Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7714727?dq=6666377
Timestamp: 2016-05-05 06:07:03
Document Index: 572527189

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 800', 'art 800', 'art 800', 'art 800', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1200', 'art 1200', 'art 1200']

Patent US7714727 - RFID antenna design that can selectively enable and disable the antenna - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsMethods and apparatuses for assembling and implementing tamper indicating RFID devices are presented. An RFID device includes a substrate, an electrically conductive pattern formed on the substrate configured to operate as an antenna by separating a portion of a first device section from a second device...http://www.google.com/patents/US7714727?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7714727 - RFID antenna design that can selectively enable and disable the antennaAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7714727 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/646,522Publication dateMay 11, 2010Filing dateDec 28, 2006Priority dateDec 28, 2006Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20080157975Publication number11646522, 646522, US 7714727 B2, US 7714727B2, US-B2-7714727, US7714727 B2, US7714727B2InventorsJoseph White, Michael Sloan, Eric Heineman, Hai Tran, Wayne E. ShanksOriginal AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (4), Referenced by (2), Classifications (8), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetRFID antenna design that can selectively enable and disable the antenna
US 7714727 B2Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for assembling and implementing tamper indicating RFID devices are presented. An RFID device includes a substrate, an electrically conductive pattern formed on the substrate configured to operate as an antenna by separating a portion of a first device section from a second device section, and an electrical circuit mounted on the substrate that is electrically coupled to the antenna. The electrical circuit stores an identification code.
an electrically conductive pattern having an electrically conductive first portion disposed on the first section of the substrate and an electrically conductive second portion disposed on the second section of the substrate, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the electrically conductive pattern are coupled together; and
an electrical circuit on the substrate electrically coupled to the first portion of the electrically conductive pattern, wherein the electrical circuit stores a first identification code;
wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be separable along a boundary to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna when the first section of the substrate is separated from the second section of the substrate.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises:
a second electrical conductor, wherein the first electrical conductor is shorted to the second conductor through the second portion, wherein the short is configured to be opened by separating the first portion from the second portion to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive pattern comprises an electrically conductive ring, wherein the boundary crosses the ring such that the ring is separable to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured as a seal for an item.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the seal is configured such that interaction with the item separates the first portion from the second portion to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
a second electrically conductive pattern formed on the substrate that is configured to operate as a second antenna; and
a second electrical circuit on the substrate electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive pattern that stores a second identification code.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second electrically conductive pattern is configured to become disabled from operation as the second antenna by separating the first portion from the second portion.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the first and second electrically conductive patterns comprise at least one of copper or aluminum.
9. The device of claim 6, wherein the second electrically conductive pattern is configured to operate as a dipole antenna, dual dipole antenna, or loop antenna.
10. The device of claim 6, further comprising at least one resistive load coupled to the second electrically conductive pattern.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is configured to operate as a dipole antenna, dual dipole antenna, or loop antenna when separated from the second portion.
an electrically conductive pattern having a first portion disposed on the first section of the substrate and a second portion disposed on the second section of the substrate of the substrate, wherein the first portion of the electrically conductive pattern is an antenna made inoperative by being coupled to the second portion, wherein the antenna is configured to become operative by separating the second section from the first section of the substrate; and
an electrical circuit electrically coupled to the antenna.
13. A method for assembling an RFID device comprising:
forming an electrically conductive first portion of an electrically conductive pattern on a first section of a substrate and an electrically conductive second portion of the electrically conductive pattern on a second section of a substrate, wherein the first portion of the electrically conductive pattern is an antenna made inoperative by being coupled to the second portion; and
mounting an electrical circuit on to the substrate, wherein the electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the antenna;
wherein said forming step comprises:
forming the first portion to be capable of operating as an antenna when the first section of the substrate is separated from the second section.
separating the first portion from the second portion along a boundary to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first portion comprises a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor that are shorted wherein the separating step comprises:
opening the short to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrically conductive pattern further comprises an electrically conductive ring, wherein the separating step comprises:
separating the ring to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
forming a second electrically conductive pattern on the substrate configured to operate as a second antenna; and
mounting a second electrical circuit to the substrate, wherein the second electrical circuit is coupled to the second electrically conductive pattern, wherein the second electrical circuit stores a second identification code.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of forming the second electrically conductive pattern further comprises:
forming the second electrically conductive pattern on a surface of the substrate to be disabled from operating as the second antenna by separating the first portion from the second portion.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the device is configured as a seal, further comprising:
configuring the device on an item such that interaction with the item separates the first portion from the second portion.
