Abstract: An interposer and a method of manufacturing a flexible radio frequency (RF) type device having an IC and thin film circuits, such as an antenna. The device is made by using an easy-to-insert interposer subassembly with pre-positioned ICs to mechanically and electrically attach an IC to the thin film circuit. A method of mass producing radio frequency devices comprising antennas and ICs on interposers that are physically and electrically connected to the antennas using a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag comprising a first substrate and a second substrate is disclosed. An antenna element is disposed on the first substrate, and a first contact pad and a second contact pad is disposed on the second substrate. A circuit is coupled to the first and second contact pads, and the first and second contact pads are designed to make electrical contact with the antenna element.

Abstract: An interposer and a method of manufacturing a flexible radio frequency (RF) type device having an IC and thin film circuits, such as an antenna. The device is made by using an easy-to-insert interposer subassembly with pre-positioned ICs to mechanically and electrically attach an IC to the thin film circuit. A method of mass producing radio frequency devices comprising antennas and ICs on interposers that are physically and electrically connected to the antennas using a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A portable communication device uses a first electrostatic antenna element and a second electrostatic antenna element and circuitry which is coupled to the first antenna element and to the second antenna element and which derives operating power from an electrostatic field in the vicinity of the first and second antenna elements. The electrostatic field may be provided by an array of exciter elements containing both horizontal and vertical exciter elements so that at some point as a communication device is moved across the exciter antenna array, the device will have sufficient power coupled to it to power up and become operational.

Abstract: An electronic tag assembly (100) includes a substrate (102) having an antenna pattern (104, 106) disposed thereon, an integrated circuit die (108) having electrical interface terminals (204, 206) that directly contact or interface with the antenna pattern (104, 106), and electrically non-conductive adhesive (202) interposed between the substrate and the integrated circuit die (108) that secures both together, and that maintains the integrity of the electrical interface. Preferably, a clamping force is exerted on the integrated circuit die (108) to maintain contact between the electrical terminals (204, 206) and the antenna pattern (104, 106) while the non-conductive adhesive (202) is being introduced.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag system (10) utilizes a radio frequency identification tag (16) that includes a display (40). The display has an electrooptic display (458) sandwiched between a first display electrode 454 and an optically transparent second display electrode (456). The electrooptic display is preferably formed by the print deposition of a microencapsulated electrophoretic material between the first display electrode and the second display electrode.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification device (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 500, 700) includes a substrate member (110) having a first surface (109) and a second surface (111). Disposed on the first surface of the substrate member are a first antenna element (112) and a second antenna element (114). The first and second antenna elements are electrically isolated from each other and are coupled to two separate pads on an integrated circuit (116, 116′). The integrated circuit includes a power circuit (814) that produces a supply voltage for electronics on the integrated circuit in response to voltages coupled over the air to the pads on the integrated circuit via the first and second antenna element. Adhesive (118) is applied on the first surface of the substrate, the first and second antenna elements and the integrated circuit for securing the tag to a person or thing.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag system (10) utilizes a radio frequency identification tag (16) that includes stored tag information. The tag includes an antenna element (30) and a common electrode (28). The antenna element electrostatically receives an exciter signal (34) from a proximately-located electrostatic exciter (12). Upon receiving the exciter signal, the tag becomes energized, thereby causing it to generate a read signal (36) based on the stored tag information. The antenna element then electrostatically sends the read signal to a proximately-located reader (14), which detects the stored tag information. In addition, exactly one of the tag common electrode and the tag antenna element is arranged to magnetically store tag state information. The tag state information represents exactly one state of two possible states and is read by a proximately-located magnetic reader (18).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag circuit chip (10) includes a circuit chip (11) having a surface (18) and at least one interconnection pad (12, 14) formed in the surface (18). A layer (24) of insulating material is deposited on the surface and about the at least one interconnection pad (12, 14), and a layer of conductive material (26) is deposited on the insulating material and coupling to the interconnection pad (12, 14).

