Wireless identification device, RFID device with push-on/push off switch, and method of manufacturing wireless identification device

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/943,889 filed Oct. 3, 1997, entitled “Wireless Identification Device, RFID Device With Push-On/Push-Off Switch, and Method of Manufacturing Wireless Identification Device,” naming Mark E. Tuttle as inventor, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to radio frequency communication devices. More particularly, the invention relates to radio frequency identification devices for inventory control, object monitoring, determining the existence, location or movement of objects, or for remote automated payment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As large numbers of objects are moved in inventory, product manufacturing, and merchandising operations, there is a continuous challenge to accurately monitor the location and flow of objects. Additionally, there is a continuing goal to interrogate the location of objects in an inexpensive and streamlined manner. One way of tracking objects is with an electronic identification system.

One presently available electronic identification system utilizes a magnetic coupling system. In some cases, an identification device may be provided with a unique identification code in order to distinguish between a number of different devices. Typically, the devices are entirely passive (have no power supply), which results in a small and portable package. However, such identification systems are only capable of operation over a relatively short range, limited by the size of a magnetic field used to supply power to the devices and to communicate with the devices.

Another electronic identification system utilizes a large active transponder device affixed to an object to be monitored which receives a signal from an interrogator. The device receives the signal, then generates and transmits a responsive signal. The interrogation signal and the responsive signal are typically radio-frequency (RF) signals produced by an RF transmitter circuit. Because active devices have their own power sources, and do not need to be in close proximity to an interrogator or reader to receive power via magnetic coupling. Therefore, active transponder devices tend to be more suitable for applications requiring tracking of a tagged device that may not be in close proximity to an interrogator. For example, active transponder devices tend to be more suitable for inventory control or tracking.

Electronic identification systems can also be used for remote payment. For example, when a radio frequency identification device passes an interrogator at a toll booth, the toll booth can determine the identity of the radio frequency identification device, and thus of the owner of the device, and debit an account held by the owner for payment of toll or can receive a credit card number against which the toll can be charged. Similarly, remote payment is possible for a variety of other goods or services. An electronic identification system which can be used as a radio frequency identification device, and various applications for such devices are described in detail in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/705,043, filed Aug. 29, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,602, and incorporated herein by reference.

For active devices, battery drain is an important issue. The battery may be drained by spurious emissions of the radiation necessary to activate a radio frequency identification device. A power conservation problem is posed by such implementations where batteries are used to supply power to the circuitry of the radio frequency identification device. If the circuitry operates continuously at full power, battery life will be short, and device will have to be frequently replaced. If the battery is permanently sealed in a housing, replacement of the battery will be difficult or impossible. One reason for sealing the battery with the circuitry in a housing is to simplify the design and construction, to reduce the cost of production, and protect the electrical interconnections between devices. Another reason is protection of the battery and circuitry from moisture and contaminants. A third reason is to enhance the cosmetic appeal of the device by eliminating the need for an access port or door otherwise necessary to insert and remove the battery. When the battery is discharged, the entire device is then discarded. It is therefore desirable in such embodiments applications to employ power conservation techniques in order to extend useful life.

Additionally, for security control, a holder of an active or passive radio frequency identification device may want to prevent unwanted reading of the radio frequency identification device. One potential problem with existing radio frequency identification devices, particularly those with large communication ranges, is that the holder of the device may not have control over when the device is being interrogated. There are times when the holder would want the device to be interrogated, such as to authorize payment. On the other hand, there are other times when the holder would not want the device to be interrogated. For example, if the device is interrogated to seek payment for a particular service, another service provider who is related to or has a marketing deal with the first service provider may seek to solicit business from the holder when the holder enters the premises of the second service provider. There may be sensitive information on the device, such as health information, address information, purchase histories, credit information, that the holder would not want to have accessed without knowledge or approval.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a holder of a radio frequency identification device with the ability to control whether the device is interrogated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a wireless identification device including a housing, and circuitry in the housing configured to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal. A selectively actuated switch is supported by the housing and permits operation of the circuitry only while the switch is actuated.

In one aspect of the invention, the switch is a momentary switch.

