Tracking Tag

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure provide tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414, 500, 1100, 1100', 1500, 1600. As an example, the tracking tag 102, 104, 410, 414, 500, 1100, 1100s, 1500, 1600 may include a beacon transmission circuit 530 including one or more batteries 710, 1120, a frame 520, 1520 configured to hold the one or more batteries in place, an adhesive 540, 1570 positioned to secure the tracking tag to an object, and an activation mechanism configured to cause the beacon transmission circuit to transmit a beacon signal to activate the tracking tag and enable tracking of the object.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 228,951, filed August 1, 2023, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 446,375, filed February 17, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 400,891, filed August 25, 2022, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] background The Internet of Things (IoT) is the interconnection of physical objects, such as products, luggage, vehicles, and buildings, that are embedded with electronic components for network connectivity. The embedded components enable the objects to detect, be detected by, collect data, and / or transmit data to other objects. 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 interconnection capabilities may be leveraged to track the location of the physical objects. In many situations, objects may be moved at different times, such as luggage or equipment being moved from a truck to a loading dock, a warehouse, or medical equipment being moved between different rooms (or floors) in a hospital. These types of situations can make it very difficult to characterize the object's location with adequate accuracy, including updating the location as the object's position changes. Additionally, systems using GPS or WiFi may experience signal loss or transmitters going offline, which may reduce the ability to properly identify the object's location. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] A brief overview Aspects of the present disclosure provide a tracking tag. As an example, the tracking tag includes a beacon transmission circuit including one or more batteries, a frame configured to hold the one or more batteries in place, an adhesive disposed to secure the tracking tag to an object, and an activation mechanism configured to activate the tracking tag and cause the beacon transmission circuit to transmit a beacon signal to enable tracking of the object.

[0004]

[0004] In one example, the tracking tag also includes an adhesive label. In this example, the adhesive label is a polyester or paper sheet with an adhesive backing. Additionally, the adhesive backing is double-sided tape. In another example, the frame includes polycarbonate. In another example, the frame is a flexible frame that allows the tracking tag to be attached to an object having a curved surface. In another example, the beacon transmission circuit further includes a printed circuit board. In another example, the beacon transmission circuit is disposed on a backing sheet. In this example, the backing sheet is a polycarbonate sheet. Alternatively, the backing sheet is an RFID inlay. In another example, the one or more batteries include a coin battery, a prismatic battery, a pouch battery, a thin-film battery, or a screen-printed battery. In another example, the frame includes multiple sub-frames that allow the tracking tag to bend between the sub-frames. In this example, a first subframe of the plurality of subframes is configured to support a first one of the one or more batteries, and a second subframe of the plurality of subframes is configured to support a second one of the one or more batteries. Additionally, a third subframe of the plurality of subframes is configured to support a printed circuit board of the beacon transmission circuit. In another example, the tracking tag also includes an upper cover and a lower cover to provide impact protection. In this example, the upper cover and the lower cover include polycarbonate. In another example, the tracking tag has a thickness of less than 2.3 mm. In another example, the adhesive is double-sided tape. In another example, the tracking tag also includes a removable sheet disposed on the adhesive to protect the adhesive before affixing the tracking tag to an object. In another example, the activation mechanism includes a switch tab. In another example, the activation mechanism includes a liner sheet including a portion that wraps around and partially through the tracking tag to prevent connection between the one or more batteries and another component of the beacon transmission circuit, and the liner sheet is configured to be removed from the tracking tag to activate the tracking tag. In another example, the activation mechanism further includes a conductive adhesive for forming a bond between the one or more batteries and the copper tape when the tracking tag is activated.In another example, the activation mechanism includes a pull tab. In another example, the activation mechanism includes a button configured to be pressed to activate the tracking tag. In another example, the activation mechanism includes an initially open circuit. In another example, the activation mechanism includes an initially closed circuit. In another example, the tracking tag also includes a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit configured to maintain connection of the beacon transmission circuit when the tracking tag is activated. In another example, the activation mechanism includes a thermal switch. In another example, the activation mechanism includes a magnetic switch. In another example, the activation mechanism includes a removable bridge. In another example, the tracking tag also includes a light configured to flash when the tracking tag is activated. In another example, the frame is constructed of foam and serves as a gasket. In another example, the beacon transmission circuit further includes an antenna, an integrated chip, and a capacitor. In another example, the tracking tag is arranged on a roll with multiple tracking tags. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [Figure 1A]

[0005] Various examples of object localization in accordance with aspects of the present technology are provided. [Figure 1B]

[0006] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an exemplary tracking system according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]

[0007] FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram of an exemplary network according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3]

[0008] FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of the example network of FIG. 2 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A]

[0009] 1 illustrates an exemplary scenario according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B]

[0009] An exemplary scenario according to an aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. [Figure 5]

[0010] 1 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an example configuration of a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A]

[0011] 1 is an exemplary representation of a tracking tag fold according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] 1 is an exemplary representation of a tracking tag bending according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary side perspective view of a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A]

[0013] 1 depicts an exemplary configuration of a tracking tag according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] 1 depicts an exemplary configuration of a tracking tag according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] 1 depicts an exemplary configuration of a tracking tag according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]

[0014] FIG. 1 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 10A]

[0015] 1 provides an exemplary assembly process for a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 10B]

[0015] An exemplary assembly process for a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 10C]

[0015] An exemplary assembly process for a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 11]

[0016] 1 provides an exemplary exploded view of a subassembly of a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 12A]

[0017] 11 provides a perspective view of a subassembly of a tracking tag 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12B]

[0017] A perspective view of a subassembly of a tracking tag 1100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 13]

[0018] 1 is an exemplary partial cross-sectional view of a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 14A]

[0019] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a subassembly of a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 14B]

[0019] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a subassembly of a tracking tag according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 15A]

[0020] 1 provides cross-sectional views of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 15B]

[0020] A cross-sectional view of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 15C]

[0020] A cross-sectional view of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 15D]

[0020] A cross-sectional view of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 15E]

[0020] A cross-sectional view of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 15F]

[0020] A cross-sectional view of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 16A]

[0021] 1 provides cross-sectional views of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 16B]

[0021] A cross-sectional view of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 16C]

[0021] A cross-sectional view of a tracking tag, an activation mechanism, and a process for activating a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. [Figure 17A]

[0022] 1 provides a simplified representation of a reed switch in a circuit including a PCB and one or more batteries, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17B]

[0022] A simplified representation of a reed switch in a circuit including a PCB and one or more batteries is provided according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 18]

[0023] 1 provides an example representation of a bridge disposed on a tracking tag, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 19A]

[0024] 1 provides a simplified exemplary representation of a pull tab in a circuit, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 19B]

[0024] A simplified exemplary representation of a pull tab in a circuit is provided according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 20]

[0025] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an example manual provisioning process according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 21A]

[0026] FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an exemplary partially automated provisioning process according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 21B]

[0027] 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a tracking tag according to an aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 22]

[0028] FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an exemplary partially or fully automated provisioning process according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 23]

[0029] FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an exemplary partially or fully automated provisioning process according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 24A]

[0030] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a tracking tag roll according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 24B]

[0030] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a tracking tag roll according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 25]

[0031] FIG. 1 is an exemplary exploded view of a tracking tag according to aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Detailed Description overview

[0032] Accurate locating and tracking of objects can be important for many reasons, including knowing where supplies or equipment are stored and whether additional materials need to be ordered. In a warehouse setting, pallets of goods arriving at the warehouse may be moved to different locations depending on storage constraints, when the goods need to be shipped, and where the goods are going. In a commercial or hospital setting, equipment may be stored in one location (e.g., a storage room), placed in different rooms for use, and moved as the need arises, such as moving a hospital bed from one room to another.

[0007]

[0033] Tracking tags can be used to track such objects, and to enable use of such tracking tags with as many different types of objects and locations as possible, the tracking tags can be designed to be both thin and flexible. Additionally, each tracking tag can be passive, such as one configured to be activated or powered by ambient energy, or active, including a battery or configured to be coupled to another power source. In the case of a battery, delaying battery activation until the end user is ready to use the tracking tag is important to extend the tracking tag's useful life.

[0008]

[0034] A tracking tag may include various components, such as an upper adhesive label, a frame, a beacon transmission circuit, an adhesive (for attaching the tracking tag to an object), and upper and lower covers. The adhesive label may be printed during manufacturing and / or by the end user before attaching the tracking tag to an object. The beacon transmission circuit may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and one or more batteries. The PCB may include various functions, such as an identification chip and / or a transmitter, for the purpose of enabling the aforementioned beacon signal. The one or more batteries may include coin cells, prismatic cells, pouch cells, thin-film cells, or screen-printed cells. The upper and lower covers may provide impact protection, prevent the ingress of liquids and other contaminants, and provide a smooth surface for attaching labels or printing information (whether or not an adhesive label is used). Additionally, a liner sheet may be used to protect the adhesive before attaching the tracking tag to an object.

[0009]

[0035] The frame can be formed from a variety of materials and can be die-cut, molded, or manufactured using other processes. The frame material can be selected so that the frame can be flexible yet strong and puncture-resistant. In some examples, the frame can be composed of multiple sub-frames, each configured to support a component, such as one of one or more batteries, a PCB, etc.

