Ear-attached uhf RFID tag for livestock management, configured to receive RF signal by using electromagnetically resonant first and second antennas, and method for using uhf RFID tag

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an RFID tag comprising: a rivet unit including an RFID chip, a first antenna having a ring shape, a first substrate to which the RFID chip and the first antenna are attached, and a housing made of a plastic material and surrounding the first substrate; an extension unit including a second antenna operated by being electromagnetically resonated with the first antenna, and a second substrate including the second antenna and made of a flexible material; and a fastening unit made of a ring-shaped plastic material and coupled to the rivet unit, wherein the rivet unit and the extension unit are in close contact with each other through the coupling.

Description

Ear-attached UHF RFID tag for livestock management that receives RF signals using a first antenna and a second antenna that are resonantly coupled to each other, and a method of using the UHF RFID tag

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an RFID tag and a method of using the RFID tag, characterized in that a first antenna and a second antenna are physically connected to each other to receive an RF signal by a resonance method.

[0002] The health, rearing environment, and meat quality grading systems for livestock intended for consumption, such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, are essential for animal rights and human health. Therefore, most pastoralist countries have central governments that assign individual IDs to each livestock from birth to slaughter and maintain a database of individual animal history records.

[0003] The most widely used tags for livestock identification are LF RFID (Low Frequency Radio Frequency Identification) tags. LF RFID tags are compact, easy to integrate, and have a low risk of damage to the RFID chip during the livestock's life cycle, making them the most widely used.

[0004] However, LF RFID tags are difficult to identify with the naked eye due to their small button-size. Their small size can reduce the accuracy of barcode scanning. Furthermore, since it's difficult to print identification information on the tags, there's no alternative identification method if the RFID function is damaged.

[0005] LF RFID tags cost more than twice as much as UHF RFID tags due to their complex coil-shaped antenna structure and high chip cost.

[0006] LF RFID tags have a maximum recognition range of 50 centimeters (cm) and a low recognition speed of about one tag per second, which can take considerable time to identify an entire flock of livestock. This presents limitations in the current automation of the livestock industry, which requires real-time individual identification.

[0007] Due to the various shortcomings of LF RFID tags, the adoption of UHF RFID tags to replace them has been increasing since the mid-2010s. UHF RFID tags are less than half the price of LF tags, and their recognition performance can achieve an average range of 5 meters or more. Like existing barcode ear tags, they can be visually identified or scanned by barcode and ID markings on the leaf portion.

[0008] However, compared to LF tags that use a coil-shaped antenna based on inductive coupling, UHF tags that use a dipole antenna based on backscattering can be implemented with a relatively large antenna area. In these UHF tags, the RFID chip and antenna are located in the leaf part rather than the nail part, and a thick packaging (housing) is required to protect the RFID chip. The packaging material is polyurethane. With this packaging, the weight of the UHF tag reaches approximately 20 grams, and this weight can be a great burden and discomfort to young livestock. Due to this burden and discomfort, livestock equipped with these UHF tags often rub their ears against fences or walls, tearing their ears and forcibly removing the tag. In order to avoid causing discomfort to young livestock, the need for tags that are lighter in weight is emerging.

[0009] Furthermore, in the case of existing UHF RFID tags, if the male (nail) portion is removed, the remaining leaf portion functions as a complete RFID tag. This characteristic allows the tag to be removed from a specific individual expected to have good growth and meat quality and then reattached to another individual, thereby disguising the latter as having good meat quality. The structure of existing UHF RFID tags has led to illegal cases of tag theft and / or reuse.

[0010] Compared to LF RFID tags that are attached closely to an object's ear, UHF RFID tags (10') have barcodes, ID numbers, and information entered into the chip concentrated on the leaf portion. Conversely, by intentionally damaging the leaf portion of the tag with scissors or the like, information about the object can be rendered unidentifiable. This also makes it easy to erase the object's ID and associated history information.

[0011] As described above, there is a growing need for a new RFID tag to overcome the problems of conventional livestock tags (10, 10').

