RFID Tag Antenna Etched on Packaging Foil for Privacy

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID electronic tags are costly to produce in a form that can be easily destroyed by consumers to ensure privacy, as current methods complicate the structure and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

A method to create RF or UHF antennas by removing metallic material from packaging sheets, such as blister packaging, to form antenna patterns, which can be used to produce electronic tags that can be destroyed when the packaging is opened or used, thereby ensuring privacy without increasing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the antenna is made on a scratch-off material or pre-cut support to be removed by the user, then the electronic tag can be destroyed to ensure privacy, but the structure of the electronic tag becomes complicated and the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna structure with the packaging sheet itself, where the metallic foil of the packaging serves as the antenna material. This integration eliminates the need for separate antenna components and complex assembly structures, while still enabling user-activated destruction of the antenna by removing the foil during package opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging sheet serves multiple functions: it provides product packaging protection, contains the metallic foil that forms the antenna structure, and enables user-activated antenna destruction. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining privacy protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the antenna is made on a scratch-off material or pre-cut support to be removed by the user, then the electronic tag can be destroyed to ensure privacy, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna structure with the packaging sheet itself, where the metallic foil of the packaging serves as the antenna material. This integration eliminates the need for separate antenna components and complex assembly structures, while still enabling user-activated destruction of the antenna by removing the foil during package opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging sheet serves multiple functions: it provides product packaging protection, contains the metallic foil that forms the antenna structure, and enables user-activated antenna destruction. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining privacy protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional methods are used to produce destroyable electronic tags, then privacy protection is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna structure with the packaging sheet itself, where the metallic foil of the packaging serves as the antenna material. This integration eliminates the need for separate antenna components and complex assembly structures, while still enabling user-activated destruction of the antenna by removing the foil during package opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging sheet serves multiple functions: it provides product packaging protection, contains the metallic foil that forms the antenna structure, and enables user-activated antenna destruction. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining privacy protection capabilities.

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

This approach allows for the production of low-cost RFID tags that can be easily destroyed, addressing consumer privacy concerns while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The conductive film is removed by mechanical or chemical action to form an antenna pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical action:

Implementation Method 2

The conductive film is removed by mechanical or chemical action to form an antenna pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical action:

Implementation Method 3

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) electronic tags... electrically powered by a UHF electric field oscillating at several hundred MHz

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation:

Data Source

PatentEP1837811B1Method of manufacturing an RFID electronic tag

Publication Date: 2009.12.02 STMICROELECTRONICS SA

Figure 1~3B
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The method involves conditioning or transporting a product in an electrically-conductive film (41) of a packaging film. A set of zones deprived of a conducting matter delimits a pattern of an antenna (90) that forms an antenna for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, where the conductive film is not covered by an electrically insulating film on one of its sides. The antenna is connected to a semiconductor chip to form the radio frequency identification tag with the antenna. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a packaging film for transporting a product (2) a product fully or partially covered by the packaging film.