Apparatus and Method for Providing Product Information

Abstract

A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, an analog to digital converter, a passive radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The analog to digital converter is adapted to convert an analog output of the sensor to a digital value. The analog to digital converter includes input and output terminals. The input terminals of the analog to digital converter are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The passive radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the analog to digital converter. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor system comprising a tag, the tag comprising:
 a. at least one sensor adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor, the sensor having output terminals;   b. an analog to digital converter adapted to convert the analog output of the sensor to a digital value, the analog to digital converter having input and output terminals, the input terminals of the analog to digital converter being disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor;   c. a radio-frequency chip comprising a memory element, input terminals and output terminals, the input terminals disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the analog to digital converter;   d. a first antenna disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  further comprising: an interrogator comprising a power source and a second antenna adapted to generate electromagnetic radiation comprising a resonant frequency of the first antenna, and a receiver adapted to detect electromagnetic radiation and de-modulate the detected radiation extracting embedded data from the detected radiation. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor system according to  claim 2  wherein the interrogator further comprises: an analysis element adapted to interpret the extracted embedded data, and a display element adapted to display the results of the interpretation. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor system according to  claim 2  wherein the interrogator further comprises a sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor system according to  claim 2  wherein the interrogator further comprises a network communications link. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of: chemical sensors, electrical sensors, biological sensors, mechanical sensors, physical sensors and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  wherein the first antenna comprises an omni-directional antenna. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  further comprising a product wherein the tag comprises part of the product. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  wherein the product comprises a disposable absorbent article. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  wherein the product comprises a portable power source. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  wherein the product comprises a package containing a consumable good. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor system according to  claim 8  further comprising electrical shielding disposed between the antenna and product. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor system according to  claim 12  wherein the shielding comprises part of the tag. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  wherein the antenna comprises a coil. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor system according to  claim 1  wherein the antenna comprises a dipole. 
     
     
         16 . A method of determining product information, the method comprising steps of:
 a. providing a product comprising a tag, the tag comprising: at least one sensor adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor, the sensor having output terminals; an analog to digital converter adapted to convert the analog output of the sensor to a digital value, the analog to digital converter having input and output terminals, the input terminals of the analog to digital converter being disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor; a radio-frequency chip comprising a memory element, input terminals and output terminals, the input terminals disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the analog to digital converter; a first antenna disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip;   b. providing an interrogator adapted to detect radiation associated with the data of the tag;   c. interrogating the state of the tag;   d. interpreting the state of the tag;   e. providing an output associated with the interpreted state of the tag.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the step of providing an interrogator further comprises providing an interrogator comprising a network communications link, the method further comprising a step of sharing the interpreted state of the tag over a network. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of sharing data from the interrogator sensor over the network. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of purchasing a unit of the product using the network. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the step of providing an output associated with the interpreted state of the tag comprises displaying a result associated with the interpreted state of the tag.