Tuning Component Method and System in Combination with Reactance-Type Connection Bands

Abstract

In some embodiments, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes a reactive strap that includes an RFID chip and a conductive loop connected to the RFID chip. The RFID device may further include an antenna that can be coupled to the reactive strap and a set of tuning components located near the reactive strap, wherein the resonant frequency of the RFID device is determined at least in part by at least one of the shape of the set of tuning components and the position of the set of tuning components relative to at least the reactive strap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 954,474, filed Dec. 28, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and made a part of this invention. Background Art

[0002] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags (collectively referred to herein as “devices”) are widely used to associate objects with identification codes. RFID devices typically have a combination of an antenna and analog and / or digital electronics, which may include communication electronics, data storage, and control logic. For example, RFID tags are used for automotive security locks, access control in buildings, and inventory and package tracking.

[0003] Fundamentally, an RFID device includes an RFID chip (which can be placed in an RFID strip) coupled to an antenna. Typically, the RFID strip is capacitively or conductively coupled to the antenna, for example, by connecting the conductive pads of the strip to the antenna. The RFID strip can be a reactive strap, where the RFID chip is connected to a conductive loop. The reactive strap is not connected to the associated antenna but is spaced from the antenna and coupled to the antenna via reactance through a magnetic or electric field.

[0004] For an RFID strip that is capacitively or conductively coupled to an antenna, the configuration of the antenna can be modified to adjust the frequency of the corresponding RFID device. However, the resonant frequency of the reactive strap is determined by the capacitance of the RFID chip and the inductance of the conductive loop, so reconfiguring the antenna will not have the same effect as for a non-reactive strap. In other words, the reactive strap can be part of a tuned circuit when capacitively or conductively coupled, while the reactive strap can be a tuned circuit.

[0005] More specifically, the antenna response of an RFID device incorporating a reactive strap can include two fundamental poles or be composed of two fundamental poles, one fundamental pole associated with the resonant frequency of the reactive strap and the other fundamental pole associated with the antenna. The coupling between the reactive strap and the antenna and the associated positions in the frequency domain can be used to optimize the performance of the RFID device at specific frequencies and in applications involving dielectric loading and proximity to metal or other RFID devices.

[0006] In a conventional radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, it is not possible to adjust the capacitance of the RFID chip to the resonant frequency of the reactive connection strip. Since the reactive connection strip may perform better at different frequencies, depending on various factors (e.g., the nature of the item to which the reactive connection strip is ultimately associated), it is known to provide a tunable RFID chip (i.e., a chip whose capacitance is adjustable). In particular, when the RFID chip attempts to power up after receiving a signal from an RFID reader, an automatic adjustment circuit will automatically determine whether each of a plurality of tunable capacitors receives current in order to maximize the power received by the RFID chip from the associated antenna. This functionality, in which the RFID chip can automatically adjust its capacitance to increase its sensitivity, is commonly referred to as "autotuning".

[0007] Although a tunable RFID chip may be an improvement over a fixed-frequency RFID chip, it is not without drawbacks. For example, every time the RFID chip attempts to power up, all of the tunable capacitors are tuned. By default, each tunable capacitor will receive current when the RFID chip attempts to power up. The starting capacitance (where each capacitor receives current) may cause a mismatch between the antenna and the RFID chip such that insufficient power is delivered to the automatic adjustment circuit, and thus a higher level of power (related to lower sensitivity and the RFID device needing to be closer to the RFID reader) is required to initiate the autotuning process and optimize the power provided to bring the RFID chip to its operating threshold.

[0008] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a reactive connection strip having a resonant frequency that can be adjusted by different mechanisms. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Several aspects of the invention are described and claimed below, which may be included in the device and system either alone or together. These aspects may be used alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter of the invention, and the description of these aspects is not intended to exclude the use of these aspects alone or to claim the use of these aspects alone or in different combinations that may be listed in the scope of the invention as claimed.

[0010] In some embodiments, an RFID device includes a reactive connection strip that includes an RFID chip and a conductive loop connected to the RFID chip. The RFID device may include an antenna that can be coupled to the reactive connection strip and a set of tuning components located near the reactive connection strip, wherein the resonant frequency of the RFID device is determined at least in part by at least one of the shape of the set of tuning components and the position of the set of tuning components relative to at least the reactive connection strip.

[0011] In some embodiments, the set of tuning components may include one or more tuning components. The radio frequency identification device may further include a substrate connected to at least a portion of the reactance-type connection strip, the antenna, and the set of tuning components. The tuning component may be at least partially composed of a metallic material, an inorganic composite material, and / or a ceramic material. The set of tuning components may include a tuning component having at least substantially uniform dimensions in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tuning component may move relative to the reactance-type connection strip. The set of tuning components may include a tuning component having non-uniform dimensions in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tuning component may move relative to the reactance-type connection strip.

[0012] In some embodiments, the conductive loop and the set of tuning components are configured such that there is a substantially linear relationship between the movement and / or positioning of the set of tuning components relative to the reactance-type connection strip and the change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device. The conductive loop and the set of tuning components are configured such that there is a non-linear relationship between the movement and / or positioning of the set of tuning components relative to the reactance-type connection strip and the change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device.

