Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to a releasable security tag including: a locking mechanism with a release for attaching the tag to an article of merchandise; an EAS resonant circuit or an RFID circuit for responding to a first RF signal at a predetermined frequency corresponding to the resonant circuit or to the RFID circuit; an ambient RF energy harvesting circuit; a release signal detection circuit coupled to and powered by the ambient RF energy harvesting circuit and an electro-mechanical actuator electrically coupled to the release signal detection circuit. The electro-mechanical actuator releases the locking mechanism whenever the release signal detection circuit receives a release signal.

<CIT> relates to systems and methods for operating an Electronic Smart Tag "EST". The methods involve: operating the EST in a first operational state in which first item related information is output from an electronic output device of the EST that is powered by an energy storage device storing energy harvested from an external energy source; detecting when a charge level of the energy storage device reaches or falls below a first threshold level; and transitioning an operational state of the EST from the first operational state to a second operation state in which a message is output from EST requesting that a mobile device be placed in proximity to the EST for purposes of obtaining at least a first portion of the first item related information, in response to the detection that the charge level of the energy storage device has reached or fallen below the first threshold level.

In an embodiment, a method of communicating information from an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chip is disclosed. The method comprises receiving energy from a first ambient electromagnetic field by an AEPH chip, wherein the first ambient electromagnetic field provides a first level of power and, based on energy received from the first ambient electromagnetic field, transmitting an identity by a radio transceiver of the AEPH. The method further comprises receiving energy from a second ambient electromagnetic field by the AEPH chip, wherein the second ambient electromagnetic field provides a second level of power that is greater than the first level of power and greater than a predefined level of power and, based on energy received from the second ambient electromagnetic field, executing logic in a trusted security zone of a processor of the AEPH chip, wherein the trusted security zone of the processor was depowered when receiving energy only from the first ambient electromagnetic field. The method further comprises establishing a trusted wireless link by the trusted security zone of the AEPH chip processor with a scanner, reading information from a trusted security zone of a non-transitory memory of the AEPH chip by the trusted security zone of the AEPH chip processor, and transmitting the information read from the trusted security zone of the non-transitory memory of the AEPH chip via the trusted wireless link to the scanner.

We also describe a method of communicating information from an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chip comprising receiving energy from a first ambient electromagnetic field by an AEPH chip, wherein the first ambient electromagnetic field provides a first level of power and, based on energy received from the first ambient electromagnetic field, performing a first tier of processing by a processor of the AEPH chip. The method further comprises receiving energy from a second ambient electromagnetic field by the AEPH chip, wherein the second ambient electromagnetic field provides a second level of power that is greater than the first level of power, determining by the processor that the second level of power is above a predefined threshold, and, based on determining that the energy received from the second ambient electromagnetic field is above the predefined threshold, performing a second tier of processing by the processor, wherein the second tier of processing comprises writing information by the processor into a non-transitory memory.

We further describe a method of communicating information from an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chip comprising receiving energy from a first ambient electromagnetic field by an AEPH chip, wherein the first ambient electromagnetic field provides a first level of power, based on energy received from the first ambient electromagnetic field, performing a first tier of processing by a processor of the AEPH chip, and receiving energy from a second ambient electromagnetic field by the AEPH chip, wherein the second ambient electromagnetic field is provided by a scanner and provides a second level of power that is greater than the first level of power. The method further comprises determining the second level of power by the processor and determining by the processor that the second level of power is above a predefined threshold. The method further comprises, in response to determining the second level of power is above the predefined threshold, initiating a communication initiation session with the scanner by the processor to adapt radio link parameters between the AEPH chip and the scanner based at least in part on the determined second level of power, configuring a radio transceiver of the AEPH chip by the processor with radio link parameters established during the communication initiation session, and communicating with the scanner by the processor via the radio transceiver of the AEPH.

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more examples and embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

The present disclosure teaches a system and method for adapting the function of an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting chip (AEPH) chip based on available power level. Like an RFID chip, the AEPH chip taught herein harvests ambient electromagnetic power to enable it to operate. A conventional RFID chip operates by broadcasting its unique identity and possibly additional statically defined information. Unlike the conventional RFID chip, the AEPH chip taught herein provides power management to perform different operations when exposed to different levels of available ambient electromagnetic power.

When exposed to a first ambient electromagnetic field of relatively low-intensity, the AEPH chip may perform simple operations, such as broadcasting its unique identity and possibly additional statically defined information. When exposed to a second ambient electromagnetic field of moderate-intensity or high-intensity (e.g., electromagnetic intensity above a predefined threshold), however, the AEPH chip taught herein enables different operation modes unavailable at lower power levels. In some contexts, the ambient electromagnetic fields may be referred to as ambient electromagnetic power fields. The higher available power is leveraged by the AEPH chip to supply higher complexity operations which consume higher levels of power and hence may not be feasible when only a relatively lower power level is available. For example, the AEPH chip can write information to memory that would otherwise consume more power than can be harvested from an ambient electromagnetic power field of low intensity. The AEPH chip may write and refresh dynamic random access memory (DRAM) within the AEPH chip that consumes electrical energy at a relatively high rate. The AEPH chip may transition to execution in a trusted security zone of a processor and/or a memory of the AEPH chip. In an embodiment, the transition to execution in the trusted security zone is contingent on completing an authentication handshake with a scanner device. Trusted security zones may be conceptualized as hardware assisted security. When a processor executes a trusted application or portion of an application (e.g., a trustlet) in a trusted security zone, other applications are halted, whereby to avoid the opportunity for these other applications observing data traffic associated with the trusted execution and reading memory in use by the trusted application or trustlet.

