Laminated radio frequency identification device

• US 5,973,600 A
• Filed: 09/09/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Precision Dynamics Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Precision Dynamics Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Mosher, Walter W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US09/149,984
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/573.4, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07745 Mounting details of integrated circuit chips
• 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 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• 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

An RFID wristband incorporates identification circuitry which may be of a read only, a read/write, a passive, or an active configuration. The wristband consists of a plurality of laminae which bear components of the RFID circuitry and which encapsulate said circuitry upon the securement or adherence of said laminae to each or one another. The wristband is incorporated in an identification system particularly adapted for hospital patient identification and is associated with an RFID reader which generates a magnetic signal requesting identification from the wristband. The wristband is automatically assembled by the utilization of at least two laminae of a polymorphic flexible nature to encapsulate the RFID circuit and includes the utilization of polymeric in conductive components in said circuit. The method of assembling the RFID components with the respective laminae results in the complete isolation of the RFID circuit from contact with deleterious and corrosive substances characteristic of hospital environments.

Claims

1. In an identification wristband for emitting a radio frequency identification signal, the combination of:

a first flexible polymer lamina having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a second flexible polymer lamina having an outer surface and an inner surface;

programmable encoder circuitry imprinted on the inner surface of one of said laminae for defining identification information;

an antenna encapsulated between said laminae; and

signal generator circuitry imprinted on the inner surface of one of said laminae and responsive to said encoder circuitry for applying a radio frequency signal bearing said identification information to said antenna and said laminae being secured to each other to encapsulate said circuitry.

2. In an identification wristband for emitting a radio frequency identification signal, the combination of:

a first flexible polymer;

a second flexible polymer;

programmable encoder circuitry encapsulated between said laminae for defining identification information;

an antenna encapsulated between said laminae; and

a signal generator circuitry encapsulated by said laminae and responsive to said encoder circuitry for applying a radio frequency signal bearing said identification information to said antenna formed of polymer materials deposited on one of said laminae.

3. In an identification wristband for emitting a radio frequency identification signal, the combination of:

a first flexible polymer lamina;

a second flexible polymer lamina;

programmable encoder circuitry encapsulated between said laminae for defining identification information;

an antenna encapsulated between said laminae; and

a signal generator circuitry encapsulated by said laminae and responsive to said encoder circuitry for applying a radio frequency signal bearing said identification information to said antenna; and

a third intermediate lamina located between said first and second laminae, said intermediate lamina having said circuitry deposited thereupon in conjunction with said antenna and encapsulated between said first and second laminae.

4. The identification wristband of claim 3 wherein said circuitry is formed of polymeric materials deposited on said third intermediate lamina.

5. In an identification wristband for emitting a radio frequency identification signal, the combination of:

a first flexible polymer lamina;

a second flexible polymer lamina;

programmable encoder circuitry encapsulated between said laminae for defining identification information;

an antenna encapsulated between said laminae;

a signal generator circuitry encapsulated by said laminae and responsive to said encoder circuitry for applying a radio frequency signal bearing said identification information to said antenna; and

said circuitry being embodied in an IC chip deposited on an intermediate third lamina and encapsulated between said first and second laminae.

6. In a system for providing identification information, the combination of:

a reader for emitting an electromagnetic signal;

an identification wristband responsive to said electromagnetic signal by producing an identification signal, said wristband including;

a first lamina of polymeric material having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a second lamina of polymeric material secured to said first lamina having an outer surface and an inner surface;

an antenna for receiving said electromagnetic signal located between said laminae; and

circuitry imprinted on the inner surface of one of said laminae coupled to said antenna for generating said identification signal in response to said electromagnetic signal received by said antenna, and said reader being responsive to said identification signal.

7. The identification wristband of claim 6 wherein portions of said circuitry are defined by a conductive ink pattern disposed on said one of said laminae.

8. The identification wristband of claim 6 wherein said circuitry is defined by polymeric conductive patterns on said one of said laminae.

9. In an information transmitting and receiving system, the combination of:

a reader for emitting an electromagnetic signal;

an identification wristband for receiving said electromagnetic signal and producing a responsive identification signal, said wristband including;

a first polymeric material lamina;

a second polymeric material lamina; and

a third intermediate polymeric material lamina interposed between said first and second laminae, said first, second, and third laminae being secured to one another;

an antenna for receiving said electromagnetic signal included between two of said laminae;

circuitry between said laminae coupled to said antenna for generating said identification signal in response to said electromagnetic signal received by said antenna; and

said reader being responsive to said identification signal.

10. The identification wristband of claim 9 wherein portions of said circuitry are defined by a conductive ink pattern deposited on said third intermediate lamina.

11. The identification wristband of claim 9 wherein portions of said circuitry are defined by polymeric conductors on said third intermediate lamina.

12. In a method of fabricating a wristband for producing a radio frequency identification signal, the steps of:

dispensing a continuous first lamina of polymeric material having an outer surface and an inner surface;

imprinting an RFID circuit on said inner surface of said first lamina;

depositing an antenna on said first lamina connected to said RFID circuit;

imprinting a second polymeric lamina having an outer surface and an inner surface over said RFID circuit and securing it to said first lamina and encapsulating said RFID circuit and said antenna between said first and second laminae.

13. The method of claim 12 in which said RFID circuit is provided by conductive ink on said first lamina.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said RFID circuit is provided by polymeric conductor means on said first lamina.

15. The method of forming an identification wristband for producing a radio frequency identification signal, said method including the steps of:

dispensing an intermediate polymeric lamina;

depositing an RFID circuit including an antenna on said intermediate lamina;

securing a top polymeric lamina to said intermediate lamina in overlying relationship with said RFID circuit; and

securing a bottom polymeric lamina in underlying relationship with said intermediate lamina to encapsulate said intermediate lamina, and forming the configuration of said wristband on said laminae to permit the separation of said wristband therefrom.