Method of making a thin radio frequency transponder
First Claim
1. A method of making a Radio Frequency (RF) tag, comprising the steps of:
- forming a leadframe in which one or more conductors in the leadframe form an operative antenna;
joining a circuit chip directly to the leadframe by electrically connecting one or more connectors on the circuit chip directly to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe without any further antenna being connected to the circuit chip or to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe;
covering the circuit chip and operative antenna formed in the leadframe; and
cutting out the circuit chip along with the connected operative antenna formed in the leadframe.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Manufacturing of a novel thin and flexible radio frequency (RF) tag with a stamped metal leadframe antenna is disclosed. The tag is made by transporting a leadframe strip having leadframe antenna "cutouts" to a point where a chip is mechanically and electrically attached directly to the leadframe antenna. A battery can be attached to the chip in the process. Processes to cut support bars holding the leadframe antenna to the leadframe strip, seal the package (by lamination or molding), and to excise the sealed component are performed in various orders to produce a final product. Intermediate support (positioners) for the thin leadframe are optionally provided add structural support to the antenna while the sealed component is made. A protective surround can be added to cover the package and to provide further structural support for the package while still permitting the sealed component to be thin and flexible.
73 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of making a Radio Frequency (RF) tag, comprising the steps of:
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forming a leadframe in which one or more conductors in the leadframe form an operative antenna; joining a circuit chip directly to the leadframe by electrically connecting one or more connectors on the circuit chip directly to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe without any further antenna being connected to the circuit chip or to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe; covering the circuit chip and operative antenna formed in the leadframe; and cutting out the circuit chip along with the connected operative antenna formed in the leadframe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of making a Radio Frequency (RF) tag, comprising the steps of:
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forming a leadframe in which one or more conductors in the leadframe form an operative antenna and the operative antenna formed in the leadframe has one or more support bars mechanically connecting the operative antenna formed in the leadframe to the leadframe; joining a circuit chip directly to the leadframe by electrically connecting one or more connectors on the circuit chip directly to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe without any further antenna being connected to the circuit chip or to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe; covering the circuit chip and operative antenna formed in the leadframe; and cutting the support bars to disconnect the circuit chip and the connected operative antenna formed in the leadframe. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of making a Radio Frequency (RF) tag, comprising the steps of:
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forming a leadframe in which one or more conductors in the leadframe form an operative antenna; joining a circuit chip directly to the leadframe by electrically connecting one or more connector on the circuit chip directly to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe without any further antenna being connected to the circuit chip or to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe; attaching an overlayer to and over the operative antenna formed in the leadframe, the overlayer covering a surface of the circuit chip and the connectors; and dispensing an encapsulation material between the overlayer and the surface of the circuit chip.
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26. A method of making a Radio Frequency (RF) tag, comprising the steps of:
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forming a leadframe in which one or more conductors in the leadframe form an operative antenna; joining a circuit chip to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe by electrically connecting one or more connectors on the circuit chip to the operative antenna formed in the leadframe; joining a battery to the leadframe by electrically connecting one or more battery connectors on the battery to corresponding connectors on the leadframe, the battery being for powering the circuit chip; covering the circuit chip, battery, and operative antenna formed in the leadframe; and cutting out the circuit chip along with the connected battery and operative antenna formed in the leadframe. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification