Electronic tag including enable circuit and electronic apparatus

Abstract

An electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a wireless communication unit; a microcontroller unit that controls the wireless communication unit; an enable circuit that enables the microcontroller unit; and a battery that supplies power to the microcontroller unit and the enable circuit. When a voltage sensed via a voltage sensing terminal of the enable circuit is smaller than a prescribed value, an interrupt signal enabling the microcontroller unit is output via an interrupt terminal of the enable circuit.

Description

Electronic tags and electronic devices including enable circuits

[0001] Embodiments relate to an electronic tag including an enable circuit, and more particularly, to an electronic tag and an electronic device including an enable circuit capable of extending the battery life of a battery-operated electronic device.

[0002] In general, smart tags are a general term for devices that transmit information in real time by utilizing CPUs, wireless communication chips, location tracking sensors, and memory.

[0003] These smart tags communicate with the management device through a number of wireless communication points placed within the area, such as gateways, beacons, and other short-range communication terminals, thereby enabling access control, location and movement tracking, condition checks on the user, and simple mutually agreed-upon communication.

[0004] In general, the enable circuit of the aforementioned smart tag operates by transmitting an interrupt signal to the interrupt port of the microcomputer through pull-down and pull-up logic operations using an external button, sensor, etc., but there is a problem that it cannot be used in certain types, for example, in the physical cut structure of electronic devices.

[0005] In order to be used in the product's cutting structure, it is structured to perform an enable operation by determining whether a signal is input using the input and output ports of the microcontroller. However, this has the problem that it cannot operate in low power mode because it operates using the microcontroller's GPIO to detect interrupt signals in addition to the operating logic, and thus cannot minimize the product's current consumption.

[0006] [Prior art document number]

[0007] 1. Korean Patent Publication No. 2023-0138244

[0008] 2. Korean Patent No. 10-2506396

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure solve the problems of the prior art described above, and provide an electronic tag capable of extending the battery life of the electronic tag by providing a low-power enable circuit that can operate even in an electronic tag having a physical cut structure.

[0010] The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0011] An electronic tag according to one embodiment includes a wireless communication unit; a microcontroller unit controlling the wireless communication unit; an enable circuit enabling the microcontroller unit; and a battery supplying power to the microcontroller unit and the enable circuit.

[0012] When the voltage detected through the voltage detection terminal of the enable circuit is below a predetermined value, an interrupt signal for enabling the microcontroller unit is output through the interrupt terminal of the enable circuit.

[0013] The above electronic tag can have power supply to the enable circuit cut off through the power input terminal of the enable circuit after the interrupt signal is output.

[0014] The above electronic tag can be used to cut off the output of the interrupt signal and the power supply of the enable circuit by physical cutting.

[0015] The above electronic tag may be designed such that the second wire wiring to the voltage detection terminal is cut before the first wire wiring to the power input terminal by the physical cutting.

[0016] The electronic tag may be designed such that the first wire wiring from the battery to the power input terminal is longer than the second wire wiring from the battery to the voltage detection terminal.

[0017] The first wire wiring may be arranged on the first PCB layer and the second PCB layer, and the second wire wiring may be arranged on the first PCB layer.

[0018] The above microcontroller unit includes an interrupt terminal that receives the interrupt signal, and the microcontroller unit can set the interrupt terminal to floating after receiving the interrupt signal from the interrupt terminal.

[0019] The front surface of the electronic tag may include a cutting guide line for initiating use of the electronic tag.

[0020] The back of the electronic tag may include an adhesive tape that is attached to an object.

[0021] According to another embodiment, an electronic device includes a microcontroller unit; and an enable circuit for outputting an interrupt signal for enabling the microcontroller unit, wherein the enable circuit includes a power input terminal and a ground terminal connected to a battery, a voltage detection terminal for detecting a voltage between the battery and the enable circuit, and an interrupt terminal for outputting the interrupt signal to the microcontroller unit.

[0022] When the voltage detected through the voltage detection terminal is below a predetermined value, the interrupt signal is output through the interrupt terminal.

[0023] Electronic tags according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can extend battery life by providing a low-power enable circuit that can operate even in electronic tags having a physical cut structure.

