Abstract: Antennas suitable for use in RFID devices include an insulating substrate and a first conductive micropattern disposed on or in the substrate, the first conductive micropattern defining a contiguous mesh conductor. The first conductive micropattern forms an antenna responsive to at least a frequency of 915 MHz, and includes interconnected traces having a trace width in a range from 0.5 to 20 microns. Furthermore, the first conductive micropattern is characterized by an open area fraction of at least 80% or 90%. RFID devices include such an antenna and an integrated circuit configured to transmit and receive signals using the antenna. Cards, such as financial transaction cards or identification cards, include such an antenna carried by a card layer.

Abstract: In general, the disclosure describes an RFID tag designed such that the tag is both covert and not easily blocked from the interrogation signal by the hand or other body part of a person. In particular, the RFID tag is designed to have a long, narrow aspect that allows placement of the tag in locations on or in a book that are inconspicuous to the casual observer while extending beyond a hand of a person holding the book by the spine on or near a geometry centerline. The RFID tag includes a dipole segment and a loop segment coupled to the dipole segment. The loop segment of the modified dipole antenna provides the antenna with larger signal strength than conventional dipole antennas. Moreover, the conductive loop segment also provides improved impedance matching capabilities to allow the modified dipole antenna to match the impedance of an integrated circuit (IC) chip of the RFID tag.

Abstract: Antennas suitable for use in RFID devices include an insulating substrate and a first conductive micropattern disposed on or in the substrate, the first conductive micropattern defining a contiguous mesh conductor. The first conductive micropattern forms an antenna responsive to at least a frequency of 915 MHz, and includes interconnected traces having a trace width in a range from 0.5 to 20 microns. Furthermore, the first conductive micropattern is characterized by an open area fraction of at least 80% or 90%. RFID devices include such an antenna and an integrated circuit configured to transmit and receive signals using the antenna. Cards, such as financial transaction cards or identification cards, include such an antenna carried by a card layer.

Abstract: The invention provides one or more signal line structures that produce an electromagnetic field having a magnitude of at least an interrogation threshold of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for a substantial portion of an interrogation region. The signal lines may be made from copper and laid across a shelf in a storage area. The electromagnetic field may cause the tag to backscatter radio frequency (RF) signals to an RFID reader via the signal line.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a three-dimensional (3D) loop antenna. The 3D loop antenna includes a first conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the first conductive portion substantially lie in a first plane. The 3D loop antenna includes a second conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the second conductive portion substantially lie in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. An RFID circuit electrically connected to the loop antenna excites a current through the first and second conductive portions in a current loop that lies in a third plane that is not substantially parallel to the first and second planes. In some instances the third plane may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple embodiments of a signage having radio-frequency responsive features, methods of making and using the signage, and the performance characteristics of the signage. These embodiments include a cutout, aperture, or opening in an electrically conductive element into which or adjacent to which is placed an RFID tag or chip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple embodiments of a signage having radio-frequency responsive features, methods of making and using the signage, and the performance characteristics of the signage. These embodiments include a cutout, aperture, or opening in an electrically conductive sign into which or adjacent to which is placed an RFID tag or chip.

Abstract: One exemplary electrically conductive, RFID-enabled signage includes (1) an electrically conductive article including an opening and (2) an assembled device that is coupled to the electrically conductive article to provide RFID functionality to the electrically conductive article. One exemplary kit includes (1) an RFID IC arrangement including conductive leads adjacent to an integrated circuit; (2) an insert attached to the RFID IC arrangement; and (3) an attachment device capable of attaching the RFID IC arrangement-insert combination to an electrically conductive signage such that the RFID IC arrangement is positioned to span at least a portion of an opening in the signage and to electrically couple the integrated circuit to the electrically conductive signage. One exemplary method involves providing an assembled device including and RFID IC arrangement and an insert and coupling the assembled device with an electrically conductive signage.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a three-dimensional (3D) loop antenna. The 3D loop antenna includes a first conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the first conductive portion substantially lie in a first plane. The 3D loop antenna includes a second conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the second conductive portion substantially lie in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. An RFID circuit electrically connected to the loop antenna excites a current through the first and second conductive portions in a current loop that lies in a third plane that is not substantially parallel to the first and second planes. In some instances the third plane may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes.