20. A method for tamper-proofing an item, comprising:
attaching an RFID device onto the item, wherein an electrically conductive pattern on a substrate of the device is configured to operate as an antenna by interacting with the item
wherein the attaching further comprises:
positioning the device such that interacting with the item separates a first section of the substrate having an electrically conductive first portion of the electrically conductive pattern from a second section of the substrate having an electrically conductive second portion of the electrically conductive pattern to enable the electrically conductive first portion to operate as an antenna.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein positioning further comprises:
positioning the device on a seam of the item such that separating the seam separates the first portion from the second portion to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein interacting with the item comprises opening the item.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein the positioning step further comprises:
positioning the device such that interacting with the device separates the first portion from the second portion whereby a second electrically conductive pattern of the device is disabled from operating as a second antenna.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein the device is configured as a seal for the item.
25. A method for communicating with a radio frequency identification (RFID) device attached to an item, comprising:
transmitting an RFID interrogation signal to be received by an electrically conductive pattern of the RFID device, wherein the electrically conductive pattern comprises an electrically conductive first portion disposed on a first section of a substrate of the RFID device and an electrically conductive second portion disposed on a second section of the substrate of the RFID device;
interacting with the item such that the first section of the substrate is separated from the second section to enable the electrically conductive first portion to operate as an antenna;
transmitting a second RFID interrogation signal to be received by the electrically conductive pattern of the RFID device; and
receiving a response to the second RFID interrogation signal from the RFID device.
transmitting a third RFID interrogation signal to be received by a second electrically conductive pattern of the device, wherein the second electrically conductive pattern is configured to operate as an antenna.
receiving a response signal in response to the third transmitted RFID interrogation signal.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the response to the third transmitted RFID interrogation signal indicates that the item has not been interacted with.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein separating the first portion from the second portion disables the second electrically conductive portion from operating as an antenna, further comprising:
transmitting a fourth RFID interrogation signal to be received by the second electrically conductive pattern, wherein a response signal to the fourth transmitted RFID interrogation signal is not received.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein the response to the second transmitted RF signal provides an identification code that identifies the device.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein the response to the third transmitted RFID interrogation signal provides a second identification code that identifies the device.
The present invention relates to tamper-indicating radio frequency identification (RFID) devices.
The presence of an RFID tag, and therefore the presence of the item to which the tag is affixed, may be checked and monitored by devices known as “readers.” Readers typically transmit radio frequency signals to which the tags respond. Each tag can store a unique identification number.
Container seals are often applied to tamper sensitive assets such as medical supplies, military equipment, etc to detect tampering. Typical container seals tear when the asset is tampered with. Thus, tampering can be detected visually as a tear in the seal. The number of assets, however, often becomes so large that visual detection of tampering becomes overly time consuming. Moreover, individual inspection often occurs at discrete times. In between these inspections, the tamper status of the each of the assets is typically unknown.
Thus, what is needed is an efficient and continuous way of tracking the status of a tamper seal.
Methods and apparatuses for assembling and implementing radio frequency identification (RFID) devices are presented. In aspects, an RFID device indicates a tamper status of an item.
In a first aspect of the present invention, an RFID device includes a substrate, an electrically conductive pattern formed on the substrate having an electrically conductive first portion and an electrically conductive second portion, and an electrical circuit mounted on the substrate that is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive pattern. The electrical circuit stores an identification code. The first portion is coupled to the second portion. The first portion and the second portion are configured to be separable along a boundary to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
In an example aspect, the electrically conductive pattern includes a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor. The first electrical conductor is shorted to the second conductor. Separating the first portion from the second portion opens the short to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
In a further aspect, the RFID device includes a second electrically conductive pattern formed on the substrate that is configured to operate as a second antenna and a second electrical circuit. The second electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive pattern and stores a second identification code.
In an aspect, a method of assembling an RFID device includes forming an electrically conductive pattern on a surface of a substrate having an electrically conductive first portion and an electrically conductive second portion that are coupled together, and mounting an electrical circuit on to the substrate. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the antenna. In a further aspect, the method can include separating the first portion from the second portion along a boundary to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
In another aspect, a method of tamper-proofing an item includes attaching an RFID device to the item. An electrically conductive pattern of the device is configured to be enabled to operate as an antenna by interacting with the item.
