WO2007066204A2

WO2007066204A2 - Apparatus and method for adapting a conductive object to accept a communication device

Info

Publication number: WO2007066204A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/003486
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Gillispie, William
Priority date: 2005-12-06
Filing date: 2006-12-05
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Also published as: WO2007066204A3

Abstract

An adaptive apparatus and method for adapting a conductive member to accept a communicatiion device, a RFID tag intalling structure and method for wireless communication between RFID tag and RFID read/write device in which an adaptive apparatus containing the RFID tag 4(c) is installed into a conductive member (24) and hermetically sealed with a surface-modified protective covering (39).

Description

APPARATUS, METHOD AND INSTALLATION

STRUCTURE FOR IMPROVED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IN THE PRESENCE OF METAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for improved wireless communication in which a chamber is suitably formed in a conductive member to accept insertion of a communication device to which a metallic protective cover is installed to hermetically seal the chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag as represented in Fig. l(a) can be summarily described as an assembly comprising an antenna coil 1 which is connected to a control device such as an IC circuit 3 which is affixed to, bonded onto or molded into a supporting material (such as paper, or plastic film 2 and hereinafter referred to as Flat RFID tag), or as represented in Fig. l(c) into resin 4 (and hereinafter referred to as Resin RFID tag), or what will be hereinafter referred to as Ferrite RFID tag as represented in Fig. l(e) which has a cylindrical shaped, spiral antenna 6 coiled around a rod-like magnetic material core 7 and connected to an IC circuit 3, all of which is mounted in a glass tube 5 which strengthens the assembly and thereby confers a degree of protection to the assembly from external- stress. Hf tag description

[0003] Standard RFID tags, such as Flat RFID tags, Resin RFID tags, Ferrite RFID tags, as well as the various High Frequency tags are commercially available in a range of standard read and/or read-write capacities, are mass produced efficiently and inexpensively by several manufacturers within a highly competitive marketplace in more or less standard dimensions, at-factory assembly integrally sealed and protected by standard packaged alternatives (such as paper, resin, glass, plastic).

[0004] Standard RFID tags generally known as "passive RFID tags" have no internal power source of their own, and rely upon the power transmitted by the read/write device to operate, and typically generate much weaker signal as "Active RFID tags" refer to standard RFID tags having their own internal power supply.

[0005] Standard RFID tags are designed to communicate with an RFID read/write device by the use of high frequency electromagnetic waves or signals to send and/or receive data from a RFID read/write device. Typically, a signal is sent from the read/write device that is received by the antenna ? antenna coil, converted to electric power and stored by circuits and a capacitor within the control device. The stored electric power is then used by the IC internally, and to power the antenna coil to communicate with the RFID read/write device.

[0006] An electromagnetic wave or signal can be described as an alternating magnetic field and electric field propagating simultaneously while oscillating in planes normal to each other. The intensity of an electromagnetic flux is known to diminish according to _t the inverse cube of the distance from it's source. For example, the intensity would be l/8^th at 2m relative to the intensity at Im.

[0007] As an RFID tag sends an electromagnetic signal towards a read/write device, a high frequency electrical current flows at the antenna coil and allows the magnetic field component to be distributed as a loop which passes through the center of the antenna coil which allows the antenna coil of the read/write device to receive information from the RFID tag when the antenna coil of the read/write device is situated in an area of the magnetic flux. If the reader is situated outside the area of the magnetic flux, or if the read/write device is situated inside the area of the magnetic flux and the magnetic flux at the read/write device is at a level of intensity that is below the minimum intensity to allow the reader to correctly operate, the reade/write device will not be able to receive information from the RFID tag.

[0008] In the same manner, the antenna coil of the RFID tag must be placed with the area of the magnetic flux of the read/write device in order communicate with the read/write device. If the RFID tag is situated outside the area of the magnetic flux, or if the RFID tag is situated inside the area of the magnetic flux and the magnetic flux is is at a level of intensity that is below the minimum intensity to allow the RFID tag to correctly operate, the RFID tag device will not be able to receive information from the read/write device.

[0009] The ability to effectively communicate between any RFID tag and a read/write device is known to depend upon distance between the sending/receiving antenna coil of an RFID tag and the sending/receiving antenna coil of its read/write device, as well as upon on several other factors, including but not limited to the power level or magnetic flux intensity of the sending antenna, the orientation of the two antennae in respect to each other, and the degree of electromagnetic permeability of the medium through which or in which the electromagnetic waves are propagated.

[0010] Communication distance for the purposes of this invention is defined as the distance between the RFID tag and the read/write device within which the RFID tag and the read/write device can effectively communicate with each other. *

[0011] In cases where an, RFID tag is installed in the proximity of a conductive member - which within this document will be considered equivalent to a conductive object - including but not limited to those made of aluminum, copper, or steel, some of the magnetic flux produced by the RFID tag and by the read/write device is absorbed into the conductive member, some of the magnetic flux generated by the RFID tag and, by the read/write device can pass through the conductive member, and some of the magnetic flux produced by the RFID tag and by the read/write device can reflected away back towards the source of the alternating magnetic flux.

[0012] Moreorver, some of the magnetic dux produced by the RFID tag and by the read/write device that encounters the conductive member creates an eddy curent inside the metal. The eddy current in turn produces a counter magnetic flux in a direction that attenuates or cancels the a portion of the magnetic flux generated by the RFID tag, thereby reducing the amount of magnetic flux available to the RFID tag- and read/write device. (Attention to consistent definitions!!)

[0013] In the presence of an electromagnetic signal (such as those emmitted by an RFID tag or by a read/write device), a conductive member (including but not limted to sheet copper, stainless steel, as well as ferromagnetic metals such as iron, nickel and alloys thereof as well as paramagnetic metals and conductive plastics) may, (depending on the physical properties of the conductive material and its physical dimensions), function as a secondary antenna, transmitting a disruptive signal back towards the signal's source and thereby create an effect known as frequency shifting that can result in communication errors and/or in a significant decrease in communication distance as the read/write device and RFID tag must be brought closer to each other (thereby placing the read/write device and RFID tag in an area of increased magnetic flux intensity) in order to effectively communicate.

[0014] It is well known to those skilled in the art that signal attenuation and frequency shifiting are related to the physical characteristics of the conductive member and to the frequency at which RFID tag and read/write device operate. The individual and/or. the cumulative effects of signal attenuation and frequency shifitng can substantially reduce the amount of electromagnetic wave or signal strength (and as a consequence the RFID tag - read/write device operating distance) to such an extent that communication between RFID tag and read/write device is disturbed to an extent that many applications requiring an RFID tag to be installed completely in close proximity to the surface of a conductive member are not effective due to the reduced read/write range.

[0015] Examples of such applications include but are not limited to applications for item-level tracability purposes in which RFID tags integrated into or onto conductive members such as metallic surgical instruments, sterilization cases and baskets, as well as metallic pipes and valves, metallic industrial finished or semi-finished products, metallic items in inventories, as wall as metallic consumer devices or consumer devices containing metallic or electronic components such as mobile phones or watches. Other applications of RFID tags installed onto, or into the surface of a conductive member are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0016] When a RFID tag must be installed directly onto, or into the surface of a conductive member, a known method to partially counter disruptive effects consists of modifying the RFID tag design by arranging a material with high magnetic permeability between the RFID tag's antenna coil and the surface of the conductive material, in order to pass the magnetic flux to the conductive member in such a way that the magnetic flux can enter the conductive material and thereby restrain the creation of an eddy current .

[0017] A second known method to partially counter the signal attenuation effect that occurs when a RFID tag must be installed onto, or into the surface of a conductive member consists of modifying the RFID tag design at manufacture by the integration of a thin sheet of amorphous magnetic material with a high permeability across the entire surface of the RFID tag's antenna coil that faces the attaching surface of the conductive material. Such purpose- designed RFID tags include this thin sheet of highly permeable, amorphous magnetic material which allows the magnetic flux to be bypassed to the conductive member so that the magnetic flux can enter the conductive material and thereby restrain the creation of an eddy current.

[0018] A third known method to partially counter the disruptive effects that occur when a RFID tag must be installed onto, or into surface of a conductive member has been proposed that increases the communication directivity of RFID tags by means of the insertion into the RFID tag at manufacture of one or several sections of sheet-like, highly permeable amorphous magnetic material through the antenna coil. The exceedingly low magnetic resistance of the sheet-like amorphous magnetic material thus incorporated into this type of purpose-designed RFID tag at manufacture permits a pre-determined longitudinal extension of the magnetic flux interlinking with the antenna coil and thus an increase of communication directivity. (In claim) [0019] In another method, the RFID tag is modified at manufacture to include a sheet-like magnetic material with a high specific magnetic permeability which extends from a portion of the RFID tag's antenna and outward so as to restrain a conductive 'material from attenuating magnetic flux while extending communication distance in the direction of the extension of the magnetic material. This method is even proposed for insertion of this purpose- designed RFID tag assembly into a closed conductive member that is so designed as to provide small non-conductive apertures to enable the propagation of a sufficient amount of magnetic flux (magnetic flux leakage) to enable the RFID tag and read/write device to communicate effectively.