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the embodiments disclosed in this specification aim to provide an RFID tag that receives an RF signal using a coupled first antenna and a second antenna, and a method of using the RFID tag.

[0013] An RFID tag according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a rivet portion including an RFID chip, a first antenna in a ring shape, a first substrate to which the RFID chip and the first antenna are attached, and a housing made of a plastic material that surrounds the first substrate; an extension portion including a second antenna that operates by radio-frequency resonance with the first antenna and a second substrate made of a flexible material that includes the second antenna; and a fastening portion that is joined to the rivet portion using a ring-shaped plastic material; wherein the rivet portion and the extension portion can be brought into close contact through the fastening.

[0014] The above rivet portion may include a barrel portion that has a cylindrical shape and penetrates the extension portion and the object and is plastically deformed to be combined with the fastening portion, and the above rivet portion may have a characteristic of not being physically separated unless destroyed, so that it can be structurally manufactured to prevent theft and reuse.

[0015] The second antenna may be an antenna having a corresponding shape to achieve optimal resonance with the first antenna.

[0016] Through the above combination, a part of the first antenna and a part of the second antenna can be arranged to overlap and resonate radio-navigate.

[0017] The distance between the first antenna and the bottom of the housing may be within a predetermined standard distance.

[0018] The first antenna is a ring shape having a slit, and the RFID chip can be attached corresponding to the point where the slit is located.

[0019] The RFID chip of the first antenna may be combined so as to be placed in an area that does not overlap with the second antenna.

[0020] The recognition distance can be increased through the first and second antennas that are radio-resonant through coupling.

[0021] The second substrate may further include a protective layer on which at least one of a barcode, an ID, and identification information is directly printed or printed.

[0022] The material of the above housing may be at least one of POM (Polyoxymethylene, Acetal), K-resin (Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer, SBC), and PP (Polypropylene) as a plastic material.

[0023] The above extension may not include an RFID chip.

[0024] The housing can be injected by inserting the RFID chip, the first antenna, and the first substrate.

[0025] A method according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include the steps of: placing the rivet portion, the extension portion (leaf), and the fastening portion of claim 1 at a desired location of an object; and applying pressure between the rivet portion and the fastening portion to couple the rivet portion and the fastening portion so that the first antenna of the rivet portion and the second antenna of the extension portion radio-frequency resonate, thereby receiving an RF signal through the first antenna and the second antenna. In addition, the first antenna alone may be configured to receive an RF signal in a near-field.

[0026] Other aspects, features and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims and detailed description of the invention.

[0027] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an RF signal can be received using a first antenna and a second antenna that are radio-resonant.

[0028] Additionally, the recognition distance or reception intensity can be changed through the first and second antennas that are resonantly coupled.

[0029] In addition, a first antenna in the shape of a plastic rivet and a second antenna in the shape of a flexible credit card-sized film, each weighing 3 grams or less, are attached to the object to enable identification of the object without making the object feel heavy.

[0030] In addition, after the rivet portion and the fastening portion including the RFID chip and the first antenna are combined, they may be plastically deformed, making it difficult to detach them without destroying the rivet portion, making reuse impossible.

[0031] Fig. 1a is a drawing showing an ear tag (10) for livestock in the LF frequency band according to the prior art.

[0032] Fig. 1b is a drawing showing an ear tag (10') for livestock in the UHF frequency band according to the prior art.

[0033] FIG. 2a is a diagram illustrating a UHF RFID tag (100) according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2b is a conceptual diagram of RF signal reception according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig. 3a is an exploded perspective view of the rivet portion, and Fig. 3b is a plan view of the first substrate of the rivet portion.

[0035] Fig. 4a is a cross-sectional view before the RFID tag (100) of Fig. 3 is combined, and Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view after the RFID tag (100) of Fig. 3a is combined.

[0036] Figure 5 is a drawing of various examples of modifications of the second antenna. However, the antenna pattern is implemented so as to leave a margin for printing a barcode and serial number on the inner surface of the antenna.

[0037] Fig. 6 is another exemplary drawing of an extension (120). The protective layer prevents corrosion of the antenna and damage to printed barcodes and serial numbers.