[0010]

[0036] The tracking tag may also include an activation mechanism configured to activate the tracking tag and initiate transmission of a beacon signal by the beacon transmission circuitry. An exemplary activation mechanism includes a switch tab, a liner sheet including a portion that wraps around and partially through the tracking tag to prevent connection between the one or more batteries and another component of the beacon transmission circuitry, and the liner sheet configured to be removed from the tracking tag to activate the tracking tag, a pull tab, a button configured to be pressed to activate the tracking tag, an initial open circuit, an initial closed circuit, a thermal switch, a magnetic switch, and a removable bridge.

[0011]

[0037] These various different activation mechanisms may be combined with different engagement mechanisms. For example, an activation mechanism may be used to activate the tracking tag, while an engagement mechanism in the circuit (e.g., beacon transmission circuit) may be used to maintain connection within the circuit once the tracking tag is activated. The engagement mechanism may include a mechanical latching mechanism or physical latching switch, an electrical latching mechanism, a normally closed circuit, etc.

[0012]

[0038] Various techniques can be used for printing the top adhesive label, applying the top adhesive label, registering the tracking tag, activating the tracking tag, and attaching the tracking tag to the object or "provisioning process." During the registration portion of this provisioning process, information about the object itself, such as the tracking tag's identifier, tracking number, and manufacturing data (e.g., manufacturing date, serial number, etc.), may need to be registered with one or more server computing devices so that information about the object can be tracked within a storage system. The provisioning process can be a fully manual, partially automated, or fully automated process. Additionally, different manufacturing processes can be used to manufacture the tracking tags described herein on a roll.

[0013]

[0039] The features described herein may provide tracking tags with various advantages. Such tracking tags may have a thin profile while remaining flexible, thus enabling their use on any number of different types of objects. In other words, the same tracking tag may be suitable for attachment to objects having a variety of form factors without the need to modify the shape and configuration of the tracking tag, thereby simplifying object tracking. Additionally, the tracking tags described herein may be printed with information, which may include an identification number, tracking number, etc., that can be converted into a digital representation, and / or such information may be attached to a label. Exemplary System

[0040] FIG. 1A shows examples of various objects in various environments. As shown in the image on the left side of the drawing, there may be packages or equipment on a pallet in a warehouse. The pallet may have been unloaded from a cargo truck, as shown by the "in transit" image in the center of the drawing. The pallet may be moved to one or more different locations within the warehouse, such as by a forklift, as shown in the image on the left. The image on the right side of the drawing shows a situation where boxed medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs) and supplies are stored in a supply room within a hospital.

[0014]

[0041] In all of these situations, whether in a warehouse, on a cargo truck, or in a hospital, an object of interest may be moved many times. It may be to a different aisle or room in a warehouse, a different room (or even a different floor) in a hospital, or a different part of a cargo container on a truck. In the latter case, the cargo may have shifted during transport or its location may have changed because different packages were delivered to different locations. Knowing the current location of an object of interest, as opposed to an estimated location based on its initial placement, is valuable information for an operations manager, warehouse manager, nurse, or organizer. Ideally, these people would be able to obtain the current location of a given object on their client computing device, such as a laptop, cell phone, or smartwatch.

[0015]

[0042] FIG. 1B is a functional diagram of tracking system 100. Tracking system 100 may include multiple tracking devices, such as tracking tags 102 and 104, and a reader 106. As discussed further below, one or more server computing devices 108 may also be part of tracking system 100. A given tracking tag may be placed on, or otherwise attached to, or inserted into, a tracked object, such as a package, equipment, vehicle, warehouse section, room, etc. Tracking tag 102 may be associated with an object, such as a package, equipment, or vehicle (e.g., a forklift or autonomous fulfillment robot that can retrieve packages from different locations in a warehouse), while tracking tag 104 may be fixed to an aisle in a warehouse or fixed from a specific room in a hospital. In this manner, different tracking tags may be used depending on the needs of the customer. As an example, different customers may have varying accuracy and "liveness" needs. For example, one customer may only want to know aisle-level accuracy daily (e.g., before the warehouse closes for the evening), while another customer, such as a hospital nurse, may need to know which room a patient's equipment is in every hour so that they can access it if they need it. Each tracking tag 102 or 104 can emit an information signal, e.g., a beacon signal, via an antenna, such as using a transmission device, to communicate data. In this regard, each tracking tag may include an identifier chip (e.g., for radio frequency (RF) identification) and / or a transmission device (e.g., an RF module configured to transmit a beacon signal using a selected frequency band and transmission protocol). In this regard, the beacon signal, in the case of tracking tags discussed further below, may simply transmit identifying information to enable tracking of the object. To facilitate this, each tracking tag may be embedded with a unique identifier, such as a unique MAC address or Bluetooth identifier, which can serve as a tracking tag identifier. This tracking tag identifier may be assigned to the tracking tag during a manufacturing or provisioning process (described further below).

[0016]

[0043] The transmitting device may transmit such information via radio frequency transmission in a selected frequency band using a standard or proprietary protocol. As an example, the transmitting device may employ BLUETOOTH (e.g., BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE)) or 802.11 protocols in the 2.4 GHz and / or 5 GHz frequency bands. In some examples, each beacon tracking tag and each tracking tag uses the BLUETOOTH or BLE protocol.

[0017]

[0044] In some examples, a tracking tag may include one or more sensors. In such examples, the communicated data may be formatted according to a selected protocol and may include one or more sensed characteristics of a given tracking tag or its environment. For example, the sensed characteristics may be temperature, location, motion, battery status, trip status, and / or other detectable characteristics of the tracking device or its environment.

[0018]

[0045] The reader 106 may be a computing device configured to detect beacon signals emitted by multiple tracking tags 102 and 104 and store and / or transmit data related to the tracking tags. Although only one reader is shown in FIG. 1B , a system may employ multiple readers. The reader 106 may include one or more processors 110, memory 112, and other components typically found in a general-purpose computing device. The reader 106 includes a receiver module 118 having an antenna and a processing unit (not shown), which may include bandpass filters for frequency bands of interest, an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter, and a signal processing module for evaluating information in the received beacon signals. The processing unit may also convert the received beacon signals to baseband signals before or after A / D conversion.

[0019]

[0046] The one or more processors 110 may be any conventional processor, such as a commercially available CPU or microcontroller. Alternatively, the one or more processors may be dedicated devices, such as an ASIC or other hardware-based processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA). While FIG. 1B functionally depicts the processor, memory, and other elements of reader 106 as being within the same block, the processor, computing device, or memory may actually include multiple processors, computing devices, or memories that may or may not be housed within the same physical housing. For example, the memory may be a hard drive, removable USB drive, or other storage medium located in a housing different from that of reader 106. Thus, reference to a processor or computing device is understood to include reference to a collection of processors, computing devices, or memories that may or may not operate in parallel.

[0020]

[0047] Memory 112 stores information accessible by one or more processors 110, including instructions 114 and data 116 that may be executed or otherwise used by processor(s) 110. Data may include sensed characteristics from any of tracking tags 102 and / or 104 received by reader 106. Memory 112 may be of any type capable of storing information accessible by a processor, including computing device-readable media or other media that store data readable using an electronic device, such as hard drives, memory cards, ROM, RAM, DVDs or other optical disks, and other writable and read-only memories. Systems and methods may include different combinations of the above, whereby different portions of the instructions and data are stored on different types of media.

[0021]

[0048] Data 116 may be obtained, stored, or modified by processor 110 in accordance with instructions 114. For example, although claimed subject matter is not limited by any particular data structure, data may be stored in a register of a computing device, in an XML document, or in a flat file, within a relational database as a table with multiple different fields and records. Data may also be formatted in any computing device-readable format.

[0022]

[0049] The instructions 114 may be any set of instructions that are executed by a processor directly (e.g., machine code) or indirectly (e.g., script). For example, the instructions may be stored as computing device code on a computing device-readable medium. In that 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 may be stored in any other computing device language, including script or a collection of independent source code modules that are interpreted on demand or pre-compiled. The functions, methods, and routines of the instructions are described in more detail below.

[0023]

[0050] In some implementations, the tracking system 100 may further include a central server, such as one or more server computing devices 108, accessible by the one or more processors 110 of the readers 106. In some implementations, one or more tracking devices in the tracking system 100, such as the tracking tags 104, may be configured to obtain and communicate data directly with the one or more server computing devices 108. The one or more server computing devices 108 may include one or more processors 120, memory 122, and other components typically found in a general-purpose computing device. The one or more processors 120 may be of the same or similar type as the one or more processors 110, and the memory 122 may be of the same or similar type as the memory 112. The memory 122 stores information accessible by the one or more processors 120, including instructions 124 and data 126 that may be executed or otherwise used by the processors 120. Data 126 and instructions 124 may be of the same or similar type as data 116 and instructions 114, respectively.

[0024]

[0051] After detecting the beacon signals of one or more tracking tags 102 or 104, the reader 106 can transmit data from the tracking tags to one or more server computing devices 108 via an existing connection or network. Thus, in this case, the reader 106 may include a transmitter module (not shown) configured for wired or wireless transmission to the server computing device. Data may be received continuously, at one or more set intervals, or ad hoc whenever a tracking tag transmits within a series of payloads (e.g., data packets). Thus, if multiple tracking tags are present, the data is received effectively as multiple separate data streams. A given payload (which may include one or more data packets) may include measurements taken at one or more time intervals, and each measurement may have a corresponding timestamp. In one scenario, the reader 106 may include a transceiver including both a receiver and a transmitter configured to receive beacon signals from the tracking tags 102 and 104 and to also send and receive information with the server computing device 108.

