Identification device and method

• US 7,546,948 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Inventors: Maranov, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paik; Steven S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai; Thien T
• Application Number:
  US11/226,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20070057054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/487, 235/383, 235/462.01, 340/572.1, 340/10.31, 340/10.5
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0672 with resonating marks
• 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 19/07749 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 7/086 sensing passive circuit, e.g. resonant circuit transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10544 by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum

Abstract

The invention provides an identification device and method. The device includes a pattern adapted and configured to be read optically by a reader to obtain information. The pattern is formed at least in part by electrically conductive material. The device also includes a resonant circuit configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, the resonant circuit formed at least in part from the electrically conductive material of the pattern. The device may include a plurality of conductive members and may be adapted and configured to be read optically by a bar code reader. The plurality of parallel conductive members may be formed in a serpentine pattern or a continuous winding pattern, among others. The resonant circuit may also be configured to act as a dipole. Each of the conductive members may be connected by a straight conductor at an end of each of the conductive members.

Claims

1. A device for containing information comprising:

a) a substrate;

b) a first layer disposed on the substrate, the first layer including an initial pattern of conductive material;

c) a second layer disposed on a portion of the first layer, the second layer being a dielectric material;

d) a third layer disposed on the second layer, the third layer including a terminal pattern adapted and configured to be read optically by a reader to obtain information, the pattern formed at least in part by electrically conductive material, wherein the initial pattern and the terminal pattern are in electrical contact with each other; and

e) a resonant circuit configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, the resonant circuit formed at least in part from at least a portion of the electrically conductive material of the initial pattern and the terminal pattern.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the terminal pattern includes a plurality of parallel conductive members and is adapted and configured to be read optically by a bar code reader.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of parallel conductive members are formed in a serpentine pattern.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of parallel conductive members are formed in a continuous winding pattern.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the resonant circuit acts as a dipole.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the conductive members are connected by a straight conductor at an end of each of the conductive members.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the conductive members are connected by a straight conductor proximate to a central region of each of the conductive members.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of conductive members are arranged into a two-dimensional bar code pattern.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an identification tag configured to receive a first electromagnetic wave at the resonant frequency, and transmit a second electromagnetic wave in response to the first electromagnetic wave.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the identification tag is configured to transmit unique identification information in the second electromagnetic wave.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 125 kHz and 150 kHz.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 13 MHz and 14 MHz.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 850 MHz and 1000 MHz.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the pattern made from conductive material is formed from metal.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the portion of the pattern made from conductive material is formed from a metallic wire.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the portion of the pattern made from conductive material is formed from a metallic sheet.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the layers is formed by using a laser printer.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the layers is formed by using an ink jet printer.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein an additional layer of material is disposed between at least one of:

a) the substrate and the first layer;

b) the first layer and the second layer; and

c) the second layer and the third layer.

49. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is disposed on a product.

50. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is disposed on a protective packaging enclosing a product.

20. A method for forming a device comprising:

a) providing a substrate;

b) forming a first conductive layer having an initial pattern of conductive material on at least a portion of the substrate;

c) forming a first dielectric layer on at least a portion of the first layer;

d) forming a second conductive layer on the first dielectric layer, the second conductive layer including a terminal pattern capable of being read optically by a reader to obtain information, the pattern formed at least in part by conductive material, wherein the initial pattern and the terminal pattern are in electrical contact; and

e) forming a resonant circuit configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, the resonant circuit formed at least in part from at least a portion of the electrically conductive material of at least one of the initial pattern and the terminal pattern.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the terminal pattern forming step includes forming a plurality of parallel conductive members, the plurality of conductive members configured and adapted to be read by a bar code reader.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of parallel conductive members are formed into a serpentine pattern.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of parallel conductive members are formed into a continuous winding pattern.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the plurality of conductive members are arranged into a two-dimensional bar code pattern.

25. The method of claim 21, further including the step of connecting the parallel conductive members with conductive material.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the pattern is formed at least in part from a metallic member.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the pattern is formed at least in part from a metallic wire.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the pattern is formed at least in part from a metallic sheet.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the first conductive layer is formed by printing conductive material onto the substrate.

30. The method of claim 20, further comprising printing conductive material on the substrate.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein one or more of the conductive layers is formed by using a laser printer.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the conductive layer is formed by using an ink jet printer.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the device is formed by a printer having a first printing head configured and adapted to deposit conductive material, and a second printing head configured and adapted to deposit dielectric material.

34. A machine readable program resident on a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a system for forming a pattern of conductive material on a substrate, the system including a substrate and a printer capable of printing material on the substrate, wherein the program comprises:

means for instructing the printer to print a first layer on the substrate, the first layer including an initial pattern including conductive material;

means for instructing the printer to print a second layer over the first layer, the second layer including dielectric material; and

means for instructing the printer to print a third layer over the second layer, the third layer having a terminal pattern configured and adapted to be read optically by the reader to obtain the information, the terminal pattern including conductive material, wherein the initial pattern of conductive material and the terminal pattern of conductive material are in electrical contact.

35. The machine readable program of claim 34, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print a plurality of parallel conductive members in the portion of the terminal pattern that is read optically.

36. The machine readable program of claim 35, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print the plurality of parallel conductive members in a serpentine pattern.

37. The machine readable program of claim 35, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print the plurality of parallel conductive members in a continuous winding pattern.

38. The machine readable program of claim 35, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print the plurality of parallel conductive members in a two-dimensional bar code pattern.

39. The machine readable program of claim 34, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print additional components of a resonant circuit on the substrate.

40. The machine readable program of claim 34, wherein the primer is a laser printer.

41. The machine readable program of claim 34, wherein the primer is an ink jet printer.

42. A system for identifying an object comprising:

a) a device comprising;

i) a substrate;

ii) a first conductive layer disposed on at least a portion of the substrate, the first conductive layer including an initial pattern of conductive material;

iii) a first dielectric layer disposed on the first conductive layer;

iv) a second conductive layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, the second conductive layer including a terminal pattern adapted and configured to be read optically by a reader to obtain information, the pattern formed at least in part by electrically conductive material, wherein the initial pattern and the terminal pattern are in operative communication with each other;

v) a resonant circuit configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, the resonant circuit formed at least in part from at least a portion of the electrically conductive material of at least one of the initial pattern and the terminal the pattern; and

b) a reader adapted and configured to read information from the device.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the reader is configured to optically scan the pattern to obtain the information.

44. The system of claim 42, wherein the reader is configured to transmit a first electromagnetic wave to the device at the resonant frequency, and receive a second electromagnetic wave from the resonant circuit in response to the first electromagnetic wave.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 125 kHz and 150 kHz.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 13 MHz and 14 MHz.

47. The system of claim 42, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 850 MHz and 1000 MHz.

48. The system of claim 42, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 2 GHz and 3 GHz.