[0038] Figure 7 is a drawing showing an RFID tag attached to an object.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of using an RFID tag according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig. 9a is a diagram of examples 1 to 5 in which the size of the first antenna is varied. Fig. 9b is a diagram of examples A, B, C, D, and E in which the size of the second antenna is varied. Fig. 9c is a diagram of examples of the recognition distances of RFID tags including various combinations of the first and second antennas.

[0041] The configuration and operation of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings below.

[0042] The present disclosure may be modified in various ways and may have various embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. The effects and features of the present disclosure, as well as the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below, along with the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various forms.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0044] Hereinafter, the term “upper” or “upper” may include not only things that are directly above in contact, but also things that are above in a non-contact manner.

[0045] In the following examples, the terms first, second, etc. are not used in a limiting sense, but are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0046] In the examples below, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0047] In the following examples, terms such as “include” or “have” mean that a feature or component described in the specification is present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0048] For convenience of explanation, the sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced. For example, the sizes and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience of explanation, and thus the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the figures shown.

[0049] Additionally, terms such as “…part”, “…area”, etc. described in this specification may mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation.

[0050] For convenience of explanation, the sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced. For example, the sizes and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience of explanation, and thus the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the figures shown.

[0051] In the following examples, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to three axes on an orthogonal coordinate system, and can be interpreted in a broad sense that includes them. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be orthogonal to each other, but may also refer to different directions that are not orthogonal to each other.

[0052] In some embodiments, where implementations are otherwise feasible, specific process sequences may be performed in a different order than described. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or in a reverse order from the described order.

[0053] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. In this application, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood to not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0054] In this specification, the tag can be recognized through RF signals such as low frequency, high frequency, etc.

[0055] Fig. 1a is a drawing showing a conventional LF frequency band RFID ear tag (10) for livestock.

[0056] A conventional LF frequency band livestock RFID ear tag (10) refers to a tag designed for durability and ease of attachment. The livestock ear tag (10) may be made of plastic or metal.

[0057] The ear tag (10) for livestock may be rectangular, oval, or circular, but is not limited thereto. The ear tag (10) for livestock may be designed to be attached to the body of the livestock, such as the ear, by piercing.

[0058] An ear tag (10) for livestock can be implemented by including a rivet portion (11) and a fastening portion (12), as illustrated in Fig. 1a. The ear tag (10) for livestock can be equipped with an RFID chip and an antenna in the fastening portion (12). The rivet portion (11) can be attached by penetrating the ear, which is a body part of the livestock, and forming a predetermined bond with the fastening portion (12).

[0059] The livestock ear tag (10) is a tag that communicates in the LF frequency band, and its recognition distance can be as short as 50 centimeters or less.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 1a, a conventional LF frequency band livestock RFID ear tag (10) is implemented by including only a low-frequency antenna and can be recognized by a reader within 50 centimeters.

[0061] Fig. 1b is a drawing showing a UHF frequency band livestock ear tag (10') according to the prior art. A UHF tag that adopts a dipole-shaped antenna according to the backscattering method requires a relatively large-area antenna compared to an LF tag that adopts a coil-shaped antenna according to the inductive resonance method, and as seen in Fig. 1b, the RFID chip and antenna are located in the leaf portion rather than the nail portion.

[0062] FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an RFID tag (100) according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a magnetic field and an electric-magnetic field generated by the RFID tag (100).

[0063] Fig. 3a is an exploded perspective view of the rivet portion, and Fig. 3b is a plan view of the first substrate.

[0064] An RFID tag (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a device for remotely storing and transmitting data using radio waves at a predetermined frequency. The RFID tag (100) may include an antenna and an RFID chip. The RFID tag (100) is attached to a body part of livestock such as cows, horses, or sheep to identify each target.

