Abstract: A process is disclosed for attaching an RFID tag such as an AK module or QFP package to a flexible surface such as textile or fabric. The process comprises providing a heat fusible label including at least a first layer having a first adhesive layer, a substrate layer including a secondary antenna structure, a heat activated second adhesive layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer for holding the RFID tag. The process further includes positioning the RFID tag on the PSA layer, pressing the tag against the PSA layer such that the PSA layer holds the tag against the heat fusible label at least temporarily, positioning the heat fusible label with the RFID tag on the flexible surface and applying heat and pressure to the heat fusible label to melt the heat activated layer and to fuse the label to the flexible surface.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for attaching an RFID tag such as an AK module or QFP package to a flexible surface such as textile or fabric. The process comprises providing a heat fusible label including at least a first layer having a first adhesive layer, a substrate layer including a secondary antenna structure, a heat activated second adhesive layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer for holding the RFID tag. The process further includes positioning the RFID tag on the PSA layer, pressing the tag against the PSA layer such that the PSA layer holds the tag against the heat fusible label at least temporarily, positioning the heat fusible label with the RFID tag on the flexible surface and applying heat and pressure to the heat fusible label to melt the heat activated layer and to fuse the label to the flexible surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a RFID reader with an antenna system for emitting and receiving RFID signals. The antenna system includes at least a first inverted F antenna and a second inverted F antenna each having a feed element, a radiating element with a first end coupled to the feed element and a second end free, and a tuning element having a first end coupled to the ground plane and a second end coupled to the first end of the radiating element. The radiating elements of the two inverted F antenna extend in a first direction and a second direction respectively, said first and second directions being offset by a non-zero sequential rotation. In addition, the two inverted F antennas are isolated from each other by a quarter wavelength slot etched in the ground plane between the two antennas.

Abstract: A device for the identification of at least one object includes at least one contactless RFID tag arranged in proximity to the object, the object being present on an object support or a rack, each tag containing an electronic chip and a magnetic antenna connected to the chip. The device also includes an electric antenna is present in the object support and is arranged in the latter in such a way as to establish electromagnetic coupling between the electric antenna and the magnetic antenna of the tag. Thus, the dimensions of the electric antenna, and particularly its length, are not then limited by the dimensions of the tag.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification device of the non-contact type, suitable for fixing to an object to be identified that includes a module with at least one electronic chip and at least one electrical and/or magnetic so-called primary antenna used to supply signals to the at least one electronic chip, and an electrical and/or magnetic so-called secondary antenna. The secondary antenna is a conductive element that forms part of the object or is produced by modifying a constituent of the object, the secondary antenna being coupled to the primary antenna without an electrical connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circularly polarized directional helical antenna that is capable of being used in RFID devices and more particularly in RFID readers. The antenna is intended to transmit or receive signals in a predetermined frequency band, ? being the wavelength associated with the minimum frequency of the predetermined frequency band. It includes a helicoidal radiating element made of conductive material extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and the axial length (H) of which is less than the wavelength ?, and a cavity made of conductive material having an open end and a closed end and having an axis of symmetry that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the radiating element, at least one lower portion of the radiating element being arranged inside the cavity so that its lower end is in contact with the closed end of the cavity.

Abstract: A combined EAS/RFID tag including an EAS circuit and a first RFID circuit is disclosed. The EAS circuit has at least one capacitor and the RFID circuit has a main antenna wherein at least a part of the capacitor of the EAS circuit provides at least a part of the main antenna of the RFID circuit. The EAS circuit may include two capacitors and each capacitor may include first and second plates on first and second sides of a substrate wherein one plate of each capacitor forms part of the main antenna of the RFID circuit.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for minimizing coupling nulls between an electromagnetic field derived from one or more sources and a plurality of randomly oriented RFID tags, wherein the electromagnetic field is rotated relative to the tags such that no tag is persistently located in a coupling null relative to the field. The source of the electromagnetic field may include a passive antenna or loop that changes its orientation relative to a direction of movement of the tags. The source of the electromagnetic field may further include an active antenna or loop that is electromagnetically coupled to the passive antenna or loop. A method for minimizing coupling nulls between the electromagnetic field and the randomly oriented tags is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming on a moving surface an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag. The method includes the steps of providing a webstock of polymeric material including a conductive film, conveying the webstock with the moving surface, and applying the conductive film to the moving surface in a shape corresponding to the auxiliary antenna. The moving surface may include cardboard in a roll manufacturing process. Depending on the thickness of the auxiliary antenna the step of applying the conductive film may include cold or hot stamping. Apparatus for forming an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag is also disclosed.

