US Patent 7068170 - RFID Paint
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7068170.pdf
RFID tags are basically tiny microchips used for identification similar to bar codes but using radio wave communication. The radio wave energy used to send and receive information from the tags are also used to power the tag and the tags include memory to assist in the identification. Usually the RFID tags are formed from microchips but there has been interest in the use of flexible substrates for the RFID tags to expand the areas of use. This patent from Boeing goes a step further and teaches embedding ultrasmall RFID tags (<0.25 square millimeters) in a liquid to be coated on a surface. In some empodiments, MEMS based temperature or pressure sensors are also included in the paint to achieve smart paint that may communicate diagnostic information. Independent claims 1, 11, and 21 read:
1. A method of identifying a product, comprising: introducing at least one radio frequency identification tag into a liquid being able to retain the tag when the liquid is applied to a surface; further comprising applying the liquid to coat the surface.
11. A mixture, comprising: a liquid; and a plurality of radio frequency identification tags in the liquid wherein the liquid being able to retain the tags when the liquid is applied to a surface.
21. An article of manufacture, comprising: a surface; a coating on the surface; and at least one radio frequency identification tag in the coating, the coating being able to retain the tag when the coating is a liquid and when the liquid is applied to the surface.
RFID tags are basically tiny microchips used for identification similar to bar codes but using radio wave communication. The radio wave energy used to send and receive information from the tags are also used to power the tag and the tags include memory to assist in the identification. Usually the RFID tags are formed from microchips but there has been interest in the use of flexible substrates for the RFID tags to expand the areas of use. This patent from Boeing goes a step further and teaches embedding ultrasmall RFID tags (<0.25 square millimeters) in a liquid to be coated on a surface. In some empodiments, MEMS based temperature or pressure sensors are also included in the paint to achieve smart paint that may communicate diagnostic information. Independent claims 1, 11, and 21 read:
1. A method of identifying a product, comprising: introducing at least one radio frequency identification tag into a liquid being able to retain the tag when the liquid is applied to a surface; further comprising applying the liquid to coat the surface.
11. A mixture, comprising: a liquid; and a plurality of radio frequency identification tags in the liquid wherein the liquid being able to retain the tags when the liquid is applied to a surface.
21. An article of manufacture, comprising: a surface; a coating on the surface; and at least one radio frequency identification tag in the coating, the coating being able to retain the tag when the coating is a liquid and when the liquid is applied to the surface.
posted by blaisemouttet at 10:55 PM
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