[0065] An RFID tag (100) may include a rivet portion (110) including an RFID chip and a first antenna, an extension portion (120) including a second antenna, and a fastening portion (130) coupled to the rivet portion (110) and fixed to the extension portion (120). The rivet portion (110), the extension portion (120), and the fastening portion (130) are manufactured in a separate state and penetrate the object so that the RFID tag (100) can be attached to the object. According to the RFID tag (100), when the rivet portion (110) and the fastening portion (130) are coupled (physically fastened), the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) become capable of radio-frequency resonance, and an RF signal (Radio Frequency Signal) can be received through the radio-frequency resonant first antenna (112) and second antenna (121).

[0066] The first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) that are radio-resonant refer to electromagnetic waves generated from the first antenna (112) being propagated through space to the second antenna (121), thereby causing resonance between the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121). That is, the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) that are radio-resonant can operate as antennas that receive RFID signals for the RFID tag (100). A propagated far field can be formed in a much wider range than the magnetic field by the first antenna (112) by the radio-resonant first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121).

[0067] Since the resonance between the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) may be detuned depending on the distance, medium, etc. between the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121), it is necessary to appropriately design the material and / or thickness of the housing (114) surrounding the first antenna (112). According to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to cause radio-frequency resonance between the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121).

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 2b, the first antenna (112, Tag Antenna) is a coil antenna that can detect an electrical signal through a magnetic field (MF) generated by a reader antenna. The magnetic field (MF) generated by the reader antenna can be changed and formed by the first antenna (Tag Antenna) (see CFS). Before resonance occurs, the first antenna (112) can form a magnetic field (NF, near field) in the near field. The first antenna (112) generates an electromagnetic wave in response to the detected signal. When the electromagnetic wave generated by the first antenna (112) is received by the second antenna (121), the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) can resonate radio-frequency. After resonance, the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) can form a propagated far field (PFF). Through the resonant far field thus formed, the recognition distance of the RFID tag (100) can increase.

[0069] At this time, the length of the second antenna (121) may be changed according to the frequency characteristics transmitted by the first antenna (112). The second antenna (121) may be designed to resonate with the first antenna (112). More specifically, the second antenna (121) may have a semicircular shape for a portion overlapping with the first antenna (112), corresponding to the circular first antenna (112). As shown in Fig. 2a, the shape of the second antenna (121) may extend in a straight line at both ends of the semicircular shape and bend like a memory.

[0070] The first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) that are resonant with each other may have reception characteristics that are different from the reception characteristics of the first antenna (112) or the second antenna (121), respectively. The first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) that are resonant with each other may have reception characteristics that the second antenna (121) has.

[0071] In addition, the recognition distance and / or reception intensity through the first antenna (112) and second antenna (121) that are radio-resonant are different from those of the first antenna (112). That is, the recognition distance of the RFID tag (100) can increase through the radio-resonant resonance generated through coupling through the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121). More specifically, the recognition distance through the first antenna before coupling is only a few centimeters, but after coupling, the first and second antennas are radio-resonantly connected and operated, and with this effect, the recognition distance of the RFID tag can increase to several meters. For example, as described in FIG. 2a, since the first antenna for short-range reception by inductive coupling in a magnetic field (MF, see FIG. 2b) and the second antenna for long-range reception by backscattering in an EM (Electric-magnetic, PFF, see FIG. 2b) field are radio-magnetically resonant, the RFID tag (100) can receive RF signals at both short-range and long-range, and at the same time, the recognition distance of the RFID tag can increase to several meters.

[0072] The first antenna (112) that is connected to the RFID chip and generates an RF signal and the second antenna (121) through which electromagnetic waves from the first antenna (112) are propagated may be implemented as different types of antennas, but may be the same type of antenna. For example, the first antenna (112) may be a coil antenna suitable for low frequencies. The first antenna (112) may be a loop antenna that can be implemented in a small size, but is not limited thereto, and may be implemented as a monopole antenna, a patch antenna, a spiral antenna, a whip antenna, etc. The second antenna (121) may be a dipole antenna, but is not limited thereto, and may be various types of antennas. The second antenna (121) may be implemented by being combined with a minimum of protective material.

[0073] The rivet portion (110) may include a barrel portion (114b) implemented in a general rivet shape and penetrating the object (obj). The rivet portion (110) may have a shape corresponding to the first antenna (112). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the rivet portion (110) may have a ring shape corresponding to the first antenna (112), which is a ring-shaped loop antenna. The rivet portion (110) may further include an RFID chip (111) that processes a received signal.

