Labels for attaching to objects

Abstract

A label (1) for placement on an object includes a carrier layer (2), an adhesive layer (4) disposed on the carrier layer (2) for fixing the label (1) to the surface of the object, a removable cover layer (5) covering the adhesive layer (4), an electronic circuit (3), a temperature sensor (S2) and / or an acceleration sensor (S1) connected to the electronic circuit (3) for acquiring temperature or acceleration measurements, such as ambient temperature and / or object surface temperature, and an antenna (A) connected to the electronic circuit (3), wherein the electronic circuit (3) has a means for transmitting data, such as temperature, through the antenna (A). The electronic circuit (3) is characterized by a module for transmitting / receiving degree and / or acceleration measurements, and a battery (B) for powering the electronic circuit (3), wherein a capacitive sensor (SW) is provided, which is connected to the electronic circuit (3) and designed to collect capacitance changes when the label (1) is affixed to an object, the electronic circuit (3) having a wake-up circuit (C2) to switch the electronic circuit from an energy-saving mode to an operating mode, and the capacitive sensor (SW) and the wake-up circuit (C2) working in concert such that the electronic circuit (3) is placed in an operating mode when the affixing of the label (1) to an object is detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a tag for placement on an object, comprising: a carrier layer; an adhesive layer disposed on the carrier layer for fixing the tag to the surface of the object; a removable cover layer covering the adhesive layer; electronic circuitry; a temperature sensor and / or an acceleration sensor connected to the electronic circuitry for acquiring temperature or acceleration measurements, such as ambient temperature and / or the surface temperature of the object; and an antenna connected to the electronic circuitry, wherein the electronic circuitry has a transmitting / receiving module for transmitting data, such as temperature and / or acceleration measurements, via the antenna; and a battery, preferably a solid-state battery, such as a thin-film battery, for powering the electronic circuitry. Background Technology

[0002] Smart labels have been used in a variety of applications, particularly in monitoring goods during transit. Traditional parcel tracking systems are primarily based on barcodes or RFID tags, which must be manually scanned at each handover point. The advantage of smart labels over these traditional systems is their ability to send and receive data in real time without manual scanning. This allows for virtually seamless monitoring of parcels throughout their journey.

[0003] For temperature-sensitive products, such as certain foods, biological samples, or pharmaceuticals, simply knowing the package's location is insufficient. It is equally important to understand whether temperature conditions remain within acceptable ranges throughout the transportation process. Therefore, some smart tags incorporate integrated temperature sensors that perform temperature measurements at regular intervals and store or transmit this data in real time.

[0004] When transporting temperature-sensitive medications, such as vaccines, the prescribed temperature ranges must be consistently adhered to and demonstrated. This is essential to ensuring the quality and efficacy of the medication when administered. Common temperature ranges are 2-8°C, 15-25°C, or 2-25°C. Common cold chain practices include large-volume international air freight, smaller-volume domestic distribution, and the so-called "last mile," in which individual medications are delivered directly to the patient or prescribing physician.

[0005] It is also known that smart tags equipped with acceleration sensors are used to detect transportation events or states, such as stationary or moving states or vehicle type.

[0006] A key aspect of smart tags is power supply. The challenge lies in designing tags to be small and thin for easy attachment to objects or packages, and using equally small and thin energy sources. Existing solutions typically use solid-state batteries, such as thin-film or printed batteries, but these are limited in energy capacity and activation time. Often, the battery is activated after the tag is manufactured, leading to unnecessary energy loss before the tag is actually put into use.

[0007] Another issue related to the premature activation of smart tags before they are actually placed on the goods to be monitored is that the collected temperature or acceleration measurements may not represent the actual transport process or the actual temperature of the goods. This can lead to data distortion and, consequently, misinterpretations of the goods' condition during transport. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to improve the aforementioned type of smart tag so that data acquisition only begins when the tag is correctly placed on the object to be monitored, thereby minimizing tag energy consumption and achieving improved data quality.

[0009] To address this task, the present invention proposes a capacitive sensor connected to an electronic circuit, designed to acquire capacitance changes when the label is affixed to an object; the electronic circuit has a wake-up circuit to switch the electronic circuit from an energy-saving mode to an operating mode; and the capacitive sensor and the wake-up circuit work together such that the electronic circuit is placed into an operating mode when the affixing of the label to the object is detected.

