PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8978988-B2
Application Number: US-201314046799-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for integrating radio-frequency identification circuitry into flexible circuits

Abstract:
Systems and methods for integrating radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuitry into flexible circuits are provided. An RFID integrated circuit can be embedded within a dielectric layer of a flexible circuit or between a dielectric layer and a conductive layer of the flexible circuit. Additionally or alternatively, an RFID antenna may be integrated into a conductive layer of the flexible circuit. Alternatively, both the integrated circuit and antenna of RFID circuitry may be provided off of the flexible circuit but an RFID connector coupling the integrated circuit and antenna may be integrated into the flexible circuit.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming a flexible circuit, the method comprising:
 positioning a first conductive layer along a first surface of a dielectric layer; 
 integrating at least a first portion of radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuitry into one of the first conductive layer and the dielectric layer, wherein the first portion of the RFID circuitry comprises an integrated circuit, and the integrating comprises:
 forming a pocket into the dielectric layer, and 
 
 positioning at least a portion of the integrated circuit within the pocket; and 
 integrating a second portion of the RFID circuitry into one of the first conductive layer and the dielectric layer, wherein the second portion of the RFID circuitry comprises an antenna. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprises:
 positioning at least a portion of the antenna within the pocket. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: integrating the second portion of the RFID circuitry between an insulation via and a side of the flexible circuit opposite the insulation via. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 coupling a first portion of the first conductive layer to a first electronic component; and 
 coupling a second portion of the first conductive layer to a second electronic component. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first conductive layer electrically couples the integrated circuit to the antenna. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein:
 a third portion of the RFID circuitry comprises a connector; and 
 the connector electrically couples the integrated circuit to the antenna. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 positioning the RFID circuitry between an insulation via and a side of the flexible circuit allowing RF signals to be radiated from the RFID circuitry through the side of the flexible circuit. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a conductive via through at least a portion of the dielectric layer; and 
 electrically coupling the conductive via to one or more various portions of the first conductive layer. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 positioning at least a first portion of a second RFID circuitry in a first component; and 
 coupling the first component to the flexible circuit through an RFID connector included in the second RFID circuitry, wherein the first component includes at least one of a separate flexible circuit and a housing component. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps further comprise:
 electrically coupling the integrated circuit to the antenna using the first conductive layer. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps further comprise:
 coupling an electronic component to the flexible circuit using an RFID connector. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic component is a housing component of an electronic device. 
     
     
       13. A method of forming a flexible circuit, the method comprising:
 positioning a first conductive layer along a first surface of a dielectric layer; 
 integrating at least a first portion of radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuitry into one of the first conductive layer and the dielectric layer; 
 coupling a first portion of the first conductive layer to a first electronic component; 
 coupling a second portion of the first conductive layer to a second electronic component; and 
 separating a flex data portion from an RFID data portion in the flexible circuit with an insulation via. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein separating the flex data portion from the RFID data portion comprises:
 extending the insulation via from the first conductive layer through the dielectric layer to a second conductive layer located opposite the first conductive layer relative to the dielectric layer. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 separating the flex data portion in the flexible circuit from an extra RFID data portion with an extra insulation via through at least a portion of the flexible circuit. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 forming an extra RFID antenna and an integrated circuit in the extra RFID data portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 coupling a third electronic component to the flexible circuit through a second portion of the RFID circuitry. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the third electronic component is a housing component of an electronic device. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the steps further comprise:
 positioning the RFID circuitry between the insulation via and a side of the flexible circuit allowing RF signals to be radiated from the RFID circuitry through the side of the flexible circuit. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the steps further comprise:
 forming a conductive via through at least a portion of the dielectric layer; and 
 electrically coupling the conductive via to one or more various portions of the first conductive layer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/884,736 filed Sep. 17, 2010, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTEGRATING RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION CIRCUITRY INTO FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS” by Juan Carlos MAURICIA, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) circuitry is commonly used to identify and track various objects. For example, electronic devices (e.g., portable media players), which may include two or more electronic components coupled by a flexible circuit, often also include RFID circuitry integrated into one of the electronic components. However, such RFID circuitry often takes up valuable real estate of the electronic component. Moreover, the radio wave communications of such RFID circuitry often cause radio frequency (“RF”) interference that can affect the operation of the electronic component. This can reduce the operating efficiency of such electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods are disclosed for integrating RFID circuitry into a flexible circuit. Portions of the flexible circuit may provide RF shielding for signals radiated by the RFID circuitry. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects of the invention, its nature, and various features will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is an illustrative top view of a system with RFID circuitry integrated into a flexible circuit, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 1A , taken from line IB-IB of  FIG. 1A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative top view of another system with RFID circuitry integrated into a flexible circuit, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrative top view of yet another system with RFID circuitry integrated into a flexible circuit, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative top view of yet still another system with RFID circuitry integrated into a flexible circuit, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for integrating RFID circuitry into a flexible circuit, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for integrating RFID circuitry into flexible circuits are provided. An RFID integrated circuit can be embedded within a dielectric layer of a flexible circuit or between a dielectric layer and a conductive layer of the flexible circuit. Additionally or alternatively, an RFID antenna may be integrated into a conductive layer of the flexible circuit. Alternatively, both the integrated circuit and antenna of RFID circuitry may be provided off of the flexible circuit but an RFID connector coupling the integrated circuit and antenna may be integrated into the flexible circuit. 
