Passive RFID Temperature Patch for Remote Crowd Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature monitoring systems for public safety and health require close proximity to individuals, are time-consuming, and are inefficient for large crowds due to interference from high water content and metallic surfaces, which limits their practicality in detecting abnormal temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A passive temperature sensor patch using an ultra-high frequency RFID chip and dipole antenna designed to function optimally on biological materials without a ground plane or power source, allowing direct contact with skin and enabling continuous, remote temperature monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional temperature monitoring devices are used, then temperature readings can be obtained, but they require close proximity or contact between the tester and the person being tested, which is time-consuming and inefficient for large crowds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based temperature measurement with a wireless RFID system. The temperature sensor patch communicates temperature data wirelessly through RF signals, eliminating the need for physical contact between the tester and the person being tested. This substitution enables remote, non-contact temperature monitoring that can be performed quickly and efficiently on large crowds.
2Speed
If UHF RFID technology is used for temperature sensing, then signals can travel farther and carry more information, but the signals lose power and get dispersed in materials with high water content or metallic surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized antenna design as an intermediary between the UHF RFID signal and the lossy medium (skin or metallic surfaces). The antenna is specifically engineered to minimize signal loss and de-tuning effects when placed on or near these surfaces, allowing the signal to maintain sufficient power and travel distance while accurately sensing temperature through or near the interfering medium.
3Ease of operation
If RFID tags include antennas mounted on surfaces, then the antenna can be positioned for signal transmission, but the antenna becomes de-tuned when applied to metallic surfaces or objects with high water content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the antenna's physical and electrical parameters specifically for operation on or near lossy surfaces. The antenna design includes adjusted dimensions, impedance matching, and geometric configuration that compensate for the de-tuning effects of metallic surfaces and high water content materials. These parameter changes enable the antenna to maintain reliable performance and signal transmission when positioned on surfaces that would normally degrade antenna function.
4Reliability
If a ground plate is added to isolate the antenna from the surface, then interference between the material and antenna is reduced, but the antenna size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film or flexible substrate as the antenna mounting surface, which provides sufficient isolation from the underlying material without requiring a large ground plate. This thin film approach maintains signal isolation and reduces interference while keeping the antenna compact and suitable for portable or wearable temperature monitoring applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, continuous, and accurate temperature monitoring of multiple individuals without the need for batteries or ground planes, improving public safety and health by quickly detecting abnormal temperatures in large crowds.
Implementation Method 1
a dipole antenna... configured to transmit a signal through the air
Implementation Method 2
the layer of base material being configured to permit a signal transfer between the sensor circuit and a surrounding environment
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for remotely and, optionally, continuously, reading a temperature of an object, such as a human. In one embodiment, a temperature sensor patch comprises: a sensor circuit, the sensor circuit including: a radiofrequency identification (RFID) chip; and an antenna; and a layer of base material, the sensor circuit being in the layer of material and the layer of base material being configured to permit a signal transfer between the sensor circuit and a surrounding environment.