Abstract: An RFID tag is disclosed adapted to be read by an interrogator including a reader antenna having a carrier frequency. The tag includes a first circuit including a first inductor and a first capacitor, wherein the first circuit is tuned to a frequency above the carrier frequency to compensate for detuning in the presence of a plurality of tags. The RFID tag includes a second circuit including a second inductor and a second capacitor wherein the first and second inductors are arranged to be coupled electromagnetically with a coupling factor less than unity and the second circuit is tuned to increase coupling between the first circuit and the reader antenna. A method of reading an RFID tag in the presence of a plurality of tags is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combined EAS/RFID tag including an EAS circuit and a first RFID circuit is disclosed. The EAS circuit has at least one capacitor and the RFID circuit has a main antenna wherein at least a part of the capacitor of the EAS circuit provides at least a part of the main antenna of the RFID circuit. The EAS circuit may include two capacitors and each capacitor may include first and second plates on first and second sides of a substrate wherein one plate of each capacitor forms part of the main antenna of the RFID circuit.

Abstract: A network of antennas for contactless reading or writing of RFID tags in a detection volume, including three or four flat, independent antennas sequentially connected to a single reader by a switch, wherein planes of the antennas pass through a reading/writing/detection volume centered in the detection volume, for every pair of antennas, an intersection of their planes is included in the optimal reading/writing volume, and the antennas are arranged so that any direction in the optimal reading/writing volume forms an angle of about 45° or less with at least one of the planes of the antennas.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for remotely transmitting a command to an apparatus. The device includes at least one RFID tag having stored therein a code corresponding to the command and is adapted to transmit the code in response to an interrogation signal. Typically the device may include a plurality of RFID tags, each tag having stored therein a code corresponding to a different command and being adapted to transmit the code in response to receiving the interrogation signal. Typically the at least one RFID tag is passive and relies on the interrogation signal for its operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming on a moving surface an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag. The method includes the steps of providing a webstock of polymeric material including a conductive film, conveying the webstock with the moving surface, and applying the conductive film to the moving surface in a shape corresponding to the auxiliary antenna. The moving surface may include cardboard in a roll manufacturing process. Depending on the thickness of the auxiliary antenna the step of applying the conductive film may include cold or hot stamping. Apparatus for forming an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for minimizing coupling nulls between an electromagnetic field derived from one or more sources and a plurality of randomly oriented RFID tags, wherein the electromagnetic field is rotated relative to the tags such that no tag is persistently located in a coupling null relative to the field. The source of the electromagnetic field may include a passive antenna or loop that changes its orientation relative to a direction of movement of the tags. The source of the electromagnetic field may further include an active antenna or loop that is electromagnetically coupled to the passive antenna or loop. A method for minimizing coupling nulls between the electromagnetic field and the randomly oriented tags is also disclosed.

Abstract: An RFID tag is disclosed comprising at least one antenna and a detuning loop including an open circuit electromagnetically coupled to the antenna. The RFID tag also comprises means for closing the open circuit. The tag is arranged such that when the circuit is closed the loop detunes the tag sufficiently to prevent it from being read. A method of detuning an RFID tag is also disclosed.

Abstract: An RFID tag is disclosed for application to a conductive surface. The RFID tag includes an insulating substrate and a first conductive plate provided on the insulating substrate such that the first plate and the conductive surface form a first capacitor, an antenna provided on the substrate and connected to the first capacitor to form a resonant circuit, at least when the tag is applied to the conductive surface, and an integrated circuit connected to the resonant circuit. Preferably, the RFID tag includes a second conductive plate on the substrate, the second plate and conductive surface forming a second capacitor. The two capacitors may be connected in series. A method of applying an RFID tag to a conductive surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for electromagnetically interrogating electronically coded labels is provided. The system includes at least one electromagnetically interrogatable electronic coded label, an interrogator containing a generator of electromagnetic interrogation signals and a receiver of electromagnetic reply signals from the label. The system is adapted to make use of electromagnetic signals, other than those generated by the interrogator, which may reach the label.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for secure communication between an interrogator and an RFID tag. The system includes means for singulating the tag in a population of RFID tags and means for extracting from the tag, identity data adapted to uniquely identify the tag. The system further includes means for securely communicating the identity data to a secure database, means for providing authentication data by the database and means for securely communicating the authenticating data to the interrogator. The system also includes means for providing a further communication between the tag and the interrogator, and wherein at least one stream of data between the tag and the interrogator includes random data generated via a random physical process. The tag and database may each include means for maintaining a count of secure authentications. The count may be separately maintained by the tag and database and may be incremented following each secure authentication.