[0024] The electronic tag or electronic device according to the embodiment is clearly distinguishable in appearance before and after use, and the enable circuit can be turned off after use to prevent additional leakage current.

[0025] Additionally, the system can detect and activate battery voltage drops during prolonged non-use of electronic tags or electronic devices. If using a rechargeable secondary battery, charging the battery is required, or if using a primary battery, disposal can be used to prevent malfunctions due to low voltage during product use.

[0026] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic tag according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figures 2a and 2b are exemplary diagrams of an enable circuit according to the prior art.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic tag including an enable circuit according to one embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the operation of an enable circuit according to another physical cut in one embodiment.

[0031] FIGS. 5A and 5B are exemplary drawings for explaining the PCB wiring structure of another electronic tag according to one embodiment.

[0032] The terms used in the examples are selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of the present invention. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined not simply based on their names, but based on their meanings and the overall content of the present invention.

[0033] When a part of the specification is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies the inclusion of other components, unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, terms such as "-unit" and "-module" used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0034] As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one" precedes an array of elements, it modifies the entire array of elements, not just each individual element. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0035] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above, or may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0036] In this embodiment, electronic tags or smart tags refer to devices that utilize communication technology for location tracking. They can be attached to not only smartphones, which are prone to being lost, but also non-communication-enabled items like keys and wallets, and even pets like cats and dogs, allowing for easy location tracking. Furthermore, electronic tags, RFID chips, and smart tags are widely used in factory automation, logistics, and other fields, including product tracking and history management.

[0037] The most representative communication technology used in smart tags is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). BLE is a Bluetooth technology that enables low-power, low-capacity data transmission and reception in the 2.4GHz frequency band with a range of approximately 10m. This technology allows location tracking even when offline, when the network is disconnected, if a smartphone or tablet PC is connected to the smart tag. Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is also considered a key technology. Smart tags using UWB can measure distances with centimeter-level accuracy even in wide areas, while consuming only one-tenth of the power of wireless LAN (Wi-Fi).

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic tag according to one embodiment.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic tag (100) is attached to an object and performs a function of tracking the object. The back of the electronic tag may include an adhesive tape (110) that is attached to the object. Here, the electronic tag (100) has been described as being attached to the object, but it is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that the electronic tag may be attached in various forms, for example, by a fastening structure. In an embodiment, the front of the electronic tag (100) may include a cutting guide line (120) for use or for initiation of use.

[0040] The electronic tag (100) illustrated in Fig. 1 is clearly distinguishable in appearance before and after use by the cutting method, and the power supply to the enable circuit included in the electronic tag (100) is cut off after use, thereby preventing additional leakage current. In addition, after use, i.e., when the cut portion of the electronic tag (100) is cut, the internal enable circuit is designed to enable the microprocessor unit while the battery power supply to the enable circuit itself is cut off, thereby extending the battery life of the electronic tag (100). The detailed operation of the electronic tag (100) will be described below with reference to Fig. 3.

[0041] Figures 2a and 2b are exemplary diagrams of an enable circuit according to the prior art.

[0042] Referring to Figure 2a, a typical pull-up or pull-down operation logic circuit is illustrated. This is a logic circuit that uses a predetermined button or sensor to change a high signal to a low signal at a microcomputer interrupt port, thereby enabling an electronic device through the signal change.

[0043] Referring to Figure 2b, a typical in-out motion detection logic circuit is illustrated. This detection circuit utilizes the signal input / output operation of a microcomputer. Although it operates the electronic device when an output signal is not input, it has the disadvantage of being impossible to implement in low-power mode.

[0044] In addition to the enable circuits described with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, there is a method of enabling using a wireless signal such as RFID or NFC, but this has the problem that it cannot be implemented in a standalone manner because it uses a separate RFID or NFC host device to wake up the product.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic tag including an enable circuit according to one embodiment.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic tag (100) includes a microprocessor unit (110), an enable circuit (120), and a battery (130). Although not shown in the drawing, it may include a wireless communication unit (not shown). The electronic tag (100) may perform functions such as location tracking and object management through the wireless communication unit under the control of the microprocessor unit (110). The wireless communication unit may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth module or an NFC module.

