Radio frequency device for tracking goods
A radio frequency (RF) device (or “tag”) for containing specific information relating to a particular good being shipped from one location (e.g., warehouse) to another (e.g., customer). The device includes a circuitized substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board), a semiconductor chip, an antenna and a power regulator, and is designed in one embodiment to be partly inserted within a good (e.g., a cardboard box) containing one or more of the goods being shipped and tracked. Alternatively, the device may be attached by other means (e.g., adhesive). A shipper can simply track the goods containing such devices using wireless communication devices (e.g., satellites) to quickly and readily ascertain the specific location of the goods at any time as well as the appropriate desired information relating to such goods (e.g., quantity, weight, type, etc.).
1. An RF device for tracking goods, said device comprising:
a metallic body portion including a metallic protruding pin segment;
a printed circuit board positioned entirely within said body portion;
at least one semiconductor chip positioned on and electrically coupled to said printed circuit board;
an antenna positioned on and electrically coupled to said substrate printed circuit board;
a plastic cover positioned on said body portion and for covering said at least one semiconductor chip and said antenna, said metallic protruding pin segment adapted for being inserted within a good for being shipped so as to securedly position said RF device on said good.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said printed circuit board is of substantially annular configuration.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said antenna comprises a continuous wire positioned on said printed circuit board and electrically coupled to said semiconductor chip.
4. The device of claim 1 further including a power regulator for regulating power of said device, said power regulator positioned on and electrically coupled to said printed circuit board.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein said cover also covers said power regulator.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said device is further adapted for being re-programmed following individual usage thereof and is thus reusable.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said body portion is comprised of plastic.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said metal of said protruding end segment is stainless steel.