Abstract: A system for measuring RFID strap characteristics by coupling through a dielectric. The system can include a meter, test pads, springs, and wiring. Test pads may contact a substrate opposite of the RFID strap, and the coupling capacitance through the dielectric substrate may be utilized to calculate the strap capacitance. Similarly, other electrical properties of an RFID strap or other RFID assembly may be measured by coupling through a dielectric.

Abstract: A dual band antenna device and method of formation is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a planar conductive sheet; forming a slot antenna in the conductive sheet; the slot antenna configured to communicate at a first frequency; forming a multi-turn antenna in the conductive sheet; the multi-turn antenna configured to communicate in a second frequency that is different from the first frequency; and connecting at least one integrated circuit to said first antenna and said second antenna; enclosing said first antenna, said second antenna, and said at least one integrated circuit in a wearable enclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods provided for testing remote frequency identification (RFID) straps on a web. Testing system includes a test head having a pair of contact pins configured to be moved toward the web (or configured to make contact with web moved towards them) and into contact with the web or RFID strap. Conveyor continuously moves the web to move individual RFID straps into and out of alignment with the test head. Controller causes the contact pins to move toward the web at a frequency that's greater than the frequency at which the conveyor moves consecutive RFID straps into alignment with the test head. Alternatively or additionally, the test head may have a mount formed of a compliant material that allows at least a portion of the test head to deflect while the contact pins are in contact with a continuously moving RFID strap, thereby maintaining contact between contact pins and strap.

Abstract: Robust merchandise tags, patches, inlays and labels are provided for mounting on garments, fabrics, apparel accessories and other flexible merchandising materials. These are robust enough to withstand processing during manufacturing, including steps such as machine washing, stone washing and chemical treatments, while being capable of remaining on the garment, fabric or the like during inventory handling, merchandising and consumer use. The robust merchandise tags combine a hybrid-slot loop antenna structure with an uncharacteristically large area conductor sheet in the nature of a foil or the like. Overlaminations and fold-over portions also can be included for robustness enhancement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for labeling a piece of merchandise with a wireless communication device. In addition to a wireless communication device, the merchandise tag includes an associated label made of a washable fabric material. The wireless communication device is incorporated into the label and includes an RFID chip and a slot-loop hybrid antenna, with the antenna including a conductor sheet that defines a slot. The label is secured to a piece of merchandise at a sew line, with the sew line dividing the label into an upper portion and a lower portion. The RFID chip and the slot of the antenna are positioned within the upper portion of the label, which may itself be positioned within a seam or neckline or waistband of the piece of merchandise.

Abstract: An RFID antenna structure for use with an RFID device is disclosed. A printed electronic circuit (PEC) is assembled onto an area of a conductor that is initially substantially flat, with minimal apertures cut into it. The substantially flat conductor makes the printing of the functional chip/circuit easier. Then, the conductor is cut post process with a laser or other cutting tool to create the interconnection. In another embodiment, the conductors of the PEC bridge the position where an aperture should be to create part of an RFID antenna. Further, the conductive layer and the PEC are then cut post process to create an antenna for the RFID device.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) antenna structure such as may be found on a tag, label or inlay for use with consumer products that has a conductive surface. The RFID structure of the present invention can be attached to the conductive surface without significantly modifying the performance of the RFID device. The RFID device has first and second portions, with the first portion having a first antenna pattern and the second portion including an elongate section for attachment to the consumer item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for better reading large populations of RFID tags. Such systems include an RFID reader and a plurality of RFID tags, each having an antenna and an associated RFID chip. Each chip includes an auto-tune circuit and is programmed to confirm the occurrence of a preselected condition. Upon such confirmation, the RFID chip modifies the functionality of the auto-tune circuit to reduce the effects of proximity coupling within the population. The preselected condition may be the tag being read by the RFID reader or the elapse of a preselected amount of time since a power-on-reset of the chip or some other event. The modification to the functionality of the auto-tune circuit may be the disabling of the auto-tune circuit or the changing of the impedance value of the chip or a decrease in the power supplied to the chip or some other modification.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for determining the temperature of an object. Such devices and methods incorporate first and second thermally conductive members, with a heating member associated with the first thermally conductive member. The second thermally conductive member is positionable adjacent to the object. The heating member is heated to a known temperature and a probe member is alternately brought into contact with the first and second thermally conductive members. When the probe member is in contact with one of the thermally conductive members, it will send an input to the controller. The controller compares the inputs to each other and, if they are not substantially equal, changes the temperature of the heating member, and the probe member is again alternately brought into contact with the thermally conductive members. When the inputs are substantially equal, the controller generates an output based on the temperature of the heating member.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing remote frequency identification (RFID) straps. A testing system includes an amplifier electrically coupled to an inductor or inductive component. The system further includes a pair of contact points to be placed in contact with a pair of contact pads of an RFID strap. Connecting the contact points and the contact pads places the RFID strap in parallel with the inductor to define a resonant circuit. The characteristics of the resonant circuit as an oscillator depend at least in part on the capacitance and the resistance of the RFID strap. As such, the characteristics of the resonant circuit as an oscillator may be monitored to determine the capacitance and/or the resistance of the RFID strap. One or more characteristics of the RFID strap may be compared to one or more threshold values to determine whether the RFID strap is acceptable or defective.