[0025]

[0052] One or more server computing devices 108 may be configured to track characteristics of the tracking device for one or more alerts based on multiple conditions. The multiple conditions may include at least one condition for each characteristic, such as a minimum value, a maximum value, a threshold value, a duration, or a geofence. The conditions may be predetermined or set based on user input. For example, a first alert may be set for (1) the temperature is higher than, for example, 0°C to 10°C for 30 minutes and (2) the tracking device is in motion, which may indicate overheating of a refrigerated package or storage room. A second alert may be set for (1) no motion is detected for 10 minutes, (2) two of three locations are within a geofence, and (3) the tracking device is in motion, which may indicate a package is being delivered. A third alert may be set for (1) a threshold amount of light is detected from inside the package and (2) the tracking device is in motion, which may indicate unexpected opening or tampering with the package. A fourth alert can be set when (1) a threshold amount of light is detected from inside the package and (2) two of the three locations are within the destination geofence, which may indicate the package has been opened after delivery or receipt. Many other alert conditions and tracking scenarios are possible, and the above examples are not intended to be limiting.

[0026]

[0053] Tracking system 100 may optionally include applications that may be installed on one or more client computing devices that can access data from readers 106 and / or server computing device 108 over a network.

[0027]

[0054] 2 and 3 are pictorial and functional diagrams, respectively, of an exemplary system 200 including multiple client computing devices 220, 230, 240 and a storage system 250 connected via a network 260. System 200 also includes a tracking system 100 including tracking tags 102, 104, a reader 106, and a server computing device 108. For simplicity, only a few tags and computing devices are shown, although a typical system may include many more.

[0028]

[0055] Using the client computing devices, users such as users 222, 232, 242 can view location data on displays such as displays 224, 234, 244 of their respective client computing devices 220, 230, 240. As shown in Figure 3, each client computing device 220, 230, 240 may be a personal computing device intended for use by an individual user and may have all of the components typically used in association with a personal computing device, including one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU)), memory (e.g., RAM and an internal hard drive) for storing data and instructions, a display such as display 224, 234, 244 (e.g., a monitor having a screen, a touchscreen, a head-mounted display, a smartwatch display, a projector, a television, or other device operable to display information), and user input devices 226, 236, 246 (e.g., one or more of a mouse, a keyboard, a touchscreen, and / or a microphone). The client computing devices may also include speakers, a network interface device, and all components used to connect these elements to each other.

[0029]

[0056] Client computing devices 220, 230, and 240 may each 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 wireless-enabled PDA, a tablet PC, a wearable computing device or system (e.g., a smart watch or head-mounted display, or a netbook) capable of obtaining information over the Internet or other network, or other devices. By way of example, a user may input information using a miniature keyboard, keypad, microphone, visual signals (gestures) via a camera or other sensor, or a touchscreen.

[0030]

[0057] Similar to memory 112, storage system 250 may be any type of computerized storage capable of storing information accessible by one or more server computing devices 108, such as a hard drive, memory card, ROM, RAM, DVD, CD-ROM, writable and read-only memory, etc. Additionally, storage system 250 may include a distributed storage system in which data is stored on multiple different storage devices that may be physically located in the same or different geographic locations. As shown in FIG. 2, storage system 250 may be connected to a computing device via network 260 and / or directly connected to or incorporated into any of client computing devices 220, 230, 240. Storage system 250 may store information about the tracking tags, including, for example, location, status (e.g., activated, time of activation), identifier, last update, sensor data (e.g., temperature readings), information about the object to which the tracking tag is attached (e.g., manufacturing data), etc. In this regard, information may be determined from received beacon signals provided by one or more of server computing device 108 and / or any of client computing devices 220, 230, 240 to storage system 250 and updated therein.

[0031]

[0058] FIG. 4A shows an example system 400 having several tracking tags located in various locations in a building (e.g., a hospital). In this example, several rooms 402A-402D, such as patient rooms, may be located along one side of a hallway 404. On the other side of the hallway 404 is a storage room 406, such as for storing equipment or supplies, and another room 408, which may be a conference room, common area, rehabilitation facility, etc. One or more fixed tracking tags 410 corresponding to tracking tags 102 or 104 may be located in each room, including the hallway. Each fixed tracking tag 410 is configured to emit a beacon signal 412 (e.g., an RF signal in a selected frequency band according to a particular communication protocol). While the beacon signal 412 may appear directional, it need not be; the beacon signal may be transmitted omnidirectionally from tracking tags 410 located on, for example, a ceiling, a pillar, or a floor. In some implementations, the tracking tags 410 may be configured to emit a beacon signal that includes information related to its environment (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.).

[0032]

[0059] Tracking tag 414 may correspond to tracking tag 102 or 104 when placed on various objects (e.g., the equipment case shown in storage room 406 or the wheelchair shown in room 402A). In some examples, tracking tags may also be configured to emit beacon signals with information related to the object to which the tracking tag is applied (e.g., temperature, motion information, object details, and / or other detectable characteristics of the tracking device or its environment). Reader 416 may be found in various locations within the building, such as a patient's room, a storage room, a hallway, or other locations. Note that even when transmitted omnidirectionally, the beacon signal from a given tracking tag may be attenuated in a non-uniform manner by the presence of walls, furniture, floors / ceilings, equipment, etc.

[0033]

[0060] FIG. 4B shows another example system 420 with several fixed tracking tags positioned along different aisles in a warehouse setting. In this example, there are several aisles 422A-422D, but there may be more (or fewer) aisles, and the aisles may be arranged in configurations other than those shown. Here, fixed tracking tags 424 are located at various locations in the aisles, such as along the end caps of the aisles, along the ceiling (or floor), on shelves, storage lockers, cabinets, or other locations along the aisles. Similar to FIG. 4A, fixed tracking tags 426 are positioned on or otherwise associated with various objects, such as pallets of equipment or forklifts that remove items from their locations in the warehouse. As above, the fixed tracking tags are configured to transmit beacon signals detectable by one or more readers 428.

[0034]

[0061] To determine the location of a given tracking tag, the system can use signal strength information obtained from the beacon signals of one or more tracking tags. A series of beacon signals can be ramped at various power levels (a ramp sequence). Evaluating received beacon signals in terms of their transmission power can enable the system to identify which room or other location a given tracking tag is in. From there, the system can determine the location of the given tracking tag (and its corresponding object) with reasonable accuracy, such as by triangulating the location of the given tracking tag relative to related tracking tags.

[0035]

[0062] To enable the use of the aforementioned tracking tags on as many different types of objects and locations as possible, the tracking tags may be designed to be both thin and flexible. Additionally, each tracking tag may be passive, such as one configured to be activated or powered by ambient energy, or may be active, including a battery or configured to be coupled to another power source. In the case of a battery, delaying battery activation until the end user is ready to use the tracking tag is important to extend the tracking tag's useful life.

[0036]

[0063] 5 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of an example configuration of a tracking tag 500, which may be configured the same as or similar to any of the tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414 described above. In this example, tracking tag 500 includes an upper adhesive label 510, a frame 520, a beacon transmission circuit 530, and a double-sided adhesive 540. As shown, the configuration of tracking tag 500 provides a relatively thin form factor of approximately 1.95 mm. Although not shown in FIG. 4, tracking tag 500 may also include an upper cover 910 and a lower cover 920, discussed further below and shown in FIG. 9, which may increase the overall thickness of tracking tag 500.

[0037]

[0064] The top adhesive label 510 may be a thin (e.g., 0.1 mm) sheet of polyester or paper with an adhesive backing that may be printed during manufacturing and / or by the end user prior to affixing the tracking tag to an object (e.g., an article, wall, shelf, etc.). For example, an end user may be able to print tracking and identification information on a label and affix the label to a surface of the tracking tag 500 (e.g., the frame 520 or a top cover such as top cover 910, discussed further below) when they are ready to use the tracking tag. Such labels may include proprietary labels or commercially available labels such as those offered by Avery, including Avery Ultra Duty White Film 94211. Similarly, the double-sided adhesive 540 may include commercially available adhesives or double-sided tapes such as those offered by 3M, including 3M Double Coated Tape 93015LE. As shown in FIG. 5, this double-sided adhesive 540 may have a thickness of approximately 0.15 mm.

[0038]

[0065] The frame 520 may be formed from a variety of materials, such as polycarbonate or other plastics, such as cellulose fibers (paper / wood), polyethylene (PE / LDPE / HDPE), polypropylene (PP), vinyl (PVC), nylon, polyurethane (foam), rubber, silicone, resin, carbon fiber, etc. The frame may have a form factor similar to that of a typical credit card, approximately 1.7 mm thick. The frame may be die-cut, molded, or manufactured using other processes. The frame material may be selected so that the frame is flexible yet strong and puncture-resistant. In this regard, the frame may allow the tracking tag 500 to be attached (via double-sided adhesive 540) to objects of various shapes, including curved surfaces, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0039]

[0066] The PCB may be a commercially available PCB that can be connected to one or more batteries, for example, a surface mount technology (SMT) PCB, including the SMT white PCB used in the i6 Ultra-thin Tag offered by MINEW, or other such custom or commercially available device that enables BLUETOOTH LE 4.0 technology for purposes of enabling the beacon signals described above.

