Multi-mode energy harvester

Abstract

The aim is to strengthen the radio frequency (RF) environment. The energy harvesting tape (400) comprises a plurality of flexible layers. The plurality of flexible layers includes a solar cell layer (420) configured to capture solar energy, a thermoelectric layer (428) configured to capture thermal energy, one or more piezoelectric layers (424) configured to capture mechanical energy, and an electrode layer (424) configured to capture radio frequency energy and transmit a radio frequency signal. The energy harvesting tape also includes one or more processing units (432) on at least one of the plurality of flexible layers. The one or more processing units are configured to transmit a radio frequency signal using the captured energy from the plurality of flexible layers. The energy harvesting tape has a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being greater than the width and the width being greater than the thickness.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 514,230, filed October 29, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] The Internet of Things (IoT) is the inter-networking of physical objects, such as products, packaging, vehicles, buildings, etc., that are embedded with electronic components for network connectivity. The embedded components enable the objects to detect other objects, be detected by other objects, collect data, and / or transmit data. In some examples, the embedded components may include tags or labels attached to the physical objects. These tags or labels may be passive or active. The inter-networking capabilities may be leveraged to track the location of the physical objects. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an energy harvesting tape. The energy harvesting tape includes a plurality of flexible layers and one or more processing units on at least one of the plurality of flexible layers. The plurality of flexible layers includes a solar cell layer configured to capture solar energy, a thermoelectric layer configured to capture thermal energy, one or more piezoelectric layers configured to capture mechanical energy, and an electrode layer configured to capture radio frequency energy and transmit a radio frequency signal. The one or more processing units are configured to transmit the radio frequency signal using the captured energy from the plurality of flexible layers. The energy harvesting tape has a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being greater than the width and the width being greater than the thickness.

[0004] In one embodiment, the energy harvesting tape also includes an energy storage device. In this example, the energy storage device is optionally attached to a first end of the energy harvesting tape. Also in this example, the energy storage device is optionally included on one of the multiple flexible layers. Further in this example, the energy storage device optionally includes a rechargeable printed battery. Still further in this example, the energy harvesting tape also includes a rectifier circuit between the multiple flexible layers and the energy storage device.

[0005] In another example, the electrode layer includes an antenna. In this example, the energy harvesting tape also optionally includes a first electrode pair between the electrode layer and the energy storage device and a second electrode pair between the electrode layer and the antenna. In a further example, the energy harvesting tape also includes attachment means on an edge of the first end and an edge of the second end opposite the first end, the attachment means configured to couple to a surface. In this example, the energy harvesting tape is optionally configured to vibrate when the attachment means is coupled to a surface. In yet another example, the electrode layer is configured to harvest multi-band radio frequency energy.

[0006] In yet a further example, the transmitted radio frequency signal is a multi-band radio frequency signal. In another example, the one or more processing units are configured to transmit a radio frequency signal capable of powering a set of passive identification tags. In a further example, the energy harvesting tape is configured to be stored in a roll. In yet another example, the multiple flexible layers are assembled directly on top of each other. In yet a further example, the energy harvesting tape also includes one or more adhesive layers between the multiple flexible layers.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a kit, the kit including the energy harvesting tape described above, a plurality of passive identification tags, and a reader including one or more computing devices configured to detect signals emitted by the plurality of passive identification tags.

[0008] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an energy harvesting tape, the method including: constructing, using one or more roll-to-roll processing techniques, a plurality of energy harvesting layers for a flexible tape strip, the plurality of energy harvesting layers including a solar cell layer configured to capture solar energy, a thermoelectric layer configured to capture thermal energy, and one or more piezoelectric layers configured to capture mechanical or radio frequency energy and transmit radio frequency signals, and assembling the plurality of energy harvesting layers directly on top of each other to form an energy harvesting tape having a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being greater than the width and the width being greater than the thickness.

[0009] In one example, constructing the one or more piezoelectric layers further includes attaching one or more processing units onto the first piezoelectric layer. In another example, the method also includes determining a length of the energy harvesting tape based on a target frequency for capture. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an exemplary system including a multi-mode energy harvesting device, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] 1A-1C are pictorial diagrams of various environments in which exemplary systems are deployed, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a pictorial diagram of an example network according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 3 is a functional diagram of the example network of FIG. 2 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-mode energy harvesting device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a multi-mode energy harvesting device, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] FIG. 13 is another side view of a multi-mode energy harvesting device according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] overview The present technology relates to a multi-mode energy harvesting tape designed to harvest all forms of energy and enhance radio frequency (RF) environments. The tape may be used in a tracking system including an identifier or other tracking device that is passively powered using the radio frequency signal output by the tape. Using the tape in a tracking system means that the energy harvesting module of a passive identifier or tracking device may be simplified or have more flexibility in terms of configuration. The size and cost of the identifier or tracking device may also be reduced.