[0013] In some embodiments, the conductive loop and the set of tuning components are configured such that there is a stepwise relationship between the positioning of the set of tuning components relative to the reactance-type connection strip and the change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device. The set of tuning components may move and / or be positioned relative to the reactance-type connection strip along multiple axes. The set of tuning components may not overlap any portion of the antenna. The set of tuning components may overlap a portion of the antenna. The set of tuning components may be a monopole antenna. The size of the set of tuning components may be variable. The set of tuning components may cause a change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device by overlapping a portion of the conductive loop. The set of tuning components may cause a change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device without overlapping any portion of the conductive loop.

[0014] In some embodiments, a method of forming a tuned radio frequency identification device may include placing a set of tuning components relative to a reactance-type connection strip of the radio frequency identification device to set a resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device, wherein the radio frequency identification device may include an antenna and a reactance-type connection strip, the reactance-type connection strip including a radio frequency identification chip and a conductive loop connected to the radio frequency identification chip; and the method may further include fixing the position of the set of tuning components relative to the reactance-type connection strip to determine the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the set of tuning components may include one or more tuning components. The radio frequency identification device may further include a substrate connected to at least a portion of the reactive connection strip, the antenna, and the set of tuning components. Placing the set of tuning components relative to the reactive connection strip may include overlapping a portion of the set of tuning components with a portion of the conductive loop. Placing the set of tuning components relative to the reactive connection strip may include preventing any portion of the set of tuning components from overlapping with the conductive loop. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary radio frequency identification device (including tuning components) according to some embodiments;

[0017] Figure 2 shows Figure 1 the relationship between the position of the tuning components in and the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device;

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an exemplary radio frequency identification device (including tuning components) according to some embodiments;

[0019] Figure 4 shows Figure 3 the relationship between the position of the tuning components in and the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device;

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary radio frequency identification device (including tuning components) according to some embodiments;

[0021] Figure 6 shows Figure 5 the relationship between the position of the tuning components in and the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device;

[0022] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary radio frequency identification device (including tuning components) according to some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an exemplary radio frequency identification device (including tuning components) according to some embodiments;

[0024] Figures 9A - 9C is a schematic diagram of an exemplary conductive loop according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figures 10A - 10F is a schematic diagram of an exemplary tuning component according to some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 11 shows the relationship between the position of the tuning components according to some embodiments and the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device;

[0027] Figures 12A - 12D illustrates the process of assembling a radio frequency identification device according to certain embodiments; and

[0028] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a radio frequency identification device component according to certain embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] As needed, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are only examples of the present invention, and the present invention can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific details disclosed in this application should not be construed as limiting, but only as the basis for the scope of the invention claimed and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use the present invention in any appropriate manner through different methods.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a radio frequency identification device 10A according to certain embodiments. The radio frequency identification device 10A includes a reactance type connection strip 12A, and the reactance type connection strip 12A includes a radio frequency identification chip 14 connected to a conductive loop 16A. The reactance type connection strip 12A can be specifically configured to be combined with other components of the radio frequency identification device 10A or adopt other designs. For example, in certain embodiments, as Figure 1 shown, the conductive loop 16A is substantially rectangular and has a high aspect ratio (i.e., the width is significantly greater than the height). Significantly greater means greater than 10%-20%, 20%-30%, 30%-40%, 40%-50%, 50%-60%, 60%-80%, 80%-100%, or means that the width is a multiple of the height, such as 2-3 times, 3-5 times, 5-10 times or 10-100 times or more.

[0031] Some other embodiments may include a partial, substantially or completely circular or conductive loop having other shapes, which will be described in detail below with respect to Figures 9A - 9C Although it is more advantageous for the conductive loop disposed in the radio frequency identification device of the present invention to have a high aspect ratio, each embodiment may have a medium or low aspect ratio.

[0032] The conductive loop 16A can include a first side 30, a second side 32, a third side 34, and a fourth side 36. The first side 30 and the third side 34 have a length extending in the X-axis direction and a width measured in the Y-axis direction. The second side 32 and the fourth side 36 have a length extending in the Y-axis direction and a width measured in the X-axis direction. For the first side 30, the second side 32, the third side 34, and the fourth side 36, the length may be 1-2 times, 2-6 times, 6-10 times, 10-20 times, 20-40 times, 40-100 times, 100-1000 times or more of the width. The lengths of the sides of the first side 30 and the third side 34 can be greater than the lengths of the sides of the second side 32 and the fourth side 36.

[0033] Some embodiments (such as Figure 1 the radio frequency identification device 10A in Figure 1 include an antenna 18A. The illustrated antenna 18A is a dipole antenna, but other embodiments may use other antennas. The antenna 18A may be spaced apart from the reactive connection strip 12A and coupled to the reactive connection strip 12A via reactance through a magnetic field and / or an electric field, rather than being capacitively or conductively connected to the reactive connection strip 12A. The reactive connection strip 12A and the antenna 18A may be disposed on a substrate 28 and / or a base material. In some embodiments, the position of the reactive connection strip 12A relative to the antenna 18A may vary. In the illustrated embodiment, the reactive connection strip 12A is placed in the adjacent highest magnetic field and lowest electric field regions, which for a dipole antenna may be at its center.

