Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling an RFID device mounted to a fabric substrate via a “flip chip” approach. The system includes a pin thermode with a tip configured to penetrate the fabric substrate. The pin thermode may include or omit a heating element, with the tip being variously configured. The tip may have a variable cross-sectional area or include a plurality of projections that separately penetrate the fabric substrate, for example. If the pin thermode includes a heating element, a body of the pin thermode may be formed of a low thermal conductivity material to allow the temperature of the tip to increase without increasing the temperature of the body to the same degree. The body may define a lumen, with the tip and/or body defining an aperture for flowing a liquid out of the pin thermode and into the region surrounding the pin thermode.

Abstract: A method of incorporating a second conductor into a RFID strap device and the resulting device in multiple embodiments is disclosed. The second conductor adds functionality via coupling between the strap conductor and the second conductor. The functionality added can be a secondary antenna operating at a different frequency than the first antenna that is driven by the strap pads, a sensing capability, a drive for an emissive device such as an LED, or an interface to one or more semiconductor devices mounted onto the second conductor.

Abstract: Articles on flexible webs with different pitches are assembled together by displacing portions between articles of one web out of plane to move the articles on that web to the same pitch as the other web, aligning the two webs to register corresponding articles on the two webs, and assembling the corresponding articles together. The assembly may be used for example in the making of RFID tags, labels and inlays.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling an RFID device mounted to a fabric substrate via a “flip chip” approach. The system includes a pin thermode with a tip configured to penetrate the fabric substrate. The pin thermode may include or omit a heating element, with the tip being variously configured. The tip may have a variable cross-sectional area or include a plurality of projections that separately penetrate the fabric substrate, for example. If the pin thermode includes a heating element, a body of the pin thermode may be formed of a low thermal conductivity material to allow the temperature of the tip to increase without increasing the temperature of the body to the same degree. The body may define a lumen, with the tip and/or body defining an aperture for flowing a liquid out of the pin thermode and into the region surrounding the pin thermode.

Abstract: RFID tags are provided for incorporation into the packaging of a microwavable food item, with the RFID tag being configured to be safely microwaved. The RFID tag includes an antenna defining a gap and configured to operate at a first frequency. An RFID chip is electrically coupled to the antenna across the gap. A shielding structure is electrically coupled to the antenna across the gap and overlays the RFID chip. The shielding structure includes a shield conductor and a shield dielectric at least partially positioned between the shield conductor and the RFID chip. The shielding structure is configured to limit the voltage across the gap when the antenna is exposed to a second frequency that is greater than first frequency. In additional embodiments, RFID tags are provided for incorporation into the packaging of a microwavable food item, with the RFID tag being configured to be safely microwaved. The RFID tag includes an RFID chip and an antenna electrically coupled to the RFID chip.

Abstract: Articles on flexible webs with different pitches are assembled together by displacing portions between articles of one web out of plane to move the articles on that web to the same pitch as the other web, aligning the two webs to register corresponding articles on the two webs, and assembling the corresponding articles together. The assembly may be used for example in the making of RFID tags, labels and inlays.

Abstract: RFID tags are provided for incorporation into the packaging of a microwavable food item, with the RFID tag being configured to be safely microwaved. The RFID tag includes an antenna defining a gap and configured to operate at a first frequency. An RFID chip is electrically coupled to the antenna across the gap. A shielding structure is electrically coupled to the antenna across the gap and overlays the RFID chip. The shielding structure includes a shield conductor and a shield dielectric at least partially positioned between the shield conductor and the RFID chip. The shielding structure is configured to limit the voltage across the gap when the antenna is exposed to a second frequency that is greater than first frequency. In additional embodiments, RFID tags are provided for incorporation into the packaging of a microwavable food item, with the RFID tag being configured to be safely microwaved. The RFID tag includes an RFID chip and an antenna electrically coupled to the RFID chip.

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: Systems and methods are provided for labeling a piece of merchandise with a wireless communication device. In addition to a wireless communication device, the merchandise tag includes an associated label made of a washable fabric material. The wireless communication device is incorporated into the label and includes an RFID chip and a slot-loop hybrid antenna, with the antenna including a conductor sheet that defines a slot. The label is secured to a piece of merchandise at a sew line, with the sew line dividing the label into an upper portion and a lower portion. The RFID chip and the slot of the antenna, along with a relatively high conductance piece or portion of the conductor sheet, are positioned within the upper portion of the label, while a relatively low conductance piece or portion of the conductor sheet is positioned within the lower portion of the label.

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: A planar conductor device and RFID chip are folded to create a coil to form an RFID tag. The result is the formation of a solenoid coil, not planar, which allows the device to be placed against metal. Specifically, the planar structure is folded into a concertina fold. After folding, a spiral conductor is formed in the Z direction, forming a coil with the RFID chip connected to both ends. This structure operates as a resonant RFID tag.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for providing security to RFID and NFC systems. In some exemplary embodiments, a smart poster may be utilized to provide appropriate or desired communications with an RFID or NFC-enabled device. Such exemplary embodiments may utilize an authorized NFC tag to communicate with an NFC-enabled device, and upon activation of the authorized NFC tag, may trigger activation or appearance of one or more related items, such as visual cues. Additionally, aspects of NFC security systems which can include regions of security, states of activity and actions performed when security violations are detected.

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 planar conductor device and RFID chip are folded to create a coil to form an RFID tag. The result is the formation of a solenoid coil, not planar, which allows the device to be placed against metal. Specifically, the planar structure is folded into a concertina fold. After folding, a spiral conductor is formed in the Z direction, forming a coil with the RFID chip connected to both ends. This structure operates as a resonant RFID tag.

Abstract: A method of using shielded straps with RFID tag designs is disclosed. Specifically, the RFID device, in one embodiment, comprises a bridge conductor which couples the antenna and pair of strap pads together. Thus, the coupling between the bridge conductor and the strap conductor, the coupling between the bridge conductor and the antenna conductor, and the coupling between the antenna conductor and the strap conductor increases the total capacitance of the RFID strap device. Further, the presence of the bridge conductor also reduces the area occupied for a given inductance, and provides a higher effective capacitance when the bridge strap is connected to the antenna.

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: An apparatus and method of combining more than one RFID technology to give operational benefits and new applications to RFID tags is disclosed. The RFID tags comprise UHF and/or HF tag functions which are either located in a single chip or located separately in two chips with a connection between the chips allowing the exchange of information. These RFID tags may then be used in a retail environment to assist in marketing, inventory control, and/or EAS operations.