Radio frequency identification tagging
View Patent ↗A RFID tag or label comprises a RFID tag module (comprising an electronic identification circuit and a coupling means) and an antenna structure coupled to the coupling means. The RFID tag module is separate from, separable or arranged to be severable from, the antenna structure. The tag module can be placed in or on an object and the antenna structure in or on packaging material for use with the object. A patch antenna type RFID tag antenna structure has a ground plane spaced from the patch antenna so as to increase the range of the tag. The ground plane is not substantially larger than, and electrically insulated from, the patch antenna. The ground plane is flexible, so the RFID tag structure can be worn by a human, and can be incorporated into a piece of clothing. A RFID antenna structure for use with a tag reader is made flat and robust so that it can be mounted on the ground to be walked upon or driven over. A bi-directional YAGI type RFID tag antenna structure has director elements on two opposite sides so that the YAGI antenna radiates in two opposite directions. An object includes a gain increasing metallic structure for increasing the gain of a RFI tag when placed near the object so as to form a RFID tag antenna structure.
1. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or label comprising:
a RFID tag module comprising an electronic identification circuit and a coupling means; and
an antenna structure coupled to the coupling means,
wherein the RFID tag module is at least one of separate and in a non-contacting coupled arrangement with, separable, or arranged to be severable from, the antenna structure of the RFID tag or label.
2. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling means comprises an antenna that is at least one of connected to, or integral with, the RFID tag module.
3. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure is coupled to a further electronic identification circuit.
4. The RFID tag or label according to claim 3 , wherein the further electronic identification circuit is at least one of integral with, or substantially permanently attached to, the antenna structure.
5. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure increases the effective aperture of the RFID tag module.
6. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure at least one of improves the ability to communicate with the RFID tag module, increases the range over which the RFID tag module can be communicated with, or improves the ability to communicate with the RFID tag module in multiple directions.
7. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling between the coupling means and the antenna structure is a non-contact coupling.
8. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein at least one dimension of the antenna structure is substantially an odd multiple of λ/2, λ being the wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency of the RFID tag module.
9. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag module is constructed such that is substantially not be communicated with when it is not coupled to the antenna structure.
10. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag module is constructed such that it is communicated with when it is not coupled to the antenna structure.
11. The RFID tag or label according to claim 10 , wherein the distance over which it is communicated with when it is coupled to the antenna structure is substantially larger than the distance over which it is communicated with when it is not coupled to the antenna structure.
12. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag module is at least one of integral with, or attached to, an item, and the antenna structure is at least one of integral with, or attached to, packaging material used for the item.
13. The RFID tag or label according to claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag module is communicated with by close proximity means without galvanic contact.
14. An object for use with a first Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag module, the object comprising an antenna structure which is at least one of integral with, or attached to, the object and which is arranged to accomplish at least one of the following:
to improve the ability to communicate with the first RFID tag module,
to increase the range over which the first RFID tag module can be communicated with, or
to improve the ability to communicate with the first RFID tag module in multiple directions
when the first RFID tag module is used in combination with the object so as to form a first RFID tag or label.
15. The object according to claim 14 , further comprising a second RFID tag module which is coupled to the antenna structure, so as to form a second RFID tag or label.
16. An object according to claim 15 , wherein the second RFID tag module is integral with, or substantially permanently attached to, the remainder of the object.
17. A method of manufacturing a RFID tag or label, comprising:
providing a RFID tag module comprising an electronic identification circuit and a coupling means; and
coupling an antenna structure to the coupling means,
wherein the RFID tag module is at least one of separate and in a non-contacting coupled arrangement with, separable, or arranged to be severable from, the antenna structure of the RFID tag or label.
18. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system comprising:
at least one Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or label comprising:
a RFID tag module comprising an electronic identification circuit and a coupling means; and
an antenna structure coupled to the coupling means,
wherein the RFID tag module is at least one of separate and in a non-contacting coupled arrangement with, separable, or arranged to be severable from, the antenna structure of the RFID tag or label, and
at least one RFID communication means.
19. The system according to claim 18 , wherein the RFID tag module can be communicated with by means of a first said RFID communication means when the antenna structure is coupled to the coupling means, and can be communicated with by means of a second said RFID communication means when the antenna structure is not coupled to the coupling means, but cannot be communicated with by means of the first said RFID communication means when the antenna structure is not coupled to the coupling means.
20. The system according to claim 18 , wherein the RFID communication means comprises a RFID reader.
21. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or label comprising:
a RFID tag module comprising an electronic identification circuit and a coupling means; and
an antenna structure coupled to the coupling means,
wherein the RFID tag module is in a non-contacting coupled arrangement with the antenna structure of the RFID tag or label.
22. The RFID tag or label according to claim 21 , wherein the RFID tag module is in non-contacting coupled arrangement with the antenna structure by one of an electromagnetic, inductive or capacitive coupling.
23. The RFID tag or label according to claim 21 , wherein said antenna structure is a foil.
24. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or label comprising:
a RFID tag module comprising an electronic identification circuit and a coupling means; and
an antenna structure coupled to the coupling means,
wherein the RFID tag module is arranged to be severable from the antenna structure of the RFID tag or label.