Combined electromagnetic and optical communication system

TECHNICAL MEMORY

COMBINED ELECTROMAGNETIC AND OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Copyright and legal notices

A portion of the description of this patent document contains material that is the subject of intellectual property protection. The owner of the copyright has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone, of the patent document or the description of the patent, as they appear in the files or records of the Patent and Trademark Office; but otherwise, he reserves all other copyrights.

Background of the invention

The invention generally refers to a communication system capable of electromagnetically and optically communicating information; and more particularly, to a communication system having electromagnetic and optical communication devices; where at least a portion of each communication device is formed from the same material.

Brief description of the invention

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a communication system is provided that includes both an electromagnetic ("EM") communication device and an optical communication device; where at least a portion of the communication device EM and at least a portion of the optical communication device are formed from the same material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical communication device includes a symbol that can be read by a machine, such as a bar code symbol.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the communication device EM includes a radio frequency communication device, such as an RFID tag.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a conductive ink is used to form at least a portion of the radio frequency communication device, and at least a portion of the bar code symbol.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the radio frequency communication device and at least a portion of the bar code symbol are formed from a conductive metallic paper by means of a subtraction process, such as bitten.

According to another embodiment of the invention the bar code symbol is formatted to provide spaces of the same width between the bars.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the optical communication device includes one or more alphanumeric symbols.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the optical communication device includes one or more logos.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the radio frequency communication device includes a memory that stores the same information encoded in the bar code symbol.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the information stored in the memory of the radio frequency communication devices and encoded in the bar code symbol identifies a product.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a protective cover covers both the radio frequency communication device and the optical communication device; but the information encoded by the optical communication device can still be optically communicated through the protective cover.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the radio frequency communication device and the optical communication device are mounted in a package designed to be opened, such that when the package is opened as designed, the communication device is damaged by radio frequency, so that it no longer communicates.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a communication system comprises an electromagnetic communication device and an optical communication device. The electromagnetic communication device includes at least one antenna. The optical communication device includes at least one symbol that can be read by a machine. At least a portion of the antenna and at least a portion of the machine-readable symbol are formed of the same material. At least a portion of the antenna includes at least a portion of the symbol that can be read by a machine.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a communication system comprises a radio frequency communication device and an optical communication device. The radio frequency communication device includes at least one antenna. The optical communication device includes at least one bar code symbol. At least a portion of the antenna and at least a portion of the bar code symbol are formed from the same material. At least a portion of the antenna includes at least a portion of the bar code symbol.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method provides a communications system that includes a radio frequency communications device and an optical communications device. The radio frequency communications device includes a communications controller, a memory, and an antenna. The optical communications device includes at least one bar code symbol. According to the method, the communication controller and the memory of the radio frequency communication device are provided on a substrate. Also the antenna of the radio frequency communication device and the optical communication device are provided on the substrate, using the same material for at least a portion of the antenna and at least a portion of the bar code symbol.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method provides a communications system that includes a radio frequency communications device and an optical communications device. The radio frequency communication device includes a communications controller, a memory, and an antenna. The optical communications device includes at least one bar code symbol. According to the method, the communication controller and the memory of the radio frequency communication device are provided on a substrate. Also the antenna of the radio frequency communication device and the optical communication device are provided on the substrate using the same material for at least a portion of the antenna and at least a portion of the bar code symbol, so that at least a portion of the antenna includes at least a portion of the bar code symbol.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a conductive ink is used to provide at least a portion of the antenna of the radio frequency communication device and at least a portion of the bar code symbol.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a conductive metal foil is used to provide at least a portion of the antenna of the radio frequency communication device and at least a portion of the bar code symbol.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be examples and not limitations; and wherein like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the components of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention, in which the optical communication device comprises several parts.

Figure 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention, in which the optical communication device comprises various parts including logos; and

Figure 6 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention; wherein the optical communication device comprises a bar code encoded in a format with spaces of equal width. Detailed description

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a combined electromagnetic-optical ("CEMOC") system includes both an electromagnetic ("EM") communication device and an optical communication device; wherein at least a portion of the EM communication device and at least a portion of the optical device are formed from the same material. The electromagnetic communication device can be any device that communicates (for example, sends information, receives information, or both) using electromagnetic wave energy, such as, for example, a television, wireless telephone, a radio transmitter, a radio receiver, radio, a radio transmitter, a radio transceiver (transponder) or a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag. The electromagnetic communication device may include components such as circuitry to control communications and memory to store data that is to be transmitted. The optical communication device can be a device that stores and communicates information optically, by means of its physical appearance, such as human or machine readable symbols, including, for example, alpha-numeric text, brand or corporate logos. or barcodes.

The EM and optical communication devices of the CEMOC system can be combined in many ways. According to one embodiment of the invention, the EM communication device 20 and the optical communication device 30 of the CEMOC system 10 can be combined by forming them on a single substrate 40, as shown in Figure 1.

