Dual Mode RFID Tag Utilizing Dual Antennas

• US 20090066516A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: LAZO, Phil
• Application Number:
  US11/850,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20090066516A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.700
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0724 the arrangement being a circuit for communicating at a plurality of frequencies, e.g. for managing time multiplexed communication over at least two antennas of different types
• 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: G06K 19/07767 the first and second communication means being two different antennas types, e.g. dipole and coil type, or two antennas of the same kind but operating at different frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07786 the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 Antenna or antenna activator circuit

Abstract

An RFID tags is constructed and arranged to have two or more antennas that are operable in two different frequency bands. An integrated circuit (IC) of the RFID tag is capable of configuring the RFID tag to operate as two distinct state machines, one corresponding to each of the frequency bands and antennas. A switch, responsive to manual control or an external signal causes the RFID tag to selectively operate in either of its modes and frequency bands.

Claims

1. A dual mode RFID tag, comprising:

a dual mode integrated circuit including at least dual antenna input ports;

a first antenna coupled to a first of the at least dual antenna input ports;

a second antenna coupled to a second of the at least dual antenna input ports; and

a switch means for causing the integrated circuit to connect to make active either the first or second antenna port.

2. A dual mode RFID tag according to claim A1 wherein the switch means is configured so as to be responsive to an externally generated and received signal.

3. A dual mode RFID tag according to claim A1 wherein the first and second antennas are integrated dipole antennas tuned to different frequency bands.

4. A dual mode RFID tag according to claim A4 wherein the first antenna is tuned to operate in the UHF band and the second antenna is tuned to operate in the 8.2 MHz band.

5. A dual mode RFID tag according to claim A1 further comprising a capacitive element and wherein the integrated circuit, when switching from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation causes the capacitive element to be connected to one of the antennas.

6. A dual mode RFID tag according to claim A4 wherein the first antenna is tuned to operate in the VHF band and the second antenna is constructed and arranged to operate in a mode consistent with the ISO 14443 standard.

7. A dual mode RFID tag according to claim A1 further comprising an integrated circuit (IC) constructed and arranged to operate the RFID tag as either a first or second state machine, one state machine corresponding to each of the antennas.

8. A dual mode RFID tag, comprising:

a dual mode integrated circuit operable in a first UHF mode and a second EAS mode and including two antenna input ports;

a UHF antenna coupled to a first of the two antenna input ports;

a EAS mode antenna coupled to a second of the two antenna input ports; and

control logic for causing the integrated circuit to operate selectively in either the UHF or EAS mode; and

a switch for connecting causing either of the antennas to be actively connected to the IC when the IC is operated in its corresponding mode.

9. A method for operating an RFID tag, comprising:

receiving signals from a first RFID tag antenna;

operating a dual mode integrated circuit (IC) of the RFID tag as a first state machine while receiving signals from a first RFID tag antenna;

receiving signals from a second RFID tag antenna;

operating a dual mode integrated circuit (IC) of the RFID tag as a second state machine while receiving signals from a second RFID tag antenna;

10. A method according to claim C1 further comprising:

receiving an external signal; and

changing from first state machine operation to second state machine operation in response thereto.

11. A method according to claim C2 further comprising:

receiving an external signal; and

changing from second state machine operation to first state machine operation in response thereto.