     An insulation via may be provided through the flexible circuit to shield other portions of the flexible circuit from RF signals radiated by the RFID circuitry. The RFID circuitry may be positioned between such an insulation via and a side of the flexible circuitry so that the RF signals may be radiated out through the side of the flexible circuit. 
       FIG. 1A  is an illustrative top view of a system  100  that may include RFID circuitry  110  integrated into a flexible circuit  150  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Flexible circuit  150  may be any suitable type of flexible circuit, which may be curved, bent, or rolled, and that may be capable of conducting one or more signals therethrough, including, but not limited to, a single-sided flex circuit, a double access or back bared flex circuit, a sculptured flex circuit, a double-sided flex circuit, a multi-layer flex circuit, a rigid-flex circuit, a polymer thick film flex circuit, and any combination thereof. RFID circuitry  110  may be any suitable type of RFID circuitry capable of communicating and/or processing RF signals, including, but not limited to, active RFID circuitry, passive RFID circuitry, battery assisted passive (“BAP”) RFID circuitry, and any combination thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , system  100  may also include a first electronic component  192  and a second electronic component  198  that may be coupled together via flexible circuit  150 . For example, a first end  152  of flexible circuit  150  may be coupled to first electronic component  192  and a second end  158  of flexible circuit  150  may be coupled to second electronic component  198 . Each one of components  192  and  198  may be any suitable electronic component capable of communicating one or more signals via flexible circuit  150 , including, but not limited to, a processing component, a memory component, a user input/output (“I/O”) interface, a circuit board on which one or more other electronic components may be interconnected, a transducer, communications circuitry, and any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, system  100  may be a single electronic device that includes RFID circuitry  110 , flexible circuit  150 , and one or both of first electronic component  192  and second electronic component  198 . For example, system  100  may be any suitable electronic device having at least one electronic component coupled to a flexible circuit, including any portable, mobile, hand-held, or miniature consumer electronic device. Alternatively, such an electronic device may not be portable at all. Illustrative electronic devices can include, but are not limited to, media players (e.g., an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), media recorders, radios, medical equipment, domestic appliances, transportation vehicle instruments, musical instruments, calculators, cellular telephones (e.g., an iPhone available by Apple Inc.), other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants, remote controls, pagers, computers (e.g., a desktop, laptop, tablet, server, etc.), monitors, televisions, stereo equipment, set up boxes, set-top boxes, modems, routers, printers, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, system  100  may include RFID circuitry  110  and flexible circuit  150  with or without first electronic component  192  and/or second electronic component  198 , each of which may be distinct electronic components not provided in a single electronic device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , which is a horizontal cross-sectional view of system  100 , taken from line IB-IB of  FIG. 1A , flexible circuit  150  may include a stack of one or more conductive layers and one or more dielectric layers. For example, as shown, flexible circuit  150  may include a top conductive layer  160  positioned along the top surface  172  of a first dielectric layer  170 . Dielectric layer  170  may be a flexible insulator that can provide a foundation for conductive layer  160 . For example, dielectric layer  170  may be formed from any suitable insulative material, such as polyimide (“PI”) (e.g., Kapton™ polymide film), polyester (“PET polyethylene napthalate (“PEN”), polyetherimide (“PEI”), polyurethane, any one of various fluropolymers (“FEP”) and/or copolymers, and combinations thereof. Moreover, dielectric layer  170  may have any suitable thickness dt. For example, thickness dt may be in the range of 5 microns to 150 microns. In some embodiments, thickness dt may be in the range of microns to 60 microns, while in other embodiments, thickness dt may be in the range of 25 microns to 55 microns. It is understood that thickness dt of dielectric layer  170  may be widely varied and is not limited to these examples. 
