Abstract: An RFID tag is provided with an RFID chip and an antenna and interactive switch electrically coupled to the RFID chip. When a user physically interacts with the switch (such as by pressing the switch with a finger), the antenna transmits an input signal to an RFID reader of an RFID-based control system. The RFID reader, in turn, transmits a control signal to an electronic device for controlling the device. The RFID tag may be incorporated into any of a number of devices, such as a keyboard or article of clothing, and can function to operate a variety of electronic devices, including audio-visual devices and gaming systems.

Abstract: A multi-layer conductor device is disclosed comprising two or more conductors used in an antenna for a more durable radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. The conductors interconnect electrically, but are separated mechanically, so a failure in one conductor will not necessarily cause a failure in the other conductor. And, if the failure occurs at different locations on the antenna, the current path through the antenna will bridge the break.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing RFID devices are provided with self-limiting heating features. Inducing current flow through the antenna of an RFID device (e.g., by exposing the antenna to a changing magnetic field) will increase heat of the RFID device, thereby curing/sintering elements of the RFID device (which may include curing an adhesive used to couple the antenna to an RFID chip) without applying external heat, which typically heats regions of the RFID device that were not intended to be heated (e.g., the substrate to which the antenna is secured). Inducing current flow through the antenna of an RFID device will reduce the resistance of the antenna, which has a heat-limiting effect that prevents overheating of the RFID device. Inducing current flow may also change the resonant frequency of the antenna, which may provide another heat-limiting effect.

Abstract: A label includes a recycled sloop type radio frequency identification (RFID) tag from a previously used label. The RFID tag is removed from the previous label by cutting the RFID tag from the previous label using a laser, die, or cutting wheel. The conductor antenna of the RFID tag can be cut to remove damaged portions or change operation of the RFID tag. A slot in the conductor antenna can be resized to tune the RFID tag to allow the RFID tag to be used for the same application use or a different application use. The label can include indicia such as machine readable indicia and human readable indicia. The extracted RFID tag can include portions of the previous label, which can be free of indicia.

Abstract: A circuit device formed from a functional substrate. The circuit device comprises a functional substrate component and printed electronic elements formed on the functional substrate component. The printed electronic elements formed on the functional substrate component interact with the substrate component to perform a function and to modify the functional substrate component. The circuit device typically needs a passive base material that takes no functional part in the device operation except mechanical support.

Abstract: RFID-based electronic surveillance article systems are provided with first and second receiving antennas. An RF signal is transmitted to an RFID device, which transmits a return signal that is received by the receiving antennas. A position of the RFID device may be determined based on a difference between the strength of the return signal when received by the first antenna and the strength of the return signal when received by the second antenna. If RF signals are transmitted by the receiving antennas, the position of the RFID device may be determined by changing the strengths of the RF signals transmitted by each antenna and comparing the strength of the RF signal transmitted by the first antenna when the RFID device is at a threshold for receiving the signal to the strength of the RF signal transmitted by the second antenna when the RFID device is at the threshold.

Abstract: A self-tuning RFID device having an input capacitance that is adjustable in response to a detected signal. The self-tuning RFID device preferably comprises a variable capacitance RFID chip coupled to an inductor, and an input circuit driven by the detected signal from the variable capacitance RFID chip. A change in capacitance with the detected signal is delayed by a specific amount of time, thereby allowing the self-tuning RFID device to function as a dual mode EAS and RFID tag. The ESA functionality can be deactivated by a high field at or near its resonance frequency without disabling the RFID functionality. The effect of the high field may change the input capacitance permanently changing its resonance.

Abstract: RFID devices for use in electronic surveillance article (“EAS”) systems may be differently configured, resulting in different performance at the operating frequency or range of frequencies of an EAS system. The performance of differently configured RFID devices may be converged or rendered substantially similar by testing the performance of such RFID devices in a range of frequencies. At least one of the RFID devices is reconfigured to converge the performance of the RFID devices in the range of frequencies if the performance of the RFID devices is not sufficiently similar. This may include changing the configuration of an antenna, an RFID chip, and/or a non-functional component of an RFID device and/or the location in which an RFID device is associated to an article. Differently configured RFID devices may all be manufactured from the same initial configuration, with different RFID devices being differently processed before incorporation in an EAS system.

Abstract: A roller features a circumferential trench into which a wire is deposited from a wire dispensing head having a wire dispensing tip. A moving web of material engages the roller as the roller rotates. The wire dispensing tip engages sidewalls of the trench so that the wire dispensing tip remains in the trench as the roller rotates. Wire from the trench is deposited onto the web of moving material and is secured thereto by fasteners or tape or adhesive or the like.