[0020] What is needed is a solution addressing both the problems caused by the insertion of an RFID tag_, into a conductive member, as well as a the problems caused by the interpositon between the inserted RFID tag and the read/write device of a conductive member (similar to or different than the conductive member in which the RFID tag is inserted) such as a lid or protective covering.

[0021] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems, and an object thereof resides in providing:

(1) a simple and low-cost apparatus - and its method of manufacturing - to adapt a conductive member for the installation of a standard RFID tag (not purpose-designed RFID tag as previously described herein), which is intended to be placed onto, or into a conductive member and which largely shields the RFID tag from the surrounding conductive member, while at the same time increasing the quantity of flux received by the RFID tag from the read/write device as well as at the same time improving the quantity of flux transmitted by the RFID tag in towards the read/write device, and

(2) a straightforward and low-cost apparatus - and its method of manufacturing - consisting of a conductive member vyhjCh is modified in such a way as to significantly reduce the individual and/or the cumulative effects of signal attenuation and frequency shifitng that occur upon the interposition of a conductive member between RFID tag and read-write device and thereby further improve communication distance and/or the quantity of magnetic flux received by the RFID tag's coil from the read/write device as well as the quantity of magnetic flux transmitted by the RFID tag's coil to the read/write device.

[0023] More precisely, the invention concerns: (1) A receptacle or adaptive apparatus constructed from one or multiple layers of thin film made of flexible plastic or a similar synthetic material, with at least one or both sides of each layer coated (or containing) with a, ferromagnetic material, and which films can be further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient plastic sheet. The receptacle is suitably formed to accept insertion of an RFID tag. It is characterized in that the ferromagnetic particles in the one or more thin magnetic film layer/s will become and remain magnetized according to the received magnetic flux variations emanating from the RFID tag, from the read/write device and from the conductive member onto or into which the receptacle is affixed. It is further characterized in that the RFID tag's RF leakage through the thin film(s) and towards the conductive member is significantly reduced, and in that the receptacle - which holds and aligns the RFID tag with respect to the conductive member in a way that is optimized with respect to the physical and electromagnetic properties: of the RFID tag - is also constructed with a geometry that facilitates the propagation of the read/write device's energy towards the RFID tag as well as the RFID tag's RF signal towards the read/write device, and (2) an protective covering consisting of a thin-walled conductive member which is appropriately fashoned in order to cover or to serve as a protective enclosure or cover for an RFID tag and which has been subjected to an appropriate modification of surface properties specific to the side intended to be facing the RFID tag and/or which has been subjected to an appropriate modification of surface properties specific to the side intended to be facing the read-write device, in such a way as to effectively diminish signal attenuations due to reflection losses to-and from the RFID tag and/or the read-write device which are otherwise inherent in assymetric RFID communication through thin- walled conductive members. For the purposes of this invention, a thin-walled conductive member is defined as any conductive member suficciently thin to allow the passage of a portion of an incident magnetic field large enough to enable effective communication between RFID tag and read-write device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. l(a) shows an antenna coil 1, which is connected to a control device such as an IC circuit 3 which is affixed to a supporting material (such as paper, or plastic film) 2.

[0025] FIG. l(b) shows l(a) in cross-sectional view with a representation of the magnetic flux 40 created at the coil antenna.

[0026] FIG l(c) shows an antenna coil 1 in cross-sectional view, which is connected to a control device such as an IC circuit, which is molded into ^{resin 4}- rfe

[0027] FIG. l(d) shows i(c) with a representation of the magnetic flux 40 created at the coil antenna.

[0028] Fig. l(e) shows a Ferrite RFID tag with its cylindrical shaped, spiral antenna 7 coiled around a rod-like magnetic material core 6, which is mounted in a glass tube 7.

[0029] Fig. l(f) shows l(e) with a representation of the magnetic flux 40 surrounding the Ferrite RFID tag.

[0030] 2 (a) and 2(b) are respectively a cross-sectional view, and a top view of 2(e) in which a resin-molded RFID tag has been inserted.

[0031] Fig. 2 (c) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an adaptive apparatus concerning this invention constructed from one or multiple layers of thin film made of flexible plastic with one or both sides with each layer coated with a ferromagnetic material, and which films are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient plastic sheet. The receptacle is suitably formed to accept insertion of a Resin RFID tag l(c). [0032] Hg. 3(c) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an adaptive apparatus concerning this invention constructed from one or multiple layers of thin film made of flexible plastic with one or both sides with each layer coated with a ferromagnetic material, and which films are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient plastic sheet. The receptacle is suitably formed to accept insertion of a Flat RFID tag l(a).

[0033] Figs. 3 (a) and 3(b) are respectively a cross-sectional view, and a top view f 2(f) into which a Flat RFID tag l(a) has been inserted.

[0034] Figs. 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) are respectively a top, side and end cross-sectional view showing an example of an adaptive apparatus suitably formed to accept insertion of a Ferrite RFID tag l(e).

[0035] Fig. 4(d) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of the magnetic flux emanating from a Ferrite RFID l(e) tag has been inserted into an adaptive apparatus which is inserted into a conductive member.

[0036] Figs. 3(d) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of the magnetic flux emanating from an adaptive apparatus into which a Flat RFID tag l(a) has been inserted and which is inserted into a conductive member.

[0037] Figs. 2(d) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of the magnetic flux emanating 40 from an adaptive apparatus into which a Resin RFID tag l(c) has been inserted and which is inserted into a conductive member.

[0038] Fig. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of magnetic flux 40 emanating from an example of an adaptive apparatus into which a Flat RFID tag l(a) is inserted and which is covered by a protective member fashoned from a conductive material.

[0039] Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of magnetic flux emanating from an example of an adaptive apparatus into which a Ferrite RFID tag l(e) is inserted and which is which is covered by a protective member fashoned from a conductive material. [0040] Rg. 5(c) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of magnetic flux emanating from an example of an adaptive apparatus into which a Resin RFID tag l(c) is inserted and which is covered by a protective member fashoned from a conductive material.

[0041] Fig. 5(d) is a representation of 5(c) in which two thin layers of a thermally insulating material 26 have been inserted.

[0042] Fig. 6 is a chart of experimental results of reading distances obtained with and respectively without thin film layers containing ferromagnetic material. ^{: ;}

[0043] Figs. 7(a) is a' ^{; ;} cross-sectional view showing design considerations of multiple layers of thin film bonded to both sides of a thicker or more resilient plastic sheet to which a thin sheet 41 of a magnetically permeable metal has been attached.

[0044] Figs. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of an adaptive apparatus within a closed chamber in a circular conductive member into which a Ferrite RFID tag l(e) has been insterted.

[0045] Fig. 7(c) is a representation closed conductive container into which an adaptive apparatus with an inserted Ferrite RFID tag have been attached to a conductive member. ^" .

[0046] Fig. 7(d) is a photograph of the embodiement 7(c).

[0047] Fig. 7(e) is a photograph of 7(c) mounted on surgical clamps.

[0048] Fig. 7(c) is a representation closed conductive container into which an adaptive apparatus (constructed from one or multiple layers of a plastic or synthetic material containing ferromagnetic material) with an inserted Ferrite RFID tag have been attached to a conductive member.

[0049] Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of magnetic flux 40 emanating from an example of an adaptive apparatus into which a Flat RFID tag l(a) is inserted and which is covered by a protective member fashoned from a conductive material with modified surface properties. [0050] Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of magnetic flux emanating from an example of an adaptive apparatus into which a Ferrite RFID tag l(e) is inserted and which is which is covered by a protective member fashoned from a conductive material with modified surface properties.

[0051] Fig. 8(c) is a cross-sectional view showing a representation of magnetic flux emanating from an example of an adaptive apparatus into which a Resin RFID tag l(c) is inserted and which is covered by a protective member fashoned from a conductive material with modified surface properties.

[0052] Fig. 9 is a data sheet concerning SONY E-180VG Magnetic Tape properties.

[0053] Fig. 10 is a data sheet for the steel alloy Nicrofer.

[0054] Fig. 11 is a data sheet for the steel alloy HyMuδO.

[0055] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional representation of a thin-walled conductive member, which has been modified on its two surfaces to facilitate communication between a RFID tag 12.1 and a RFID read/device 12.7.

[0056] Fig. 13 is a product specification displaying the electrical characteristics of a Philips Semiconductors HITAG2 Transponder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] Signal attenuation effects are fundamentally those relating to magnetic shielding phenomena according to the physical equations developed by Schelkunoff and expanded for engineering required over the years, and which are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0058] According to these equations, when a magnetic field impinges on a shielding material, some of the field's energy is reflected from the outer surface, some is absorbed at the shield's inner surface and the remainder gets through the shield. The shield's effectiveness, S is given by the sum

S = RH + A + B where all terms are in decibels (db). R is the loss due to reflection; A is the losses due to absorption, and B the secondary absorption loss at the shield's inner surface. If the absorption loss is greater than IOdb the Secondary

Reflection loss, B, can be ignored. For magnetic fields, R_H, the loss due to reflection is given by

RH = 20log₁₀ [θ.462 / r (μ_r / f_rG_r)^1/2 + 0.136 t (μ_r / f_rG_r)^1/2 + 0.354]

Absorption losses, caused by the attenuation of the magnetic field through the material, are given by

A = 3.38 + 10^"3 t (μGf)^1/2 , where

t = metal thickness in mils,

μ_r = material permeability relative to air, , .

G_r = material conductivity relative to copper,

f_r= frequency in Hz.

The Secondary Reflection loss B is given by

B = 20log₁₍> | l - ((K-1)²/(K+1)²) (lO^"A/10) (e^"j-^227A)| where A = Absorption losses, and where

K Z_S/ZH = 1.3 (μ_r /f_r ²G) and

Zs = Shield impedance and ^', [ ^'■ k ^:χ

ZH = impedance of the incident of the magnetic field

[0059] The inventor has used these equations in a model to calculate and predict the Reflection Losses, Absorption Losses, as well as the Secondary Reflection Losses of the magnetic flux generated by an RFID tag inserted into a closed metallic member, by also taking into account the geometry of the cavity within the metallic member into which the RFID is inserted, the thickness of the all faces of the conductive member with respect to the inserted RFID tag, the geometry of the RFID tag itself, the density of the magnetic flux generated by the RFID tag along its, geometry, the operating frequency of the standard RFID tag, the geometric positioning of the RFID tag with respects to the geometry of the cavity within the conductive member in which the RFID is inserted, as well as the relative conductivity and relative magnetic permeability (conductivity relative to copper and magnetic permeability relative to air) specific to the metallic member which faces the inserted RFID tag.

[0060] The inventor found that by using the abovementioned model to calculate the Reflection Losses, Absorption Losses, as well as the Secondary Reflection Losses of the magnetic flux generated by an RFID tag inserted into a conductive member, the amount of magnetic flux available for effective communication between the RFID tag and the read/write device could be accurately determined or estimated, , and thus the effective communication distance (the distance between the RFID tag and the read/write device within which the RFID tag and the read/write device can effectively communicate with each other) could be accurately derived or estimated.

[0061] The magnetic, paramagnetic and electrical properties of materials (such as but not limited to the magnetic permeability and squareness, coercivity and retentitivity of ferromagnetic materials and coatings), as well as the published electrical operating characteristics of of standard RFID tags (such as but not limited to the operating frequency, and minimum magnetic flux density requirements for efficient operation) are generally available and well known to those skilled in the art.

[0062] It is well known as a physical principle that an antenna will transmit or radiate magnetic flux in all directions. It is further well known to those skilled in the art that the amount of magnetic flux transmitted or radiated by an antenna in a given direction can be increased by positioning the surface of a material, which is appropriatly reflective- to the magnetic flux emitted by the transmitting antenna, on the opposing side of the transmitting antenna relative to the position of the receiving antenna. [0063] It has been found by the inventor that certain thin films with ferromagnetic coatings, (such as but not limited to common audio and video recording tape), display properties of magnetic permeability, coercivity and retentitivity that allow such thin films to be used advantageously to shield a standard RFID tag from a surrounding conductive member, while at the same time increasing the quantity of flux received by the RFID tag from the read/write device as well as at the same time improving the quantity of flux transmitted by the RFID tag in towards the read/write device.

[0064] Reference is now made to Fig. 6 a), which is describes experimental results obtained by the inventor. The experiment was performed using a standard, commercially available Flat RFID tag of type Axiome RWOl (a read-write standard RFID tag with 1 kilobit memory capacity). A standard, commercially available hand-held RFID read/write device of type Axiome T- Barman V. 7.7 was used to read the Axiome RWOl RFID tag. Both the Axiome RWOl RFID tag and the Axiome T-Barman read/write device have an operating frequency of 125KHz.

[0065] The graph 31 represents reading distances obtained when the Axiome RWOl RFID tag is first placed directly onto a a 1 cm plate of stainless steel. An initial read/write distance was recorded, and subsequent reading distances recorded as the Axiome RWOl RFID tag was removed by 1 mm vertical increments from the surface of the conductive member, while maintining the aspect of the Axiome RWOl paralell to the conductive member.

[0066] The graph 32 represents the reading distances obtained as successive layers of a thin film containing ferromagnetic material, (each layer having the same diameter as that of the Axiome RWOl RFID tag), are inserted beneath the Axiome RWOl RFID tag, which is placed onto the conductive member. In figure 6(a), the point 33 represents the reading distance of the Axiome RWOl RFID tag in free air obtained with the Axiome T-Barman read/write device, while 34 represents the reading distance in free air obtained with the Axiome T-Barman read/write device of the Axiome RWOl RFID tag immediately beneath which the 6 layers of the thin film contaning ferromagnetic material was placed.

[0067] By comparing the experimental reading distance at 35 against the experimental reading distance at 34, it is shown that by inserting 6 layers of the thin film contaning ferromagnetic material beneath the Axiome RWOl RFID tag as described above, the effective read/write range of the Axiome RWOl RFID tag was increased by a factor of approximately 100%.

[0068] Such thin films with ferromagnetic coatings, when appropriately shaped and placed in such a fashion as to isolate a standard RFID tag which is inserted into a conductive member from the surfaces of the conductive member that face the standard RFID tag, have been found by the inventor to become and remain magnetized in a specific way by the magnetic flux emitted by the standard RFID tag, ^' !

[0069] The inventor has further found that this magnetization takes place in a manner specific to the geometry of the RFID tag itself, the density of the magnetic flux generated by the RFID tag along its geometry, the geometric positioning of the RFID tag with respects to the geometry of the cavity within the conductive member in which the RFID is inserted, as well as the relative conductivity and magnetic permeability specific to the metallic member which faces the inserted RFID tag, and that this magentization in a specific way of the aforementioned thin film with ferromagnetic coating allows a portion of the magnetic flux which is transmitted or radiated from the aforementioned standard RFID tag to be bypassed to and enter the conductive member and thereby restrain the creation of an eddy current.

[0070] Moreover, it has been found by the inventor that the aforementioned thin films with ferromagnetic coatings (as well as thin films of plastic or similar synthetic materials containing a ferromagnetic material) with low factors of squarenesss in relation to their magnetic permeability and which have been shaped, placed and magnetized as describe above, become appropriately reflective to the magnetic flux emitted by the aforemetioned standard RFID tag which is inserted' into a conductive member and that the amount of magnetic flux transmitted by the aforementioned RFID in the direction of the RFID read/write device is signifigantly increased due to the surface of the shaped, placed and magnetized thin film with a ferromagnetic coating which is positioned on the opposing side of the aforementioned standard RFID tag relative to the position of the RFID read/write device.

[0071] The present invention concerns an adaptive apparatus for the installation of standard RFID tags into conductive members that can be crafted from standard, low-cost and _ commercially availble thin films with ferromagnetic materials or coatings that substantially reduces signal attenuation and the creation of eddy currents, and while substantially increasing the amount of magnetic flux transmitted by the standard RFID tag in the direction of the RFID read/write device, and further that such adaptive apparatus can be crafted according to the specific geometries , and magnetic flux emissions specific to standard RFID tags, and further that such adaptive apparatus can be crafted according to the specific physical properties of conductive members as well as to the specific geometries of the cavity into which the adapative apparatus is to be placed.

[0072] The present invention will be better understood by the examination of the following descriptions, provided by way of explanation and referenced in the annexed drawings, in which:

[0073] Figs. l(b), l(d), and l(f) are representations of the magnetic flux generated by the aforementioned RFID tags when such tags operate in free air, or independently of the influence or proximity of a conductive member. It is well known to those skilled in the art that such influence or proximity to a conductive member engenders a signal attenuation effect (DEFINITION).

[0074] Reference is now made to Fig, 5(a) which is a cross- sectional view of a portion of the adaptive apparatus concerning the present invention and which is constructed from two layers of thin film, 35 and 36, made of flexible plastic with one or both sides with each layer coated with a ferromagnetic material, and which films are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient plastic sheet 37

[0075] Reference is now made to Fig. 2(c) which is a cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for a Resin RFID tag Ic which is constructed from one or multiple layers of thin film made of flexible plastic each layer having one or both sides with each layer coated with a ferromagnetic material, and which films are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient magnetically permeable plastic sheet 10. Common examples of thin films with ferromagnetic coatings include magnetic stripes (for credit cards), common audio and video recording tape, recording media in floppy disks, etc. Such thin films are today produced in large quantities and inexpensively by multiple suppliers in varying formats and factors of magnetic permeability, coercivity and retentitivy dependant on application. Figs. 2(a) and 2(b) are respectively a top- and a cross-sectional view of 2(c) into which a Resin RFID tag Ic has been inserted.