     Top conductive layer  160  may be a conductive element from which one or more circuit signal paths may be provided. For example, conductive layer  160  may be formed from any suitable conductive material, such as copper (“CU”), gold (“AU”), or aluminum (“AL”), which may or may not be treated with various types of treatments, such as being annealed or plated. Moreover, conductive layer  160  may have any suitable thickness ct. For example, thickness ct may be in the range of 5 microns to 50 microns. In some embodiments, thickness ct may be in the range of 10 microns to 30 microns, while in other embodiments, thickness ct may be in the range of 12 microns to 28 microns. It is understood that thickness ct of conductive layer  160  may be widely varied and is not limited to these examples. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1B , for example, an adhesive layer  169  may be provided between at least a portion of top conductive layer  160  and at least a portion of top surface  172  of first dielectric layer  170 . Adhesive layer  169  may be provided using any suitable adhesive that may maintain conductive layer  160  and dielectric layer  170  in a fixed relationship. Adhesive layer  169  may have any suitable thickness at. For example, thickness at may be in the range of 5 microns to 50 microns. In some embodiments, thickness at may be in the range of 10 microns to 30 microns, while in other embodiments, thickness at may be in the range of 12 microns to 28 microns. It is understood that thickness at of adhesive layer  169  may be widely varied and is not limited to these examples. In other embodiments, flexible circuit  150  may not include adhesive layer  169 . 
     While flexible circuit  150  may be a single sided flexible circuit with only a single conductive layer  160  and a single dielectric layer  170 , in other embodiments, flexible circuit  150  may include a stack of any suitable number of conductive layers and any suitable number of dielectric layers. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , flexible circuit  150  may also include a bottom conductive layer  180  positioned along the bottom surface  178  of first dielectric layer  170 . Bottom conductive layer  180  may be any suitable conductive layer and may be similar to top conductive layer  160 . In some embodiments, an adhesive layer  189  may be provided between at least a portion of bottom conductive layer  180  and at least a portion of bottom surface  178  of first dielectric layer  170 . Adhesive layer  189  may be any suitable adhesive and may be similar to adhesive layer  169 . Moreover, in some embodiments, besides including multiple conductive layers, flexible circuit  150  may include multiple dielectric layers. For example, although not shown in  FIG. 1B , flexible circuit  150  may include a second dielectric layer positioned on top of top conductive layer  160  or below bottom conductive layer  180 . 
     Flexible circuit  150  may also include one or more conductive vias that may run through at least a portion of a dielectric layer. For example, a conductive via  174  may run through a portion of dielectric layer  170  and may be electrically coupled to one or more various portions of top conductive layer  160  and/or bottom conductive layer  180  at various positions along the length of flexible circuit  150  (e.g., between ends  152  and  158 ) for connecting traces along the conductive layers. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , RFID circuitry  110  may include an RFID integrated circuit  120 , an RFID antenna  140 , and an RFID connector  130  that may couple integrated circuit  120  with antenna  140 . RFID integrated circuit  120  may be any suitable circuitry for storing and/or processing information, modulating and/or demodulating RF signals, and any other specialized functions. RFID antenna  140  may be any suitable antenna for receiving and/or transmitting an RF signal (e.g., a slot antenna, a loop antenna, etc.), while RFID connector  130  may be any suitable connector for communicating an RF signal between integrated circuit  120  and antenna  140  (e.g., one or more conductive wires, traces, vias, etc.). At least one of integrated circuit  120 , connector  130 , and antenna  140  may be integrated into flexible circuit  150 . 
