Low cost long distance RFID reading

• US 6,259,369 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Moore North America Incorporated (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Original Assignee: Moore North America Incorporated (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Inventors: Monico, Dominick L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/408,519
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.8, 340/572.7, 298/46, 296/00, 296/01, 343/700.MS, 156/291, 156/292, 361/765, 428/901
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• 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 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0776 the adhering arrangement being a layer of adhesive, so that the record carrier can function as a sticker
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07786 the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/285 Planar dipole H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/901 Printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

In the production radio frequency (RF) sensable objects, it is possible to produce a package, envelope, or like container which has enhanced read distance, producable by a simple method. Large areas are printed on the envelope or package in conductive ink which are separated by a non-conductive portion of the package or envelope and function as an RF antenna. Then by placing an otherwise conventional label with an RFID chip associated with it so that it bridges the conductive ink portions of the RF antenna, a much easier to sense or read product is produced. The conductive ink can be applied in a pattern, logo, and letters or character indicia. The label may have conductive pressure sensitive adhesive on one face, which actually connects the antenna sections to the RFID chip to form the operable structure that can be sensed by an RF receiver at a distance of three meters or more.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

at least one container wall having a surface area;

a first area of conductive ink at least in part disposed on said container wall and spaced from a second area of conductive ink, said first and second areas of conductive ink separated by substantially electrically non-conductive material, said first and second areas of conductive ink comprising at least part of an RF antenna;

a label having a first face, and a second face;

said second face having adhesive over at least a portion thereof, capable of attaching said label to said container wall;

said label having an RFID chip mounted thereon; and

electrically conductive material associated with said label second face and positioned to connect said first and second areas of conductive ink to said RFID chip when said label second face is placed in a position engaging said first and second areas of conductive ink and bridges said area of substantially non-conductive material, so that said container is detectable by an RF receiver.

2. A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said second area of conductive ink is disposed at least in part on said container wall.

3. A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said adhesive and said electrically conductive material comprise electrically conductive adhesive.

4. A container as recited in claim 3 wherein said electrically conductive adhesive is pressure sensitive.

5. A container as recited in claim 4 wherein said RFID chip is mounted on said label second face.

6. A container as recited in claim 5 wherein said label first face includes at least one of human and machine readable indicia thereon.

7. A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said first area is in the form of at least one recognizable letter or character.

8. A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a substantially prismatic package primarily of cellulosic material;

and wherein said substantially electrically non-conductive material separating said first and second areas of conductive ink comprises a part of said package substantially devoid of conductive ink.

9. A container as recited in claim 8 wherein said container wall is at least primarily on the exterior of said package.

10. A container as recited in claim 9 wherein said antenna areas are dimensioned, and said package is constructed, so that said package is detectable by an RF receiver at a distance of at least about three meters.

11. A container as recited in claim 10 wherein said adhesive and said electrically conductive material comprise electrically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive.

12. A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a mailable envelope of substantially electrically non-conductive material.

13. A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said antenna areas are dimensioned, and said package is constructed, so that said package is detectable by an RF receiver at a distance of at least about two meters.

14. A container as recited in claim 13 wherein said first and second areas collectively are approximately 25 square inches-200 square inches.

15. A package or envelope comprising:

at least one wall having a surface area;

a first area of conductive ink at least in part disposed on said wall and spaced from a second area of conductive ink, said first and second areas of conductive ink separated by a substantially electrically non-conductive material, portion of said package or envelope, said first and second areas of conductive ink comprising at least part of an RF antenna;

an element having first and second faces, and having an RFID chip mounted therewith;

said second face of said element having electrically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive over at least a portion thereof, capable of attaching said element to said wall; and

electrically conductive material associated with said element second face and positioned to connect said first and second areas of conductive ink to said RFID chip when said element second face is placed in a position engaging said first and second areas of conductive ink and bridges said area of substantially non-conductive material, so that said package or envelope is detectable by an RF receiver.

16. A package or envelope as recited in claim 15 wherein said element comprises an envelope or package flap, and wherein said wall comprises a face of an envelope or package which is engaged by said flap to seal said envelope or package.

17. A package or envelope as recited in claim 15 wherein said element comprises a separate and distinct label.

18. A package or envelope as recited in claim 16 wherein said RFID chip is mounted on said flap second face.

19. A package or envelope as recited in claim 15 wherein said first and second areas collectively are approximately 25 square inches-200 square inches.

20. A package or envelope as recited in claim 15 wherein said first area is in the form of at least one recognizable letter or character.

21. A method of constructing an RF detectable package or envelope having at least one wall, and of substantially electrically non-conductive material, using an element having an RFID chip mounted thereon and an electrically conductive bridging portion, comprising:

a) printing electrically conductive ink on the package or envelope, Including the at least one wall, to define first and second areas of electrically conductive ink, separated from each other by a portion of said package or envelope substantially devoid of electrically conductive ink;

b) bringing the element into bridging contact between the first and second areas of electrically conductive ink to connect the first and second areas of conductive ink to the RFID chip by the element bridging portion operatively engaging the first and second areas of conductive ink, so that the package or envelope is detectable by an RF receiver; and

c) fastening the element in the bridging position.

22. A method as recited in claim 21 wherein the element is a separate label having adhesive on a second face thereof, and wherein b) is practiced by bringing the label into bridging position with the adhesive engaging the package or envelope, and wherein c) is practiced by activating the adhesive so that the adhesive holds the label in place.

23. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein the label adhesive is pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein c) is practiced by applying pressure to the label.

24. A method as recited in claim 21 wherein the element is a part of the package or envelope containing pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein b) and c) are practiced by bringing the adhesive into contact with another part of the package or envelope, and pressing on it to hold it in place.

25. A method as recited in claim 21 wherein a)-c) are practiced so that the package or envelope may be detected by an RF detector at a distance of more than 2 meters.

26. A method as recited in claim 24 wherein the element is a flap of a package or envelope, and wherein b) and c) are practiced by folding the flap into contact with another part of the package or envelope and pressing on it.

27. A method as recited in claim 21 wherein b) and c) are practiced in a different location than a), and at least about two days later.

28. A method as recited in claim 27 wherein a) is practiced so that the first and second areas collectively are at least fifty square inches.