| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080315992 | FOLDABLE RFID DEVICE INTERPOSER AND METHOD - An RFID device interposer has folded ends that bring conductive lead end portions of conductive leads of the interposer to an underside of the interposer. The central conductive lead portions of the conductive leads remain on an upper surface of a dielectric substrate of the interposer. The folded ends of the interposer may be held together with an adhesive, or with thermal compression bonding. The interposer may also have an additional conductive material layer on an underside of the dielectric substrate. The conductive material layer may be capacitively coupled to the conductive leads of the interposer. The interposer may be tuned by varying the pressure used to secure the folded ends. This may be used to provide a better impedance match between a chip of the interposer, and the conductive leads and an antenna to which the interposer is coupled. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090027162 | CONTROLLABLE RFID DEVICE, AND METHOD - A radio frequency identification (RFID) device has controllable features that allow for modification of its interaction with external devices, such as RFID readers. The RFID device may have multiple antennas, coupled to multiple contacts of a chip of the device. The chip may include a real or virtual switch for selectively coupling the chip to either of the antennas. The switch may be activated by an external signal sent to the RFID device. The RFID device also may be controlled by adjusting an adjustable modulator within the RFID device. The modulator may adjust outgoing signals from the RFID device to an appropriate level of signal strength, or to have other suitable characteristics. By control of the antenna couplings and/or the modulator settings of the RFID device, adjustments in performance of the RFID device may be made for suitable operation in a variety of situations and environments. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090027173 | RFID DEVICE WTIH CONTROL LOGIC, AND METHOD - A radio frequency identification (RFID) device has controllable features that allow for modification of its interaction with external devices, such as RFID readers. The RFID device may have multiple antennas, coupled to multiple contacts of a chip of the device. The chip may include a real or virtual switch for selectively coupling the chip to either of the antennas. The switch may be activated by an external signal sent to the RFID device. The RFID device also may be controlled by adjusting an adjustable modulator within the RFID device. The modulator may adjust outgoing signals from the RFID device to an appropriate level of signal strength, or to have other suitable characteristics. By control of the antenna couplings and/or the modulator settings of the RFID device, adjustments in performance of the RFID device may be made for suitable operation in a variety of situations and environments. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090079568 | RFID INTERPOSER WITH IMPEDANCE MATCHING - An RFID interposer has conductive material that includes an impedance matching structure. The impedance matching structure aids in matching impedance between a chip that is to be mounted to the interposer, and an antenna that the interposer is to be coupled to. The impedance matching structures may allow different chips, with slightly different electrical characteristics, to be impedance matched to the same antenna configuration, using the same type of interposer. The impedance matching structure may have any of a variety of configurations in the electrically conductive material of the interposer. The structure may be parts of the chip mounting bond pads, may be part of the conductive electrical connection between the chip bond pads and antenna bond pads, may be part of connections between the chip bond pads and the antenna bond pads, and/or may be only indirectly electrically coupled to the antenna bond pads (such as by capacitive coupling). | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090115581 | RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE WITH VISUAL INDICATOR - An RFID device includes a chip, an antenna operatively coupled to the chip, and a visual indicator operatively coupled to the chip. The visual indicator provides a visual indication of an operative state of the device. The visual indication may be human readable and/or machine readable, and may provide visual indication that is dependent on a change in an operative state of the device. The operative state that triggers the visual indication may include a state in which the chip has temporarily or permanently been rendered inoperative or disabled, that is, in which the chip no longer responds to, or otherwise interacts with, ordinary incoming RF signals such as from a device reader. The visual indicator may be included in a display that functions by any of a variety of suitable mechanisms, such as by use of electrochromic materials, thermochromic materials, liquid crystals, or chemically-reactive materials. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090140860 | DUAL USE RFID/EAS DEVICE - A radio frequency identification (RFID) device has multiple modes of operation. One of the modes of operation is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) mode, which is used to allow use of the RFID device as an EAS device. Another mode of operation is an RFID mode, which allows normal function of the RFID device in RFID communications. The EAS mode has greater sensitivity than the RFID mode, requires less power than the RFID mode to operate the device, and requires less current and/or voltage for operation. The EAS mode may achieve these different characteristics by one or more of: switching off some digital blocks in the circuitry of the RFID device; reducing power storage required to respond to incoming signals; reducing the length of response to incoming signals; reducing modulation required for a response; changing chip input impedance; and having multiple chip ports with different impedances. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090146783 | RFID SYSTEM WITH DISTRIBUTED READ STRUCTURE - A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes a portable RFID reader, and a read infrastructure that includes a distributed read structure, which may be part of a display (such as a shelf) for holding objects. The read structure is used to couple the RFID reader to RFID devices (tabs and/or labels) on or near the structure. The RFID reader and the read structure communicate in a near field or proximity region communication, without any use of a direct ohmic electrical connection. The RFID reader may have an antenna that is configured for near field or proximity communication with a coupler of the read infrastructure. The RFID reader may also have a separate antenna for use in far field communication. The RFID reader may be able to obtain information more efficiently in the near field or proximity mode, allowing information to be received faster and with greater reliability. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090146785 | RFID DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE PASSIVE OPERATION MODES - A radio frequency identification (RFID) device is capable of operating in multiple passive modes, in either a fully passive mode or a boosted passive mode. The device includes an RFID chip that is suitable for operation of passive RFID devices. An antenna is coupled to the chip for receiving radio frequency signals, such as those sent by a reader/detector device. In addition, the RFID device has an energy booster which may be used to boost the energy of signals received by the device, in order to enable operation at a reduced level of RF signal. The energy boost may be selectively applied in order to transform the passive RFID device into operating in a boosted passive mode. The energy booster may include a one-port transistor and an energy source that is used to power the transistor. The energy source may be a rechargeable energy source. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090179751 | HYBRID SENSOR/COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND METHOD - A hybrid sensor/communication device includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) communication device coupled to a sensor device that includes organic and/or amorphous semiconductor material. The organic and/or amorphous semiconductor material may be printed atop a substrate of the device, the same substrate upon which antenna elements of the RFID device are located. The organic and/or amorphous semiconductor material may form an organic/amorphous semiconductor material processor that is coupled to sensor pads of the sensor device. An integrated circuit of the RFID device, which may be a part of an interposer or strap, and which may utilize an inorganic crystalline semiconductor material such as crystalline silicon, is coupled to the organic/amorphous semiconductor material processor. The RFID device provides power to the sensor device, and allows communication between the sensor device and external devices outside of the hybrid sensor/communication device. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090201157 | RFID DEVICES AND METHODS FOR OVERLAPPED OBJECTS - Readability of overlapping radio frequency identification (RFID) devices on overlapping objects, such as RFID labels on stacked garments, is improved by having different antenna configurations for the overlapped RFID devices. Each pair of closest overlapped RFID devices may have different respective antenna configurations. The different respective antenna configurations may be mirror images of one another, or may have the same shape, with a relative rotation between the two. The different antenna configurations may substantially fill an antenna-receiving portion that is located in the same relative location in each of the RFID devices, with the antenna-receiving portion covering most of an area of the RFID devices. Feedpoints of the different antenna configurations, for receiving a strap or interposer for coupling to the antenna configurations, may be in the same relative location. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090212919 | RFID TAG FOR DIRECT AND INDIRECT FOOD CONTACT - The present invention relates to an RFID device that is intended to be used in connection with direct or indirect packaging of consumer food products, such as with the use of food trays, totes and other transport packaging for perishable items. The RFID device may include a RFID inlay assembly that has been encased in a laminate that is safe for use with food products. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090295583 | Rfid tags with eas deactivation ability - A radio-frequency identification (RFID) and an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag includes an RFID device and an EAS device. The RFID device may operate in a plurality of states including an activated state in which communication with a reader is enabled and a deactivated state in which communication with a reader is disabled. The EAS device may operate in a plurality of states including an activated state in which activation of an alarm is enabled and a deactivated state in which activation of an alarm is disable. The RFID device may be deactivated when the EAS device is deactivated. For example, the same piece of equipment that deactivates the EAS device also deactivates the RFID device at the same time. The RFID device may include an antenna, an RFID chip connected to the antenna for communicating with a reader, and an active element operatively disposed with respect to the antenna. The active element, which may include a conductive strip or lead, may have an activated state in which the antenna is enabled for communicating with a reader in a far field and a deactivated state in which the antenna is disabled from communicating with a reader in a far field. In addition, the EAS device may include a magnetic resonator and a bias magnet. When activated, the bias magnet may cause or affect the resonator to resonate and the active element to be in the activated state. Further, when deactivated, the bias magnet may cause the active element to be in the deactivated state. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090309703 | RFID DEVICE WITH CONDUCTIVE LOOP SHIELD - A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes a conductive loop shield for a loop antenna. The shield may overlap the conductive loop antenna. The preferred frequency of operation may be a frequency or range of frequencies within the ultra high frequency (UHF) range of frequencies. The conductive loop shield provides a distributed capacitance to the loop antenna, which brings the inductance of the combined system of the loop antenna and the conductive shield down to an inductance level that allows impedance matching with the RFID chip (at the desired impedance or range of impedances). The use of the conductive loop allows the RFID device to function as a near-field magnetic communication device, utilizing a loop antenna having a larger area than would normally be possible for impedance-matching with RFID chip. The loop antenna and the conductive shield loop may be on opposed major surfaces of a dielectric material layer. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100060456 | RF COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH ENERGY ENHANCEMENT - A method of operating a radio frequency (RF) communication device includes internally storing energy received by the RF communication device, and using that energy to enhance communication by the RF communication device upon occurrence of a predetermined event. The energy received by the RF communication device may be energy transmitted by a shelf or other display unit that an object with the RF communication device is located on. The predetermined event may be any of a wide variety of events. The energy storage may be accomplished in a battery, capacitor, or other energy storage device. The use of energy to enhance communication may be used to provide increased power for sending, receiving, or detecting signals. The enhanced power may be provided continuously, and/or may include periods of power enhancement alternating with periods of non-enhancement. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100126000 | METHOD OF MAKING RFID DEVICES - A method of producing antennas for RFID devices includes cutting or otherwise physically separating the antennas from a preformed sheet of conductive material that includes apertures in the conductive material. Cutting locations relative to the apertures may be selected based on desired performance characteristics of the antenna and/or of the RFID device for which the antenna is to be used. The cutting locations may include one or more cuts through the aperture, and other cuts that do not pass through an aperture. The cutting locations may be selected as a function of such parameters as the desired bandwidth of the antenna and the operating frequency of the antenna. The method allows production of antennas with different characteristics, from a previously-prepared supply of sheet conductive material. This facilitates the ability to make small production runs of antennas, and/or to reduce the lead time for providing antennas with specified characteristics. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100155492 | BADGE WITH RFID DEVICE - An identification or security badge has a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that is on a flexible substrate of the badge. A first part of the flexible substrate, including a first part of an antenna of the RFID device, overlaps a second part of the substrate that contains a second part of the antenna, with the parts physically separated from one another. A holder of the badge may be mechanically coupled to the flexible substrate to provide the separation between the substrate parts. The holder may hold ends of the flexible substrate with clips, so that at least one part of the substrate has a curved or bowed (arcuate) shape that separates it from another part of the substrate. The separation of different antenna parts from each other means that at least part of the antenna is spaced away from a wearer of the badge. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100161009 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATING A WOUND - A wound dressing includes a substrate, an optical energy emitting device, and a radio frequency receiving device. The substrate is configured to engage biological tissue of a patient. The optical energy emitting device is attached to the substrate, and the radio frequency receiving device is electrically coupled with the optical energy emitting device. The radio frequency receiving device is configured to capture energy from radio frequency transmissions. The radio frequency receiving device is further configured to direct at least a portion of the energy to the optical energy emitting device. Upon receipt of the energy from the radio frequency receiving device, the optical energy emitting device is configured to emit light onto biological tissue of a patient. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100257730 | Foldable RFID Device Interposer and Method - An RFID device interposer has folded ends that bring conductive lead end portions of conductive leads of the interposer to an underside of the interposer. The central conductive lead portions of the conductive leads remain on an upper surface of a dielectric substrate of the interposer. The folded ends of the interposer may be held together with an adhesive, or with thermal compression bonding. The interposer may also have an additional conductive material layer on an underside of the dielectric substrate. The conductive material layer may be capacitively coupled to the conductive leads of the interposer. The interposer may be tuned by varying the pressure used to secure the folded ends. This may be used to provide a better impedance match between a chip of the interposer, and the conductive leads and an antenna to which the interposer is coupled. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100283615 | Conductive Pattern and Method of Making - A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110073661 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING A RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE - A method, system and apparatus for manufacturing radio frequency identification (RFID) devices. An RFID device can be formed with a substrate, a conductor and a laminate or coating. The RFID device can be such that an antenna can be formed on the conductor and the laminate can be applied to insulate or protect the antenna. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110133898 | Dual Use RFID/EAS Device - A radio frequency identification (RFID) device has multiple modes of operation. One of the modes of operation is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) mode, which is used to allow use of the RFID device as an EAS device. Another mode of operation is an RFID mode, which allows normal function of the RFID device in RFID communications. The EAS mode has greater sensitivity than the RFID mode, requires less power than the RFID mode to operate the device, and requires less current and/or voltage for operation. The EAS mode may achieve these different characteristics by one or more of: switching off some digital blocks in the circuitry of the RFID device; reducing power storage required to respond to incoming signals; reducing the length of response to incoming signals; reducing modulation required for a response; changing chip input impedance; and having multiple chip ports with different impedances. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110155813 | RFID STRAP AND CUTTING DEVICE - The present invention describes an RFID tag and a method of making an RFID tag. The RFID tag can include a first substrate with a conductive layer disposed thereon. Further, the RFID tag can be formed with a second substrate that can have any number of components, for example a strap, a processor, a blade and a coupling mechanism mounted thereon. Also, the second substrate can be coupled to the first substrate with a coupling mechanism. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110160548 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS USING ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENTS - A system for monitoring a physiological parameter comprises a substrate, a pair of drive electrodes, a pair of detection electrodes, and an RFID apparatus. The substrate is arranged to be removably securable to a biological organism. At least the pair of drive electrodes or the pair of detection electrodes is secured to the substrate. The RFID apparatus is arranged to be in electrical communication with at least the pair of drive electrodes or the pair of detection electrodes. Methods of using the device are also provided. | 06-30-2011 |
