RU2257614C2 - Electronic label - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electric engineering.

SUBSTANCE: device has electronic chip 4 and antenna 3, assembled on flexible base 2, additionally has rigid elements, held to provide for chip protection on at least one side of base, above the chip or below it, to cover at the least chip mounting position.

EFFECT: prevented damage to electronic chip.

2 cl, 5 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic label, in particular to a flexible electronic label.

State of the art

Under the label in this description refers to a device (node), which contains at least a flexible base, antenna and electronic chip. If necessary, such a device may contain several antennas or several chips. These devices exist in the form of buttons, smart cards ("smart cards"), and even luggage tags. Thanks to the presence of antennas, they can communicate with a remote reader. At the same time, the antenna not only serves as a means of communication, but can also be used to obtain energy, which must be powered by an electronic chip.

Depending on the embodiment, the antenna can be attached to a flexible base or directly engraved or cut on it.

There are numerous chip options that differ in their functions. For example, some of them provide only reading information, while others allow you to store data and make changes to memory. The chips of the latter type are used, among other things, as electronic wallets, the contents of which, for obvious reasons, should decrease depending on the user's consumption.

The present invention relates mainly to flexible electronic labels. Such labels can be found in bracelets of tickets for various performances or in identification cards (tokens) and even embedded in clothing material. They can be attached to any object, such as a piece of clothing, or exist as a separate object, for example, their flexible base can serve as a bracelet.

While antennas made in the form of a set of thin wires easily bend and twist, the electronic chip itself requires a hard zone for its implantation. Indeed, the silicon chip is fragile, and that is why it is introduced into the shell of the corresponding resin, which protects it from mechanical damage and chemical influences (corrosion). This shell is also able to protect the contacts between the chip and the antenna.

For this reason, the installation area of the chip is an area that cannot be bent so as not to damage the chip or its contacts. This zone may, due to the presence of a shell, have a diameter of 5 to 7 mm. Creating a shell for the chip is an additional manufacturing operation, which leads to an increase in the cost of the chip.

An electronic label is also known as described in US Pat. No. 5,844,244, which contains an electronic chip and an antenna. All components of the well-known labels representing the closest analogue of the claimed invention are placed in a sealed enclosure of dielectric material. A known label may be attached to a bracelet or other flexible base with the possibility of its removal or replacement. Thus, the known label does not contain any means of protection of the chip, except for the dielectric material, and even more so no hard protective elements mounted on a flexible base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem to which the present invention is directed, is to, on the one hand, reduce the size of the hard zone on a flexible base and, on the other hand, to protect the chip.

This problem has been solved by creating a flexible electronic label, which contains at least a flexible base, an antenna and an electronic chip assembled on a flexible base and connected to the antenna. The label according to the invention is characterized in that the chip is protected by a rigid element additionally mounted on the base.

Thus, the required rigidity is provided according to the invention not by the shell of the chip, but by a rigid element, which is installed either above the chip or under it. An additional advantage of this solution is the ability to use the specified hard element as a decorative one.

The rigid element may, for example, be a continuation of the rigid element already fixed on a flexible base, such as a fastening element, a locking element or a lock (clasp). In particular, the lock of the bracelet can be extended so as to close the chip mounted on the flexible part of the bracelet. This idea applies to all types of locks, including watch bracelets equipped with a reed latch or a single-use lock for a patient in a hospital. In any such lock, there is a hard part that can serve as protection for the chip.

In the absence of a lock, said rigid element may be in the form of an independent element, such as a hard cap, which closes the chip mounting location on either side of the flexible base and which is equipped with tabs passed through the flexible base and interacting with the plate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a hard cap is located under the electronic chip.

Other attachment means, such as gluing, welding or hot deformation of the legs, may also be considered.

In some applications, it may be of interest to install the chip at a later stage or even replace it depending on your needs. In view of this circumstance, the present invention equally embraces a rigid element with an electronic chip connected to the antenna via a set of contacts provided for this purpose.

List of Figures

The invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, where:

figure 1 presents an electronic label in the form of a bracelet with a lock having a protrusion, which is designed to protect the chip;

figure 2 presents an electronic label in the form of a bracelet with an independent rigid element designed to protect the chip;

figure 3 presents a longitudinal section of a flexible bracelet in figure 2;

figure 4 shows the antenna of an electronic label on which an electronic chip can be installed;

figure 5 shows the site of the electronic chip, which is in contact with the antenna, assembled on a flexible base.

Information confirming the possibility of carrying out the invention

1, the dashed lines show the antenna 3, which is part of the flexible bracelet 2. Typically, the antenna is located between two layers of fabric that provide mechanical protection. An electronic chip 4 is located along the antenna 3 and is connected to it, as a rule, by two conductors made of gold. The lock 1 is rigid, and in the presented embodiment, it is equipped with a protrusion 1a, covering the place where the chip 4 is located.