[0076] The inner layer(s) 8 of ferromagnetic material having an appropriate factor of permeability, coercivity and retentitivy receives and retains what could be described as a "magnetic imprint" of the magnetic flux Id which is generated by the inserted Resin RFID tag Ic as well as to the magnetic flux which the inserted Resin RFID tag Ic recieves from a RFID read/write device (not shown). This "magnetic imprint" is formed by the retained magnetic alignment of the ferromagnetic particles in the ferromagnetic material, and serves subsequently to reflect or focus the inserted Resin RFID tag's Ic magnetic flux Id inwards (from the sides or surface of the adaptive apparatus 2(c) which is adjacent to the inserted Resin RFID tag Ic) and upwards (from the inner surface of the base of the adaptive apparatus 2(c)) and therefore away from any nearby surface or surfaces of a conductive member into which this adaptive apparatus is inserted (not shown). [0077] The outer layer(s) 9 of ferromagnetic material having an appropriate factor of permeability, coercivity and retentitivy also receive and retain the "magnetic imprint" of the magnetic flux id produced by an inserted RFID tag Ic, which penetrates 10 and 9. In addition, the outer layer(s) 9 will significantly diminish any counter magnetic flux (not shown) which may be formed, by reflecting it back towards the conductive member (not shown) and in a direction away from an installed standard RFID tag (in this case the Resin RFID tag Ic, thus facilitating the passage of this counter magnetic flux into the conductive member (not shown) that may be formed at the surface or surfaces of the conductive member (not shown).

[0078] In the adaptive apparatus 2(c), the inner layer(s) 8 and outer layer(s) 9 of the thin film are bonded to and separated from each other by a thin, magnetically permeable plastic sheet 20. This magnetically permeable plastic sheet 20 permits the previously mentioned reflective effects of 8 and 9 to cooperate, which further increases the amount of magnetic flux (produced by an inserted Resin RFID tag l(c)) which becomes available to a read/write device (not shown), and in so doing increases an inserted standard RFID tag's ability (in this case the Resin RFID tag l(c)) to effectively communicate with a read/write device (not shown) over a greater distance.

[0079] The base of the adaptive apparatus (in this case 2(c)) is depicted as having a concave form, f His serves to facilitate the reflection of an inserted Resin RFID tag's Ic magnetic flux Id outwards and in the direction of a read/write device (not shown). The concavity of the base also serves to create a captive air pocket 12 . Such a pocket of captive air can serve to increase the independence of inserted Resin RFID tag (not shown) to thermal agression and shocks. Furthermore, depending on the concavity of the base, an inserted Resin RFID tag Ic will become geometrically positioned at a greater distance from the base of the cavity in the conductive member 24 into which the adapatve apparatus (in this case 2(c)) is inserted (and thereby closer to its opening). This is beneficial to decreasing Absorption loses in certain conductive members. A flat geometry of the base of the adaptive apparatus (in this case 2(c)) is favorable for conductive members with high Reflection losses.

[0080] The fold or dimple 11 on the underside of the base of the apparatus, serves to offset the base of the adaptive apparatus (in this case 2(c)) away from the surface or surfaces of a nearby conductive member 24. This serves to further increase the independence of this adaptive apparatus (in this case 2(c)) to thermal agressions and shocks, as well as to any eddy currents that may have formed at the bottom of the cavity within the conductive member (not shown) into which the adaptive apparatus 2(c) is placed.

[0081] The Resin RFID tag Ic shown in fig. 2(b) has been simply inserted, or press fitted into the adaptive apparatus (in this case 2(c)). Of course, other methods of affixing the Resin RFID tag Ic to the adaptive apparatus (in this case 2(c)) exist (such as but limited to with glue, or epoxy, or by creating a Resin RFID tag by the epoxy moulding of a Flat RFID tag Ia into the adaptive apparatus (in this case 2(c))) and these are known to those skilled in the art, but the description thereof would not add any new elements to the description of the invention.

[0082] It should be noted ^'as well that other possible geometric configurations of the base or the whole of the adaptive apparatus (in this case 2(c)) according to the present invention can be conceived, and such geometric configurations can or cannot include features such as but not limited to a concave base, folds, dimples or protrusions, but the description thereof would not add any new elements to the description of the invention.

[0083] Similarly to Fig. 2(c), Fig. 3(c) is cross-sectional view showing an adaptive apparatus (in this case for a Flat RFID tag l(b)) which is constructed as from one or multiple layers made of flexible plastic each layer having one or both sides with each layer coated with a ferromagnetic material, and which films are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient magnetically permeable plastic sheet 10. Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) are respectively a top- and a cross-sectional view of 3(c) in which the Flat RFID tag has been inserted. In this embodiment 3(c), a number of folds or protrusions or flanges 15 fashioned on the interior of the adaptive apparatus serve to seat the Flat RFID tag l(a). This embodiment of the adaptive apparatus is further fashioned with an appropriate number of incisions or gaps 16 which are appropriately dimensioned so as to allow the sides of the adaptive apparatus (in this case 3(c)) to fold inwards when forced inwards by the folds or protrusions or flanges 16 as a result of the insertion of the adaptive apparatus (in this case 3(c)) into an appropriately dimensioned conductive member.

[0084] The slight deformation of the sides of the adaptive apparatus (in this case 3(c)) when inserted in the conductive member thus allows the adaptive apparatus (in this case 3(c)) to firmly hold the inserted Flat RFID tag. Of course, other configurations of seating and/or affixing a Flat RFID tag according to the present invention can be conceived, with seating and/or affixing configurations that can or cannot include features such as but not limited to folds or protrusions, but the description thereof would not add any new elements to the description of the invention.

[0085] Similarly to Fig. 3(c), the adaptive apparatus described in Fig. 4(c) is cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for a Ferrite RFID tag (Ie) which is constructed from one or multiple layers made of flexible plastic with each layer having one or both sides with each layer coated with a ferromagnetic material, and which films are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient magnetically permeable plastic sheet 10. In 4(c), a number of folds or protrusions or flanges 21 fashioned on the interior of the adaptive apparatus serve to seat the Ferrite RFID tag l(e). The adaptive apparatus 4(c) is further fashioned with other folds or protruding edges 18 which are appropriately crafted so as to force the sides of the adaptive apparatus to fold inwards when forced inwards under insertion of the adaptive apparatus into an appropriately dimensioned conductive member. The slight deformation of the sides of the adaptive apparatus when inserted in the conductive member thus allows the adaptive apparatus to adequately secure an inserted Ferrite RFID tag l(e). The base of the adaptive apparatus is depicted in 4(c) as having a convex form with a slight fold or protrusion 20, which serves to maintain and adequately offset the Ferrite RFID tag l(e) from the base of the adaptive apparatus 4(c) and thus further away from the surface of a conductive member 24.

[0086] Of course, other possible geometric configurations of the base of the adaptive apparatus 4(c) and other configurations of seating and affixing a Ferrite RFID tag according to the present invention can be conceived, and such geometric or seating and affixing configurations can or cannot include features such but not limited to folds or protrusions, but the description thereof would not add any new elements to the understanding of the invention. Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) are respectively a top - apd an end cross-sectional view of 4(c) in which a Ferrite RFID tag l(e) has been inserted.

[0087] Fig. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for a Ferrite RFID tag 4(c) into which a Ferrite RFID Tag has been placed, and which has been inserted into a conductive member 24. An external RFID read/write device (not shown) could perform non-contact communication by using the magnetic flux that is generated by the Ferrite RFID tag and directed outwards by the adaptive apparatus 4(c). It should be now noted, and it is well known to those skilled in the art, that an appropriately formed non-magnetic lid or covering 22 can be fashioned undeη which the adaptive apparatus 4(c) (with the inserted Ferrite RFID tag l(e)) is placed and which would serve to further secure the inserted adaptive apparatus 4(c) and which could serve to protect the inserted Ferrite RFID tag l(e) from external influences such as shocks or abrasions. Such non-magnetic lid or covering could for example, be affixed onto the surface of the conductive member 24, or the entire adaptive apparatus 4(c) could be further recessed into the conductive member 24 in such a way as to allow a non-magnetic lid or covering to be recessed so as to be flush with the surface of the conductive member 24. It is obvious that many configurations of non-magnetic lids or coverings can be conceived, and such configurations can serve purposes such as but not limited to further securin the adaptive apparatus 4(c) inserted into a conductive member 24 and/or protecting the adaptive apparatus 4(c) from external influences, but the exhaustive description of such configurations would not add any new elements to the description of the invention.

[0088] It should further be noted that the assembly of 4(c) into 24 when provided with an appropriately fashioned non-magnetic lid or covering 22 provides an innovative and usefull structure for the installation of a Ferrite RFID tag l(e), as within this installation structure the Ferrite RFID tag l(e) is conferred an incremental protection , from shocks by the folds and protrusions 18, 19, and 21 of 4(c), and from shocks and thermal agression by the permanent pockets 12 and 13 of air, which is well known by those familiar with the art to slow or dampen the transfer of kinetic and/or thermal energy. This method of installation is also permits the installed Ferrite RFID tag l(e) to be more easily removed and replaced should it become defective that it would have been had the Ferrite tag l(e) been fixed to conductive member 24 by other means such as but not limited to glue, or other rigid fixation materials such as epoxies. This installation structure, is particularly usefull for the tagging of metallic medical items such as, but not limited to surgical instruments, sterilization containers and trays, which are well known by those familiar with the art to be frequently subjected to chemical and thermal aggression under the course of the frequenent sterilization and autoclave cycles to which they are subjected.

