Abstract: A simple trip-wire or magnetic circuit associated with a shipping container provides continuity, which is detected electrically. Simply, if continuity is disabled by a forced entry of the container, electrical detection means, such as a radio-frequency-identification (RFID) tag, will alert the owner or monitoring station. The trip-wire concept would require the replacing of a broken trip wire (resulting from forced entry), while the magnetic circuit concept can be reused repetitively. In a second embodiment a magnetic circuit and the detection device (RFID tag) are embedded into the shipping article during manufacturing. The preferred detection device, an RFID tag, could also be a battery backed transceiver type on which a replaceable or rechargeable battery could be mounted on the inside of the shipping container during manufacturing. The RFID tag would communicate with an interrogator unit, which could be connected to a host computer.

Abstract: A method for RF communication between transceivers in a radio frequency identification system that improves range, decreases multipath errors and reduces the effect of outside RF source interference by employing spread spectrum techniques. By pulse amplitude modulating a spread spectrum carrier before transmission, the receiver can be designed for simple AM detection, suppressing the spread spectrum carrier and recovering the original data pulse code waveform. The data pulse code waveform has been further encrypted by a direct sequence pseudo-random pulse code. This additional conditioning prevents the original carrier frequency components from appearing in the broadcast power spectra and provides the basis for the clock and transmit carrier of the transceiver aboard an RFID tag. Other advantages include high resolution ranging, hiding transmissions from eavesdroppers, and selective addressing.

Abstract: High quality thin films of copper-indium-gallium-diselenide useful in the production of solar cells are prepared by electrodepositing at least one of the constituent metals onto a glass/Mo substrate, followed by physical vapor deposition of copper and selenium or indium and selenium to adjust the final stoichiometry of the thin film to approximately Cu(In,Ga)Se.sub.2. Using an AC voltage of 1-100 KHz in combination with a DC voltage for electrodeposition improves the morphology and growth rate of the deposited thin film. An electrodeposition solution comprising at least in part an organic solvent may be used in conjunction with an increased cathodic potential to increase the gallium content of the electrodeposited thin film.

Abstract: Circuitry mounted within a single hybrid or monolithic integrated circuit (I.C.) package including: (1) a first integrated circuit which is desired to be tracked for some purpose such as security or inventory, and (2) a second circuit having a memory for storing an identification number and an RF transceiver for transmitting the stored number in response to an RF interrogation signal. For security purposes, the invention makes it difficult or impossible for a thief to alter the identification number without destroying the LC., because the identification number is stored in memory within the I.C. For inventory purposes, the invention overcomes the need to affix an external identification tag to the I.C. package. The invention is especially suited for protecting a highly valuable first integrated circuit such as a microprocessor.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of manufacturing a enclosed transceiver, such as a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag. Structurally, in one embodiment, the tag comprises an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an RF antenna mounted on a thin film substrate powered by a thin film battery. A variety of antenna geometries are compatible with the above tag construction. These include monopole antennas, dipole antennas, dual dipole antennas, a combination of dipole and loop antennas. Further, in another embodiment, the antennas are positioned either within the plane of the thin film battery or superjacent to the thin film battery.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of manufacturing an enclosed transceiver, such as a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag. Structurally, in one embodiment, the tag comprises an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an RF antenna mounted on a thin film substrate powered by a thin film battery. A variety of antenna geometries are compatible with the above tag construction. These include monopole antennas, dipole antennas, dual dipole antennas, a combination of dipole and loop antennas. Further, in another embodiment, the antennas are positioned either within the plane of the thin film battery or superjacent to the thin film battery.

Abstract: A method for reducing the dynamic range required of a receiver circuit in a remote transceiver in 2-way communication between local and remote transceivers. By repeatedly transmitting a signal with successively increasing power from one transceiver until a response is received from the other transceiver, the dynamic range and hence complexity of the receiving circuit may be greatly reduced. The operating power of the remote transmitter can then be adjusted according to the level used by the local transmitter, thereby promoting the efficent use of the remote's power supply.

Abstract: High quality thin films of copper-indium-gallium-diselenide useful in the production of solar cells are prepared by electrodepositing at least one of the constituent metals onto a glass/Mo substrate, followed by physical vapor deposition of copper and selenium or indium and selenium to adjust the final stoichiometry of the thin film to approximately Cu(In,Ga)Se.sub.2. Using an AC voltage of 1-100 KHz in combination with a DC voltage for electrodeposition improves the morphology and growth rate of the deposited thin film. An electrodeposition solution comprising at least in part an organic solvent may be used in conjunction with an increased cathodic potential to increase the gallium content of the electrodeposited thin film.

Abstract: The present invention introduces an RFID system that comprises a two-dimensional antenna configuration having a dipole in combination with a loop antenna or a second dipole with their dipole axes at approximately a 90.degree. angle to one another. The pattern of two dipole antennas combined with the pattern of a single loop antenna, allows the sequential combination of the patterns to represent a nearly spherical antenna pattern in three dimensions, while the antennas reside in a two-dimensional plane. The presence of multiple antennas also allows for a method to switch among the multiple antennas to find the antenna or combination of antennas that create(s) the strongest RF communication link thereby enabling more efficient transmitted power or more directional reception coverage. Improving efficiency can be further improved by taking this concept one step further by adding multiple antennas into the interrogator unit.

