SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BREAKAWAY RFID TAGS

• US 20080030342A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartrac Technology Fletcher, Inc. (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Neology Incorporated (OEP Technologie BV)
• Inventors: Elizondo, Paul, Azevedo, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,179,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.7
• 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 19/07796 arrangements on the record carrier to allow stacking of a plurality of similar record carriers, e.g. to avoid interference between the non-contact communication of the plurality of record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10029 the collision being resolved in the time domain, e.g. using binary tree search or RFID responses allocated to a random time slot
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10039 interrogator driven, i.e. synchronous
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10475 arrangements to facilitate interaction with further interrogation devices, e.g. such that at least two interrogation devices may function and cooperate in a network of such devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0641 Change of the master or reference, e.g. take-over or failure of the master
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0266 Marks, test patterns or identification means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0268 for electrical inspection or testing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/142 Arrangements of planar printed circuit boards in the same plane, e.g. auxiliary printed circuit insert mounted in a main printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0909 Preformed cutting or breaking line
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09127 PCB or component having an integral separable or breakable part
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/30 Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor

Abstract

A breakaway RFID tag is configured such that it comprises part of a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCB). Thus, the breakaway RFID tag can be used to track the PCB as it migrates through a manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the RFID tag can be assembled first and then used to track the PCB as it is populated with components and installed into larger assemblies and ultimately into the end device. Once the PCB is installed into a larger assembly or the end device, the breakaway RFID tag is configured such that it can be broken off and attached to the outside of the larger assembly or end device. In this manner, the RFID tag can be used to continue tracking the PCB all the way through the end of the manufacturing process. Accordingly, tracking information can be more efficiently correlated and used to improve inventory tracking, failure trend spotting analysis, and to improve service by providing information that can quickly identify potential problems in a failed field unit.

Claims

1. A printed circuit board (PCB) comprising:

a breakaway RFID tag comprising a printed antenna, an integrated circuit (IC) pad configured to receive a RFID transponder IC; and

a breakaway connection configured to allow the breakaway RFID tag to be detached from the PCB to which it is initially attached.

2. The PCB of claim 1, wherein the IC pad is a surface mount pad.

3. The PCB of claim 1, wherein the IC pad is a dual axial lead pad.

4. The PCB of claim 1, wherein the breakaway RFID tag is configured to be detached from the PCB and attached to the exterior of an assembly comprising the PCB.

5. A breakaway RFID tag comprising:

a printed antenna;

an RFID transponder IC coupled with the printed antenna; and

a breakaway connection configured to allow the breakaway RFID tag to be detached from a PCB to which it is initially attached.

6. The breakaway RFID tag of claim 5 wherein the transponder IC pad is a surface mount IC.

7. The breakaway RFID tag of claim 5 wherein the transponder IC pad is a dual axial lead IC.

8. A method of tracking an assembly comprising:

fabricating a PCB comprising a breakaway RFID tag and traces for other components;

populating the breakaway RFID tag with an RFID transponder IC;

scanning the breakaway RFID tag and recording identifying information contained in the breakaway RFID tag after it is scanned;

assembling the PCB into an assembly;

detaching the breakaway ROD tag;

placing the breakaway RFID tag on the exterior of the assembly; and

tracking the assembly using the breakaway RFID tag.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising the additional steps of:

populating the PCB; and

scanning the breakaway RFID tag again after populating the PCB.

10. The method of claim 8 comprising the additional steps of inspecting the PCB for defects;

and

using the breakaway RFID tag to track the defects on the PCB.

11. The method of claim 8 comprising the additional steps of inspecting the assembly for defects;

and

using the breakaway RFID tag to track the defects on the assembly.

12. A method of diagnosing problems in an assembly with a PCB comprising;

scanning a breakaway RFID tag mounted on the exterior of the assembly;

using the identifying information contained in the breakaway RFID tag to retrieve recorded information associated with the breakaway RFID tag and the PCB; and

analyzing the recorded information associated with the RFID tag and the PCB to trouble-shoot the assembly process.

13. A method for troubleshooting an assembly process comprising:

scanning a breakaway RFID tag and recording identifying information contained in the breakaway RFID tag after it is scanned;

using the identification information on the breakaway RFID tag to retrieve information;

using the retrieved information to troubleshoot a problem; and

storing information related to service.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the troubleshooting step comprises tracking failure trends.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising the additional step of identifying problems based on the tracking failure trends step.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising the additional steps of:

determining if problems exist in an assembly process; and

determining if problems exist in a repair process.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the retrieved information is retrieved from a database.

18. The method of claim 13, comprising the additional step of associating information related to servicing with the identification information contained in the breakaway RFID tag.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising the additional step of storing the information related to servicing in a database.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the RFID tag is attached to the outside of a unit in the field