Other forms of locks can be used, for example, with a latch, one part of which is extended so as to be located just above the surface of the electronic chip.

In the case of using an inexpensive bracelet, it can be made single-layer. In this case, according to the invention, the antenna and the electronic chip are fixed on the inside of the bracelet, and a part of the lock covers the electronic chip.

Figure 2 presents the option corresponding to the case when the use of part of the lock 1 to protect the chip 4 is undesirable. In this case, a rigid element 5 is used, which is additionally located above the chip 4. This element 5, which in this embodiment is in the form of a cap, is mounted on a flexible base 2. Obviously, various options for fixing it can be used, including gluing, gluing in a heated state welding and mechanical fastening. This cap can also serve advertising purposes, for example, it can be equipped with the logo of the manufacturer.

A similar installation option for electronic labels is applicable to any flexible base and is not limited to bracelets. The described module can be mounted on the plane of a theater ticket, inside an item of clothing, in a room hung on the runner’s back.

Figure 3 in longitudinal section shows an example implementation of the described rigid element. It can be seen that it has an upper part, a cap 5, with which two legs 5a and 5b are connected, passed through a flexible base 2 and inserted into the plate 6. A flexible base 2 is formed by the upper layer 2a and the lower layer 2b. An antenna 3 is located between the two layers and is connected to the electronic chip 4. In the unshown embodiment, the top layer is covered by the electronic chip. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the top layer is provided with an opening through which an electronic chip 4 can be passed. This embodiment has a reduced thickness.

According to another embodiment, the cap 5 has two openings 5c and 5d, which serve to fill the space above the chip 4 and thereby cover the chip with a filler material, such as epoxy resin or silicone. The advantage of this option is to protect the chip 4 from corrosion due to moisture, sweat or the effects of cleaning agents that cause corrosion. The resin is supplied under pressure through the first hole 5c, and after filling the space under the cap 5, excess resin is discharged through the second hole 5d.

In accordance with a modification of this embodiment, the cap 5 is filled with a drop of resin before being set to a predetermined position. Excess resin is removed through the hole provided for this purpose.

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a flexible base 2, which is provided with an antenna 3 but does not contain an electronic chip 4. On the flexible base there are two zones 7a and 7b in the form of recesses into which the conductive ends of the antenna 3 are output. Depending on the design, these zones may be coated with an electrically conductive material (gold, aluminum, copper or carbon). In order to simplify the assembly, two openings 2c and 2d are provided on both sides of these recesses.

The device according to this option is presented in assembled form in figure 5. The rigid element 5 incorporates an electronic chip 4. Thus, in this embodiment, the chip is brought into contact with the antenna, i.e. the electronic label comes into operation as a result of the installation operation of the protective hard element 5. To carry out this operation, the hard element 5 contains a substrate 9 on which the electronic chip 4 is located. On the same substrate there are two conductive connecting zones 8a and 8b that are installed in front of two recesses 7a and 7b, coupled with the poles of the antenna 3. These connecting zones can be made, for example, by applying a layer of carbon. The option of securing the rigid element 5 by means of the tabs 5a and 5b passing through the flexible base has the advantage that it simultaneously allows the contacts to be set to a predetermined position, i.e. between the antenna and the chip.

In order to improve the stability and quality of the contact between the chip and the antenna, a conductive adhesive that acts as a conductive bonding agent can be applied to the contacts.

In relation to other options for the implementation of the chip there is no need to use the substrate 9. Known electronic chips equipped with protrusions serving as connecting elements. Thanks to such protrusions, the chip can be mounted directly on a flexible base and due to this it is paired with an antenna. A variant is also known according to which a conductive film is applied to the chip, which provides electrical contact between the chip and the antenna. In relation to this embodiment, the conductive zones on the chip are indicated by heat treatment.

In accordance with a variation of this embodiment, the rigid element 5 incorporates accessories such as a battery, a vibrator, an LED or a converter used in various applications of this label.

Single use wristbands are used in applications such as access control for various spectacles or patient identification in a hospital. They are designed in such a way that the opening of the lock of such a bracelet can only be done by destroying it. For this aspect of the application of the invention, it is important that the identification performed by the electronic label can be interrupted with the same consequences as the visual identification.

According to an embodiment of the lock, in which part of the lock closes the electronic chip, this part provides the opportunity to destroy the chip or antenna when trying to open the bracelet. Various embodiments are possible to solve this problem.

According to the first embodiment, the part of the lock that covers the chip is glued to it. In this embodiment, in the case of forced opening of the lock, the electronic chip breaks out of the flexible base and, having lost contact with the antenna, loses the ability to function. The glue that holds the chip on a flexible base has less adhesive ability than the glue that holds the chip to the lock.

According to another embodiment, the part of the lock that protects the chip is equipped with two bushings drawn through a flexible bracelet. The corresponding holes in the flexible bracelet are located closer to each other, and between them passes at least one of the conductors of the antenna. The bushings are extended at the ends to prevent them from being removed from the bracelet. Such expansion can be achieved either by attaching additional parts to them, or by deformation of the sleeve, for example, by heating it.