One aspect of the invention provides a RFID device including a push button switch which, when pushed, allows the RFID device to become active until the switch is pushed again. The user of the device has control over when the RFID device responds to an interrogator.

In one aspect of the invention, the RFID device includes a wireless receiver, and the switch controls the receiver. In another aspect of the invention, pushing the switch toggles the receiver between being enabled and disabled.

In one aspect of the invention, the switch is a momentary switch which causes circuitry to latch a signal which enables the device. When the switch is pressed again the circuitry latches the device into a disabled or inactive mode.

One embodiment of the invention provides a radio frequency identification device comprising an integrated circuit including a receiver, a transmitter, and a microprocessor. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit is a monolithic single die single metal layer integrated circuit including the receiver, the transmitter, and the microprocessor. The device of this embodiment includes an active transponder, instead of a transponder which relies on magnetic coupling for power, and therefore has a much greater range.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a wireless identification device. Circuitry is configured to provide a signal to identify the device in response to an interrogation signal. The circuitry is coupled to a push-on/push-off switch supported by a housing. The switch controls whether the circuitry provides the signal to identify the device. The circuitry is encased in a housing such that the switch is actuable from outside the housing by touching a portion of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1

is a high level circuit schematic showing an interrogator and a radio frequency identification device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2

is a front view of a housing, in the form of a badge or card, supporting the circuit of

FIG. 1

according to one embodiment the invention.

FIG. 3

is a front view of a housing supporting the circuit of

FIG. 1

according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4

is a circuit schematic of an active radio frequency identification device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5

is a circuit schematic of a passive radio frequency identification device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6

is a front elevational view, partly broken away, showing construction details of a switch included in the radio frequency identification device of FIG.

1

.

FIG. 7

is a plan view showing construction details of the switch of FIG.

6

.

FIG. 8

is a plan view showing construction details of the radio frequency identification device of

FIG. 1

illustrating the location of the switch within the circuit, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9

is a circuit schematic of the latch of

FIG. 1

illustrating details of construction of a latch included in the circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

FIG. 1

illustrates a radio frequency data communication device

12

in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the radio frequency data communication device

12

includes RFID circuitry

16

. In the illustrated embodiment, the RFID circuitry is defined by an integrated circuit as described in the above-incorporated patent application Ser. No. 08/705,043, filed Aug. 29, 1996. Other embodiments are possible. A power source

18

is connected to the integrated circuit

16

to supply power to the integrated circuit

16

. In one embodiment, the power source

18

comprises a battery. In an alternative embodiment, the power source

18

comprises a magnetic coil that receives power via magnetic coupling from an external reader as is known in the art; e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,184 to Katayama. The device

12

further includes at least one antenna

14

connected to the circuitry

16

for radio frequency transmission and reception by the circuitry

16

.

The device

12

transmits and receives radio frequency communications to and from an interrogator

26

. Preferably, the interrogator unit

26

includes an antenna

28

, as well as dedicated transmitting and receiving circuitry, similar to that implemented on the integrated circuit

16

.

Generally, the interrogator

26

transmits an interrogation signal or command

27

via the antenna

28

. The device

12

receives the incoming interrogation signal via its antenna

14

. Upon receiving the signal

27

, the device

12

responds by generating and transmitting a responsive signal or reply

29

. The responsive signal

29

typically includes information that uniquely identifies, or labels the particular device

12

that is transmitting, so as to identify any object or person with which the device

12

is associated. The device

12

includes a selectively actuated switch

30

. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch

30

is a push-on/push-off switch controlling whether the circuitry

16

provides the responsive signal to identify the device. In one embodiment, the switch

30

is a momentary, touch actuated switch. More particularly, the switch

30

is a momentary, pressure sensitive switch.

In the illustrated embodiment in

FIG. 1

, there is no communication between devices

12

. Instead, the devices

12

respectively communicate with the interrogator

26

. Multiple devices

12

can be used in the same field of an interrogator

26

(i.e., within communications range of an interrogator

26

). Similarly, multiple interrogators

26

can be in proximity to one or more of the devices

12

.

