RFID tag antennas with multiple conductors
View Patent ↗In one embodiment, an RFID device is disclosed that contains a first conductive structure and a second conductive structure formed from multiple conductive materials configured to move between a first operating condition and a second operating condition when exposed to an event or other stimuli. The second conductive structure is initially operatively coupled to the first conductive structure in the first operating condition. However, after exposure to the event, the first conductive structure is altered to change the behavior of the RFID device. The RFID device is attachable to a substrate, such as a garment or a fabric, and the event may be a single or multiple occurrence event, such as washing, stretching, heating, or exposure of the RFID device to electrical signals.
1. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) device comprising:
a first conductive structure;
a second conductive structure operatively coupled to the first conductive structure in a first operating condition;
an RFID chip operatively coupled to the second conductive structure; and
a substrate;
wherein the second conductive structure is sewn into the substrate, and the first conductive structure is attached to a surface of the substrate, wherein the first conductive structure comprises a pair of printed areas of conductive ink, and the second conductive structure comprises a wire, and wherein the wire of the second conductive structure is conductively coupled to the pair of printed areas of the first conductive structure by overlapping a part of the pair of printed areas of conductive ink.
2. The RFID device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive structure is manufactured from a first conductive material, and the second conductive structure is manufactured from a different conductive material.
3. The RFID device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive structure has a first configuration, and the second conductive structure has a different configuration.
4. The RFID device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive structure comprises a shunt element.
5. The RFID device of claim 1 , wherein exposure to an event causes the RFID device to change from the first operating condition to a second operating condition.
6. The RFID device of claim 5 , wherein change from the first operating condition to the second operating condition is reversible.
7. The RFID device of claim 5 , wherein change from the first operating condition to the second operating condition is permanent.
8. The RFID device of claim 5 , wherein the event comprises at least one of: a washing, a stretching, a heating, or a receiving of an electrical signal.
9. The RFID device of claim 1 , wherein a performance level of the RFID device is altered upon removal of the first conductive structure.
10. The RFID device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive structure is water soluble.
11. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) device comprising:
a first conductive structure;
a second conductive structure non-mechanically coupled to the first conductive structure; and
an RFID chip;
wherein the first conductive structure deforms when subjected to an event, wherein deformation of the first conductive structure creates a modified coupling between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure, and wherein the first conductive structure partially overlaps the second conductive structure.
12. The RFID device of claim 11 , wherein the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure have different mechanical properties.
13. The RFID device of claim 11 , wherein the first conductive structure is substantially circular in configuration.
14. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) device comprising:
a first conductive structure;
a second conductive structure;
an RFID chip, wherein the first and second conductive structures respond differently to an event; and
a substrate;
wherein the first conductor structure is movably attached to the substrate and that the second conductive substrate is relatively rigidly attached to the substrate.
15. The RFID device of claim 14 , wherein the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure are comprised of the same conductive material.
16. The RFID device of claim 14 , wherein the first conductive structure is elastically encapsulated in the substrate.
17. The RFID device of claim 14 , wherein the second conductive structure is rigidly encapsulated in the substrate.