This formation of the CEMOC 10 system can be obtained in many ways. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the EM communication device 20 and at least a portion of the optical communication device 30 may be formed of conductive ink by printing them on the substrate 40. For example, Figure 2 is a top view of a CEMOC system 10 having an EM communication device comprising an RFID tag 202, and the optical communication device comprising a barcode 204. The RFID tag 202 may include an antenna 208 and an integrated circuit ("IC") 206, which controls the communication involving the RFID tag, and includes a memory that can store data. At least a portion of the RFID tag 202, such as the antenna 208, and the barcode 204, may be printed on the substrate 40 using a metallic or other type of ink capable of conducting electromagnetic energy, and a digital printer. inkjet or other known printing device capable of printing using said ink. Cl 206 may be mounted to substrate 40 before or after antenna 208 and barcode 204 are printed. In either case, CI 206 and antenna 208 are coupled such that CI 206 can transmit and/or receive data through antenna 208.

Another way that the CEMOC 10 system can be formed is through an impression technique that involves etching. According to another embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the EM communication device 20 and at least a portion of the optical communication device 30 may be formed of a conductive material, with portions of the material removed, so as to make it The remainder of the conductive material comprises at least a portion of the communication device EM and at least a portion of the optical communication device. For example, referring again to Figure 2, a writing laser, which removes material as it burns, can be used to etch antenna 208 and barcode 204 from a sheet of conductive paper. The antenna 208 and the barcode 204 can then be affixed to the substrate 40, for example, using an adhesive. Alternatively, a foil sheet can be adhered to the substrate 40 and the antenna 208 and barcode 204 can then be engraved from the foil foil. Before or after the antenna 208 and barcode 204 are formed, the Cl 206 can be mounted to the substrate 40, so as to mate the Cl 206 to the antenna in such a way that it is capable of transmitting and/or receiving data through the antenna 208.

Another way in which the EM and optical communication devices of the CEMOC system can be combined is that the optical communication device is coupled to the EM communication device and functions as an antenna for the EM communication device. For example, Figure 3 is a top view of a CEMOC system 15, in which the communication device EM comprises an RFID tag including a Cl 17 and an antenna 18. The antenna 18 also functions as the optical communication device of the CEMOC system 15, so that the physical appearance of the antenna optically stores and provides information. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the antenna 18 may be configured in the form of a linear barcode.

The CEMOC system, with the combined antenna/optical communications device, can be formed using similar techniques, as those described above, in relation to Figure 2. Thus, at least a portion of the antenna and at least At least a portion of the optical communication device 30 can be printed using conductive ink or etched from a conductive material. The optical communication device 30 can also be formed as an antenna that is not part of something else, for example, that is not formed on a substrate.

When the CEMOC system includes an antenna that has been formed into the shape of a barcode, two or more of the barcode/antenna bars may be connected so as to provide a continuous path, coupled with the EM device. Communication. As is known to those of skill in the art, this continuous path must be of suitable length and width, and be formed of conductive material of such a nature as to allow the continuous path to serve as a suitable antenna for the communication function being performed by the communication device EM, eg RFID tag communication.

The barcode bars can be connected in any way that does not interfere with the barcode scanner's ability to effectively read the antenna as a barcode. For example, as shown in Figure 3, each antenna/barcode bar 18 may be attached to a subsequent antenna/barcode bar 18, at alternate ends, in the manner of a valance.

The optical communication device of the CENOC system of the present invention may include one or more parts; each of which can have a different appearance and can store and carry different information. For example, in Figures 2 and 3, the optical communication devices include a single part, eg, a barcode. In the exemplary CEMOC system 10 of Figure 4, the optical communication device 30 includes a barcode 204, as well as human readable text. The different parts of the optical communication device 30 can form a mixed image, such as the EPC bar code shown in Figure 3. However, the different parts of the optical communication device 30 do not necessarily represent related information. In addition, some parts of the optical communication device 30 may include decorative symbols or brand or corporate logos.

When the CEMOC system includes an optical communication device that also functions as an antenna for the communication device EM, two or more of the parts of the optical communication device may form a continuous path to serve as an antenna. For example, the CEMOC system 15 shown in Figure 5 includes an optical communication device with four parts, for example, a linear barcode, text below the barcode, and a smaller section and a larger section, as the case may be, of the corporate logo “SNX. As shown in Figure 5, the linear barcode and the larger portion of the corporate logo form a continuous path that serves as an antenna for the EM communication device which, in Figure 5, is an RFID tag.

When the optical communication device of the CEMOC system includes several parts, all the parts may be formed at the same time, or they may be formed at different times. For example, the decorative symbols or logos can be printed on the substrate, before the bar code part is printed. In another example, human readable text may be added to the substrate after the barcode has been printed.

In the examples shown above, the optical communication device of the CEMOC system includes a linear barcode. However, non-linear barcodes can also be used. For example, an RSS barcode can be used in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 or 3.

In addition, the different barcode formats can provide certain advantages. For example, when a subtraction technique is used to print the barcode, for example by etching, a barcode of a format that provides spaces of equal width could be created more efficiently and more quickly than a barcode of a format that does not provide spaces of equal width. For example, the barcode shown in Figure 5 is of the UPC(A) format, which allows for four different thicknesses of background space. Thus, in a laser etching process, where the laser is set to etch or etch a predetermined width, multiple passes may be required to etch a gap, depending on the width of the gap that has been encoded in that code. of bars. In the example shown in Figure 6, the CEMOC system 15 includes the optical communication device in the form of an antenna/barcode 18, which is encoded in the Code 25 barcode format. This barcode format uses only spaces of equal width between the bars. Consequently, a laser set to attack a predetermined width need only make a single pass to attack each space.

By having both optical and electromagnetic communication devices, the CEMOC system of the present invention, as described above, can provide information to users both visually and through electromagnetic waves. For example, when the optical communication device encodes certain information as a barcode, a user can retrieve the encoded information using known barcode scanners using conventional line-of-sight scanning techniques, such as laser, CCD, and of the rod type. When the electromagnetic communication device is an RFID tag, an RFID reader may be used to read the information stored in the RFID tag's memory.

When the CEMOC system of the present invention described above is combined with, or mounted on, a substrate, any type of substrate capable of supporting both the EM communication device and the optical communication device of the CEMOC system can be used. For example, the substrate may comprise a label or tag. Additionally, the substrate may comprise packaging for a product.

Any substrate used must not interfere with the functionality of the EM and optical communication devices of the CEMOC system. For example, when the optical communication device includes a barcode, the surface of the substrate must be capable of serving as a background for the barcode. Thus, using the printing techniques described above, at least a portion of the EM communication device and at least a portion of the optical communication device of the CEMOC system of the present invention can be formed, by For example, by printing them directly onto a label, tag, or product packaging, using conductive ink. Alternatively, at least a portion of the EM communication device and at least a portion of the optical communication device of the CEMOC system of the present invention can be formed by fixing a conductive material, for example, a sheet of copper foil, directly onto a label, tag or product packaging, and eliminating, for example, by etching, unnecessary material; such that the remaining material forms the portions of the EM and optical communication devices.

When the CEMOC system is used in environments that expose it to physical or environmental stress, it may be desirable to protect it against such stress. According to one embodiment of the invention a protective layer is applied over the CEMOC system that does not interfere with the communication of a user with any of the communication devices of the CEMOC system. For example, when the CEMOC system is combined in or mounted on a substrate, the protective layer may be placed over the CEMOC system and attached to the CEMOC system and/or the substrate. In order not to interfere with the communication involving the optical communication device, the protective layer may be clear. Alternatively, the protective layer can be mainly opaque, with a clear portion covering the optical communication device.

Thus, for example, the CEMOC system can be combined with, or mounted on, a product package distilled for retail sale, for example, a box of breakfast cereal; and it can be placed on the outside and on the bottom of the package, in the location where a barcode identifying the product would conventionally be found. The protective layer would protect the integrity of the CEMOC system, while allowing the optical communication device to be read, for example, in order to identify the product at a cash register counter.

If desired, the CEMOC system of the present invention can be combined with, or mounted on, a substrate in such a way that it becomes ineffective during the course of normal intended use. For example, when the CEMOC system is used as a product packaging identifier, after the product is sold, the identifier is no longer needed and, in such a case, it may be desirable for the CEMOC system to no longer function after the sale. . Where the CEMOC system includes an RFID tag, this can be accomplished by combining or mounting the CEMOC system on the product packaging over an area where the package is to be opened. For example, the CEMOC system could be combined or mounted directly onto the tear-open mouth of a package, so that when the package is opened the integrity of the RFID tag is destroyed, so that the label RFID no longer transmits the information it has stored.

Although the EM and optical communication devices of the CEMOC system of the present invention can store the same information, under certain circumstances it may be convenient for them to store different information. For example, since the optical communication device stores and conveys information by means of its physical appearance, for example, as with a bar code, it may be possible for information encoded in the optical communication device to be affixed. However, since the communication device EM stores its information in a memory, the information of the communication device EM may be changeable. Thus, it may be desirable that the information stored in the memory of the communication device EM supplements the information stored in the optical communication device. For example, when the CEMOC system includes an RFID tag and a barcode, the barcode may encode a product's identity, and the RFID tag's memory may store shipping instructions for the product.

The CEMOC system of the present invention described above provides many advantages. Where it is desirable to have the functionality of both an electromagnetic communication device, for example, an RFID tag, and an optical communication device, for example, a barcode, both can be printed during the same operation, according to techniques described above. Creating both the electromagnetic communication device, for example, an RFID tag, and an optical communication device, for example, a barcode, in the same operation, allows both devices to be easily encoded with the same information, in one once.

The CEMOC system of the present invention may also be advantageous for technology migration. For example, when the CEMOC system is a product package identifier and includes an RFID tag and a barcode, the same information could be encoded on both the RFID tag and the barcode, thereby allowing users to extract information using established barcode systems, or newer RFID reading systems. This would allow for an easy transition for a user to migrate from a barcode system to an RFID system.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, which can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; and therefore the invention shall not be limited to the precise details of methodology and construction noted above, as such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Except to the extent necessary or inherent in the processes themselves, no particular order of steps or stages of the methods or processes described in this description, including the figures, is implied. In many cases, the order of the process steps can be varied without changing the purpose, effect, or importance of the methods described.