[0010] Integrating capacitive sensors into the tags offers decisive advantages. By using capacitive sensors in conjunction with a wake-up circuit that switches the electronics from power-saving mode to operating mode, the tag's battery life is significantly extended. This ensures that the main energy consumption only begins when the tag is actually put into use—that is, when it is affixed to an object. This mechanism greatly reduces unnecessary energy loss during storage and transportation before use.

[0011] Another advantage lies in the system's automatic activation, which requires no manual intervention. This minimizes the possibility of operational errors and ensures that the labels are always functional when needed. Precise identification of the affixed labels via capacitive sensors also prevents the system from being activated by accidental touches or other unintended influences, resulting in consistent and reliable smart label performance.

[0012] A capacitive sensor can be designed to have a basic capacitance when it is not in contact with an object. This basic capacitance forms a reference value. When the tag or the capacitive sensor within the tag approaches or comes into contact with an object, such as when it is affixed to a package, the capacitance changes. This change occurs because the object on which the tag is placed and the sensor together form a capacitive system in which the dielectric constant (and thus the capacitance) is affected by the proximity of the object and the material of the object.

[0013] The sensor detects this capacitance change and converts it into an electrical signal, which is then evaluated. If the change exceeds a certain threshold, the electronic circuitry interprets it as a tag being attached to an object and activates the corresponding function, such as switching from energy-saving mode to operating mode.

[0014] Within the scope of this invention, "energy-saving mode" refers to a state in which the tag significantly minimizes its energy consumption to extend battery life. In this mode, many of the tag's active functions are disabled, but one key function remains active: querying by the capacitive sensor. This sensor remains in a monitoring state to determine whether the tag has been affixed to an object, such as a package. Once the capacitive sensor detects a corresponding change indicating that the tag has been placed, the system is awakened from energy-saving mode and switches to full-operation mode. Through this targeted use of energy-saving mode, the tag ensures efficient energy use while simultaneously guaranteeing timely activation once it is used for its intended purpose.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the invention proposes that the capacitive sensor is designed to collect a variety of different capacitance changes, each associated with a specific material, in order to determine the material of the object based on the measured capacitance changes. Therefore, the capacitive sensor is not only capable of detecting the placement of a tag on an object, but is also designed to collect a variety of different capacitance changes, which can then be interpreted accordingly in a circuit. These different capacitance changes are each associated with a specific material that may be representative of the surface of the object on which the tag is attached. With this extended functionality, the tag can not only be precisely controlled at the activation time, but the material of the object on which it is placed can also be inferred. This information can be crucial for further monitoring and data analysis. For example, control can be implemented to check whether a tag assigned to a specific transport process is placed on the correct transport container for that process. The transport container is constructed of different materials depending on its type and includes, for example, cartons, plastic packaging, metal transport containers, etc.

[0016] Furthermore, it is known that placing the tag on a metal object may affect the interpretation of temperature data. This additional intelligence enhances the tag's application flexibility and allows it to be better adapted to specific monitoring requirements.

[0017] In this regard, a preferred design proposes that the electronic circuitry be designed to correct temperature measurements using calibration values ​​related to the material of the object. Different materials have different thermal properties, which may affect the acquired temperature measurements. For example, metallic objects may conduct heat faster than plastic objects, potentially causing measurement inaccuracies. These differences are compensated for by applying calibration values ​​based on the determined material of the object. This enables more accurate and material-adaptive temperature monitoring, which can be significant for the quality and safety of transported goods.

[0018] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the capacitive sensor is designed to measure the fill level of an object, particularly the fill level of a container or packaging in which a label is placed. For example, in the case of a liquid container (such as a medicine bottle), the capacitive sensor is designed to measure the liquid level. For this purpose, the capacitive sensor can be fixed along the height of the bottle, and is designed such that the liquid level inside the bottle can be inferred from the capacitance measurement. This has significant added value for pharmaceutical companies and hospitals in the context of clinical trials, as it allows for precise tracking of the time and dosage of drug dispensing. Furthermore, this can prevent illicit activities, such as repackaging drugs into other primary packaging for resale. In the case of blister packs for tablets, the capacitive sensor can be designed to collect the number of tablets dispensed.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the tag further includes a location determination module connected to electronic circuitry for acquiring the tag's geographic location. By simultaneously acquiring the geographic location, the temperature and / or acceleration of the transported goods, as well as their location, can be monitored in real time. This enables comprehensive analysis and monitoring of the transportation, which in turn allows for targeted intervention when the transported goods experience critical temperature or location changes.