[0074] The RFID chip (111) can be attached to the first antenna (112). Information such as ID information and a barcode for identifying an object can be input into the RFID chip (111). After being physically connected to the extension (120), information stored in the RFID chip (111) can be transmitted through the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121). In addition, even if the second antenna (121) is damaged, the RFID chip (111) can operate as an RFID tag with only the rivet portion (110) because the information stored in the RFID chip (111) is transmitted through the first antenna (112). The RFID chip (111) can be attached to the slit of the first antenna (112), as illustrated in FIG. 3B. In another embodiment, the rivet portion (110) may further include a first substrate (113) to which the RFID chip (111) and the first antenna (112) are attached. A first antenna (112) may be attached to one surface of a first substrate (113), and an RFID chip (111) may be attached to the other surface of the first substrate. The first substrate (113) may have a circuit that electrically connects the RFID chip (111) and the first antenna (112). The first substrate (113) may electrically connect the RFID chip (111) and the first antenna (112) through a via hole.

[0075] The RFID chip (111) and the first antenna (112) may be attached to the substrate (113) by wire-bonding, flip-chip, or soldering, but are not limited thereto and may be attached to the first substrate by various methods. The first substrate (113) to which the RFID chip (111) and the first antenna (112) are attached may be surrounded by a housing (114).

[0076] The housing (114) protects the RFID chip (111), the first antenna (112), the first substrate (113), etc. from external impact and prevents external foreign substances from entering the inside. The housing (114) may be made of a plastic material. For example, the material of the housing (114) may be POM (Polyoxymethylene, Acetal), SBC (Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer), or PP (Polypropylene). In addition, the housing (114) may be injection-molded by inserting the RFID chip (111), the first antenna (112), and the first substrate (113).

[0077] The housing (114) may include a cover portion (114a) that surrounds an RFID chip (111), a first antenna (112), and a first substrate (113), and a barrel portion (114b) that passes through the object. The barrel portion (114b) may be made of a material that is easy to deform plastically. The barrel portion (114b) may be made of the same material as or a different material from the cover portion (114a).

[0078] The cover portion (114a) surrounds the RFID chip (111), the first antenna (112), and the first substrate (113), and may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the substrate (113). For example, if the shape of the first substrate (113) is a ring shape, the cover portion (114a) may also be formed in a ring shape, but is not limited thereto and may have various shapes. The cover portion (114a) may have a teeth or spur shape to prevent it from spinning or falling off.

[0079] The barrel portion (114b) may have a cylindrical shape extending from the opening of the cover portion (114a). The end of the barrel portion (114b) may be wound around the fastening portion (130) to secure the RFID tag (100) to the target object. The height (h, see FIG. 4a) of the barrel portion (114b) may be implemented to be greater than the thickness of the target object to be penetrated. For example, the height (h, see FIG. 4a) of the barrel portion (114b) may be implemented to be 1.5 times, 2 times, or the like, the thickness of the target object to be penetrated.

[0080] The thickness (L1, see FIG. 4a) of the bottom surface of the cover portion (114a) may be a value that optimizes the coupling between the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) of the extension portion (120), and may preferably be within 0.4 mm. The thickness (L1, see FIG. 4a) of the bottom surface of the cover portion (114a) may be changed depending on the size of the first antenna (112), the size of the second antenna (121), and the permittivity of the material housing the first antenna (112).

[0081] Since the thickness of the extension part (120) is considerably smaller than the thickness of the bottom surface of the cover part (114a) (L1, see FIG. 4a), it may not affect the radio-frequency resonance (coupling) effect between the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) of the extension part (120). The thickness of the extension part (120) implemented as a flexible substrate may preferably be within 200 μm. The RFID tag (100) including the extension part (120) and the rivet part (110) implemented as described above may have a weight of 3 grams or less.

[0082] The extension (120) may include a second antenna (121) and a substrate (122) on which the second antenna (121) is printed. Specific information such as an ID, barcode, or QR code may be printed on the substrate (122).