[0040]

[0067] Turning to FIG. 7 , a side perspective view of tracking tag 500 (without top adhesive label 510) provides a view of beacon transmission circuitry disposed on PCB 710 and one or more batteries 720, corresponding to the beacon transmission circuitry of FIG. 5 . PCB 710 may also include a beacon signal transmitter, such as the identifier chip and / or transmitter described above, and one or more processors to enable the tracking tag to provide a beacon signal. For stability, the beacon transmission circuitry, including PCB 710, one or more batteries 720, and processor 750, may be disposed on backing 730. Backing 730 may be a thin, flexible polycarbonate sheet or any other substrate, such as an RFID (radio frequency identification) inlay or other feature sized to fit within frame 520. Although not shown, a cap sticker formed from puncture-resistant polycarbonate or other material may be placed over the opening in the frame to protect the PCB, circuitry, and battery.

[0041]

[0068] Processor 750 may be configured the same as or similar to processor 110 and may include a conventional processor such as a commercially available CPU. For example, the processor may also include BLUETOOTH wireless capabilities such as a NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR nRF52832 or INPLAY IN100. In some examples, processor 750 may actually include multiple processors that may or may not be housed within the same physical housing.

[0042]

[0069] In this example, the one or more batteries 720 may be relatively thin. For example, the one or more batteries 720 may include coin batteries, prismatic batteries, pouch batteries, thin-film batteries, or screen-printed batteries. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the one or more batteries 720 are thin-film batteries. In this example, the thin-film batteries may be commercially available thin-film CPO042350 batteries, such as those offered by RENATA BATTERIES. FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C depict alternative configurations of a tracking tag 500 having a single coin battery 810 (FIG. 8A), a pair of coin batteries 810 (FIG. 8B), or four coin batteries 810 (FIG. 8C). The tracking tag 500 in FIG. 8C is shown in partial cross-section to depict all four coin batteries 810. In this example, a CR2016 coin battery is used, although other coin batteries, such as a CR1216, CR1220, or CR2012, may be used in some alternative configurations. Coin batteries are typically used in powered badges and key cards and offer various advantages, such as improved safety (e.g., due to metal-encased batteries that reduce the risk of puncture compared to thin-film batteries), high capacity or significantly longer life for extended runtime operation, low cost, ease of storage (e.g., coin batteries are typically encased in a battery holder and therefore can be stored separately and installed near the point of use, which may also allow tracking tags to be stored in facilities that are not rated for battery storage, whereas flat-pack batteries or other custom batteries are typically bonded to the device at the time of manufacture), and shorter lead times (e.g., for manufacturing and procurement).

[0043]

[0070] Additionally, while coin cells do not bend, their small form factor may allow the tracking tag to be less rigid. In other words, the tracking tag is more resistant to bending away from the coin cell, whereas in the case of thin-film batteries, bending should be avoided to prevent damage to the thin-film battery, which may have a larger form factor. The further away raised portions, such as the battery 720 (shown here as a thin-film battery) and PCB 710, are from each other, the greater the amount of flexibility that can be achieved. In this regard, given the configuration of the tracking tag 500, bending along the length of the tracking tag 500 shown in FIG. 6A may be less desirable (e.g., more likely to damage rigid components) than bending along the width of the tracking tag 500 shown in FIG. 6B.

[0044]

[0071] Returning to FIG. 7 , tracking tag 500 may also include an activation mechanism, here configured as a switch tab 740. For example, an end user can press switch tab 740 to connect the negative terminal of one or more batteries 720 (or alternatively, coin cells) with PCB 710 via copper (Cu) tape. This may activate tracking tag 500 and initiate transmission of the beacon signal described above. In this example, switch tab 740 may be a plastic pull tab coated with conductive grease, such as LOCTITE LB 9008 C5-A, and lined with a Poron spring pad (not shown). In some examples, switch tab 740 may be provided with a "press" icon or text to assist the end user in activating the tracking tag. Other approaches for activating batteries are further described below.

[0045]

[0072] FIG. 9 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of tracking tag 500 with the additional features of top cover 910 and bottom cover 920. FIG. 9 also includes a detailed view of opposing ends 930, 940 of tracking tag 500. The top and bottom covers may be formed from polycarbonate or other plastic to provide impact protection, prevent the ingress of liquids (e.g., water) and other contaminants, as well as provide a smooth surface for attaching labels or printing information. In this example, the thickness of top cover 910 and bottom cover 920 may be approximately 0.2 mm, increasing the overall form factor of tracking tag 500 to 2.2 mm. In this manner, the tracking tag may have a very thin profile or thickness of less than 2.3 mm. Additionally, tracking tag 500 may be configured with an air gap 950 of at least 0.05 mm to allow for battery expansion during operation and an adhesive 960, such as conductive adhesive or double-sided tape, to hold the battery in place within frame 520.

[0046]

[0073] 10A, 10B, and 10C provide an exemplary assembly process for tracking tag 500. In this example, in FIG. 10A, PCB 710 may be soldered to one or more batteries 720 and switch tabs 740 to form a subassembly. The aforementioned conductive grease may also be applied to switch tabs 740. In FIG. 10B, the subassembly may be inserted into frame 520, which may be attached to bottom cover 920 (not shown). Finally, in FIG. 10C, top cover 910 (not shown) may be attached. This assembly may be accomplished using an assembly fixture template, which may assist in positioning and aligning the parts, and an adhesive, such as double-sided tape, may be used to secure the components of the assembly together.

[0047]

[0074] Although not shown, tracking tag 500 may be attached to a liner sheet, such as kraft paper or other paper, prior to use to protect double-sided adhesive 540. In this regard, prior to attaching tracking tag 500 to an object, this liner sheet may be removed (e.g., peeled off) from tracking tag 500 to expose double-sided adhesive 540. Tracking tag 500 may then be attached to the object.

[0048]

[0075] FIG. 11 provides an exploded view of a subassembly of tracking tag 1100. In that regard, not all portions of tracking tag 1100 are depicted in FIG. 11. Tracking tag 1100 may be configured similarly to tracking tag 500, with PCB 1110 (which may be the same as or similar to PCB 710) and one or more batteries 1120, here a pair of coin cell battery 810, disposed on backing 1130 (which may be configured the same as or similar to backing 730). In this regard, like tracking tag 500, tracking tag 1100 may correspond to any of tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414.

[0049]

[0076] However, rather than a frame 520 configuration, the tracking tag 1100 includes multiple sub-frames 1140, 1142, 1144 that each support the PCB 1110 and one or more batteries 1120. Like the frame 520, the sub-frames 1140, 1142, 1144 may be formed from a variety of materials, such as polycarbonate or other plastics. The frames may be die-cut, molded, or manufactured using other processes. Again, the frame material may be selected so that the frame can be flexible yet strong and puncture-resistant. This configuration may facilitate application by wrapping / bending in the correct or preferred direction (between the frames) and may result in a relatively small footprint, e.g., 23 mm wide by 85 mm long (or about half the dimensions of the tracking tag 500).

[0050]

[0077] While only three frames are depicted in Figures 11, 12A and 12B, etc., additional frames and batteries can be added, along with additional batteries (and additional dedicated activation mechanisms, if desired). In this regard, as the number of batteries increases, the number of frames can also increase.

[0051]

[0078] 11, the positive and negative contacts of one or more batteries 1120 may be connected to the PCB 710 by copper tape 1150, 1152, each having a layer of conductive adhesive, to allow contact with one or more batteries. Thus, as the number of batteries and frames increases, the length of the copper tape may also increase to allow for connection between the additions. The copper tape may be secured to the battery's positive terminal or PCB battery tab using a conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), and in some cases, conductive grease may also be applied to the negative terminal or PCB battery tab.

[0052]

[0079] In some examples, as an alternative to the aforementioned battery, additional frames can be configured with deactivation strips (for privacy when the tracking tag is deactivated), additional PCBs using different RF technologies, additional sensors, etc. For example, the deactivation strips may allow for physical destruction of one or more batteries and PCBs or other circuitry including the beacon transmission circuitry.

[0053]

[0080] Figure 12A provides a perspective view of a subassembly of tracking tag 1100 having PCB 1110 (shown in Figure 11), and Figure 12B provides a perspective view of a subassembly of tracking tag 1100', which may be configured the same as or similar to tracking tag 1100, with an alternative PCB configuration, here PCB 1110', which may utilize, for example, a different beacon signal technology and / or a different engagement and / or activation mechanism than PCB 1110.

