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: A tag assembly is disclosed for attaching an RFID tag including a primary antenna to a flexible surface such as fabric, textile or an item of clothing. The tag assembly has a receptacle including a frame for securely holding the RFID tag, a secondary antenna, and attachment means for attaching the frame to the surface, wherein the frame forms part of the secondary antenna. A method of attaching an RFID tag to a flexible surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of producing an RFID tag assembly including an associated antenna and attachment means suitable for attaching the tag assembly to a material. The material may be flexible such as fabric or relatively rigid such as cardboard. The method includes forming the associated antenna and the attachment means as a unitary conductive frame. An RFID tag assembly produced by the method 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 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: 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 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.