Smart label

Abstract

Smart labels, methods of operating smart labels, and related contexts in which such smart labels can be used are disclosed. The smart labels, which are used in conjunction with consumer product packaging, include an energy harvester for capturing ambient energy to provide a source of electrical energy, and an electronic circuit powered by the electrical energy. A fuse provides an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuit, and destruction of the fuse permanently disconnects the energy harvester from the electronic circuit. Unwanted continued operation of the electronic circuit powered by the energy harvester, which can be an undesirable heat source when the consumer product packaging is discarded or recycled, for example, can thus be prevented. A network of connected smart labels and smart bins that can read the smart labels can also be used to facilitate consumer recycling of consumer product packaging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology involves the use of smart tags associated with packaging. Background Technology

[0002] Consumer product packaging can incorporate "smart tags," which consist of relatively simple data electronics powered by an energy harvester. Smart tags may, for example, be equipped with a data processor, one or more sensors, some storage capacity, communication devices (such as RF-ID tags), etc. This enables smart tags to play a beneficial role for both users and manufacturers, such as when it comes to inventory monitoring (for manufacturers) and monitoring the condition of packaging and / or its contents (e.g., temperature monitoring). Energy harvesters can harvest ambient energy in various ways, such as from ambient sunlight, ambient heat, ambient kinetic energy, etc. Once activated by the manufacturer, such smart tag electronics remain active as long as the required ambient energy source is present and the natural degradation of the electronics' physical structure does not render it unusable. Summary of the Invention

[0003] At least some examples provide a device for use in conjunction with consumer product packaging, the device comprising: an energy harvester for capturing ambient energy to provide a source of electrical energy; electronic circuitry powered by electrical energy; and a fuse providing an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry, wherein failure of the fuse permanently disconnects the energy harvester from the electronic circuitry.

[0004] At least some examples provide a method for operating a device for attaching to packaging of a consumer product, the method comprising: using an energy harvester to capture ambient energy to provide a source of electrical energy; operating an electronic circuit powered by the electrical energy, wherein an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuit is provided by a fuse; and breaking the fuse to permanently disconnect the energy harvester from the electronic circuit. Attached Figure Description

[0005] The invention will be further described by way of example only, with reference to embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, and in conjunction with the following description:

[0006] Figure 1A The illustration schematically shows packaging with a smart tag attached in some exemplary embodiments;

[0007] Figure 1B The smart tag is illustrated schematically in more detail in some exemplary embodiments;

[0008] Figure 2A The smart tag is illustrated schematically in more detail in some exemplary embodiments;

[0009] Figure 2B The schematic diagram illustrates a fuse in some exemplary embodiments where a user peels off a small tag to destroy the smart tag;

[0010] Figure 3A The operation of a smart tag in some exemplary embodiments is illustrated schematically, which monitors the fullness of the package and triggers the electronic destruction of its own fuse when the package is determined to be substantially empty.

[0011] Figure 3B The operation of a smart tag in some exemplary embodiments is illustrated schematically. The smart tag uses chemical sensors to monitor the state of the contents of the package and triggers the failure of its own fuse when it determines that the contents have deteriorated.

[0012] Figure 4A A smart tag is schematically shown in some exemplary embodiments, which responds to a signal received from an external device so that it electronically destroys its own fuse;

[0013] Figure 4B A mobile phone is illustrated schematically in some exemplary embodiments for sending a "end of life" signal to a smart tag;

[0014] Figure 4C The illustration schematically shows a package being disposed of in a recycling bin in some exemplary embodiments, the recycling bin signaling a smart tag on the package to instruct it to electronically destroy its own fuse;

[0015] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a series of steps taken according to some implementation methods when operating a smart tag;

[0016] Figure 6 The diagram schematically illustrates a system in some exemplary embodiments that encourages consumers to recycle packaging with smart labels; and

[0017] Figure 7 These are a series of steps taken according to some exemplary implementation methods when encouraging consumers to recycle packaging with smart labels. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In one example of this article, there is a device for use in conjunction with consumer product packaging, the device comprising: an energy harvester for capturing ambient energy to provide a source of electrical energy; electronic circuitry powered by electrical energy; and a fuse providing an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry, wherein failure of the fuse permanently disconnects the energy harvester from the electronic circuitry.