[0054]

[0081] Similar to the tracking tag 500 example, the tracking tags 1100, 1100′ can be configured with a variety of different types of activation mechanisms. FIG. 13 is an exemplary partial cross-sectional view of the tracking tag 1100 (or tracking tag 1100′) having an activation mechanism configured as a liner sheet 1310 including a portion 1312 that wraps around and partially through the tracking tag 1100. In this example, the tracking tag 1100 is depicted in a pre-activation state in which the portion 1312 prevents the copper tape 1150 from contacting one 1320 of the one or more batteries 1120, thereby preventing the one or more batteries from providing power to the PCB 1110. The liner sheet 1310 can be made from a liner sheet such as kraft paper or other paper. The liner sheet 1310 is removed and pulled away from the tracking tag 1100 (not shown) to expose the double-sided adhesive 1340 (which can be configured the same as or similar to the double-sided adhesive 540). Additionally, portion 1312 may be pulled away from one or more batteries 1120 and one 1320 of copper tapes 1150. A layer of conductive grease around portion 1312 remains to facilitate contact between copper tape 1150 and one or more batteries 1120, completing a circuit (e.g., a beacon transmission circuit) that includes PCB 1110′ and one or more batteries 1120.

[0055]

[0082] 14A and 14B provide exemplary perspective views of a subassembly of a tracking tag 1100′ having an activation mechanism configured as a liner sheet 1410. In FIG. 14A, the liner sheet 1410 is positioned in a pre-activation state, in which a portion 1412 of the liner sheet 1410 (underlying the copper tape 1420) prevents contact between the copper tape 1420 and one or more contacts on the PCB 1110′. In this example, the copper tape 1420 may also be connected to the copper tape 1152. Moving to FIG. 14B, the tracking tag 1100′ is configured in an activated state in which the pull tab 1410 is removed. This allows contact between the copper tape 1420 and the PCB 1110′, thus completing a circuit (e.g., a beacon transmission circuit) that includes the PCB 1110′ and one or more batteries 1120. This may activate the tracking tag 1100′ and initiate transmission of the beacon signal described above.

[0056]

[0083] 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F provide cross-sectional views of a tracking tag 1500, an alternative activation mechanism, and a process for activating the tracking tag 1500. The tracking tag 1500 may correspond to any of the tracking tags 102, 104, 410, and 414. The tracking tag may be configured similarly to the tracking tags 500 and 1100, with a top adhesive label 1520 (shown as two layers, corresponding to a label and an adhesive, and may also correspond to the top adhesive label 510 and 1350), a top cover 1530 (which may be configured the same as or similar to the top cover 910) having an adhesive layer 1540 of conductive PSA or another adhesive, a frame 1550, a PCB 1560 (which may be configured the same as or similar to the PCB 710, 1110, and 1110′), and a double-sided adhesive 1570 (which may be configured the same as or similar to the double-sided adhesive 540).

[0057]

[0084] The frame 1550 can be formed from a variety of materials, such as polycarbonate or other plastics, and can have a form factor sized to accommodate the depth or thickness of various chips 1552, 1554, or other devices disposed on the PCB to provide an additional layer of protection for such chips or devices. The frame can be die-cut, molded, or manufactured using a variety of other processes. The frame material can be selected to allow the frame to be flexible while also being strong and puncture-resistant. In this regard, the frame can allow the tracking tag 1500 to be attached (via double-sided adhesive 1570) to objects of various shapes, including curved surfaces, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B .

[0058]

[0085] In this example, the activation mechanism includes a liner sheet and separate copper contacts. As shown in FIG. 15A, the liner sheet 1510 includes a portion 1512 that wraps around a portion of the tracking tag 1500 and initially prevents contact between the copper contacts 1514, 1516 located adjacent to the copper tape 1518. The liner sheet 1510 may be made from a liner sheet such as kraft paper or other paper. Although FIGS. 15A and 15F include a top adhesive label 1520 shown on the tracking tag 1500, this top adhesive label 1520 is not depicted in FIGS. 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, or 15F for simplicity.

[0059]

[0086] 15B, the liner sheet 1510 can be removed from the tracking tag 1500, exposing the double-sided adhesive 1570. By removing the liner sheet 1510 from the tracking tag 1500 and pulling it away, the portion 1512 can also be pulled away from the copper contacts 1514, 1516 and the copper tape 1518, as shown in FIG. 15C. A layer of conductive adhesive, such as a conductive PSA, on the copper tape 1518 can naturally cause contact between the copper contacts 1514, 1516 and the copper tape 1150, as shown in FIG. 15D, thereby completing a circuit including the PCB 1560 and one or more batteries (not shown), such as one or more batteries 1120. As an alternative to conductive adhesive, conductive grease can also be used.

[0060]

[0087] However, to ensure this contact, the end user can apply force to the top cover 1530 (which may be configured the same as or similar to the top cover 910) over the copper tape 1518 and copper contacts 1514. This force may press the top cover 1530 against the frame 1550, as shown in FIG. 15E. This may cause the copper tape 1518 to press against the copper contacts 1514, 1516, causing the conductive adhesive to form a secure bond and contact between the copper tape 1518 and the copper contacts 1514, 1516. A top adhesive label 1520 may then be applied by the end user to the tracking tag 1500, as shown in FIG. 15F. This action by the end user may provide further confirmation that there is contact between the copper tape 1518 and the copper contacts 1514, 1516.

[0061]

[0088] 16A, 16B, and 16C provide cross-sectional views of a tracking tag 1600 and an alternative activation mechanism and process for activating the tracking tag 1600. In this example, the tracking tag 1600 may generally correspond to the tracking tag 1500, including a top adhesive label 1520 (not shown in FIGS. 16B and 16C for simplicity), a top cover 1530 with an adhesive layer 1540, a frame 1550, a PCB, a double-sided adhesive 1570, and copper tape 1518 and copper contacts 1514, 1516. The activation mechanism includes a Mylar sticker 1620, a metal dome 1630 on the metal dome, and a button 1610 including copper contacts 1514, 1516. The Mylar sticker may include an icon or text to indicate to the end user that they must press the button 1610 downward to activate the tracking tag 1600. In this regard, Figure 16A shows the tracking tag 1600 in a pre-activated state with the button 1610 still unpressurized. In this example, the tracking tag 1600 also includes a liner sheet 1640, such as kraft paper or other paper, to protect the double-sided adhesive 1570 prior to use.

[0062]

[0089] 16B , an end user can apply force to the button 1610 disposed on the copper tape 1518 and copper contacts 1514. This force can press the button 1610, including the Mylar sticker 1620 and metal dome 1630, against the top cover 1530. This pressing can press the top cover 1530 against the subframes 1142, 1140. This pressing can therefore cause the copper tape 1518 to be pressed against the copper contacts 1514, 1516, causing the conductive adhesive to form a secure bond and contact between the copper tape 1518 and the copper contacts 1514, 1516, completing a circuit (e.g., a beacon transmission circuit) including the PCB 1560 and one or more batteries (not shown), which can be configured the same as or similar to the one or more batteries 720, 1120 or coin cell 810.

[0063]

[0090] As shown in FIG. 16C , when the force is removed from the mylar sticker 1620 and metal dome 1630, the metal dome 1630 can bounce back up and away from the top cover 1530. If connection is not achieved, the force can be reapplied to the mylar sticker 1620 and metal dome 1630. A top adhesive label can then be attached to the tracking tag 1600, as depicted in the example of FIG. 15F . In this regard, the top adhesive label can cover the mylar sticker and metal dome. In some examples, the top adhesive label can include a button icon or text to reveal the location of the dome, if desired.

[0064]

[0091] As mentioned above, the tracking tags described herein, such as any of the tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414, 500, 1100, 1100', 1500, and 1600, may include an activation mechanism for activating the tracking tag to complete a circuit (e.g., a beacon transmission circuit) including one or more batteries and a PCB for initiating the aforementioned beacon signal. In this regard, the activation mechanism described above may be exemplary only, and different activation mechanisms, such as the various activation mechanisms described in more detail below, may be used with any of the tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414, 500, 1100, 1100', 1500, and 1600. For example, the activation mechanism may include an initial open circuit until the tracking tag is activated or an initial closed circuit until the tracking tag is activated. In this regard, the initial closed circuit may require coordination with a hardware load switch with a disabling function or firmware detection for starting from a dormant state (e.g., long-term sleep).

[0065]

[0092] These various different activation mechanisms may be combined with different engagement mechanisms. For example, an activation mechanism may be used to activate the tracking tag, while an engagement mechanism of the circuit (e.g., beacon transmission circuit) may be used to maintain a connection within the circuit once the tracking tag is activated. For example, the engagement mechanism may include mechanical latching to physically maintain the circuit in an activated or on state, or circuit latching that uses additional electrical circuitry to maintain the circuit in an activated or on state.

[0066]

[0093] Exemplary engagement mechanisms may include mechanical latching mechanisms or physical latching switches. For example, mechanical latches may include mechanical latches including cam latches (which may include, for example, a rotating cam with a pin and a spring), draw latches, gate latches, ball spring mechanisms, leaf spring buttons, etc. The mechanical latching mechanism may induce an opposing force (e.g., closing or opening a switch) when the mechanical latching mechanism is activated. The switch may have a very simple design (e.g., a simple switch) that does not drain power before activation of the tracking tag. However, the options for low-profile switches for use with the tracking tags described herein may be limited.

