Wireless identification device, RFID device with push-on/push-off switch, and method of manufacturing wireless identification device

• US 20060168802A1
• Filed: 01/17/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Inventors: Tuttle, Mark E.
• Application Number:
  US11/334,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20060168802A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/825
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/05 Card, e.g. credit card
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A wireless identification device including a housing; circuitry in the housing configured to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal; and a selectively actuated switch supported by the housing and controlling whether the circuitry identifies the device. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device, the method comprising configuring circuitry to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal; coupling the circuitry to a push-on/push-off switch supported by the housing and controlling whether the circuitry provides the signal to identify the device; and encasing the circuitry in a housing such that the switch is actuable from outside the housing by touching a portion of the housing.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device, the method comprising:

supporting circuitry on a film substrate to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal;

coupling the circuitry to a power supply;

causing the circuitry to stop providing the signal to identify the device in response to receiving an off signal; and

flowing an encapsulant over the circuitry to define a housing including the encapsulant and the substrate.

2. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuitry includes a backscatter transmitter.

3. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to provide a backscatter signal to identify the device in response to the interrogation signal.

4. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the substrate is a polyester substrate.

5. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification device, the method comprising:

supporting circuitry on a film substrate, the circuitry being configured to provide an RF backscatter signal to identify the device in response to an RF interrogation signal from an interrogator, the circuitry being configured to, in response to an off signal, stop providing the RF signal to identify the device in response to RF interrogation;

coupling the circuitry to a power supply; and

flowing an encapsulant over the circuitry to define a housing including the encapsulant and the substrate.

6. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the circuitry includes volatile memory.

7. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the power supply comprises a coil configured to receive power from an interrogator by magnetic coupling.

8. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the substrate is a polyester film substrate.

9. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the circuitry includes an integrated circuit including a transmitter and a receiver.

10. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 9 wherein the circuitry includes printed thick film formed over the substrate.

11. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the circuitry includes printed thick film formed over the substrate.

12. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the circuitry is configured to provide the signal to identify the device to the interrogator by magnetic coupling.

13. A wireless identification device comprising:

a film substrate;

circuitry supported on the film substrate, the circuitry being configured to provide an wireless signal to identify the device in response to a wireless interrogation signal from an interrogator, the circuitry being further configured to, in response to an off signal, stop providing the wireless signal to identify the device in response to wireless interrogation;

a power supply coupled to the circuitry; and

an encapsulant over the circuitry and defining, with the film substrate, a housing.

14. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 13 wherein the circuitry includes volatile memory.

15. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 13 wherein the circuitry is configured to provide the signal to identify the device to the interrogator by magnetic coupling.

16. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 13 wherein the circuitry includes a coil configured to receive power from an interrogator by magnetic coupling.

17. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 13 wherein the substrate is a polyester film substrate.

18. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 13 wherein the circuitry includes an integrated circuit including a transmitter and a receiver.

19. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 18 wherein the circuitry includes printed thick film formed over the substrate.

20. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 13 wherein the circuitry includes printed thick film formed over the substrate.

21. A method of using a wireless identification device including a film substrate;

circuitry supported on the film substrate, the circuitry being configured to provide an wireless signal to identify the device in response to a wireless interrogation signal from an interrogator, the circuitry being further configured to, in response to an off signal, stop providing the wireless signal to identify the device in response to wireless interrogation;

a power supply coupled to the circuitry; and

an encapsulant over the circuitry and defining, with the film substrate, a housing, the method comprising;

receiving, at the device, a signal indicative of a desire by a user that the circuitry cease identifying the device to an interrogator; and

in response to the cease identifying signal, the circuitry ceasing to provide the wireless signal to identify the device responsive to wireless interrogation.

22. A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein the substrate is a polyester substrate.

23. A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein the circuitry includes volatile memory.

24. A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein the circuitry is configured to provide the signal to identify the device to the interrogator by magnetic coupling.

25. A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein the circuitry includes a coil configured to receive power from an interrogator by magnetic coupling.

26. A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein the circuitry includes an integrated circuit including a transmitter and a receiver.

27. A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein the circuitry includes printed thick film formed over the substrate.

28. A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein the circuitry includes printed thick film formed over the substrate.

29. A wireless identification device comprising:

means defining a flexible substrate;

circuitry supported on the film substrate, the circuitry including means for providing an wireless signal to identify the device in response to a wireless interrogation signal from an interrogator, the circuitry being further configured to, in response to an off signal, stop providing the wireless signal to identify the device in response to wireless interrogation;

means for supplying power supply to the circuitry; and

means, including an encapsulant over the circuitry, defining a housing with the film substrate.

30. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the means defining a flexible substrate comprises polyester.

31. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the circuitry includes volatile memory.

32. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the circuitry is configured to provide the signal to identify the device to the interrogator by magnetic coupling.

33. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the circuitry includes a coil configured to receive power from an interrogator by magnetic coupling.

34. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the means defining a flexible substrate comprises a polyester film.

35. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the circuitry includes an integrated circuit including a transmitter and a receiver.

36. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 29 wherein the circuitry includes printed thick film formed over the substrate means.

37. A wireless identification device in accordance with claim 35 wherein the circuitry includes printed thick film formed over the substrate.