[0019] The inventors of this technology recognized that in smart tags with energy harvesters, the harvesters are positioned to capture ambient energy to power electronics provided as part of the smart tag. Once the packaging to which the tag is attached is discarded, the work done by the electronics is unlikely to be useful, and the energy from the harvester is simply dissipated as heat. Of course, although the amount of energy from a single smart tag is very small, such smart tags are expected to become increasingly widespread, resulting in a large number of these "smart products" (i.e., packaging with attached smart tags) being discarded. Therefore, these discarded smart tags will continue to harvest energy and generate heat. Even after the packaging is recycled, the packaged items may remain unprocessed and generate heat for a considerable period. In fact, if such packaging is not recycled and is landfilled, this period of generating useless heat could last for a considerable time, even years. This is not only a waste of energy, but it also presents a potential fire risk, for example, as many of these smart tags are collected in recycling centers or landfills. In this context, the inventors of this technology propose that such smart tags include a fuse that connects an energy harvester to the rest of the smart tag's electronics, and that failure of the fuse permanently disconnects the energy harvester from the electronics. Therefore, it should be noted that the smart tag is equipped with a fuse that is intended and expected to be destroyed, but the destruction occurs at an appropriate future point in time after manufacturing, which can be determined by the device (i.e., the smart tag) itself, by the user, or by a third-party device, as will be discussed in more detail below. Thus, the effect is that once the fuse is destroyed, the electronics cease to operate because the energy harvester no longer generates electrical energy, and therefore the smart tag is no longer a heat source.

[0020] As described above, there are various ways in which a fuse can be arranged to be destroyed, and in fact, a particular implementation may include one or more of these mechanisms. For example, in some implementations, the electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry is arranged to be manually disconnectable to cause the fuse to be destroyed at a user-selected termination point. For example, where such smart tags can be provided as thin labels that may be printed on the surface of packaging, a portion or all of the fuse can be formed in conjunction with a subsequently peelable label (e.g., where a portion of the peelable portion passes through the electrical connection). Thus, when the user selects to destroy the fuse, i.e., the intention is that this should occur when the user discards the packaging to which the smart tag is attached, the user peels off that portion, thereby disconnecting the electrical connection and thus destroying the fuse.

[0021] Electronic circuitry can include a variety of components, and any number (small or large) of such components can be present. In some implementations, the electronic circuitry includes data processing circuitry. This supports the “smart” characteristics of the smart tag, enabling a variety of functions and behaviors. Therefore, the data processing circuitry can be very simple (as simple as a simple finite state machine), or it can be a highly configurable and high-performance microprocessor.

[0022] Alternatively or otherwise, the smart tag may have the ability to electronically destroy its own fuse. This then enables the smart tag to destroy the fuse in response to one or more predetermined conditions, which may, for example, be predetermined to indicate the disposal of the package or other equivalent "end of life". Thus, in some embodiments, the electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry is arranged to automatically disconnect in response to a trigger signal generated by the data processing circuitry to cause the fuse to be destroyed.

[0023] Electronic circuits may include data storage circuits.

[0024] The data processing circuitry can be arranged to generate a trigger signal in response to a variety of different inputs to cause the fuse to break. However, in some embodiments, the device includes at least one sensor to provide at least one sensor input to the data processing circuitry, which is arranged to generate a trigger signal based on the at least one sensor input. The smart tag may have one or more sensors to provide useful information to users, retailers, or manufacturers, and an input from one of these sensors to the data processing circuitry can provide appropriate information to trigger the fuse to break. Alternatively or additionally, the device may also have at least one sensor configured solely to identify the “disposal” or “end-of-life” moment of the packaging to which the smart tag is attached in order to generate a trigger signal.

[0025] Some implementations also include at least one analog-to-digital converter to convert the analog output of at least one sensor into at least one digital sensor input to the data processing circuitry.