[0020] The tag location determination module can be implemented in various ways to meet the specific requirements of the respective application. A preferred approach is to integrate a GPS module, which enables high-precision, real-time acquisition of the tag's geographic location. Alternatively or supplementarily, GSM or Wi-Fi-based positioning systems can be used, although with lower accuracy, they perform better in indoor spaces where GPS signals are typically limited. Other options include using low-power wide-area network technologies such as LoRaWAN for long-range and minimal-power positioning, or using BLE beacons for precise positioning within a limited area. It is also conceivable to combine multiple of these technologies to create a hybrid solution that achieves reliable and accurate location determination under various conditions.

[0021] As previously mentioned, the tag according to the invention may also include at least one acceleration sensor, which, by measuring and evaluating acceleration curves, can distinguish whether the object on which the tag is placed is located in a truck, ship, or aircraft, or whether it is hand-held. This allows the sensor setup to be adapted to the corresponding transport conditions and helps, for example, save energy or increase the measurement frequency when needed. For example, during air transport, the antenna can therefore be deactivated as required by regulations. Furthermore, this enables better traceability in the event of package damage.

[0022] Accelerometers can, for example, acquire data on the acceleration and deceleration of an aircraft during takeoff and landing. During takeoff, an aircraft exhibits an acceleration signal with a magnitude of 0.2 to 0.5 g, ranging from 0.01 Hz to 0.1 Hz. Similarly, measurements along the axis of an accelerometer perpendicular to a road can be used to determine whether a tag is being transported in a truck. Truck transport is characterized by transport shocks with repetitive, decaying, sinusoidal pulses at frequencies below 20 Hz. Furthermore, continuous background vibrations have been shown to be random and have a Gaussian amplitude distribution. Accelerometers can also measure events with high impact potential, particularly dents, uneven surfaces, potholes, and railway crossings, which have natural frequencies below 15 Hz.

[0023] Preferably, a switch can be further proposed between the battery and the electronic circuitry, the operation of which activates the current supply to the electronic circuitry, and the switch is activated by tearing off the cover. On one hand, this ensures maximum preservation of battery life by physically cutting off the power supply until the tag is actually applied. Tearing off the cover provides a clear indication that the tag is now in use, thus activating the power supply precisely at the required time. This eliminates the risk of premature battery discharge and improves the reliability of the entire system. Furthermore, this mechanical operation simplifies tag operation as no additional manual activation is required. By activating the switch only when the cover is removed, maximum energy efficiency and user-friendliness are achieved.

[0024] In this invention, various mechanisms can be implemented to ensure that removing the cover actuates the switch to activate the current supply. One possibility is to use a mechanical switch, which is actuated by removing the cover. Another option is a magnetic mechanism, in which a magnet is placed within the cover and actuates a magnetic switch or reed switch upon removal of the cover. Similarly, it is conceivable to use capacitive or resistive elements, triggered by changing their electrical characteristics upon removal of the cover. Furthermore, an optical sensor can be used, which detects the change in the light path upon removing the cover and thus actuates the switch. Alternatively, an electronic switch can be provided, for example, triggered by establishing or disconnecting an electrical connection between two contacts disposed on the carrier layer upon removal of the cover.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tag's transmitting / receiving module is an active module, unlike passive RFID systems that do not require their own power for communication. The active nature of the transmitting / receiving module enables extended communication range and increased data transmission capabilities, which is particularly beneficial in logistics scenarios. Preferred technologies for the active transmitting / receiving module can be LoRa (long-range) or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). LoRa offers advantages in its ultra-long range and low power consumption, making it ideal for long-range tracking applications. BLE provides high data transmission rates with similarly low power consumption and is particularly suitable for applications requiring frequent and rapid data updates.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the active transmit / receive module can transmit temperature and / or acceleration measurements, along with the tag's geographic location acquired by the location determination module, to the receiving station. This data can then be forwarded, if necessary, to the central control station of the parcel and / or container tracking system. At this control station, data from all parcels or containers is aggregated and monitored accordingly. This enables integrated and efficient tracking and monitoring of transported goods, thereby minimizing potential risks and optimizing the supply chain. In addition to temperature and / or acceleration and location data, other parameters, such as humidity values, vibration, and even light exposure, can be collected and transmitted to provide more information about the status of transported goods and environmental conditions during transit.

