Multi-mode tags and methods of making and using the same
First Claim
1. A multi-mode identification tag, comprising:
- a) an antenna;
b) an electronic article surveillance (EAS) function block coupled to the antenna;
c) one or more RFID function blocks coupled to the antenna in parallel with the EAS function block; and
d) a rectifier configured to become (i) substantially disabled in an electric field having an energy below a first predetermined threshold and (ii) substantially enabled when the energy of the electric field is above a second predetermined threshold, the second threshold being greater than or equal to the first threshold;
wherein (i) the tag has a high Q state in the electric field having an energy below the first predetermined threshold, and (ii) the tag has a low Q state in the electric field having an energy above the second predetermined threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-mode (e.g., EAS and RFID) tags and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The tag generally includes an antenna, an electronic article surveillance (EAS) function block coupled to the antenna, and one or more identification function blocks coupled to the antenna in parallel with the EAS function block. The method of reading the tag generally includes the steps of applying an electric field to the tag, detecting the tag when the electric field has a relatively low power, and detecting an identification signal from the tag when the electric field has a relatively high power. The present invention advantageously enables a single tag to be used for both inventory and anti-theft purposes, thereby improving inventory management and control at reduced system and/or “per-article” costs.
53 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A multi-mode identification tag, comprising:
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a) an antenna; b) an electronic article surveillance (EAS) function block coupled to the antenna; c) one or more RFID function blocks coupled to the antenna in parallel with the EAS function block; and d) a rectifier configured to become (i) substantially disabled in an electric field having an energy below a first predetermined threshold and (ii) substantially enabled when the energy of the electric field is above a second predetermined threshold, the second threshold being greater than or equal to the first threshold; wherein (i) the tag has a high Q state in the electric field having an energy below the first predetermined threshold, and (ii) the tag has a low Q state in the electric field having an energy above the second predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of reading an identification tag, comprising:
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a) applying an electric field to the tag, wherein (i) the tag has a high Q state in an electric field having an energy below a first predetermined threshold, and (ii) the tag has a low Q state in an electric field having an energy above a second predetermined threshold, the tag further having a rectifier configured to become (i) substantially disabled when the electric field has an energy below the first predetermined threshold and (ii) substantially enabled when the energy of the electric field is above the second predetermined threshold, the second threshold being greater than or equal to the first threshold; b) detecting the tag when the energy of the electric field is below the first threshold and the tag has the high Q state; and c) detecting an identification signal from the tag when the energy of the electric field is above the second threshold and the tag has the low Q state. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification