Wireless communication device with a variable stiffness structure

Abstract

In some embodiments, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device may include a reactive strap and a flexible substrate connected to the conductor and defining a second opening. The reactive strap may include a conductor surrounding an area and an RFID chip connected to the conductor. The conductor surrounds an area and defines a first opening. The first opening and the second opening may jointly define a passage through the conductor and the flexible substrate material.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 954,480, filed on December 28, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and made a part of this invention. Background of the Invention

[0003] Devices incorporating radio - frequency identification (RFID) technology for wireless communication are widely used in a variety of different applications, including being incorporated in product tags for tracking and security purposes. Such systems are well - known in the retail industry and are required to be attached to items such as clothing for inventory control and prevention of theft and other losses.

[0004] The radio - frequency identification device incorporated in a product tag may include a variety of integrated components, where the radio - frequency identification chip contains data such as product type identification codes and even data related to the exact item associated with a unique identification code. Other components may include an antenna electrically connected to the radio - frequency identification chip, which is responsible for transmitting signals to and / or receiving signals from another radio - frequency identification device (e.g., a radio - frequency identification reader system).

[0005] Garment tags move with the clothing to which they are attached. Such tags can affect comfort and are often subject to stress, such as when the associated clothing is washed, folded, or otherwise handled. Tags incorporating wireless communication radio - frequency identification devices related to clothing can be stiff, and when the tag bends, it can cause discomfort or pose a risk of damaging the communication device. Additionally, if a separate tag has to be made and then stitched or otherwise attached to an item, additional costs are incurred.

[0006] Therefore, improvements can be made to existing wireless communication devices in terms of comfort and / or durability. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Several aspects of the subject matter are described and claimed below, which may be included in the wireless communication devices and systems either alone or together. These aspects can be used alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described in this invention, and the description of these aspects is not intended to exclude the use of these aspects alone or claim the use of these aspects alone or in different combinations that may be listed in the scope of the appended claims of this invention.

[0008] In some embodiments, a radio frequency identification device may include a reactive strap and a flexible substrate connected to the conductor and defining a second opening. The reactive strap may include a conductor surrounding an area and a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip connected to the conductor. The conductor surrounds an area and defines a first opening. The first opening and the second opening may jointly define a passage through the conductor and the flexible substrate material.

[0009] In some embodiments, the radio frequency identification device may include an antenna for capacitively coupling with the reactive strap. The shape of the conductor may include at least one of a ring, a square, a rectangle, and a semicircle. The flexible substrate may include at least one of a fabric, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or other flexible plastic materials. The conductor further includes at least one of a copper wire, etched copper, printed conductive ink, or other flexible conductive materials. The reactive strap is laminated to the flexible substrate using a flexible material to seal the reactive strap from the outside. The radio frequency identification device may include a flexible article, and the reactive strap is fixed to the flexible article by at least one stitch from a position outside the flexible substrate to a position inside the opening of the flexible substrate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the stitch may not be directly connected to the flexible substrate. The antenna may include one or more crossing portions crossing the conductor. One or more crossing portions of the antenna fix the reactive strap to the flexible article by extending over the conductor. More than 60% of the capacitive coupling between the antenna and the reactive strap may be based on the proximity of the antenna to the conductor rather than on one or more crossing portions. More than 60% of the capacitive coupling between the antenna and the reactive strap may be based on the crossing portions of the antenna rather than on the proximity of the non-crossing portions of the antenna to the conductor. The one or more crossing portions may wind around the conductor, affecting the coupling between the antenna and the reactive strap.

[0011] In some embodiments, the one or more crossing portions may include more than 10 crossing points of crossing portions on the same side of the conductor. The manner may include extending the antenna wires at selected positions on the conductor, where there are multiple wire crossing points at each position on the conductor. The antenna crosses the conductor at multiple positions that are at least 20 degrees apart from the centroid of the area surrounded by the conductor. The flexible substrate is generally annular and substantially concentric with the conductor. A portion of the antenna may be used to form the stitch.

[0012] In some embodiments, a method of forming a radio frequency identification device may include connecting a reactance type connection strip to a flexible substrate. The reactance type connection strip may include a conductor surrounding an area and a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip connected to the conductor. The conductor surrounds an area and defines a first opening, and the flexible substrate is connected to the conductor and defines a second opening. The first opening and the second opening may jointly define a passage through the conductor and the flexible substrate material. The method may include directly coupling an antenna to the reactance type connection strip or coupling the antenna through one or more other objects. The method may include securing the reactance type connection strip to a flexible article using at least one stitch extending from a location outside the flexible substrate to a location within the opening of the flexible substrate. A portion of the antenna may be used to form the stitch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device (including a reactance type connection strip having an RFID chip and a conductor) according to some embodiments.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device secured by stitches according to some embodiments.

