Abstract:
A method and apparatus for attaching a RF/ID transponder to an object is described. The transponder is integrated within an attaching device to protect the transponder from damage, hazardous environments and tampering. Further, by integrating the transponder within the attaching device, the device can be countersunk to further protect the transponder. Further still, manufacturing the device from a non-ferrous material prevents degradation of the transponder reading range.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of electronic identification of objects and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus of attaching a radio transponder to an object which is to be identified. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Radio Frequency Identification of objects (RF/ID) involves wireless object identification. RF/ID is generally composed of two components—a reader and a transponder; the latter is commonly called an RF tag. In the field of RF/ID, there are various methods for attaching the transponder to the object to be identified. All these methods have significant drawbacks. For example, the most prevalent method of attaching a transponder to an object is by gluing the object and transponder together with epoxy or some other chemical. Unfortunately, the transponder can be easily removed and is not capable of withstanding harsh environments. Another common method of attaching a transponder to an object is lo use a circular transponder with a hole in the center. The resulting device is then mounted to the object to be identified with a screw or bolt. There are several drawbacks to this method. Specifically, the range of reading the transponder is reduced if a metallic fastening device is incorporated in the attachment, the transponder is easily removed from the object to be identified, the use of non-metallic fasteners combined with the transponder protruding from the object to be identified do not provide adequate protection from mechanical damage, and use of an attachment device separate from the transponder makes aesthetic installation very difficult. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a radio frequency transponder to an object. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a radio frequency transponder to an object wherein the transponder cannot be easily removed. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a radio frequency transponder to an object wherein the transponder can withstand a harsh environment. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a radio frequency transponder to an object wherein the range of reading the transponder is not dramatically reduced. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a radio frequency transponder to an object while maintaining an aesthetic installation. 
     These and other objects will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are met by the present invention as described and claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for attaching a radio frequency transponder to an object by using an attaching device constructed of plastic or some other non-ferrous material. Specifically, the attaching device is manufactured to allow a radio frequency transponder to become an integral part of the device. For example, the attaching device may be a integrated within a screw head and the screw head may be bevelled in a counterclockwise direction, or similar locking means, to prevent tampering with or removal of the device. With the transponder safely housed within the attaching device, the transponder can withstand harsh environments. Further, manufacturing the attaching device with non-ferrous material will allow the transponder to maintain an effective range for reading. Further still, the integration of the transponder into the attaching device results in an aesthetic design. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art method and apparatus of attachment of a radio frequency transponder device. 
     FIG. 2A is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention incorporating an RF/ID transponder into a screw attaching device. 
     FIG. 2B is a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG.  2 A and including a locking device. 
     FIG. 2C is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  2 B. 
     FIG. 3A is a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the present invention incorporating an RF/ID transponder into a screw. 
     FIG. 3B is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  3 A. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention incorporating an RF/ID transponder into a snap attaching device. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention incorporating an RF/ID transponder into a button. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a drawing of a prior art method and apparatus for attaching an RF/ID transponder (tag)  2  to an object  4 . The prior art method and apparatus requires the use of a separate screw or nut  1  and bolt  3  arrangement to attach an RF/ID transponder  3 . This method and apparatus has the associated reliability problems, read range problems, and inability to prevent tampering as discussed above. 
     FIG. 2A is a side view and partial cross-section showing an embodiment of the present invention incorporating an RF/ID transponder (tag) into a screw. In this embodiment, the attaching device comprises a screw head  11  having a transponder (not shown) enclosed within the head and a screw  13 . The attaching device comprising screw head  11  and screw  13  is then screwed into an object  14 . In a preferred embodiment, the object  14  includes a countersink  15  to fully enclose screw head  11  thereby providing a smooth, aesthetically pleasing surface on the object  14 . Countersinking the attaching device also allows the transponder to not protrude from the object, further protecting the transponder from damage. 
     FIG. 2B is a cross section of the screw head  11 . As shown, screw head  11  comprises a housing  16  for containing a transponder  12 . The transponder  12  is placed inside the housing  16 . The housing  16  is then attached to a cover  17  by using ultrasonic welding, epoxy, or other plastic attaching methods available to those skilled in the art. Alignment of the housing  16  with the cover  17  can be achieved by using small openings a and fingers b. The cover  17  is then attached to a screw  13  to complete the device. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the cover  17  and screw  13  can be a uniform singular member and not comprised as two parts as shown. 
     By incorporating the transponder  12  within the screw head  11 , numerous advantages are achieved. Specifically, the transponder becomes part of the attaching device and is secured to the object to the extent that the screw is secured. Further, incorporating the transponder within a non-ferrous housing allows the transponder to operate with little or no perceivable degregation in transponder reading range. Further still, incorporating the transponder within a screw head  11 , allows the entire transponder to be countersunk within an object  14  providing a safe, non protruding design and an aesthetically pleasing smooth surface. 
     Also shown in FIG. 2B is an embodiment of a locking device  18  comprising two fingers  19  to be inserted into slots  20  of the screw head  11  for locking same. FIG. 2C is a top view of the screw head  11  incorporating the receiving slots  20  which are formed within the housing  16 . The receiving slots are bevelled and adapted so that the fingers  19  of the locking device  18  can be received in the slots for turning the screw into the object. By bevelling the slots, the screw head can be screwed within the object but not unscrewed and tampered with. As will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, various screw locking devices can be incorporated within the screw head  11  for screwing the screw into the object  14  while preventing unauthorized tampering or unscrewing of same. 
     FIG. 3A is a cross section showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention incorporating an RF/ID transponder into a screw. As shown, the attaching device includes a screw  21  formed having an open chamber  22  for receiving a transponder  12 . Preferably, the screw is formed of non-ferrous material, for example plastic. The transponder  12  is then placed within the chamber  22  and is then sealed within the chamber by filling same with epoxy or other resin type material. Alternatively, the entire screw could be made of epoxy resin to allow for a unitary body construction with no additional steps for sealing; the transponder being implemented within the screw during the screw molding process. 
     FIG. 3B is a top view of the screw head  23  shown in FIG.  3 A. As can be seen by FIG. 3B, the configuration of the screw slot  24  provides for a one-way screw locking device to allow the screw to be inserted into the object and not removed. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate alternate embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of incorporating an RFD transponder into a snap attaching device. In this embodiment, the transponder is incorporated into the snap head  31  which is attached to a snap  33 . FIG. 5 is an illustration of the present invention incorporating an RF/ID transponder into a button. The RF/ID transponder is encased into a button head  41  which is attached to a button button hook  42 . 
     As will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the RF/ID transponder can be incorporate into other attaching mechanisms to form an attaching device in accordance with the present invention.