Radio Frequency Identification Transponder For Communicating Condition Of A Component

Abstract

There is provided a passive RFID transponder assembly that includes a condition responsive device adapted to read a condition relating to the component that is associated with the RFID transponder assembly. The condition that is read by the condition responsive device relates to physical contact with a field technician or a mating component, relates to electrical connection between an integrated circuit chip and an antenna, relates to one or more environmental conditions, or the like. The components with which the RFID transponder assemblies are associated include components of telecommunications equipment, such as fiber optic connectors, fiber optic adapters, fiber optic patch panels, copper connectors, and copper adapters to list some non-limiting examples.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder assembly associated with a component, the passive RFID transponder assembly comprising:
 an integrated circuit chip;   an antenna adapted for electrical connection with the integrated circuit chip; and   at least one condition responsive device electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the integrated circuit chip is adapted to read a condition relating to the component detected by the at least one condition responsive device;   
       wherein the passive RFID transponder assembly is configured to communicate a radio-frequency (RF) signal including the condition relating to the component to an RFID reader whenever the condition is requested by the RFID reader and regardless of the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device. 
     
     
         2 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device relates to an operational condition relating to the component. 
     
     
         3 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the operational condition is comprised from the group consisting of a connection status of the component, a performance of the component, an impedance of the component, a contact closure of the component, and a touching of the component by a technician. 
     
     
         4 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device relates to a sensed attribute relating to the component. 
     
     
         5 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device relates to electrical connection of the integrated circuit chip with the antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device relates to an environmental condition relating to the component, wherein the environmental condition comprises at least one of the group of temperature, pressure, humidity, and light exposure. 
     
     
         7 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one condition responsive device is physically included within the integrated circuit chip. 
     
     
         8 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a fiber optic connector and wherein the integrated circuit chip is associated with the fiber optic connector. 
     
     
         9 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the antenna of the passive RFID transponder assembly is associated within a mating component of communications equipment, such that an electrical contact between the integrated circuit chip and the antenna defines the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device. 
     
     
         10 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the passive RFID transponder assembly is associated with a fiber optic connector. 
     
     
         11 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the integrated circuit chip and the antenna is associated with at least one component of communications equipment from the group consisting of: a fiber optic connector, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic patch panel, and a fiber optic equipment rack. 
     
     
         12 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the integrated circuit chip and the antenna is associated with at least one component of communications equipment from the group consisting of: a copper connector, a copper adapter, and a copper cable. 
     
     
         13 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit chip is powered by an external power source. 
     
     
         14 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the transponder assembly is further configured to selectively communicate identification information along with the condition relating to the component. 
     
     
         15 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one condition responsive device comprises a variable impedance element, wherein the at least one condition responsive device varies an impedance by changing at least one of the group of the resistance, inductance, and capacitance of the at least one condition responsive device. 
     
     
         16 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit chip is associated with at least one component from the group consisting of: a fiber optic connector, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic patch panel, and a fiber optic equipment rack. 
     
     
         17 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the passive RFID transponder assembly is associated with at least one component from the group consisting of: a fiber optic connector, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic patch panel, and a fiber optic equipment rack. 
     
     
         18 . A passive RFID transponder assembly associated with a component of communications equipment, the passive RFID transponder assembly comprising:
 an integrated circuit chip;   an antenna adapted for electrical connection with the integrated circuit chip; and   at least one condition responsive device in selective electrical connection with the integrated circuit chip, wherein the integrated circuit chip is adapted to read a condition relating to the component of communications equipment detected by the at least one condition responsive device;   wherein the passive RFID transponder assembly is configured to communicate a radio-frequency (RF) signal including the condition relating to the component of communications equipment to an RFID reader whenever the condition is requested by the RFID reader and when the at least one condition responsive device is in electrical contact with the integrated circuit chip, regardless of the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device.   
     
     
         19 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 18 , further comprising a switch adapted for selective physical contact to selectively adjust a capacitance of the at least one condition responsive device. 
     
     
         20 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device relates to electrical connection of the integrated circuit chip with the antenna. 
     
     
         21 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the integrated circuit chip defines an identity and wherein the RFID transponder assembly is configured to selectively communicate the identity of the integrated circuit chip. 
     
     
         22 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device relates to an environmental condition relating to the component, wherein the environmental condition comprises at least one of the group of temperature, pressure, humidity, and light exposure. 
     
     
         23 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the integrated circuit chip is powered by an external power source. 
     
     
         24 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the transponder assembly is further configured to selectively communicate identification information along with the condition relating to the component. 
     
     
         25 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one condition responsive device comprises a variable impedance element, wherein the at least one condition responsive device varies an impedance by changing at least one of the group of the resistance, inductance, and capacitance of the at least one condition responsive device. 
     
     
         26 . A passive RFID transponder assembly associated with a component comprising:
 an integrated circuit chip;   an antenna adapted for electrical connection with the integrated circuit chip; and   at least one condition responsive device in selective electrical connection with the integrated circuit chip, wherein the integrated circuit chip is adapted to read a condition relating to a component detected by the at least one condition responsive device;   wherein the condition detected by the at least one condition responsive device comprises actuation of the at least one condition responsive device by a fitted component.   
     
     
         27 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one condition responsive device comprises a push button switch adapted for selective physical contact by a technician to selectively electrically disconnect the antenna from the integrated circuit chip. 
     
     
         28 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one condition responsive device comprises a variable impedance element in series with the antenna. 
     
     
         29 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one condition responsive device comprises a variable impedance element parallel with the antenna. 
     
     
         30 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one condition responsive device comprises a variable impedance element, wherein the at least one condition responsive device varies the impedance by changing at least one of the group of the resistance, inductance, and capacitance of the at least one condition responsive device. 
     
     
         31 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the integrated circuit chip and the antenna is associated with at least one component from the group consisting of: a fiber optic connector, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic patch panel, and a fiber optic equipment rack. 
     
     
         32 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the integrated circuit chip and the antenna is associated with at least one component from the group consisting of: a copper connector, a copper adapter, and a copper adapter, and a copper cable. 
     
     
         33 . The passive RFID transponder assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one condition responsive device comprises a variable impedance element either in series or parallel with the antenna. 
     
     
         34 . The passive RFID transponder assembly of  claim 26  configured to communicate a radio-frequency (RF) signal including the condition relating to the fitted component to an RFID reader whenever the condition is requested by the RFID reader.