[0012] The tracking system may include one or more pieces of tape, a plurality of passive tags, and a reader. Each passive tag may be attached to an item to be tracked, such as a package. The one or more pieces of tape may be attached to an environment for the item, such as a delivery truck or an interior wall of a warehouse. In some implementations, the tracking system may further include a central server and an application that may be installed on one or more client devices and may access the central server. The reader may track the passive tags and transmit data over a network to the central server, and the client devices may access the central server over the network.

[0013] Each tape piece may have multiple layers that define the thickness of the tape. The multiple layers may include a solar cell layer configured to capture solar energy, a thermoelectric layer to capture thermal energy through a temperature gradient, one or more piezoelectric layers to capture mechanical energy (vibration), and / or one or more electrode layers to capture radio frequency energy. The one or more electrode layers may include one or more electrodes, radio frequency complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (RF CMOS), diodes, and / or piezoelectric components. In some implementations, the one or more electrode layers may include one or more integrated circuit layers. In some cases, a given tape piece may have a single layer configured as two or more types of layers (solar cell, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, or electrode). The captured radio frequency energy may be multi-band radio frequency energy. At least one of the multiple layers may also include an energy storage device, such as one or more capacitors or a rechargeable printed battery. One of the aforementioned layers may also include one or more antennas and one or more processing units configured to receive energy captured by the multiple layers, rectify the energy, store the energy, and / or output an RF signal. To capture multi-band radio frequency energy, the antenna may include one or more multi-band antennas. In some implementations, the layer including the antenna and the one or more processing units may also be one of the electrode layers. In other implementations, the layer including the antenna and the one or more processing units may also be one of the photovoltaic layer, the thermoelectric layer, or the piezoelectric layer.

[0014] One or more of these layers may be manufactured using one or more techniques from roll-to-roll (R2R) processing. The manufacturing process for each layer may include performing steps related to deposition, imprinting, and etching of insulating, conductive, piezoelectric, and / or thermoelectric materials. The layers may be assembled together, such as with an adhesive, one layer directly overlying another layer, to form a tape strip. Installing the tape strip may include adhering a first end and a second end of the tape to a surface, such as the side of a delivery truck or a warehouse wall.

[0015] The multi-mode energy harvesting tape described herein enhances the utility of passive tracking devices. Because some of the energy harvesting functions of passive identifiers can be removed, the form and function of the passive identifier becomes more flexible. By harvesting more than one type of energy, the tape can enhance the high frequency environment to provide more consistent power to the passive identifier, thereby increasing detectability and improving tracking.

[0016] Exemplary System 1A and 1B are functional and pictorial diagrams of a tracking system 100 employed in various environments. The tracking system 100 may include one or more multi-mode energy harvesting devices 102, such as one or more pieces of tape, a number of passive tags 104 (such as identifier chips), and a reader 106. Each passive tag may be attached to an item to be tracked, such as luggage. The one or more multi-mode energy harvesting devices 102 may be configured to capture or harvest energy from sources in their environment. For example, the sources may include an optical energy source 108, a vibrational energy source 110, or a thermal energy source 112, among others.

