Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder (tag) in accordance with the principles of the invention includes a patch antenna. The patch antenna may be co-located with RFID circuitry and an impedance matching circuit on one side of a substrate. A ground plane may be formed on the opposite side of the substrate. A quarter wave transformer may provide an “RF short” to ground to connect the RFID circuitry on one side of the substrate with a ground plane located on the opposite side of the substrate.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle information system user interface with at least one sensor for sensing the presence of a passenger and a controller for controlling a vehicle information system user interface based upon an output signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A system for detecting an object located on a surface of a vehicle, includes a sensor for sensing whether an object is located on a surface of a vehicle, a warning indicator for emitting a warning based on an output of the sensor, and a device for transmitting a signal from the sensor to the warning indicator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for testing RFID tags using wireless radio frequency (RF) communication. The method and apparatus allow RFID tags to be tested individually or in groups while they are in close proximity to each other (e.g., within the read range of the tag).

Abstract: The invention is a radiofrequency identification tag comprising a semiconductor chip having radio frequency, logic, and memory circuits, and an antenna that are mounted on a substrate. The antenna may be used by the chip to modulate an incident RF signal to transfer information to a base station. The antenna comprises one or more lengths of thin wire that are connected directly to the chip by means of wire bonding. The chip and antenna combination are sealed with an organic film covering.

Abstract: The invention is a radiofrequency identification tag comprising a semiconductor chip having radio frequency, logic, and memory circuits, and an antenna that are mounted on a substrate. The antenna may be used by the chip to modulate an incident RF signal to transfer information to a base station. The antenna comprises one or more lengths of thin wire that are connected directly to the chip by means of wire bonding. The chip and antenna combination are sealed with an organic film covering.

Abstract: Silicon and germanium containing materials are used at surface of conductors in electronic devices. Solder can be fluxlessly bonded and wires can be wire bonded to these surfaces. These material are used as a surface coating for lead frames for packaging integrated circuit chips. These materials can be decal transferred onto conductor surfaces or electrolessly or electrolytically disposed thereon.

Abstract: Manufacturing of a novel thin and flexible radio frequency (RF) tag with a stamped metal leadframe antenna is disclosed. The tag is made by transporting a leadframe strip having leadframe antenna "cutouts" to a point where a chip is mechanically and electrically attached directly to the leadframe antenna. A battery can be attached to the chip in the process. Processes to cut support bars holding the leadframe antenna to the leadframe strip, seal the package (by lamination or molding), and to excise the sealed component are performed in various orders to produce a final product. Intermediate support (positioners) for the thin leadframe are optionally provided add structural support to the antenna while the sealed component is made. A protective surround can be added to cover the package and to provide further structural support for the package while still permitting the sealed component to be thin and flexible.

Abstract: A novel radio frequency transponder (tag) with a minimum of components and connects is thin and flexible because these components and connects can be unsupported by a substrate layer. This is accomplished by using a conducting leadframe structure not only as a connection medium but also as a circuit element, i.e., the transponder antenna. In various preferred embodiments, the leadframe is mechanically positioned and fixably attached to a circuit chip so that the leadframe (antenna) is self supporting. A protective coating can be added where the leadframe is attached to the circuit chip. Further a protective surrounding can envelops the entire leadframe antenna, circuit chip, and, if provided, the protective coating.

Abstract: Communication of information between the inside and the outside of an electrically conducting enclosure is performed through the use of a frequency selective surface on the electrically conducting enclosure, which permits passage of electromagnetic waves at particular frequencies, but prohibits waves of other frequencies from penetration. Thus, one or more objects contained within the electrically conducting enclosure, which include radio frequency tags attached to the objects containing information about the objects, may be monitored or interrogated by the transmission of an electromagnetic wave at the permitted frequency through the frequency selective surface. With such a system, control and inventory of enclosed objects may be performed while the EMI shielding function of the electrically conducting enclosure is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic sensor used with one or more frequency band pass filters and a logic circuit that produces a ("critical") signal that is used for enabling and disabling an external electronic circuit, e.g. a computer circuit. The magnetic sensor produces a signal when excited by an externally applied alternating current (ac) magnetic field. The external ac magnetic field can comprise one or more frequencies, each of which induces an electrical signal at the respective frequency in the sensor. Depending on the linearity of the sensor, one or more harmonic frequencies of the signal frequencies can also be induced in the sensor. One or more bandpass filters is connected to the magnetic sensor and each of the bandpass filters is tuned to filter the signal to select filtered signals, from the output of the sensor. A logic circuit is activated by one or more of the filtered signals or a combination of one or more of the signal frequencies.

Abstract: A radiofrequency identification tag has a semiconductor chip with radio frequency circuit, logic, memory circuits, and further includes an antenna that is mounted on a substrate. The antenna may be used by the chip to modulate an incident RF signal to transfer information to a base station. The antenna comprises one or more lengths of thin wire that are connected directly to the chip by means of wire bonding. The chip and antenna combination can be sealed with an organic film covering.