Abstract: One exemplary electrically conductive, RFID-enabled signage includes (1) an electrically conductive article including an opening and (2) an assembled device that is coupled to the electrically conductive article to provide RFID functionality to the electrically conductive article. One exemplary kit includes (1) an RFID IC arrangement including conductive leads adjacent to an integrated circuit; (2) an insert attached to the RFID IC arrangement; and (3) an attachment device capable of attaching the RFID IC arrangement-insert combination to an electrically conductive signage such that the RFID IC arrangement is positioned to span at least a portion of an opening in the signage and to electrically couple the integrated circuit to the electrically conductive signage. One exemplary method involves providing an assembled device including and RFID IC arrangement and an insert and coupling the assembled device with an electrically conductive signage.

Abstract: This disclosure describes RFID tags designed to provide improved impedance matching capabilities. An RFID tag may include a radiating component and a tuning component located on different layers of the RFID tag. The radiating component and tuning component are located proximate to one another to provide a proximate coupling (e.g., an inductive and/or capacitive coupling). In one embodiment, at least a portion of the radiating component of a first layer overlaps at least a portion of the tuning component of a second layer, resulting in a proximate coupling. The tuning component may be used for tuning the antenna, e.g., matching an impedance of the radiating element and an IC chip electrically connected to the tuning component. Because the radiating element does not have to be designed to match impedances, the radiating element may be designed to provide better gain, polarization purity, larger radar cross section or other antenna parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple embodiments of a signage having radio-frequency responsive features, methods of making and using the signage, and the performance characteristics of the signage. These embodiments include a cutout, aperture, or opening in an electrically conductive element into which or adjacent to which is placed an RFID tag or chip.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a three-dimensional (3D) loop antenna. The 3D loop antenna includes a first conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the first conductive portion substantially lie in a first plane. The 3D loop antenna includes a second conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the second conductive portion substantially lie in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. An RFID circuit electrically connected to the loop antenna excites a current through the first and second conductive portions in a current loop that lies in a third plane that is not substantially parallel to the first and second planes. In some instances the third plane may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a three-dimensional (3D) loop antenna. The 3D loop antenna includes a first conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the first conductive portion substantially lie in a first plane. The 3D loop antenna includes a second conductive portion having a length and width that substantially exceed a thickness. The length and width of the second conductive portion substantially lie in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. An RFID circuit electrically connected to the loop antenna excites a current through the first and second conductive portions in a current loop that lies in a third plane that is not substantially parallel to the first and second planes. In some instances the third plane may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an extended radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. The extended RFID tag includes an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tag having a dipole antenna attached to a first surface of a substrate. The extended RFID tag further includes an antenna extension attached to the UHF RFID tag and overlapping at least a portion of the dipole antenna for electromagnetically coupling the antenna extension and the dipole antenna in operation. The extended RFID tag further includes an insulator positioned between the dipole antenna and the antenna extension to electrically isolate the dipole antenna from the antenna extension.

Abstract: The invention provides one or more signal line structures that produce an electromagnetic field having a magnitude of at least an interrogation threshold of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for a substantial portion of an interrogation region. The signal lines may be made from copper and laid across a shelf in a storage area. The electromagnetic field may cause the tag to backscatter radio frequency (RF) signals to an RFID reader via the signal line.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple embodiments of a signage having radio-frequency responsive features, methods of making and using the signage, and the performance characteristics of the signage. These embodiments include a cutout, aperture, or opening in an electrically conductive sign into which or adjacent to which is placed an RFID tag or chip.