US 2018/0005103 A1 · UHF RFID TAG FOR MARKING UNDERGROUND ASSETS AND LOCATIONS AND METHOD OF USING SAME

Abstract

A marker for locating and identify assets which includes an ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag optimized for use below ground and able to more effectively communicate with a RFID reader through a lossy medium such as soil and air. The markers include a reflector which is sized relatively larger than the tag to help focus the forward pattern of the tag more tightly in a forward direction normal to the spiral surface. In addition, the tag includes a chip configured for the soil in which it is to be buried, and an antenna polarized to match the polarization of an RFID reader antenna that is part of a system that includes the marker and reader.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for locating assets, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a top and a bottom;
an ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification tag provided in the housing, the tag having a rear side facing the bottom of the housing and a front side facing the top of the housing, the front side having a chip and a dual spiral antenna provided thereon;
a reflector provided in the housing between the rear side of the tag and the bottom of the housing;
and
a permanent magnet provided in the housing between the rear side of the tag and the bottom of the housing;
wherein the antenna has an antenna outside dimension;
and wherein the reflector has a reflector outside dimension greater than the antenna outside dimension.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/605,153Filed 25 May 2017

Priority

27 May 2016

Published

4 Jan 2018

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G06K 19/07786
Antenna details: the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
G06K 7/10
Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns: by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular…
G06K 17/00
Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two
G06K 19/0723
With integrated circuit chips: the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on…

Uhf rfid tag for marking underground assets and locations and method of using same

Life of this patent

Uhf rfid tag for marking underground assets and locations and method of using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20