[0067]

[0094] Another exemplary engagement mechanism may include an electrical latching mechanism. Exemplary electrical latching mechanisms may include, for example, a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) turn-on circuit (also known as a soft-power latching circuit), a relay or solid-state relay (SSR) circuit, an e-fuse or anti-fuse device, etc. The SCR circuit may include an anode, a cathode, and a gate arranged in various configurations to control the flow of load current. These configurations may allow for a "normally open circuit" design, which may not allow current flow through the circuit, including the battery(ies) and PCB, until activated. This may allow for more design flexibility but may incur a small power drain before activation and during operation of the tracking tag (i.e., additional power consumption while the beacon signal is being transmitted).

[0068]

[0095] Another exemplary engagement mechanism may include a normally closed circuit that may allow current flow through a circuit including the tracking tag's battery(ies) and PCB. In this regard, the normally closed circuit is activated by creating an open circuit that acts as a 0 Ω connection during operation of the tracking tag (i.e., after activation). For example, such an engagement mechanism may be used with the switch tab 740 described above. Such a configuration may allow for a very simple design, but likely requires a small current draw before activation of the tracking tag and no power draw after activation (because the normally closed circuit is now broken).

[0069]

[0096] An example activation mechanism may include a non-mechanical switch. A non-mechanical switch may include, for example, a thermal switch, which joins two dissimilar metals that change shape in response to a change in temperature and can be incorporated into an electrical circuit. For example, a thermal switch may include a bimetallic or two-phase (solid-liquid-solid) connection, such as a low-temperature solder that intentionally reflows to bridge a circuit. In this regard, a thermal switch may be manually activated by an end user applying heat to the tracking tag, or may be automatically activated from heat applied to the tracking tag during the label printing process itself, a focused laser light source, or another isolated heat source. A thermal switch may be combined with an engagement mechanism, such as an SCR with a normally open or normally closed circuit, and / or may involve a mechanical latching mechanism. However, a thermal switch may require a very limited temperature range for activation, may need to avoid premature activation from an external heat source, and may require further technological development for useful application in such instances.

[0070]

[0097] Other non-mechanical switches may include magnetic switches. For example, the magnetic switch may include a reed switch or a non-latching magnetic switch combined with an SCR. As an example, an SCR may remain “on” even if a mechanical shock returns the magnetic switch, remaining activated until the voltage drops below a threshold, such as in the case of a dead battery. Various configurations of reed switches may be used, including, for example, single-pole, single-throw (SPST) activated normally-open (NO) contacts, SPST activated normally-closed (NC) contacts, and single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) activated changeover or bistable contact configurations. Magnetic switches may be manually activated by an end user with a magnet (e.g., by moving a magnet near the magnetic switch) or automatically activated by moving a tracking tag through a magnetic field. 17A and 17B provide a simplified representation of a reed switch 1710 of a circuit 1700 (e.g., a beacon transmission circuit) including a PCB 1720 and one or more batteries 1730, which may be configured the same as or similar to the PCBs 710, 1110, 1110′, 1560 and one or more batteries 720, 1120 or coin cell 810, respectively, of tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414, 500, 1100, 1100′, 1500, 1600. Moving a magnet 1740 across the reed switch 1710 can move the reed switch from an open state shown in FIG. 17A to a closed state shown in FIG. 17B. In some examples, tracking tags with magnetic switches can be automatically activated by moving the tracking tag through a magnetic field after completion of a printing process, discussed below. Magnetic switches may be combined with an engagement mechanism, such as an SCR, having a normally open or normally closed circuit, and / or may involve a mechanical latching mechanism. Magnetic switches may provide simplified and reliable operation that may be activated manually or automatically. However, magnetic switches with glass shells may be prone to breakage, and the selection of magnetic switches small enough (e.g., 2 mm diameter or less) for use in the tracking tags described herein may be limited.

[0071]

[0098] Another exemplary activation mechanism may include a removable bridge. For example, a small conductive bridge may be used to short out an SCR or similar circuit until the tracking tag is activated. FIG. 18 provides an exemplary representation of a bridge 1810 disposed on a tracking tag 1800 (shown in partial view), which may be configured the same as or similar to tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414, 500, 1100, 1100′, 1500, and 1600. When the bridge is removed, the SCR or similar circuit may activate the tracking tag and begin transmitting the beacon signal described above. In such a configuration, the bridge may be held in place in a pre-activated state by a liner sheet, such as kraft paper or other paper, used to protect the double-sided adhesive prior to use of the tracking tag. In this regard, the liner sheet may be similar to liner sheets 1310, 1510, and 1640 described above. In this example, when the liner sheet is removed to expose the double-sided adhesive, the bridge adheres to the liner sheet and may also be removed, activating the tracking tag and beginning transmission of the beacon signal described above. The removable bridge may be combined with an engagement mechanism such as an SCR having a normally open or normally closed circuit. The removable bridge may be extremely thin, may be relatively inexpensive to manufacture or purchase, and may not require an additional step for the end user to activate the tracking tag. However, the removable bridge may require some power drain on the tracking tag before it can be activated and may also require significant engineering effort to ensure reliable operation.

[0072]

[0099] Another exemplary activation mechanism may include a pull tab. The pull tab may be used with mechanical latching or other natural latching designs. The pull tab may include a physical insulator that creates an open circuit between two conductors. Therefore, when the pull tab is removed from between the two conductors, the circuit may be closed. For example, FIGS. 19A and 19B provide a simplified exemplary representation of a pull tab 1910 in a circuit 1900 (e.g., a beacon transmission circuit shown in a partial view) that includes a PCB (not shown) and multiple batteries (not shown), which may be configured the same as or similar to the PCBs 710, 1110, 1110′, 1560 and one or more batteries 720, 1120 or coin cell battery 810 of the tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414, 500, 1100, 1100′, 1500, 1600, respectively. As shown in FIG. 19A , a pull tab 1910 is positioned between two circuit portions 1920, 1930 of the circuit 1900, and the circuit 1900 is still incomplete. Removing the pull tab 1910 allows the circuit portions 1920 and 1930 to engage with each other, thereby completing the circuit 1900, as shown in FIG. 19B . Such a configuration can also be used with additional latching mechanisms, such as an engagement mechanism that may involve magnetic latching, a spring force that may or may not be bonded with thermal grease (which can pose reliability concerns), or an SCR, where the pull tab is only momentarily activated and the additional latching mechanism maintains the connection. The pull tab can be combined with an engagement mechanism such as an SCR with a normally open or normally closed circuit. As an example, the individual portions 1312, 1412 of the liner sheets 1310, 1410 described above can function as pull tabs. Pull tabs can provide a simple, cost-effective design that does not consume power before activation. The pull tab may allow for manual activation of the tracking tag by the end user by simply pulling the tab, but in some instances the pull tab may be automatically removed during the printing process to limit end user interaction.

[0073]

[0100] Another exemplary activation mechanism may include a mechanical button. The mechanical button may include a small PCB or frame-mounted button (such as button 1610 described above) or a leaf spring bridge. As described above, a mechanical button such as button 1610 may be activated manually by an end user applying force to the button and / or passively by applying pressure during label attachment. In some examples, force may be applied to the button automatically during the label application process to eliminate end user interaction with the button. The mechanical button may be combined with an engagement mechanism such as an SCR having a normally open or normally closed circuit and / or may involve a mechanical latching mechanism. A mechanical button may offer a simple, cost-effective design with no power drain before activation. However, due to the physical distance (e.g., travel space) required to activate the button, mechanical buttons may offer limited options for achieving a small activation dimension to minimize the thickness of the tracking tag.

[0074]

[0101] Upon activation and initiation of transmission of said beacon signal, the tracking tags described herein may provide some assurance that they are active and transmitting said beacon signal. This may be achieved by including a very slow blinking LED, a buzzer, access to details from storage system 250 (which may, for example, provide an estimated battery life based on when the tracking tag was first registered and considered activated), or other visual changes (such as rotating or color-changing tags).

[0075]

[0102] As noted above, in addition to activating the tracking tag, top adhesive labels, such as top adhesive labels 510, 1350, and 1520, may need to be printed and affixed to various objects for tracking and / or other types of monitoring of those objects. Various techniques can be used for printing the top adhesive label, affixing the top adhesive label, registering the tracking tag, activating the tracking tag, and affixing the tracking tag to the object, or the “provisioning process.” During the registration portion of this provisioning process, information such as the tracking tag identifier, tracking number, and information about the object itself, such as manufacturing data (e.g., manufacturing date, serial number, etc.), may need to be registered with one or more server computing devices 108 so that information about the object can be tracked within storage system 250. To facilitate this, as indicated above, each tracking tag may be assigned a unique identifier by listening over BLE air, for example, using RFID, NFC, QR code, or other software interaction. Some of these methods are suitable for reading with commonly available equipment (e.g., QR code), while other methods may require more specialized equipment, which may increase costs.

[0076]

[0103] Preferably, the steps of the provisioning process are performed substantially simultaneously. In other words, the printing, affixing, registration, activation, and attachment steps occur generally simultaneously, e.g., in some organized order, although they may occur in a variety of different orders (e.g., activation may occur before or after the top adhesive label is affixed). The simplest, but most time-consuming and costly, provisioning process may involve a fully manual process as represented by the functional diagram of FIG. 20. In this example, the tracking tag may be placed in a card hopper 2010 in a roll or accordion-style (as shown). An end user may remove the tracking tag (e.g., from the card hopper 2010), place the adhesive label into a printer 2040 (e.g., a fully featured printing device or printer head), and enter the tracking tag's identifier into a tracking tag application using a client computing device 2020, which may correspond to one of the client computing devices 220, 230, 240. This may be accomplished by input device(s) 2030, which may include a camera, barcode scanner, QR code scanner, RFID reader, NFC reader, or other visual, mechanical, electronic, or RF input device. In this regard, input device 2030 may capture data from the tracking tag's QR code, barcode, RFID, NFC, etc. For example, the tracking tag may have a visual code printed on a frame, or may include a passive RFID or powerless NFC chip, etc., that can be read by the input device.