[0026] Therefore, at least one sensor can be arranged to provide a range of different information; however, in some embodiments, at least one sensor is arranged to provide information related to the contents of the package. There are many methods to adapt the information about the contents of the package to determine the appropriate time to trigger the fuse.

[0027] For example, in some embodiments, at least one sensor includes at least one chemical sensor. Such a chemical sensor can be provided so that the smart label can, for example, provide a user with useful information about the state of the packaged contents.

[0028] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the contents of the packaging include perishable items, and information associated with the contents includes the deterioration state of the perishable items. Therefore, the output of the chemical sensor can be arranged to provide information indicating the deterioration state of the perishable items to the data processing circuitry. This may, for example, include the deterioration state of edible items, and specifically subsequently allow for the identification of the point in time when the edible items are determined to be no longer edible, at which point the packaging (including its inedible contents) should first be discarded, and the energy harvester should be permanently disconnected from the rest of the electronics.

[0029] In some implementations, at least one sensor includes at least one physical presence sensor. This physical presence, in relation to the contents of the package, can, for example, indicate how full the container is. This fullness can be graded, ranging from completely full to completely empty, or it can be binary, meaning it only indicates "full / not full" or "empty / not empty." Therefore, this enables the data processing circuitry to determine the point in time when the fuse should be electronically deactivated based on the physical presence of the contents.

[0030] For example, the contents of the packaging may include consumer products, and information related to the contents of the packaging includes the degree to which the consumer products have been consumed. Therefore, regardless of whether the packaging has been discarded or recycled, the data processing circuitry can be arranged to identify when the packaging is empty (its contents have been substantially used up) and at this time disconnect the energy harvester from the rest of the electronics of the smart tag.

[0031] Alternatively or otherwise, the data processing circuitry may determine when to generate a trigger signal based on other information, and in some embodiments, the data processing circuitry is arranged to generate a trigger signal based on the internal state of the data processing circuitry.

[0032] This internal state can take various forms, but in some implementations, the data processing circuitry includes a clock, and the internal state of the data processing circuitry includes a timing indication generated by the clock. Therefore, the data processing circuitry can be arranged to generate a trigger signal when a specific time (e.g., the maximum permissible shelf life or "best before" date of a consumer product) has arrived. It should be noted that the "clock" does not need to generate a real clock signal, and this can be provided, for example, as a counter that increments, for example, each time the data processor performs a specific operation, and once the counter reaches a specific value, this can be determined as the desired "timing indication," and in response, the data processing circuitry can subsequently generate a trigger signal.

[0033] Alternatively or otherwise, the data processing circuitry may respond to other signals to generate a trigger signal. In some embodiments, the data processing circuitry is arranged to generate a trigger signal based on an externally generated signal received by the data processing circuitry. Therefore, this effectively provides the smart tag with the possibility of triggering its fuse to break in response to other signals related to various factors involving the use of the packaging.

[0034] In some implementations, the electronic circuitry includes radio frequency (RF) communication circuitry, and the externally generated signal is received by the data processing circuitry via the RF communication circuitry. This provides the smart tag with the ability to be "triggered" to break its own fuse based on the received contactless signal. For example, in the case of receiving the signal via RF communication, various external devices can be configured to allow a user or another participant in the broader recycling packaging system to trigger fuse breakage. For instance, a user could trigger fuse breakage via an application running on her mobile phone, and the recycling facility could generate the signal from a dedicated antenna that the packaging must pass near when it is received for recycling.

[0035] Various technologies are conceivable for such communication with the device, and this technology is not limited to any particular type of radio communication or communication protocol. However, in some implementations, the radio frequency communication circuit is a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit. Extending RFID technology, which is typically implemented in conjunction with such smart tags, to allow for efficient manufacturing processes.

[0036] In some implementations, the RFID circuitry is arranged to operate at extremely high radio frequencies. Specifically, this allows communication to occur over relatively large distances, such that the source of the signal that should trigger the fuse to break, for example, when packaging containing a smart tag is discarded, does not need to be very close.

[0037] In some implementations, the radio frequency communication circuit is a near-field communication circuit.

