Abstract: Miniature RFID tags are used in a system for identifying, locating, tracking and inventorying patient specimens pursuant to medical testing. The RFID tags are attached to specimen vessels, and at a point of collection for patient specimens each RFID tag of a vessel is associated with patient and test data, in a collection site database. When a series of vessels are to go to a laboratory, a hand-held device receives all data on the specimens via download from the collection site PC/database. A courier picks up a container with the specimen vessels and delivers it to the laboratory, along with the hand-held device. At the lab a reader reads all specimen tags, and the data stored in the hand-held device is downloaded to a lab processor/database to verify all specimens are present. Location of specimens can be done by reading or powering up different zones, and the hand-held device can have a power node for selectively powering one or several specimen tags for identification or location of specific specimens.

Abstract: A system for tracking items using passive RFID tags utilizes separate data and power frequencies. Within an area in which the items are located, one or more data readers are provided but many more separate power modules are distributed through the space, for powering up the tags. With the power nodes distributed, the tags are powered from a relatively short distance, enabling the tags to transmit through a greater distance. One or more of the readers can include a power-node control which sends an RF signal to control on/off status of specific power nodes within the area, so that power nodes can be activated zone by zone, to thereby permit the reader to determine location by zone of products as their RFID tags are read.

Abstract: RFID tags of very small size are embedded in products or composed of products in a manufacturing process. The system employs different read and write modes to enable auto-tracking of material, some assembly, assembly and component items through various stages of the manufacturing process. As each item passes special predetermined points in the manufacturing process, the embedded tag is activated and placed in track mode. The tag transmits its ID and a track count representing the number of stations passed. The tag's track count is incremented and the updated track count is stored in non-volatile memory in the tag. The tags can be programmed so that once the count exceeds a predetermined count, a status bit is set in the tag's memory indicating that the item has been completely through the manufacturing process. Thus, the system can determine whether an item or product has been completed. After manufacture the same RFID tag can be used for tracking, inventory and item authentication.

Abstract: RFID tags of very small size are embedded in products or composed of products in a manufacturing process. The system employs different read and write modes to enable auto-tracking of material, some assembly, assembly and component items through various stages of the manufacturing process. As each item passes special predetermined points in the manufacturing process, the embedded tag is activated and placed in track mode. The tag transmits its ID and a track count representing the number of stations passed. The tag's track count is incremented and the updated track count is stored in non-volatile memory in the tag. The tags can be programmed so that once the count exceeds a predetermined count, a status bit is set in the tag's memory indicating that the item has been completely through the manufacturing process. Thus, the system can determine whether an item or product has been completed. After manufacture the same RFID tag can be used for tracking, inventory and item authentication.

Abstract: A system for tracking items using passive RFID tags utilizes separate data and power frequencies. Within an area in which the items are located, one or more data readers are provided but many more separate power modules are distributed through the space, for powering up the tags. With the power nodes distributed, the tags are powered from a relatively short distance, enabling the tags to transmit through a greater distance. One or more of the readers can include a power-node control which sends an RF signal to control on/off status of specific power nodes within the area, so that power nodes can be activated zone by zone, to thereby permit the reader to determine location by zone of products as their RFID tags are read.

Abstract: An electronic identification tag, usually in very small size, responds to a reader with an identification code unique to the object to which the tag is attached. The stand-alone device responds to a reader signal by storing energy received from the signal, then using the stored energy to generate another signal that is encoded with identification information. In operation, a reader generates RF energy which can reach a multiplicity of such tags over a distance of several meters. The system minimizes power requirements for the tag by minimizing intelligence in the IC. Use of a transmit frequency which is different from the reader's power frequency reduces interference between the power pulse and information pulse, eliminates the need for filters and enables the multiplied clock reference frequency as the transmit carrier frequency.

Abstract: A radio frequency ID tag, very small in size and with an onboard antenna, is manufactured, tested and applied cost-efficiently. The transmit frequency for the tag is set during manufacture approximately, within a selected range, in a gross tuning step. A second tuning step fine tunes each tag by RF communication to set values of capacitance, resistance, etc., and this can be at the point of application of the tags. Other aspects include burning a randomly-selected value in the RF ID chip during manufacture to impose a random time delay for tag response (rather than having a random generator on the chip itself); structural testing of a large number of tags on a wafer using on-wafer interconnects and a special onboard sequencer test die; and production of the tag so as to be tunable to different frequency ranges.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a test circuit is coupled to receive a first signal from a signal generator such as a test equipment. The test circuit allows access to one or more terminals of a first integrated circuit, a second integrated circuit, or both based at least on the signal. The test circuit may be in the first integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit may be in a single package. In one embodiment, the test circuit routes signals to and from the second integrated circuit, thus allowing the second integrated circuit to be tested as if it was stand-alone. In one embodiment, the test circuit allows access to otherwise inaccessible terminals of the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit, or both.