     At least a portion of RFID integrated circuit  120  of RFID circuitry  110  may be integrated into any portion of flexible circuit  150 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , a pocket  173  may be provided in dielectric layer  170  and at least a portion of RFID integrated circuit  120  may be positioned in pocket  173 . In some embodiments, pocket  173  may be drilled or otherwise formed in top surface  172  of dielectric layer  170 , such that pocket  173  may be exposed through an opening in top surface  172 . Alternatively, pocket  173  may not be exposed at an opening in top surface  172  of dielectric layer  170 , but instead pocket  173  may be positioned between top surface  172  and bottom surface  178  of dielectric layer  170  and surrounded on all of its sides by dielectric layer  170 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, although not shown in  FIG. 1B , at least a portion of RFID integrated circuit  120  may be integrated into conductive layer  160  or adhesive layer  169 . 
     At least a portion of antenna  140  of RFID circuitry  110  may be integrated into any portion of flexible circuit  150 . For example, as also shown in  FIG. 1B , antenna  140  may be integrated into conductive layer  160 . At least a portion of antenna  140  may be formed into conductive layer  160  using any suitable process, including, but not limited to, stamping, etching, mask imprinting (e.g., negative mask imprinting), photolithographying, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, in some embodiments, although not shown in  FIG. 1B , at least a portion of RFID antenna  140  may be integrated into dielectric layer  170  or adhesive layer  169 . 
     At least a portion of connector  130  of RFID circuitry  110  may be integrated into any portion of flexible circuit  150 . For example, as also shown in  FIG. 1B , at least a portion of connector  130  may be provided in conductive layer  160  and/or dielectric layer  170 . Connector  130  may extend between integrated circuit  120  and antenna  140 . Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 1B , if at least a portion of integrated circuit  120  is positioned in pocket  173  of dielectric layer  170  and at least a portion of antenna  140  is integrated into conductive layer  160 , then connector  130  may extend away from integrated circuit  120 , out of pocket  173  of dielectric layer  170 , through adhesive layer  169 , into conductive layer  160 , and towards antenna  140 . 
     Although integrated circuit  120 , connector  130 , and antenna  140  of RFID circuitry  110  are all shown in  FIG. 1B  to be included in the same horizontal cross-section of flexible circuit  150 , any one of these RFID components may be integrated into flexible circuit  150  at a different position along the length of flexible circuit  150  than the position of any other one of these RFID components. For example, while integrated circuit  120  may be positioned along flexible circuit  150  as shown in  FIG. 1B  (i.e., along flexible circuit  150  at position  151  of  FIG. 1A ), antenna  140  may instead be positioned along flexible circuit  150  closer to end  158  (i.e., along flexible circuit  150  at position  159  of  FIG. 1A ). In such an embodiment, connector  130  may extend along flexible circuit  150  between integrated circuit  120  at position  151  and antenna  140  at position  159  in any suitable manner (e.g., within various portions of dielectric layer  170 , adhesive layer  169 , and/or conductive layer  160 ). 
     RFID circuitry  110  (e.g., an RFID tag) may radiate RF signals for communication with an external RFID interrogator or reader. In order to minimize any RF interference that these RF signals may cause with respect to the other signaling of flexible circuit  150  (e.g., along conductive via  174  and/or portions of conductive layers  160  and  180 ); one or more insulation vias may be provided. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , a first insulation via  154  may be provided through at least a portion of flexible circuit  150  between its top and bottom. Insulation via  154  may be any suitable insulator, such as a through hole that is plated or not plated (e.g., with copper), which can block at least some RF signals of RFID circuitry  110  from interfering with another portion of flexible circuit  150 . For example, insulation via  154  may extend from top conductive layer  160 , through dielectric layer  170 , and to bottom conductive layer  180 , thereby dividing flexible circuit  150  into an “RFID data” portion  153  and a “flex data” portion  155 . Insulation via  154  may shield flex data portion  155  from at least some RF radiating from RFID circuitry  110  in the direction of arrow R of  FIG. 1B . Thus, RF radiating from RFID circuitry  110  may be radiated out a side of flexible circuit  150  in the direction of arrow L of  FIG. 1B . Of course, RFID circuitry  110  may also radiate RF out the top of flexible circuit  150  in the direction of arrow U and/or out the bottom of flexible circuit in the direction of arrow D. 