In the event of a forced opening attempt, the sleeve cannot be pulled out of its bore without rupture in the area between the two bores and, therefore, without significant damage to the antenna. As a result, the label becomes inoperative.

Although this type of protection is effective against force against the lock, an unscrupulous person always has the opportunity to cut the bracelet to transfer it to another person, who will thereby gain the opportunity to pass identification control thanks to the electronic function of the label.

In order to prevent such a reception, in a corresponding embodiment of the invention it is proposed to arrange at least one turn of the antenna along the entire length of the electronic label. As a result, it becomes impossible to cut the bracelet of this type without breaking the antenna loop, which leads to the termination of the electronic module.

In this case, there is even no need to pull the antenna along the entire length of the bracelet. It is enough for one of its turns to pass from one part of the lock to the other, without leaving a gap through which the bracelet could be cut.

In accordance with a variation of this embodiment, the electronic chip has two contacts and can only function if these contacts are interconnected. These two contacts are attached to the ends of the conductive wire, which is laid along the length of the electronic label. This ensures that with any cutting of such an electronic label, a conductor break will inevitably occur and, as a result, the chip will stop working.

The same function of the conductive wire can be used for the intended disconnection of the label. One can imagine, in particular, a ticket, one part of which (coupon) is partially separated from the other, while both parts of the ticket are connected by a conductive wire. In the process of controlling this ticket, the operator cuts off the coupon in the area provided for this and thereby breaks the conductive wire. This operation makes the electronic module inoperative.

The part of the label to be separated can be formed by pre-partial notching or reducing the strength in the corresponding area of the label. In particular, the flexible base in this area may have a smaller thickness, which will facilitate subsequent cutting precisely in this area.

Claims (18)

1. A flexible electronic label containing at least a flexible base (2), an antenna (3) and an electronic chip (4) connected to the antenna (3), characterized in that it further comprises a rigid element (1, 5) secured to protect the chip (4) on at least one of the sides of the base (2) either above or below the chip, ensuring at least the installation location of the chip (4) is closed. 2. An electronic label according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixed rigid element (1) is made in the form of a part (1a) of an element serving as a locking element or lock of the label. 3. An electronic label according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixed rigid element (1) is an independent element (5) designed to protect the chip. 4. An electronic label according to claim 3, characterized in that said independent element (5) is fixed on a flexible base (2) by gluing, welding or mechanical connection. 5. An electronic label according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the independent element (5) is filled with a substance covering the chip (4). 6. The electronic label according to claim 1, characterized in that the chip has two contacts that are attached to the ends of the conductive wire laid along the length of the electronic label, ensuring that said conductive wire ruptures and, therefore, the chip stops working when any cut of the electronic label. 7. An electronic label according to claim 6, characterized in that said conductive wire is part of the antenna (3). 8. The electronic label according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said conductive wire crosses the separation zone of the label formed by an incision or a decrease in strength in the corresponding zone of the label. 9. An electronic label according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed rigid element (1) is equipped with means to ensure the failure of the chip (4) and / or antenna (3) in case of separation of the specified fixed rigid element (1) from the flexible base (2). 10. An electronic label according to claim 9, characterized in that said means are an adhesive located between the chip (4) and the fixed rigid element (1), moreover, the adhesive ability of said adhesive is higher than that of the adhesive located between the chip (4) and flexible base (2). 11. An electronic label according to claim 9, characterized in that the flexible base (2) is provided with at least two openings between which at least one of the antenna conductors (3) is passed, said means comprising at least at least two bushings that are connected to a fixed rigid element (1) and are led through these holes, while these bushings are made expanded at the ends by attaching additional parts to them or deforming them. 12. An electronic label assembled on a flexible base (2) and containing at least one antenna (3) and an electronic chip (4), characterized in that on the flexible base there are two zones (7a 7b) in the form of recesses, which lead the conductive ends of the antenna (3), and the electronic chip (4) is located in an additional rigid element (5), which also contains two conductive connecting zones (8a and 8b), designed to provide during installation of the hard element (5) contact indicated zones (7a and 7b). 13. The electronic label according to claim 12, characterized in that the chip has two contacts that are attached to the ends of the conductive wire laid along the length of the electronic label, so that said conductive wire is torn and, therefore, the chip stops working when any cut of the electronic label. 14. The electronic label of claim 13, wherein said conductive wire is part of the antenna (3). 15. The electronic label of claim 13, wherein said conductive wire crosses the label separation zone formed by an incision or a decrease in strength in the corresponding label zone. Priorities for items: 12/23/1999 - according to claims 1 - 5, 12; 01/28/2000 - according to claims 9-11; 02/03/2000 - according to claims 6 - 8, 13 - 15.

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