Abstract: Identification tags (22) are secured to objects (20) moving upon a transport band (16). The identification tags (22) each contain a transponder circuit (32) in electrical communication with transponder antennae (30, 31). The transponder circuit (32) contains a unique digital code containing data relating to the object (20). When the identification tag (22) is located beneath the object (20), at least one reader antenna (25) is positioned beneath the transport band (16) and in alignment with a selected aperture (34) extending through a support plate (12). One or more apertures (34) in alignment with the reader antenna (25) provide capacitive coupling between the transponder antennae (30, 31) and the reader antenna (25). The reader circuit (28) generates a signal in the presence of an identification tag (22), which is transmitted to the transponder antenna (30) located on the identification tag (22).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag (100) in accordance with the present invention includes a first antenna element (112), a second antenna element (114) and a radio frequency identification circuit (116). The first antenna element (112) is electrically isolated from the second antenna element (114). The radio frequency identification circuit has a first pad (230) and a second pad (232). The first and second pads of the radio frequency identification circuit are coupled, respectively, to the first and second antenna elements. The radio frequency identification circuit includes a load modulation circuit (222) coupled to at least one of the first or second pads to produce a load modulated signal on at least one of the first or second pads that varies from a first amplitude to a second amplitude. The load modulation circuit has a modulation impedance and a predetermined voltage threshold that an input signal must exceed before the modulated signal is produced.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification stamp (10) includes a substrate (24) with a first surface (12) and a second surface (18). The first surface (12) is printed with indicia indicating at least a postage value. An antenna (16) is formed on the second surface (18) and a radio frequency identification circuit chip (20) is secured to the second surface (18) and coupled to the antenna (16). A layer (22) of adhesive is also disposed on the second surface (18). A mailing label (600) includes indicia (614) printed on a first surface, and an antenna (616) coupled to a radio frequency identification circuit chip (620) on a second surface (618). A layer (622) of adhesive covers the second surface. The layer bonds the circuit chip (620) to the second surface and couples the circuit chip (620) to the antenna (616). The circuit chip (620) may retain a tracking number, and more preferably, retains sender information (601), recipient information (602), service type information (603) and billing instructions (604).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag (14) utilizes an antenna (22) formed in association with, and thus integral to, an article, package, package container, label and/or identification badge (10). In a preferred embodiment, a radio frequency identification tag circuit chip assembly (12) is secured to the article (10) and is electrically coupled to the antenna (22) formed on the article (10). Printing a conductive pattern on the article using conductive ink forms a preferred antenna.

Abstract: Identification tags are secured to parcels moving upon a conveyor belt. The identification tags each contain a transponder circuit in electrical communication with a transponder antenna. The transponder circuit contains a unique digital code containing data relating to the parcel. When the identification tag is located beneath a parcel, at least one reader circuit is positioned beneath the conveyor belt in alignment with a selected aperture extending through the. One or more apertures in alignment with the reader antenna provide electrical communication with the reader antenna. The reader circuit generates a signal in the presence of an identification tag, which is transmitted to the transponder antenna located on the identification tag. The signal energizes the transponder circuit in the identification tag, which sends a unique digital code via the transponder antenna back to the reader antenna.

Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly (12) such as used on a radio frequency identification tag, or other device, includes an integrated circuit (14) coupled to first and second printed conductors (16a) and (16b), such as tag electrodes, on a flexible substrate (18). The printed conductors (16a and 16b) may be conductors in the form of printed ink electrostatic antennas. The integrated circuit (14), is disposed in a generally co-planar arrangement with the flexible substrate (18). That is, the integrated circuit (14) is positioned in-line with the flexible substrate (18).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag (100) includes a radio frequency identification tag circuit chip (112) bonded to a substrate (114). Additional circuit components (140) are also bonded to the substrate. The substrate is formed to include a number of conductive traces (18, 20), and the radio frequency identification tag and circuit components are electrically coupled to the traces via selective application of a printable conductive medium (130, 132).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag system (10) utilizes a radio frequency identification tag (16) that includes stored tag information. The tag includes an antenna element (30) and a common electrode (28). The antenna element electrostatically receives an exciter signal (34) from a proximately-located electrostatic exciter (12). Upon receiving the exciter signal, the tag becomes energized, thereby causing it to generate a read signal (36) based on the stored tag information. The antenna element then electrostatically sends the read signal to a proximately-located reader (14), which detects the stored tag information. In addition, exactly one of the tag common electrode and the tag antenna element is arranged to magnetically store tag state information. The tag state information represents exactly one state of two possible states and is read by a proximately-located magnetic reader (18).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag (14) includes a radio frequency identification tag circuit chip (12) coupled to an antenna (10) including a conductive pattern (22) printed onto a substrate (16). The substrate may form a portion of an article, a package, a package container, a ticket, a waybill, a label and/or an identification badge. The conductive pattern includes a first coupling region (28) and a second coupling region (30) arranged for coupling to the radio frequency identification tag circuit chip. The first coupling region and the second coupling region are precisely located and isolated from one another via an aperture (31) formed in the substrate.

Abstract: A reader for radio frequency identification tags having at least one magnetic field transmitting and receiving coil which is oriented in a given plane and which is responsive to a received magnetic exciter field of a first frequency to produce and radiate an identifying magnetic field comprised of a carrier at a second different frequency modulated by an identifying code.