In an example, the AEPH chip may negotiate radio communication parameters with a scanner device that is providing the moderate-intensity or high- intensity ambient electromagnetic field when operating in the second mode of operation, for example selecting a frequency band, selecting a data throughput rate, and/or defining an antenna beam width and beam direction. The AEPH chip may then engage in wireless communication with the scanner device with its radio transceiver configured with the negotiated radio communication parameters. The AEPH chip, when exposed to the moderate-intensity or high-intensity ambient electromagnetic field provided by the scanner, can assess the available level of power and adapt a radio transceiver of the AEPH chip to use a preferred frequency band for communication with the scanner based on the assessment.

For example, the scanner can prompt the AEPH chip to measure a signal strength received by the AEPH chip and inform the scanner of the measured signal strength. The scanner can infer the distance between the AEPH chip and itself (or alternatively infer the RF environment) based on the measured signal strength. This could involve not simply measuring signal strength, but also measuring a bandwidth of a channel between the AEPH chip and the scanner. For example, the scanner might transmit a pattern of signals to the AEPH chip using different bit rates whereby to infer the RF environment, and the further communication between the scanner and the AEPH chip may be adapted accordingly. While described here as the scanner inferring distance and RF environment and commanding the AEPH chip to operate accordingly, alternatively the AEPH chip may be the locus for this analysis, decision, and command. This all can be used (a) to choose a frequency band and/or adapt a frequency response of an antenna of the AEPH chip; (b) to choose and/or adapt the radio transceiver of the AEPH chip to a frequency band most suited to the scanner; or (c) to choose and/or adapt the radio transceiver to a plurality of frequency bands on a changing basis by rotation whereby to increase security of communications. The AEPH chip may use this information to adapt an antenna or antennas to use beam forming techniques to both receive signals from the scanner and to transmit signals to the scanner. The AEPH chip may comprise sensors that are enabled in the second operation mode of operation, may capture and store information provided by these sensors, and may transmit this sensor information to the scanner using the wireless link established using the negotiated radio communication parameters.

In an example, the AEPH chip comprises a system on a chip (SoC) that has different internal processors. At a first level of power, only a first processor of the AEPH chip is energized and operates. At a second level of power, a second processor of the AEPH chip is energized and operates (the first processor structure may also operate or may not operate). Because the first processor is limited in its functionality, when energized at the first level, the functions supported by the second processor simply are not available. Only when the power level is high enough to bring up the second processor are the functions supported by the second processor available. This may provide some security benefits. For example, even if a hacker wants to access the information or processing of the second processor it cannot while the device is not appropriately powered.

Turning now to <FIG>, a communication system <NUM> is described. In an embodiment, the system <NUM> comprises an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chip <NUM>. The AEPH chip <NUM> comprises a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a radio transceiver <NUM>. In a first mode of operation, the AEPH chip <NUM> harvests power from a plurality of electromagnetic field emitting devices <NUM> that collectively produce a relatively low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>. The emitting devices <NUM> may comprise mobile phones, smart phones, wearable computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, notebook computers, WiFi devices, and/or Bluetooth devices. The low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM> may comprise radio emissions in an about <NUM> frequency band, in an about <NUM> frequency band, and/or in an abouot <NUM> frequency band. The emitting devices <NUM> may comprise cell sites. When the AEPH chip <NUM> harvests power from the low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>, the functionality of the AEPH chip <NUM> may be restricted. For example, only a first tier processing <NUM> of the processor <NUM> may be active, only an identity <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> may be accessible and may not be writeable (other parts of the memory <NUM> may not be readable or writeable in the first mode of operation). For example, the radio transceiver <NUM> may only support transmitting information (e.g., the identity <NUM>) at a low data rate and may not support radio reception (e.g., does not support down shifting a carrier frequency and does not support demodulation of a signal).

In a second mode of operation, a scanner <NUM> transmits electromagnetic power <NUM> that produces a medium-power or high-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>, and the AEPH chip <NUM> harvests power from the medium-power or high-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>. When the AEPH chip <NUM> harvests power from the ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>, the functionality of the AEPH chip <NUM> may not be restricted and additional functionality may be operational. For example, in addition to the first tier of processing <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may further provide a second tier of processing <NUM>. In addition to the identity <NUM>, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) <NUM> may be activated and be readable and writeable in the second mode of operation of the AEPH chip <NUM>. The DRAM <NUM> may provide support for some of the second tier processing <NUM>, for example by permitting the processor <NUM> loading instructions from a non-transitory memory portion of the memory <NUM> into the DRAM <NUM> and executing the instructions by the processor <NUM> out of the DRAM <NUM>. A radio adaptation application <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> may be accessible and may be executed in the second tier of processing <NUM> of the processor <NUM>, for example by virtue of loading at least some of the radio adaptation application <NUM> into the DRAM <NUM> by the processor <NUM> and executing those instructions out of DRAM <NUM>.

In addition to the identity <NUM>, a plurality of information <NUM> may be readable and writeable in the memory <NUM> in the second mode or operation. In the second mode of operation, one or more sensors <NUM> may be powered and able to collect sense information about the environment surrounding the AEPH chip <NUM>. In the second mode of operation, the radio transceiver <NUM> may support both radio transmitting and radio receiving. In the second mode of operation, the radio transceiver <NUM> may support operating a radio frequency power amplifier at a moderate or high level of output. In the second mode of operation, the radio transceiver <NUM> may support sophisticated functions like beam forming, and may support these sophisticated functions in different frequency bands, in different bandwidths, and at different data rates as configured in a set of radio parameters <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, the AEPH chip <NUM> in the first mode of operation is shown harvesting electromagnetic power from the relatively low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>. In this first mode of operation - when this low-power is all that is available to the AEPH chip <NUM> - the functionality of the AEPH chip <NUM> may be restricted. In the first mode of operation, the second tier of processing <NUM> may not be performed by the processor <NUM>. The second tier of processing <NUM> may consume more power than can be harvested by the AEPH chip <NUM> from the relatively low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>.

For example, the second tier of processing <NUM> may entail higher clock rates for the processor <NUM> or higher clock rates for portions of the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> may comprise a plurality of processor cores, some of which execute at higher clock rates) than can be sustained in the low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM> (e.g., it is typical that a processor executing at a higher clock rate consumes more power than the same processor executing at a lower clock rate). The second tier of processing <NUM> may entail loading instructions associated with the processing into the DRAM <NUM> for executing by the processor <NUM>, and the DRAM <NUM> may not be powered in the first mode of operation because it would consume more power than can be sustained in the low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>. For example, refreshing the DRAM <NUM> may consume more power than can be sustained in the low-power ambient electromagnetic field <NUM>. The second tier of processing <NUM> may entail input-output operations with other components of the AEPH chip <NUM> that are not powered in the first mode of operation because they would consume more power than can be sustained in the low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>. For example, writing to a non-transitory portion of the memory <NUM> (e.g., flash memory), for example writing to the information <NUM>, may consume more power than can be sustained in the low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>.

In the first mode of operation, the radio adaptation application <NUM> may not be accessible, because executing the application <NUM> by the processor <NUM> may consume excessive power - for example because portions of the application <NUM> would be executed by the processor <NUM> out of the DRAM <NUM> which is powered down in the first mode of operation, because the application <NUM> may be executed by the processor <NUM> at a high clock rate which is not supported by the processor <NUM> in the first mode of operation, and/or because executing the application <NUM> entails input-output operations with portions of the radio transceiver <NUM> that are powered down in the first mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the sensors <NUM> may be powered down. In the first mode of operation, the radio parameters <NUM> stored in the ratio transceiver <NUM> may not be accessible because operating the radio transceiver <NUM> in accordance with those radio parameters <NUM> may consume excessive power. In an embodiment, when the AEPH chip <NUM> is in the first mode of operation, the radio transceiver <NUM> provides restricted functionality, for example periodic low-power transmission of the identity <NUM> on a statically configured frequency band.

In an example, a power level management application by the first tier processing <NUM> determines the level of power that the AEPH chip <NUM> is harvesting and compares this level of harvested power to a predefined threshold. If the harvested level of power is below the threshold, the power level management application disables the second tier processing <NUM>, disables access to portions of the memory <NUM> (e.g., keeps the DRAM <NUM> powered down and disables access to the radio adaptation application <NUM>), and disables higher level functionality of the radio transceiver <NUM>. If the harvested level of power is above the predefined threshold, the power level management application enables the second tier processing <NUM>, powers on the DRAM <NUM>, enables access to all the memory <NUM>, and enables higher level functionality of the radio transceiver <NUM>. In an example, if the harvested level of power is above the predefined threshold, the power level management application enables other devices that are part of the AEPH chip <NUM>, for example sensors <NUM>. The predefined level of power may be established according to a design calculation of how much power is needed to sustain operation in the second mode of operation (e.g., supply sufficient power for one or more of higher rates of processing in the processor <NUM>, powering on the DRAM <NUM>, writing to non-transitory memory providing higher level functionality of the radio transceiver <NUM>, operating sensors <NUM>, etc.).

In another example, the processor <NUM> comprises two or more separate processors, for example a plurality of processor cores or a plurality of separate processor chips. The first tier processing <NUM> may be performed by the first core or the first separate processor chip, and the second tier processing <NUM> may be performed by the other processor core (or cores) or the other separate processor chip (or chips). The first core processor or separate processor chip may be powered whenever low-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM> is present (or when the medium-power or high-power ambient electromagnetic field <NUM> is present), while the other processor core or other separate processor chip remains powered down when harvested power is below the predefined threshold. Said in other words, the second processor core or separate processor chip may not be supplied with power until the power harvested from the ambient electromagnetic field exceeds the predefined threshold. The DRAM <NUM> may not be supplied with power until the power harvested from the ambient electromagnetic field exceeds the predefined threshold. Portions of the memory <NUM> may comprise a plurality of separate portions, and some of the portions of the memory <NUM> (e.g., information <NUM>) may remain powered down until power harvested from the ambient electromagnetic field exceeds the predefined threshold. The radio transceiver <NUM> may comprise a plurality of radio transceivers, and some of the radio transceivers may remain powered down until power harvested from the ambient electromagnetic field exceeds the predefined threshold.

Turning now to <FIG>, the AEPH chip <NUM> is shown receiving power from the medium-power or high-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM> and operating in the second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation both the first tier processing <NUM> and the second tier processing <NUM> are supported by the processor <NUM>. This may entail additional cores of the processor <NUM> coming into service in the second mode of operation. This may entail the processor <NUM> or portions of the processor <NUM> executing at a higher clock rate. In the second mode of operation the DRAM <NUM> is powered on and available for use. In the second mode of operation the radio adaptation application <NUM> is accessible in the memory <NUM> and executable by the processor <NUM> (e.g., executed by the second tier of processing <NUM>). In the second mode of operation the information <NUM> in the memory <NUM> is accessible and readable and writeable. In the second mode of operation one or more non-transitory memory portion of the memory <NUM>, for example a flash memory, is readable and writeable. In the second mode of operation higher level functionality of the radio transceiver <NUM> are provided. For example, in the second mode of operation additional radio transceivers of the radio transceiver <NUM> may be enabled for use. In the second mode of operation sensors <NUM> may be powered and operational. In the second mode of operation beam forming of the radio transceiver <NUM> (e.g., by configuration and/or adapting antenna parameters and/or antenna matching network parameters) is operational.

