Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for use with tires include a stud comprising reactive strap technology including an RFID chip and conductor. The stud is configured so as to be connected to a tire and to provide near field communication. The stud also may be coupled to an antenna structure to provide a far field RFID tag. The stud may unintentionally move with respect to the antenna structure during use, so the antenna structure may be configured to accommodate such movement without a change in the tuning of the RFID tag. A multi-antenna label may be provided to allow for selective coupling of the stud to a particular antenna, with differently configured tires being coupled to different antennas of the same type of multi-antenna label, which allows for the same label configuration to be used with a wider variety of tires.

Abstract: Improved RFID devices and manufacturing methods that utilize more efficient RFID designs, result in less manufacturing material waste and increased recycling opportunities, all without sacrificing RFID device performance, are disclosed herein. Some exemplary embodiments of the improved RFID device may make use of a thinner foil, a hollowed-out foil, a “no-strip” design, or a tessellated design that may reduce material usage. Other exemplary embodiments may use a lower-impact and/or biodegradable adhesive so as to improve aluminum recycling and lessen risks to the environment.

Abstract: Improved RFID devices and manufacturing methods that utilize more efficient RFID designs, result in less manufacturing material waste and increased recycling opportunities, all without sacrificing RFID device performance, are disclosed herein. Some exemplary embodiments of the improved RFID device may make use of a thinner foil, a hollowed-out foil, a “no-strip” design, or a tessellated design that may reduce material usage. Other exemplary embodiments may use a lower-impact and/or biodegradable adhesive so as to improve aluminum recycling and lessen risks to the environment.

Abstract: A combined EAS and RFID circuit includes an HF coil antenna, a UHF tuning loop, and an RFID chip coupled to a strap that includes a first coupling area and a second coupling area. The coil ends of the HF coil antenna are configured to capacitively and/or conductively couple to one or both of the first coupling area or second coupling area of the strap. The HF coil antenna can include a gap between turns for non-interfering placement of the UHF tuning loop. The EAS circuit can be deactivating upon application of a field at the resonant frequency of sufficient intensity to cause the breakdown voltage to be exceeded between a coil end and coupling area. The threshold breakdown voltage between a coil end and a coupling area can be reduced by laser ablation treatment of a conductive surface of one or both of the coil end or coupling area.

Abstract: RFID tags are provided for incorporation into the packaging of a microwavable food item. The packaging includes a first member (e.g., a tray) that is configured to be microwaved and a second member (e.g., a sleeve or box or enclosure) that is configured to be dissociated from the first member prior to microwaving the first member. The RFID tag includes a reactive strap associated with the first member and a far-field antenna associated with the second member. The reactive strap is coupled to the antenna when the packaging is intact, while being decoupled from the antenna when the second member has been dissociated from the first member. The RFID tag is capable of far-field communication when the reactive strap is coupled to the antenna, while the reactive strap is capable of only near-field communication when decoupled from the antenna.

Abstract: Dual-mode RFID devices are provided with an integrated dual-mode RFID strap including either a UHF/HF dual-mode RFID chip or the combination of a UHF RFID chip and an HF RFID chip. An HF antenna and a UHF antenna are both coupled to the integrated dual-mode RFID strap, with the UHF antenna being formed by an approach other than etching, such as a cutting or printing operation, thereby reducing the cost to manufacture the device. If a pair of chips is employed, one of the chips may have a greater thickness than the other chip, which allows for the thicker chip to be incorporated into the device after the thinner chip without requiring a minimum separation between the two chips due to the size of a thermode used to secure the chips. Additionally, the first chip may be tested before securing the second chip, thereby limiting the cost of a rejected device.

Abstract: A tuning assembly for an RFID chip includes an input port, a control unit, and a plurality of capacitors connected in parallel between the input port and the control unit. A selector circuit is coupled to each capacitor and to the control unit and is configured to selectively allow and prevent current flow through any of the capacitors in response to commands from the control unit, thereby adjusting the capacitance of the RFID chip. The commands include a command to always allow current flow through a capacitor, another command to always prevent current flow through a capacitor, and a third command to selectively allow and prevent current flow through a capacitor (e.g., for automatic adjustment of the capacitance of the RFID chip). The control unit may be programmed before or after the RFID chip is coupled to an antenna, including after a fully assembled RFID label has been attached to an article.

Abstract: A merchandise attachment incorporating an RFID transponder may be described herein. The merchandise attachment may include a pliable, elongated panel member adapted for wrapping around the neck of a bottle or similar container. The panel member may be formed from a unitary blank having score lines that divide the blank into a plurality of panel sections. The panel member, when folded along the score lines with its end sections in overlapping relationship, may form a packaging sleeve in the shape of a tapered rectangular prism. The exterior surface of the panel member may be provided with informational material regarding the merchandise, such as branding, promotional offers, and the like. The RFID transponder, affixed to an interior surface of the panel member, may be adapted for wirelessly communicating information in radio-frequency signals.

