Radio frequency identification device and method

• US 7,746,230 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Inventors: Tuttle, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US11/848,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20070290863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/825.27, 340/870.16, 342/44, 342/50, 235/490, 235/492
• 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

The present invention teaches a method of manufacturing an enclosed transceiver, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag. Structurally, in one embodiment, the tag comprises an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an RF antenna mounted on a thin film substrate powered by a thin film battery. A variety of antenna geometries are compatible with the above tag construction. These include monopole antennas, dipole antennas, dual dipole antennas, a combination of dipole and loop antennas. Further, in another embodiment, the antennas are positioned either within the plane of the thin film battery or superjacent to the thin film battery.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an airline baggage handling and transport facility to receive a set of airline baggage, with each airline baggage having a label physically associated with the respective baggage, the label comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag comprising a thin base layer having a mounting portion on one surface, one or more antennas disposed on the base layer, and a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the mounting portion having a memory for storing a unique ID, wherein the RFID tag is of non-uniform thickness, including a first thickness at a first location on the RFID tag that includes the base layer and a second thickness, greater than the first thickness, at a second location that includes the mounting portion; and

an interrogation system configured to use RF signals to read the unique ID from the RFID tag, wherein the unique ID corresponds to data related to airline baggage transport.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data related to airline baggage transport includes at least one of a group comprising:

airline, flight number, origin, and destination.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the data related to airline baggage transport further includes at least one of a group comprising:

baggage owner'"'"'s name, weight, size, and airline route.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a unit to automatically separate the airline baggage to assist in the delivery of the baggage, based on at least one of a group comprising:

baggage owner'"'"'s name, weight, size, and airline route, of the baggage as identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID tags of the of the baggage.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a unit to route the airline baggage to assist in the delivery of the baggage, based on a destination of the baggage identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID tags of the baggage.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising a unit to automatically sort the airline baggage to assist in the delivery of the baggage, based on at least one of a group comprising:

airline, flight number, and unique ID number, of the baggage as identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID tags of the of the baggage.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit of the RFID tag is configured to receive, via RF signals, data and to store the data in the memory.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag further comprises a capacitively coupled power supply operable for supplying power to the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit in the presence of radio frequency signals.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit transmitter in the RFID tag is operable for communicating radio frequency signals by reflecting received radio frequency signals.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit in the RFID tag is operable to receive and communicate spread spectrum modulated signals using a modulation selected from the group of amplitude modulation and binary phase shift keyed modulation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag further comprises a battery operable to supply power to the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag further comprises a wake circuit operable to cause the radio frequency integrated circuit to transition from a sleep mode to an active mode in the presence of received radio frequency signals.

13. A system comprising:

an interrogation system configured to use Radio Frequency (RF) signals to read a unique ID from Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags physically associated with airline luggage, the ID data associated with airline luggage transport data, wherein the RFID tags comprise a base layer having a mounting portion on one surface, one or more antennas disposed on the base layer, and a transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the mounting portion having a memory for storing the unique ID, and electrical connections coupling the transceiver integrated circuit to one or more of the antennas, wherein the RFID tag comprises a first thickness along an edge of the RFID tag and a greater thickness in the mounting portion; and

a unit to automatically sort the airline luggage to assist in delivery of the airline luggage, based on the airline luggage transport data identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read the unique ID from the RFID tags of the of the airline luggage.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the airline luggage transport data includes at least one of a group comprising:

airline, flight number, origin, and destination.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the airline luggage transport data further includes at least one of a group comprising:

luggage owner'"'"'s name, weight, size, and airline route.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a dispenser to store a roll of RFID tags removably attached to a backing, wherein the RFID tags are to be dispensed through an opening of the dispenser, to be removed from the backing and physically associated with airline luggage.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the unit to automatically sort the airline luggage is to sort the airline luggage based on at least one of a group comprising:

airline, flight number, weight, size, and airline route, of the luggage as identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read the unique ID from the RFID tags of the of the luggage.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the dispenser comprises a shield to substantially prevent the plurality of RFID tags from receiving a signal.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the transceiver integrated circuit of the RFID tag is configured to receive, via RF signals, at least the unique ID data and store the data in the memory.