[0034] The antenna 18A may include a first portion 38, a second portion 40, and a third portion 42. The first portion 38 and the third portion 42 have a length extending in the Y-axis direction and a width measured in the X-axis direction. The second portion 40 has a length extending in the X-axis direction and a width measured in the Y-axis direction. For the first portion 38, the second portion 40, and the third portion 42, the length may be 1 to 2 times, 2 to 6 times, 6 to 10 times, 10 to 20 times, 20 to 40 times, 40 to 100 times, 100 to 1000 times, or more than the width.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first portion 38 may be spaced apart and close to the second side 32. The second portion 40 may be spaced apart and close to the third side 34. The third portion 42 may be spaced apart and close to the fourth side 36.

[0036] In some embodiments, in addition to the reactive connection strip 12A and the antenna 18A, the radio frequency identification device 10A further includes a tuning component 20A. The tuning component 20A may be moved relative to the reactive connection strip 12A and / or placed in different positions, such as during the production process of the radio frequency identification device 10A. Such movement and / or change in position is Figure 1 shown as a movement and / or change in position in the horizontal direction or axis (e.g., along the X-axis), but the tuning component 20A may be moved in different directions or axes (e.g., along the Y-axis or Z-axis, or a combination of the X, Y, or Z axes), which may include the tuning component 20A moving relative to the reactive connection strip 12A on one or more of the multiple axes. For example, moving the tuning component 20A along the Z-axis may require placing one or more layers of material between the tuning component 20A and the reactive connection strip 12A.

[0037] The tuning component 20A is configured such that changing its position relative to the reactive connection strip 12A will change or "tune" the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10A. Once the tuning component 20A is moved or placed in a position that produces the desired resonant frequency, its position relative to the reactive connection strip 12A can be fixed according to any suitable method (e.g., by fixing the tuning component 20A on the same substrate as other components of the radio frequency identification device 10A) to determine and maintain the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10A. Some methods can be used to complete the fixing, such as conductive or non-conductive adhesives, welding, clamping, lamination, fasteners or other methods. The tuning component 20A can be fixed on one or more of the substrate 28, the conductive ring 16A, and / or the antenna 18A.

[0038] In some embodiments, the tuning component 20A is a solid component that can be moved to a preferred position and temporarily fixed in position relative to the substrate 28, the conductive ring 16A, and / or the antenna 18A. In other embodiments, the tuning component 20A can be moved to the desired position and fixed in place to achieve known and pre-tested and / or expected resonant frequency characteristics of the radio frequency identification device 10A. In some embodiments, the tuning component 20A can be formed and / or fabricated in the desired position, such as by 3D printing, painting, electroplating, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, sputtering or other manufacturing techniques.

[0039] In some embodiments, the tuning component 20A can first be fixed in a position (e.g., on the substrate 28), and one or more of the antenna 18A and the conductive ring 16A can be moved relative to the tuning component 20A and then fixed in place to achieve a radio frequency identification device 10A with desired resonant frequency characteristics. In some embodiments, one or more of the tuning component 20A, the antenna 18A, and the conductive ring 16A can be formed in the desired position to achieve the desired resonant frequency characteristics of the radio frequency identification device 10A. For example, in some embodiments, the tuning component 20A can be formed or placed on top of the conductive ring 16A, which can cause the conductive ring 16A to be disposed between the tuning component 20A and the substrate 28. In some embodiments, the conductive ring 16A can be formed or placed on top of the tuning component 20A, which can cause the tuning component 20A to be disposed between the conductive ring 16A and the substrate 28.

[0040] The substrate 28 can be partially or completely composed of non-conductive materials. One or more of the antenna 18A, the conductive ring 16A, and the tuning component 20A can be partially or completely composed of conductive materials. The materials used to form some or all of the components described in the present invention can include one or more of the following materials: plastics, glass, wood, paper, cardboard, carbon fiber, ceramics, and / or metal foils.

[0041] By using the disclosed systems and methods, a radio frequency identification device can employ a set of components to achieve various different applications (e.g., a radio frequency identification device applied to a piece of clothing, a radio frequency identification device applied to an automobile windshield), and select the relative position of the tuning component 20A to determine an appropriate resonant frequency.

[0042] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 shown, moving and / or forming one or both of the tuning component 20A and the reactance-type connection strip 12A such that at least a portion of the reactance-type connection strip 12A overlaps with at least a portion of the tuning component 20A can cause at least one property of the reactance-type connection strip 12A (e.g., inductance) to change, thereby causing a change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10. Depending on the configuration of the tuning component 20A, increasing the degree of overlap will increase the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10A (e.g., as the degree of overlap decreases, the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10A decreases) or decrease the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10A (e.g., as the degree of overlap increases, the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10A increases).

[0043] Figure 1 The tuning component 20A of Figure 2 is shown as having a substantially square configuration, where the tuning component 20A is spaced apart and separated from the antenna 18A. By providing the tuning component 20A with at least a substantially consistent dimension "d" that is aligned with the Y-axis and perpendicular to the direction of movement and / or selective placement or formation of the tuning component 20A relative to the reactance-type connection strip 12A (e.g., in the X-axis direction), there is a linear relationship between the change in the position of the tuning component 20A relative to the reactance-type connection strip 12A and the associated change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10A, as Figures 9A - 9C shown. However, in some embodiments, there may be a non-linear relationship between the change in the relative position of the tuning component and the corresponding change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device. Depending on the shape of the tuning component and / or the shape of the conductive loop, various relationships between the relative position of the tuning component and the conductive loop and the resonant frequency generated by the radio frequency identification device 10A can be applied. Some other shape examples of the conductive loop are shown in Figures 10A - 10F .