In still another aspect, a method of communicating with an RFID device attached to an item includes transmitting a first RFID interrogation signal to be received by a conductive pattern of the device, interacting with the item, transmitting a second RFID interrogation signal to be received by the conductive pattern, and receiving a response signal to the second transmitted RFID interrogation signal. The item is interacted with such that a first portion of the conductive pattern is separated from a second portion of the conductive pattern to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
FIG. 3A shows a block diagram of an example RFID tag.
FIG. 4A shows a block diagram of an example RFID device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 4B and 4C show top views of an example RFID device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 5A-5C show views of another example RFID device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show views of an example RFID device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows an item with an attached RFID device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart providing example steps for the assembly of an RFID device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 9-10 show example steps that may be performed in the flowchart of FIG. 8, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart providing example steps for the tamper-proofing an item, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows a flowchart providing example steps for communicating with an RFID device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate systems for communicating with RFID devices, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 14-16 show example steps that may be performed in the flowchart of FIG. 12, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an example RFID reader 104. Reader 104 includes one or more antennas 202, a receiver and transmitter portion 220 (also referred to as transceiver 220), a baseband processor 212, and a network interface 216. These components of reader 104 may include software, hardware, and/or firmware, or any combination thereof, for performing their functions. Receiver and transmitter portion 220 may also be referred to as a transceiver.
The present invention is applicable to any type of RFID tag. FIG. 3A shows a plan view of an example radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 102. Tag 102 includes a substrate 302, an antenna 304, and an integrated circuit (IC) 306. Antenna 304 is formed on a surface of substrate 302.
Antenna 304 may include any number of one, two, or more separate antennas of any suitable antenna type, including dipole, loop, slot, or patch antenna type. IC 306 includes one or more integrated circuit chips/dies, and can include other electronic circuitry. IC 306 is attached to substrate 302, and is coupled to antenna 304. IC 306 may be attached to substrate 302 in a recessed and/or non-recessed location.
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for tamper-indicating RFID devices are presented. In an embodiment, an RFID device includes a substrate, an electrically conductive pattern formed on the substrate, and an electrical circuit electrically coupled to the conductive pattern. The conductive pattern includes an electrically conductive first portion and an electrically conductive second portion. The first portion and the second portion are configured to be separable along a boundary to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna.
The example embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative purposes, and are not limiting. The examples described herein may be adapted to any type of RFID device. Further structural and operational embodiments, including modifications/alterations, will become apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein.
FIG. 4A shows a block diagram of an RFID device 400, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 400 includes a substrate 402, electrical circuit 330, and an electrically conductive pattern 404. Substrate 402 may be a variety of different types of substrates such as a flex-tape substrate, as would be understood by someone skilled in the relevant art(s). Electrical circuit 330 stores an identification code. The identification code may identify aspects of device 400 and/ or an item to which device 400 is attached. Electrically conductive pattern 404 includes an electrically conductive first portion 406 a and an electrically conductive second portion 406 b. As shown in FIG. 4A, first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b are coupled together. As further described below, first portion 406 a is configured to operate as an antenna when separated from second portion 406 b. FIG. 4B shows a top view of RFID device 400, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
Conductive pattern 404 includes first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b which meet at a boundary 414. First portion 406 a and second portion 406 b are made of an electrically conductive material such as copper, aluminum, etc. Electrical circuit 330 may be electrically coupled to conductive pattern 404 through a combination of vias, traces, and/or other connection types. As shown in FIG. 4B, first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b are combinations of rectangular traces formed on substrate 402. In alternate embodiments, first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b may have other shapes such as elliptical or irregular.
First portion 406 a and second portion 406 b are configured to be separable across boundary 414. Separating first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b enables first portion 406 a to operate as an antenna.
For instance, first portion 406 a includes a first electrical conductor 408 a and a second electrical conductor 408 b. In an embodiment, first conductor 408 a is shorted to second conductor 408 b through a rectangular conductive ring portion 410. First conductor 408 a may be shorted to second conductor 408 b through a variety of other ways such as a trace or an elliptical ring. In an embodiment, separating first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b opens the short between first conductor 408 a and second conductor 408 b (removes ring portion 410) which enables first portion 406 a to operate as an antenna.
Conventional electrical components are driven with a signal that has a first and a second part. The total signal delivered to the component is typically the first part of the signal measured relative to the second or vice-a-versa. When all portions of the component are electrically coupled together, no net signal is delivered to the component. Thus, in an embodiment where first conductor 408 a is shorted to second conductor 408 b, no net signal is delivered to first portion 406 a. When the short is opened, a net voltage may develop on first conductor 408 a relative to second conductor 408 b, which allows first portion 406 a to operate as an electrical component, namely an antenna.