[0017] One or more multi-mode energy harvesting devices 102 may be installed in an area where passively tagged items are tracked. For example, tape pieces 102 may be installed on an interior wall of a building 120, on a surface of a transport vehicle 122 within a building, inside a delivery truck 124, on a surface of a pallet 126, or on an exterior surface of a package 128. As shown in FIG. 1B, tape pieces 102a, 102b may be installed in a warehouse 120a, which includes a light source 130 and has a forklift 122a. Tape piece 102a may be attached to the forklift 122a, and tape piece 102b may be attached to an interior wall of the warehouse 120a. Because tape piece 102a is on the forklift 122a, it can receive light energy when light from the light source 130 reaches tape piece 102a, as well as vibrational energy from the movement of the forklift 122a. Because tape piece 102b is on a wall, it can receive light energy from light source 130 and more directly than tape piece 102a. Tape piece 102c may be placed on an interior wall of delivery truck 124. Tape piece 102c can receive vibration energy from the interior of the delivery truck due to the movement of delivery truck 124. Tape pieces 102d, 102e may be placed on pallet 126. When pallet 126 is moving, such as on forklift 122a or delivery truck 124, tape pieces 102d, 102e can receive vibration energy. When pallet 126 is disposed outdoors, such as on an airport parking lot, tape pieces 102d, 102e can receive light energy from the sun 132 or other nearby light source, as well as heat energy from a temperature gradient caused by sun 132. The pieces of tape 102f, 102g may be installed in a hospital 120b, which includes luggage 128, a light source 130, and a wheelchair 122b. The piece of tape 102f may be attached to the wheelchair 122b, and the piece of tape 102g may be attached to an interior wall of the hospital 120b. Because the piece of tape 102f is on the wheelchair 122b, it can receive light energy when light from the light source 130 reaches the piece of tape 102f, as well as vibrational energy from the movement of the wheelchair 122b.Because tape piece 102g is on a wall, it can receive light energy from light source 130 more directly than tape piece 102f. In some examples, tape pieces 102b, 102g may be disposed on a wall near a heating or cooling vent that creates a temperature gradient on tape pieces 102b, 102g to enable capture of thermal energy.

[0018] After capturing energy from their environment, the one or more multi-mode energy harvesting devices 102 may transmit an RF signal to the environment for the passive tags 104. The signal may be in a specific band capable of powering the passive tags 104, thereby adding available power to the passive tags 104 in the environment. Once powered, the passive tags 104 may emit signals indicative of their respective locations. The reader 106 may be a computing device configured to detect the signals emitted by the passive tags 104 and then store and / or transmit data related to the detected tag locations. The reader 106 may include one or more processors 114, memory 116, and other components typically present in a general-purpose computing device.

[0019] The one or more processors 114 may be any conventional processor, such as a commercially available CPU. Alternatively, the one or more processors may be dedicated devices, such as ASICs, or other hardware-based processors, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Although FIG. 1 functionally depicts the processor(s), memory, and other elements of the reader 106 as being in the same block, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a processor, computing device, or memory may actually include multiple processors, computing devices, or memories that may or may not be stored in the same physical enclosure. For example, the memory may be a hard drive or other storage medium located in an enclosure different from that of the reader 106. Thus, it will be understood that reference to a processor or computing device includes reference to a collection of processors or computing devices or memories that may or may not operate in parallel.

[0020] Memory 116 stores information accessible by one or more processors 114, including data 117 and instructions 118 that can be executed or otherwise used by the processor(s) 114. Memory 116 may be any type of memory capable of storing information accessible by the processor(s), including computing device readable media or other media that store data that can be read using an electronic device, such as a hard drive, memory card, ROM, RAM, DVD or other optical disks, and other writable and read-only memories. Systems and methods may include different combinations of the foregoing, whereby different portions of the instructions and data are stored on different types of media.

[0021] Data 117 may be retrieved, stored, or modified by processor(s) 114 according to instructions 118. For example, the data may be stored in a register of a computing device, in a relational database as a table with multiple different fields and records, in an XML document, or in a flat file, although claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular data structure. This data may be formatted in any computing device readable format.

[0022] The instructions 118 may be any set of instructions executed directly (such as machine code) or indirectly (such as script) by a processor. For example, the instructions may be stored as computing device code on a computing device readable medium. In this regard, the terms "instructions" and "program" may be used interchangeably herein. The instructions may be stored in object code format for direct processing by a processor, or in any other computing device language, including a collection of scripts or independent source code modules that are interpreted on demand or precompiled. The functions, methods, and routines of the instructions are described in more detail below.

[0023] 2 and 3 are pictorial and functional diagrams, respectively, of an exemplary system 200 that includes multiple computing devices 210, 220, 230, 240 and a storage system 250 connected via a network 260. System 200 also includes passive tags 104a, 104b and a reader 106. For simplicity, only a few tags and computing devices are shown, although a typical system may include many more.

[0024] In some implementations, the tracking system 100 may further include a central server, such as one or more server computing devices 210, and applications that may be installed on one or more client computing devices 220, 230, 240 and may access the central server 210. After detecting the location of the passive tag 104, the reader 106 may transmit location data over a network 260 to the central server 210. The client computing devices 220, 230, 240 may access the location data on the central server 210 over the network 260.

