LOW-FREQUENCY RADIO TAG ENCAPSULATING SYSTEM

• US 20070171076A1
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Waterhouse, Paul, Stevens, John
• Application Number:
  US11/467,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20070171076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.800
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14647 Making flat card-like articles with an incorporated IC or chip module, e.g. IC or chip cards
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3456 Antennas, e.g. radomes
• 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: H01L 23/49855 for flat-cards, e.g. credit cards cards per se G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00

Abstract

A sturdy radio tag has an antenna and semiconductor chip tuned to low frequency, encapsulated using a low-temperature, low-pressure, low-viscosity injection molding process.

Claims

1. A radio tag, the radio tag comprising a wire-wound loop antenna having an area exceeding three square inches, a semiconductor chip electrically coupled with the loop antenna, a battery electrically coupled with the chip, and a crystal electrically coupled with the chip, the antenna and chip tuned to a frequency below 1 megahertz, the tag further comprising a low-viscosity liquid surrounding the antenna, the chip, the battery, and the crystal, the radio tag being at low temperature.

2. The radio tag of claim 1 further comprising a liquid crystal display electrically coupled with the chip.

3. A method comprising the steps of:

assembling a wire-wound loop antenna, a semiconductor chip electrically coupled thereto, the antenna and chip tuned to a frequency below 1 megahertz;

injection molding a low viscosity plastic liquid at low temperature, the plastic liquid surrounding the antenna and the chip.

4. A method comprising the steps of:

assembling a wire-wound loop antenna, a semiconductor chip electrically coupled thereto, and a battery electrically coupled thereto, the antenna and chip tuned to a frequency below 1 megahertz;

injection molding a low viscosity plastic liquid at low temperature, the plastic liquid surrounding the antenna and the chip, whereby after solidification of the plastic, the battery is undamaged.

5. A method for use with a radio tag, the radio tag responsive to low-frequency communication, the method comprising the steps of:

repeatedly striking the tag with sufficient force to drive a nail into wood;

thereafter, communicating successfully with the tag by means of low-frequency communication.

6. A radio tag, the radio tag comprising a wire-wound loop antenna having an area exceeding three square inches, a semiconductor chip electrically coupled with the loop antenna, a battery electrically coupled with the chip, and a crystal electrically coupled with the chip, the antenna and chip tuned to a frequency below 1 megahertz, the tag further comprising a solid plastic surrounding the antenna, the chip, the battery, and the crystal, the solid plastic resulting from solidification of a low-viscosity liquid at low temperature.