With reference now <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, further details of the system <NUM> are described. The scanner <NUM> may passively receive information from the AEPH chip <NUM> while the AEPH chip <NUM> is in the first mode of operation. The scanner <NUM>, for example, may receive the identity <NUM> periodically broadcast by the AEPH chip <NUM> when in the first mode of operation. The scanner <NUM> may determine that it wants to communicate with the AEPH chip <NUM>, based on receiving and analyzing the identity <NUM> broadcast by the AEPH chip <NUM>, and begins transmitting electromagnetic power <NUM> that produces the medium-power or high-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>. In response to the medium-power or high-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>, the AEPH chip <NUM> enters the second mode of operation. The scanner <NUM> may establish a wireless communication link <NUM> with the AEPH chip <NUM>.

In an example, when the scanner <NUM> initiates communication with the AEPH chip <NUM>, the second tier processing <NUM> executes the radio adaptation application <NUM>. The radio adaptation application <NUM> may conduct a communication initiation session with the scanner <NUM> wherein the radio adaptation application <NUM> determines a variety of radio parameters <NUM>. For example, the radio adaptation application <NUM> may negotiate a frequency band for communication with the scanner <NUM>. The radio adaptation application <NUM> may negotiate a data rate for communication with the scanner <NUM>. The radio adaptation application <NUM> may negotiate antenna beam forming parameters with the scanner <NUM>. The radio adaptation application <NUM> may negotiate a radio frequency amplification power level parameter with the scanner <NUM>. In part the negotiations between the radio adaptation application <NUM> and the scanner <NUM> depend upon the functional capabilities of these entities. In part the negotiations between the radio adaptation application <NUM> and the scanner <NUM> depends upon the power that the AEPH chip <NUM> is able to harvest from the medium-power to high-power ambient electromagnetic power field <NUM>. The radio adaptation application <NUM> stores the negotiated radio parameters in the radio parameters <NUM> of the radio transceiver <NUM>, for example, in a non-transitory memory portion of the radio transceiver <NUM>.

The AEPH chip <NUM> may initiate a trusted security zone communication operation mode with the scanner <NUM>, wherein the AEPH chip <NUM> executes at least part of the second tier processing in a trusted security zone of the processor <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> may correspondingly transition to execution in a trusted security zone of its own processor. When executing in the trusted security zone other processes (e.g., non-trusted processes) may be halted until the trusted processing ceases. This may prevent the other processes from monitoring trusted communications and/or secure data passing between the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the radio transceiver <NUM>, and sensors <NUM>. In an embodiment, the trusted security zone portion of the processor <NUM> is not active or accessible while the AEPH chip <NUM> is operating in the first mode of operation.

The scanner <NUM> may send a message to the AEPH chip <NUM> to capture information from one or more of the sensors <NUM>. In response, the second tier processing <NUM> commands one or more of the sensors <NUM> to capture information from the environment surrounding the AEPH chip <NUM>, for example temperature sense information, atmospheric pressure sense information, humidity sense information, etc., and to store the sensor data in the memory <NUM>, for example in a non-transitory portion of the memory <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> may send a message to the AEPH chip <NUM> to send stored sensor information via the wireless communication link <NUM> to the scanner <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> may transmit the sensor information received from the AEPH chip <NUM> (or a plurality of AEPH chips <NUM>) via a network <NUM> to a data store <NUM>. The network <NUM> comprises one or more public networks, one or more private networks, or a combination thereof. The sensor data stored in the data store <NUM> may be accessed by a server application <NUM> executing on a computer <NUM>. Computer systems are described further hereinafter. The server application <NUM> may process the sensor data in various ways, including performing statistical analysis on the data.

Turning now to <FIG>, a method <NUM> is described. In an embodiment, method <NUM> comprises a method of communicating information from an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chip. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises receiving energy from a first ambient electromagnetic field by an AEPH chip, wherein the first ambient electromagnetic field provides a first level of power.

At block <NUM>, method <NUM> comprises, based on energy received from the first ambient electromagnetic field, transmitting an identity by a radio transceiver of the AEPH chip. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises receiving energy from a second ambient electromagnetic field by the AEPH chip, wherein the second ambient electromagnetic field provides a second level of power that is greater than the first level of power and greater than a predefined level of power.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises, based on energy received from the second ambient electromagnetic field, executing logic in a trusted security zone of a processor of the AEPH chip, wherein the trusted security zone of the processor was depowered when receiving energy only from the first ambient electromagnetic field. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises establishing a trusted wireless link by the trusted security zone of the AEPH chip processor with a scanner. In an embodiment, establishing a trusted wireless link with the reader device comprises the trusted security zone of the AEPH chip processor reading a trust token from a memory of the AEPH chip and transmitting the trust token to the reader device. In an embodiment, the trust token is stored in a portion of memory that is not powered before energy is received from the second ambient electromagnetic field.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> further comprises, based on energy received from the second ambient electromagnetic field, powering on a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that was turned off to conserve energy before energy was received from the second ambient electromagnetic field. For example, some of the logic executed in the trusted security zone is first loaded from a non-transitory memory into the DRAM and retrieved from the DRAM by the trusted security zone of the processor of the AEPH chip.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises reading information from a trusted security zone of a non-transitory memory of the AEPH chip by the trusted security zone of the AEPH chip processor. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises transmitting the information read from the trusted security zone of the non-transitory memory of the AEPH chip via the trusted wireless link to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> further comprising, based on energy received from the second ambient electromagnetic field, initiating functionality of the radio transceiver of the AEPH that was turned off to conserve energy before energy was received from the second ambient electromagnetic field. In an embodiment, the initiated functionality of the radio transceiver comprises transmitting at a higher data rate by the radio transceiver when energy is received from the second ambient electromagnetic field than the data rate at which the identity is transmitted by the radio transceiver when power is received only from the first ambient electromagnetic field. In an embodiment, the method <NUM> further comprises, based on energy received from the second ambient electromagnetic field, executing a processor of the AEPH chip having a higher clock rate than a clock rate of a processor of the AEPH chip that executes before energy is received from the second ambient electromagnetic field.