[0025] Using the client computing devices, users such as users 222, 232, 242 can view location data on a display such as display 224, 234, 244 of computing device 220, 230, 240. As shown in FIG. 3, each client computing device 220, 230, 240 may be a personal computing device intended for use by user 222, 232, 242 and may have all the components typically used in association with a personal computing device, including one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), memory (e.g., RAM and an internal hard drive) for storing data and instructions, a display 224, 234, 244 (e.g., a monitor having a screen, a touch screen, a projector, a television, or other device operable to display information), and user input devices 226, 236, 246 (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, or microphone). The client computing devices may also include speakers, network interface devices, and all the components used to connect these elements to each other.

[0026] Each of client computing devices 220, 230, and 240 may include a full-sized personal computing device, or alternatively, a mobile computing device capable of wirelessly exchanging data with a server over a network such as the Internet. By way of example only, client computing device 220 may be a mobile phone, or a device such as a wireless-enabled PDA, tablet PC, wearable computing device or system, or netbook capable of obtaining information over the Internet or other network. In another example, client computing device 230 may be a wearable computing system, shown as a wristwatch in FIG. 2. As one example, a user may input information using a small keyboard, keypad, microphone, visual signals using a camera, or a touch screen.

[0027] For one or more multi-mode energy harvesting devices 102, one or more pieces of tape may be included and may be configured as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and discussed herein. As shown in FIG. 4A, each tape piece 400 may have a first end 402, a second end 404, a length 406 between the first end and the second end, a width 408, and a thickness 410. The length 406 of the tape piece is greater than the width 408. The length 406 of the tape piece may be determined based on a frequency band to be captured. For example, the frequency band may include 60 Hz for inductive coupling or may be in the high frequency range for high frequency capture. In some implementations, the length 406 may be determined based on a target area size of a semiconductor that is exposed to light to generate a current. The thickness 410 of the tape is less than the length 406 and the width 408. For example, the length 406 may be 100 cm, the width 408 may be 15 cm, and the thickness 410 may be 1 mm or about 1 mm. In other examples, thickness 410 may be greater or less than 1 mm. Additionally, for a given length of a given tape piece, the thickness of the piezoelectric material within a given tape piece may be selected to provide a bending stiffness that causes the given tape piece to vibrate at a target resonant frequency. Tape piece 400 may be a conventional rectangular shape or may have a different type of shape. The material of the tape piece may be flexible and thin. Other tape pieces may have different sizes, shapes, or materials.

[0028] Each tape piece 400 may have multiple layers that define a tape thickness 410. Each of the multiple layers may be less than 500 micrometers. The multiple layers may be configured to capture a wide variety of electromagnetic radiation, such as including radio frequency, infrared, optical (visible), ultraviolet, x-ray, or gamma wavelengths. Different layers may be configured to capture different ranges of electromagnetic radiation. For example, one layer may capture one or more bands of radio frequency wavelengths, another layer may capture visible wavelengths, and yet another layer may capture gamma wavelengths. Also, a single layer may be configured to capture wavelengths in two or more categories of electromagnetic radiation.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4B, the multiple layers may include a first layer 420 configured as a solar cell layer to capture solar energy, a second layer 424 configured as both a piezoelectric layer to capture mechanical energy (vibration) and / or an electrode layer to capture radio frequency energy, and a third layer 428 configured as a thermoelectric layer to capture thermal energy. Each of the layers shown in FIG. 4B may be approximately 100 micrometers to approximately 200 micrometers. One or more additional layers may be included to capture more energy, which may be the same or different type of energy as the other layers. In the alternative, there may be separate layers for the piezoelectric and electrode layers. There may be an adhesive layer between the energy capture layers. For example, an adhesive layer 422 may be between the solar cell layer 420 and the piezoelectric / electrode layer 424, and an adhesive layer 426 may be between the piezoelectric / electrode layer 424 and the thermoelectric layer 428. As shown in FIG. 4A, one of the aforementioned layers, such as the solar cell layer 420, may include an antenna 430 and one or more processing units 432 for outputting radio frequency signals. In the alternative, the antenna 430 and / or the one or more processing units 432 may be included in the piezoelectric / electrode layer 424 or the thermoelectric layer 428 .