[0083] The second antenna (121) may be an antenna that operates by resonating with the first antenna (112). The shape of the second antenna (121) may be a straight shape, preferably a dipole antenna. More specifically, the second antenna (121) may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the first antenna (112) in a portion corresponding to the first antenna (112). The second antenna (121) having a shape corresponding to the shape of the first antenna (112) may resonate with the first antenna (112) in a straight shape. The second antenna (121) may have a free shape or a pattern in a portion that does not correspond to the first antenna (112), and may have, for example, a straight shape or a memory shape. In addition, the shape of the second antenna (121) may be formed as ∏ in order to secure a printing area for a barcode, serial number, etc. in the blank portion of the extension portion (120). The lengths of both ends of the second antenna (121) may be symmetrical. The second antenna (121) may be operated by being connected to the first antenna (112) through resonance (coupling) without being electrically connected to the first antenna.

[0084] An ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID chip (111) attached to a first antenna (112) can detect an RF signal transmitted from a predetermined distance, for example, 2 m or more away, by using a second antenna (121) that is in radio-frequency resonance with the first antenna (112). As the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) are in radio-frequency resonance, the recognition distance of the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) can become longer than the recognition distance of the first antenna (112).

[0085] The second antenna (121) can be printed on the second substrate (122) with conductive ink. The second antenna (121) can be printed on the second substrate (122) in the form of a dipole antenna.

[0086] The second substrate (122) may not include an RFID chip as it includes a second antenna. Since the second substrate (122) does not include an RFID chip, it may be implemented as a flexible substrate. The second substrate (122) may be flexible. It may be made of PET (Polyester) or PI (Polyimide). The thickness of the second substrate (122) may be set to 200 um or less so as to be flexible, and may preferably be 50 um, 75 um, 100 um, etc.

[0087] Identification information, such as identification information, barcode, QR code, etc., may be printed on one side of the second substrate (122).

[0088] Fig. 4a is a cross-sectional view before the RFID tag (100) of Fig. 2 is combined, and Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view after the RFID tag (100) of Fig. 2 is combined.

[0089] As illustrated in Fig. 4a, the barrel portion (114b) of the rivet portion (110) can be coupled with the fastening portion (130) by penetrating the extension portion (120). Inside the cover portion (114a) of the rivet portion (110), the first antenna (112) can be inserted at a position where the distance (L1) from the bottom surface of the first antenna (112) is shorter than the distance (L2) from the top surface. The distance (L1) from the bottom surface of the first antenna (112) can be secured to a minimum for radio resonance with the second antenna (121).

[0090] As illustrated in Fig. 4b, the barrel portion (114b) of the rivet portion (110) may be coupled so that, when penetrating the extension portion (120), some areas of the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121) overlap each other. In order to achieve radio-frequency resonance between the first antenna (112) and the second antenna (121), an area greater than a predetermined ratio may be arranged to overlap.

[0091] The barrel portion (114b) of the rivet portion (110) can be deformed as shown in Fig. 4b so as to be in close contact with the fastening portion (130) by the applied pressure, but is not limited thereto and can be deformed in various forms.

[0092] More preferably, after arranging the rivet portion (110), the extension portion (120), the object (obj), and the fastening portion (130) in that order, pressure can be applied between the rivet portion (110) and the fastening portion (130). The object (obj) can be arranged between the rivet portion (110) and the extension portion (120). As the object (obj) is arranged between the extension portion (120) and the fastening portion (130), the radio-frequency resonance effect between the first antenna (112) of the rivet portion (110) and the second antenna (121) of the extension portion (120) can be maintained.

[0093] Figure 5 is a drawing of various modified examples of the second antenna (121).

[0094] In response to the ring-shaped first antenna (112), the second antenna (121) may have a semicircular shape. The second antenna (121) may include a semicircular shape, but may be implemented as a dipole antenna extending from both ends of the semicircular shape. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second antenna (121) includes a shape (P1) corresponding to the shape of the first antenna, but further includes a deformable shape, so that radio resonance can be easily designed.

