# US 11,310,637 B2 · Methods for producing security and tracking systems including energy harvesting components for providing autonomous electrical power > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,310,637 B2 - Document ID: US11310637B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/416,534 - Filed: 2017-01-26 - Published: 2018-07-26 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-26 - Assignees: Face International Corporation - Applicants: Face International Corporation - Inventors: Clark D Boyd; Bradbury R Face; Jeffrey D Shepard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11310637B2 ## CPC - H04W 4/38: for collecting sensor information - G02B 5/0242: {by means of dispersed particles} - G02B 5/0284: {used in reflection} - G02B 5/0289: {used as a transflector} - G02B 5/0294: {adapted to provide an additional optical effect, e.g. anti-reflection or filter} - G02B 5/206: {comprising particles embedded in a solid matrix} - G02B 5/26: Reflecting filters (G02B5/28 takes precedence) - G08C 17/02: using a radio link - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - H10F 19/80: Encapsulations or containers for integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, having photovoltaic cells - G08C 2201/11: Energy harvesting - H04Q 2209/40: using a wireless architecture - H04Q 2209/886: using energy harvesting, e.g. solar, wind or mechanical - Y02E 10/52: PV systems with concentrators - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - Y02E 70/30: Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A method is provided that integrates a unique set of structural features for concealing self-powered sensor and communication devices in aesthetically neutral, or camouflaged, packages that include energy harvesting systems that provide autonomous electrical power to sensors, data processing and wireless communication components in the portable, self-contained packages. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below. The layers uniquely implement optical light scattering techniques to make the layers appear opaque when observed from a light incident side, while allowing at least 50%, and as much as 80+%, of the energy impinging on the energy or incident side to pass through the layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for integrating an energy harvesting system in a self-powered sensor device, comprising: arranging an energy harvesting element in a body structure; arranging a sensor device in the body structure, the sensor device being powered by electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting element and configured to generate an output signal according to a sensed parameter measured by the sensor device; electrically connecting the sensor device and the energy harvesting element such that the sensor device and the energy harvesting element are in electrical communication; and arranging an energy transmissive layer over the energy harvesting element on a surface of the body structure, the energy transmissive layer having a body-facing side facing the surface of the body structure, and an energy-incident side opposite the body-facing side, the energy-incident side presenting a consistent opaque appearance when viewed from substantially any aspect, and the energy transmissive layer passing 50% or more of light energy impinging on the energy transmissive layer through the energy transmissive layer to activate the energy harvesting element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing an electrical energy storage device in the body structure; and electrically connecting the electrical energy storage device to the energy harvesting element, the electrical energy storage device being configured to store electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a first wireless communicating device in the body structure; electrically connecting the first wireless communicating device to the energy harvesting element; communicatively connecting the first wireless communicating device to the sensor device, the first wireless communicating device being configured to establish communication with at least one of (1) a second wireless communicating device of at least one second self-powered sensor device, and (2) a receiver unit of the second self-powered sensor device located remotely from the self-powered sensor device, the first wireless communicating device being configured to transmit first data communications based on the output signal of the sensor device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising: providing a geolocation device in the body structure, the geolocation device being configured to determine a location of the self-powered sensor device and to generate a location output signal; electrically connecting the geolocation device to the energy harvesting element; and communicatively connecting the geolocation device to the first wireless communicating device, the first wireless communicating device being configured to transmit second data communications based on the location output signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising: providing a processor in the body structure; electrically connecting the processor to the energy harvesting element; and communicatively connecting the processor to the sensor device and the first wireless communicating device, the processor being programmed to control operation of the sensor device and the first wireless communicating device; and convert the output signal of the sensor device to the first data communications for transmission by the first wireless communicating device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the energy transmissive layer of a material composition comprising a plurality of substantially-transparent particles and a substantially-transparent matrix material that fixes the plurality of substantially-transparent particles in a layer arrangement to form the energy transmissive layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising fixing the plurality of substantially-transparent particles in the matrix material in a manner that causes the energy-incident side to reflect substantially all of one or more selectable wavelengths of the impinging light energy in all directions on the energy-incident side to present the consistent opaque appearance. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising forming each of the plurality of substantially-transparent particles of: a spherical core formed of a first transparent dielectric material, the spherical core having a value of a physical diameter equal to a half wavelength of a first selected color of light component to be reflected by the substantially-transparent particle modified by a first refractive index of the first transparent dielectric material; a plurality of material layers disposed radially outwardly from the spherical core, each of the plurality of material layers being formed of at least a second transparent dielectric material, and having a value of a physical thickness equal to a quarter wavelength of at least a second selected color of light component to be reflected by the substantially-transparent particle modified by a second refractive index of the at least the second transparent dielectric material; and an outer coating comprised of another transparent dielectric material having a selected index of refraction of 2 or less, the outer coating having a thickness that substantially eliminates reflective interference between colors reflected by adjacent particles when in contact with one another. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising adjusting an index of refraction of the substantially transparent liquid matrix material to be a same index of refraction as the outer coating. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, the energy harvesting element comprising a photovoltaic element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, the photovoltaic element being a photovoltaic film (PVF) material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising applying the PVF material to one or more discrete portions of the surface of the body structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising applying a layer of adhesive to the one or more discrete portions of the surface of the body structure before applying the PVF material to the one or more discrete portions, the layer of adhesive affixing the PVF material to the surface of the body structure in the one or more discrete portions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, the arranging the energy transmissive layer over the energy harvesting element on the surface of the body structure comprising: delivering the material composition in a liquid form; and applying one of heat or light energy to fix the material composition to form the energy transmissive layer on the body structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, each of the substantially-transparent particles having a diameter in a range of 5 microns or less. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, each of the substantially-transparent particles having a diameter in a range of 1.0 to 3.0 microns. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, the delivering the material composition in a liquid form comprising: entraining the material composition in an air stream; and spraying the entrained material composition on the surface of the body structure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising separately entraining the plurality of substantially-transparent particles and the substantially-transparent matrix material in the air stream to form the material composition sprayed on the surface of the body structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging a substantially transparent protective coating over the energy transmissive layer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the energy transmissive layer being arranged to pass 80% or more of light energy impinging on the energy transmissive layer through the energy transmissive layer to activate the energy harvesting element.