     In some embodiments, RFID circuitry  110  may include multiple RFID antennas or multiple antenna portions coupled to integrated circuit  120 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , RFID circuitry  110  may also include second antenna portion  140   a , which may be coupled to integrated circuit  120  via a second connector portion  130   a . Second antenna portion  140   a  may be positioned in any suitable layer or layers of flexible circuit  150 , including the layer in which antenna  140  is positioned or a different layer. As shown in  FIG. 1B , second antenna portion  140   a  may be integrated into bottom conductive layer  180 . For example, first antenna portion  140  and second antenna portion  140   a  may be contact portions of a loop antenna. Alternatively, first antenna portion  140  and second antenna portion  140   a  may each be a distinct antenna. For example, first antenna  140  may be a slot antenna and second antenna  140   a  may be a loop antenna. 
     Additional RFID circuitry may be integrated into flexible circuit  150  in addition to RFID circuitry  110 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , second RFID circuitry  110 ′ may be integrated into flexible circuit  150 . Second RFID circuitry  110 ′ may be substantially similar to RFID circuitry  110  and may include an RFID integrated circuit  120 ′, an RFID connector  130 ′, and an RFID antenna  140 ′. In some embodiments, as opposed to being positioned within a pocket of dielectric layer  170 , RFID integrated circuit  120 ′ may be positioned between bottom surface  178  of dielectric layer  170  and adhesive layer  189 , or conductive layer  180  if there is no adhesive layer provided. 
     In some embodiments, a second insulation via  156  may be provided through at least a portion of flexible circuit  150  between its top and bottom and may be similar to insulation via  154 . For example, insulation via  156  may extend from top conductive layer  160 , through dielectric layer  170 , and to bottom conductive layer  180 , thereby dividing flexible circuit  150  into an RFID data portion  157  and flex data portion  155 . Such an insulation via may prevent at least some RF radiating from second RFID circuitry  110 ′ from radiating in the direction of arrow L of  FIG. 1B  towards flex data portion  155  of flexible circuit  150 . Thus, RF radiating from second RFID circuitry  110 ′ may be radiated out a side of flexible circuit  150  in the direction of arrow R of  FIG. 1B . Of course, second RFID circuitry  110 ′ may also radiate RF out the top of flexible circuit  150  in the direction of arrow U and/or out the bottom of flexible circuit in the direction of arrow D. 
     In order to promote the radiation of RF from RFID circuitry, at least a portion of a conductive layer may not extend across the entire width of flexible circuit  150 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , top conductive layer  160  may not extend past insulation via  156  into RFID data portion  157  (e.g., top conductive layer  160  may not extend to a position adjacent at least a portion of second RFID circuitry  110 ′). A portion of conductive layer  160  may be removed or never provided at all such that it does not extend adjacent second RFID circuitry  110 ′. The absence of conductive layer  160  in RFID data portion  157  may help second RFID circuitry  110 ′ radiate RF out of flexible circuit  150  at least in the direction of arrow U. 
     In other embodiments, only a portion of RFID circuitry may be integrated into a flexible circuit while another portion of the RFID circuitry may be provided off of the flexible circuit. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a system  200  may be similar to system  100  but, rather than having an RFID integrated circuit integrated into a flexible circuit, system  200  may provide an RFID integrated circuit off of the flexible cable. System  200  may include RFID circuitry  210  having an RFID antenna  240  that may be integrated into a flexible circuit  250  and an RFID integrated circuit  220  that may be provided on a first electronic component  292 . RFID circuitry  210  may also include an RFID connector  230  coupling RFID integrated circuit  220  and RFID antenna  240 . For example, RFID connector  230  may extend away from RFID antenna  240 , through flexible circuit  250  (e.g., through one or more conductive layers and/or one or more dielectric layers of flexible circuit  250 ), and then externally away from flexible circuit  250  to RFID integrated circuit  220 . 
     Like system  100 , system  200  may also include first electronic component  292  coupled to a first end  252  of flexible circuit  250  and a second electronic component  298  coupled to a second end  258  of flexible circuit  250 . Each one of components  292  and  298  may be any suitable electronic component capable of communicating one or more signals via flexible circuit  250 , and first electronic component  292  may be any suitable component capable of supporting RFID integrated circuit  220 . For example, first electronic component  292  may be a processing component, a memory component, a circuit board, or the like. Moreover, like system  100 , system  200  may be a single electronic device that includes RFID circuitry  210 , flexible circuit  250 , and one or both of first electronic component  292  and second electronic component  298 . Alternatively, system  200  may include RFID circuitry  210 , flexible circuit  250 , and first electronic component  292 , with or without second electronic component  298 , each of which may be distinct electronic components not provided in a single electronic device. 