[0038] As mentioned above, externally generated signals can be generated based on a variety of factors, including where the packaging is located, and therefore in some implementations, externally generated signals indicate the location of the device.

[0039] In some implementations, the location of the device indicates that the packaging has been discarded. For example, this could be provided if an external signal is generated near the perimeter of the recycling bin, causing the smart tag to be triggered to break its own fuse when the packaging enters the bin. This could also be in the case of packaging entering a recycling facility.

[0040] This technology can be manufactured in various ways, but "plastic electronics" can be used as the basis for the label when such electronics, provided as part of smart labeling, are intentionally intended to be ultimately discarded, and when the packaging itself can be plastic-based. Therefore, in some embodiments, the device is formed as a plastic-based electronic device. The device can be formed as an organic electronic device. The device can be formed as a biodegradable electronic device. Alternatively, more traditional electronic device manufacturing techniques can be employed, and therefore in some embodiments, the device is formed as a silicon-based electronic device.

[0041] In one example of this article, there is a method for operating a device for attaching to packaging of a consumer product, the method comprising: using an energy harvester to capture ambient energy to provide a source of electrical energy; operating an electronic circuit powered by the electrical energy, wherein an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuit is provided by a fuse; and breaking the fuse to permanently disconnect the energy harvester from the electronic circuit.

[0042] Some specific implementation schemes will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1A A package 10 is schematically shown, having a smart label 20 attached to one of its surfaces. This smart label includes various electronic components 30, which may be, for example, printed electronics. Further details regarding the configuration of the electronics 30 of the smart label 20 in various corresponding embodiments will be described with reference to the following figures.

[0044] Figure 1B The smart tag 20 is illustrated schematically in more detail. The smart tag 20 includes an energy harvester 22 that harvests ambient energy and converts it into electrical energy to power electronic circuitry 24. Electronic circuitry 24 may be configured differently depending on the specific type of smart tag, but may include a data processor and one or more sensors to provide information about the current environment of the smart tag and / or the contents of the package to which the smart tag is attached. Figure 1B Specifically, the energy harvester 22 is connected to the electronic circuit 24 via a fuse 26. Furthermore, the fuse 26 is arranged such that it can be intentionally broken at a suitable time to permanently disconnect the energy harvester from the electronic circuit 24. Figure 1B As shown by the dashed line, this damage to fuse 26 can be caused by user operation and / or by a trigger signal generated by electronic circuit 24.

[0045] Figure 2AA smart tag 40 is schematically shown in some exemplary embodiments. An energy harvester 41 harvests ambient energy and converts it into electrical energy. Thus, this could be, for example, a photovoltaic cell, a piezoelectric device, a thermal energy harvester, and a radio frequency energy harvester. The electrical energy generated by the energy harvester 41 is regulated by an energy conditioning circuit 42, which in some embodiments is a rectifier. Alternatively, it could be a more complex maximum power point tracking circuit, etc. The electrical energy from the energy conditioning circuit 42 is connected to an electrically and strippable fuse 43. Therefore, it should be understood that the electrical connection provided by the fuse 43 between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry (i.e., the data processing circuitry and other components here) can be broken electrically (by a trigger signal generated by the processor 44) or by removing a user-selectable strippable portion of the fuse, thus destroying the physical strippable portion. Figure 2A The electronic circuitry of the smart tag 40 shown includes not only a processor 44, but also a communication circuit 45, a memory 46 accessible to the processor 44, and a sensor 47 whose output is converted by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 48. A user can choose to strip a portion of the fuse 43 and cause it to break, and the processor 44 can also determine when to generate a trigger signal to break the electronically destructible fuse 43 based on information received from the sensor 47, the memory 46, and / or the communication circuit 45.

[0046] Figure 2B The illustration (not necessarily drawn to scale) shows a user 50 peeling off a portion 51 of a peelable fuse, which forms part of a smart tag 52 attached to packaging 53. For example, the user could do this immediately before placing packaging 53 in a recycling bin. A label on the smart tag or packaging can instruct the user to do so.

