System and method for directing a small scale object to generate a sensory output to a user powered by rf energy harvesting

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for directing an object generating a sensory output to a user through wireless means. The object does not have an embedded battery but derives power from radio frequency electromagnetic wave energy through the use of an RF energy harvesting module. Once selectively activated, the object provides an output to its user. Such output can be utilized in a variety of entertaining, useful or productive means.

1 . A system for directing an object comprising no battery to generate a sensory output to a user, comprising:
 an object comprising
 an RFID tag comprising a first RF antenna and an unique identification code (UID) of the object, 
 a micro-computer unit (MCU), 
 a sensory device connected to the MCU, 
 a second RF antenna, 
 an RF energy harvesting module connected to the second RF antenna; 
   a processor configured to send an instruction embedded with a target UID to the first RF antenna of the object via wireless means;   wherein the RF energy harvesting module is configured to provide electric power to the MCU and the sensory device; and   upon the first RF antenna receiving the instruction embedded with the target UID, the RFID tag is configured to active the MCU if the target UID matches the UID of the object, and upon being activated, the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to generate a sensory output in accordance with the instruction.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a central RF antenna operatively linked to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to send the instruction to the first antenna of the object through RF communication between the central RF antenna and the first RF antenna. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory device is operable with an electric power input less than 100 milli-watt, and is selected from a group consisting of a visual device, an audio device, a vibrator, and a display device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the object is selected from a group consisting of a chip, a button, a token, a tag, a label, a card, a figurine, and a block. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to send the instruction to the object from a remote location. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to generate a sensory output at a predetermined time according to the instruction. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to generate a sensory output based on a logical sequence according to the instruction. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to generate a sensory output when the object is at a predetermined location according to the instruction. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is operatively linked to a computer program configured to generate the instruction embedded with the target UID. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag further comprises a microcontroller for activating the MCU, and a writable data storage device for storing the UID of the object and the instruction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the RF energy harvesting module is configured to harvest RF energy emitted from the central RF antenna. 
     
     
         12 . A method for directing an object comprising no battery to generate a sensory output to a user, the object comprising an RFID tag comprising a first RF antenna and an unique identification code (UID) of the object, a micro-computer unit (MCU), a sensory device connected to the MCU, a second RF antenna, an RF energy harvesting module connected to the second RF antenna, the method comprising:
 generating an instruction comprising a target UID;   receiving the instruction by the first antenna;   harvesting RF energy by the second RF antenna;   converting the RF energy into electric power by the RF energy harvesting module;   providing electric power to the MCU and the sensory device by the RF energy harvesting module;   if the target UID matches with the UID of the object, the RFID tag activating the MCU; and   the MCU directing the sensory device to generate a sensory output in accordance with the instruction.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising sending the instruction to the first antenna of the object through RF communication between the first RF antenna and a central RF antenna operatively linked to a processor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sensory device is operable with an electric power input less than 100 milli-watt, and is selected from a group consisting of a visual device, an audio device, a vibrator, and a display device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the object is selected from a group consisting of a chip, a button, a token, a tag, a label, a card, a figurine, and a block. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising sending the instruction to the object from a remote location. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising directing the sensory device to generate a sensory output at a predetermined time according to the instruction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising directing the sensory device to generate a sensory output based on a logical sequence according to the instruction. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising directing the sensory device to generate a sensory output when the object is at a predetermined location according to the instruction. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising generating the instruction comprising the target UID by a computer program operatively linked to the processor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the RFID tag further comprises a microcontroller for activating the MCU, and a writable data storage device for storing the UID of the object and the instruction. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising harvesting RF energy emitted from the central RF antenna by the second antenna.