[0027] Another beneficial use of capacitive sensors is in detecting when a label is peeled off an object. A preferred design of the invention for this purpose proposes that the electronic circuitry has a notification circuit designed to generate a notification, and the capacitive sensor and the notification circuitry work in such a cooperative manner that the electronic circuitry generates a notification when it detects that a label has been peeled off an object. Here, the notification can be transmitted via a sending / receiving module. The notification can be sent to a central control station or directly to an application on the customer's smartphone. For example, the label can be positioned on a shipping package such that it spans the opening area of ​​the package, so that the label will inevitably be peeled off when the recipient or consumer opens the package. This feature is particularly useful for products like pharmaceuticals that need to be stored at specific temperatures during transport and after opening. For example, customers can continue to access product temperature data stored at the central control station by reading the label identification using their smartphone's software application or by inputting the label identification into their smartphone's software application, thereby ensuring optimal storage conditions during transport. If customers then affix the labels removed from the shipping package directly to the secondary packaging (medicine boxes) or primary packaging (blister packs, ampoules, etc.), they can also monitor whether subsequent storage meets the pre-defined temperature range in this way and method.

[0028] Similarly, it may preferably be specified that the label has at least one cut area, such as a perforation line, along which the label can be cut, wherein the cut area is crossed by an electrical conductor connected to a cut detection circuit of electronic circuitry to detect a cut along the label cut area. This configuration enables the detection of cuts along a designated cut area. For example, such a label with multiple cut areas can be placed on blister packaging.

[0029] In this application scenario, the timing of medication administration in elderly individuals can be collected and monitored to trigger alerts in cases of non-compliance with the prescribed dosing schedule. This is also valuable in clinical trials, where accurate medication timing can be crucial. This functionality is achieved simply by placing a label on the back of the blister pack, significantly facilitating and improving medication administration monitoring in both home care and clinical trials. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The present invention will now be described in more detail based on the embodiments schematically shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherein: Figure 1 An exploded view of the label according to the present invention is shown. Figure 2 It shows that according to Figure 1 A block diagram of the circuit for the label. Figure 3a and 3b An embodiment of the label according to the present invention for detecting the opening of a medicine box is shown. Figure 4a and 4b An embodiment of the label according to the invention for detecting tablets removed from blister packs is shown, and Figure 5 An embodiment of the label according to the invention for measuring the liquid level of a liquid medicine in a bottle is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] exist Figure 1 The label according to the invention is marked with reference numeral 1 and includes a carrier layer 2 and electronic circuitry 3 disposed on the carrier layer 2. However, the circuitry 3 may also be embedded in and thus surrounded by the carrier layer 2. This is used to secure the label to... Figure 1 The adhesive layer on the surface of the object (not shown) is marked with the number 4. When not in use, the adhesive layer 4 is completely covered by a removable cover layer 5.

[0032] according to Figure 2 Circuit 3 includes a main controller C1, an antenna A, a thin-film battery B, a wake-up circuit C2, and at least two sensors S1-S6. These sensors have the following functions: S1: Accelerometer sensor S2: Temperature sensor S3: Light sensor S4: Tear sensor (switch), which is used, for example, to detect when a medicine box is opened (see Figure 3). S5: Position sensor: based on GPS, Wi-Fi, GSM, LoRa and other technologies. S6: Capacitive sensor A wake-up circuit C2 exists between the thin-film battery B and the main controller C1. This wake-up circuit is controlled by a wake-up sensor SW, which is designed as a capacitive sensor. When a signal is input, the connection between the thin-film battery B and the main controller C1 is activated. The wake-up circuit C2 itself is also connected to the battery B, but requires only minimal power. When a label is affixed to a package, a change in capacitance is detected, thereby connecting the main controller C1 to the battery B.

