# US 10,872,282 B2 · RFID systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,872,282 B2 - Document ID: US10872282B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/687,140 - Filed: 2017-08-25 - Published: 2017-12-28 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-06-09 - Assignees: Dominic M. Kotab - Applicants: Dominic Kotab - Inventors: Naresh Batra - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10872282B2 ## CPC - G06K 19/0704: {the battery being rechargeable, e.g. solar batteries} - G01M 5/00: Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings (G01M9/00 takes precedence) - G06K 19/07707: {the visual interface being a display, e.g. LCD or electronic ink} - G06K 19/07758: {arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag} - G08B 13/2462: {Asset location systems combined with EAS (inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00)} - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a housing configured for coupling to an object, control circuitry coupled to the housing, a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry, a secondary power source physically coupled to the first power source that generates energy from light for recharging the first power source, and a memory for storing information. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprising: a housing configured for coupling to an object; control circuitry coupled to the housing; a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry; a secondary power source physically coupled to the first power source that generates energy from light for recharging the first power source; a memory for storing information; a backscatter modulator; and one or more anti-collision protocol circuits; wherein the RFID tag is operational in a passive mode, such that the RFID tag is powered only by an incoming radio frequency (RF) signal, when the first power source is exhausted; wherein the housing is configured for coupling to a pallet; wherein access to portions of the information stored in the memory is selectively allowed or denied based on information received from an inquiring entity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein: the first power source is a capacitor, and the energy includes solar power. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the first power source includes at least one of a capacitor and a battery for providing power to the control circuitry. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the control circuitry draws power from the secondary power source when the secondary power source is generating electricity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The RFID tag as recited in claim 4, wherein the control circuitry remains in an active state when drawing power from the secondary power source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory stores information relating to an insurance policy associated with the object. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory stores information relating to a service history of the object. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The RFID tag as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory stores information relating to a payment account associated with the object. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for permanent coupling to the object. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for detachable coupling to the object. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, further comprising a display device, the display device displaying at least a portion of information stored in the memory. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the memory stores information including at least one of an identification number, a name of an owner of the object, and a registration number associated with the object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein: the memory stores information relating to a service history of the object; and the memory stores information relating to a payment account associated with the object. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the tag is configured such that the information includes user programmable information. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, further comprising: an antenna; a digital decoder to execute commands received from an interrogator; a power supply circuit to extract and regulate power from the interrogator; a detector to decode signals from the interrogator; and a transmitter. ### Claim 16 A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, comprising: a plurality of RFID tags, wherein each of the RFID tags include: a housing configured for coupling to an object, control circuitry coupled to the housing, a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry, a secondary power source physically coupled to the first power source that generates energy from light for recharging the first power source, a memory for storing information, a backscatter modulator; and one or more anti-collision protocol circuits; and an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags; wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags is operational in a passive mode, such that the RFID tag is powered only by an incoming RF signal, when the first power source is exhausted; wherein the housing is configured for coupling to a pallet; wherein access to portions of the information stored in the memory is selectively allowed or denied based on information received from an inquiring entity. ### Claim 17 A plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, each comprising: a housing configured for coupling to a pallet; control circuitry coupled to the housing; a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry; a secondary power source physically coupled to the first power source that generates energy from light for recharging the first power source; a memory for storing information; a backscatter modulator; and one or more anti-collision protocol circuits; wherein the RFID tag is operational in a passive mode, such that the RFID tag is powered by an incoming RF signal, when the first power source is exhausted; wherein access to portions of the information stored in the memory is selectively allowed or denied based on information received from an inquiring entity.