless charging is performed prior to physically ataching smart label 100 to package 180, e.g., to ensure that batery 130 or, more generally, smart label 100 is operational (e.g., to avoid any rework).
  • ataching multiple smart labels 100 to packages 180 comprises separating multiple smart labels 100 from supporting web 188. Batery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 can be charged while multiple smart labels 100 are atached to supporting web 188, e.g., to ensure separation between smart labels 100 and avoid shielding of smart labels 100 and that are positioned in the same charging zone.
  • wireless charging can be performed after physically attaching smart label 100 to package 180.
  • the size of package 180 can be used to provide separation between smart labels 100 with the same charging zone as, e.g., is schematically shown in FIG. 4B and 4C.
  • method 300 further comprises (block 334) recording data to each of multiple smart labels 100.
  • This data recording operation is performed after wirelessly charging battery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100, e.g., to ensure that the data recording components of smart labels 100 are powered and operational.
  • the data is performed while attaching smart labels 100 to packages 180 such that the data can be specific to each package (e.g., the package content, destination, handling instructions, sensor operating instructions, and the like).
  • recording the data to each of multiple smart labels 100 is performed wirelessly using external radio 195 using wireless communication channel with internal radio 140 of each of multiple smart labels 100.
  • multiple smart labels 100 or, more specifically, packages 180 with smart labels 100 are positioned within the range of external radio 195.
  • External radio 195 can differentiate among different internal radios 140, e.g., based on specific identification for each internal radio 140. This internal -radio identification may be linked to the corresponding identification of smart label 100, incorporating this radio, and/or to the corresponding identification of package 180 to which this smart label 100 is affixed to or otherwise assigned.
  • sensor 162 can be a thermometer, which obtains temperature readings of package 180. These temperature readings can be stored in memory 160 of smart label 100 and/or transmitted by internal radio 140 (e.g., to external radio 195).
  • sensor 162 is an accelerometer, which obtains data about package movements. This acceleration data can also be stored in memory 160 of smart label 100 and/or transmitted by internal radio 140 (e.g., to external radio 195).
  • method 300 comprises (block 340) shipping packages 180 with smart labels 100 attached to shipping packages 180.
  • Various shipping methods e.g., by air, ground, sea) are within the scope.
  • method 300 comprises (block 342) wirelessly recharging battery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 while shipping packages 180 or after shipping packages 180 is complete.
  • a shipping container or vehicle may be equipped with one or more external wireless charges 190 as, e.g., is schematically shown in FIG. 4C.
  • the number and positions of external wireless charges 190 depend on the size of space in which shipping packages 180 are positioned and the allowable strength of the electromagnetic field that can be generated by external wireless charges 190.
  • one or more external wireless charges 190 are able to charge all batteries 130 positioned in the same shipping space.
  • (block 334) recording the data to each of multiple smart labels is performed while shipping packages 180.
  • the data can represent the shipping conditions of packages 180.
  • This data can be stored in memory 160 of smart label 100 (e.g., for retrieval at the package destination) and/or transmitted by internal radio 140 (e.g., to external radio 195 at periodical intervals and/or when the information is available).
  • internal radios 140 of smart labels 100 in this truck can form communication channels available at this truck (e.g., driver’s cell phone).
  • method 300 further comprises retrieving data from each of multiple smart labels 100 using a wireless communication channel between internal radio 140 of each of multiple smart labels 100 and external radio 195. This data retrieval can be performed (block 346) while shipping packages 180 and/or (block 350) after shipping packages 180 is complete.
  • method 300 further comprises wirelessly recharging battery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 before retrieving additional data from each of multiple smart labels 100. For example, battery 130 can be discharged during the shipment.
  • memory 160 of smart label 100 may contain valuable information (e.g., package identification, shipping conditions).
  • the data, obtained by smart label 100 is location data.
  • the location data may be obtained from external radio 195 (e.g., a cell phone equipped with a GPS forms a communication channel with internal radio 140 of smart label 100).
  • smart label 100 is able to obtain the location data internally, e.g., sensors 162 may include a GPS.
  • method 300 further comprises (block 360) detaching smart labels 100 from packages 180.
  • Smart labels 100 can be reattached to new packages 181 (e.g., as described above with reference to block 330).
  • Battery 130 in each of multiple smart labels 100 may be wirelessly recharged (e.g., as described above with reference to block 332).
  • one aspect of the invention contemplates a method o 1.
  • a method of using multiple smart labels fortracking packages starts with providing multiple (i.e., a plurality of) smart labels (100), each comprising a charging coil (110) and a battery (130) wirelessly charging the battery (130) in each of the multiple smart labels (100), simultaneously for all of the multiple smart labels (100), by generating an electromagnetic field using an external wireless charger (190) and interrogating the charging coil (110) of each of the multiple smart labels (100) with the electromagnetic field.
  • this method may also include any one or combination of the following: • attaching the multiple smart labels (100) to the packages (180), wherein the battery (130) in each of the multiple smart labels (100) is charged prior to attaching the multiple smart labels (100) to the packages (180), such as by separating the multiple smart labels (100) from a supporting web (188);
  • testing each of the multiple smart labels (100) for at least one of sensor performance, communication performance, and battery performance, wherein testing each of the multiple smart labels (100) causes the battery (130) in each of the multiple smart labels (100) at least partially discharge and wirelessly recharging the battery (130) in each of the multiple smart labels (100) after testing;
  • the internal radio (140) of each of the multiple smart labels (100) is at least one of near-field communication (NFC) radio, ultra-wideband (UWB) radio, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) radio, long-range (LoRa) radio, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) radio, and/or satellite radio;
  • NFC near-field communication
  • UWB ultra-wideband
  • BLE Bluetooth low energy
  • LoRa long-range
  • NB-IoT narrowband internet of things
  • the sensor (162) in each of the multiple smart labels (100) is at least one of a thermocouple and/or an accelerometer;
  • a further aspect of the invention focuses on a smart label having a charging coil (110); a power controller (120), electrically coupled to the charging coil (110); a battery (130), electrically coupled to the power controller (120), wherein the charging coil (110) and power controller (120) are configured to wirelessly charge the battery (130) while the smart label (100) is proximate to an external wireless charger (190); and an internal radio (140).
  • That internal radio includes a radio circuit (142), electrically coupled to the battery (130) and a radio antenna (144), connected to the radio circuit (142) and configured to form a wireless communication channel with an external radio (195).
  • the internal radio is one of near-field communication (NFC) radio, ultra- wideband (UWB) radio, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) radio, long-range (LoRa) radio, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) radio, and/or satellite radio;
  • NFC near-field communication
  • UWB ultra- wideband
  • BLE Bluetooth low energy
  • LoRa long-range
  • NB-IoT narrowband internet of things
  • the battery (130) is one of a zinc battery, a sodium battery, a lithium -metal battery, and a lithium-ion battery;