[0044] The materials and methods described above according to Figure 1 the embodiments can also be used in other embodiments of the present invention, including but not limited to Figures 3 - 13 the embodiments of

[0045] Figure 3 shows a radio frequency identification device 10A, the configuration of whose tuning component 20B is the same as that of Figure 1is different from the tuning component 20A, which may result in a non-linear relationship between the change in the position of the tuning component 20B relative to the reactive connection strip 12A and the associated change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10B, as Figure 4 shown. In certain embodiments, Figure 3 the tuning component 20A is triangular, with one of its corners being the front or rear end of the tuning component 20A, which moves relative to the reactive connection strip 12A (depending on the direction of movement and / or change in positioning). The tuning component 20B may include a first end 52, a second end 54, a first side 56, a second side 58, and a third side 60. The tuning component 20B may taper from the second end 54 to the first end 52, and the first end 52 may be the corner defined by the intersection of the first side 56 and the third side 60.

[0046] It should be understood that Figure 3 shows a possible configuration of the tuning component, which has an irregular or non-constant dimension "D" measured along the Y-axis and is perpendicular to the direction in which the tuning component moves (e.g., along the X-axis) and / or is positioned relative to the associated reactive connection strip. Other configurations may also be employed.

[0047] As Figure 4 shown, Figure 3 the movement and / or positioning of the tuning component 20A relative to the associated reactive connection strip 12A may result in a non-linear positioning-frequency relationship in the form of a second-order polynomial because there is more or less overlap between the tuning component 20B and the reactive connection strip 12A. However, the configuration of the tuning component 20B and / or the reactive connection strip 12A and / or the nature of the relative movement and / or change in positioning between the tuning component 20A and the reactive connection strip 12A can be altered to result in any type of position-frequency relationship. Other changes relative to the conductive loop 16A are shown in Figures 9A - 9C and other changes relative to the tuning components 20A-20B are shown in Figures 10A - 10F .

[0048] For example, Figure 5 shows how to modify the configuration of the reactive connection strip (rather than the configuration of the tuning component or the nature of the relative movement and / or positioning) to change the nature of the position-frequency relationship. In the Figure 5 embodiment, the configuration of the tuning component 20A is as shown in Figure 1As shown, it has at least substantially consistent dimensions in a direction perpendicular to the movement and / or change in the position direction of the tuning component 20 relative to the reactive connection strip 12B. Similarly, in various embodiments, one or more of the tuning component, the reactive connection strip, and / or the antenna may be movable and / or repositioned to achieve different resonant frequencies. In various embodiments, one or more of the tuning component, the reactive connection strip, and / or the antenna may be fixed in place by connection to the substrate 28. By moving and / or positioning one or more of the remaining non-fixed components, the number of variables and / or moving parts required to achieve a particular configuration of the relative positions between the tuning component, the reactive connection strip, and / or the antenna and the corresponding resonant frequency can be reduced.

[0049] When the reactive connection strip 20 is in the Figure 1 configuration shown, its conductive loop 16A has a substantially rectangular configuration, and there may be a linear relationship between the change in the degree of overlap between the tuning component 20 and the reactive connection strip 12A and the change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10A (as Figure 2 shown). In certain embodiments, as Figure 5 shown, the radio frequency identification device 10C may include a conductive loop 16B having a non-rectangular configuration. In certain embodiments, the conductive loop 16B may include two relatively substantially linear shorter edges 22, a substantially linear longer edge 24 extending between the shorter edges 22, and a non-linear longer edge 26 also extending between the shorter edges 22. In the said embodiment, the non-linear edge 26 is square wave-shaped, but in various embodiments, the non-linear edge or region of the conductive loop may have other configurations. For example, the non-linear edge 26 may be formed as a sawtooth wave, a sine wave, one or more protrusions with different heights, one or more indentations with different heights, or other shapes. For example, the non-linear edge 26 may have one, two, three or more protrusions 62 that extend along the Y-axis, away from or towards the second part 40 of the antenna 18A. In certain embodiments, the non-linear edge 26 may have one, two, three or more indentations 64 that extend along the Y-axis, away from or towards the second part 40 of the antenna 18A.

[0050] The length dimension of the non-linear edge 26 of the conductive loop 16B may extend in the direction of the relative movement and / or positioning difference of the tuning component 20A (e.g., along the X-axis), which may result in a non-linear relationship between the change in the degree of overlap between the tuning component 20A and the reactive connection strip 12B and the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10C, as Figure 6 shown. Figure 6 The curve of the Figure 6 may include one or more relatively flat regions 66A and one or more relatively inclined regions 68A. Relative to the Figure 6 X-axis, the angle formed between the relatively flat region 66A and the Figure 11As shown, the relatively flat region 66B may form an angle θ1 with the X-axis, and the relatively inclined region 66B may form an angle θ2 with the X-axis. θ2 may be greater than θ1. θ1 may be between 0 degrees - 5 degrees, 5 degrees - 10 degrees, 10 degrees - 20 degrees, 20 degrees - 30 degrees, or 30 degrees - 45 degrees, and θ2 may be 0 degrees - 5 degrees, 5 degrees - 10 degrees, 10 degrees - 20 degrees, 20 degrees - 30 degrees, 30 degrees - 45 degrees, or 45 degrees - 90 degrees greater than θ1.

