US 7187293 B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag tester/programmer and marker are described. A surface is in contact with a web of RFID tags. The surface has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the surface is grounded to ground tags of the web that are in contact with the first portion. A radio frequency (RF) source transmits a RF signal to interact with a tag adjacent to the second portion of the surface. The RF signal may be a signal for testing the tag and/or a signal for programming the tag.
1. A system for interacting with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, comprising:
a surface in contact with a plurality of RFID tags, wherein the surface has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the surface is grounded to ground tags of the plurality of tags that are in contact with the first portion; and
a radio frequency (RF) source that transmits a RF signal to interact with a tag adjacent to the second portion of the surface.
2. The system of
3. The system of
4. The system of
5. The system of
a marking device for marking failed tags of the plurality of tags.
6. The system of
7. The system of
8. The system of
a reel for receiving the web; and
a stepper motor coupled to the reel.
9. The system of
a computer coupled to the RF source and the stepper motor.
10. The system of
11. The system of
12. The system of
13. A method for interacting with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising:
(a) contacting a plurality of RFID tags to a surface having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the surface is grounded, wherein tags of the plurality of RFID tags are in contact with the first portion except for a tag adjacent to the second portion; and
(b) transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to the tag adjacent to the second portion.
14. The method of
testing the tag with the RF signal.
15. The method of
programming the tag with the RF signal.
16. The method of
positioning the tag adjacent to the opening.
17. The method of
transmitting the RF signal through the opening to the tag.
18. The method of
(c) receiving the plurality of tags in a roll format.
19. The method of
(c) receiving the plurality of tags in a web format.
20. The method of
(d) moving the web of RFID tags to position a second tag adjacent to the second portion; and
(e) transmitting a second RF signal to the second tag.
21. The method of
positioning the tag adjacent to the non-electrically conductive material.
22. A method for testing and/or programming a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising:
(a) grounding a portion of a web of RFID tags;
(b) ungrounding a portion of the grounded portion; and
(c) exposing the ungrounded portion to a radio frequency (RF) field.
23. The method of
grounding the web with a metal contact.
24. The method of
(1) moving a first portion of the grounded portion of the web across an opening in the metal contact to remove contact to ground for the first portion.
25. The method of
(d) varying an area of the opening.
26. The method of
(2) moving a first portion of the grounded portion of the web across an electrically nonconductive portion of the metal contact to remove contact to ground for the first portion.
27. The method of
ungrounding a RFID tag.
28. The method of
exposing the RFID tag to the RE field.
29. The method of
(d) marking the RFID tag in the web if the RFID tag fails a test of the test signal.
30. A method for interacting with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising:
(a) unreeling a spool of RFID tags across a shield having an opening, wherein a portion of the spool of RFID tags is in contact with the shield to provide a grounded portion of the RFID tags;
(b) ungrounding a portion of the grounded portion of the RFID tags by decoupling contact with the shield using the opening; and
(c) exposing the ungrounded portion of the RFID tags to a radio frequency (RF) signal through the opening.
31. A system for interacting with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, comprising:
grounding means having a surface in contact with a plurality of RFID tags, wherein the surface has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the surface is grounded to ground tags of the plurality of tags that are in contact with the first portion; and
radio frequency (RF) generating means that generates a RF signal to interact with a tag adjacent to the second portion of the surface.
32. A system for interacting with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising:
spool means for supplying a spool of RFID tags across a shield having an opening, wherein a portion of the spool of RFID tags is in contact with the shield to provide a grounded portion of the RFID tags, wherein a portion of the RFID tags adjacent to the opening are ungrounded; and
means for exposing the ungrounded portion of the RFID tags to a radio frequency (RF) signal through the opening.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/601,991, filed Aug. 17, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to high volume testing and programming of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, including inlays and labels.
2. Background Art
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are electronic devices that may be affixed to items whose presence is to be detected and/or monitored. The presence of an RFID tag, and therefore the presence of the item to which the tag is affixed, may be checked and monitored by devices known as “readers.” Readers typically transmit radio frequency signals to which the tags respond. Each tag can store a unique identification number. The tags respond to the reader transmitted signals by providing their identification number, bit-by-bit, so that they can be identified.
Currently, some RFID tags are assembled and then laminated to the face sheet of a pressure sensitive laminate. Once laminated, the backside of the RFID tag is coated with an adhesive, and a release liner is applied. After the release liner is applied, the tag is printed and/or die cut into the desired form factor.
A tag can be tested either before or after the lamination process. Testing before or after the lamination process is difficult in a web format, where tags are formed in an array of tags in a single sheet of material. When testing tags in a web format, any bad or failed (e.g., non-functional, malfunctioned) tags have to be removed and replaced with good (e.g., functional) tags, which tends to be expensive and time consuming.
Thus, methods, systems, and apparatuses are needed for testing and programming tags in high volume webs, while allowing for improved handling of any failed tags.
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for interacting with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described. In example aspects of the present invention, tags are interacted with by testing the tags and/or programming the tags. According to aspect of the present invention, testing and programming can occur in high volume webs of tags, allowing for improved handling of failed tags.
In a first example aspect of the present invention, a system is used to interact with a plurality of RFID tags provided in a roll, web, or any other format. The system supplies the plurality of tags using a supply spool or other mechanism, and receives the tags with a collection spool or other mechanism. A stepper motor or other mechanism can be used to feed the tags to the collection spool.
The tags are fed across a surface, so that the surface is in contact with the tags. The surface has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the surface is grounded (or coupled to another suitable potential) to inhibit operation of tags that are in contact with the first portion. The second portion of the surface does not inhibit operation of tags that are adjacent to the second portion. A radio frequency (RF) source transmits a RF signal to interact with a tag adjacent to the second portion of the surface.
In example aspects, the RF signal may be a signal for testing the tag and/or a signal for programming the tag.
In further aspects, the tags can be moved/advanced to move further tags adjacent to the second portion of the surface so that they may be interacted with.
These and other advantages and features will become readily apparent in view of the following detailed description of the invention. Note that the Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more, but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s).
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
The present invention enables the interaction of an RF signal with electronic devices, such as tags fabricated in a roll (i.e., a single tag-width substantially continuous column) or web (i.e., a multi-tag width array of tags that is substantially continuous) of RFID tags. For example, the interaction may enable the testing and/or programming of RFID tags, including inlays and labels, such as ultra-high frequency (UHF) tags. Furthermore, in embodiments, the present invention allows for the marking of any failed tags for removal, sorting, disablement, and/or other purposes.
For illustrative purposes, the description herein primarily relates to the testing and programming of RFID tags. However, the invention is also adaptable to further electronic device types (e.g., electronic devices including one or more IC dies or other electrical components mounted thereto), as would be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein.
RFID tag 100 may be located in an area having a large number, population, or pool of RFID tags present. Tag 100 receives interrogation signals transmitted by one or more tag readers. According to interrogation protocols, tag 100 responds to these signals. The response(s) of tag 100 includes information that the reader can use to identify the corresponding tag 100. Once the tag 100 is identified, the existence of tag 100 within a coverage area defined by the tag reader is ascertained.
RFID tag 100 may be used in various applications, such as inventory control, airport baggage monitoring, as well as security and surveillance applications. Thus, tag 100 can be affixed to items such as airline baggage, retail inventory, warehouse inventory, automobiles, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), video tapes, and other objects. Tag 100 enables location monitoring and real time tracking of such items.
In the present embodiment, die 104 is an integrated circuit that performs RFID operations, such as communicating with one or more tag readers (not shown) according to various interrogation protocols. Exemplary interrogation protocols are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,002,344 issued Dec. 14, 1999 to Bandy et al., titled “System and Method for Electronic Inventory,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/072,885, filed on Feb. 12, 2002, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Die 104 includes a plurality of contact pads that each provide an electrical connection with related electronics 106.
Related electronics 106 are connected to die 104 through a plurality of contact pads of IC die 104. In embodiments, related electronics 106 provide one or more capabilities, including RF reception and transmission capabilities, impedance matching, sensor functionality, power reception and storage functionality, as well as additional capabilities. The components of related electronics 106 can be printed onto a tag substrate 116 with materials, such as conductive inks. Examples of conductive inks include silver conductors 5000, 5021, and 5025, produced by DuPont Electronic Materials of Research Triangle Park, N.C. Other example materials or means suitable for printing related electronics 106 onto tag substrate 116 include polymeric dielectric composition 5018 and carbon-based PTC resistor paste 7282, which are also produced by DuPont Electronic Materials of Research Triangle Park, N.C. Other materials or means that may be used to deposit the component material onto the substrate would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein.
As shown in
Embodiments of the present invention are applicable to all types of tags, including inlays and labels. A “tag inlay” or “inlay” is used generally to refer to an assembled RFID device that generally includes a integrated circuit chip and antenna formed on a substrate. A “label” is used generally to refer to an inlay that has been attached to a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) construction, or laminated and then cut and stacked for application through in-mould, wet glue or heat seal application processes, for example. A variety of label types are contemplated by the present invention. In an embodiment, a label includes an inlay attached to a release liner by pressure sensitive adhesive. The release liner may be coated with a low-to-non-stick material, such as silicone, so that it adheres to the pressure sensitive adhesive, but may be easily removed (e.g., by peeling away). After removing the release liner, the label may be attached to a surface of an object, or placed in the object, adhering to the object by the pressure sensitive adhesive.