[0089] Fig. 3(d) is a cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for a Flat RFID tag 3(c) into which a Fiat RFID Tag l(a) has been placed, and which has been inserted into a conductive member 24. An external RFID read/write device (not shown) could perform non-contact communication by using the magnetic flux that is generated by the Flat RFID tag and directed outwards by the adaptive apparatus 3(cj. It should be now noted, and it is well known to those skilled in the art, that an appropriately formed non-magnetic lid or covering (not shown) can be fashioned under which the adaptive apparatus 3(c) (with the inserted Flat RFID tag l(a)) is placed and which would serve to further secure the inserted adaptive apparatus 3(c) and which could serve to protect the inserted Flat RFID tag l(c) from external influences such as shocks or abrasions. Such non-magnetic lid or covering (not shown) could for example, be affixed onto the surface of the conductive member 24, or the entire adaptive apparatus 3(c) could be further recessed into the conductive member 24 in such a way as to allow a non-magnetic lid or covering to be recessed so as to be flush with the surface of the conductive member 24. It is obvious that many configurations of non-magnetic lids or coverings can be conceived, and such configurations can serve to further secure the adaptive apparatus 3(c) when inserted into a conductive member 24 and/or can serve to protect the adaptive apparatus 3(d) from external influences, but the exhaustive description thereof would not add any new elements to the description of the invention.

[0090] Fig. 2(d) is a cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for Resin RFID tags 2(c) into which a Resin RFID Tag l(c) has been placed, and which has been inserted into a conductive member 24. An external RFID read/write device (not shown) could perform non-contact communication by using the magnetic flux that is generated by the Resin RFID tag and directed by the adaptive apparatus 2(c). It should be now noted, and it is well known to those skilled in the art, that an appropriately formed non-magnetic lid or covering (not shown) can be fashioned under which the adaptive apparatus 2(c) (with the inserted Resin RFID tag l(c)) is placed and which would serve to further secure the inserted adaptive apparatus 2(c) and which could serve to protect the inserted Resin RFID tag l(c) from external influences such as shocks or abrasions. Such non-magnetic lid or covering (not shown) could for example, be affixed onto the surface of the conductive member 24 or the entire adaptive apparatus 2(e) could be further recessed into the conductive member 24 in such a way as to allow a non-magnetic lid or covering to be recessed so as to be flush with the surface of the conductive member 24. It is obvious that many configurations of non-magnetic lids or coverings can be conceived, and such configurations can serve to further secure the adaptive apparatus 2(e) inserted into a conductive member 24 and/or protect the adaptive apparatus 2(e) from external influences, but the exhaustive description thereof would not add any new elements to the description of the invention.

[0091] Reference is now made to Fig. 7(a) which is a cross- sectional view of a section of the adaptive apparatus concerning the present invention and which is constructed on one side from two layers of thin film, 36 , and on the other side 37 of 1 layer of thin film, made of flexible plastic with one or both sides of each layer coated with a ferromagnetic material, and which films are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient plastic sheet 38, to which has been added a thin membrane fashioned from a metallic material with a low factor of Absorption loss, a high factor of Reflection loss and a low factor of Secondary Reflection loss. The thin metallic membrane 38 thus completely covers the outer surface of the adaptive apparatus and is intended to confer predicidable levels of operating efficiency to the adapative apparatus in cases where the physical nature of the conductive member into which it will be installed is unknown, or in cases where the conductive member into which it will be installed displays magnetic or other physical properties which are particularly disruptive to effective RFID communication.

[0092] It is well known to those skilled in the art that materials with high relative permeability, (such as but not limited to Permalloys and Supermalloys), can have relatively low reflective properties coupled with relatively high absorption properties with regards to incident magnetic fields.

[0093] Furthermore, it is well known to those skilled in the art that materials with low relative conductivity can have relatively high reflective properties coupled with relatively low absorption properties with regards to incident magnet fields.

[0094] Also, it is well known to those skilled in the art that materials with small relative permeabilities and with higher relative conductivities demonstrate low reflective properties coupled with high absorption properties with regards to low-frequency incident magnetic fields at source-shield distances on the order of centimeters, and with regards to high-frequency incident magnetic fields, and that the amount of an incident magnetic field that will be reflected by a material diminishes as a function of the distance that separates the material from the source of the incident magnetic field, with the amount of an incident magnetic field that will be absorbed by a given material varying according its thickneness and according to the frequency of the incident magnetic field to which the given material is subjected.

[0095] It follows that the relative conductivity of a conductive member's surface will affect the shielding efficiency (and conversely the amount of electromagnetic flux that will penetrate the conductive member).

[0096] In order to experimentally modify the surface properties of a 0.25 mm sheet of 1.403 stainless steel sheet and thereby increase the amount of electromagnetic flux penetrating the 1.403 stainless steel sheet, the inventor modified the conductive properties of its surface through the application by plasma deposition onto one face of the _.1.403 stainless steel sheet of a thin layer (approximately 4x10-6 mm) of amorphous glass. The inventor found that when the side of the 1.403 stainless steel, sheet to which the amorphous glass was deposited was placed facing a Ferrite RFID tag (Sokymat Glass Tag 2.12 x 12.0), the effective communicating distance between a Axiome T-Barman read/write device and the Ferrite RFID tag through the 1.4301 stainless steel sheet was approximately halved, corresponding to a decrease of magnetic flux on the order of 79% available to the Axiome T-Barman read/write device.

[0097] It was subsequently found by the inventor that when the side of the 1.403 stainless steel sheet to which the amorphous glass was deposited was placed facing the Axj.ome T-Barman read/write device, the effective communicating distance between the Axiome T-Barman read/write device and the Ferrite RFID tag through the 1.4301 stainless steel sheet was approximately doubled, corresponding to an increase of magnetic flux on the order of 800% available to the Axiome T-Barman read/write device.

[0098] The application of thin (10-5 mm) layer of a metallic alloy with high magnetic permeability onto a conductive member which is dissimilar from the metallic alloy, is preferable to the application of thin (10-5 mm) layer of amorphous glass for the reduction of Reflection losses as one or several of the atomic elemets within the chemical composition of the thin layer alloy which is applied to the conductive member is/are also found within the chemical coposition of the conductive member to which the thin layer is applied, and thus the particles of the thin layer can more intimately arrange themselves with those upon the surface of the conductive member and thereby confer an increase of magnetic permeability not only across the surface of the conductive member but also into the conductive member.

[0099] Accordingly, and now referring to Fig. 12 (not to scale), the invention concerns as well a surface-modified protective covering consisting of a thin-walled conductive member 12.3 which is appropriately fashoned in order to cover or serve as a protective enclosure or cover for an RFID tag, and which has been subjected to an appropriate modification of surface properties 12.2 specific to the side intended to be facing an RFID tag 12.1 and/or which has been subjected to an appropriate modification of surface properties 12.4 specific to the side intended to be facing a read-write device 12.7 in order to decrease the shielding effectiveness of the thin-walled conductive member with respect either to the magnetic flux emitted by the RFID tag, with respect to the magnetic flux emitted by the RFID read/write device, or with respect to both magnetic fluxes emitted by the RFID tag 12.6 and the RFID read/write device 12.6 and thereby increase the effective communication distance between the RFID tag 12.1 and the RFID read/write device 12.7 through the thin-walled conductive member 12.3.

[00100] In view of the preceeding and as an example, an embodiement of the surface-modified protective covering for use with low- frequency RFID could be fashioned using a 0.25 mm thick conductive member made from the steel alloy Nicrofer with one surface (intended to face the reaad- write device) modified to correspond to an extremely thin (10^"5mm) layer of 1.4542 steel.

[00101] As another example, a different embodiement of the surface-modified protective covering for use high-frequency RFID could be fashioned using a 0.25 mm thick conductive member made from the steel alloy Nicrofer with one surface (intended to face the RFID tag) modified to correspond to an extremely thin (10^'5mm) layer of 1.4542 steel, and with the other surface (intended to face the read-write device) modified to correspond to an extremely thin (10^"5mm) layer of HiMuδO steel.

[00102] The surface-modified protective cover of the the present invention will be better understood}^ by the examination of the following descriptions, provided by way of explanation and referenced in the annexed drawings, in which:

[00103] Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for Flat RFID tags 3(c) into which a Flat RFID Tag l(a) has been installed, and which has been inserted into a conductive member 24 and entirely covered by a tight-fitting cover concerning surface-modified cover 39. In this embodiment, the covering 39 and the conductive member 24 constitute a hermetically sealed chamber into which , the adaptive apparatus for Flat RFID tags 3(c) is housed.