[0047] Figure 3A A smart tag 60 attached to package 62 is schematically shown according to some embodiments. The smart tag 60 has at least one sensor 67 that enables it to determine the extent to which the contents of package 62 have been consumed. For example, regarding... Figure 3A As illustrated, package 62 is provided for holding the liquid, and Figure 3A The time point shown on the left indicates the packaging is almost full, with the scale indicating a liquid level of "1.0". This level will be reached after the consumer has used the product for a period of time. Figure 3AAt the time point on the right, it can be seen that package 62 is now essentially empty, with the scale indicating a liquid level of "0.0". One or more sensors 67 of the smart tag 60 provide corresponding one or more inputs to the data processing circuit 64, enabling the data processing circuit to determine with sufficient confidence that package 62 is now empty. In response, the data processing circuit 64 of the smart tag 60 generates a trigger signal to fuse 65, which is thus broken, meaning that the energy harvester 66 is permanently disconnected from the electronics of the smart tag 60. The final action of the data processing circuit 64 before generating the trigger signal could, for example, result in the tag's visual aspect permanently indicating "empty" (i.e., without needing to maintain further electrical power).

[0048] Figure 3B A package 71 with a smart tag 70 attached is schematically shown, wherein the package 71 contains perishable food 72. The smart tag 70 includes a data processing circuit 73, an electronically destructible fuse 74, and an energy harvester 75. A pair of chemical sensors 76 provide the data processing circuit 73 with information about the current deterioration state of the food 72. Therefore, after a period of time, Figure 3B The illustration on the right shows that food 72 has now deteriorated to the point where it should not be eaten. The chemical properties associated with this deterioration of food 72 are detected by sensor 76, and the corresponding sensor input is received by data processing circuit 73. Therefore, data processing circuit 73 recognizes that food 72 has spoiled and the entire package (i.e., including package 71, food 72, and the attached smart tag 70) should now be discarded immediately, triggering the electronic destruction of fuse 74, permanently disconnecting energy harvester 75 from the remaining electronics of smart tag 70. The final action of data processing circuit 73 before generating the trigger signal could, for example, result in the tag's visual aspect permanently (i.e., no further electrical power is required) and prominently indicating "Do Not Eat".

[0049] Figure 4AA smart tag 80 in some exemplary embodiments is schematically illustrated. The smart tag 80 includes an energy harvester 81, an electronically destructible fuse 82, a battery 83, and a processor 84. Ambient energy harvested by the energy harvester 81 is stored in a printed battery 83. The printed battery 83 is not essential, as electrical energy can be obtained directly from the energy harvester 81, but an intermediate battery can help mitigate fluctuations in available energy (e.g., from solar cells at night). Therefore, the printed battery 83 provides a power source for the processor 84 and other electronic components via the fuse 82. A sensor 85 is coupled to the processor 84 via an ADC 86. The processor 84 has an attached small memory 87 and is also connected to a communication circuit 88. A timer circuit 89 also provides additional input to the processor 84. The processor 84 is arranged to respond to a plurality of different signals, based on which it can generate a trigger signal that causes permanent damage to the fuse 82. One of the signals upon which the processor 84 can generate the trigger signal includes an input from the sensor 85, such as as referenced above. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The exemplary implementation is described herein. Furthermore, in this implementation, the processor 84 also receives input from a timer 89, which is configured such that a timing indication increases periodically and monotonically, and when the timer signal reaches a predetermined value, the processor 84 generates a trigger signal. This value is associated with a given shelf life of the product contained in the package to which the smart tag 80 is attached. Alternatively (in this implementation, but possibly in other implementations), communication circuitry 88 is arranged to receive radio frequency signals from an external source 90. The radio frequency communication capability of the smart tag 80 provided by communication circuitry 88 can provide the smart tag 80 with various functions, such as functions in inventory management for the manufacturer of the corresponding product, or functions for retailers to sell products to customers, but particular interest is focused here on the ability of communication circuitry 88 to receive a "end-of-life" signal from an external source. Upon receiving this signal, which is further transmitted to the processor 84, the processor 84 generates a trigger signal and breaks fuse 82. The "end-of-life" signal source can take various forms.