[0030] At least one of the layers may be attached to an energy storage device, such as one or more capacitors or a rechargeable printed battery. In some examples, the energy storage device may be attached to the layers near the first end and / or the second end, such as through electrodes. The connection between the energy storage device and one or more of the layers may include a rectifier circuit for rectifying the input signal. The rectifier element may be fabricated by printing a semiconductor / metal or semiconductor / metal junction on a given layer, or a rectifier chiplet implemented on a silicon chip may be attached to a given layer. The rectifier circuit may be configured to shield the impedance of electrical energy coming from different sources on different layers or each layer from each other, thereby allowing charge to flow only toward the energy storage device. The shielding function may improve the efficiency for collecting / storing energy from different sources with different impedances. For example, in the case of solar energy, diodes such as PN diodes are typically forward biased under illumination and have a low output impedance. In contrast, piezoelectric vibration generators have a high output impedance. Alternatively, an active switch may be controlled, such as by one or more processing units 432, to switch between connecting different sources to the energy storage device, and the energy storage device may be configured to receive energy from one source at a time.

[0031] One or more energy storage devices may be electrically attached to the antenna in the layers, such as through electrodes. As shown in FIG. 4B, energy storage devices 440a, 440b may be attached at or near the first end 402 and the second end 404, respectively. Each of the energy storage devices 440 may be electrically attached to the solar cell layer 420 via electrode pairs 442, 444, one of which may be connected to the antenna 430 in the solar cell layer. In addition, each of the energy storage devices 440 may be electrically attached to the piezoelectric / electrode layer 424 via electrode pair 446 and to the thermoelectric layer 428 via electrode pair 448. Alternatively, an energy storage device may be included in at least one of the layers. The energy storage device may include a capacitor or a battery.

[0032] One or more processing units 432, such as an integrated circuit, may be configured to receive energy from the layers, including rectifying the energy if necessary. For example, the integrated circuit may receive the electrical energy generated by each electrode pair 442, 444, 446, 448 and store the received energy using an energy storage device. The one or more processing units 432 may include multiple conductive traces that connect to other components of the tape strip, including connecting to vias that pass through the layers. The conductive traces may direct energy to the one or more processing units 432 and toward the energy storage device, and may also direct energy toward the antenna 430 to transmit a signal.

[0033] For layers where the generated energy requires rectification, such as the piezoelectric / electrode layer 424, the electrode pair 446 can be connected to a rectification circuit to rectify the energy before storage. Alternatively, the one or more processing units 432 may control one or more switches to direct energy from different sources towards the energy storage device. The one or more processing units 432 may control the one or more switches based on detected conditions, such as the energy level received at the layer or an environmental condition detected from an energy source associated with the type of layer.

[0034] Also, receiving energy from multiple layers may include summing the different power (energy) modes. The method of summing the different power modes may include storing the received different energies in an energy storage device, such as the energy storage devices 440a, 440b or another separate device, before utilizing the stored energy to transmit a signal. The configuration for summing the different power modes may prevent stored energy from a first layer from leaking to a second layer.

[0035] Using the generated electrical energy, the one or more processing units 432 can use the antenna 430 to transmit a signal on a particular band associated with the passive tag 104, such as 900 MHz. The one or more processing units 432 can activate the antenna using an electrode pair 442 or 444 connected to an energy storage device 440. Alternatively, the one or more processing units may include separate circuit components. The one or more processing units 432 can begin transmitting a signal after a set of conditions are met, such as a threshold amount of energy is received or stored. In some cases, the one or more processing units 432 can select a particular band for the signal based on a target band for the tracking device, user input, or detected environmental conditions.

[0036] Each tape piece may optionally include an adhesive or another attachment means for attaching the tape piece onto a surface. The adhesive may be applied to the outer surface of the tape piece or may be a separate adhesive layer. For example, the adhesive may be on the available surface of the thermoelectric layer 428 of the tape piece 400 opposite the adhesive layer 426. With this type of adhesive arrangement, the tape piece 400 may be placed on a surface 450, such as a wall, vehicle, pallet, or luggage, with the entire bottom surface adhered to the surface, as shown in configuration 460 of FIG. 4C. Alternatively, the attachment means may be on the edge of the first end and the edge of the second end of each tape piece. For example, attachment means such as clips or hooks may be positioned on the first end 402 and the second end 404 of the tape piece 400. In this type of attachment means arrangement, the strip of tape 400 may be placed on a surface 450 with a first end 402 and a second end 404 attached to the surface 450 and the remainder of the length of the tape strip 400 unattached and free to move or vibrate, as shown in configuration 470 in Figure 4C. In this example, the surface 450 may have attachment means 472, 474 configured to mate with the attachment means on the tape strip 400. The attachment means may be flexible or otherwise allow the tape strip 400 to flex or vibrate to a desired extent.