[00104] A hermetically sealed chamber can be achieved, for example, by bolting or press fitting or laser welding the surface-modified covering 39. It should be now noted that this hermetically sealed chamber does not present any notches, holes or slits or the like which would serve as a magnetic flux leakage path for leaking magnetic flux. Furthermore, the thickness of the surface-modified cover 39 is such that sufficient energy, propagated from a RFID read/write device (not shown) which is placed in the immediate proximity of the surface-modified cover 39, will penetrate into the hermetically sealed chamber and reach the adaptive apparatus for Flat RFID tags 3(c) and thus permit the operation of the Flat RFID: tag l(a), and conversely that sufficient magnetic flux 40, generated from the Flat RFID Tag l(a) will be directed by the adaptive apparatus for Flat RFID tags 3(c) and thus be propagated through the surface-modified cover 39, in order to permit the operation of the RFID read/write device (not shown). As previously described, the adaptive apparatus for Flat RFID tags 3(c) serves to facilitate the propagation of the read/write device's energy towards the Flat RFID tag l(a) as well as it's generated magnetic flux towards the read/write device (not shown). An external RFID read/write device (not shown) could thus perform , non-contact communication by using the magnetic flux that is generated by the, Flat RFID tag l(a) and directed by the adaptive apparatus 2(d) through the surface-modified cover 39.

[00105] For certain applications, it is desirable to be able to perform RFID tagging of conductive members that are subjected to extremely hostile environments and in which non-metal coverings have been found to be inadequate to the purpose. Examples of such environments are, but not limited to, medical instruments subjected to ...high-temperature sterilization cycles and chemically aggressive disinfection procedures and/or equipment, pipes and tubular fittings in the Oil Industry that are subjected to high-pressure environments or extremely aggressive chemical environments or highly abrasive environments or combinations of the preceding. In other applications, it is desirable to be able to perform discreet RFID tagging of high-value conductive members, in such a way that an RFID tag becomes an intrinsic part of the object and thus cannot be removed or disabled without significantly undermining the functionality or the appearance of the object. Typical examples of such objects are watches and firearms. _t .• .^'. ;

[00106] Technically advanced solutions utilizing proprietary RFID tags and RFID read/write devices are exist and are known to those familiar with the ar. Although these soultions that can accomplish some degree of non-contact communication through a thin layer covering of conductive material, it should be noted that the use of such technically advanced solutions in conjunction with the present invention, which facilitates the propagation of the read/write device's magnetic flux towards the RFID tag as well as the RFID tag's magnetic flux towards the read/write device, would further increase effective communication distance and/or permit the usage in the abovementioned applications of thicker layers of conductive materials in the coverings of the objects and thereby increase their mechanical durability and range of operation (as in but not limited to resistance to higher pressures).

[00107] Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite RFID tags 4(c) into which a Ferrite RFID Tag l(e) has been installed, and which has been inserted into a conductive member 24 and entirely and tightly covered by surface-modified cover 39. In this embodiment as well, the tight-fitting surface-modified cover 39 and the conductive member 24 constitute a hermetically sealed chamber into which the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite RFID tags 4(c) is housed. A hermetically sealed chamber can be achieved as is described in 8(a).

[00108] It should be now noted that this hermetically sealed chamber does not present any notches, holes or slits or the like which would serve as a magnetic flux leakage path for leaking magnetic flux. Furthermore, and as in 8(a), the thickness of the tight-fitting surface-modified cover 39 is such that sufficient energy, propagated from an RFID read/write device (not shown) which is placed in the immediate proximity of the surface-modified cover, will penetrate into the hermetically sealed chamber and reach the adaptive apparatus and thus permit the operation of the Ferrite RFID Tag l(e), and conversely that magnetic flux 40, generated from the Ferrite RFID Tag l(e) will be directed by the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite RFID Tag 4(c) and thus propagated through the surface-modified cover 39 in order to permit the operation of the RFID read/write device. As previously described, the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite RFID tag 4(c) serves to facilitate the propagation of the RFID read/write device's (not shown) magnetic flux towards the Ferrite RFID tag l(e) as well as the RFID tag's magnetic flux towards the RFID read/write device (not shown). The external RFID read/write device (not shown) could thus perform non-contact communication by using the magnetic flux that is generated by the Ferrite RFID tag l(e) and directed by the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite RFID tag 4(c) through the tight-fitted surface-modified cover 39.

[00109] Fig. 8(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for Resin RFID tags 2(c) into which a Resin RFID Tag l(c) has been installed, and which has been inserted into a conductive member 24 and entirely covered by and entirely covered by a tight-fitting surface-modified cover 39. In this embodiment as well, surface-modified cover 39 and the conductive member 24 constitute a hermetically sealed chamber into which the adaptive apparatus for Resin RFID tags 2(c) is housed. . A hermetically sealed chamber can be achieved as is described in 8(a). . , .

[00110] It should be now noted that this hermetically sealed chamber does not present any notches, holes or slits or the like which would serve as a magnetic flux leakage path for leaking magnetic flux. Furthermore, and as in 8(a), the thickness of the surface-modified cover 39 is such that sufficient energy, propagated from an RFID read/write device (not shown) which is placed in the immediate proximity of the cover, will penetrate into the hermetically sealed chamber and reach the adaptive apparatus and thus permit the operation of the Resin RFID Tag l(c), and conversely that magnetic flux 40, generated from the Resin RFID Tag l(c) will be directed by the adaptive apparatus for the Resin RFID Tag 2(c) and thus propagated through the surface- modified cover 39 in order to permit the operation of the RFID read/write device. As previously described, the adaptive apparatus for Resin RFID tag 2(c) serves to facilitate the propagation of the RFID read/write device's (not shown) magnetic flux towards the Resin RFID tag l(c) as well as the RFID tag's magnetic flux towards the RFID read/write device (not shown). The external RFID read/write device (not shown) could thus perform non-contact communication by using the magnetic flux that is generated by the Resin RFID tag l(c) and directed by the adaptive apparatus for Resin RFID tag 2(c) through the surface-modified cover 39. ;

[00111] Rg. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiement of the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite RFID tag 4(c) into which a Ferrite RFID Tag l(e) has been inserted, and which has been integrated with a conductive member 24. Fig. 7(d) is a photograph of such an embodiement, which used for the RFID retro-fitting of medical devices (integrating an RFID tag onto a medical device so that information can be read from and written to the medical device by an RFID read/write device). Fib. 7(e) is a photographic example of such a medical device. An external RFID read/write device (not shown) could perform non-contact communication by using the magnetic flux that is generated by the Ferrite RFID tag l(e) and directed _^towards the RFID read/write device (not shown) by the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite tag 4(c). It should be now noted, and it is well known to those skilled in the art, that several methods exist to attach this embodiement to a conductive member such as, but not limited to epoxy glueing and laser welding, and that many other geometric configurations this embodiement can be conceived, and such configurations could facilitate the attachment of the adaptive apparatus , 7(c) to a conductive member, but the exhaustive description of such methods and configurations would not add any new elements to the description of the invention.

[00112] Fig. 7(0 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiement of the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite RFID tag 4(c) into which a Ferrite RFID Tag l(e) has been inserted, and which has been integrated with conductive member 24. The adaptive apparatus in this example is one which is constructed from at least one or multiple layers of thin plastic or similar synthetic material (instead of thin film) in which at least one layer of the plastic or similar material contains a ferromagnetic material. Such plastic or synthetic materials can be soft, or spongy, and protect the inserted RFID tag 4(c) from heat, shocks and vibrations in other ways than the thin film material due to the sides and base of the adaptive apparatus closely surrounding the installed communication device in a manner that secures and holds the inserted RFID tag 4(c) device, as well as maintaining it in paralell to the surface of the conductive member 24.

[00113] The the base of this embodiement of an adaptive apparatus is rounded in order to propagate the Ferrite RFID tag 4(c)'s magnetic flux upwards towards an external read/write device, which in this case will be able to communicate with the Ferrite RFID tag 4(c) in both the x and the y plane. The embodiement 7(f) is in the other aspects equivalent with 7(c).

[00114] Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the adaptive apparatus for Ferrite RFID tag 4(c) into which a Ferrite RFID Tag l(e) has been inserted, and which has been inserted into a circular conductive member 24.

[00115] In an experimental embodiement of the adaptive apparatus that concerns this invention, A Flat RFID tag of type Sokymat Crystal Disk 41 was inserted in an apparatus for Flat RFID tag 3(c) and subsequently attached by gluing to the back-plate of a 0.8 mm thick stainless steel watch cover. The inventor subsequently remounted the back-plate upon the watch. A read / write distance of approximately lmm from , the back face of the watch was achieved using a hand-held RFID read/write device of type Axiome T-Barman V. 7.7.

[00116] It should be now rioted, and it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that the 1^st adaptive apparatus concerning the present invention can thus be installed with appropriate commercially available RFID tags into a multitude of watches and similar luxury items in varying sizes and geometries with little impact on watch design and functionality, and that the RFID tags so installed can be read with standard and commercially available RFID read/write devices such as the Axiome T-Barmari V. 7.7

[00117] The adaptive apparatus and the surface-modified cover related to this invention and described herein provide an appreciable improvement with regards to the existing art in that the effective read/write operating distance between a standard RFID tag (when the RFID tag is installated into a conductive member) and a RFID read/write device is increased more than incrementally. It is well known to those skilled in the art that improvements in the efficiency of manual or automated applications (such as but not limited to manufacturing procedures and processes, medical device tracking, and access control systems) impact positively upon efficiencies in the design, testing, deployment and operation of such applications.

[00118] MANNER AND PROCESS OF MAKING AND USING THE INVENTION

It is well known to those skilled in the art that a standard RFID tag can be characterised by its type (Flat RFID tag l(a), Resin RFID Tag l(c), or Ferrite RFID tag l(e)), and further by its operating frequency, and further by its specified power output, minimum and maximum operating limits for magnetic flux that are specific to the standard RFID tag to be installed (such as but not limited to those represented in Fig (13)), and further by its geometry. It is also well known to those skilled in the art tr^at an adaptive apparatus concerning the present invention can be crafted for a standard RFID tag according to the according to the preceeding, and further according to the relative permeability and relative conductivity of a specific conductive member 24.

[00119] In the foregoing manner, an apparatus concerning the present invention could be crafted for Flat RFID tags l(a) having similar power output and similar geometries and operating at similar frequencies, for use with a specific type of conductive member. .

[00120] As an example, _tan apparatus concerning the present invention could be constructed and generally specified for Ferrite RFID tags l(e), with similar power outputs, operating at 125 KHz, with geometries similar to 2 x 8mm, to be inserted into 1.403 stainless steel.

[00121] As previously described in this invention, the adaptive apparatus concering this invention is constructed from at least one or multiple layers of thin film made of flexible plastic or of a similar synthetic material with at least one or both sides of each layer coated with, (or alternatively with each layer containing), a ferromagnetic material, and which films are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient plastic sheet. [00122] It is also well known to those skilled in the art that ferromagnetic coatings are very thin and the plastic allows the coating to be handled. Ferromagnetic films are typically furnished in stripe widths with specified electromagnetic characteristics, (such as magnetic permeability and magnetic squareness - a property of magnetic recording tapes such as SONY E- 180VG described in Fig. 9, and these can be applied to a thicker or more resilient plastic sheet during the adaptive apparatus' manufacturing process by several known methods. The methods of application include lamination (where the stripe and backing is laminated into the thicker plastic sheet), hot-stamp (where a heated die is used to transfer the ferromagnetic stripe from its backing onto the thicker plastic sheet after the sheet is cut to size), and cold-peel (where the ferromagnetic stripe is peeled from the backing, and then laminated into the thicker plastic sheet). Each of the preceding methods has their own advantages and is largely irrelevant to the final functionality of the adaptive apparatus. Of course, other possible methods for bonding one or more ferromagnetic film stripes to a thicker plastic sheet may exist or can be conceived, but the description thereof would not add any new elements to the description of the manner and process of making and using the invention.

[00123] The present invention concerns as well a surface-modified cover consisting of a conductive member 12.3 in which, as a result of the modification of one or surfaces of the conductive member, one or several electrical and/or physical properties of the modified surface 12.2 and/or one or several of the electrical and/or physical properties of the modified surface (12.2 and/or 12.4) become different than those of the conductive member 12.3 and thus the surface-modified cover can be crafted by taking into account:

[00124] - the physical characteristics (thickness) acording to the conductive member's 12.3 Relative conductivity and Relative permeability is determined in such a way that Absorption losses thru the conductive member 12.3 are minimized, and [00125] - the physical thickηess (typically on the order of 10^"5 mm) of the surface modification 12.2 that has been introduced into/onto the surface of the conductive member 12.3 which will be facing the RFID tag 12.1 is determined in such a way that Absorption losses thru the surface modification 12.2 are minimized, and

[00126] - the Relative conductivity and Relative permeability of the surface modification 12.2 (typically on the order of 10^"5 mm in thickness) which has been introduced into/onto the surface of the conductive member 12.3 which will be facing the RFID tag 12.1 are are to be such that Reflective losses between RFID tag 12.1 and the conductive member 12.1 are minimized, and further in the case of surface modification as well of the surface of the conductive member which will be facing the read-write device 12.7 by taking into account that

[00127] - the physical thickness (typically on the order of 10^"5 mm) of the surface modification 12.4 that has been introduced into/onto the surface of the conductive member 12.3 which will be facing the read-write device 12.7 is determined in such a way that Absorption losses thru the surface modification 12.4 are minimized, and

[00128] - the Relative conductivity and Relative permeability of the surface modification 12.4 (typically on the order of 10^"5 mm) which is introduced into/onto the surface of the conductive member 12.3 which will be facing the read-write device 12.7 are are such that Reflective losses between the conductive member 12.3 and the read- write device 12.7 are minimized.

[00129] It is well known to those skilled in the art that there exists several manufacturing processes or methods for achieving surface modifications on the order of those previously mentioned (ICT⁵ mm). One such process is that of Sputtering, which is a method for adhering thin films onto a substrate. Sputtering is bombardment of a tafget material with a charged gas (typically argon), which releases atoms on the surface of the target that are attracted to and attach themselves to a nearby substrate. This process takes place inside a magnetron vacuum chamber under low pressure. As an example, a surface modification of a thin-walled conductive member consisting of Nicrofer to correspond with that of a thin layer (10^~5 mm or smaller) of 1.4542 steel could be achieved by sputtering the substrate (Nicrofer) from a target of 1.4542 steel, followed by an appropriate annealing of the modified conductive member.

[00130] It should be noted that the process of annealing relates to heating a conductive member to, and holding a conductive member at a suitable temperature, followed by relatively slow cooling. It is well known to those skilled in the art that structural recovery and recrystallization resulting from annealing result in remarkable modification of magnetic properties.

[00131] Yet another such process is that of Deposition of nano- particles. By incorporating materials at the nano scale, (particle sizes less than 100 nanometers), different physical properties can be added to existing materials, either improving their functionality or giving them unique properties. It is well known to those skilled in the art that processes are available that can produce commercial quantities of napo size particles of conductive materials. As an example, a surface modification of a thin-walled conductive member consisting of Nicrofer to correspond with that of a thin layer (10^~5 mm or smaller) of 1.4542 steel could be achieved by depositing and subsequently fusing a controlled quantity of nano-particles of 1.4542 steel onto the Nicrofer member, followed by an appropriate annealing of the modified conductive member.

[00132] Of course, other ^' possible methods for achieving surface modifications on the order of or with other dimensions than those previously mentioned may exist or can be conceived with other conductive materials and other deposited metals or alloys, but the description thereof would not add any new elements to the description of the manner and process of making and using the invention.

[00133] The preceding descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit this invention to the precise form disclosed. The descriptions were selected to best explain the principles of this invention and their practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various, embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined as well by the claims set forth below.

Claims

I claim: 1. An adaptive apparatus and method for adapting a conductive member to accept a communication device, with said adaptive apparatus, having a wall thickness of 5 mm. or less and being suitably formed to accept insertion of a communication device, and which is constructed from one or multiple layers of thin film which are made of flexible plastic film in which at least one layer of said film is coated on one or both sides with a ferromagnetic material, and which said layers are further bonded to one or both sides of a thicker or more resilient magnetically permeable plastic sheet to which may be added a thin membrane fashioned from an appropriate metallic material having weak magnetic permeability and which partially or completely covers the outer surface of the said adaptive apparatus, with the base of the adaptive apparatus having a non- plane form adequate to propagate magnetic flux emanating from the accepted communication device towards an external read/write device and with the non- plane form also adequate to propagate. energy emanating from an external read/write device towards the accepted communication device, and with the base of the adaptive apparatus having a protrusion or bump at the center of its exterior suface sufficient to to elevate the adaptive apparatus from its installing plane, or else with the base of the apparatus having a suitable curvature across itself sufficient to elevate the center of the adaptive apparatus from an installing plane, with the base of the apparatus having a fold or protrusion on its inner surface to adequately support the accepted commumincation device as well as to elevate the accepted communication device, and with the sides of the adaptive apparatus having on their outside surface multiple bumps, or alternatively a folded shape, adequate to press the sides inwards upon the installation of the adaptive apparatus into the conductive member and thus secure and hold the inserted communication device in such a manner that base of the accepted communication device is in paralell to the base of the adaptive apparatus, and with the sides of the adaptive apparatus having on their inner surface bumps or folds to further secure and hold the inserted communication device.

2. The adaptive apparatus according, to Claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic material is an amorphous magnetic material having retentivity, and having a magnetic permeability giving a magnetic squareness appropriate to the minimum and maximum operating limits for magnetic flux that are specific to the

communication device to be installed.

3. The adaptive apparatus according to Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein the communication device is an RFID tag and wherein the wireless read/write device is a device for reading and writing to a RFID tag.