[0051] Figure 6 and Figure 11 The stepwise relationship shown may be advantageous because when tuning the relative movement and / or positioning difference of the tuning component 20A with respect to the reactance-type connection strip 12B, the resonant frequency does not change, hardly changes, or changes little (relative to the relatively inclined region 68) in one or more relatively flat regions 66. This allows for a certain degree of instability, inconsistency, and / or inaccuracy in the relative positioning of the tuning component 20A and the reactance-type connection strip 12B, which may be caused by defects in the system assembled into the radio frequency identification device 10C. When the target arrangement of the tuning component 20A and the reactance-type connection strip 12B is within a relatively flat region range, minor deviations (e.g., due to defects in the assembly machinery) do not affect the resonant frequency, provided that the deviation is not too obvious and the arrangement has deviated from the target relatively flat region to another section of the curve. The components of the radio frequency identification device 10D may be configured to achieve the center of the relatively flat region 66, and the deviation of one or more components of the radio frequency identification device 10D may still achieve the resonant frequency within the target relatively flat region 66.

[0052] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, the tuning component may be spaced apart and separated from the antenna 18 (e.g., one of 18A, 18B or another antenna) of the radio frequency identification device 10 (e.g., one of 10A - 10F or another radio frequency identification device), preventing the tuning component 20 (e.g., one of tuning components 20A - 20H or another tuning component) from being electrically coupled to the antenna 18 (e.g., one of antennas 18A - 18B or another antenna).

[0053] In some embodiments, as Figure 7 shown, the tuning component may be connected to or at least partially overlap with the associated antenna 18. Figure 7The radio frequency identification device 10D includes a reactance type connection strip 12B, an antenna 18B, and a tuning component 20C. The antenna 18B may include a first portion 178, a second portion 180, and a third portion 182. The first portion 178 and the third portion 182 may include a length extending in the X-axis direction and a width measured in the Y-axis direction. The second portion 180 has a length extending in the Y-axis direction and a width measured in the X-axis direction. For the first portion 178, the second portion 180, and the third portion 182, the length may be 1 to 2 times, 2 to 6 times, 6 to 10 times, 10 to 20 times, 20 to 40 times, 40 to 100 times, 100 to 1000 times, or more than the width.

[0054] The first portion 178 may extend in the X-axis direction through the side of the conductive loop 16B that is farthest from the second portion 180 in the X-axis direction. The third portion 182 may extend from the second portion 180 in the X-axis direction through the side of the conductive loop 16B that is closest in the X-axis. The third portion 182 may terminate before extending through the side of the conductive loop 16B that is farthest from the second portion 180. The conductive loop 16B may be partially or fully disposed between the first portion 178 and the third portion 182.

[0055] The configuration of the reactance type connection strip 12B is as shown in the embodiment of Figure 5 but may have different configurations in some embodiments. The antenna 18B is configured as a monopole antenna, and the tuning component 20C overlaps at least a portion of the reactance type connection strip 12B. An electric field connection can be established between the two through the connection or overlap of the antenna 18B and the tuning component 20C. In some embodiments, the tuning component 20C is configured to and / or positioned to contact at least a portion of the first portion 178 and the conductive loop 16B. In some embodiments, the tuning component 20C is configured to and / or positioned to contact at least a portion of the first portion 178, the conductive loop 16B, and the third portion 182.

[0056] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7 , the initial position of the tuning component 20C relative to the reactance type connection strip 12B can determine the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10C, as well as the performance characteristics of the antenna 18B. In Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 's embodiments, moving the tuning component 20C and / or positioning the tuning component 20C to a different position relative to the reactance type connection strip 12B will change the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device 10D. By providing the radio frequency identification device 10C with a component (i.e., the reactance type connection strip 12B) that can interact separately with the positionable tuning component 20C, the performance of the radio frequency identification device 10C is stable to compensate for the placement tolerances of the tuning component 20C relative to other components of the radio frequency identification device 10C, such as during manual connection or during other production processes.

[0057] In addition to the possibility of connecting the tuning component to the antenna of the radio frequency identification device, the scope of the present invention also includes forming the tuning component as part of the antenna, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 8 In the embodiment of Figure 8 radio frequency identification device 10D includes a reactance type connection strip 12A. Antenna 18A may include a first portion 38, a second portion 40, and a third portion 42.

[0058] The size and / or configuration of tuning component 20D is variable. In Figure 8 , the initial size and configuration of tuning component 20D are shown in solid lines, and subsequent sizes and configurations are shown in dashed lines. It should be understood that the dashed lines represent an exemplary configuration in which tuning component 20D can change, and in some embodiments, tuning component 20D can change to one or more other sizes and / or configurations. Changes in the size or configuration of tuning component 20D (such as moving and / or repositioning tuning components 20A - 20C and E - I) also affect the resonant frequency of radio frequency identification device 10D.