[0077]

[0104] The user may then assign or identify a unique identifier (e.g., a tracking number) for the object to which the tracking tag will be applied and associate ("pair") this unique identifier with the tracking tag identifier within the tracking tag application. This association may be stored, for example, by one or more server computing devices 108 in storage system 250, thereby registering the tracking tag.

[0078]

[0105] The printer 2040 can also communicate with the computing device 2020, allowing the computing device 2020 to provide information identifying the object's unique identifier and the tracking tag identifier to the printer. The printer 2040 can then be used to print an upper adhesive label (such as upper adhesive label 510, 1350, 1520). The printed upper adhesive label can thus include information identifying the tracking tag identifier and the associated unique identifier. A user can then apply the upper adhesive label to the tracking tag, activate the tracking tag, remove the liner sheet from the tracking tag (as in the examples above) to expose the double-sided adhesive, and apply the tracking tag to the object.

[0079]

[0106] This approach may also require the end user to confirm activation of the tracking tag. For example, this may include verifying that the tracking tag is operational (e.g., transmitting the aforementioned beacon signal) with sufficient battery life to ensure successful operation for the desired period of time. For example, the end user may look for a flashing light, buzzer, or use some other device to verify that the tracking tag is transmitting the aforementioned beacon signal. Additionally, if the end user is provisioning hundreds or even thousands of tracking tags per day, a manual approach may become infeasible and potentially prone to human error at each of the various steps.

[0080]

[0107] To reduce or even eliminate human involvement and streamline the provisioning process, some steps of the provisioning process may be automated using various systems. For example, FIG. 21A depicts a process for automating some of the steps of the provisioning process. In this example, tracking tags having pre-printed visual codes, such as QR codes or bar codes, may be arranged in a roll or accordion-style (as shown) on a single long, and in some cases periodically perforated, liner sheet within card hopper 2110. For example, FIG. 21B is an illustrative perspective view of tracking tag 2170, which may be configured the same as or similar to any of tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414, 1100, 1100′, 1500, or 1600 and includes a pre-printed QR code 2172. This pre-printing of the visual code may be part of the manufacturing process of the tracking tags, as discussed further below, and each visual code may be printed on a top adhesive label that is re-applied during the manufacturing process. Each visual code may have embedded therein a tracking tag identifier for the particular tracking tag on which the code is printed. The tracking tag may be pulled from the hopper and adjacent to the input device 2120 by one or more rollers 2112, 2114 or other device.

[0081]

[0108] The input device 2120 can read the pre-printed visual code and automatically scan the pre-printed visual code on the tracking tag to identify the tracking tag identifier. In this regard, similar to the input device 2030, the input device 2120 can include a camera, barcode scanner, QR code scanner, RFID reader, NFC reader, or other visual, mechanical, electronic, or RF input device. Thus, the input device 2120 can capture data from the tracking tag's QR code, barcode, RFID, NFC, etc. The input device can provide the identified tracking tag identifier to the computing device 2130, which can correspond to one of the client computing devices 220, 230, 240. A user can assign or identify a unique identifier (e.g., a tracking number) for the object to which each tracking tag is affixed and associate that unique identifier with the tracking tag identifier within the tracking tag application. This association can be stored, for example, in the storage system 250 by one or more server computing devices 108, thereby registering the tracking tag.

[0082]

[0109] After scanning by the input device 2120, one or more rollers 2112, 2114 or other device can feed the tracking tag into a printer 2140 (e.g., a fully featured printing device or printer head). The printer 2140 can also communicate with a computing device 2130, which enables the computing device 2130 to provide information identifying the object's unique identifier to the printer. The printer can then print information on the tracking tag, for example, away from a pre-printed QR code to prevent overwriting. The printer may also include a cutting device (not shown) for detaching the tracking tag. A user can then activate the tracking tag, remove the liner sheet from the tracking tag (as in the example above) to expose the double-sided adhesive, and apply the tracking tag to an object associated with the tracking tag's tracking tag identifier.

[0083]

[0110] This approach may reduce manual effort for the end user, but as noted above, the end user may still be required to confirm activation of the tracking tag. The end user may also need to manually affix the tracking tag to the object.

[0084]

[0111] FIG. 22A depicts another process for automating some of the steps in the provisioning process. In this example, tracking tags with pre-printed visual codes, such as the QR codes or barcodes described above, may be arranged in a roll or accordion configuration (as shown) on a single long, and in some cases periodically perforated, liner sheet within a card hopper 2210. The tracking tags may be pulled from the hopper and adjacent to a chip interface 2220 by one or more rollers 2212, 2214, or other devices. The chip interface 2220 may establish digital communication with the tracking tag, for example, via springs or other contacts that physically contact one or more electrical pads on the tracking tag's PCB, to identify the tracking tag identifier. In some examples, the chip interface may also allow the end user to perform more dynamic operations, such as detecting battery levels, automating activation confirmation, or writing cryptographic secret keys. The tracking tag identifier and any other information may be provided by a chip interface to a computing device (not shown or which may be incorporated into printer 2240), which automatically associates the tracking tag identifier with the object's unique identifier and stores this association in storage system 250. Alternatively, the computing device may provide the association to another computing device, such as one or more server computing devices 108 or client computing devices 220, 230, 240.

[0085]

[0112] Shortly thereafter, one or more rollers 2212, 2214 or other device may cause the tracking tag to be deposited into printer 2240. Printer 2140 may also include or be in communication with a computing device that provides the printer with information identifying the object's unique identifier. The printer may then print information on the tracking tag, for example, at a location separate from the pre-printed visual code to prevent overwriting.

[0086]

[0113] The tracking tag may be provided to an application device 2250 that applies the tracking tag to an object associated with the tracking tag's tracking tag identifier. In this regard, the application device 2250 or printer 2240 may also include a cutting device (not shown) for detaching the tracking tag. A user can then activate the tracking tag, remove the liner sheet from the tracking tag (as in the example above) to expose the double-sided adhesive, and apply the tracking tag to an object associated with the tracking tag's tracking tag identifier.

[0087]

[0114] In some examples, the application device 2250 may also activate the tracking tag, for example, by using any of the activation mechanisms described above that may enable automatic activation. This additional step may allow the end user to use a fully automated process and avoid having to activate the tracking tag and remove a portion of a long liner sheet from the tracking tag (as in the example described above) to expose the double-sided adhesive and apply the tracking tag to an object associated with the tracking tag's tracking tag identifier.

[0088]

[0115] This fully automated provisioning process can also be configured to automatically detect failures. For example, by using the chip interface to read the battery level from the tracking tag, a computing device can determine whether the tracker has sufficient battery life for use. If there is no response from the tracking tag, it can be considered inoperable (damaged or low battery). In this way, checking the battery level (and therefore remaining battery life) can be performed prior to activation by the end user. However, this configuration requires a system that can automatically generate and provide a unique identifier for the object (e.g., a tracking number).

[0089]

[0116] However, in some examples, the tracking tag may not include the pre-printed visual code described above. Figure 23 depicts a process for automating the provisioning process when the tracking tag does not include a pre-printed visual code. In this example, a roll of adhesive labels is drawn from a storage container 2310 into a printer 2340. The printer 2340 may also include or be in communication with a computing device that provides the printer with information identifying the object's unique identifier and the tracking tag identifier. The printer can then print the information onto the adhesive label.

[0090]

[0117] Additionally, the tracking tags may be arranged in a roll or accordion-style (as shown) on a single long, and in some cases periodically perforated, liner sheet within the card hopper 2312. The tracking tags may be pulled from the hopper and adjacent to the chip interface 2320 by one or more rollers 2314, 2316 or other devices. The chip interface 2320 may function the same as or similar to the chip interface 2220 described above.

[0091]

[0118] The tracking tag identifier may be provided to a computing device (not shown or which may be incorporated into printer 2340) that automatically associates the tracking tag identifier with the object's unique identifier and stores this association in storage system 250. Alternatively, the computing device may provide the association to another computing device, such as one or more server computing devices 108 or client computing devices 220, 230, 240. The printer may then print the information on an adhesive label as described above.

[0092]

[0119] The tracking tag may be provided to an application device 2350 that applies a printed top adhesive label to the tracking tag. In this regard, the application device 2350 or printer 2340 may also include a cutting device (not shown) for severing the adhesive label. A user can then activate the tracking tag, remove the liner sheet from the tracking tag (as in the example above) to expose the double-sided adhesive, and apply the tracking tag to an object associated with the tracking tag's tracking tag identifier.

[0093]

[0120] In some examples, the application device 2350 may also activate the tracking tag, for example, by using any of the activation mechanisms described above that may enable automatic activation. This additional step may allow the end user to use a fully automated process and avoid having to activate the tracking tag and remove a portion of a long liner sheet from the tracking tag (as in the example described above) to expose the double-sided adhesive and apply the tracking tag to an object associated with the tracking tag's tracking tag identifier.

