Abstract: A merchandise attachment incorporating n RFID transponder may be described herein. The merchandise attachment may include a pliable, elongated panel member adapted for wrapping around the neck of a bottle or similar container. The panel member may be formed from a unitary blank having score lines that divide the blank into a plurality of panel sections. The panel member, when folded along the score lines with its end sections in overlapping relationship, may form a packaging sleeve in the shape of a tapered rectangular prism. The exterior surface of the panel member may be provided with informational material regarding the merchandise, such as branding, promotional offers, and the like. The RFID transponder, affixed to an interior surface of the panel member, may be adapted for wirelessly communicating information in radio-frequency signals.

Abstract: A temperature-sensing RFID device includes an RFID chip and an antenna electrically coupled thereto. The RFID chip includes a temperature sensor, while the antenna is adapted to receive energy from an RF field and produce a signal. A shielding structure and/or a thermally conductive or absorbent structure may be associated with the RFID chip. The shielding structure is oriented so as to be positioned between at least a portion of the RFID chip and an outside environment and configured to shield the temperature sensor from at least one environmental factor capable of affecting a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of an article to which the RFID device is secured. The thermally conductive or absorbent structure is oriented so as to be positioned between at least a portion of the RFID chip and the article and configured to enhance thermal coupling between the temperature sensor and the article.

Abstract: A combined EAS and RFID circuit includes an HF coil antenna, a UHF tuning loop, and an RFID chip coupled to a strap that includes a first coupling area and a second coupling area. The coil ends of the HF coil antenna are configured to capacitively and/or conductively couple to one or both of the first coupling area or second coupling area of the strap. The HF coil antenna can include a gap between turns for non-interfering placement of the UHF tuning loop. The EAS circuit can be deactivating upon application of a field at the resonant frequency of sufficient intensity to cause the breakdown voltage to be exceeded between a coil end and coupling area. The threshold breakdown voltage between a coil end and a coupling area can be reduced by laser ablation treatment of a conductive surface of one or both of the coil end or coupling area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for determining discontinuities in a blister pack. The system includes a blister pack and a discontinuity sensing apparatus coupled to the blister pack. The blister pack includes a tray with a plurality of cells and a seal layer arranged to seal the cells. The discontinuity sensing apparatus includes a signal generation element and a signal receiving element. In one embodiment, the signal generation element is arranged to transmit an acoustic pulse. In another embodiment, the signal generation element is arranged to transmit a swept acoustic signal. In one embodiment, the discontinuity sensing apparatus is coupled to the blister pack such that each of the plurality of cells is positioned at a unique distance from the discontinuity sensing apparatus. The determinations on discontinuities can be made in part from information from the time domain and/or in part from information from the frequency domain.

Abstract: Improved RFID devices and manufacturing methods that utilize more efficient RFID designs, result in less manufacturing material waste and increased recycling opportunities, all without sacrificing RFID device performance, are disclosed herein. Some exemplary embodiments of the improved RFID device may make use of a thinner foil, a hollowed-out foil, a “no-strip” design, or a tessellated design that may reduce material usage. Other exemplary embodiments may use a lower-impact and/or biodegradable adhesive so as to improve aluminum recycling and lessen risks to the environment.

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: 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 antenna structure is disclosed that is formed from a portion of a conductive material from a container seal. Generally, minimal material is removed from the container seal to form the antenna which thus retains most of the barrier properties of the conductive material. Further, an RFID tag device is coupled to either an outside or an inside of the barrier layer, and is attached after the container has been sealed to prevent the RFID tag device from being damaged during the sealing process.

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: Inventory management systems and methods are provided for various applications. Such systems include a first RFID reader system having an RFID reader and a host. The RFID reader attempts to communicate with a plurality of RFID-readable tags, while the host is programmed to receive data from the RFID reader, which relates to the RFID-readable tags with which the RFID reader has successfully communicated. The host generates instructions based at least in part on the data and transmits the instructions to the host of a second RFID reader system. The host of the second RFID reader system modifies the operation of an associated RFID reader as it attempts to communicate with the plurality of RFID-readable tags, with the modification being based at least in part on the instructions received from the host of the first system and improving the performance of the RFID reader of the second system.

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 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 system and method for determining and communicating the status of a sealable container. The system comprises a seal status detection component that is positioned adjacent to or on a lid comprising a deflectable component. The lid engages the sealable container to form a seal. The seal status detection component moves between a first state of operation where there is a gap between the seal status detection component and the deflectable component of the lid, and a second state of operation where the seal status detection component is adjacent to or in contact with the deflectable component of the lid. The seal status detection component has a first frequency response to interrogation by a reader when the seal is intact, and a second frequency response when the seal is broken.

Abstract: RFID tags are provided with a substrate including opposing first and second surfaces each having first and second portions defined by a fold line therebetween. A conductive trace defines a first coil associated with the first portion of the first surface and a second coil associated with the second portion of the first surface. The first coil has a first number of turns, while the second coil has a second number of turns. An RFID chip is electrically coupled to the conductive trace. The substrate is folded at the fold line so as to bring the first and second portions of the first surface into facing relationship, with at least a portion of the first coil overlapping at least a portion of the second coil. The overlapping coils define an antenna having a number of turns equal to the sum of the number of turns of the two coils.

Abstract: A spacing device and related method for improving readability of a container of RFID tagged items that are in relatively close proximity to each other is disclosed. The spacing device is preferably a low dielectric constant spacing device, wherein the nature of the device can be varied to create different effects on the readability of the RFID tagged items by preventing them from occupying areas with a large amount of material between the RFID tagged items and the RF reader. The spacing device is added into the container as the RFID tagged items are loaded into the container, and is preferably positioned in the center of the container. The spacing device can have a number of different dielectric, conductive and physical structures, and may be designed to be disposable, recyclable or re-used as needed.

Abstract: A feedback control system for RFID assembly production. The control system can include a measurement system and a control system. The measurement system may take measurements of one or more electrical properties of an RFID chip assembly, for example an RFID strap or RFID antenna. The measurement system may then communicate to the control system to adjust one or more parameters affecting the electrical properties. Once the desired set of electrical properties is achieved, the chip assembly may be cured. The feedback control system may be implemented dynamically, either for precision assembly of individual chip assemblies or in batch for controlling the average properties of assemblies on a rolling production line. The feedback control system can also be implemented in a step-wise fashion and be used to collect data and iteratively self-improve.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and system for creating a multiple part peel and reseal label assembly that may include one or more RFID devices for use in providing information to potential end users. The assembly may be provided with a plurality of informational sheets or layers that may be printed with fixed or variable information.