Method and apparatus for configuring the read-range of an RFID label or tag

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/305,308 filed Jul. 12, 2001.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to RFID labels and tags. Specifically, the present invention relates to controlled attenuation of the read range of an RFID label tags.

[0003] RFID labels and tags are interrogated by a RF interrogator or reader. The RF interrogator or reader transmits a radio signal which is received by an RFID and is then reflected back to the reader/interrogator carrying the RFID's data content. The power used by the RF reader/interrogator is a factor in determining the range at which an RFID may be detected and/or interrogated. RF interrogator/reader power levels are subject to FCC regulations. Also, the power of the reader signal is limited by the antenna configuration selected and any shielding or interfering transmissions. Where multiple tags are present, within a read range, multiple reads may occur. Cross reads may occur between adjacent interrogators/readers. Physical barriers have been used to construct lanes through which RF labels pass one by one, for example parallel lanes each with its own reader/interrogator that is shielded from adjacent lanes. Shielding is expensive and difficult for the user to apply and if not applied correctly may result in lost or duplicate readings.

[0004] In many RFID applications shielding is impractical and/or undesirable. For example, where several printers with RFIDs are located adjacent to each other on a common table top it would be difficult to reliably interrogate only one of them if the read range of the RFID's used was large (for example, 18 inches or more).

[0005] To be economical, RFID transponders are generally engineered and bulk manufactured to satisfy the majority demand for RFID transponders, i.e. to have as large a read range with as low as a reader power as possible. Therefore, there is a need to quickly and economically attenuate the read range of RFID transponders on a group or individual basis, to satisfy special situations.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an RFID label or tag with a fixable read range that does not require the use of external shielding.

[0007] An RFID device with a surface treatment which interferes with transmission of RF signals/data between the RFID device and the RF interrogator/reader. Different surface treatment embodiments may either absorb and/or reflect the RF signal. A distributed screen of reflective or absorptive ink of varying density enables individual or group fine tuning of an attenuation effect that regulates the read range of a RFID tag or label.

[0010] A RFID device with a surface treatment which interferes with the transmission of RF signals. Suitable surface treatments may either absorb and/or reflect RF signals.

[0011] Use of the attenuation patterns enables the fine-tuning of read ranges thereby eliminating or reducing the occurrence of accidental or cross reads between nearby RF interrogator/readers.

[0012] An RF interfering or absorbing surface treatment for a RFID device may be applied by hot stamping, printed inks using flexography, printed inks using rotogravure, ink deposition through the use of thermal transfer printing technology, printed inks using lithography, printed inks using silk screen printing technology or other printing methods.

[0013] Inks may be reflective, for example, metallic or may be RF signal absorbing. An example of a RF absorbing substance is water-laden nylon plastic film. A further deposition method is ion deposition printing. The interfering layer may be deposited at the time of printing thereby fixing the attenuation at a known level. Alternatively, the interference layer may be applied in an on demand fashion using ink jet and/or thermal transfer printing. In an on demand scenario, the end user may modify the amount of ink or pattern density applied between each individual label. Thus, the attenuation level may be varied to an individual requirement.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the pattern of deposition may be in a screen format, for example, pattern of dots 10 across surface 20 of the label. Alternatively, the pattern of deposition may be in a grid format. Adjusting the thickness or diameter of the grid or dots 20 adjusts the attenuation effect from the interference or reflective layer. FIG. 2 represents another embodiment of FIG. 1 having a higher density of dots 10 on surface 20 of the label thereby creating a higher attenuation and lowering the read range of the RFID label which this pattern is applied upon.

[0015] The following patents/documents are all hereby incorporated by reference:

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,181 “Method Of Transporting Radio Frequency Power To Energize RFID Transponders”.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,942,987 “Radio Frequency Identification System With Write Broadcast Capability”.

[0018] International Publication Number WO 00/05674 “Communicating With Radio Frequency Identification Tags Within Shaped Electromagnetic Fields”.