4. The installation structure according to Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 to adapt a conductive member to accept a RFID tag for insertion into a suitably formed or machined cavity into the surface portion of the conductive member.

5. The installation structure according to Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 to adapt a conductive member to accept a RFID tag for insertion into a suitably formed or machined cavity onto the surface portion of the conductive member.

6. The installation structure according to Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 to adapt a conductive member to accept. a RFID tag for insertion into a suitably formed or machined cavity in the surface portion of the conductive member and which cavity is covered by a protective member made of a conductive material so as to form a hermetically sealed chamber into which the adaptive apparatus is housed.

7. The adaptive apparatus according to Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 and Claim 6 to which sheets of a thermally insulating material have been placed above and below the RFID tag installed within the adaptive apparatus.

8. The installation structure according to Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 to adapt a conductive member to accept a RFID tag which is rear-mounted into an appropriately fashioned chamber in the surface portion of the conductive member that has been formed by machining or extrusion or other means in such a way that a thin (2 mm. in thickness or less) section of the chamber faces the outside of the said conductive member and against which the adaptive apparatus can be housed, and with such chamber being subsequently hermetically sealed by affixing a protective back-plate member made of a conductive material.

9. The installation structure according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 or Claim 8 in which the conductive member is a medical instrument.

10. The installation structure according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 or Claim 8 in which the conductive member is a medical sterilization case.

11. The installation structure according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 or Claim 8 in which the conductive member is a watch.

12. An adaptive apparatus and method for adapting a conductive member to accept a communication device, with said adaptive apparatus having a wall thickness of 5 mm. or less and being suitably formed to accept insertion of a communication device, and which is constructed from at least one or multiple layers of thin plastic or similar synthetic material in which at least one layer of said plastic or similar material contains a ferromagnetic material, to which may be added a thin membrane fashioned from an appropriate metallic material having weak magnetic permeability and which partially or completely covers the outer surface of the said adaptive apparatus, with the base of the adaptive apparatus having a non-plane form adequate to propagate magnetic flux emanating from the accepted communication device towards an external read/write device and with the non-plane form also adequate to propagate energy emanating from an external read/write device towards the accepted communication device, and with the base of the adaptive apparatus being flat or having a suitable curvature across itself sufficient to elevate the center of the adaptive apparatus from an installing plane, and with the sides and base of the adaptive apparatus closely surrounding the installed communication device in a manner that secures and holds the accepted communication device in such a manner that base of the accepted communication device is in paralell to the base of the adaptive apparatus.

' ' '' ^'■" "^■

13. The adaptive apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the ferromagnetic material is an amorphous magnetic material having retentivity, and having a magnetic permeability giving a magnetic squareness appropriate to the minimum and maximum operating limits for magnetic flux that are specific to the communication device to be installed.

14. The adaptive apparatus according to Claim 12 and Claim 13 wherein the communication device is an RFID tag and wherein the wireless read/write device is a device for reading and writing to a RFID tag.

15. The installation structure according to Claim 12 and Claim 13 and Claim 14 to adapt a conductive member to accept a RFID tag for insertion into a suitably formed or machined cavity into the surface portion of the conductive member.

16. The installation structure according to Claim 12 and Claim 13 and Claim 14 to adapt a conductive member to accept a RFID tag for insertion into a suitably formed or machined cavity onto the surface portion of the conductive member.

17. The installation structure according to Claim 12 and Claim 13 and Claim 14 to adapt a conductive member to accept a RFID tag for insertion into a suitably formed or machined cavity in the surface portion of the conductive member and which cavity is covered by a protective member made of a conductive material so as to form a hermetically sealed chamber into which the adaptive apparatus is housed.

18. The adaptive apparatus according to Claim 12 and Claim 13 and Claim 14 and Claim 6 to which sheets of a thermally insulating material have been placed above and below the RFID tag installed within the adaptive apparatus.

19. The installation structure according to Claim 12 and Claim 13 and Claim 14 to adapt a conductive member to accept a RFID tag which is rear-mounted into an appropriately fashioned chamber in the surface portion of the conductive member that has been formed by machining or extrusion or other means in such a way that a thin (2 mm. in thickness or less) section of the chamber faces the outside of the said conductive member and against which the adaptive apparatus can be housed, and with such chamber being subsequently hermetically sealed by affixing a protective back-plate member made of a conductive material.

20. The installation structure according to Claim 17 or Claim 18 or Claim 19 in which the conductive member is a medical instrument.

21. The installation structure according to Claim 17 or Claim 18 or Claim 19 in which the conductive member is a medical sterilisation case.

22. The installation structure according to Claim 17 or Claim 18 or Claim 19 in which the conductive member is a watch.

23. A surface-modified protective member fashoned from a conductive material with a thickness inferior to 2mm. which is suitably formed to serve as a covering or protective enclosure or cover to a communication device which has been installed into a suitably formed or machined cavity in the conductive member so as to form a hermetically; sealed chamber into which the communication device is housed, and to which surface-modified protective member, for the communication device Operating at low frequency, a thin (ICT⁵) layer of a metal or alloy having a Relative magnetic permeability that is at least equal to but not greater than 100 times the Relative magnetic permeability of the conductive material has been applied and/or coated with a thin (less than 10^" ³ mm) layer of a non-conductive magnetically permeable amorphous crystallin material has been applied in such a manner to completely cover the face of the surface-modified protective member that will be installed towards the wireless read-write device, or to which surface-modified protective member, for the communication device operating at _.high, frequency, a thin (10^"s mm. or less) layer of a metal or alloy that has a Relative magnetic permeability that is at least equal to but not greater than 100 times the Relative magnetic permeability of the conductive material has been applied and/or coated with a thin (less than 10^" ³ mm) layer of a non-conductive magnetically permeable amorphous crystallin material has been applied in such a manner as to completely coat the face of the surface-modified protective member that will be installed towards the installed communication device, with the face of the surface-modified protective member that will be installed towards the wireless read/write device having been coated with a thin (10^"5 mm. or less) layer of a metal or alloy that has Relative magnetic permeability that is greater than 100 times the Relative magnetic permeability of the conductive material and/or coated with a thin (less than 10^"3 mm) layer of a non-conductive magnetically permeable amorphous crystallin material.

24. The surface-modified protective member according to Claim 23, wherein the communication device is an RFID tag and wherein the wireless read/write device is a device for reading and writing to a RFID tag.

25. The surface-modified protective member according to Claim 23 and Claim 24 serving as a covering or protective enclosure to a RFID tag which has been installed into a suitably formed or machined cavity in the conductive member so as to form a hermetically sealed chamber into which the RFID tag is housed.

26. The installation structure according to Claim 6 and Claim 24 in which the protective member made of a conductive material so as to form a hermetically sealed chamber into which the adaptive apparatus is housed is a surface- modified protective member.

27. The installation structure according to Claim 26 in which the conductive member is a medical instrument.

28. The installation structure according to Claim 26 in which the conductive member is a medical sterilisation case.

29. The installation structure according to Claim 26 in which the conductive member is a watch. . ^• 30. The installation structure according to Claim 8 and Claim 24 wherein the protective back-plate member made of a conductive material is a surface- modified protective member. 31. The installation structure according to Claim 25 in which the conductive member is a medical instrument. 32. The installation structure according to Claim 25 in which the conductive member is a medical sterilisation case. 33. The installation structure according to Claim 25 in which the conductive member is a watch. 34. The installation structure according to Claim 17 and Claim 24 in which the protective member made of a conductive material so as to form a hermetically sealed chamber into which the adaptive apparatus is housed is a surface- modified protective member. 35. The installation structure according to Claim 34 in which the conductive member is a medical instrument. 36. The installation structure according to Claim 34 in which the conductive member is a medical sterilisation case. 37. The installation structure according to Claim 34 in which the conductive member is a watch. 38. The installation structure according to Claim 16 and Claim 24 wherein the protective back-plate member made of a conductive material is a surface- modified protective member. 39. The installation structure according to Claim 38 in which the conductive member is a medical instrument. 40. The installation structure according to 38 in which the conductive member is a medical sterilisation case. 41. The installation structure according to Claim 38 in which the conductive member is a watch. 42. A communication method using an RFID tag as being installed to a hermetically sealed chamber within a conductive member, said chamber having a conductive protective covering, comprising the steps of :

forming an appropriately fashioned chamber in the surface portion of the conductive member; sealed chamber into which the adaptive apparatus is housed is a surface- modified protective member. 35. The installation structure according to Claim 34 in which the conductive member is a medical instrument. 36. The installation structure according to Claim 34 in which the conductive member is a medical sterilisation case. 37. The installation structure according to Claim 34 in which the conductive member is a watch. 38. The installation structure according to Claim 16 and Claim 24 wherein the protective back-plate member made of a conductive material is a surface- modified protective member. 39. The installation structure according to Claim 38 in which the conductive member is a medical instrument. 40. The installation structure according to 38 in which the conductive member is a medical sterilisation case. 41. The installation structure according to Claim 38 in which the conductive member is a watch.