     Rather than providing an RFID integrated circuit on an electronic component that is coupled to the flexible circuit, the RFID integrated circuit may be provided off of the flexible circuit in a location independent of the flexible circuit. For example, as also shown in  FIG. 2 , system  200  may include second RFID circuitry  210 ′, which may be similar to RFID circuitry  210 , except that RFID integrated circuit  220 ′ of second RFID circuitry  210 ′ may not be provided on an electronic component coupled to flexible circuit  250 . Instead, RFID connector  230 ′ may extend away from RFID antenna  240 ′, through flexible circuit  250  (e.g., through one or more conductive layers and/or one or more dielectric layers of flexible circuit  250 ), and then externally away from flexible circuit  250  to RFID integrated circuit  220 ′, which may be provided on a third component  299  that is not coupled to flexible circuit  250 . Third component  299  may be an electronic component similar to first electronic component  292 , or third component  299  may not be electronic at all but instead may be a housing component of an electronic device, for example. 
     In yet other embodiments, rather than providing an RFID integrated circuit off of the flexible circuit, the RFID integrated circuit may be integrated into the flexible circuit and an RFID antenna may be provided off of the flexible circuit. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a system  300  may be similar to system  100  but, rather than having an RFID antenna integrated into a flexible circuit, system  300  may provide an RFID antenna off of the flexible cable. System  300  may include RFID circuitry  310  having an RFID integrated circuit  320  that may be integrated into a flexible circuit  350  and an RFID antenna  340  that may be provided on a second electronic component  398 . RFID circuitry  310  may also include an RFID connector  330  coupling RFID integrated circuit  320  and RFID antenna  340 . For example, RFID connector  330  may extend away from RFID integrated circuit  320 , through flexible circuit  350  (e.g., through one or more conductive layers and/or one or more dielectric layers of flexible circuit  350 ), and then externally away from flexible circuit  350  to RFID antenna  340 . 
     Like system  100 , system  300  may also include a first electronic component  392  coupled to a first end  352  of flexible circuit  350  as well as second electronic component  398  coupled to a second end  358  of flexible circuit  350 . Each one of components  392  and  398  may be any suitable electronic component capable of communicating one or more signals via flexible circuit  350 , and second electronic component  398  may be any suitable component capable of supporting RFID antenna  340 . For example, second electronic component  398  may be a processing component, a memory component, a circuit board, or the like. In some embodiments, second electronic component  398  may be an antenna of another type, such as a Bluetooth™ antenna. Moreover, like system  100 , system  300  may be a single electronic device that includes RFID circuitry  310 , flexible circuit  350 , and one or both of first electronic component  392  and second electronic component  398 . Alternatively, system  300  may include RFID circuitry  310 , flexible circuit  350 , and second electronic component  398 , with or without first electronic component  392 , each of which may be distinct electronic components not provided in a single electronic device. 
     Rather than providing an RFID antenna on an electronic component that is coupled to the flexible circuit, the RFID antenna may be provided off of the flexible circuit in a location independent of the flexible circuit. For example, as also shown in  FIG. 3 , system  300  may include second RFID circuitry  310 ′, which may be similar to RFID circuitry  310 , except that RFID antenna  340 ′ of second RFID circuitry  310 ′ may not be provided on an electronic component coupled to flexible circuit  350 . Instead, RFID connector  330 ′ may extend away from RFID integrated circuit  320 ′, through flexible circuit  350  (e.g., through one or more conductive layers and/or one or more dielectric layers of flexible circuit  350 ), and then externally away from flexible circuit  350  to RFID antenna  340 ′, which may be provided on a third component  399  that is not coupled to flexible circuit  350 . Third component  399  may be an electronic component similar to second electronic component  398 , or third component  399  may not be electronic at all but instead may be a housing component of an electronic device, for example. 