Abstract: A thin profile battery includes: a) an anode, b) a cathode positioned adjacent to the anode; c) a separator and electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; d) a conductive first terminal housing member in electrical contact with one of the anode or the cathode, the first terminal housing member having a surrounding periphery and a concave central portion intermediate of its surrounding periphery; e) a conductive second terminal housing member in electrical contact with the other of the anode or the cathode, the second terminal housing member having a surrounding periphery and a concave central portion intermediate of its surrounding periphery which is opposingly concave to the concave central portion of the first terminal housing member; and f) the first and second terminal housing members being insulatingly joined and sealed at their respective peripheries to form an enclosed housing which retains and protects the anode, cathode, separator and electrolyte, with the concave central portions of the first an

Abstract: A simple trip-wire or magnetic circuit associated with a shipping container provides continuity, which is detected electrically. Simply, if continuity is disabled by a forced entry of the container, electrical detection means, such as a radio-frequency-identification (RFID) tag, will alert the owner or monitoring station. The trip-wire concept would require the replacing of a broken trip wire (resulting from forced entry), while the magnetic circuit concept can be reused repetitively. In a second embodiment, a magnetic circuit and the detection device (RFID tag) are embedded into the shipping article during manufacturing. The preferred detection device, an RFID tag, could also be a battery backed transceiver type on which a replaceable or rechargeable battery could be mounted on the inside of the shipping container during manufacturing. The RFID tag would communicate with an interrogator unit, which could be connected to a host computer.

Abstract: A protocol is used to coordinate the use of a common communication medium by one or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for minimizing the power used by a remote transceiver in 2-way communication between local and remote transceivers. By repeatedly transmitting a signal with successively increasing power from one transceiver until a response is received from the other transceiver, the dynamic range and hence complexity of the receiving circuit may be greatly reduced. The operating power of the remote transmitter can then be adjusted according to the level used by the local transmitter, thereby promoting the efficent use of the remote's power supply.

Abstract: One or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations coordinate use of a common communication medium. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A button-type battery includes: a) an anode; b) a cathode positioned adjacent to the anode; c) a separator and electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; d) a conductive first terminal housing member in electrical contact with one of the anode or the cathode, the first terminal housing member having a surrounding periphery and a concave central portion intermediate of its surrounding periphery; e) a conductive second terminal housing member in electrical contact with the other of the anode or the cathode, the second terminal housing member having a surrounding periphery and a concave central portion intermediate of its surrounding periphery which is opposingly concave to the concave central portion of the first terminal housing member; and f) the first and second terminal housing members being insulatingly joined and sealed at their respective peripheries to form an enclosed housing which retains and protects the anode, cathode, separator and electrolyte, with the concave central portions of the first and

Abstract: The present invention introduces an RFID system that comprises a two-dimensional antenna configuration having a dipole in combination with a loop antenna or a second dipole with their dipole axes at approximately a 90.degree. angle to one another. The pattern of two dipole antennas combined with the pattern of a single loop antenna, allows the sequential combination of the patterns to represent a nearly spherical antenna pattern in three dimensions, while the antennas reside in a two-dimensional plane. The presence of multiple antennas also allows for a method to switch among the multiple antennas to find the antenna or combination of antennas that create(s) the strongest RF communication link thereby enabling more efficient transmitted power or more directional reception coverage. Improving efficiency can be further improved by taking this concept one step further by adding multiple antennas into the interrogator unit.

Abstract: A method for RF communication between transceivers in a radio frequency identification system that improves range, decreases multipath errors and reduces the effect of outside RF source interference by employing spread spectrum techniques. By pulse amplitude modulating a spread spectrum carrier before transmission, the receiver can be designed for simple AM detection, suppressing the spread spectrum carrier and recovering the original data pulse code waveform. The data pulse code waveform has been further encrypted by a direct sequence pseudo-random pulse code. This additional conditioning prevents the original carrier frequency components from appearing in the broadcast power spectra and provides the basis for the clock and transmit carrier of the transceiver aboard an RFID tag. Other advantages include high resolution ranging, hiding transmissions from eavesdroppers, and selective addressing.

Abstract: A protocol is used to coordinate the use of a common communication medium by one or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: The present application describes an electronically powered postage stamp or mailing label and including a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and system mounted between the opposing and facing major surfaces thereof. The RFID device and system includes an integrated circuit transceiver chip which is connected to and powered by a thin flat battery cell and is operated with a thin film RF antenna, all of which are mounted in side-by-side relationship on a thin base or support layer. These thin flat components are mounted in an essentially two dimensional planar configuration well suited for incorporation into the planar structure of a postage stamp or a mailing label. In addition, the RFID transceiver chip may be replaced with an electro-optically operated IC chip using, for example, LEDs or laser diodes for the propagation of light signals to an interrogator.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a method of reducing conductive and convective heat loss from the battery unit in battery-powered devices, such as RFID tag devices. Battery heat loss prevention is accomplished by suspending the battery in a vacuum or within a low thermally conductivity gas, such as air, nitrogen, helium or argon. Further improvement is accomplished by using a minimum number of suspension points made of solid material which possesses a low thermally conductivity. The battery can be suspended by various means, the first of which totally encapsulates the battery using the minimum number of solid material suspension points mentioned above, and the second of which only a portion of the battery (such as the lower portion) is suspended in a low thermally conductive material and the upper portion is encapsulated by the low thermally conductive material fabricated in an arching structure that does not contact the upper portion of the battery.