FIG. 4C shows device 400 after device 400 (and conductive pattern 404) has been separated along boundary 414 to separate first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b. As a result, first conductor 408 a is electrically isolated from second conductor 408 b which enables first portion 406 a to operate as an antenna.
In alternate embodiments, conductive pattern 404 may be divided into first and second portions using other boundaries than boundary 414 shown in FIG. 4B. For example, in FIG. 4B, first portion 406 a may also be separated from second portion 406 b along boundary 416. Separation along boundary 416 opens the short between first conductor 408 a and second conductor 408 b to enable first portion 406 a to operate as an antenna. Conductive pattern 404 may be divided along any such boundary that opens the short between first conductor 408 a and second conductor 408 b, as would be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
As shown FIG. 4C, after separating first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b, first portion 406 a is configured as a dipole antenna. In alternate embodiments, first portion 406 a may be configured as another antenna type such as a monopole, dual dipole, or other antenna type.
Furthermore, FIG. 4C also shows first portion 406 a completely separated from second portion 406 b. However, in alternate embodiments, a section of first portion 406 a may be separated from a section of second portion 406 b to enable first portion 406 a to operate as an antenna.
Thus, in an embodiment, an RFID device may include an RFID tag that becomes able to communicate using an antenna (e.g., first portion 406 a) by separating the device. In another embodiment, in addition to this, a second RFID tag of the device may be disabled by separating the device, such as described below with respect to FIGS. 5A-5B.
FIG. 5A shows another example RFID device 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 500 includes electrical circuit 330, substrate 402, conductive pattern 404, a second electrically conductive pattern 502, and a second electrical circuit 504. Second electrical circuit 504 may be substantially similar to electrical circuit 330 and is electrically coupled to antenna 502. Second electrical circuit may also store a second identification code that identifies an aspect of device 500 and/or the item to which device 500 is attached.
As shown in FIG. 5A, second conductive pattern 502 is configured to operate as a dual dipole antenna. In alternate embodiments, second conductive pattern 502 may also be configured to operate as a dipole antenna, loop antenna or other antenna type.
A portion of second conductive pattern 502 overlaps boundary 414. When first portion 406 a is separated from second portion 406 b, second conductive pattern 502 is also separated. In an embodiment, separating second conductive pattern 502 disables second conductive pattern 502 from operating as an antenna.
FIG. 5B shows device 500 after device 500 has been separated along a boundary 508. By separating device 500 along 508, first portion 406 a has been separated from second portion 406 b. Separating first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b electrically isolates first conductor 408 a from second conductor 408 b, which enables first portion 406 a to operate as antenna. Furthermore, separating first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b along boundary 414 also disables second conductive pattern 502 from operating as an antenna. As shown in FIG. 5B, second conductive pattern is separated into a first section 506 a and a second section 506 b. Thus, a second RFID tag, formed by conductive pattern 502 and electrical circuit 504 is disabled when device 500 is separated, by separating conductive pattern 502. Note that in an embodiment first section 506 a of second conductive pattern 502 may remain electrically coupled to second electrical circuit 504, so first section 506 a may continue to operate as an antenna after the separation.
FIG. 5C shows an RFID device 510, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 510 is substantially similar to device 500, as shown in FIG. 5A, except that resistive loads 508 are coupled to second conductive pattern 502. Resistive loads 508 may be used to tune characteristics of second conductive pattern 502 while acting as an antenna such as an operating frequency, gain, etc. FIG. SC shows resistive loads 508 as being substantially rectangular. In alternate embodiments, resistive loads 508 may be curved or have irregular shapes. Moreover, at least a portion of resistive loads 508 is an electrically conductive material such as copper, aluminum, etc.
FIG. 6A shows a device 600, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Device 600 is substantially similar to device 500 shown in FIG. SA except that second conductive pattern 502 is configured to operate as an antenna both when first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b are joined and when they are separated.
As FIG. 6B shows device 600 after first portion 406 a is separated from second portion 406 b. Similar to device 500 shown in FIG. 5B, separation electrically isolates first conductor 408 a from second conductor 408 b which enables first portion 406 a to operate as an antenna. After first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b are separated, second conductive pattern 502 remains intact and coupled to second electrical circuit 504. Thus, second conductive pattern 502 continues to operate as an antenna. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 6B, two RFID tags function in device 600 after separation of device 600, including a first RFID tag formed by electrical circuit 330 and first portion 406 a, and a second RFID tag formed by conductive pattern 502 and electrical circuit 504.