Turning now to <FIG>, a method <NUM> is described. In an example, the method <NUM> is a method of communicating information from an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chip. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises receiving energy from a first ambient electromagnetic field by an AEPH chip, wherein the first ambient electromagnetic field provides a first level of power. In an example, the first ambient electromagnetic field is provided by cell sites, mobile phones, and smartphones. In an example, the first ambient electromagnetic field is provided by cellular communications at about <NUM>, at about <NUM>, or at about <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises, based on energy received from the first ambient electromagnetic field, performing a first tier of processing by a processor of the AEPH chip. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises receiving energy from a second ambient electromagnetic field by the AEPH chip, wherein the second ambient electromagnetic field provides a second level of power that is greater than the first level of power.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises determining by the processor that the second level of power is above a predefined threshold. At block <NUM> the method <NUM> comprises based on determining that the energy received from the second ambient electromagnetic field is above the predefined threshold, performing a second tier of processing by the processor, wherein the second tier of processing comprises writing information by the processor into a non-transitory memory. In an example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is powered off when the first level of power is received by the AEPH chip and is powered on when the second level of power is received by the AEPH chip, wherein the second tier of processing comprises reading to and writing from the DRAM. In an example, at least a portion of the processor executes the second tier of processing using a higher clock rate than is used by the processor when it executes the first tier of processing.

In an example, a sensor of the AEPH chip is powered off when the first level of power is received by the AEPH chip and is powered on when the second level of power is received by the AEPH chip, wherein the second tier of processing comprises transmitting data captured by the processor from the sensor via a radio transceiver of the AEPH chip to a scanner that provides the second ambient electromagnetic field. In an example, the second tier of processing comprises enabling a plurality of processor cores to execute which were depowered when the processor was performing the first tier of processing. In an example, the second tier of processing comprises transmitting by the processor via a radio transceiver of the AEPH at a data rate that is higher than a data rate used by the processor to transmit when the processor was performing the first tier of processing.

Turning now to <FIG>, a method <NUM> is described. In an example, the method <NUM> is a method of communicating information from an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chip. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises receiving energy from a first ambient electromagnetic field by an AEPH chip, wherein the first ambient electromagnetic field provides a first level of power.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises, based on energy received from the first ambient electromagnetic field, performing a first tier of processing by a processor of the AEPH chip. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises receiving energy from a second ambient electromagnetic field by the AEPH chip, wherein the second ambient electromagnetic field is provided by a scanner and provides a second level of power that is greater than the first level of power.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises determining the second level of power by the processor. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises determining by the processor that the second level of power is above a predefined threshold. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises, in response to determining the second level of power is above the predefined threshold, initiating a communication initiation session with the scanner by the processor to adapt radio link parameters between the AEPH chip and the scanner based at least in part on the determined second level of power.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises configuring a radio transceiver of the AEPH chip by the processor with radio link parameters established during the communication initiation session. In an example, the processor configures the radio transceiver with a frequency band radio link parameter based on the communication initiation session. In an example, the processor configures the radio transceiver with a data rate radio link parameter based on the communication initiation session. In an example, the processor configures the radio transceiver with a beam forming radio link parameter based on the communication initiation session. In an example, the processor configures the radio transceiver with a radio frequency power transmission radio link parameter based on the communication initiation session. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises communicating with the scanner by the processor via the radio transceiver of the AEPH. In an example, the processor communicates with the scanner via the radio transceiver to transmit data captured by sensors of the AEPH chip.

Turning now to <FIG>, an exemplary communication system <NUM> is described. In an example, at least a portion of the network <NUM> described above is consistent with communication system <NUM>. Typically the communication system <NUM> includes a number of access nodes <NUM> that are configured to provide coverage in which UEs <NUM> such as cell phones, tablet computers, machine-type-communication devices, tracking devices, embedded wireless modules, and/or other wirelessly equipped communication devices (whether or not user operated), can operate. The access nodes <NUM> may be said to establish an access network <NUM>. The access network <NUM> may be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) in some contexts. In a <NUM> technology generation an access node <NUM> may be referred to as a gigabit Node B (gNB). In <NUM> technology (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) technology) an access node <NUM> may be referred to as an evolved Node B (eNB). In <NUM> technology (e.g., code division multiple access (CDMA) and global system for mobile communication (GSM)) an access node <NUM> may be referred to as a base transceiver station (BTS) combined with a base station controller (BSC). In some contexts, the access node <NUM> may be referred to as a cell site or a cell tower. In some implementations, a picocell may provide some of the functionality of an access node <NUM>, albeit with a constrained coverage area. Each of these different examples of an access node <NUM> may be considered to provide roughly similar functions in the different technology generations.

In an example, the access network <NUM> comprises a first access node 554a, a second access node 554b, and a third access node 554c. It is understood that the access network <NUM> may include any number of access nodes <NUM>. Further, each access node <NUM> could be coupled with a core network <NUM> that provides connectivity with various application servers <NUM> and/or a network <NUM>. In an example, at least some of the application servers <NUM> may be located close to the network edge (e.g., geographically close to the UE <NUM> and the end user) to deliver so-called "edge computing. " The network <NUM> may be one or more private networks, one or more public networks, or a combination thereof. The network <NUM> may comprise the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The network <NUM> may comprise the Internet. With this arrangement, a UE <NUM> within coverage of the access network <NUM> could engage in air- interface communication with an access node <NUM> and could thereby communicate via the access node <NUM> with various application servers and other entities.

