RFID Tag With Metalized Thread Antenna For Clothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
RFID tags attached to price tags are easily counterfeited and insufficient for anti-theft and anti-counterfeiting purposes in the apparel industry, and existing solutions do not effectively manage ownership of clothing items after washing.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an RFID tag with a metalized thread antenna, allowing for sewing or weaving the tag into clothing or objects, providing a tamper-destruct seal and enhanced readability through various antenna configurations and waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tag is attached to price tag, then RFID functionality is achieved, but the tag is easily counterfeited and insufficient for anti-theft and anti-counterfeiting purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the RFID tag with the clothing item itself by integrating the antenna into the fabric weave or by sewing the antenna directly onto the garment. This merging eliminates the separate price tag attachment, making the RFID functionality inherent to the clothing item and thus much harder to counterfeit while maintaining RFID reading capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID antenna is nested within the fabric structure of the clothing item, either woven into the material or embedded within layers of the garment. This nesting approach hides the RFID components within the clothing itself, providing security against counterfeiting while preserving the intended functionality.
2Reliability
If RFID tag is hidden inside bag or clothing, then anti-counterfeiting is improved, but accessibility and readability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the RFID antenna in specific locations on the clothing item where it remains hidden within the fabric structure for security, but where the local fabric properties allow sufficient electromagnetic signal transmission. This enables RFID readers to access the tag through the fabric without requiring physical exposure of the antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric material itself acts as an intermediary between the hidden RFID antenna and the external RFID reader. The material is selected or treated to allow electromagnetic signals to pass through while keeping the antenna concealed, thus mediating between security requirements and reading accessibility.
3Reliability
If RFID tag is attached to clothing, then ownership tracking is enabled, but the tag must withstand washing and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID antenna is merged with the clothing fabric through weaving or direct integration into the material structure. This combination ensures that the antenna moves and deforms with the fabric during washing and wear, preventing detachment or damage that would occur with separate attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible, thin-film antenna structures that can bend and stretch with the clothing material. These flexible antenna designs maintain their electrical connectivity and functional integrity even when the clothing undergoes washing, stretching, or other mechanical stresses.
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 solution provides secure, long-range RFID readability and anti-counterfeiting capabilities, ensuring authentication and ownership management of clothing items, even after washing, with the ability to withstand mechanical stress and water exposure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one antenna connected with said integrated circuit, wherein said at least one antenna is formed of an at least partly metalized thread
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is disclosed as including an integrated circuit and at least one antenna connected with the integrated circuit, wherein the antenna is formed of an at least partly metalized thread.