Thin, flexible, RFID label and system for use

• US 7,158,031 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2003
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Tuttle, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAI T
• Application Number:
  US10/705,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20040246099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/573.1, 340/539.12, 340/825.3, 340/870.16, 340/572.8, 340/572.4, 342/44, 342/50
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/758 using a signal generator powered by the interrogation signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/767 Responders; Transponders teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using reflecting targets or active targets F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0702 the arrangement including a battery
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0728 the arrangement being an optical or sound-based communication interface
• 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 19/07749 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: G07B 2017/00629 Circuit, e.g. transponder
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/604 Address structures or formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/622 Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5046 Resolving address allocation conflicts; Testing of addresses testing when self-assigning an address H04L61/5092
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5084 Providing for device mobility network addressing or numbering for mobility support in wireless networks H04W8/26; mobile IP H04W80/04

Abstract

A radio frequency indentification (RFID) label includes an integrated circuit and an antenna. The label may also include two flexible films directly sealed to each other. The label may be affixed to an article and used in conjunction with an interrogation system to track the article.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) label comprising:

a first flexible material layer having substantially uniform thickness;

a single integrated circuit (IC) comprising memory configured to store an identification number and a transceiver configured to receive an interrogation signal and to provide the identification number in response to the interrogation signal;

an antenna coupled to the IC; and

a second flexible material layer having substantially uniform thickness coupled directly to the first layer in at least a portion of a region surrounding the IC and the antenna to form a flexible enclosure, wherein the IC and the antenna are disposed between the first and second layers.

2. The RFID label of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises an adhesive to affix the label to a surface of an article.

3. The RFID label of claim 2, wherein the second layer comprises text printed on a surface of the second layer.

4. The RFID label of claim 3, wherein the antenna is a dipole antenna formed on the first layer.

5. The RFID label of claim 4, wherein the antenna comprises a printed conductive material.

6. The RFID label of claim 4, wherein the IC includes circuitry disposed on a surface of the IC facing the first layer.

7. The RFID label of claim 4, wherein a distance between opposing surfaces of the first and second layers is less than 10 mils throughout the enclosure.

8. The RFID label of claim 4, wherein a thickness of at least a portion of the label is within a range of one to five mils.

9. The RFID label of claim 4, wherein the interrogation signal is a spread spectrum signal.

10. The RFID label of claim 4, further comprising a stiffener material disposed between the IC and the second layer.

11. The RFID label of claim 1, further comprising a first battery disposed between the first and second layers, the first battery being flexible and rectangular.

12. The RFID label of claim 11, further comprising a second battery coupled in series with the first battery and disposed between the first and second layers, the second battery being flexible and rectangular.

13. The RFID label of claim 11, wherein the first battery is rechargeable.

14. The RFID label of claim 11, wherein the IC further comprises a sleep/wake-up circuit to bring the IC out of a sleep mode.

15. The RFID label of claim 1, wherein the flexible enclosure is hermetically sealed.

16. A radio frequency identification (RFID) label comprising:

a first flexible film having substantially uniform thickness;

a dipole antenna formed on the first film;

a single integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the antenna and comprising memory configured to store an identification number and a transceiver configured to receive a spread spectrum interrogation signal and to provide the identification number in response to the signal; and

a second flexible film having substantially uniform thickness sealed directly to the first film along at least a portion of a boundary that surrounds the IC and the antenna to form a flexible package, wherein the IC and the antenna are disposed between opposing surfaces of the first and second films in a substantially two dimensional planar configuration.

17. The RFID label of claim 16, wherein the second film comprises text printed on a surface of the second film.

18. The RFID label of claim 16, wherein the first film comprises an adhesive to affix the device to an article to track the article.

19. The RFID label of claim 16, wherein the antenna comprises a printed conductive material.

20. The RFID label of claim 16, wherein the IC includes circuitry disposed on a surface of the IC facing the first film.

21. The RFID label of claim 16, wherein a distance between the opposing surfaces is less than 10 mils throughout the package.

22. The RFID label of claim 21, wherein a thickness of at least a portion of the label is within a range of one to five mils.

23. The RFID label of claim 16, further comprising a stiffener material disposed between the IC and the second film.

24. The RFID label of claim 16, wherein the first film is transparent.

25. The RFID label of claim 16, wherein the second film is sealed directly to the first film along an entire boundary that surrounds the IC and the antenna.

26. The RFID label of claim 25, wherein the package is hermetically sealed.

27. The RFID label of claim 25, wherein the boundary is an outer boundary.

28. A radio frequency identification (RFID) device comprising:

a first flexible film having substantially uniform thickness;

a dipole antenna formed on the first film;

a single integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the antenna and comprising memory configured to store an identification number and a transceiver configured to receive an interrogation signal and to provide the identification number in response to the signal; and

a second flexible film having substantially uniform thickness sealed directly to the first film at least along an outer boundary of the first film to form a flexible label that includes the IC and the antenna.

29. The RFID device of claim 28, wherein the second film comprises text printed on a surface of the second film.

30. The RFID device of claim 29, wherein the first film comprises an adhesive to affix the device to a surface of an article.

31. The RFID device of claim 29, wherein the antenna comprises a printed conductive material.

32. The RFID device of claim 29, wherein the IC includes circuitry disposed on a surface of the IC facing the first film.

33. The RFID device of claim 28, wherein the interrogation signal is a spread spectrum signal.

34. The RFID device of claim 28, wherein the IC and the antenna are disposed between opposing surfaces of the first and second films.

35. The RFID device of claim 34, wherein the outer boundary surrounds the IC and antenna.

36. A radio frequency identification (RFID) device comprising:

a first flexible material layer having substantially uniform thickness and a boundary region;

a dipole antenna formed on the first layer;

a single integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the antenna and comprising memory and a transceiver configured to receive an interrogation signal and to provide a response; and

a second flexible material layer having substantially uniform thickness and comprising text printed on a first surface of the second layer, wherein a second surface of the second layer is coupled directly to at least the boundary region of the first layer to form a flexible label that includes the IC and the antenna, and wherein the IC and the antenna are disposed in a substantially two dimensional planar configuration.

37. The RFID device of claim 36, wherein the first layer comprises an adhesive to affix the device to an article to track the article.

38. The RFID device of claim 36, wherein the IC includes circuitry disposed on a surface of the IC facing the first layer.

39. The RFID device of claim 38, wherein the boundary region is an outer boundary, the outer boundary surrounds the IC and antenna, and the IC and the antenna are disposed between opposing surfaces of the first and second layers.

40. The RFID device of claim 36, wherein the first layer and second layer comprise the same material.

41. The RFID device of claim 40, wherein a single sheet of the material is folded over to form the first layer and the second layer.

42. The RFID device of claim 36, wherein a distance between opposing surfaces of the first and second layers is less than 10 mils throughout the device.

43. The RFID device of claim 36, wherein a thickness of at least a portion of the device is within a range of one to five mils.

44. The RFID device of claim 36, further comprising a stiffener material disposed between the IC and the second surface of the second layer.

45. The RFID device of claim 36, wherein the interrogation signal is a spread spectrum signal.

46. A system, comprising:

an article;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the article, the RFID device including a dipole antenna, a single integrated circuit (IC) storing an identification number that identifies the article, and two flexible films, each of substantially uniform thickness, sealed directly together along at least a boundary to form a flexible label that includes the IC and the antenna; and

an interrogator configured to charge and interrogate the RFID device to determine the identification number in accordance with tracking the article.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the RFID device comprises an adhesive to affix the device to the article.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the RFID device comprises text printed on a surface of the RFID device.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the IC includes circuitry disposed on a surface of the IC facing the antenna.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the boundary surrounds the IC and antenna, and the IC and the antenna are disposed between opposing surfaces of the two films.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein a distance between opposing surfaces of the two films is less than 10 mils throughout the RFID device.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein a thickness of at least a portion of the RFID device is within a range of one to five mils.

53. The system of claim 46, wherein the RFID device further comprises a stiffener material disposed over the IC of the RFID device.

54. The system of claim 46, wherein the interrogator is configured to interrogate the RFID device using a spread spectrum signal.

