RFID wetness sensing device

• US 9,070,060 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2011
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Inventors: Forster, Ian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vazquez, Arleen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): CURTIS, SEAN M
• Application Number:
  US13/275,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20120092027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 324/649, 324/658, 340/870.37
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 22/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• 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: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a RFID tag having sensing capabilities. The RFID device includes an antenna section and a sensor patch section. The antenna is coupled to a chip. The sensor patch section upon exposure to an environmental condition causes the RFID device to change from a first operating condition to a second operating condition.

Claims

1. A RFID sensor device, comprising:

a substrate, having a first and second face; and

a RFID antenna section and sensor patch section, disposed on the first face of the substrate, the two sections interact to create a match between the antenna section and a RFID chip impedance at a desired operating frequency; and

wherein the sensor patch section is an inter-digital capacitor structure covered by a layer of PET material; and

wherein the sensor patch section tapers from a first wide end away from the RFID antenna section to more narrow closer to the RFID antenna section.

2. The RFID device of claim 1, wherein the device can set a state of one or more bits in memory in response to a condition of a conductive path,

wherein the conductive path is AC.

3. The RFID device of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is used for detecting a liquid.

4. The RFID device of claim 1, wherein the device can set a state of one or more bits in memory in response to a condition of a conductive path,

wherein the conductive path is DC.

5. The RFID device of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is used as a temperature sensitive device.

6. A RFID sensor device, comprising:

a substrate having a first face and a second face;

an antenna pattern section disposed on the first face, the antenna pattern section having a plurality of cuts to define an operating frequency;

a chip connected to the antenna pattern section; and

a sensor patch section disposed on the first face of the substrate and in operative association with the antenna pattern; and

wherein the sensor patch, upon exposure to an environmental condition, causes the RFID device to change from a first operating condition to a second operating condition distinct from the first operating condition; and

wherein the sensor patch section is an inter-digital capacitor structure; and

wherein the sensor patch section tapers from a first wide end away from the antenna pattern to more narrow closer to the antenna pattern section and the sensor patch section is perpendicular to the antenna pattern section.

7. A RFID sensor device, comprising:

a RFID antenna section and sensor patch section, wherein the sensor patch section is customized by a plurality of cuts to alter a sensing response; and

wherein the sensor patch section tapers from a first wide end away from the RFID antenna section to more narrow closer to the RFID antenna section with the sensor patch section is perpendicular to the antenna pattern section, and the sensor patch section is covered by a layer of PET material.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of cuts interacts with one or more layers of material applied by one or more of printing, lamination, evaporative coating, dip coating.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of cuts includes a location for the attachment of a strap or interposer device carrying a sensor device.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the cuts or apertures are made by laser.

11. The RFID sensor device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of cuts includes a location for the attachment of a strap or interposer device carrying a sensor device and wherein the strap or interposer device carrying the sensor device is coupled reactively to the sensor patch.

12. A method of manufacturing a RFID sensor device, comprising:

providing a substrate;

placing a conductive material on the substrate;

patterning the conductive material by an on demand laser to form one of a sensor or antenna pattern, wherein the conductive material tapers from a first wide end away from the antenna pattern to more narrow closer to the antenna pattern and the sensor patch section is perpendicular to the antenna pattern section; and

printing over at least one of the sensor or antenna pattern with a material to provide enhanced sensitivity or performance.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the printed over material includes a protective covering.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the printed over material includes conductive ink.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the printed over material includes sensing materials.

16. The method of claim 12, including an additional step of forming a battery over the sensor.