The communication system <NUM> could operate in accordance with a particular radio access technology (RAT), with communications from an access node <NUM> to UEs <NUM> defining a downlink or forward link and communications from the UEs <NUM> to the access node <NUM> defining an uplink or reverse link. Over the years, the industry has developed various generations of RATs, in a continuous effort to increase available data rate and quality of service for end users. These generations have ranged from "<NUM>," which used simple analog frequency modulation to facilitate basic voice-call service, to "<NUM>" - such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), which now facilitates mobile broadband service using technologies such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and multiple input multiple output (MIMO).

Recently, the industry has been exploring developments in "<NUM>" and particularly "<NUM> NR" (<NUM> New Radio), which may use a scalable OFDM air interface, advanced channel coding, massive MIMO, beamforming, mobile mmWave (e.g., frequency bands above <NUM>), and/or other features, to support higher data rates and countless applications, such as mission-critical services, enhanced mobile broadband, and massive Internet of Things (IoT). <NUM> is hoped to provide virtually unlimited bandwidth on demand, for example providing access on demand to as much as <NUM> gigabits per second (Gbps) downlink data throughput and as much as <NUM> Gbps uplink data throughput. Due to the increased bandwidth associated with <NUM>, it is expected that the new networks will serve, in addition to conventional cell phones, general internet service providers for laptops and desktop computers, competing with existing ISPs such as cable internet, and also will make possible new applications in internet of things (IoT) and machine to machine areas.

In accordance with the RAT, each access node <NUM> could provide service on one or more radio-frequency (RF) carriers, each of which could be frequency division duplex (FDD), with separate frequency channels for downlink and uplink communication, or time division duplex (TDD), with a single frequency channel multiplexed over time between downlink and uplink use. Each such frequency channel could be defined as a specific range of frequency (e.g., in radio-frequency (RF) spectrum) having a bandwidth and a center frequency and thus extending from a low-end frequency to a high-end frequency. Further, on the downlink and uplink channels, the coverage of each access node <NUM> could define an air interface configured in a specific manner to define physical resources for carrying information wirelessly between the access node <NUM> and UEs <NUM>.

Without limitation, for instance, the air interface could be divided over time into frames, subframes, and symbol time segments, and over frequency into subcarriers that could be modulated to carry data. The example air interface could thus define an array of time-frequency resource elements each being at a respective symbol time segment and subcarrier, and the subcarrier of each resource element could be modulated to carry data. Further, in each subframe or other transmission time interval (TTI), the resource elements on the downlink and uplink could be grouped to define physical resource blocks (PRBs) that the access node could allocate as needed to carry data between the access node and served UEs <NUM>.

In addition, certain resource elements on the example air interface could be reserved for special purposes. For instance, on the downlink, certain resource elements could be reserved to carry synchronization signals that UEs <NUM> could detect as an indication of the presence of coverage and to establish frame timing, other resource elements could be reserved to carry a reference signal that UEs <NUM> could measure in order to determine coverage strength, and still other resource elements could be reserved to carry other control signaling such as PRB-scheduling directives and acknowledgement messaging from the access node <NUM> to served UEs <NUM>. And on the uplink, certain resource elements could be reserved to carry random access signaling from UEs <NUM> to the access node <NUM>, and other resource elements could be reserved to carry other control signaling such as PRB-scheduling requests and acknowledgement signaling from UEs <NUM> to the access node <NUM>.

The access node <NUM>, in some instances, may be split functionally into a radio unit (RU), a distributed unit (DU), and a central unit (CU) where each of the RU, DU, and CU have distinctive roles to play in the access network <NUM>. The RU provides radio functions. The DU provides L1 and L2 real-time scheduling functions; and the CU provides higher L2 and L3 non-real time scheduling. This split supports flexibility in deploying the DU and CU. The CU may be hosted in a regional cloud data center. The DU may be co-located with the RU, or the DU may be hosted in an edge cloud data center.

Turning now to <FIG>, further details of the core network <NUM> are described. In an example, the core network <NUM> is a <NUM> core network. <NUM> core network technology is based on a service based architecture paradigm. Rather than constructing the <NUM> core network as a series of special purpose communication nodes (e.g., an HSS node, a MME node, etc.) running on dedicated server computers, the <NUM> core network is provided as a set of services or network functions. These services or network functions can be executed on virtual servers in a cloud computing environment which supports dynamic scaling and avoidance of long-term capital expenditures (fees for use may substitute for capital expenditures). These network functions can include, for example, a user plane function (UPF) <NUM>, an authentication server function (AUSF) <NUM>, an access and mobility management function (AMF) <NUM>, a session management function (SMF) <NUM>, a network exposure function (NEF) <NUM>, a network repository function (NRF) <NUM>, a policy control function (PCF) <NUM>, a unified data management (UDM) <NUM>, a network slice selection function (NSSF) <NUM>, and other network functions. The network functions may be referred to as virtual network functions (VNFs) in some contexts.

Network functions may be formed by a combination of small pieces of software called microservices. Some microservices can be re-used in composing different network functions, thereby leveraging the utility of such microservices. Network functions may offer services to other network functions by extending application programming interfaces (APIs) to those other network functions that call their services via the APIs. The <NUM> core network <NUM> may be segregated into a user plane <NUM> and a control plane <NUM>, thereby promoting independent scalability, evolution, and flexible deployment.

The UPF <NUM> delivers packet processing and links the UE <NUM>, via the access network <NUM>, to a data network <NUM> (e.g., the network <NUM> illustrated in FIG. The AMF <NUM> handles registration and connection management of non-access stratum (NAS) signaling with the UE <NUM>. Said in other words, the AMF <NUM> manages UE registration and mobility issues. The AMF <NUM> manages reachability of the UEs <NUM> as well as various security issues. The SMF <NUM> handles session management issues. Specifically, the SMF <NUM> creates, updates, and removes (destroys) protocol data unit (PDU) sessions and manages the session context within the UPF <NUM>. The SMF <NUM> decouples other control plane functions from user plane functions by performing dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) functions and IP address management functions. The AUSF <NUM> facilitates security processes.