Abstract: RFID devices are provided for improving the performance of electronic surveillance article systems. The RFID devices may be modified in any of a number of ways to decrease their peak sensitivity and increase their bandwidth, thereby stabilizing their read range. The performance of an RFID device will depend on the nature of the article to which it is associated, such that the nature of the article to which the RFID device is to be associated may be factored into the design of the RFID device to equalize the performance at an operating frequency of RFID devices associated with different articles. By reducing the peak sensitivity and increasing the bandwidth of RFID devices in an electronic article surveillance system, the size of a transition zone between two read zones of the system may be reduced.

Abstract: An RFID device is provided with a substrate and a plurality of RFID components associated to the substrate. The substrate is initially provided in a substantially planar configuration, with the RFID components being associated to the substantially planar substrate. After the RFID components have been associated to the substrate, the substrate is folded at least one fold line to give the substrate and resulting RFID device a non-planar structure. All or portions of at least two of the RFID components are associated to portions of the substrate that are present in different planes, which may include portions of the substrate that are oriented in generally parallel planes or at an angle to each other. By such a non-planar, three-dimensional configuration, an RFID device may be provided with enhanced functionality, including increased bandwidth, ability to receive and radiate signals in a plurality of distinct frequency bands, and directivity.

Abstract: A recyclable RFID device having one or more recoverable components configured to remain substantially intact during a waste recycling process. The one or more recoverable components comprises a RFID coupling strap and a substrate encapsulating the RFID coupling strap. A filtering system for recovering the recyclable RFID device from a waste stream is also disclosed, and comprises a waste collection container, a RFID device detection unit, and a RFID device diversion area. Additionally, a filtering system for recovering the recyclable RFID device during a waste recycling process is disclosed. The filtering system enables separating the recyclable RFID device from a packaging and detecting the separated components of the recyclable RFID device including the one or more recoverable components. The separated components including the RFID chip is then diverted from the waste stream for reuse.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device may include a reactive strap may include a conductor enclosing an area and an RFID chip connected to the conductor, the conductor enclosing an area and defining a first opening, and a flexible substrate attached to the conductor and defining a second opening. The first and second openings together may define a passage through both the conductor and the flexible backing material.

Abstract: An RFID tag device is disclosed that is designed to operate on difficult substrates, such as dielectric surfaces with high loss, organic material surfaces, or metallic surfaces. The RFID tag device comprises an RFID antenna structure formed on one side of a thermoplastic substrate component with an RFID chip coupled to it in a roll to roll process. The substrate component is then deformed into a series of cavities with the RFID antenna structure within the cavities. Specifically, the RFID antenna structure is positioned fully on a top surface of the cavity, or positioned partially in a top and partially on an edge/bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an RFID device may include a multilayer reactive strap having a first substrate, a first conductor portion, a second conductor portion, and a first connection. The first conductor portion may enclose a first area and may be disposed on a first side of first substrate. A second conductor portion may enclose a second area and may be disposed on a second side of the first substrate. A first connection may couple the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion together, and may thereby form a multiturn coil that includes both the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of constructing a coil antenna structure may include forming a coiled antenna by cutting a spiraling gap into a conductive layer, applying a force to at least a part of the conductive layer to expand the gap between coils of the conductive layer to a distance great enough to prevent conductive sections of the coils from touching each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an RFID device is disclosed that contains a first conductive structure and a second conductive structure formed from multiple conductive materials configured to move between a first operating condition and a second operating condition when exposed to an event or other stimuli. The second conductive structure is initially operatively coupled to the first conductive structure in the first operating condition. However, after exposure to the event, the first conductive structure is altered to change the behavior of the RFID device. The RFID device is attachable to a substrate, such as a garment or a fabric, and the event may be a single or multiple occurrence event, such as washing, stretching, heating, or exposure of the RFID device to electrical signals.

Abstract: An RFID tag device is disclosed that is designed to operate on difficult substrates, such as dielectric surfaces with high loss, organic material surfaces, or metallic surfaces. The RFID tag device comprises an RFID antenna structure formed on one side of a thermoplastic substrate component with an RFID chip coupled to it in a roll to roll process. The substrate component is then deformed into a series of cavities with the RFID antenna structure within the cavities. Specifically, the RFID antenna structure is positioned fully on a top surface of the cavity, or positioned partially in a top and partially on an edge/bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: A conductive structure for use with a RFID device having a metallic mass that is below a standard detection threshold of a metal detector and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed herein. The conductive structure preferably comprises a pair of dipole arms extending from a tuning loop, wherein each of the pair of dipole arms terminates in a load end. The conductive structure may be manufactured from a printed metallic ink, or by cutting, lasering, or etching a metal foil. The conductive structure is modified to reduce overall thickness and metallic mass of the device as much as possible, while still maintaining an acceptable level of performance. Portions of the load ends may also be hollowed out to further reduce the conductive structure's metallic mass.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on a target surface of a non-planar object may be provided. The method may include positioning an antenna on the target surface of the non-planar object, positioning a reactive RFID strap on the target surface, and coupling the reactive RFID strap to the antenna to induce an antenna response.