20. A method comprising:

an airline baggage handling and transport facility receiving a set of airline baggage, with each airline baggage having a label physically associated with the respective baggage, the label comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag comprising a base layer having a thickness within a range of one to five mils and a mounting portion on one surface, one or more antennas disposed on the base layer, an integrated circuit disposed adjacent the mounting portion having a memory for storing data associated with the baggage, wherein the label thickness is greatest proximate the mounting portion;

an interrogation system using RF signals to read data associated with the baggage, from the RFID tag; and

automatically sorting the airline baggage to assist in the delivery of the baggage, based on reading the respective RFID tags.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the data read from the RFID tag associated with the baggage comprises a unique ID associated with at least one of a group comprising:

airline, flight number, origin, and destination.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the unique ID read from the RFID tag, is further associated with at least one of a group comprising:

baggage owner'"'"'s name, weight, size, and airline route.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

prior to physically associating the RFID tags with airline baggage, loading a plurality of RFID tags into a dispenser, wherein the RFID tags are removably attached to a backing; and

dispensing the RFID tags through an opening of the dispenser, to be physically associated with the airline baggage.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the backing is in a roll format.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the dispenser comprises a shield to substantially prevent the plurality of RFID tags from receiving a signal.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

the integrated circuit of the RFID tag receiving, via RF signals, data and storing the data in the memory.

27. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

a capacitively coupled power supply of the RFID tag supplying power to the integrated circuit, in the presence of radio frequency signals.

28. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

the integrated circuit transmitter in the RFID tag communicating radio frequency signals by reflecting received radio frequency signals.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

the integrated circuit in the RFID tag receiving and communicating spread spectrum modulated signals using a modulation selected from the group of amplitude modulation and binary phase shift keyed modulation.

30. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

a wake circuit of the RFID tag causing the integrated circuit to transition from a sleep mode to an active mode, in the presence of received radio frequency signals.

42. The system of claim 21, wherein the data related to airline baggage transport includes at least one of a group comprising:

airline, flight number, origin, and destination.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the data related to airline baggage transport further includes at least one of a group comprising:

baggage owner'"'"'s name, weight, size, and airline route.

44. The system of claim 43, further comprising a unit to automatically separate the airline baggage to assist in the delivery of the baggage, based on at least one of a group comprising:

baggage owner'"'"'s name, weight, size, and airline route, of the baggage as identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID devices of the baggage.

45. The system of claim 42, further comprising a unit to route the airline baggage to assist in the delivery of the baggage, based on a destination of the baggage identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID devices of the baggage.

46. The system of claim 42, further comprising a unit to automatically sort the airline baggage to assist in the delivery of the baggage, based on at least one of a group comprising:

airline, flight number, and unique ID number, of the baggage as identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID devices of the baggage.

31. A method comprising:

an interrogation system using Radio Frequency (RF) signals to read from Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags physically associated with airline luggage, data associated with the airline luggage, wherein the RFID tags comprise a thin flexible layer having a mounting portion on one surface, one or more antennas disposed on the flexible layer, and a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the mounting portion having a memory for storing data associated with the airline luggage transport, wherein the RFID tag is of non-uniform thickness, having a thinnest portion in a peripheral region of the RFID tag and a greatest thickness proximate the mounting portion; and

a unit assisting in the delivery of the airline luggage based on the airline luggage transport data identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read the RFID tags physically associated with the airline luggage.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the data read from the RFID tags comprises a unique ID number associated with at least one of a group comprising:

airline, flight number, origin, and destination.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the unique ID number is further associated with at least one of a group comprising:

luggage owner'"'"'s name, weight, size, and airline route.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

automatically separating the airline luggage based on at least one of a group comprising;

luggage owner'"'"'s name, weight, size, and airline route, of the luggage as identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID tags of the of the luggage.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit of the RFID tag receiving, via RF signals, data related to the airline luggage and storing the data in the memory.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

automatically routing the airline luggage based on a destination of the luggage identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID tags of the luggage.

37. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

automatically sorting the airline luggage based on at least one of a group comprising;

airline, flight number, and unique ID number, of the luggage as identified by the interrogation system using RF signals to read from the RFID tags of the of the luggage.

38. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

prior to physically associating the RFID tags with the airline luggage, removably mounting a plurality of RFID tags on a backing; and

storing the backing with the RFID tags in a cache for dispensing the RFID tags, wherein

the cache is configured to dispense the RFID devices through an opening.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the backing is in a roll format.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the cache comprises a shield to substantially prevent the plurality of RFID tags from receiving a signal.

41. A system comprising:

an airline baggage handling and transport facility to receive a set of airline baggage, with each airline baggage having a label physically associated with the respective baggage, the label comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device having a first flexible sheet of substantial uniform thickness, having an antenna substantially disposed on the first sheet, a single integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the antenna, the IC comprising a memory configured to store a unique ID and a transceiver configured to receive a signal and to provide the data in response to the signal, the RFID device further comprising a second flexible sheet of substantial uniform thickness, wherein at least a portion of the second sheet is affixed to at least a portion of the first sheet;

an interrogation system configured to use RF signals to read the unique ID from the RFID device, wherein the unique ID is associated with data related to airline baggage transport; and

a dispenser to store a roll of RFID devices removably attached to a backing, wherein the RFID devices are to be dispensed through an opening of the dispenser, to be removed from the backing and physically associated with the airline baggage.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit of the RFID tag is configured to receive data, via RF signals, and to store the data in the memory.