[0015] Figures 3 - 5 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] As required, 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 may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting, but only as a 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 almost any appropriate manner.

[0017] In various embodiments, as Figure 1 shown, an exemplary wireless communication device 10 suitable for connection to a flexible article (e.g., a fabric article or a label associated with a fabric article) may include various components, which increase flexibility. In addition to Figure 1 the components shown, the wireless communication device 10 may further include an antenna, such as a copper wire antenna, which is not shown in Figure 1 FIG.

[0018] In various embodiments, the wireless communication device 10 may include a radio frequency identification chip 12 forming part of a reactive connection strip 14, and the reactive connection strip 14 further includes a loop conductor 16 connected to the radio frequency identification chip 12. In various embodiments, the conductor 16 may have various shapes surrounding an area, such as circular, spiral, semi-circular, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, dodecagonal, star-shaped, etc.

[0019] In various embodiments, the reactive connection strip 14 may be placed on a flexible substrate material or substrate 18. The substrate 18 may define one or more openings, such as a first opening, which defines a first portion of a channel through the substrate.

[0020] In various embodiments, the conductor 16 may be formed of a flexible material, and its center 20 may not include a conductor. In various embodiments, the center 20 may be an opening defined by the conductor 16 or may be formed of another material. In various embodiments, the conductor 16 surrounds an area and defines one or more second openings. The second opening(s) may define a second portion of a channel through the substrate 18 and the conductor 16.

[0021] In various embodiments, the substrate 18 may be made of various materials, including various types of fabrics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), rubber, paper, carbon fiber, or flexible plastic materials. The conductor 16 may also be made of various conductive materials, including copper wire, etched copper, aluminum, printed conductive ink, or other flexible and / or non-flexible conductive materials.

[0022] In various embodiments, depending on the intended use and the environment in which the wireless communication device 10 is used, the wireless communication device 10 may be made in various ways. Generally, a flexible item connected to the wireless communication device 10 may be worn against the user's skin, which requires increased flexibility. To increase the flexibility of the substrate 18, a portion of the substrate 18 (e.g., the first opening) in the center 20 region of the conductor 16 may be removed or omitted. Thus, the conductor 16 may define a hollow shape (e.g., may have one or more first openings 20), and may coincide or at least substantially coincide with a hole or second opening 22 defined by the flexible reactive connection strip 14 substrate 18, as Figure 1 shown.

[0023] Since flexible items connected to the wireless communication device 10 may be subjected to washing, moisture, and / or bending (especially if the flexible item is a garment or a garment label), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or other flexible material can be used to laminate the reactive connection strip 14 to the substrate 18. The outer laminate layer can make the reactive connection strip 14 flexible and environmentally sealed. The flexible material that protects the reactive connection strip 14 by lamination can be the same or different from the material used for the substrate 18, and is omitted from Figure 1 for better viewing of other components of the wireless communication device 10. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the area surrounded by the conductor 16 is between 0 cm - 0.2 cm, 0.2 cm - 0.4 cm, 0.4 cm - 0.6 cm, 0.6 cm - 0.8 cm, 0.8 cm - 1.0 cm, 1.0 cm - 1.3 cm, and 1.3 cm - 1.6 cm. In certain embodiments, the conductor width can be between 5 microns - 15 microns, 15 microns - 30 microns, 30 microns - 60 microns, 60 microns - 200 microns, 200 microns - 500 microns, 500 microns - 800 microns, 800 microns - 1200 microns, 1.2 mm - 1.5 mm or more.

[0024] In certain embodiments, as Figure 2 shown, the wireless communication device 110 includes a radio frequency identification chip 112 of a reactive connection strip 114, and the reactive connection strip 114 further includes a conductor 116 (e.g., a loop conductor), where the reactive connection strip 114 is placed on a flexible substrate 118 (e.g., a base material), as Figure 1 shown. The conductor 116 is generally loop-shaped and has a first opening 120 (e.g., an open center), which allows the suture 124 to pass from a radially outward position through the conductor 116 to a position within the first opening 120 (e.g., the first opening). In certain embodiments, as Figure 2 shown, the substrate 118 may not have openings such as a second opening 22, and may have a covering portion that partially or fully covers one side of the first opening 120 (e.g., the central opening). If the flexible substrate 118 in the second example includes an opening (as Figure 1 shown), then the suture 124 can pass through the opening of the flexible substrate 118. The substrate 118 can be connected to the first side of the item 126, or, in certain embodiments, the substrate 118 can be an item 126. In various embodiments, the item 126 can be a garment, such as a shirt, jacket, pants, shorts, underwear, shoes, slippers, sandals, wristbands, belts, shoulder straps, scarves, or hats.