FIG. 7 shows an item 700 with an attached RFID device 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 500 is configured to be a seal for item 700. As shown in FIG. 7, seam 702 coincides with boundary 414 that separates first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b. Interaction with item 700 results in a tear of seam 702 which separates first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b, enabling first portion 406 a to operate as an antenna. First portion 406 a may, then, be used to transmit a response to an interrogation signal such that interaction with item 700 is indicated. Interacting with item 700 may include opening, tampering, etc.
Seam 702 may be any type of a seam of an item including a seam between two intersection flaps of a package (e.g., a cardboard box), etc.
The aforementioned embodiments have included RFID devices including conductive patterns configured to operate as antennas by separating the device. In alternate embodiments according to the present invention, RFID devices may also include an electrically conductive pattern, including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be an antenna made inoperative by being coupled to the second portion. The antenna is configured to become operative by separating the first portion from the second portion. In such an embodiment, an electrical circuit is also mounted to the substrate and electrically coupled to the antenna.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart 800 providing example steps for assembling an RFID device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Other structural and operational embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the following discussion. The steps shown in FIG. 8 do not necessarily have to occur in the order shown. The steps of FIG. 8 are described in detail below.
Flowchart 800 begins with step 802. In, step 802 an electrically conductive pattern is formed on a surface of a substrate. The electrically conductive pattern includes an electrically conductive first portion coupled to an electrically conductive second portion. The electrically conductive pattern is formed such that the first portion is capable of operating as an antenna when separated from the second portion. For example, in FIG. 4B, conductive pattern 404 is formed on substrate 402. Conductive pattern 404 includes first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b divided along boundary 414. First portion 406 a is capable of operating as a dipole antenna when separated from second portion 406 b. In alternate embodiments, the first portion may be capable of operating as other antenna types such as a dual dipole antenna or a loop antenna.
In an embodiment, the first portion may include a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor that are shorted together. The short is configured to be opened when the first portion is separated from the second portion to enable the first portion operate as an antenna. In a further embodiment, an electrically conductive ring shorts the first electrical conductor to the second electrical conductor. For example, in FIG. 4B, first portion 406 a includes first electrical conductor 408 a and second electrical conductor 408 b that are shorted by electrically conductive ring 410.
In step 804, an electrical circuit is mounted on the substrate. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive pattern. For example, in FIG. 4B, electrical circuit 330 is mounted on to substrate 402. In an embodiment, the electrical circuit stores an identification code that may identify the device.
FIGS. 9 and 10 provide optional steps for flowchart 800 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows steps 902 and 904. In step 902, a second electrically conductive pattern is formed on a surface of the substrate. The second conductive pattern is configured to operate as a second antenna. For example, in FIG. 5A, second conductive pattern 502 is formed on substrate 402 and configured to operate as a dual dipole antenna. In alternate embodiments, the second conductive pattern may be configured to operate as other antenna types such as a dipole antenna or a loop antenna.
In an embodiment, the second electrically conductive pattern is configured to be disableable from operating as the second antenna by separating the first portion from the second portion. For example, in FIG. 5A, second conductive pattern 502 is configured to be disableable by separating first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b along boundary 508.
In step 904, a second electrical circuit is mounted to the substrate. The second electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the second conductive pattern. For example in FIG. 5A, second electrical circuit 504 is mounted on substrate 402. In an embodiment, second electrical circuit may store a second identification code that identifies the device and/or the second antenna.
FIG. 10 shows an additional step 1002 for flowchart 800. In step 1002, the first portion is separated from the second portion along a boundary to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna. For example, in FIG. 5B, first portion 406 a is separated from second portion 406 b to enable first portion 406 a to operate as a dipole antenna. The first portion may also be configured to operate as dual dipole, loop, or any other antenna type as would be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art(s). Separating the first portion from the second portion may also disable the second electrically conductive pattern from operating as a second antenna. For example, in FIG. 5B, separating first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b disables second conductive pattern 502 from operating as a second antenna.
In an embodiment in which the first portion includes a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor that are shorted, separating the first portion from the second portion may also include opening the short. In a further embodiment, separating may also include separating the electrically conductive ring that shorts the first electrical conductor to the second electrical conductor. For example, in FIG. 5B, separating first portion 406 a from second portion 406 b separates electrically conductive ring 410 which opens the short between first electrical conductor 408 a and second electrical conductor 408 b. Example Tamper-Proofing Embodiments
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart 1100 providing an example step for tamper-proofing an item, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Other structural and operational embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the following discussion.