[0047]

[0048] *An electronic tag (100) including a Bluetooth module performs Bluetooth communication with a user terminal. The Bluetooth operation method can be broadly divided into the following two modes. Advertise Mode is a device that unilaterally sends a signal to all surrounding devices after power is supplied, and is a beacon-like device unrelated to communication, and operates only in the Advertising channel, i.e., channels 37, 38, and 39 in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Connection Mode is an operation method that requires a process of connection between devices after transmitting an Advertising packet. When a connection is made between devices, the Advertiser and Observer operate in a frequency hopping manner in a one-to-one operation.

[0049] An electronic tag (100) including an NFC module is a wireless communication module that enables two electronic devices to communicate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz at a distance of 10 cm. Here, the NFC module may be an NFC tag or an NFC chip. The NFC module is activated by the approach or touch of a user terminal that approaches within close range.

[0050] In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit may be a short-range wireless communication unit. Examples of the short-range wireless communication unit may further include, but are not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, an UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc., in addition to the above.

[0051] Additionally, the electronic tag (100) may include a GPS module, in which case the electronic tag (100) may be utilized in various tracking applications through GPS tracking.

[0052] The enable circuit (120) includes a voltage detection terminal (Vsense), a power input terminal (Vin), a ground terminal (GND), and an interrupt terminal (IRQ). The voltage detection terminal (Vsense) detects the voltage between the battery (130) and the enable circuit (120). The enable circuit (120) receives power from the battery (130) through the power input terminal (Vin). The enable circuit (120) outputs an interrupt signal to the microcontroller unit (110) through the interrupt terminal (IRQ), thereby enabling the microcontroller unit (110). Here, the meaning of the terminal should be understood as a connector interface that transmits and receives a physical electrical signal with the same meaning as the pin.

[0053] The enable circuit (120) operates by detecting a voltage change of the voltage detection terminal (Vsense). Here, the voltage change includes a case where the circuit wiring between the battery (130) and the enable circuit (120) is physically cut. In an embodiment, when the circuit wiring between the voltage detection terminal (Vsense) and the battery (130) is cut, the Vsense voltage decreases and when it reaches a preset Vsense voltage, an interrupt signal is output. For example, the enable circuit (120) can output an active low signal as an interrupt signal through an interrupt terminal (IRQ). Here, the interrupt signal can be output when the Vsense voltage becomes lower than a preset voltage or a predetermined threshold value. The enable circuit (120) can output an interrupt signal, i.e., an active low signal, through a comparator for comparing the detection voltage with the preset voltage. However, it goes without saying that this internal configuration can be implemented through various circuit configurations, not just comparators.

[0054] After the circuit wiring between the voltage detection terminal (Vsense) of the enable circuit (120) and the battery (130) is cut, the circuit wiring between the power input terminal (Vin) of the enable circuit (120) and the battery (130) is additionally cut. Here, by cutting the circuit wiring of the power input terminal (Vin), the power supplied to the enable circuit (120) is cut off, so that the enable circuit (120) enters a low power state or an off state. Therefore, by supplying the power of the battery (130) only to the microcontroller unit (110) and cutting off the power supplied to the enable circuit (120), the battery life can be extended.

[0055] In addition, the microcontroller unit (110) can block the occurrence of leakage current by setting the interrupt terminal (IRQ) of the microcontroller unit (110) to floating after it is enabled according to the interrupt signal input from the enable circuit (120). That is, by setting the interrupt terminal (IRQ) to the off state according to the control of the microcontroller unit (110), the occurrence of leakage current through the interrupt terminal (IRQ) can be blocked, thereby minimizing power consumption.

[0056] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the operation of an enable circuit according to another physical cut in one embodiment.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 4, it is explained that the circuit wiring between the voltage detection terminal (Vsense) and the power input terminal (Vin) of the battery (130) and the enable circuit (120) shown in FIG. 3 is physically cut.

[0058] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the physical cut structure requires that the Vsense line be shorted first, followed by the Vin line. To ensure this shorting sequence, the enable circuit (120) can generate an interrupt signal and output it to the microcontroller unit (110).

