Low cost container condition monitor
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsAmos Cahan, Guy M. Cohen, Lior Horesh, Raya Horesh
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Abstract
Low-cost techniques for sensing ambient temperatures in a container or package using phase change materials are provided. In one aspect, a temperature sensor is provided. The temperature sensor includes: at least one phase change material configured to transition from an amorphous state to a crystalline state upon exposure to temperatures above a predetermined threshold temperature for a given duration. A method of monitoring temperature exposure of a consumer good using the temperature sensor is also provided.
Claims20
A temperature sensor, comprising:
- at least one phase change material configured to transition from an amorphous state to a crystalline state upon exposure to temperatures above a predetermined threshold temperature for a given duration;
- and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit comprising a frequency shifter circuit in which the at least one phase change material is present.
A method of monitoring temperature exposure of a consumer good, the method comprising:
- placing a temperature sensor on the consumer good, or in or on a same container as the consumer good, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least one phase change material configured to transition from an amorphous state to a crystalline state upon exposure to temperatures above a predetermined threshold temperature for a given duration, and an RFID circuit comprising a frequency shifter circuit in which the at least one phase change material is present;
- and reading the temperature sensor to determine a state of the at least one phase change material by reading the temperature sensor electrically based on output from the RFID circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.