In some implementations of tags 100, tag substrate 116 can include an indentation, “cavity,” or “cell” (not shown in
Volume production of RFID tags, such as tag 100, is typically accomplished on a printing web based system. For example, in such a system, the tags are assembled in a roll or web of substrates, which may be a sheet of substrates, a continuous roll of substrates, or other group of substrates. For instance,
During or after the manufacture of a tag, such as tag 100, the tag may processed by a system that interacts with the tag. For example, the system may test and/or program the tag. For instance, the tag may be tested to check for defects in functionality, such as its ability to detect a reader interrogation, and to respond. Furthermore, data may be directly encoded in, or transmitted to the tag (e.g., by a reader), to be stored on the tag. For example, the data may be an identification number for the tag.
On a web, such as web 200, RFID tags are typically assembled/positioned as close to each other as possible to maximize throughput, thus making the process of reading and testing individual tags difficult. Because of the close spacing, it is very difficult to localize a radiated (e.g., radio frequency) reader field to excite only one tag. Thus, interacting with a specific tag can be difficult. Furthermore, typically, an assembly line must be customized to accommodate the roll or web and the specific type of tags. The testing/programming process becomes even more difficult and expensive considering that RFID tags, for example, come in different forms, sizes and shapes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus tests and/or programs a RFID tag in a continuous web of RFID tags, such as in web 200, by exposing it to a radio frequency (RF) test signal, while nearby RFID tags of the web are isolated from the RF test signal. In this manner, a specific tag can be tested, while nearby tags are prevented from also responding to the RF test signal. Furthermore, in embodiments, the apparatus accommodates different types of RFID tags without the need for significant changes to the assembly line.
When in use, contact surface 302 is contacted with a roll or web of tags. For example,
In an embodiment, contact surface 302 is electrically coupled to an electrical potential, such as a ground potential or other potential, to electrically hold tags of web 200 that are in contact with first portion 304 at the potential. For example, in
RF signal 502 may include a test signal and/or a programming signal. RF signal source 504 can be a RFID reader, for example. Thus, in an embodiment, RF signal source 504 can communicate according to any RFID communication protocol, including those described elsewhere herein, a binary traversal protocol, a slotted aloha protocol, Class 0, Class 1, and EPC Gen 2, for example.
Note that in the example embodiment of
Note that contact surface 302 may be a surface of an enclosure. For example, the enclosure may enclose antenna 506 to provide further shielding of RF signal 502.
As described above, in embodiments, the present invention accommodates different types of RFID tags without the need for changes to the assembly line. For example, to accommodate different tag sizes, an operator or automated mechanism can replace contact surface 302 with a second portion 306 of a size to accommodate the different tag size if required. Alternatively, contact surface 302 may be computer controlled to vary the size of second portion 306 as required, such as through the use of automated shutters, etc., through contact surface 302. Thus, little to no changes to the assembly line are required.
In the present embodiment, tester 600 is an automated machine and is controlled by computer 614. One or more elements of tester 600 can be enclosed by enclosure 670. For example, as shown in
In an embodiment, human intervention may be used to set up tester 600. In an embodiment, an operator identifies a roll or web of RFID tags to be tested or programmed, and loads tester 600 with a supply spool 602 containing the identified web (or roll). Computer 614 communicates with database 618 for information regarding the tags of the identified web. Database 618 uploads information such as testing and programming specifications, tag physical characteristics, and/or other information related to the testing and programming of tags (such as inlays or labels) to computer 614. Although shown separately in
In an embodiment, RFID tags enter the testing and/or programming phase in the continuous web form of web 604 contained on supply spool 602. Alternatively, web 604 may be supplied in the form of discrete rectangular sheets of tags, or in other forms. Supply spool 602 supplies web 604 to tester 600 for testing and/or programming. Web 604 is moved across contact surface 620 and across an ungrounded area 622 of contact surface 620 to collection spool 606. Contact surface 620 provides an electrical ground (or other suitable potential) contact to ground the portion of the RFID articles of web 604 in contact with contact surface 620. Thus, ungrounded portion 622 is an example of second portion 306 of
In an embodiment, contact surface 620 is a planar or curved metal shield, but can have shapes and configurations. For example, contact surface 620 may be a portion of enclosure 670, such as a top portion of enclosure 670, as shown in
The grounding of web 604 prevents interaction of nearby RF signals/fields with tags of web 604. However, at any particular moment, a portion 624 of web 604 is desired to be tested and/or programmed. Web portion 624 is positioned adjacent to ungrounded portion 622 of contact surface 620 to be tested and/or programmed. Web portion 624 comprises one or more tags, depending upon the configuration of the ungrounded area 622 and on the testing and programming specifications. Web portion 624 is not grounded (due to ungrounded portion 622 of contact surface 620), and thus can be interacted with. In the embodiment of
In an embodiment, opening 626 can be variably adjusted in size and/or shape to accommodate different types of RFID articles to be tested. The adaptability of the size and/or shape of opening 626 allows tester 600 to be adaptable, thus eliminating the need for specific dies or testing machines for a particular RFID article. In addition, the adaptability of opening 626 allows for more accurate control of the exposure of the RF field to web portion 624. This minimizes or eliminates the effect on adjacent tags of web 604.