Abstract: An RFID device using a printed electronic circuit (PEC) is disclosed. The PEC or electronic circuit which includes printed elements is coupled to a conductor structure, such as an antenna, by reactive means, such as an electric field, a magnetic field, or a combination of both. The RFID device comprises a base layer and a conductive layer (antenna structure) disposed over the base layer. A dielectric layer is then disposed over at least a portion of the conductive layer. A barrier layer is then disposed over the dielectric layer and fully covers the PEC to protect against oxygen and moisture ingress. Further, the PEC is typically attached to a carrier or strap to facilitate coupling between the antenna structure and PEC. In another embodiment, the barrier layer can be replaced with an adhesive layer that acts as both the barrier layer and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Disposable or single-use sensor labels sense a parameter and record the sensed parameter having: a semi-permeable medium or substrate with a parameter-sensitive and activatable developer. The developer, when activated, exhibits a detectable manifestation of a changed state that progresses over time. The detectable manifestation of this changed state is read and recorded to log parameter change data. Further, a method of using the sensor label monitors viability of a material associated with the label, such as for freshness and security assessment that is recorded for archival or reporting or quality control purposes. A changed state is exhibited that progresses over time, associating the label with a material to be monitored and positioning same into a given environment, and the recording can track the changed state against time.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes a portable RFID reader, and a read infrastructure that includes a distributed read structure, which may be part of a display (such as a shelf) for holding objects. The read structure is used to couple the RFID reader to RFID devices (tabs and/or labels) on or near the structure. The RFID reader and the read structure communicate in a near field or proximity region communication, without any use of a direct ohmic electrical connection. The RFID reader may have an antenna that is configured for near field or proximity communication with a coupler of the read infrastructure. The RFID reader may also have a separate antenna for use in far field communication. The RFID reader may be able to obtain information more efficiently in the near field or proximity mode, allowing information to be received faster and with greater reliability.

Abstract: Infrastructure-mounted RFID-readable tags or transponders are provided for various applications. Such infrastructure tags may be employed in combination with RFID-readable product tags and an RFID reader for an improved inventory-management system which requires both types of tags to be scanned to constitute a successful product count. Infrastructure tags may also be employed as “read” or “no-read” tags in an RFID read field. The infrastructure tags of the RFID read field are combined with an RFID reader which is dynamically adaptable during initial set-up and use to improve the performance of the read field. When a perturbing object is detected in the read field, one or more performance parameters of the reader are adjusted to overcome any perturbing influence caused by the object.

Abstract: Robust merchandise tags, patches, inlays and labels are provided for mounting on garments, fabrics, apparel accessories and other flexible merchandising materials. These are robust enough to withstand processing during manufacturing, including steps such as machine washing, stone washing and chemical treatments, while being capable of remaining on the garment, fabric or the like during inventory handling, merchandising and consumer use. The robust merchandise tags combine a hybrid-slot loop antenna structure with an uncharacteristically large area conductor sheet in the nature of a foil or the like. Overlaminations and fold-over portions also can be included for robustness enhancement.

Abstract: An RFID device includes a conductive sheet defining at least first and second portions, with an intermediate portion joining the other portions. One or more RFID chips electrically coupled to the portions, such as one or both of the first and second portions of the conductive sheet and to the intermediate portion. The first portion of the conductive sheet defines a multi-turn high frequency antenna having one or more disruptions in the conductive sheet positioned between and/or defining adjacent turns of the multi-turn antenna. The second portion of the conductive sheet defines a first radiating arm of an ultra high frequency antenna. The disruptions direct a high frequency current around the turns of the multi-turn high frequency antenna, while allowing an ultra high frequency current to flow across the disruptions, resulting in the first portion of the conductive sheet defining a second radiating arm of the ultra high frequency antenna.

Abstract: This application generally relates to systems and methods of using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices to remotely analyze objects and structures, and more particularly, this application relates to systems and methods of using RFID devices to remotely analyze properties and conditions of a surface of objects and structures.