Tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna and sticker, a radio frequency identification antenna, and methods of using the same

• US 7,102,522 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2002
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Kuhns, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US10/328,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20040119593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.7, 340/571.1, 340/572.6, 340/572.1, 235/492, 343/700.MS, 343/790, 343/880, 343/895
• US Class Current: 340/572.7
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 2998/00 Supplementary information concerning processes or compositions relating to powder metallurgy
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 1/04 by powder metallurgy C22C1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/027 the material being suitable for use as a textile, e.g. woven-based RFID-like labels designed for attachment to laundry items markings attached to laundry items in general D06F93/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0739 the incapacitated circuit being part of an antenna
• 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: H05K 3/102 by bonding of conductive powder, i.e. metallic powder H05K3/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device made of densified metal powder and to a sticker including the same device. The present invention also relates to radio frequency identification antenna made of densified metal powder and to a sticker including the same antenna. The present invention also relates to methods of indicating that a radio frequency identification antenna or sticker has been tampered with.

Claims

1. A tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device, comprising:

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and

a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder.

2. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the antenna responds to a signal, and wherein after the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm, the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna does not respond to the signal.

3. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 2, wherein the signal is sent a distance greater than 15 cm from the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna.

4. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is readable by an interrogator, and wherein after the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm, the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna is not readable by the interrogator.

5. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 4, wherein the interrogator is at distance greater than 15 cm from the antenna.

6. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the antenna includes a resistance, and wherein the resistance of the antenna increases when the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

7. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 6, wherein the resistance of the antenna significantly increases when the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

8. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the conductivity of the antenna is reduced when the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

9. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the conductivity of the antenna is significantly reduced when the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

10. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is conductive, and wherein the antenna is nonconductive after the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

11. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein after the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm, the antenna comprises a fracture.

12. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 11, wherein the fracture is small or hidden by the substrate so that it is not visible to the naked eye.

13. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a conductive pattern, and wherein the conductive pattern delaminates after the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

14. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper and materials that are at least about 10% compressible.

15. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 14, wherein the materials that are at least 10% compressible are selected from the group consisting of microporous materials, nonwoven materials and woven materials.

16. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the densified metal powder is selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, lead, silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, nickel, iron, steel, zinc and alloys and combinations thereof.

17. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a loop antenna.

18. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a dipole antenna.

19. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device of claim 1 further comprising a protective layer on the antenna.

20. A tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, comprising:

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and

a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder;

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate.

21. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20, wherein the first layer of adhesive is attached to the second major surface of the substrate.

22. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20 further comprising a layer of retroreflective material including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the first major surface is attached to the first layer of adhesive.

23. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 22 further comprising a second layer of adhesive attached to the second major surface on of the layer of retroreflective material.

24. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 23 further comprising a liner on the second layer of adhesive.

25. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20, wherein the first layer of adhesive is attached to the antenna.

26. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 25 further comprising a layer of retroreflective material including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface is attached to the first layer of adhesive.

27. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 22 further comprising a second layer of adhesive attached to the second major surface on of the layer of retroreflective material.

28. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 27 further comprising a liner on the second layer of adhesive.

29. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20 further comprising a layer of retroreflective material attached adjacent to the sticker.

30. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20 further comprising an indicia printed on the sticker.

31. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20, wherein the first adhesive layer comprises a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion, wherein the first adhesive portion includes a first adhesion strength, wherein the second adhesive portion includes a second adhesive strength, and wherein the second adhesive strength is greater than the first adhesive strength.

32. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20 further comprising a layer of tamper-indicating optical material attached to the sticker.

33. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 32, wherein the layer of tamper-indicating optical material includes a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and wherein the first layer of adhesive is attached to the second major surface onto substrate and is attached to the first major surface of the layer of tamper-indicating optical material.

34. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identifications ticker of claim 32, wherein the layer of tamper-indicating optical material includes a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and wherein the first layer of adhesive is attached to the antenna and is attached to the second major surface of the layer of tamper-indicating optical material.

35. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 32, wherein after the sticker is removed from a surface, the layer of tamper-indicating optical material visibly indicates the sticker was removed from the surface.

36. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20 further comprising

a second integrated circuit attached to the substrate, wherein the second integrated circuit includes an antenna.

37. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 36, wherein the second integrated circuit comprises a radio frequency identification antenna.

38. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20, wherein the antenna responds to a signal, and wherein after the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm, the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna does not respond to the signal.

39. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 38, wherein the signal is sent from a distance greater than 15 mm.

40. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20, wherein the antenna is readable by an interogator, and wherein after the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm, the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna is not readable by the interrogator.

41. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 40, wherein the interrogator is at distance greater than 15 cm from the antenna.

42. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20, wherein the antenna includes a resistance, and wherein the resistance of the antenna increases when the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

43. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 42, wherein the resistance of the antenna is significantly increases when the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

44. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification slicker of claim 20, wherein the conductivity of the antenna is reduced when the antenna is bent equal to or less then a radius of 25 mm.

45. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 44, wherein the conductivity of the antenna is significantly reduced when the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

46. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 45, wherein the antenna is conductive, and wherein the antenna is nonconductive after the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

47. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification slicker of claim 20, wherein after the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm, the antenna comprises a fracture.

48. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 47, wherein the fracture is not visible to the naked eye.

49. The tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker of claim 20, wherein the antenna comprises a conductive pattern, and wherein the conductive pattern delaminates alter the antenna is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm.

50. A method of indicating a radio frequency identification sticker has been tampered, comprising steps of:

attaching a tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a first surface, wherein the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, comprises;

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder;

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate;

sending a signal to the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker attached to the first surface;

receiving a response from the antenna;

removing the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker from the first surface; and

sending the signal to the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker and not receiving a response from the antenna.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the removing step comprises bending the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna less than a radius of 25 mm.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the sending step comprises sending the signal from a distance greater than 15 cm from the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker.

53. The method of claim 50, comprising after the removing step, the step of:

attaching the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a second surface.

54. The method of indicating a radio frequency identification sticker has been tampered, comprising the steps of:

attaching a tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a first surface, wherein the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, comprises;

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder;

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate;

measuring a first resistance in the antenna;

bending the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker less than a radius of 25 mm; and

measuring a second resistance in the antenna that is higher than the first resistance of the antenna.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the second resistance in the antenna is significantly higher than the first resistance of the antenna.

56. The method of claim 54 wherein the bending step comprises removing the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker front the first surface.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising, after the bending and removing step, the step of:

attaching the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to second surface.

58. A method of indicating a radio frequency identification sticker has been tampered, comprising the steps of:

attaching a tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a first surface, wherein the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, comprises;

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder;

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate;

measuring a first conductivity in the antenna;

bending the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker less than or equal to a radius of 25 mm; and

measuring a second conductivity in the antenna that is lower than the first conductivity of the antenna.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the second conductivity in the antenna is significantly lower than the first conductivity of the antenna.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein the bending step comprises removing the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker from the first surface.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising, after the bending and removing step, the step of:

attaching the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification slicker to a second surface.

62. A method of indicating a radio frequency identification sticker has been tampered, comprising the steps of:

attaching a tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a first surface, wherein the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, comprises;

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder;

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate;

measuring a first conductivity in the antenna;

bending the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker less than or equal to a radius of 25 mm; and

measuring a second conductivity that indicates that the antenna is nonconductive.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein the bending step comprises removing the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker from the first surface.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising, after the bending and removing step, the step of:

attaching the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a second surface.

69. The method of claim 63, further comprising, after the removing step, the step of:

attaching the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a second surface.

65. A method of indicating a radio frequency identification sticker has been tampered, comprising the steps of:

attaching a tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a first surface, wherein the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, comprises;

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder;

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate;

bending the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker less than or equal to a radius of 25 mm; and

forming a fracture in the radio frequency identification antenna.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the bending step comprises removing the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker from the first surface.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising, after the bending and removing step, the step of;

attaching the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a second surface.

68. A method of indicating a radio frequency identification sticker has been tampered, comprising the steps of:

attaching a tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker to a first surface, wherein the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, comprises;

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a first radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder;

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna;

a second integrated circuit attached to the substrate, wherein the second integrated circuit comprises a second antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate;

sending a signal to the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker attached to the first surface;

receiving a response from the first antenna and from the second antenna;

removing the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker from the first surface;

sending the signal to the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker; and

receiving a signal from the second antenna and not receiving a response from the first antenna.

70. A tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, comprising:

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper and materials that are at least about 10% compressible, and wherein the materials that are at least 10% compressible are selected from the group consisting of microporous materials, nonwoven materials and woven materials; and

a radio frequency identification loop antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder, wherein the densified metal powder is selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, lead, silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, nickel, iron, steel, zinc and alloys and combinations thereof; and

wherein the metal powder comprises metal particles in the shape of spheres, oblongs, and polyhedra;

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate;

wherein the antenna responds to a signal sent a distance greater than 15 cm from the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker, and wherein after the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification sticker is bent equal to or less than a radius of 25 mm, the tamper-indicating radio frequency identification loop antenna does not respond to the signal and the antenna comprises a fracture that is not visible to the naked eye.

71. A radio frequency identification antenna, comprising:

a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and

a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, wherein said antenna comprises densified metal powder.

72. The radio frequency identification antenna of claim 71, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper and materials that are at least about 10% compressible.

73. The radio frequency identification antenna of claim 72, wherein the materials that are at least 10% compressible are selected from the group consisting of microporous materials, nonwoven materials and woven materials.

74. The radio frequency identification antenna of claim 71, wherein the densified metal powder is selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, lead, silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, nickel, iron, steel, zinc and alloys and combinations thereof.

75. The radio frequency identification antenna of claim 71, wherein the antenna is a loop antenna.

76. The radio frequency identification antenna of claim 71, wherein the antenna is a dipole antenna.

77. The radio frequency identification antenna of claim 71 further comprising a protective layer on the antenna.

78. A radio frequency identification sticker comprising a radio frequency identification antenna of claim 71, and further comprising:

a first integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and

a first layer of adhesive attached to the substrate.

79. The A radio frequency identification sticker of claim 78, further comprising a layer of retroreflective material including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface is attached to the first layer of adhesive.