[0050] Figure 4B An exemplary embodiment is schematically shown, wherein the attachment to package 100 is Figure 4A The smart tag 80 triggers fuse destruction in response to a signal wirelessly received from a user-operated mobile phone 90. For example, the user of the mobile phone 90 may have access to an application that enables the generation of appropriate signals for reception by the communication circuit 88, thereby causing the processor 84 to generate a fuse destruction trigger signal. Therefore, the user can selectively "shut down" the smart package immediately before recycling the package 100.

[0051] Figure 4CAnother example of use of a smart tag 80 attached to package 100 is schematically shown, in which the package is being placed into recycling bin 110. A predetermined "end-of-life" signal 120 is located on the edge of the recycling bin, such that when package 100 is placed into recycling bin 110, the communication circuitry 88 of smart tag 80 detects the "end-of-life" signal 120 from the wireless communication circuitry of recycling bin 110, and the final operation of smart tag 80 is to deactivate its own fuse upon entering recycling bin 110.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a series of steps taken according to some embodiments of a method when operating a smart tag according to the present technology. The process can be viewed as beginning at step 150, where the smart tag's energy harvester harvests ambient energy and converts it into electrical energy. Then, at step 151, the smart tag's electronic circuitry is powered by the electrical energy harvested by the energy harvester to perform data processing. At step 152, it is determined whether a "end-of-life" condition exists in the electronic circuitry, i.e., whether the electronic circuitry has determined, based on some internal state, or based on information received from another part of the smart tag (e.g., a sensor), or in response to a signal received from an external source, that the package has reached the end of its life and the smart tag should be deactivated. If this is the case, the process continues to step 153, where the electronic circuitry triggers the electronic destruction of the smart tag's fuse, and the process ends at step 154. Alternatively, if the end-of-life condition does not exist, the consideration returns to step 152, and then it can be determined at step 155 whether the user manually disconnects the fuse. However, if the user does manually disconnect the fuse, the process also ends at step 154; otherwise, the process returns to step 150 and the energy harvester continues to harvest energy and the electronic circuitry continues to perform its data processing.

[0053] Figure 6The diagram illustrates a related recycling system. Using smart tags on consumer product packaging encourages consumers to recycle the packaging bearing the smart tags. While environmentally conscious consumers may recycle regardless of incentives, this technology can lead to recycling by consumers who don't typically recycle, for whatever reason. This can be achieved by rewarding consumers who recycle; retail stores can automatically reward consumers who recycle by placing plastic packaging into smart recycling bins equipped to detect whether plastic packaging has been recycled. Smart bins equipped with smart tag reading capabilities (whether public or private) can detect whether a single package has been disposed of, for example, using RFID / NFC reader identifiers (ID / tags). If multiple smart packages are disposed of at once, they can also be arranged to read multiple smart tags quickly (i.e., within seconds). Smart bins can record the ID of recycled product packaging, contact retail stores via their network / cloud interface, and indicate which product packaging has been recycled by consumers. This allows retail stores to match the identifier of the recycled packaging with, for example, the tag ID of the product at the point of sale, and then reward the recycling action in some way, such as offering store points or direct payment to customers paying by card. Similarly, smart bins (whether public or private) can detect that a consumer is throwing in a single recyclable plastic package by reading the smart tag on the package, and if the consumer is about to put the package in the wrong compartment (e.g., the general waste area), visually alert the consumer on a display on the bin and / or audioly alert the consumer on the bin to redirect the disposal direction to the recycling area. In any of these configurations, once the smart bin has acquired the necessary identifier from a given smart tag, it can trigger the smart tag to break its own fuse upon entering the recycling bin, as described in more detail above with reference to the preceding figures.

[0054] Figure 7 It shows the relationship with Figure 6 The flowchart illustrates a series of steps related to the recycling system. At step 200, a product with a smart tag is purchased from a store. Then, at step 201, the store records the identifier of the smart tag originating from the individual product, associated with the purchaser's identifier. Later, at step 202, the customer places the packaging into a smart recycling bin, which, at step 203, reads the product identifier from the smart tag and sends this information to the store. At step 204, upon receiving this information, the store verifies whether the individual product was purchased from the store and looks up the associated identifier of the purchaser. Finally, at step 205, the customer subsequently receives a reward in some way for recycling the packaging, such as by allocating corresponding store points.

[0055] In summary, this invention discloses smart tags, methods for operating smart tags, and relevant context for the use of such smart tags. Smart tags used in conjunction with consumer product packaging include an energy harvester for capturing ambient energy to provide a source of electrical power, and the electronic circuitry is powered by that electrical power. A fuse provides an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry, and failure of the fuse permanently disconnects the energy harvester from the electronic circuitry. This prevents unnecessary continued operation of the electronic circuitry powered by the energy harvester, such as when the consumer product packaging is discarded or recycled, as it may be an undesirable heat source. A network of smart tags and smart boxes capable of reading the smart tags can also be used to facilitate consumer recycling of consumer product packaging.

[0056] In this application, the phrase "configured as..." is used to mean that the elements of the device have a configuration capable of performing the defined operations. In this context, "configuration" means the arrangement or manner of interconnection of hardware or software. For example, the device may have dedicated hardware that provides the defined operations, or a processor or other processing device may be programmed to perform the function. "Configured as" does not mean that the elements of the device need to be changed in any way to provide the defined operations.

[0057] While exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and various changes, additions, and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, features of dependent claims may be combined with features of independent claims in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in conjunction with consumer product packaging, the apparatus comprising: An energy harvester for capturing ambient energy to provide a source of electrical power; An electronic circuit, which is powered by the electrical energy and includes a data processing circuit. and An electronically destructible fuse provides an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry. The failure of the fuse, which causes electronic damage, permanently disconnects the energy harvester from the electronic circuit. The electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuit is arranged to automatically disconnect in response to a trigger signal generated by the data processing circuit, thereby causing the failure of the fuse that damages the energy electronics.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuit is arranged to be manually disconnectable to cause the failure of the fuse that destroys the energy electronic circuit at a termination time point selected by the user.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic circuitry includes a data storage circuit.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor to provide at least one sensor input to the data processing circuitry, wherein the data processing circuitry is arranged to generate the trigger signal based on the at least one sensor input.

5. The device according to claim 4, further comprising at least one analog-to-digital converter, the at least one analog-to-digital converter being used to convert the analog output of the at least one sensor into at least one digital sensor input to the data processing circuit.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged to provide information relating to the contents of the package.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one chemical sensor.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the contents of the package comprise perishable articles, and the information relating to the contents of the package includes the deterioration state of the perishable articles.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one physical presence sensor.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the contents of the package include a consumer product, and the information relating to the contents of the package includes the degree of consumption of the consumer product.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the data processing circuit is arranged to generate the trigger signal according to the internal state of the data processing circuit.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the data processing circuitry includes a clock, and the internal state of the data processing circuitry includes a timing indication generated by the clock.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the data processing circuit is arranged to generate the trigger signal based on an externally generated signal received by the data processing circuit.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the electronic circuitry includes a radio frequency communication circuit, and wherein the externally generated signal is received by the data processing circuitry via the radio frequency communication circuitry.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the radio frequency communication circuit is a radio frequency identification circuit.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the radio frequency identification circuit is arranged to operate under ultra-high radio frequency conditions.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the radio frequency communication circuit is a near-field communication circuit.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the externally generated signal indicates the position of the device.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the location of the device indicates that the packaging has been discarded.

20. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is formed as a plastic-based electronic device.

21. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is formed as an organic electronic device.

22. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is configured as a biodegradable electronic device.

23. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is formed as a silicon-based electronic device.

24. A method of operating equipment for attaching to packaging of a consumer product, the method comprising: Use energy harvesters to capture ambient energy to provide a source of electricity; The operation is powered by the electrical energy and includes electronic circuitry for data processing, wherein the electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry is provided by a fuse that is electrically destructible. The electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuit is arranged to automatically disconnect in response to a trigger signal generated by the data processing circuit, thereby causing the failure of a fuse that damages the energy electronics. as well as The energy harvester is permanently disconnected from the electronic circuit by breaking the fuse that causes the energy to be destroyed.

Images