[0094]

[0121] Similar to the example of FIG. 22, the fully automated provisioning process of FIG. 23 can also be configured to automatically detect failures. For example, by using the chip interface to read the battery level from the tracking tag, a computing device can determine whether the tracker has sufficient battery life for use. If there is no response from the tracking tag, the tracking tag can be deemed inoperable (damaged or low battery). In this manner, checking the battery level (and therefore remaining battery life) can be performed prior to activation by the end user. However, this configuration requires a system that can automatically generate and provide a unique identifier for the object (e.g., a tracking number).

[0095]

[0122] As mentioned above, tracking tags can be manufactured and provided to end users in rolls or accordion formats with pre-printed visual codes. Figures 24A and 24B depict rolls 2410, 2412 of tracking tags 2420, 2422. Roll 2410 shows tracking tags without pre-printed visual codes, while roll 2412 shows tracking tags with pre-printed visual codes. As mentioned above, the visual codes can embed individual tracking tag identifiers on the tracking tags on which the visual codes are printed.

[0096]

[0123] FIG. 25 is an exemplary exploded view of a tracking tag 2500. In this example, the tracking tag 2500 may correspond to any of the tracking tags 102, 104, 410, 414, or 2422. In this example, the tracking tag 2500 is disposed on a liner sheet 2510, which may be the same as or similar to any of the liner sheets described above. As in those examples, the liner sheet 2510 may protect a substrate and an adhesive of a wet inlay 2520, which may include the adhesives described above. This adhesive may therefore function similarly to the double-sided adhesives 540, 1340, and 1570 described above. The wet inlay 2520 may also be disposed under a substrate 2530, which may function similarly to the backing 730. 2530 may be a thin, flexible polycarbonate sheet or any other substrate suitable for electronics such as an RFID inlay (as shown in FIG. 25), a PCB (as in the PCB described above), or other such functions.

[0097]

[0124] Tracking tag 2500, like the tracking tags described above, may also include beacon transmission circuitry. In this example, the beacon transmission circuitry includes a thin-film battery 2540 (which may be the same as or similar to battery(s) 720), as well as an antenna 2542, an integrated chip 2544, and a capacitor 2546. These functions may be located on a substrate 2530.

[0098]

[0125] The beacon transmission circuitry may be at least partially disposed within frame 2550. In this example, frame 2550 may be formed from foam and thus may act as a gasket under top cover 2560. In this example, top cover 2560 may be the same as or similar to top cover 910. On top of top cover 2560 is top adhesive label 2570 having pre-printed visual code 2572 that corresponds to the pre-printed visual code described above.

[0099]

[0126] A variety of manufacturing processes can be used to manufacture the tracking tags described herein on rolls such as rolls 2410, 2412. For example, tracking tag 2500 can be manufactured by starting with a wet inlay 2520 having an antenna 2542 and circuit traces for a beacon transmission circuit, and a substrate 2530. An integrated chip 2544 and capacitor 2546 can then be attached to substrate 2530. This subassembly can then be placed on liner sheet 2510, for example, along with other subassemblies.

[0100]

[0127] A thin film battery 2540 may be placed on the subassembly and attached using conductive adhesive, staples, and / or other features. At this point, the battery can be tested, for example, by utilizing a flying probe test fixture that connects to pads on the inlay to verify the battery and chip and capacitor assembly, and any subassembly or battery that fails this test can be discarded.

[0101]

[0128] Frame 2550 can then be placed over thin film battery 2540, and top cover 2560 and top adhesive label 2570 can be applied. In some examples, the top adhesive label can be die-cut after being placed on the top cover. At this point, the tracking tags do not yet have visual codes printed on them, and thus correspond to tracking tags 2420 on roll 2410. Roll 2410 can be run through a printer to print visual codes on the tracking tags, thereby producing tracking tags 2422 on roll 2410.

[0102]

[0129] Alternatively, the tracking tag 2500 may be manufactured by starting with a wet inlay 2520 having an antenna 2542 and circuit traces for the beacon transmission circuitry and a substrate 2530. An integrated chip 2544 and capacitor 2546 and a thin film battery 2540 can then be attached to the substrate to form a subassembly. At this point the battery can be tested as described above, and any subassembly or battery that fails this test can be discarded.

[0103]

[0130] After testing, a frame 2550 can be attached to the subassembly, and the subassembly can be placed on a liner sheet 2510, for example, with other subassemblies. A top cover 2560 and a top adhesive label 2570 can then be applied. In some cases, the top adhesive label can be die-cut after being placed on the top cover. At this point, additional testing can be performed, for example, by having the tracking tag transmit one or more beacon signals, and any subassemblies that fail this testing can be discarded.

[0104]

[0131] Again, at this point the tracking tags do not yet have visual codes printed on them and therefore correspond to tracking tags 2420 on roll 2410. Roll 2410 can be run through a printer to print visual codes onto the tracking tags, thereby producing tracking tags 2422 on roll 2412.

[0105]

[0132] The features described herein can provide tracking tags with various advantages. Such tracking tags can have a thin profile while remaining flexible, thereby enabling their use on any number of different types of objects. In other words, the same tracking tag may be suitable for attachment to objects having various form factors without the need to modify the shape and configuration of the tracking tag, thereby simplifying object tracking. Additionally, the tracking tags described herein can be printed with information, which may include an identification number, tracking number, etc., convertible to a digital representation, and / or such information can be attached to a label. Unless otherwise specified, the foregoing alternatives are not mutually exclusive and may be implemented in various combinations to achieve unique advantages. Because these and other variations and combinations of the above-described features may be utilized without departing from the subject matter defined by the claims, the description of the foregoing embodiments should be construed as illustrative, rather than limiting, the subject matter defined by the claims. Additionally, the provision of examples described herein and terms such as "such as," "including," and the like, should not be construed as limiting the subject matter of the claims to any particular example; rather, the example is intended to illustrate only one of many possible embodiments. Furthermore, the same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

Claims

1. a tracking tag, a beacon transmission circuit including one or more batteries; a frame configured to hold the one or more batteries in place; an adhesive disposed to secure the tracking tag to an object; an activation mechanism configured to activate the tracking tag and cause the beacon transmission circuitry to transmit a beacon signal to enable tracking of the object; Includes tracking tags.

2. The tracking tag of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive label.

3. The tracking tag of claim 2 , wherein the adhesive label is a sheet of polyester or paper having an adhesive backing.

4. The tracking tag of claim 3 , wherein the adhesive backing is double-sided tape.

5. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises polycarbonate.

6. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the frame is a flexible frame that allows the tracking tag to be attached to an object having a curved surface.

7. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the beacon transmission circuit further comprises a printed circuit board.

8. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the beacon transmission circuit is disposed on a backing sheet.

9. The tracking tag of claim 8 , wherein the backing sheet is a polycarbonate sheet.

10. The tracking tag of claim 8 , wherein the backing sheet is an RFID inlay.

11. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the one or more batteries include a coin battery, a prismatic battery, a pouch battery, a thin film battery, or a screen-printed battery.

12. 10. The tracking tag of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a plurality of subframes, the plurality of subframes enabling the tracking tag to flex between subframes of the plurality of subframes.

13. 13. The tracking tag of claim 12, wherein a first subframe of the plurality of subframes is configured to support a first one of the one or more batteries, and a second subframe of the plurality of subframes is configured to support a second one of the one or more batteries.

14. The tracking tag of claim 13 , wherein a third subframe of the plurality of subframes is configured to support a printed circuit board of the beacon transmission circuit.

15. The tracking tag of claim 1 further comprising a top cover and a bottom cover for providing impact protection.

16. 16. The tracking tag of claim 15, wherein the top cover and the bottom cover comprise polycarbonate.

17. 10. The tracking tag of claim 1 having a thickness of less than 2.3 mm.

18. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is double-sided tape.

19. The tracking tag of claim 1 , further comprising a removable sheet placed over the adhesive to protect the adhesive before the tracking tag is applied to an object.

20. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a switch tab.

21. 10. The tracking tag of claim 1, wherein the activation mechanism includes a liner sheet including a portion that wraps around and partially through the tracking tag to prevent connection between the one or more batteries and another component of the beacon transmission circuit, and the liner sheet is configured to be removed from the tracking tag to activate the tracking tag.

22. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism further comprises a conductive adhesive for forming a bond between the one or more batteries and copper tape when the tracking tag is activated.

23. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a pull tab.

24. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a button configured to be pressed to activate the tracking tag.

25. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism includes an initial open circuit.

26. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism includes an initial closed circuit.

27. The tracking tag of claim 1 , further comprising a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit configured to maintain connection of the beacon transmission circuit when the tracking tag is activated.

28. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a thermal switch.

29. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a magnetic switch.

30. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a removable bridge.

31. The tracking tag of claim 1 , further comprising a light configured to flash when the tracking tag is activated.

32. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the frame is constructed from foam and functions as a gasket.

33. The tracking tag of claim 1 , wherein the beacon transmission circuitry further includes an antenna, an integrated chip, and a capacitor.

34. The tracking tag of claim 1 arranged on a roll with multiple tracking tags.

Images