[0025] In various embodiments, the suture 124 may include one or more of a fine wire, a wire, a cord, a strap, or other structures made of fabric, metal, plastic, rubber, or other materials. The suture 124 may be connected to one or both ends of the article 126, the substrate 118, or the conductor 116. Connection may be made using an adhesive, by melting and cooling a portion of the suture 124, using fasteners such as staples or clips, or by passing the suture 124 through the connecting material and / or by tying a knot or using other obstacles to prevent the suture from being pulled through the connecting material.

[0026] One or more sutures 124 may extend from a first side of the article 126 at a position outside the outer diameter of the conductor 116, extend to the conductor 116, and may pass downward through the first opening 120 to connect a second end to the first side of the article 126 exposed through the first opening 120. In various embodiments, the first end and / or the second end of one or more sutures 124 may be connected to the first side or the second side of the article 126. In various embodiments, one or more sutures 124 may form a loop, an arch, or other structures to hold the conductor 116 in a fixed position or to move within a limited position range.

[0027] In various embodiments, the suture 124 may extend from a position radially outward of the flexible substrate 118, pass through the conductor 116, and reach a position within an opening defined in the flexible substrate 118 without penetrating the flexible substrate 118. This may be particularly advantageous if the reactive connection strip 114 is laminated to the flexible substrate 118 to protect the seal of the reactive connection strip 114 from the external environment. As Figure 2 shown, it may be preferred that the generally annular and relatively narrow flexible substrate 118 fixes the wireless communication device 110 to the flexible article 126, but other configurations may also be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. In any case, whether one or more sutures 124 penetrate the flexible substrate 118 or not, the wireless communication device 110 may be directly sewn onto the flexible article 126.

[0028] In various embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, the wireless communication device 210 may be sewn or otherwise connected to the flexible article 226, with or without a substrate. For example, the substrate may be made of a conductive material and / or coated with a conductive material and have sufficient durability to withstand wear, be used as part of a garment, and / or be washed.

[0029] In various embodiments, the wireless communication device 210 may include a reactive connection strip 214, and the reactive connection strip includes a radio frequency identification chip connected to a conductor, and the chip may or may not be placed on the substrate 228, as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown. The substrate 228 (e.g., a flexible substrate material) and / or the conductor may define a first opening 222 that may accommodate one or more sutures 224, as Figure 3 shown, so as to fix the wireless communication device 210 to the flexible article 226.

[0030] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, the antenna 230 of the wireless communication device 210 may include a wire 232, where the wire 232 of the antenna 230 is for extending to some or all of the sutures 224 on the reactive connection strip 214. The suture 224 may also pass through the first opening 222 of the substrate 228, as described above. Thus, the wire 232 of the antenna 230 may extend from the outside to the inside (relatively speaking) of the conductor at one or more selected crossing positions 234 so as to fix and / or hold the wireless communication device 210, the conductor, and / or the substrate 228 relative to the article 226 with or without penetrating the substrate 228. For example, a part of the wire 232 may be connected to the first surface of the article 226 at a position outside the outer periphery of the conductor and / or the substrate 228, extend to the conductor and / or the substrate 228, be connected to the first surface of the article 226 at a position inside the inner periphery of the conductor and / or the substrate 228, extend back to the conductor and / or the substrate 228, and extend beside the conductor and / or the substrate 228. In various embodiments, the communication device 210 may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 5 - 10, 10 - 15 or 20 - 40 connections. In some embodiments, the width of the wire may be between 5 microns - 15 microns, 15 microns - 30 microns, 30 microns - 60 microns, 60 microns - 200 microns, 200 microns - 500 microns, 500 microns - 800 microns, 800 microns - 1200 microns, 1.2 mm - 1.5 mm or above.

[0031] In various embodiments, by extending at the minimum crossing points 234 of the wire 232 on the conductor, the coupling between the antenna 230 and the reactive connection strip 214 is minimized. For example, this can be achieved by using a single suture 224 to cross back and forth on the conductor, such that the coupling between the antenna 230 and the reactive connection strip 214 is mainly based on the proximity between the antenna 230 and the reactive connection strip 214. Thus, the minimum crossing position 234 may have a limited impact on the coupling between the antenna 230 and the reactive connection strip 214.