[0059] FIGS. 5A and 5B are exemplary drawings for explaining the PCB wiring structure of another electronic tag according to one embodiment.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the first circuit wiring (500) is a wiring that connects the battery (130) and the voltage detection terminal of the enable circuit (120), and the second circuit wiring (510) is a wiring that connects the battery (130) and the power input terminal of the enable circuit (120).

[0061] In the PCB layout of the electronic tag (100), the first circuit wiring (500) is placed only on the first PCB layer, and is placed on the outside in a form that surrounds the second circuit wiring (510). In addition, the second circuit wiring (510) is physically routed longer than the first circuit wiring (500), and is designed to be cut first and then the first circuit wiring (500) in terms of physical cutting structure or direction.

[0062] In the embodiment, Vin must maintain a higher voltage than Vsense at the moment of cutting. When designing the PCB, the wiring length of Vin must be longer than that of Vsense. Vin is wired long on the first and second layers of the PCB, and Vsense is wired on the first layer of the PCB. As described with reference to Fig. 4, Vin is located in the center in the cutting direction, and Vsense is located on the periphery, so it is structured to be short-circuited first during cutting.

[0063] In an embodiment, an enable circuit is provided for extending the battery life of an electronic device using a battery. An electronic tag including an enable circuit according to the embodiment can clearly distinguish between the electronic device before and after use by a cutting method, and the enable circuit can prevent additional leakage current by cutting off power supply after use. In addition, the enable circuit can be enabled by detecting a drop in battery voltage during long-term non-use. Furthermore, when a secondary battery is used, the battery can be charged, or when a primary battery is disposed of, to prevent non-operation due to a low voltage during product use.

[0064] The method for controlling an enable circuit according to one embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by a computer. Computer-readable media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Furthermore, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal, such as program modules, or other transport mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

[0065] The description of the above-described embodiments is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection for the invention should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the content described in the claims should be construed as being included within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0066] The present invention has industrial applicability in that it provides a low-power enable circuit that can operate even in an electronic tag having a physical cut structure, thereby extending the battery life of electronic tags used in various industrial fields.

Claims

1. Wireless Communication Department; A microcontroller unit controlling the above wireless communication unit; An enable circuit for enabling the above microcontroller unit; and A battery for supplying power to the above microcontroller unit and the above enable circuit is included. An electronic tag in which, when the voltage detected through the voltage detection terminal of the enable circuit is below a predetermined value, an interrupt signal for enabling the microcontroller unit is output through the interrupt terminal of the enable circuit.

2. In paragraph 1, An electronic tag in which power supply to the enable circuit through the power input terminal of the enable circuit is cut off after the interrupt signal is output.

3. In paragraph 2, An electronic tag, wherein the output of the interrupt signal and the cutoff of the power supply to the enable circuit are performed by physical cutting when the electronic tag is used.

4. In paragraph 3, An electronic tag, wherein the second wire wiring to the voltage detection terminal is designed to be cut before the first wire wiring to the power input terminal by the physical cutting.

5. In paragraph 2, An electronic tag, wherein the first wire wiring from the battery to the power input terminal is designed to be longer than the second wire wiring from the battery to the voltage detection terminal.

6. In paragraph 5, The above first wire wiring is arranged on the first PCB layer and the second PCB layer, An electronic tag, wherein the second wire wiring is arranged on the first PCB layer.

7. In paragraph 1, The above microcontroller unit, Includes an interrupt terminal for receiving the above interrupt signal, The above microcontroller unit, An electronic tag that sets the interrupt terminal to floating after receiving the interrupt signal from the interrupt terminal.

8. In paragraph 1, The front of the above electronic tag is, An electronic tag including a cutting guide line for initiating use of the electronic tag.

9. In paragraph 1, The back of the above electronic tag is: An electronic tag comprising an adhesive tape that is attached to an object.

10. Microcontroller unit; and It includes an enable circuit that outputs an interrupt signal that enables the above microcontroller unit, The above enable circuit is, It includes a power input terminal and a ground terminal connected to the battery, a voltage detection terminal for detecting the voltage between the battery and the enable circuit, and an interrupt terminal for outputting the interrupt signal to the microcontroller unit. An electronic device in which an interrupt signal is output through the interrupt terminal when the voltage detected through the voltage detection terminal is below a predetermined value.

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