The NEF <NUM> securely exposes the services and capabilities provided by network functions. The NRF <NUM> supports service registration by network functions and discovery of network functions by other network functions. The PCF <NUM> supports policy control decisions and flow based charging control. The UDM <NUM> manages network user data and can be paired with a user data repository (UDR) that stores user data such as customer profile information, customer authentication number, and encryption keys for the information. An application function <NUM>, which may be located outside of the core network <NUM>, exposes the application layer for interacting with the core network <NUM>. In an example, the application function <NUM> may be execute on an application server <NUM> located geographically proximate to the UE <NUM> in an "edge computing" deployment mode. The core network <NUM> can provide a network slice to a subscriber, for example an enterprise customer, that is composed of a plurality of <NUM> network functions that are configured to provide customized communication service for that subscriber, for example to provide communication service in accordance with communication policies defined by the customer. The NSSF <NUM> can help the AMF <NUM> to select the network slice instance (NSI) for use with the UE <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a computer system <NUM> suitable for implementing one or more embodiments disclosed herein. The computer system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> (which may be referred to as a central processor unit or CPU) that is in communication with memory devices including secondary storage <NUM>, read only memory (ROM) <NUM>, random access memory (RAM) <NUM>, input/output (I/O) devices <NUM>, and network connectivity devices <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be implemented as one or more CPU chips.

It is understood that by programming and/or loading executable instructions onto the computer system <NUM>, at least one of the CPU <NUM>, the RAM <NUM>, and the ROM <NUM> are changed, transforming the computer system <NUM> in part into a particular machine or apparatus having the novel functionality taught by the present disclosure. It is fundamental to the electrical engineering and software engineering arts that functionality that can be implemented by loading executable software into a computer can be converted to a hardware implementation by well-known design rules. Decisions between implementing a concept in software versus hardware typically hinge on considerations of stability of the design and numbers of units to be produced rather than any issues involved in translating from the software domain to the hardware domain. Generally, a design that is still subject to frequent change may be preferred to be implemented in software, because re-spinning a hardware implementation is more expensive than re-spinning a software design. Generally, a design that is stable that will be produced in large volume may be preferred to be implemented in hardware, for example in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), because for large production runs the hardware implementation may be less expensive than the software implementation. Often a design may be developed and tested in a software form and later transformed, by well-known design rules, to an equivalent hardware implementation in an application specific integrated circuit that hardwires the instructions of the software. In the same manner as a machine controlled by a new ASIC is a particular machine or apparatus, likewise a computer that has been programmed and/or loaded with executable instructions may be viewed as a particular machine or apparatus.

Additionally, after the system <NUM> is turned on or booted, the CPU <NUM> may execute a computer program or application. For example, the CPU <NUM> may execute software or firmware stored in the ROM <NUM> or stored in the RAM <NUM>. In some cases, on boot and/or when the application is initiated, the CPU <NUM> may copy the application or portions of the application from the secondary storage <NUM> to the RAM <NUM> or to memory space within the CPU <NUM> itself, and the CPU <NUM> may then execute instructions that the application is comprised of. In some cases, the CPU <NUM> may copy the application or portions of the application from memory accessed via the network connectivity devices <NUM> or via the I/O devices <NUM> to the RAM <NUM> or to memory space within the CPU <NUM>, and the CPU <NUM> may then execute instructions that the application is comprised of. During execution, an application may load instructions into the CPU <NUM>, for example load some of the instructions of the application into a cache of the CPU <NUM>. In some contexts, an application that is executed may be said to configure the CPU <NUM> to do something, e.g., to configure the CPU <NUM> to perform the function or functions promoted by the subject application. When the CPU <NUM> is configured in this way by the application, the CPU <NUM> becomes a specific purpose computer or a specific purpose machine.

The secondary storage <NUM> is typically comprised of one or more disk drives or tape drives and is used for non-transitory storage of data and as an over-flow data storage device if RAM <NUM> is not large enough to hold all working data. Secondary storage <NUM> may be used to store programs which are loaded into RAM <NUM> when such programs are selected for execution. The ROM <NUM> is used to store instructions and perhaps data which are read during program execution. ROM <NUM> is a non-transitory memory device which typically has a small memory capacity relative to the larger memory capacity of secondary storage <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is used to store volatile data and perhaps to store instructions. Access to both ROM <NUM> and RAM <NUM> is typically faster than to secondary storage <NUM>. The secondary storage <NUM>, the RAM <NUM>, and/or the ROM <NUM> may be referred to in some contexts as computer readable storage media and/or non-transitory computer readable media.

I/O devices <NUM> may include printers, video monitors, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads, switches, dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card readers, paper tape readers, or other well-known input devices.

The network connectivity devices <NUM> may take the form of modems, modem banks, Ethernet cards, universal serial bus (USB) interface cards, serial interfaces, token ring cards, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) cards, wireless local area network (WLAN) cards, radio transceiver cards, and/or other well-known network devices. The network connectivity devices <NUM> may provide wired communication links and/or wireless communication links (e.g., a first network connectivity device <NUM> may provide a wired communication link and a second network connectivity device <NUM> may provide a wireless communication link). Wired communication links may be provided in accordance with Ethernet (IEEE <NUM>), Internet protocol (IP), time division multiplex (TDM), data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), and/or the like. In an example, the radio transceiver cards may provide wireless communication links using protocols such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), long-term evolution (LTE), WiFi (IEEE <NUM>), Bluetooth, Zigbee, narrowband Internet of things (NB loT), near field communications (NFC), and radio frequency identity (RFID). The radio transceiver cards may promote radio communications using <NUM>, <NUM> New Radio, or <NUM> LTE radio communication protocols. These network connectivity devices <NUM> may enable the processor <NUM> to communicate with the Internet or one or more intranets. With such a network connection, it is contemplated that the processor <NUM> might receive information from the network, or might output information to the network in the course of performing the above-described method steps. Such information, which is often represented as a sequence of instructions to be executed using processor <NUM>, may be received from and outputted to the network, for example, in the form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave.

