RADIOFREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAG DEVICES

Abstract

A combined RFID tag and label device for attaching an elongate object such as a cable, cable bundle, or pipe. The device comprises a plastic flag having a display surface to carry a visible identification code or label for the device and includes an encapsulated RFID tag configured to provide remote-readable RFID data to an RFID reader. The device includes a device tie and a tie mount which are configured such that, after fastening, the flag has a central longitudinal axis which lies above, and is aligned parallel to, a longitudinal axis of the elongate object where the device is fastened.

Claims

1. A combined RFID tag and label device for attaching to an elongate object, the device comprising: a plastic flag having a display surface to carry a visible identification code or label for the device and a reverse surface opposite the display surface, wherein the flag includes an encapsulated RFID tag configured to provide remote-readable RFID data to an RFID reader; a device tie to fasten around the elongate object to attach the device; a tie mount on the flag wherein the tie mount is located on the reverse surface of the flag and provides a tie mount attachment for a first end of the tie such that the tie extends from the tie mount across and generally parallel to the reverse surface, wherein the tie mount has an aperture to receive a second, opposite end of the tie after the tie has been passed around the elongate object, and wherein the flag has a corresponding aperture so that the second end of the tie can extend through the flag during fastening; and configured such that, after fastening, the flag has a central longitudinal axis which lies above, and is aligned parallel to, a longitudinal axis of the elongate object where the device is fastened.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the tie mount attachment for the first end of the tie is configured such that the first end of the tie, and the part of the tie the extends from the tie mount across and generally parallel to the reverse surface, is displaced away from the reverse surface of the flag such that, after fastening, the flag lies adjacent to but slightly proud from the elongate object.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the tie mount is located beyond a longitudinal edge of the flag such that, when fastened, the central longitudinal axis lies above the longitudinal axis of the elongate object.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the flag has an oblong shape and wherein the RFID tag comprises an integrated circuit located in a longitudinally central position along the central longitudinal axis with a dipole antenna extending to each side of the integrated circuit along the central longitudinal axis, comprising a single said tie mount located adjacent the integrated circuit in a longitudinally central position along the central longitudinal axis.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the tie has teeth and the aperture of the tie mount has a pawl to engage with the teeth to fasten the tie within the tie mount.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the rear surface of the flag and tie mount are compression moulded around the device tie.

7. A vehicle wiring loom comprising multiple cable bundles, and the device of claim 1 fastened to each of at least some of the cable bundles.

8. A system comprising the device of claim 1 and a tag reader, wherein the remote-readable RFID data is readable by the tag reader, wherein the tag reader includes a subsystem to input an identifier from the identification code or label into the tag reader, and wherein the tag reader is configured to provide tag data read from the RFID tag identified by the identifier.

9. A system comprising the device of claim 1 and a tag writer, wherein the remote-readable RFID data is writable by the tag writer, wherein the tag writer includes a subsystem to input an identifier from the identification code or label into the tag writer, and wherein the tag writer is configured to write tag data into the RFID tag identified by the identifier.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the tag reader is a tag reader/writer, wherein the remote-readable RFID data is readable by the tag reader/writer, wherein the tag reader/writer includes a subsystem to input an identifier from the identification code or label into the tag reader/writer, and wherein the tag reader/writer is configured to provide tag data read from the RFID tag identified by the identifier.

11. An RFID tag device fastenable with a cable tie, the RFID tag device comprising: a first surface, and a second surface disposed to a rear of the first surface; a cable tie mount, arranged to receive a cable tie, and disposed on a mounting area of the RFID tag device, wherein the mounting area is on a surface other than the first surface; wherein, when the RFID tag device is in a fastened configuration around an object to which the RFID tag device is attached, a long axis of the RFID tag device lies substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the object and the first surface faces away from the object.

12. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mounting area is co-planar with the second surface and extends laterally away from an area defined by the second surface, such that, in the fastened configuration, the second face lies substantially facing the object.

13. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11 comprising an RFID tag located between the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the cable tie mount is configured to hold the RFID tag away from the cable tie.

14. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a slot extending through the first and second surface, the slot arranged to receive a surplus length of a cable tie when said cable tie is received in the cable tie mount and the RFID tag device is in the fastened configuration.

15. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cable tie mount is oriented such that a cable tie is receivable in the cable tie mount along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the RFID tag device.

16. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the RFID tag device is an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tag.

17. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first surface is laser-printed or bears a laser-printed information label.

18. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the RFID tag device is plastic apart from the RFID tag, and formed by a compression moulding between the mounting area of the RFID tag device and the cable tie mount.

19. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11 comprising an RFID tag which includes an RF-readable chip configured to be remotely programmed by an RF programming device.

20. An RFID tag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the RFID tag device comprises a single said cable tie mount.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0036] These and other aspects of the device will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example combined RFID tag and label device.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 with the device tie fastened.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 showing an RFID tag inside the device.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 with the device tie unfastened.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another example combined RFID tag and label device.

[0043] In the figures like elements are indicated by like reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a combined RFID tag and label device 100. The device 35 comprises a plastic display part, which may be referred to as a flag 110. The flag 110 may have an oblong, e.g. substantially rectangular shape. The flag 110 has a display surface 112 (occluded in FIG. 1) and a reverse surface 114. The display surface may have an identifier such as a bar code or QR code or may have a label bearing an identifier attached to it. In some embodiments the identifier may be laser printed on the display surface.

[0045] The device has a device tie 120, e.g. comprising a length of tape or ribbon, serrated on one face 122 for attaching the device to an elongate object such as a cable (which as used here includes wiring), cable bundle, or to one or more pipes, e.g. metal pipes. The elongate object may be electrically conducting e.g. it may be made of or include some metal.

[0046] A first end 124 of the tie is attached to a tie mount 130 so that the tie extends from the tie mount 130 across and generally parallel to the reverse surface 114. In implementations there is a gap 128 between the tie 120 and the reverse surface 114 of the flag.

[0047] The tie mount 130 has an aperture 132 to receive a second end 126 of the tie, which may be tapered. There is a corresponding aperture 116 in the flag to allow the tie to extend through the flag as shown in FIG. 2. The tie mount 130 has an internal pawl 134 (not shown in FIG. 2) to engage with teeth of the serrated face 122 of the tie to fasten the device.

[0048] The tie mount is located on a tab 140 extending from an edge of the flag 110 so that, when fastened, a central longitudinal axis 116 of the flag lies substantially directly above the longitudinal axis of the cable, cable bundle, or pipe(s). In implementations there is only a single tie mount, as shown.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration of the device 100. An RFID tag 150 is encapsulated or embedded in the flag 110 e.g. within a chamber within the flag.

[0050] The RFID tag comprises an integrated circuit 152 coupled to a dipole antenna 154 comprising a pair of dipole elements 154a,b extending to either side of the integrated circuit 152. The dipole elements 154a,b may be meandering dipole elements as shown; each may optionally have a radiator 156 at the end. The integrated circuit 152 is located at a longitudinally central position, aligned with the tie mount 130. The RFID tag may be a UHF tag e.g. with a range of 1-10 m; it may be active or passive.

[0051] A tag reader/writer 300 may wirelessly communicate with the RFID tag 150 to read data from or write data to the tag.

[0052] FIGS. 4 and 5 other views of the device 100, and illustrate the central longitudinal axis 116 of the flag.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another example device 100a. In this device the tab 140 extends further beyond a longitudinal edge of the flag, displacing the flag slightly away from an axis of the cable bundle or other object to which it is attached.

[0054] In implementations the device 100, 100a is made from plastic i.e. an electrically non-conducting organic polymer. The device may be fabricated by compression moulding a first device part comprising the tie mount and the reverse surface of the flag; compression moulding a second device part comprising the display surface; and then joining the two device parts to encapsulate the RFID tag. Manufacture may be facilitated by compression moulding the first device part over/around the device tie. The pawl may also be included at this stage.

[0055] The combined RFID tag and label device may be used to label cable bundles of a vehicle wiring loom. In such an environment it is particularly difficult to ensure that a correct tag is written to/read from because of the large number of cables. Embodiments of the device provide significant advantages in such an environment.

[0056] Another use case is preventative maintenance. In one example the flag is provided with a machine readable code such as a 10 or 2D bar code (e.g. QR code) and interrogated with a combined interrogator comprising a combined RFID tag reader/writer and bar code reader. Conveniently for a user the bar code may be arranged to be read side-on i.e. when a (long) axis of the bar code is aligned with the elongate object, such as a cable or pipe, to which the device is attached. The bar code is used to identify the object, e.g. cable or pipe, to the combined interrogator which may then be used to write data to the RFID tag in the flag, such as a date of when the object, e.g. pipe or cable, was checked.

[0057] Many alternatives will occur to the skilled person. For example, in principle the described device may be attached to objects which are not elongate, such as boxes, packages, containers and the like.

[0058] Different features and aspects of the device described herein may be combined in a single implementation. Conversely, features described in combination may be implemented separately or in a sub-combination.

[0059] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the scope of the claims appended hereto.