RFID tag with a releasable coupler

摘要

A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided that comprises an RFID transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, the RFID transceiver comprising an integrated circuit chip (IC) coupled to an antenna having an impedance, gain and directionality that in conjunction with the characteristics of the IC defines a first read range of the RFID tag. The RFID tag also comprises a releasable coupler configured to be releasably engagable with the RFID transceiver comprising a coupling material, the releasable coupler being configured such that when the releasable coupler is releasably engaged with the RFID transceiver, the coupling material altering at least one of the impedance, the gain and the directionality of the antenna to define a second read range of the RFID tag, wherein the second read range is greater than the first read range.

主权项

1. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:
an RFID transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, the RFID transceiver comprising an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to an antenna having a plurality of discrete antenna segments that are spaced apart from each other, and at least one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments is permanently electrically coupled to the IC chip, having an impedance, a gain and directionality that, in conjunction with the characteristics of the IC defines a first read range of the RFID tag and; and a removable, releasable coupler, configured to be releasably engagable with the RFID transceiver comprising a coupling material, the releasable coupler being configured such that when the releasable coupler is releasably engaged with the RFID transceiver, the coupling material altering at least one of the impedance, the gain and the directionality of the antenna to define a second read range of the RFID tag, wherein the second read range is greater than the first read range and when the releasable coupler is disengaged from the RFID transceiver the second read range is less than the first read range and when in a disengaged state, only one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments is electrically or physically coupled to the IC chip such that the releasable coupler comprises a releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably secure the releasable coupler to a substrate; wherein the releasable coupler comprises a layer of adhesive material that releasably secures the releasable coupler to the substrate; and textual indicia printed on the RFID tag under the releasable coupler so that when the releasable coupler is removed the indicia is revealed to indicate that the RFID tag is in a disengaged state.