RFID tag holder for non-RFID tag

• US 5,986,562 A
• Filed: 09/11/1998
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brady Worldwide Incorporated (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Brady Worldwide Incorporated (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Nikolich, Aleksa D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, Glen
• Application Number:
  US09/151,416
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.8, 340/572.7, 340/825.54, 340/573.1, 340/693.5, 340/693.6
• US Class Current: 340/693.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/006 the housing being a portable casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• 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

Abstract

A tag holder has RFID circuitry and an antenna embedded in a housing. The housing holds a non-RF metal ID tag. The RFID circuitry embedded in the housing is operatively connected to an antenna providing the non-RFID tag with RFID capabilities. The antenna is embedded in the housing and encircles the tag taking advantage of the higher magnetic permeability of the metal tag.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification tag holder for use with a non-radio frequency identification tag, said tag holder comprising:

a housing defining a cavity for receiving said non-radio frequency identification tag;

radio frequency circuitry mounted to said housing; and

an antenna mounted to said housing and operatively connected to said radio frequency circuitry, wherein said non-radio frequency identification tag is metal.

2. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said antenna encircles said non-radio frequency identification tag.

3. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said housing has a window for viewing said non-radio frequency identification tag.

4. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a slot which enables the non-radio frequency identification tag to be inserted into the cavity.

5. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed as two halves, and wherein said non-radio frequency identification tag is interposed between said halves.

6. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed of molded plastic.

7. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said radio frequency circuitry is embedded in said housing.

8. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said antenna is embedded in said housing.

9. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said housing is overmolded onto said non-radio frequency identification tag.

10. A radio frequency identification tag holder as in claim 1, wherein said housing is affixed to said non-radio frequency identification tag using an adhesive.

11. A radio frequency identification assembly comprising:

a metal identification tag;

a housing defining a cavity for receiving said tag,

a radio frequency circuit embedded in said housing; and

an antenna embedded in said housing and formed around the periphery thereof to encircle said tag.

12. A radio frequency identification assembly as in claim 11, wherein said housing has at least one window formed therein for viewing said tag.

13. A radio frequency identification assembly as in claim 11, wherein said housing is formed from molded plastic.