[0033] In an alternative implementation, the wake-up sensor SW functions as the tear sensor S4. If the tear sensor S4 detects a break in the electrical contact, the main controller is activated. For example, if the tear sensor S4 is connected to the cover layer 5, removing the cover layer 5 can cause the main controller C1 to activate.

[0034] Figure 3a An embodiment of a label 1 for detecting the opening of a medicine box 9 is shown. The label 1 is placed on the medicine box 9 and closes the box. At the opening edge 9a of the medicine box 9, the label 1 has a perforation 10, which connects to the tear sensor S4 (…). Figure 3b (Connection). When the medicine box 9 is opened, the sensor S4 sends a signal to the circuit 3, and the circuit 3 records or transmits the information that the medicine box 9 is opened through the antenna A.

[0035] Figure 4a and 4b An embodiment of the label 1 for detecting tablets removed from blister pack 6 is shown. The film 11 on the underside of the blister pack 6 is damaged when the tablets are removed. This damage is detected by the tear sensor S4 ( Figure 4b The information is detected and forwarded to circuit 3. This allows for tracing back when which tablets were removed from the blister pack 6.

[0036] Figure 5 An embodiment of the label 1 according to the invention for measuring the liquid level of liquid medicine 8 in a bottle 7 is shown. The label 1 is disposed on the side wall of the bottle 7 and has a circuit 3 and a capacitive sensor S6. The capacitive sensor is oriented such that the liquid level of the liquid 8 in the bottle 7 can be inferred from the measurement of the change in capacitance.

Claims

1. A tag (1) for placement on an object, comprising a carrier layer (2), an adhesive layer (4) disposed on the carrier layer (2) for fixing the tag (1) to the surface of the object, a removable cover layer (5) covering the adhesive layer (4), an electronic circuit (3), a temperature sensor (S2) and / or an acceleration sensor (S1) connected to the electronic circuit (3) for acquiring temperature or acceleration measurements, such as ambient temperature and / or object surface temperature, and an antenna (A) connected to the electronic circuit (3), wherein the electronic circuit (3) has a transmitting / receiving module for transmitting data, such as temperature and / or acceleration measurements, through the antenna (A), and a battery (B), preferably a solid-state battery, such as a thin-film battery, for powering the electronic circuit (3), characterized in that, A capacitive sensor (SW) is provided, which is connected to the electronic circuit (3) and is designed to collect the capacitance change when the label (1) is pasted onto the object. The electronic circuit (3) has a wake-up circuit (C2) to switch the electronic circuit from power-saving mode to operating mode, and The capacitive sensor (SW) and the wake-up circuit (C2) work together such that when the tag (1) is detected to be attached to an object, the electronic circuit (3) is put into operation mode.

2. The label according to claim 1, characterized in that, The capacitive sensor (SW) is designed to collect a variety of different capacitance changes, each of which is associated with a specific material, in order to determine the material of an object based on the measured capacitance changes.

3. The label according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electronic circuit (3) is designed to correct the temperature measurement using a correction value related to the material of the object.

4. The label according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the label further comprises: The location determination module (S5) connected to the electronic circuit (3) is used to collect the geographical location of the tag (1).

5. The label according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A switch (S4) is provided between the battery (B) and the electronic circuit (3). Operating the switch will activate the current supply to the electronic circuit (3), and tearing off the cover layer (5) will operate the switch (S4).

6. The label according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The electronic circuit (3) has a notification circuit designed to generate a notification, and the capacitive sensor (SW) works in coordination with the notification circuit such that the electronic circuit (3) generates a notification when it detects that the tag (1) has been peeled off the object.

7. The label according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The label (1) has at least one cut area, such as a perforated line, along which the label (1) can be cut, wherein the cut area is crossed by an electrical conductor connected to a cut detection circuit of the electronic circuit (3) to detect a cut along the cut area of ​​the label (1).

8. The label according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The capacitive sensor (S6) is designed to measure the degree of filling of an object, particularly the degree of filling of the container or packaging in which the label (1) is placed.

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