The radio frequency data communication device

12

can be included in any appropriate housing or packaging. Various methods of manufacturing housings are described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/800,037, filed Feb. 13, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,510, and incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 2

shows but one embodiment in the form of a card or badge

19

including the radio frequency data communication device

12

, and a housing

11

including plastic or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the front face of the badge has visual identification features such as graphics, text, information found on identification or credit cards, etc. The switch

30

is supported by the housing

11

.

FIG. 3

illustrates but one alternative housing supporting the device

12

. More particularly,

FIG. 3

shows a miniature housing

20

encasing the device

12

to define a tag which can be supported by an object (e.g., hung from an object, affixed to an object, etc.). The switch

30

is supported by the housing

20

for this embodiment, as well.

Although two particular types of housings have been disclosed, the device

12

can be included in any appropriate housing.

If the power source

18

is a battery, the battery can take any suitable form. Preferably, the battery type will be selected depending on weight, size, and life requirements for a particular application. In one embodiment, the battery

18

is a thin profile button-type cell forming a small, thin energy cell more commonly utilized in watches and small electronic devices requiring a thin profile. A conventional button-type cell has a pair of electrodes, an anode formed by one face and a cathode formed by an opposite face. In an alternative embodiment, the power source

18

comprises a series connected pair of button type cells. Instead of using a battery, any suitable power source can be employed.

In one embodiment, shown in

FIG. 4

, the circuitry

16

includes a modulator or backscatter transmitter and is configured to provide a signal responsive to an interrogation by the interrogator

26

other than by magnetic coupling. The circuitry

16

includes an active wireless transponder. In other words, the circuitry

16

includes a transponder that transmits other than via magnetic coupling and that receives its power other than via magnetic coupling. For example, in the embodiment shown in

FIG. 4

, the circuitry

16

includes power terminals

32

and

34

, and the device further includes a battery

36

coupled to the circuitry

16

, via the switch

30

, supplying power to the circuitry

16

. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 4

, the device

12

further includes a latch

37

coupled to the circuitry

16

. The latch

37

toggles the circuitry

16

between being enabled and disabled. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 4

, the circuitry

16

may include volatile memory because the switch

30

does not disconnect the battery

36

from the circuitry

16

. In one embodiment, (

FIGS. 4

,

5

, and

9

) the latch

37

comprises circuitry external of circuitry

16

. In an alternative embodiment (FIG.

8

), the latch

37

is included in the circuitry

16

. In the embodiment of

FIG. 8

, circuitry defining the latch

37

is added to the integrated circuit described in the above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/705,043.

The circuitry

16

further includes a backscatter transmitter and is configured to provide a responsive signal to the interrogator

26

by radio frequency. More particularly, in the embodiment shown in

FIG. 4

, the circuitry

16

includes a transmitter, a receiver, and memory such as is described in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/705,043. In another embodiment, the circuitry

16

is formed on a printed circuit board, and the switch

30

is added to the printed circuit board as a standard component (e.g., a conventional switch is employed for the switch

30

). This will allow PC board RFID products to be activated as needed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the switch

30

controls the receiver. More particularly, pushing the switch toggles the receiver between being enabled and disabled. More particularly, the circuitry

16

includes an input

39

for enabling or disabling the receiver included in the circuitry

16

, and the latch

37

has an output

43

coupled to the input

39

of the circuitry

16

, and an input

45

. The switch

30

is coupled between a voltage VDD and the input

45

of the latch

37

. In the embodiment of

FIG. 4

, the input

39

for enabling or disabling the receiver is an active low input {overscore (RXEN)}.

The circuitry

16

further includes antenna terminals

38

and

40

for a first antenna

41

, and antenna terminals

42

and

44

for a second antenna

46

. One of the antennas

41

and

46

is a send or transmit antenna, and the other of the antennas

41

and

46

is a receive antenna. In the illustrated embodiment, one of the antennas

41

and

46

is a dipole antenna, and the other of the antennas

41

and

46

is a loop antenna. In the illustrated embodiment, the dipole antenna is the send antenna, and the loop antenna is the receive antenna. In alternative embodiments, both antennas

41

and

46

are loop antennas or both antennas

41

and

46

are dipole antennas. Further, in alternative embodiments, a single antenna is used for both sending and receiving. The device of

FIG. 4

further includes a decoupling capacitor

48

coupled between the terminals

32

and

34

.