[0059] In addition to being configured in any number of sizes and shapes, the tuning components described in the present invention can be made of any of a variety of possible materials, which will have different effects on the performance of the radio frequency identification device including the tuning component. For example, in addition to the materials described above, the tuning component can be at least partially made of a metallic material, an inorganic composite material, and / or a ceramic material. In one embodiment, the tuning component can be at least partially made of a conductive material (e.g., aluminum), in which case a change in the position of the tuning component can cause a change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device without having to overlap any part of the tuning component with the reactance type connection strip. In some embodiments, the tuning component can be at least partially made of a material having a relatively high dielectric constant (e.g., barium titanate or titanium dioxide). In such embodiments, if the reactance type connection strip has a gap with a differential electric field (e.g., the location where the radio frequency identification chip is connected to the conductive loop), moving the tuning component over the gap may create a capacitance between the points of the reactance type connection strip separated by the gap, thereby changing the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device.

[0060] In some embodiments, the tuning component may be made at least in part of a material having a high relative dielectric constant (e.g., a ferrite material) to adjust the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device when the relative position of the tuning component changes. In another embodiment, the tuning component may be made at least in part of a resistive material or a material having a relatively high dielectric loss or magnetic loss. Changing the degree of overlap or proximity of such a tuning component with respect to the associated reactive connection strip will affect the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device (as described above), but may reduce the performance of the radio frequency identification device (due to energy losses) (reducing cross-reading in some cases). However, another possible effect is an increase in the bandwidth of the radio frequency identification device, which may improve the performance of the radio frequency identification device in certain applications. Other factors, such as the thickness and / or permeability of the tuning component, also need to be considered when selecting an appropriate tuning component configuration.

[0061] Figures 9A - 9C is a schematic diagram of an exemplary conductive loop according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, as Figure 9A shown, the conductive loop 16C may include two sides 102, the two sides being substantially linear and having a length extending in the X-axis direction and a width measured in the Y-axis direction. The conductive loop 16C may include a first bent end 106 and / or a second bent end 104. The use of bent ends can reduce mechanical stress concentration and / or other effects. For example, the relationship between frequency change and change in the position of the tuning component may be non-linear because the tuning component moves and / or is positioned at different positions of the bent end, but this relationship may transition to a linear or substantially linear relationship when the tuning component begins to move and / or is positioned at different positions overlapping with the side 102. For the side 102, the length may be 1 to 2 times, 2 to 6 times, 6 to 10 times, 10 to 20 times, 20 to 40 times, 40 to 100 times, 100 to 1000 times or more the width.

[0062] In some embodiments, as Figure 9B shown, the conductive loop 16D may be tapered or triangular. For example, the conductive loop 16D may include a first side 108, a second side 110, and a third side 112. The conductive loop 16D may have various orientations having different effects based on the movement and / or positioning of the tuning component of various shapes, the tuning component moving in the X-axis direction, being positioned at different positions, or having different shapes with respect to the X-axis. For example, the first side 108 may be parallel to the Y-axis direction, the X-axis direction, or a different direction. The second side 110 and the third side 112 may have equal lengths or unequal lengths.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first side 108 may be parallel to the Y-axis and may be close to or away from the tuning component that is moving towards the conductive loop 16D. For embodiments where the tuning component is square or rectangular and first encounters the angle between the second side 110 and the third side 112 when the tuning component moves along the X-axis direction towards the first side 108, the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device may increase non-linearly as the rate of frequency change with respect to the relative position between the tuning component and the conductive loop 16D increases. For embodiments where the tuning component is square or rectangular and first encounters the first side 108 when the tuning component moves along the X-axis direction towards the angle between the second side 110 and the third side 112, the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device may increase non-linearly as the rate of frequency change with respect to the relative position between the tuning component and the conductive loop 16D decreases.

[0064] In some embodiments, as Figure 9C shown, the conductive loop 16E may include a first side 114, a second side 116, a third side 118, and a fourth side 120. The first side 114 and the third side 118 have a length extending in the X-axis direction and a width measured in the Y-axis direction. The second side 116 and the fourth side 120 have a length extending in the Y-axis direction and a width measured in the X-axis direction. For the first side 114, the second side 116, the third side 118, and the fourth side 120, the length may be 1 to 2 times, 2 to 6 times, 6 to 10 times, 10 to 20 times, 20 to 40 times, 40 to 100 times, 100 to 1000 times, or more than the width. The lengths of the sides of the first side 114 and the third side 116 may be less than the lengths of the sides of the second side 118 and the fourth side 120.

[0065] Figures 10A - 10F is a schematic diagram of an exemplary tuning component described in some embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more of the tuning components shown in Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figures 10A - 10F may be used to adjust the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device. In some embodiments, as Figure 10A shown, the tuning component 20E may be annular and / or circular. For an elliptical tuning component, the longest dimension of the ellipse may be aligned with the X-axis, the Y-axis, or other directions in the XY plane.

[0066] In some embodiments, as Figure 10BAs shown, the tuning component 20F can be triangular, which includes a first side 122, a second side 124, a third side 126, and an end 128 opposite the first side 122. One or more of the first side 122, the second side 124, and the third side can have the same or different lengths. In certain embodiments, the line extending from the end 128 to the midpoint of the first side 122 can be aligned with the X-axis, the Y-axis, or other directions of the XY plane.

[0067] In certain embodiments, as Figure 10C shown, the tuning component 20G can be rectangular, and its measurement along the Y-axis is longer than that along the X-axis. The tuning component 20G can include a pair of first sides 130 and a pair of second sides 132. The first sides 130 can be aligned with the Y-axis, the second sides 132 can be aligned with the X-axis, and the first sides 130 can be longer than the second sides 132.

[0068] In certain embodiments, as Figure 10D shown, the tuning component 20H can include a pair of first sides 142 and a pair of second sides 144. The first sides 142 can be greater than the second sides 144, and vice versa. The first sides 142 can be aligned with the X-axis, the Y-axis, or other directions of the XY plane. The first sides 142 can include one or more protrusions 134 and / or one or more indentations 136. The length 138 of the maximum dimension of the tuning component 20H measured along the Y-axis can be 0 times - 2 times, 2 times - 4 times, 4 times - 10 times, or 10 times - 100 times the minimum dimension of the tuning component 20H measured along the Y-axis.

[0069] In certain embodiments, as Figure 10E shown, the tuning component set 21A can be composed of one or more tuning components 150. The tuning component set 21A can include a pair of first sides 146 and a pair of second sides 148. The first sides 146 can be greater than the second sides 148, and vice versa. The first sides 146 can be aligned with the X-axis, the Y-axis, or other directions of the XY plane.

[0070] In certain embodiments, each tuning component 150 of the tuning component set 21A can be aligned along the Y-axis and spaced apart by a distance 156 along the X-axis. Each tuning component can have a length 152 and a width 154, and the length 152 can be greater than the width 154. In various embodiments, the length 152 can be aligned with the Y-axis or other directions.

[0071] During operation, when moved or placed at different positions, the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device may increase at a faster rate or otherwise change as a result of greater overlap between one or more tuning components 150 and the conductive loop. Conversely, when the position change of the set of tuning components 21A does not change the amount of overlap between one or more tuning components 150 but instead changes the proximity of the additional tuning components 150 to the conductive loop (e.g., along the X-axis direction), the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device may increase at a slower rate or otherwise change. For example, as the set of tuning components 21A moves toward the conductive loop along the X-axis direction, when the first intersecting tuning component 150 moves toward the distal end of the conductive loop, the resonant frequency may change at a first rate (e.g., linearly with the X-axis position). Once the first tuning component 150 of the set of tuning components 21A has overlapped with the conductive loop and the second tuning component 150 of the set of tuning components 21A has not yet contacted the conductive loop, when the set of tuning components 21A moves toward the distal end of the conductive loop, the resonant frequency may change at a second rate lower than the first rate.

[0072] In some embodiments, as Figure 10F shown, the set of tuning components 21B may consist of one or more tuning components 164, each tuning component having a height 168 and a width 166 that may be the same as or different from the length. In various embodiments, the tuning components 164 may be spaced apart by a first distance 176 measured along the Y-axis and / or a second distance 170 measured along the X-axis. The first distance 176 may be greater than the second distance 170, and vice versa. The set of tuning components 21B may have a width 172 and a length 174, with the length being greater than or equal to the width, and vice versa.

[0073] In various embodiments, the number of tuning components 164 in the set of tuning components 21B may be between 1 - 2, 2 - 4, 4 - 6, 6 - 10, 10 - 15, 15 - 25, 25 - 50, 50 - 100 or more. In various embodiments, one or more tuning components 164 may have a continuous surface within their outer boundaries or may be partially or completely composed of a surface having one or more holes, openings, or indentations. In some embodiments, one or more gaps between one or more tuning components 164 and / or other components of the radio frequency identification device may be at least partially composed of a mesh.

[0074] Figure 11 The relationship between the position of the tuning components described in some embodiments and the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device is shown. For example, in Figure 5 the embodiment of, the movement, positioning, and / or placement of the tuning component 20A at different positions may produce Figure 11Relationship diagram. When the tuning component 20A moves and / or is positioned as the coverage of the protruding 62 of the conductive ring 16B increases, the increase in frequency with respect to the position along the X-axis may have a rate or angle of θ1. When the tuning component 20A moves and / or is positioned as the coverage of the indentation 64 of the conductive ring 16B increases, the increase in frequency with respect to the position along the X-axis may have a rate or angle of θ2. θ1 may be 0 degrees - 5 degrees, 5 degrees - 20 degrees, 20 degrees - 50 degrees, or 50 degrees - 100 degrees greater than θ2.

[0075] Figures 12A - 12D Illustrates the process of assembling a radio frequency identification device according to certain embodiments. Figure 12A and Figure 12B Respectively show a top view and a side view of the tuning component 20A described as being connected to the substrate 70. In various embodiments, any of the tuning components 20A - 20H and / or tuning component units 21A - 21B may be combined with Figures 1 - 13 any component of. For example, in certain embodiments, the tuning component set 21A or 21B may be connected to the substrate 70.

[0076] In certain embodiments, as Figure 12C shown, the substrate 70 carrying one or more tuning components 20 (e.g., one or more of the tuning components 20A - 20H) and / or tuning component units 21 (e.g., one or more of the tuning component units 21A - 21B) may be aligned with an additional substrate 28 carrying at least one conductive ring 16 (e.g., one or more of 16A - 16E). At least a portion of one or more of the tuning components 20 may be in contact with at least a portion of the conductive ring 16. One tuning component 20 and the conductive ring 16 may be disposed between the substrate 70 and the substrate 28, as Figure 12D shown.

