Radio Frequency Identification Tagging

Abstract

A RFID tag or label comprises a RFID tag module (comprising an electronic identification circuit and a coupling means) and an antenna structure coupled to the coupling means. The RFID tag module is separate from, separable or arranged to be severable from, the antenna structure. The tag module can be placed in or on an object and the antenna structure in or on packaging material for use with the object. A patch antenna type RFID tag antenna structure has a ground plane spaced from the patch antenna so as to increase the range of the tag. The ground plane is not substantially larger than, and electrically insulated from, the patch antenna. The ground plane is flexible, so the RFID tag structure can be worn by a human, and can be incorporated into a piece of clothing. A RFID antenna structure for use with a tag reader is made flat and robust so that it can be mounted on the ground to be walked upon or driven over. A bi-directional YAGI type RFID tag antenna structure has director elements on two opposite sides so that the YAGI antenna radiates in two opposite directions. An object includes a gain increasing metallic structure for increasing the gain of a RFID tag when placed near the object so as to form a RFID tag antenna structure.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An article of clothing, comprising
 a fabric material; and   an RFID tag module, wherein the RFID tag module is completely surrounded by the fabric material.   
     
     
         22 . The article of clothing of  claim 21 , wherein the article of clothing includes a collar and the RFID tag module is completely surrounded by the fabric material of the collar. 
     
     
         23 . The article of clothing of  claim 21 , wherein the article of clothing is a shirt. 
     
     
         24 . The article of clothing of  claim 21  further including an RFID tag antenna structure. 
     
     
         25 . The article of clothing of  claim 24 , wherein the RFID tag antenna structure is sandwiched between two layers of the fabric material. 
     
     
         26 . The article of clothing of  claim 24 , wherein RFID the tag antenna structure includes at least two director elements such that the RFID tag antenna structure is capable of radiating in at least two opposite directions. 
     
     
         27 . The article of clothing of  claim 24 , wherein the RFID tag antenna structure includes one or more metal strips. 
     
     
         28 . The article of clothing of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the article of clothing includes a collar;   the RFID tag module is disposed within two layers of fabric material of the collar;   at least a portion of the RFID tag antenna structure extends into a space between two folded portions of the collar.   
     
     
         29 . The article of clothing of  claim 24 , wherein the RFID tag antenna structure includes:
 a patch antenna;   a ground plane, wherein the ground plane is flexible to support wearable comfort of the article of clothing; and   a dielectric material between the patch antenna and the ground plane.   
     
     
         30 . A method of RF communication with an article of clothing, comprising:
 completely surrounding an RFID tag module with fabric material of the article of clothing; and   wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module with a reader.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising sandwiching an RFID tag antenna structure between two layers of the fabric material and wherein wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module with the reader includes wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module via the RFID tag antenna structure. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the article of clothing includes a collar; and   completely surrounding the RFID tag module to the fabric material of the article of clothing includes disposing the RFID tag module within two layers of fabric material of the collar.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module with the reader includes wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module with the reader via an RFID tag antenna structure and at a wireless communicable range of the RFID tag antenna structure, the wireless communicable range of the RFID tag antenna structure being greater than a wireless communicable range of the RFID tag module. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein:
 wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module with the reader includes wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module via one or more of at least two director elements of an RFID tag antenna structure; and   the at least two director elements are configured such that the RFID tag antenna structure is capable of radiating in at least two opposite directions.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein:
 wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module with the reader includes wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag module with the reader via one or more metal strips of an RFID tag antenna structure; and   the RFID tag antenna structure includes the one or more metal strips disposed on a material separate from the fabric material.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising removably attaching an RFID tag antenna structure to the article of clothing and within a wireless communicable range of the RFID tag module. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the article of clothing includes a collar;   completely surrounding an RFID tag module to the fabric of the article of clothing includes disposing the RFID tag module within two layers of fabric material of the collar; and   removably attaching the RFID tag antenna structure to the article of clothing and within the wireless communicable range of the RFID tag module includes extending at least a portion of RFID tag antenna structure into a space between two folded portions of the collar.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the RFID tag antenna structure includes:
 a patch antenna;   a ground plane, wherein the ground plane is flexible to support wearable comfort of the article of clothing; and   a dielectric material between the patch antenna and the ground plane.   
     
     
         39 . An piece of clothing, comprising:
 a fabric material;   an RFID tag module sandwiched between two layers of the fabric material; and   an RFID tag antenna structure disposed within a communicable range of the RFID tag module.   
     
     
         40 . The piece of clothing of  claim 39 , wherein the RFID tag antenna structure includes a second communicable range that is greater than the communicable range of the of the RFID tag module.