In another embodiment, shown in

FIG. 5

, the circuitry

16

is configured to provide a signal responsive to an interrogation by an interrogator by magnetic coupling. The circuitry

16

includes an passive wireless transponder. In other words, the circuitry

16

includes a transponder that transmits via magnetic coupling and that receives its power via magnetic coupling. For example, in the embodiment shown in

FIG. 5

, the circuitry

16

includes power terminals

50

and

52

, and the device further includes a coil

54

coupled to the circuitry

16

, via the switch

30

, supplying power to the circuitry

16

. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 5

, the switch

30

enables and disables the receiver included in the circuitry

16

as described above in connection with

FIG. 4

, like reference numerals indicating like components. Thus, the device of

FIG. 5

includes a latch

37

having an input and having an output coupled to a receiver enable input

39

of the circuitry

16

. The device of

FIG. 5

further includes a switch

30

coupled between a voltage VDD and the input

45

of the latch

37

. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 5

, the circuitry

16

includes non-volatile memory because the device of

FIG. 5

loses power when not magnetically coupled to an interrogator. In the embodiment of

FIG. 5

, the circuitry

16

further includes a transmitter and is configured to provide a responsive signal to an interrogator by magnetic coupling.

The circuitry

16

of

FIG. 5

further includes terminals

56

and

58

for a coil

60

which is used for communications to and from an interrogator by magnetic coupling which power is received by coil

54

. In alternative embodiments, separate coils are used for sending and receiving. The device of

FIG. 5

further includes a decoupling capacitor

48

coupled between the terminals

50

and

52

.

A method of manufacturing a device

12

as shown in

FIGS. 2-4

will now be described, reference being made to

FIGS. 6-8

.

The device

12

includes a housing defined in part by a substrate or layer of supportive material

62

. The term “substrate” as used herein refers to any supporting or supportive structure, including, but not limited to, a supportive single layer of material or multiple layer constructions. In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate

62

comprises a polyester film. Other materials are possible. In one embodiment, the polyester film is provided in a roll, using which a number of similar or identical devices are fabricated at the same time and in an assembly line manner. In one embodiment, one or more layers of ink are printed on an inner side of the polyester film facing (after assembly) the back of the device to convey information such as logos and/or company names.

Conductive ink

64

is formed or applied over the substrate

62

and over any ink. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive ink

64

comprises PTF (polymer or printed thick film; e.g., a polymer filled with flecks of metal such as silver or copper). One manner of forming or applying the conductive ink on the substrate is to screen print the ink on the substrate through conventional screen printing techniques. The conductive ink forms conductive traces for desired electrical connections with and between electronic components which will be described below. In one embodiment, where the smart card is capable of radio frequency communications, the conductive ink is further used to define the antennas

41

and

46

(see FIG.

8

). In instances where substrate

62

forms a portion of a larger roll of polyester film material, the printing of conductive ink

64

can take place simultaneously for a number of the to-be-formed devices. A gap

66

is provided along a trace of the conductive ink

64

to define spaced apart ends or terminals

68

and

70

(

FIGS. 6 and 7

) for the switch

30

. The spaced apart terminals

68

and

70

cause an open circuit unless they are electrically coupled together.

Conductive epoxy

72

is applied over desired areas (

FIG. 8

) using a syringe dispenser to assist in component attachment described just below. In one embodiment, solder is employed instead of conductive epoxy. Referring to

FIG. 8

, the battery

36

is provided and mounted on each substrate

62

using the conductive epoxy. The battery

36

is preferably a thin profile battery which includes first and second terminals. More particularly, the battery

36

has a lid or negative terminal, and a can or positive terminal. In an alternative embodiment, multiple batteries are provided (e.g., coupled together in series or parallel).

An integrated circuit defining the RFID circuitry

16

is provided and mounted on each of the substrates

62

using the conductive epoxy (e.g., picked and placed using surface mounting techniques). An exemplary and preferred integrated circuitry is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No, 08/705,043 incorporated by reference above. The capacitor

48

is similarly provided and mounted.