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

Des étiquettes intelligentes comprenant des batteries rechargeables sont utilisées pour suivre des paquets. Selon certains aspects, l'étiquette intelligente comprend une batterie spécialement configurée de telle sorte que l'épaisseur d'étiquette est inférieure à 2 millimètres et/ou contient une bobine de charge (pour une charge sans fil) et une radio interne (pour une communication externe). Dans certains exemples, les batteries de multiples étiquettes intelligentes peuvent être chargées simultanément tandis que ces étiquettes intelligentes sont positionnées dans le même emplacement général. Par exemple, les étiquettes intelligentes sont chargées sans fil tout en étant portées sur une bande de support au-delà du chargeur sans fil externe. Dans un autre exemple, les étiquettes intelligentes sont chargées sans fil après avoir été fixées à des emballages (par exemple, pendant le transport et/ou lors de la livraison). Dans certains exemples, les étiquettes intelligentes sont retirées des emballages. Les batteries de ces étiquettes retirées peuvent être rechargées par la suite, par exemple, pour récupérer n'importe quelles données stockées et/ou pour réutiliser les étiquettes sur de nouveaux paquets.
PCT/US2024/034599 2023-06-20 2024-06-19 Procédés et systèmes de charge sans fil d'étiquettes intelligentes Pending WO2024263631A2 (fr)

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CA2656343A1 (fr) * 2006-06-30 2008-01-10 Cymbet Corporation Systemes et procedes de rechargement de batteries a film mince
US8471706B2 (en) * 2008-09-05 2013-06-25 John Schuster Using a mesh of radio frequency identification tags for tracking entities at a site
US20140188502A1 (en) * 2012-12-29 2014-07-03 Edmond Arthur Defrank Prescription smart label system
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US12245121B2 (en) * 2021-06-29 2025-03-04 Ferret Systems Inc. Item tracking system that switches between short-range and long-range location services

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