Abstract: Electronic surveillance article systems reducing the number and likelihood of false alarms are provided. Such systems include two read zones, with a second read zone having an associated RFID reader configured to detect an RFID device at a trigger threshold. The trigger threshold may be set or modified in view of a value of a sensor of an RFID device (sensing a capacitance or dielectric permittivity or temperature or degree of movement, for example), the number of times the RFID device is detected in the first read zone, or whether the RFID device is detected in the first read zone under predetermined conditions. Such systems may also or alternatively initiate a response (e.g., modifying the trigger threshold or the amount of power transmitted by an RFID reader) when an RFID guard device associated with a piece of infrastructure in the first read zone is detected in the second read zone.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with a configurable anti-tamper structure includes an RFID chip electrically connected to a configurable anti-tamper structure. The configurable anti-tamper structure includes a plurality of conductive segments substantially oriented in a ladder configuration. At least some of the plurality of conductive segments are cut to leave a single conductive path in accordance to the desired tamper detection application, and the RFID tag is attached with the anti-tamper structure placed across a break point to be monitored for tampering. When tampering occurs, the conductive path is broken and the RFID chip changes the data sent in response to interrogation by an RFID reader.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an RFID device includes a reactive strap having an RFID chip and a conductive ring connected to the RFID chip. The RFID device may further include an antenna configured to be coupled to the reactive strap, and a tuning block set positioned in the vicinity of the reactive strap, a resonant frequency of the RFID device being determined at least in part by at least one of the shape of the tuning block set and the position of the tuning block set relative to at least the reactive strap.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wireless electronic device translation system includes a translator that includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a controlling unit coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna. The translator may be configured to receive a wireless communication signal transmitted from a first electronic device at a first frequency, interpret a communication content from the wireless communication signal using a first communication protocol, translate the first communication content to be transmitted as a wireless translated signal using a second communication protocol, and transmit the wireless translated signal at a second frequency to be received by a second electronic device.

Abstract: A method of incorporating a second conductor into a RFID strap device and the resulting device in multiple embodiments is disclosed. The second conductor adds functionality via coupling between the strap conductor and the second conductor. The functionality added can be a secondary antenna operating at a different frequency than the first antenna that is driven by the strap pads, a sensing capability, a drive for an emissive device such as an LED, or an interface to one or more semiconductor devices mounted onto the second conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of combining more than one RFID technology to give operational benefits and new applications to RFID tags is disclosed. The RFID tags comprise UHF and/or HF tag functions which are either located in a single chip or located separately in two chips with a connection between the chips allowing the exchange of information. These RFID tags may then be used in a retail environment to assist in marketing, inventory control, and/or EAS operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of improving the stability and repeatability of the laser cutting of an RFID antenna is disclosed. The present invention provides direct feedback from an optical inspection of the cutting process to the control system to determine the shape of the RFID antennas that are being cut and compare the same to the desired RFID antenna shape or pattern. When appropriate, the present invention enables a user to employ both short term and long term feedback data to make modifications to the laser cutting process to improve the same and reduce waste.

Abstract: An RFID device includes a substrate and a lead frame secured to the substrate. The lead frame includes a pair of connection pads formed of a conductive material. An RFID chip and an antenna are electrically coupled to the lead frame. The width of the lead frame is substantially equal to the height of the lead frame. The connection pads of the lead frame may be oriented, among other options, along a direction parallel to a height of the substrate or along a direction parallel to a width of the substrate.

Abstract: An RFID device includes an antenna that is formed so as to control the optical properties of the RFID device, which may include minimizing the amount of light that will be transmitted through the RFID device or allowing for the passage of a predetermined amount of light therethrough. The RFID device includes a conductive material associated with a substrate. The conductive material includes an antenna and a periphery. An RFID chip is electrically coupled to the antenna, but not to the periphery. The antenna may be defined by a cutting or etching or printing process. A gap between the antenna and the periphery may be on the order of approximately 25 ?m-200 ?m (if the transmission of light through the RFID device is to be minimized) or greater in at least one section (if the passage of a predetermined amount of light through the RFID device would be desirable).

Abstract: A combined EAS and RFID circuit includes an HF coil antenna, a UHF tuning loop, and an RFID chip coupled to a strap that includes a first coupling area and a second coupling area. The coil ends of the HF coil antenna are configured to capacitively and/or conductively couple to one or both of the first coupling area or second coupling area of the strap. The HF coil antenna can include a gap between turns for non-interfering placement of the UHF tuning loop. The EAS circuit can be deactivating upon application of a field at the resonant frequency of sufficient intensity to cause the breakdown voltage to be exceeded between a coil end and coupling area. The threshold breakdown voltage between a coil end and a coupling area can be reduced by laser ablation treatment of a conductive surface of one or both of the coil end or coupling area.

Abstract: Improved RFID devices and manufacturing methods that utilize more efficient RFID designs, result in less manufacturing material waste and increased recycling opportunities, all without sacrificing RFID device performance, are disclosed herein. Some exemplary embodiments of the improved RFID device may make use of a thinner foil, a hollowed-out foil, a “no-strip” design, or a tessellated design that may reduce material usage. Other exemplary embodiments may use a lower-impact and/or biodegradable adhesive so as to improve aluminum recycling and lessen risks to the environment.

Abstract: An anti-tamper device combining a RFID component and an article surveillance or security component with a visual indicator. The article surveillance or security component is operatively coupled to a display so that an interruption of the RFID component is visibly indicated by the display. The visual indicator moves between a first state indicating a lack of tampering, and a second state indicating tampering without the need for a battery or external power source.