[0077] Figure 13 Is a schematic diagram of a radio frequency identification device component according to certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, the radio frequency identification device 10 (e.g., radio frequency identification devices 10A - 10F) includes one or more tuning components 20I1 - 20I5 forming a tuning component set 21C. The radio frequency identification device 10 may include one or more of the reactance type connection strip 12A, the conductive ring 16A, the antenna 18A, the tuning component 20I1, the tuning component 20I2, the tuning component 20I3, the tuning component 20I4, the tuning component 20I5. The antenna 18A may include a first part 38, a second part 40, and a third part 42. The conductive ring 16A may include a first side 30, a second side 32, a third side 34, and a fourth side 36.

[0078] In some embodiments, some or all of one or more tuning components 20 (e.g., one or more tuning components 20A - 20I) and / or some or all of a set of tuning components 21 (e.g., one or more sets of tuning components 21A - 21C) may be disposed within the inner boundary of the conductive loop 16. In some embodiments, some or all of one or more tuning components 20 and / or some or all of a set of tuning components 21 may overlap one or more of the conductive loop 16 and the antenna 18. In some embodiments, some or all of one or more tuning components 20 and / or some or all of a set of tuning components 21 may be disposed between the first portion 38 and the second side 32, between the second portion 40 and the third side 34, and between the third portion 42 and the fourth side 36. In some embodiments, the conductive loop 16 may be disposed between the second portion 40 and some or all of one or more tuning components 20 and / or some or all of a set of tuning components 21. In some embodiments, some or all of one or more tuning components 20 and / or some or all of a set of tuning components 21 may be farther from the second portion 40 than the conductive loop 16.

[0079] It will be appreciated that the above embodiments illustrate some applications of the principles of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed subject matter, including combinations of features separately disclosed or claimed herein. For these reasons, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above description, but rather as set forth in the following claims, and it should be understood that the claims may be directed to features of the present invention, including combinations of features separately disclosed or claimed herein.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification device, comprising: A reactance type connection strip, comprising a radio frequency identification chip and a conductive loop connected to the radio frequency identification chip; An antenna capable of coupling with the reactance type connection strip; And A tuning component set located near the reactance type connection strip, wherein at least one of the shape of the tuning component set and the position of the tuning component set relative to at least the reactance type connection strip determines the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device; Wherein the antenna is spaced apart from the reactance type connection strip and is coupled to the reactance type connection strip through magnetic and / or electric fields via reactance.

2. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 1, wherein, The tuning component set includes one or more tuning components.

3. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, further comprising a substrate connected to at least a part of the reactance type connection strip, the antenna, and the tuning components.

4. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The tuning component is at least partially composed of a metal material, an inorganic composite material, and / or a ceramic material.

5. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The tuning component set includes tuning components having at least substantially consistent dimensions in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tuning components can move relative to the reactance type connection strip.

6. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The tuning component set includes a tuning component having non-uniform dimensions in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tuning components can move relative to the reactance type connection strip.

7. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The conductive loop and the tuning component set are configured such that there is a substantially linear relationship between the positioning of the tuning component set relative to the reactance type connection strip and the change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device.

8. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The conductive loop and the tuning component set are configured such that there is a non-linear relationship between the positioning of the tuning component set relative to the reactance type connection strip and the change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device.

9. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 8, wherein, The conductive loop and the tuning component set are configured such that there is a stepwise relationship between the positioning of the tuning component set relative to the reactance type connection strip and the change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device.

10. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The tuning component set is positioned at positions that vary along multiple axes relative to the reactance type connection strip.

11. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The tuning component set does not overlap with any part of the antenna.

12. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The tuning component set overlaps with a part of the antenna.

13. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The antenna is a monopole antenna.

14. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The size of the tuning component set can be changed.

15. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein, The tuning component set can cause a change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device by overlapping with a part of the conductive loop.

16. The radio frequency identification device according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein, The tuning component set can cause a change in the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device without overlapping with any part of the conductive loop.

17. A method of forming a tuned radio frequency identification device, comprising: Placing a tuning component set relative to a reactance type connection strip of a radio frequency identification device to set the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device, wherein the radio frequency identification device includes an antenna and a reactance type connection strip, the reactance type connection strip including a radio frequency identification chip and a conductive loop connected to the radio frequency identification chip; and Fixing the position of the tuning component set relative to the reactance type connection strip to determine the resonant frequency of the radio frequency identification device; Wherein the antenna is spaced apart from the reactance type connection strip and is coupled to the reactance type connection strip through magnetic and / or electric fields via reactance.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The tuning component set includes one or more tuning components.

19. The method according to any one of claims 17 - 18, wherein, The radio frequency identification device further includes a substrate connected to at least a portion of the reactance-type connection strip, the antenna, and the tuning component set.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17-18, wherein, Placing the tuning component set relative to the reactance-type connection strip includes: overlapping a portion of the tuning component set with a portion of the conductive loop.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17-18, wherein Placing the tuning component set relative to the reactance-type connection strip includes: preventing any portion of the tuning component set from overlapping with the conductive loop.

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