[0037] Example of how to Various operations will now be described in addition to those described above and illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the following operations do not have to be performed in the exact order described below.

[0038] 5 is an example flow diagram 500 including a method for manufacturing a tape strip according to some of the embodiments described above. The method may be performed by one or more computing devices that control machines customized for the steps of the method. Although FIG. 5 shows the blocks in a particular order, the order may be changed, operations may be performed simultaneously, and operations may be added or omitted.

[0039] One or more of the layers of the tape strip may be manufactured using one or more techniques from a roll-to-roll (R2R) process for fabricating flexible electronics. In block 502, each energy harvesting layer of the multiple layers may be constructed to include the above-mentioned features using techniques from the R2R process. Specifically, fabrication of each energy harvesting layer may include performing the deposition, imprint, and etch steps of the R2R process. Each energy harvesting layer may be manufactured to have the same or similar length based on a predetermined length of the tape strip. In some implementations, the predetermined length of the tape strip may be determined by one or more computing devices performing the fabrication based on an input indicating a target frequency for energy capture. In other implementations, the predetermined length of the tape strip may be determined by one or more computing devices based additionally or alternatively on an input indicating a target minimum area over which the semiconductor is exposed to light to harvest solar energy, or an input indicating a target amount of current from solar energy. In further implementations, a thickness of piezoelectric material for the tape strip may be determined by one or more computing devices based on the target resonant frequency and the selected or determined length of the tape strip. The target resonant frequency or frequency band may be received as an input to one or more computing devices or may be determined by one or more computing devices based on an input indicating the target bending stiffness. In block 504, the energy harvesting layers may be assembled together using adhesive layers, one layer directly over the other. For example, the solar cell layer 420 may be assembled directly over the piezoelectric / electrode layer 424 using adhesive layer 422, and the piezoelectric / electrode layer 424 may be assembled directly over the thermoelectric layer 428 using adhesive layer 426. The dimensions and materials of the assembly may be based on the determinations described in block 502. The adhesive layer may be spray coated. For some tape strips, the adhesive may be applied to a given layer before all layers are constructed in block 502. In block 506, one or more energy storage devices may be connected to the energy harvesting layers. The one or more energy storage devices may include one or more capacitors or rechargeable printed batteries.For some pieces of tape, one or more energy storage devices may be built as part of the R2R process in block 502.

[0040] In some implementations, more than one length of tape can be manufactured in one run. In these implementations, the method may further include dividing the manufacturing process into multiple tape pieces at block 508. Some further implementations may include storing the multiple tape pieces in a roll, such as arranged end-to-end or with at least a slight overlap, at block 510.

[0041] The installation of the tape piece may include one or more of the following features: The first and second ends of the tape piece may be glued to a surface, such as the side of a delivery truck or a warehouse wall. The entire length of the tape may be glued to the surface for more stability, as shown in configuration 460 of FIG. 4C. Alternatively, the length between the first and second ends of the tape piece may not be glued to the surface, but may be taut to allow the tape piece to vibrate, as shown in configuration 470 of FIG. 4C. In this way, vibration energy may be captured by the piezoelectric layer of the tape piece. The tape piece may be installed in a particular orientation, such as perpendicular or parallel to the ground or the floor of a container or building. In some cases, the first end of the tape piece may be located in a warmer location, such as closer to a heat source, and the second end may be located in a colder location. Different tape pieces may be installed in different orientations.

[0042] In some alternative implementations, the layers may be arranged in different configurations. Thus, alternative implementations may include positioning the layers in a non-tape configuration. For example, the layers may be positioned on the surfaces of a box or different containers. The layers may alternatively be positioned independently of one another based on where different types of energy are available. Regardless of the configuration, the layers may be electrically or otherwise operably coupled to one or more processing units configured to receive, store, rectify, and / or transmit the captured energy.