Such information, which may include data or instructions to be executed using processor <NUM> for example, may be received from and outputted to the network, for example, in the form of a computer data baseband signal or signal embodied in a carrier wave. The baseband signal or signal embedded in the carrier wave, or other types of signals currently used or hereafter developed, may be generated according to several methods well-known to one skilled in the art. The baseband signal and/or signal embedded in the carrier wave may be referred to in some contexts as a transitory signal.

The processor <NUM> executes instructions, codes, computer programs, scripts which it accesses from hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk (these various disk based systems may all be considered secondary storage <NUM>), flash drive, ROM <NUM>, RAM <NUM>, or the network connectivity devices <NUM>. While only one processor <NUM> is shown, multiple processors may be present. Thus, while instructions may be discussed as executed by a processor, the instructions may be executed simultaneously, serially, or otherwise executed by one or multiple processors. Instructions, codes, computer programs, scripts, and/or data that may be accessed from the secondary storage <NUM>, for example, hard drives, floppy disks, optical disks, and/or other device, the ROM <NUM>, and/or the RAM <NUM> may be referred to in some contexts as non-transitory instructions and/or non-transitory information.

In an example, the computer system <NUM> may comprise two or more computers in communication with each other that collaborate to perform a task. For example, but not by way of limitation, an application may be partitioned in such a way as to permit concurrent and/or parallel processing of the instructions of the application. Alternatively, the data processed by the application may be partitioned in such a way as to permit concurrent and/or parallel processing of different portions of a data set by the two or more computers. In an example, virtualization software may be employed by the computer system <NUM> to provide the functionality of a number of servers that is not directly bound to the number of computers in the computer system <NUM>. For example, virtualization software may provide twenty virtual servers on four physical computers. In an example, the functionality disclosed above may be provided by executing the application and/or applications in a cloud computing environment. Cloud computing may comprise providing computing services via a network connection using dynamically scalable computing resources. Cloud computing may be supported, at least in part, by virtualization software. A cloud computing environment may be established by an enterprise and/or may be hired on an as-needed basis from a third party provider. Some cloud computing environments may comprise cloud computing resources owned and operated by the enterprise as well as cloud computing resources hired and/or leased from a third party provider.

In an embodiment, some or all of the functionality disclosed above may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may comprise one or more computer readable storage medium having computer usable program code embodied therein to implement the functionality disclosed above. The computer program product may comprise data structures, executable instructions, and other computer usable program code. The computer program product may be embodied in removable computer storage media and/or non-removable computer storage media. The removable computer readable storage medium may comprise, without limitation, a paper tape, a magnetic tape, magnetic disk, an optical disk, a solid state memory chip, for example analog magnetic tape, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM) disks, floppy disks, jump drives, digital cards, multimedia cards, and others. The computer program product may be suitable for loading, by the computer system <NUM>, at least portions of the contents of the computer program product to the secondary storage <NUM>, to the ROM <NUM>, to the RAM <NUM>, and/or to other non-transitory memory and volatile memory of the computer system <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may process the executable instructions and/or data structures in part by directly accessing the computer program product, for example by reading from a CD-ROM disk inserted into a disk drive peripheral of the computer system <NUM>. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may process the executable instructions and/or data structures by remotely accessing the computer program product, for example by downloading the executable instructions and/or data structures from a remote server through the network connectivity devices <NUM>. The computer program product may comprise instructions that promote the loading and/or copying of data, data structures, files, and/or executable instructions to the secondary storage <NUM>, to the ROM <NUM>, to the RAM <NUM>, and/or to other non-transitory memory and volatile memory of the computer system <NUM>.

In some contexts, the secondary storage <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, and the RAM <NUM> may be referred to as a non-transitory computer readable medium or a computer readable storage media. A dynamic RAM embodiment of the RAM <NUM>, likewise, may be referred to as a non-transitory computer readable medium in that while the dynamic RAM receives electrical power and is operated in accordance with its design, for example during a period of time during which the computer system <NUM> is turned on and operational, the dynamic RAM stores information that is written to it. Similarly, the processor <NUM> may comprise an internal RAM, an internal ROM, a cache memory, and/or other internal non-transitory storage blocks, sections, or components that may be referred to in some contexts as non-transitory computer readable media or computer readable storage media.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted or not implemented.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the scope disclosed herein.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) of communicating information from an ambient electromagnetic power harvesting ,AEPH, chip, comprising:
receiving (<NUM>) energy from a first ambient electromagnetic field by an AEPH chip, wherein the first ambient electromagnetic field provides a first level of power;
based (<NUM>) on energy received from the first ambient electromagnetic field, transmitting an identity by a radio transceiver of the AEPH chip;
receiving (<NUM>) energy from a second ambient electromagnetic field by the AEPH chip, wherein the second ambient electromagnetic field provides a second level of power that is greater than the first level of power and greater than a predefined level of power;
the method being characterised in further comprising:
based (<NUM>) on energy received from the second ambient electromagnetic field, executing logic in a trusted security zone of a processor of the AEPH chip, wherein the trusted security zone of the processor was depowered when receiving energy only from the first ambient electromagnetic field;
establishing (<NUM>) a trusted wireless link by the trusted security zone of the AEPH chip processor with a scanner;
reading (<NUM>) information from a trusted security zone of a non-transitory memory of the AEPH chip by the trusted security zone of the AEPH chip processor; and
transmitting (<NUM>) the information read from the trusted security zone of the non-transitory memory of the AEPH chip via the trusted wireless link to the scanner.