In another embodiment, ungrounded area 622 includes a structure made of an electrically nonconductive material. Thus, in an embodiment, web 604 is supported or held by the material of ungrounded area 622. For example, if the contact surface 620 is a metal shield, then part of the metal shield over which web 604 traverses can be made of an electrically nonconductive material, thereby creating an ungrounded portion of web 604. In yet another embodiment, the ungrounded area may include a clamp made of nonconductive material, or is another mechanism or instrument for decoupling web portion 624 from ground. For example, ungrounded area 622 may include a non-electrically conductive wheel or bump, etc., to raise web portion 624 from contact with contact surface 620.
Reader 612 can be a conventional tag reader, or can be a reader designed for use in a tag test and/or programming environment. The characteristics of the RF field are controlled by reader 612, which is controlled by computer 614. In the embodiment of
In an embodiment, it may be desirable to mark a tested and/or programmed RFID article in the event a RFID article fails a test and/or fails to be programmed, or for other reasons. In such an embodiment, tester 600 includes marking device 616 to mark a tag on web 604 for later identification. Once a tag is marked, it can be identified for sorting, removal, retesting, recycling, or any other purpose. Marking device 616 is controlled by computer 614. In an embodiment, computer 614 tracks a tag to be marked as it is moved with web through tester 600. This allows for flexibility in placing marking device 616 at or downstream from the testing and/or programming stage while maintaining the location of the tag to be marked.
In an embodiment, the marking device 616 is a residue depositing device that deposits an ink, paint, or any other staining or marking material. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the marking device 616 is a punching device. Such punching device may punch a hole partially or wholly through the tag being marked, including making an indentation in the tag.
Flowchart 700 begins with step 702. In step 702, a web of RFID tags is contacted with a surface having a first portion and a second portion, wherein tags contacted with the first portion are grounded, and a tag adjacent to the second portion is not grounded. For example, the web may be a web similar to web 200 shown in
In step 704, a radio frequency (RF) signal is interacted with the tag. For example,
Steps 706, 708, and 710 are optional. These steps may be performed in embodiments where a plurality of tags are to be interacted with in a web.
In step 706, the web is moved with respect to the surface to position a next tag adjacent to the second portion. For example,
In step 708, a radio frequency (RF) signal is interacted with the next tag. For example, antenna 610 shown in
In step 710, steps 706 and 708 are repeated for one or more subsequent tags. Thus, according to step 710, any number of tags in a web can be interacted with as desired by the particular application, including interacting serially with the tags of the web in a continuous fashion until all of the tags of the web have been interacted with. Furthermore, in embodiments, multiple tags may be simultaneously interacted with in a web, using multiple interaction stations, such as shown in
It should be understood that elements of the systems described herein can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, hardware, firmware, or module of software can perform one or more of the illustrated components of
In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as a removable storage unit, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive, and signals (i.e., electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other types of signals capable of being received by a communications interface). These computer program products are means for providing software to a computer system. The invention, in an embodiment, is directed to such computer program products.
In an embodiment where aspects of the present invention are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system using a removable storage drive, hard drive, or communications interface. The control logic (software), when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the functions of the invention as described herein.
According to an example embodiment, a computer executes computer-readable instructions to control one or more of a stepper motor, a reader, and a marker device. For instance, a computer may control movement of a roll or web to test the various tags in the web by controlling the stepper motor. Furthermore, the computer may instruct the reader to generate test and/or programming signals synchronized with the movement of the web. Tags may be communicated with by the reader according to any suitable communication protocols, including binary traversal protocols, slotted aloha protocols, Class 0, Class 1, EPC Gen 2, those mentioned elsewhere herein, and future protocols. Still further, the computer may control the marking of defective tags by the marking device.
In another example embodiment, aspects of the present invention are implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s).
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.