[0095] Figure 6 is another example drawing of an extension (120).

[0096] The extension (120) can be printed or marked with a barcode print or laser marking, QR code, barcode, character code, number, etc.

[0097] Figure 7 is a drawing showing an RFID tag attached to an object (obj).

[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the RFID tag (100) can be attached by penetrating a body part of an object (obj) such as an animal such as a cow, pig, sheep, or horse.

[0099] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of using an RFID tag according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0100] In S110, the rivet portion (110), extension portion (120), and fastening portion (130) of the RFID tag (100) can be placed at a desired location on the object (obj). For example, the RFID tag (100) can be placed on an ear or the like of the object (obj), which is a location where the RFID tag (100) can be attached.

[0101] In S120, pressure can be applied between the rivet portion (110) and the binding portion (130) of the RFID tag (100) to couple the rivet portion (110) and the binding portion (130). To apply pressure between the rivet portion (110) and the binding portion (130), a hand tool or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto, and various means capable of applying pressure, such as hands, can be used. The combined rivet portion (110), extension portion (120), and binding portion (130) can be attached to the body of the object (obj). The first antenna of the rivet portion (110) and the second antenna of the extension portion (120) can be radio-coupled to receive an RF signal.

[0102] The RFID chip (111) of the rivet portion (110) can be coupled by being placed at a position that does not overlap with the second antenna (121). The RFID chip (111) of the rivet portion (110) can be placed at the upper part of the semicircular shape of the second antenna (121). The RFID chip (111) of the rivet portion (110) can be coupled so as to be placed in the upper region (P2, see FIG. 5) of the extension portion (120) through coupling. Preferably, the RFID chip (111) is coupled so as to be placed within a range of a predetermined angle (v, see FIG. 3b) based on the direction of the y-axis. The predetermined angle (v) can be within +-15 degrees.

[0103] Even if a part of the second antenna (121) is damaged due to movement of the object (obj), the remaining part of the second antenna (121) can operate by resonating with the first antenna (112) in a radio frequency manner. Even if the entire second antenna (121) is damaged, the first antenna (112) alone can receive an RF signal and operate.

[0104] Fig. 9a is a diagram of examples A, B, C, D, and E with various modifications to the size of the first antenna. Fig. 9b is a diagram of examples A, B, C, D, and E with various modifications to the size of the second antenna. Fig. 9c is a diagram of examples of the recognition distances of RFID tags including various combinations of the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0105] As illustrated in Fig. 9a, the inner diameter of the A type of the first antenna is 15 mm, and the outer diameter is 24 mm. The inner diameter of the B type of the first antenna is 13 mm, and the outer diameter is 22 mm. The inner diameter of the C type of the first antenna is 11 mm, and the outer diameter is 20 mm. The inner diameter of the L type of the first antenna is 9 mm, and the outer diameter is 18 mm. The inner diameter of the M type of the first antenna is 7 mm, and the outer diameter is 16 mm.

[0106] The second antenna may extend from both ends of the semicircle and have a 90-degree bend shape. Six types can be created by varying the length of the extension to both ends and the width formed by the 90-degree bend. This 90-degree bent ∏-shaped antenna can be utilized as an area for printing barcodes, serial numbers, etc. in the central margin.

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 9b, the width (W1) of the A type of the second antenna is 42 (mm) and the length (L1) is 46 (mm). The width (W2) of the B type of the second antenna is 42 (mm) and the length (L2) is 56 (mm). The width (W3) of the C type of the second antenna is 42 (mm) and the length (L3) is 105 (mm). The width (W4) of the D type of the second antenna is 54 (mm) and the length (L4) is 46 (mm). The width (W5) of the E type of the second antenna is 54 (mm) and the length (L5) is 56 (mm). The width (W6) of the F type of the second antenna is 54 (mm) and the length (L6) is 71 (mm).