55. A system, comprising:

a plurality of articles;

a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, each RFID device attached to a respective article and including a dipole antenna, a single integrated circuit (IC) storing an identification number that identifies the respective article, and two flexible films, each of substantially uniform thickness, sealed directly together along at least a boundary to form a flexible label that includes the IC and the antenna disposed in a substantially two dimensional planar configuration; and

an interrogator configured to charge and interrogate, using spread spectrum signals, the plurality of RFID devices to determine each identification number that identifies each respective article in accordance with tracking the plurality of articles.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein each RFID device comprises a respective adhesive layer that attaches the respective RFID device to the respective article.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein each RFID device comprises respective text printed on a respective surface of the RFID device.

58. A system, comprising:

first and second articles;

a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the first article, the first RFID device including a first dipole antenna, a first single integrated circuit (IC) storing a first identification number that identifies the first article, and two first flexible films, each of substantially uniform thickness, sealed directly together along at least a first boundary to form a flexible label that includes the first IC and the first antenna, wherein the first IC and the first antenna are disposed in a substantially two dimensional planar configuration;

a second radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the second article, the second RFID device including a second dipole antenna, a second single integrated circuit (IC) storing a second identification number that identifies the second article, and two second flexible films, each of substantially uniform thickness, sealed directly together along at least a second boundary to form a flexible label that includes the second IC and the second antenna, wherein the second IC and the second antenna are disposed in a substantially two dimensional planar configuration; and

an interrogator configured to charge and interrogate, using spread spectrum signals, the first and second RFID devices to determine the first and second identification numbers that identify the first and second articles, respectively, in accordance with a process of tracking the first and second articles.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the first and second boundaries of the first and second RFID devices, respectively, surround the respective IC and antenna, and the respective IC and antenna are disposed between respective opposing surfaces of the respective two films.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein stiffener material is disposed over the first and second ICs.

61. A system, comprising:

an article;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the article, the RFID device including a dipole antenna formed on a first flexible film of substantially uniform thickness and having a boundary, a single integrated circuit (IC) storing an identification number that identifies the article, and a second flexible film of substantially uniform thickness and comprising printed text sealed directly to the first film along the boundary to form a flexible label that includes the IC and the antenna; and

a plurality of interrogators, each configured to charge and interrogate the RFID device using spread spectrum signals to determine the identification number in accordance with tracking the article.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the plurality of interrogators includes at least three interrogators, a first interrogator at a point of origin, a second interrogator at a point along a shipment route, and a third interrogator at a point of destination of the article.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the first film of the RFID device comprises an adhesive to affix the RFID device to the article.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein the IC includes circuitry disposed on a surface of the IC facing the first film.

65. The system of claim 61, wherein the IC and the antenna are disposed between opposing surfaces of the first and second films.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the boundary surrounds the IC and antenna.

67. The system of claim 61, wherein the RFID device further comprises a stiffener material disposed over the IC of the RFID device.

68. A system, comprising:

an article;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device attached to the article, the RFID device including a dipole antenna, a single integrated circuit (IC) comprising memory and a transceiver, and two flexible films, each of substantially uniform thickness, sealed directly together along a region to form a flexible label that includes the IC and the antenna, wherein the IC and the antenna are disposed in a substantially two dimensional planar configuration;

a first interrogator configured to charge the RFID device and store an identification number that identifies the article in the memory of the RFID device using spread spectrum; and

a second interrogator configured to charge the RFID device and read the identification number stored in the RFID device using spread spectrum in accordance with tracking the article.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein the IC includes circuitry disposed on a surface of the IC facing the antenna.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the region is a boundary surrounding the IC and antenna, and the IC and the antenna are disposed between opposing surfaces of the two films.

71. The system of claim 68, wherein the region is a boundary surrounding the IC and antenna, and the IC and the antenna are disposed between opposing surfaces of the two films.

72. The system of claim 68, wherein the RFID device comprises an adhesive to affix the device to the article.

73. The system of claim 69, wherein the RFID device comprises an adhesive to affix the device to the article.

74. The system of claim 68, wherein the RFID device further comprises a stiffener material disposed over the IC of the RFID device.

75. The system of claim 69, wherein the RFID device further comprises a stiffener material disposed over the IC of the RFID device.