RFID power control and monitoring system

Abstract

A system for monitoring parameters associated with a device, such as current, voltage, power, temperature, energy consumed, moisture, fluid levels and flow, wind speed, identification parameters, and repair history. The system includes the use of hybrid RFID sensor tags including a combination of active, semi-passive, and passive RFID circuits. Hybrid tags are attached to electrical system components. Standalone electrical components and generators and those connected to the electrical grid may be monitored. Data collected and stored in the hybrid tags may be accessed via a wireless communication link between hybrid tags and either active scanners or a passive interrogators. The data collected and processed from the hybrid tags may be provided to a user via the Internet or another wired or wireless communication network.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from the following patent application which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 209,897, filed Mar. 13, 2009, entitled RFID Power Monitoring and Control System.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to Radio-frequency identification (RFID).[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]RFID is the use of an object, which is typically referred to as an RFID tag, for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Generally, the RFID tag is physically attached to a product, person, or other object. RFID tags can be categorized into three basic types: active, passive, and semi-passive.[0006]An active RFID tag is a wireless device that is powered locally and contains a local radio frequency (RF) receiver and a source of RF power that actively transmi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hybrid RFID tag is described. The hybrid RFID tag contains both an active RFID circuit and a passive RFID circuit. The Active RFID circuit is typically powered by an external source such as the AC power grid or a solar panel. If this power source becomes unavailable or is degraded, e.g., during a brown-out, the active RFID circuit enters a sleep mode, which reduces the power required by the active RFID circuit. The passive RFID circuit, which does not require local power, but instead scavenges power from received radio frequency transmissions, can direct the active RFID circuit to exit the sleep mode. The passive RFID circuit may be directed to wake up the active RFID circuit by an interrogator. An interrogator is a device, which is typically handheld, that can communicate with passive RFID circuits.

Problems solved by technology

If this power source becomes unavailable or is degraded, e.g., during a brown-out, the active RFID circuit enters a sleep mode, which reduces the power required by the active RFID circuit.

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