Multi-mode energy harvester

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0010] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an exemplary system including a multi-mode energy harvesting device, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] 1A-1C are pictorial diagrams of various environments in which exemplary systems are deployed, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram of an exemplary network, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of the example network of FIG. 2 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-mode energy harvesting device according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a side view of a multi-mode energy harvesting device, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] FIG. 10 is another side view of a multi-mode energy harvesting device, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0020] Memory 116 stores information accessible by one or more processors 114, including data 117 and instructions 118 that can be executed or otherwise used by the processor(s) 114. Memory 116 may be any type of memory capable of storing information accessible by the processor(s), including computing device-readable media or other media that store data that can be read using an electronic device, such as 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 foregoing, whereby different portions of the instructions and data are stored on different types of media.

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

[0022] The instructions 118 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 this regard, the terms "instructions" and "program" may be used interchangeably herein. The instructions may be stored in object code format for direct processing by a processor, or in any other computing device language, including a 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] 2 and 3 are pictorial and functional diagrams, respectively, of an exemplary system 200 that includes multiple computing devices 210, 220, 230, 240 and a storage system 250 connected via a network 260. System 200 also includes passive tags 104a, 104b and a reader 106. For simplicity, only a few tags and computing devices are shown, although a typical system may include many more.

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

[0025] 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 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 user 222, 232, 242 and may include all of the components typically associated with a personal computing device, including one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU)), memory for storing data and instructions (e.g., RAM and an internal hard drive), a display 224, 234, 244 (e.g., a monitor with a screen, touchscreen, projector, television, or other device operable to display information), and user input devices 226, 236, 246 (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, or microphone). The client computing devices may also include speakers, a network interface device, and all of the components used to connect these elements to each other.

[0026] 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 a wireless-enabled PDA, tablet PC, wearable computing device or system, or netbook capable of obtaining information over the Internet or other network. In another example, client computing device 230 may be a wearable computing system, shown as a wristwatch in FIG. 2. As one example, a user may input information using a miniature keyboard, keypad, microphone, visual signals using a camera, or a touchscreen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. The energy harvesting tape according to claim 1 , wherein the high frequency power generating layer includes an antenna.

8. The energy harvesting tape according to claim 7 , further comprising: a first electrode pair between the high frequency power generating layer and an energy storage device; and a second electrode pair between the high frequency power generating layer and the antenna.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. The manufacturing method described in claim 18, wherein constructing one or more layers configured to capture mechanical energy or high-frequency energy further comprises attaching one or more processing units onto a first layer of the one or more layers.

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

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