RFID Strap Conductors for Multi-Band Sensing and Energy Harvesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID strap devices lack additional functionality beyond basic identification and communication, such as sensing capabilities, energy harvesting, and compatibility with multiple frequency bands, limiting their versatility and performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a second conductor into the RFID strap device, coupled with the existing strap conductor via a dielectric, to function as a secondary antenna, sensing device, or emissive element, operating at different frequencies and enhancing communication range and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single conductor is used in the RFID strap device, then the device structure remains simple, but the functionality is limited to basic identification and communication only

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the second conductor to perform multiple roles: acting as a secondary antenna for different frequency bands, serving as a sensing element for detecting environmental parameters, and functioning as an emissive element. This allows a single additional component to provide diverse functionalities including communication at multiple frequencies, sensing capabilities, and energy harvesting, thereby resolving the contradiction between enhanced adaptability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a second conductor as an additional dimensional element to the traditional single-conductor RFID strap. This second conductor is positioned parallel to and separated from the first conductor by a dielectric material, creating a multi-layer structure. This dimensional addition enables the device to operate in multiple frequency bands simultaneously and provides access to additional functional modes without fundamentally redesigning the entire device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a second conductor is added to the RFID strap device, then communication range and functionality are improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a second conductor as an additional dimensional element to the traditional single-conductor RFID strap. This second conductor is positioned parallel to and separated from the first conductor by a dielectric material, creating a multi-layer structure. This dimensional addition enables the device to operate in multiple frequency bands simultaneously and provides access to additional functional modes without fundamentally redesigning the entire device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the second conductor to perform multiple roles: acting as a secondary antenna for different frequency bands, serving as a sensing element for detecting environmental parameters, and functioning as an emissive element. This allows a single additional component to provide diverse functionalities including communication at multiple frequencies, sensing capabilities, and energy harvesting, thereby resolving the contradiction between enhanced adaptability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The second conductor enables improved communication range, energy harvesting, and additional functionalities like sensing and driving emissive devices, enhancing the RFID strap device's performance and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

the second conductor is coupled to the first strap conductor via capacitance through the dielectric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

Radio-frequency identification uses magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic fields transmitted by a reader system to identify itself

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3782225B1RFID straps with a top and bottom conductor
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES LLC
  • EP3782225B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3782225B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3782225B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of incorporating a second conductor into a RFID strap device and the resulting device in multiple embodiments is disclosed. The second conductor adds functionality via coupling between the strap conductor and the second conductor. The functionality added can be a secondary antenna operating at a different frequency than the first antenna that is driven by the strap pads, a sensing capability, a drive for an emissive device such as an LED, or an interface to one or more semiconductor devices mounted onto the second conductor.