[0108] The recognition distance of an RFID tag implemented with the types of the first antenna and the types of the second antenna is as shown in Fig. 9c. The recognition distance of an RFID tag implemented with the first antenna being of the same type and the second antenna being of one of the types A, B, D, and E can be measured to be 2.2 (m). As shown in the recognition distance table, the recognition distance of the first and second antennas that are radio-resonant can increase to more than 2 meters (m). As a result of measuring the recognition distance of tags implemented with various combinations, it was found that when the inner diameter of the first antenna is 9 mm to 11 mm and the outer diameter is 118 mm to 20 mm, the resonance effect with the second antenna increases. That is, for radio-resonance, the inner diameter of the first antenna can be designed to be 9 mm to 11 mm and the outer diameter to be 118 mm to 20 mm. In addition, it was measured that the radio-resonance effect was greater when the width of the second antenna was 54 mm than when it was 42 mm. Considering these measurement data, the width of the second antenna can be preferably implemented to be 49 mm to 58 mm. In addition, it can be seen that the recognition distance increases when the overall length of the second antenna is designed to correspond to the size of the first antenna. In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications can be implemented by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

[0109] Therefore, the spirit of the present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and all scopes equivalent to or equivalently modified from the following claims as well as the following claims are considered to fall within the scope of the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0110] 10: Conventional livestock ear tags 100: RFID tags

[0111] 110: Rivet section 111: RFID chip

[0112] 112: First antenna 113: First substrate

[0113] 114: Housing 114a: Cover

[0114] 114b: Barrel 120: Extension

[0115] 121: Second antenna 122: Second substrate

[0116] 123: Protective layer 130: Bonding part

Claims

1. A rivet part including an RFID chip, a first antenna in a ring shape, a first substrate to which the RFID chip and the first antenna are attached, and a housing made of a plastic material that surrounds the first substrate; An extension portion including a second antenna that operates in radio resonance with the first antenna and a second substrate made of a flexible material, the second antenna included; and It includes a fastening member made of a ring-shaped plastic material and connected to the rivet member; An RFID tag in which the rivet portion and the extension portion are in close contact with each other through the above combination.

2. In paragraph 1, The above rivet part An RFID tag comprising a barrel portion that penetrates the extension portion and the object in a cylindrical shape and is plastically deformed to be combined with the binding portion.

3. In paragraph 1, The above second antenna, An RFID tag, which is an antenna having a shape corresponding to the first antenna.

4. In paragraph 1, An RFID tag in which a part of the first antenna and a part of the second antenna are arranged to overlap each other and resonate radio-navigate through the above combination.

5. In paragraph 1, An RFID tag wherein the distance between the first antenna and the bottom surface of the housing is within a predetermined standard distance.

6. In paragraph 1, The above first antenna is a ring shape having a slit, An RFID tag, to which the RFID chip is attached corresponding to the point where the above slit is located.

7. In paragraph 1, An RFID tag, wherein the RFID chip of the first antenna is coupled so as to be positioned in an area that does not overlap with the second antenna.

8. In paragraph 1, An RFID tag having an increased recognition distance through the first and second antennas that are resonantly coupled.

9. In paragraph 1, An RFID tag further comprising a protective layer on which at least one of a barcode, an ID, and identification information is printed, which is attached to one surface of the second substrate.

10. In paragraph 1, The RFID tag, wherein the second antenna is a dipole antenna implemented in the shape of ₃.

11. In paragraph 1, The above extension part, RFID tags with additional barcodes or serial numbers printed on them.

12. In paragraph 1, The material of the above housing is: An RFID tag made of at least one of POM (Polyoxymethylene, Acetal), K-resin (Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer, SBC), and PP (Polypropylene).

13. In paragraph 1, The above extension part, RFID tag that does not contain an RFID chip.

14. In paragraph 1, The above housing, An RFID tag that is injected by inserting the RFID chip, the first antenna, and the first substrate.

15. A step of placing the rivet portion, the extension portion, and the fastening portion of paragraph 1 at a desired location of the object; and A method of using an RFID tag, comprising: a step of applying pressure between the rivet portion and the fastening portion to couple the rivet portion and the fastening portion so that the first antenna of the rivet portion and the second antenna of the extension portion resonate radio-frequency, thereby receiving an RF signal through the first antenna and the second antenna.

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