Combined EAS/RFID tag

• US 20100001079A1
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digital Tags SAS (Beontag)
• Original Assignee: Tagsys SAS (Mojix Inc)
• Inventors: Martin, Philippe, Hall, David Malcolm
• Granted Patent: US 8,056,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• 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 19/07756 the connection being non-galvanic, e.g. capacitive
• 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: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag

Abstract

A combined EAS/RFID tag including an EAS circuit and a first RFID circuit is disclosed. The EAS circuit has at least one capacitor and the RFID circuit has a main antenna wherein at least a part of the capacitor of the EAS circuit provides at least a part of the main antenna of the RFID circuit. The EAS circuit may include two capacitors and each capacitor may include first and second plates on first and second sides of a substrate wherein one plate of each capacitor forms part of the main antenna of the RFID circuit.

Claims

1. A combined EAS/RFID tag including an EAS circuit and a first RFID circuit, said EAS circuit having at least one capacitor and said RFID circuit having a main antenna wherein at least a part of said capacitor of said EAS circuit provides at least a part of said main antenna of said RFID circuit.

2. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 1 wherein said EAS and RFID circuits are provided on a substrate and said at least one capacitor of said EAS circuit includes first and second plates on respective first and second sides of said substrate and wherein one of said plates forms said part of said main antenna of said RFID circuit.

3. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 2 wherein said EAS circuit includes two capacitors and each capacitor includes first and second plates on said first and second sides of said substrate and wherein one plate of each capacitor forms said part of said main antenna of said RFID circuit.

4. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 3 wherein said main antenna includes a U-shaped dipole and wherein said second plates of said two capacitors form legs of said U-shaped dipole.

5. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 1 wherein said EAS circuit is adapted to operate at a HF frequency and said RFID circuit is adapted to operate at a UHF frequency.

6. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 1 wherein said EAS circuit includes a coil and wherein said part of said capacitor of said EAS circuit is connected to said coil via a micro-stripline having a length that is substantially a quarter wavelength at an operating frequency of said RFID circuit.

7. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 2 wherein said RFID circuit includes a relatively small primary antenna and an IC module.

8. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 7 wherein said primary antenna is adapted for electromagnetic coupling with said main antenna.

9. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 7 wherein said primary antenna and said IC module are provided on a separate substrate.

10. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 7 wherein said primary antenna and said IC module are provided on said first side of said substrate.

11. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 7 wherein said primary antenna and said IC module are provided on said second side of said substrate.

12. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 11 wherein said primary antenna is integrally linked with said main antenna.

13. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 2 wherein said RFID circuit includes a relatively small primary antenna and an IC module, said primary antenna being adapted for electromagnetic coupling with said main antenna and wherein said primary antenna and said IC module are provided on a separate substrate.

14. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 1 wherein said RFID circuit includes a relatively small primary antenna and an IC module wherein said primary antenna is integrally linked with said main antenna.

15. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 1 including an RFID strap interposed in said EAS circuit to provide a second RFID circuit.

16. A combined EAS/RFID tag according to claim 15 wherein said first RFID circuit is adapted to operate at a UHF frequency and said second RFID circuit is adapted to operate at a HF frequency.