Patents by Inventor William C. Egbert
William C. Egbert has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 9638822Abstract: An article, system and method related to a magnetomechanical marker used to mark stationary assets. Magnetomechanical markers can be arranged in clusters and associated with stationary assets, including assets buried underground. Markers can be associated with an asset by being attached to the asset, arranged in a particular spatial relationship with the asset, or in any other appropriate way. A portable locating device can be used to generate an alternating magnetic field to activate the magnetomechanical marker and thus locate the asset.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ziyad H. Doany, Dean M. Dowdle, Michael E. Hamerly, William C. Egbert, Terrence H. Joyce, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20150226872Abstract: An article, system and method related to a magnetomechanical marker used to mark stationary assets. Magnetomechanical markers can be arranged in clusters and associated with stationary assets, including assets buried underground. Markers can be associated with an asset by being attached to the asset, arranged in a particular spatial relationship with the asset, or in any other appropriate way. A portable locating device can be used to generate an alternating magnetic field to activate the magnetomechanical marker and thus locate the asset.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Ziyad H. Doany, Dean M. Dowdle, Michael E. Hamerly, William C. Egbert, Terrence H. Joyce, JR.
-
Patent number: 9013274Abstract: An article, system and method related to a magnetomechanical marker used to mark stationary assets. Magnetomechanical markers can be arranged in clusters and associated with stationary assets, including assets buried underground. Markers can be associated with an asset by being attached to the asset, arranged in a particular spatial relationship with the asset, or in any other appropriate way. A portable locating device can be used to generate an alternating magnetic field to activate the magnetomechanical marker and thus locate the asset.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ziyad H. Doany, Dean M. Dowdle, Michael E. Hamerly, William C. Egbert, Terrence H. Joyce, Jr.
-
Patent number: 8998099Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, William C. Egbert, Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati
-
Patent number: 8717244Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Terrence H. Joyce, Jr., Swagata R. Banerjee, William C. Egbert, Katherine A. Brown, Jaewon Kim, William A. Mittelstadt, Robert A. Sainati
-
Publication number: 20130264390Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, William C. Egbert, Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati
-
Publication number: 20120325359Abstract: An electronic marker and method of making an electronic marker for marking obscured articles. The marker includes a core made of flexible, and sometimes high permeability magnetic material and a solenoid disposed around the core. A capacitor is electrically coupled with the solenoid, and the marker is tuned to respond to a signal at a characteristic resonant frequency. The marker can attached to a conduit to be buried underground. The marker can further include a radio frequency identification chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Ziyad H. Doany, Dean M. Dowdle, William C. Egbert, Michael E. Hamerly, Terrence H. Joyce, JR.
-
Publication number: 20120068823Abstract: An article, system and method related to a magnetomechanical marker used to mark stationary assets. Magnetomechanical markers can be arranged in clusters and associated with stationary assets, including assets buried underground. Markers can be associated with an asset by being attached to the asset, arranged in a particular spatial relationship with the asset, or in any other appropriate way. A portable locating device can be used to generate an alternating magnetic field to activate the magnetomechanical marker and thus locate the asset.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: Ziyad H. Doany, Dean M. Dowdle, Michael E. Hamerly, William C. Egbert, Terrence H. Joyce, JR.
-
Patent number: 7982616Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati, William C. Egbert, David K. Misemer
-
Publication number: 20100315205Abstract: Techniques are described for using radio-frequency identification (FID) tags and containers for specimens.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: William C. Egbert
-
Patent number: 7847697Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati, William C. Egbert, David K. Misemer
-
Publication number: 20090207026Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati, William C. Egbert, David K. Misemer
-
Publication number: 20090207027Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati, William C. Egbert, David K. Misemer
-
Patent number: 7535366Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can survive exposure to microwave energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William C. Egbert, Katherine A. Brown
-
Publication number: 20090121880Abstract: Applicators, apparatuses, and methods for applying a radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to items, particularly books and other library items.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2007Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Terrence H. Joyce, JR., William C. Egbert
-
Publication number: 20090096696Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: Terrence H. Joyce, JR., Swagatat R. Banerjee, William C. Egbert, Katherine A. Brown, Jaewon Kim, William A. Mittelstadt, Robert A. Sainati
-
Publication number: 20080143480Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can survive exposure to microwave energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: William C. Egbert, Katherine A. Brown
-
Patent number: 7315248Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags that are useful on metal or other conductive surface and to methods for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the radio frequency identification tag includes: a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate; an integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and a first composite layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: William C. Egbert
-
Patent number: 7268687Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags include compensating elements. The compensating elements enhance the operation of a compensated RFID tag, even when in close proximity to other RFID tags, whether the other tags are compensated or uncompensated. The compensating elements can include a closed loop of conductive material added to a RFID tag antenna. The conductive loop compensates the RFID tag performance when multiple RFID tags are in close proximity, keeping the frequency response of the assembled group of tags substantially centered near the operating frequency of the RFID system.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William C. Egbert, Thomas Herdtle
-
Patent number: 7259678Abstract: A durable radio frequency identification tag. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a durable radio frequency identification tag comprising: a flexible substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate; an integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and a thermoplastic guard attached to the flexible substrate adjacent the integrated circuit. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a durable radio frequency identification tag.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Katherine A. Brown, William C. Egbert, Jia Hu, Thomas C. Mercer, Terry S. Nees, Fay T. Salmon