     In yet still other embodiments, rather than integrating at least one of an RFID integrated circuit and an RFID antenna into a flexible circuit, each of the RFID integrated circuit and the RFID antenna may be provided off of the flexible circuit and coupled to one another by an RFID connector that is integrated into the flexible circuit. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a system  400  may be similar to system  100  but, rather than having an RFID integrated circuit and an RFID antenna integrated into a flexible circuit, system  400  may provide an RFID integrated circuit and an RFID antenna off of the flexible cable and an RFID connector Integrated into the flexible cable. System  400  may include RFID circuitry  410  and a flexible circuit  450 . RFID circuitry  410  may include an RFID integrated circuit  420  that may be provided on a first electronic component  492  and an RFID antenna  440  that may be provided on a second electronic component  498 . RFID circuitry  410  may also include an RFID connector  430  coupling RFID integrated circuit  420  and RFID antenna  440 . RFID connector  430  may be integrated into flexible circuit  450 . For example, RFID connector  430  may extend away from RFID integrated circuit  420 , into flexible circuit  450 , through flexible circuit  450  (e.g., through one or more conductive layers and/or one or more dielectric layers of flexible circuit  450 ), and then externally away from flexible circuit  450  to RFID antenna  440 . 
     Like system  100 , system  400  may include first electronic component  492  coupled to a first end  452  of flexible circuit  450  as well as second electronic component  498  coupled to a second end  458  of flexible circuit  450 . Each one of components  492  and  498  may be any suitable electronic component capable of communicating one or more signals via flexible circuit  450 , first electronic component  492  may be any suitable component capable of supporting RFID integrated circuit  420 , and second electronic component  498  may be any suitable component capable of supporting RFID antenna  440 . For example, first Electronic component  492  may be a circuit board and second electronic component  498  may be a Bluetooth™ antenna. Moreover, like system  100 , system  400  may be a single electronic device that includes RFID circuitry  410 , flexible circuit  450 , first electronic component  492 , and second electronic component  498 . Alternatively, the components of system  400  may be distinct and not provided in a single electronic device. Moreover, as described with respect to RFID integrated circuit  220 ′ of  FIG. 2  and RFID antenna  340 ′ of  FIG. 3 , one or both of RFID integrated circuit  420  and RFID antenna  440 ′ may be provided off of flexible circuit  450  in a location independent of flexible circuit  450  (not shown) rather than being provided on an electronic component that is coupled to flexible circuit  450 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a flowchart of an illustrative process  500  for forming a flexible circuit. Process  500  may begin at step  502  by positioning a first conductive layer along a first surface of a first dielectric layer, and integrating at least a first portion of RFID circuitry into at least one of the first conductive layer and the first dielectric layer at step  504 . In some embodiments, the first portion of the RFID circuitry may be an RFID integrated circuit. Integrating an RFID integrated circuit may include positioning the RFID integrated circuit between the first conductive layer and the first surface of the first dielectric layer, or between one of those two layers and an adhesive layer joining those two layers. Alternatively, integrating an RFID integrated circuit may include forming a pocket into the first dielectric layer and positioning at least a portion of the RFID integrated circuit within the pocket. In some embodiments, the first portion of the RFID circuitry may be an RFID antenna. Integrating an RFID antenna may include forming, stamping, etching, mask imprinting, and/or photolithographying at least a portion of the antenna into the first conductive layer. In some embodiments, all of the RFID circuitry may be integrated into at least one of the first conductive layer and the first dielectric layer. 
     It is to be understood that the steps shown in processes  500  of  FIG. 5  is merely illustrative. Any of the steps may be removed, modified, or combined, any additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     While there have been described systems and methods for integrating RFID circuitry into flexible circuits, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up” and “down,” “left” and “right,” “top” and “bottom,” and “above” and “below,” are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. 
     The described embodiments of the invention are presented for the purpose of illustration and not of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20131004
Publication Date: 20150317
Grant Date: 20150317
Priority Date: 20100917
Inventors: MAURICIA JUAN CARLOS
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K1/189", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/4985", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K19/07749", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10098", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/0002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/49855", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09754", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K19/07", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K19/077", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49018", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49018", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10098", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09754", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/189", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/49855", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/4985", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K19/07749", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49126", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49126", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49016", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49016", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/0002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/0002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10098", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09754", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K19/07749", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/49855", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/189", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/4985", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 44674867