The device

12

includes a first or negative battery connection

74

and a second or positive battery connection

76

defined by PTF. The first battery connection is coupled to the integrated circuit by the conductive epoxy, and the second battery connection terminal is coupled to the integrated circuit by the conductive epoxy. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery

36

is placed lid down such that the conductive epoxy makes electrical contact between the negative terminal of the battery and a portion of the first battery connection

74

that extends underneath the lid of the battery in the view shown in FIG.

8

.

The battery has a perimetral edge which is disposed adjacent the second battery connection

76

. Conductive epoxy is dispensed relative to battery perimetral edge and electrically connects the perimetral edge with an adjacent arcuate portion of the second battery connection

76

. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimetral edge defines the can of the battery, such that the conductive epoxy connects the positive terminal of the battery to the battery connection terminal

76

.

The conductive epoxy is then cured.

Subsequently, encapsulating epoxy material is provided to encapsulate the substrates, to cover the integrated circuits and batteries, and conductive traces and to define a second housing portion. After application and curing of such epoxy, the a suitable separation or singulation process takes place if multiple devices were formed simultaneously.

At any time after the conductive ink

64

is applied and before the encapsulating epoxy is provided, an insulating ring

78

is placed over a certain portion of the PTF

64

. The insulating ring

78

has a periphery

80

and is positioned such that the periphery

80

circumscribes the ends

68

and

70

(see FIG.

7

). A diaphragm

82

having a periphery

84

corresponding in size and shape to the periphery

80

of the insulating ring

78

is placed over the insulating ring

78

such that the insulating ring spaces the diaphragm

82

from the ends

68

and

70

. The diaphragm

82

has a conductive face

86

facing the ends

68

and

70

. Thus, after construction of the device

12

, pushing on an area

88

of the flexible substrate

62

causes the ends

68

and

70

to move into contact with the conductive face

86

of the diaphragm

82

, thus causing an electrical connection to be made between the ends

68

and

70

. The diaphragm

82

does not move away from the ends

68

and

70

because the encapsulant is positioned above the diaphragm

82

, and the encapsulant is substantially rigid.

FIG. 8

illustrates a possible location for the gap

66

and thus for the switch

30

within the electrical circuit. In the embodiment of

FIG. 8

, the gap

66

is not provided along a battery connection. Instead, the embodiment of

FIG. 8

is one to be used when the circuitry

16

does not employ non-volatile memory. In the embodiment of

FIG. 8

, the switch is provided between pins of the circuitry

16

used to control a latch built into the circuitry

16

.

Details of construction of a latch

37

are shown in FIG.

9

. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch

37

comprises a JK flip-flop

89

. Flip-flops are known in the art, and are described, for example, in Digital Logic and Computer Design, by M. Morris Mano, Prentice-Hall, Inc. A JK flip-flop has a J input

90

, typically used to set the flip-flop, a K input

92

, typically used to clear the flip-flop, a clock input

96

for receiving triggering clock pulses, a reset

98

, and a Q output

100

. The Q output

100

is coupled to the input

39

, {overscore (RXEN)}, for enabling or disabling the receiver.

In the illustrated embodiment, the J and K inputs

90

and

92

are tied together. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the J and K inputs

90

and

92

, and the reset

98

are all tied to the voltage VDD. When inputs are applied to both the J and K inputs of a flip-flop simultaneously, the output of the flip-flop switches to its complement state on each clock pulse. That is, if the output Q was 1 it switches to 0, and vice-versa. The switch

30

is coupled to the clock input

96

. The characteristic table for a JK flip-flop is as follows:

Q

J

K

Q (t + 1)

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

1

0

0

1

1

0

1

0

1

1

0

1

1

1

1

0

An exemplary JK flip-flop that can be used for the flip-flop

89

is a MC74HC73 integrated circuit.

In the illustrated embodiment, the latch

37

further includes a RC network

102

coupled between the switch

30

and the clock input

96

to de-bounce the switch

30

.

In an alternative embodiment, a T flip-flop is employed instead of JK flip-flop. A T flip-flop is a single-input version of a JK flip-flop. The design of a T flip-flop is analogous to a JK flip-flop with J and K inputs being tied together.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.