Flowchart 1100 includes step 1102. In step 1002, an RFID device is attached onto an item. The RFID device includes an electrically conductive pattern that is configured to operate as antenna by interacting with the item. In an embodiment, interacting with the item may include opening the item and/or tampering with a tamper seal of the item. Also in an embodiment, the RFID device is configured to be a seal for the item. For example, in FIG. 7 RFID device 500 is attached to item 700. Device 500 includes electrically conductive pattern 404 that is configured to operate as an antenna by interacting with item 700.
The device may be positioned on the item such that interacting with the item separates a first electrically conductive portion from a second electrically conductive portion such that the first portion may operate as an antenna. As shown in FIG. 7, device 500 has a first portion 406 a and first portion 406 a divided by boundary 414. Device 500 is positioned on item 700 such that boundary 414 coincides with seam 702 that tears (or if cut, such as by a box cutter) when item 700 is interacted with. Thus, device 500 is positioned such that interacting with the item causes first portion 406 a and first portion 406 a to separate which allows first portion 406 a to function as an antenna. In alternate embodiments, the conductive pattern may be configured in other ways such that interacting with the item enables the conductive pattern to operate as an antenna.
Furthermore, the device may also be positioned on the item such that second electrically conductive pattern that is configured to operate as a second antenna becomes disabled from operating as a second antenna by interacting with the item. As shown in FIG. 7, interacting with item 700 separates first portion 406 a and second portion 406 b disabling second conductive pattern 502 from operating as a second antenna. In an alternate embodiment, the second conductive pattern may also be configured to continue to operate as an antenna after the first portion is separated from the second portion.
Example RFID Device Communication Embodiments
FIG. 12 shows a flowchart 1200 providing example steps for communicating with an RFID device attached to an item, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Other structural and operational embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the following discussion. The steps shown in FIG. 12 do not necessarily have to occur in the order shown. The steps of FIG. 12 are described in detail below. FIGS. 13A-13D provide example communication systems for communicating with RFID devices and will be referred to throughout the discussion of flowchart 1200.
FIG. 12 begins in step 1202. In step 1202, an RFID interrogation signal to be received by an electrically conductive pattern of the RFID device is transmitted. The electrically conductive pattern includes an electrically conductive first portion coupled to an electrically conductive second portion. For example, in FIG. 13A, an RFID reader 1302 transmits an RFID interrogation signal 1304.
In step 1204, the item is interacted with. The item is interacted with such that the first portion is separated from the second portion to enable the first portion to operate as an antenna. For example, in FIG. 12B, item 700 is interacted with. As shown in FIG. 13B, interacting with item 700 causes a tear along seam 702 of item 700. Seam 702 coincides with boundary 414 of RFID device 500. The tear thus results in first portion 406 a being separated from second portion 406 b, which electrically isolates first conductor 408 a from second conductor 408 b allowing first portion 406 a to operate as an antenna.
In step 1206, a second RFID interrogation signal to be received by the electrically conductive pattern of the device is transmitted. For example, in FIG. 13C, second RFID interrogation signal 1306 is transmitted.
In step 1208, a response is received from the device. For example, in FIG. 12D, a response signal 1208 is received by reader 1202. In an embodiment, the response signal indicates that the item has been interacted with. The response signal may also include the identification code.
FIGS. 14-16 provide example steps for flowchart 1200 shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 shows step 1402. In step 1402, a third RFID interrogation signal to be received by a second electrically conductive pattern of the device is transmitted. The second conductive pattern is configured to operate as an antenna and may also be configured so that interacting with the item disables antenna operation.
FIG. 15 shows step 1502. In step 1502, a second response from the device is received in response to the third transmitted RFID interrogation signal. In an embodiment, the second response signal indicates that the item has not been interacted with. The second response signal may also include a second identification code.
FIG. 16 shows step 1602. In step 1602, a fourth RFID interrogation signal to be received by the second conductive pattern of the device is transmitted. A response to the fourth RFID interrogation signal is not received from the device. In an embodiment, interacting with the item disables the second conductive pattern of the device from operating as a second antenna. In a further embodiment, interacting with the item separates the first portion from the second portion which disables the second conductive pattern from operating as an antenna.
According to an example embodiment, a device may execute computer-readable instructions to transmit RFID interrogation signals, receive responses to RFID interrogation signals, write identification information to tags, and/or perform other functions, as further described elsewhere herein.
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