[0032] In various embodiments, the wire 232 may extend to Figure 3 the outer periphery of a part of the shown conductor and / or be parallel thereto. This part may be between 0% - 10%, 10% - 20%, 20% - 30%, 30% - 40%, 40% - 50%, 50% - 60%, 70% - 80% or 90% - 100% of the conductor. The wire 232 may be configured to make the antenna reactively coupled to the conductor.

[0033] In various embodiments, such as Figure 4 shown, the wireless communication device 310 may have other configurations. The reactive connection strip includes a radio frequency identification chip 312 and a conductor and / or substrate 316. In other embodiments of the present invention, the conductor and / or substrate 316 may define an opening 320.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the antenna 330 includes a wire 332 for fixing the wireless communication device 310, its conductor and / or substrate 316 to the flexible article 326, similar to Figure 3 the embodiments in Figure 3 Compared with the embodiments in Figure 4 In this embodiment, the wire 232 of the antenna 230 passes through the conductor and / or substrate 316 to minimize the influence of the wire 232 on the coupling between the reactive connection strip 214 and the antenna 230.

[0035] In one or more positions where the wire 332 passes through the conductor and / or substrate 316, the wire 332 crosses multiple times at one or more positions 334 on the conductor and / or substrate. This provides an example where the wire 332 of the antenna 330 sewn on the flexible annular conductor 316 has a greater influence on the coupling between the wire antenna 330 and the reactive connection strip. The 0%-10%, 10%-20%, 20%-30%, 30%-40%, 40%-50%, 50%-60%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90% or 90%-100% coupling effect between the antenna 330 and the conductor 316 may be caused by the wire crossing, and the remaining effect is caused by the non-crossing part of the wire 332. In various embodiments, 0%-2%, 2%-4%, 5%-6%, 6%-8%, 8%-10%, 10%-12%, 12%-14%, 14%-16%, 16%-18%, 18%-20%, 20%-30%, 30%-40%, 40%-50%, 50%-60%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90% or 90%-100% of the antenna length extends between a pair of crossing positions 334. In various embodiments, the separation angle of one or more positions 334 where one or more crossing points occur can be 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, 25-35, 35-65, 65-115, 115-175, 160-200 degrees. Here, this angle is determined by a first line (starting from the center or central point of the area surrounded by the conductor and ending at the central point of the first contact position 334) and a second line (starting from the center or central point of the area surrounded by the conductor and ending at the central point of the second contact position 334).

[0035] In various embodiments, the plurality of intersections at each selected location 334 can be the basis for coupling of the antenna 330 to the reactive connection strip and can enhance such coupling. Accordingly, the stitched wire 332 can connect the reactive connection strip and the substrate 316 to the flexible article 326 and directly couple the reactive connection strip to the antenna 330 at the locations where the wire 332 of the antenna 330 intersects the reactive connection strip conductor. For example, at each location 334, the wire 332 can pass through the conductor and / or the substrate 316 2 - 4, 4 - 6, 6 - 8, 8 - 10, 10 - 20, 20 - 40, 40 - 80 times or more. The wire 332 can cross back and forth on the same side of the conductor and / or the substrate 316 or can cross by winding around the conductor and / or the substrate 316. In various embodiments, the wire 332 can make direct contact with the conductor and / or the substrate 316 at one or more crossing locations where metal touches metal (or other conductive material). In certain embodiments, the wire 332 can pass through the conductor and / or the substrate 316 at one or more crossing locations and a non - conductive material can be interposed between the wire 332 and the conductor and / or the substrate 316.

[0036] In certain embodiments, as Figure 5 shown, the wireless communication device 410 can include a radio frequency identification chip 412 and a conductor 414. The substrate can be used with or without the conductor 414, and the conductor 414 can define an opening 420.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the antenna 430 includes a wire 432 that may be stitched or otherwise secured in position on the conductor 414. For example, a series of dense stitches 424 can be used on the conductor to stitch the wire 232 to the flexible article 426, which can both secure the wireless communication device 410 to the flexible article 426 and couple the reactive connection strip to the antenna 430 in a way that changes the tuning of the wireless communication device 410. Accordingly, the resonant frequency of the wire 432 of the antenna 430 can be coupled and the frequency of the reactive connection strip can be changed to adjust the communication of the wireless communication device 410 as needed.

