Methods for manufacturing a radio frequency identification tag without aligning the chip and antenna

Abstract

An apparatus and method for attaching antennae to RFID tags is disclosed. Included is the use of RFID tags having a symmetrical interconnect system for attaching one or more antennae, such that virtually any rotational orientation of the RFID tag will result in a successful antennae attachment. Two oversized and “L” shaped gold-bumped poles can be arranged on the same side of a chip in an opposing fashion, such that at least one axis of symmetry is formed. Accordingly, virtually all rotational orientations of the chip are then acceptable when attaching a pair of opposing pole antenna leads. Alternatively, a pair of poles can be located on opposing chip surfaces, such that antenna substrates can attach to both the top and bottom of the chip to form a product “sandwich,” whereby the rotational orientation of the chip is irrelevant at an antenna attachment step

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification tag, comprising:
 creating a first radio frequency identification integrated circuit;   forming an interconnect system connected to said radio frequency identification integrated circuit; and   utilizing a parts handling system to process said first radio frequency identification integrated circuit, wherein said parts handling system processes said radio frequency identification integrated circuit without controlling for the rotational orientation of said radio frequency identification integrated circuit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said parts handling system comprises a mass parts handling system having a rotary feeder drive. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said mass parts handling system further comprises an outside track bowl. 
     
     
         4 . A method of attaching an antenna to a radio frequency identification integrated circuit, comprising:
 selecting a first radio frequency identification integrated circuit;   creating an interconnect system on said radio frequency identification integrated circuit;   utilizing a parts handling system to process said radio frequency identification integrated circuit; and   coupling at least one antenna to said interconnect system.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said interconnect system comprises two poles, wherein said the arrangement of said poles is substantially symmetrical about at least one axis along said radio frequency identification integrated circuit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of coupling at least one ground lead to said interconnect system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said interconnect system is arranged such that said at least one antenna can be coupled to said interconnect system whenever the rotational orientation of said radio frequency identification integrated circuit is at any of a plurality of distinct positions with respect to said at least one antenna. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said interconnect system is arranged such that said at least one antenna can be coupled to said interconnect system whenever the rotational orientation of said radio frequency identification integrated circuit is at any position with respect to said at least one antenna. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said interconnect system is arranged such that said at least one antenna can be coupled to said interconnect system regardless of whether said radio frequency identification integrated circuit is either face-up or face-down. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an integrated circuit means for receiving and transmitting radio frequency waves; and   a connecting means for connecting one or more antennae to said integrated circuit means, wherein said connecting means is arranged such that one or more antennae can be operably connected to said connecting means whenever the rotational orientation of said integrated circuit means is at any of a plurality of distinct positions with respect to said one or more antennae.