[0043] The multi-mode energy harvesting tape described herein enhances the usefulness of passive tracking devices. Because some of the energy harvesting functions of passive identifiers can be removed, the form and function of the passive identifier becomes more flexible. By harvesting two or more types of energy, the tape can enhance the high frequency environment to provide more consistent power to the passive identifier, which increases detectability and improves tracking. For example, the tape can be useful when solar energy is not available but vibration energy is, such as inside a wrapped box or pallet where light cannot penetrate but vibrations can still be felt during transportation or other movements.

[0044] Unless otherwise stated, the aforementioned alternatives are not mutually exclusive and may be implemented in various combinations to achieve unique advantages. These and other variations and combinations of the features discussed above may be utilized without departing from the subject matter defined by the claims, and the foregoing description of the embodiments should be construed as illustrative, and not limiting, of the subject matter defined by the claims. In addition, the provision of examples described herein, as well as expressions such as "such as," "including," and the like, should not be construed as limiting the subject matter of the claims to specific examples, but rather, these examples are intended to describe only one of many possible embodiments. Moreover, the same reference symbols in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

Claims

1. An energy harvesting tape, comprising: A plurality of flexible layers, a solar cell layer configured to capture solar energy; a thermoelectric layer configured to capture thermal energy; one or more piezoelectric layers configured to capture mechanical energy; a plurality of flexible layers including an electrode layer configured to capture radio frequency energy and transmit radio frequency signals; one or more processing units on at least one of the plurality of flexible layers, the one or more processing units configured to transmit the radio frequency signal using the captured energy from the plurality of flexible layers; The energy-harvesting tape has a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being greater than the width, and the width being greater than the thickness.

2. The energy harvesting tape of claim 1 further comprising an energy storage device.

3. The energy harvesting tape of claim 2 , wherein the energy storage device is attached to a first end of the energy harvesting tape.

4. The energy harvesting tape of claim 2 , wherein the energy storage device is included on one of the flexible layers.

5. The energy harvesting tape of claim 2 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a rechargeable printed battery.

6. The energy harvesting tape of claim 2 , further comprising a rectifier circuit between the plurality of flexible layers and the energy storage device.

7. The energy harvesting tape of claim 1 , wherein the electrode layer includes an antenna.

8. The energy harvesting tape of claim 7 , further comprising: a first electrode pair between the electrode layer and an energy storage device; and a second electrode pair between the electrode layer and the antenna.

9. 2. The energy harvesting tape of claim 1, further comprising attachment means on an edge of a first end and an edge of a second end opposite the first end, the attachment means configured to bond to a surface.

10. The energy harvesting tape of claim 9 , wherein the energy harvesting tape is configured to vibrate when the attachment means is coupled to the surface.

11. The energy harvesting tape of claim 1 , wherein the electrode layer is configured to harvest multi-band radio frequency energy.

12. The energy harvesting tape of claim 1 , wherein the transmitted high frequency signal is a multi-band high frequency signal.

13. The energy harvesting tape of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing units are configured to transmit the radio frequency signal capable of powering a set of passive identification tags.

14. The energy harvesting tape according to claim 1 , wherein the energy harvesting tape is configured to be stored in a roll.

15. The energy harvesting tape of claim 1 , wherein the multiple flexible layers are assembled directly on top of each other.

16. The energy harvesting tape of claim 1 , further comprising one or more adhesive layers between the plurality of flexible layers.

17. A kit comprising: The energy harvesting tape according to claim 1 ; A plurality of passive identification tags; a reader, including one or more computing devices, configured to detect signals emitted by the plurality of passive identification tags.

18. 1. A method for manufacturing an energy harvesting tape, the method comprising: constructing a plurality of energy harvesting layers for a piece of flexible tape using one or more roll-to-roll processing techniques, the plurality of energy harvesting layers comprising: a solar cell layer configured to capture solar energy; a thermoelectric layer configured to capture thermal energy; constructing the plurality of energy harvesting layers including one or more piezoelectric layers configured to harvest mechanical or radio frequency energy and transmit radio frequency signals; and assembling the energy-harvesting layers directly on top of each other to form the energy-harvesting tape having a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being greater than the width and the width being greater than the thickness.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein constructing the one or more piezoelectric layers further comprises attaching one or more processing units onto a first piezoelectric layer.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising determining the length of the energy harvesting tape based on a target frequency for capture.

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