[0038] In various embodiments, a method of connecting a wireless communication device to a flexible article can include forming a wireless communication device of the type described herein (where an opening is defined by a reactive connection strip placed on a flexible substrate material). The method further includes directly stitching the reactive connection strip 114 and the flexible substrate 118 to the flexible article 126 by using a fine wire or wire to stitch 124 on and through a first opening 120 of the conductor 116.

[0039] The method further includes the step of forming the conductor 116 using copper wire, etched copper, printed conductive ink, or other flexible conductive material, and the stitching step can further include stitching from the outside to the inside (relatively speaking) on the conductor 116, optionally without penetrating the flexible substrate 118.

[0040] Such methods may also include: (as Figures 3 - 5 shown) The step of securing the wireless communication device further includes using an antenna wire to secure the wireless communication device to the flexible article when sewing on the conductor. Consistent with the above description, for example, Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the method of connecting the wireless communication device to the flexible article may include using an antenna wire when sewing on the conductor, in a manner that more significantly affects the coupling of the antenna to the reactive connection strip (e.g., through multiple intersections at selected locations, as Figure 4 shown, or a dense stitching pattern, as Figure 5 shown).

[0041] The above embodiments illustrate some applications of the principles of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed subject matter (including combinations of features separately disclosed or claimed in the present invention). 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 for the invention, and it should be understood that the claims for the invention can be directed to features of the present invention, including combinations of features separately disclosed or claimed in the present invention.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification device, comprising: A reactance type connection strip, including a conductor surrounding an area and a radio frequency identification chip connected to the conductor, the surrounding area defining a first opening; And A flexible substrate connected to the conductor and including an inner circumference defining a second opening, Wherein, the first opening and the second opening jointly define a passage through the conductor and the flexible substrate; Wherein, the radio frequency identification device further includes a flexible article and an antenna, the antenna including a wire that is inductively coupled to the reactance type connection strip, Wherein, the reactance type connection strip is fixed to the flexible article by at least one stitch that extends from a position outside the outer circumference of the flexible substrate onto the conductor and into the second opening of the flexible substrate without penetrating the flexible substrate, and wherein the at least one stitch is formed using the wire.

2. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 1, wherein The shape of the conductor includes at least one of a ring, a square, a rectangle, and a semi-circle.

3. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 1, wherein, The flexible substrate includes at least one of a fabric, polyethylene terephthalate, or other flexible plastic materials.

4. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 1, wherein, The conductor further includes at least one of a copper wire, etched copper, printed conductive ink, or other flexible conductive materials.

5. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 1, wherein, The reactance type connection strip is laminated to the flexible substrate using a flexible material to seal the reactance type connection strip from the outside.

6. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 1, wherein The antenna includes one or more crossing portions that cross the conductor.

7. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 6, wherein, More than 60% of the inductive coupling between the antenna and the reactance type connection strip is based on the proximity of the antenna to the conductor, rather than based on one or more crossing portions.

8. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 6, wherein, More than 60% of the inductive coupling between the antenna and the reactance type connection strip is based on the crossing portions of the antenna, rather than the proximity of the non-crossing portions of the antenna to the conductor.

9. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 6, wherein, The one or more crossing portions wind around the conductor, affecting the coupling between the antenna and the reactance type connection strip.

10. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 6, wherein, The one or more crossing portions include more than 10 crossing points of the crossing portions on the same side of the conductor.

11. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 6, wherein, The manner is formed by the extension of the antenna wire at selected positions on the conductor, where there are multiple wire crossing points at each position on the conductor.

12. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 6, wherein, The antenna crosses the conductor at multiple positions that are at least 20 degrees apart from the centroid of the area surrounded by the conductor.

13. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 1, wherein, The flexible substrate is generally annular and substantially concentric with the conductor.

14. A method of forming a radio frequency identification device, the method comprising: Connecting a reactance type connection strip to a flexible substrate, the reactance type connection strip including a conductor surrounding an area and a radio frequency identification chip connected to the conductor, the surrounding area defining a first opening, the flexible substrate being connected to the conductor and including an inner circumference defining a second opening, Wherein, the first opening and the second opening jointly define a passage through the conductor and the flexible substrate; Wherein, the radio frequency identification device further includes a flexible article and an antenna, the antenna including a wire that is inductively coupled to the reactance type connection strip, Wherein, the reactance type connection strip is fixed to the flexible article by at least one stitch that extends from a position outside the outer circumference of the flexible substrate onto the conductor and into the second opening of the flexible substrate without penetrating the flexible substrate, and wherein the at least one stitch is formed using the wire.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: directly coupling the antenna to the reactance-type connection strip or coupling the antenna to the reactance-type connection strip through one or more other objects.

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