Wireless identification device, RFID device with push-on/push off switch, and method of manufacturing wireless identification device

• US 20040145453A1
• Filed: 01/15/2004
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: TUTTLE, MARK E.
• Inventors: Tuttle, Mark E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,012,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• 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 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches
• 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: H01H 2231/05 Card, e.g. credit card
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A wireless identification device including a housing; circuitry in the housing configured to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal; and a selectively actuated switch supported by the housing and controlling whether the circuitry identifies the device. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device, the method comprising configuring circuitry to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal; coupling the circuitry to a push-on/push-off switch supported by the housing and controlling whether the circuitry provides the signal to identify the device; and encasing the circuitry in a housing such that the switch is actuable from outside the housing by touching a portion of the housing.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification device comprising:

a housing;

circuitry in the housing configured to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal; and

a push-on and push-off switch supported by the housing and configured to control whether the circuitry provides the signal to identify the device.

2. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

the circuitry includes a backscatter transmitter configured to provide a backscatter signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal;

the push-on and push-off switch is configured to control whether the circuitry provides the signal to identify the device by controlling whether the receiver is on or off, and further comprising;

receiver circuitry in the housing, coupled to the transmitter circuitry, and configured to receive the backscatter signal.

3. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 1 wherein pushing the switch toggles the receiver between being enabled and disabled.

4. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the circuitry includes volatile memory.

5. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuitry includes a transmitter and is configured to provide the signal by radio frequency.

6. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuitry includes a modulator and is configured to provide the signal other than by magnetic coupling.

7. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the device includes a coil configured to receive power from an interrogator by magnetic coupling.

8. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 7 wherein the circuitry is configured to provide the signal to the interrogator by magnetic coupling.

9. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuitry includes digital circuitry including a digital flag which is set when the switch is pressed and cleared when the switch is released, and wherein the circuitry polls the flag and does not provide the signal to identify the device except when the flag is set.

10. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 9 wherein the circuitry includes volatile memory.

11. A device comprising:

a housing;

an integrated circuit in the housing including a receiver having an enable input, the receiver being selectively enabled in response to application of a signal of a predetermined voltage value on the enable input, the receiver being configured to receive an interrogation signal when enabled; and

a switch supported by the housing and configured to cause the receiver to be enabled in response to being pushed while the receiver is disabled and to cause the receiver to be disabled in response to being pushed while the receiver is enabled, the switch including a first conductor formed of printed thick film and having a first end coupled to the predetermined voltage value and having a second end, a second conductor formed of printed thick film and having a first end coupled to the enable input and having a second end spaced apart from the second end of the first conductor, an insulating ring having a periphery circumscribing the second end of the first conductor and the second end of the second conductor, a diaphragm having a periphery corresponding to the periphery of the insulating ring, and having a conductive face facing the second end of the first conductor and the second end of the second conductor, the conductive face of the diaphragm being spaced apart from the first and second conductors by the insulating ring.

12. A device in accordance with claim 11 wherein the housing further includes an encapsulant over the diaphragm.

13. A device in accordance with claim 11 wherein the housing further includes a polyester film substrate, wherein the printed thick film is formed over the substrate, and wherein the housing is configured to effect connection of the second ends of the first and second conductors when pressure is applied to the substrate at location facing the diaphragm.

14. A device in accordance with claim 11 and further including a battery configured to supply power to the integrated circuit and to define the predetermined voltage value, and wherein the integrated circuit and the battery are located between the polyester substrate and the encapsulant.

15. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 11 wherein the transmitter is a backscatter transmitter.

16. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device, the method comprising:

supporting circuitry on a film substrate configured to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal;

supporting a latch on the substrate, and coupling the latch to the circuitry, the latch toggling the circuitry between being enabled and disabled in operation;

forming a push-on and push-off switch on the substrate and coupling the switch to the latch;

flowing an encapsulate over the circuitry, latch, and switch to define a housing including the encapsulant and the substrate.

17. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device in accordance with claim 16 wherein forming the switch comprises printing thick film on the substrate to define a first conductor having a first end coupled to the latch and having a second end, and a second conductor having a first end coupled to the circuitry and having a second end spaced apart from the second end of the first conductor, placing an insulating ring such that its periphery circumscribes the second end of the first conductor and the second end of the second conductor, and placing a diaphragm over the insulating ring, the diaphragm having a periphery corresponding to the periphery of the insulating ring and having a conductive face facing the second end of the first conductor and the second end of the second conductor.

18. A method of manufacturing a wireless identification device in accordance with claim 16, wherein supporting circuitry on the substrate comprises supporting circuitry on the substrate that is configured to provide a backscatter signal to identify the device.

19. A radio frequency identification device comprising:

a housing;

an integrated circuit in the housing including a receiver having an enable input, the receiver being selectively enabled in response to application of a signal of a predetermined voltage value on the enable input, the receiver being configured to receive an interrogation signal when enabled, the integrated circuit further including a modulated backscatter transmitter configured to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal; and

a switch supported by the housing and configured to cause the receiver to be enabled in response to being pushed while the receiver is disabled and to cause the receiver to be disabled in response to being pushed while the receiver is enabled, the switch including a first conductor formed of printed thick film and having a first end coupled to the predetermined voltage value and having a second end, a second conductor formed of printed thick film and having a first end coupled to the enable input and having a second end spaced apart from the second end of the first conductor, an insulating ring having a periphery circumscribing the second end of the first conductor and the second end of the second conductor, a diaphragm having a periphery corresponding to the periphery of the insulating ring, and having a conductive face facing the second end of the first conductor and the second end of the second conductor, the conductive face of the diaphragm being spaced apart from the first and second conductors by the insulating ring.

20. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 19 wherein the housing further includes an encapsulant over the diaphragm.

21. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 19 wherein the housing includes a film substrate, wherein the printed thick film is formed over the substrate, and wherein the housing is configured to effect connection of the second ends of the first and second conductors when pressure is applied to the substrate at location facing the diaphragm.

22. A radio frequency identification device in accordance with claim 20, further including a battery configured to supply power to the integrated circuit and to define the predetermined voltage value, and wherein the integrated circuit and the battery are located between the polyester substrate and the encapsulant.