# US 2019/0244071 A1 · Metal fastener with embedded rfid tag and method of production > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0244071 A1 - Document ID: US20190244071A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/246,317 - Filed: 2019-01-11 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-01-11 - Assignees: Pilgrim Screw Corporation; Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education - Inventors: Geoffrey Grove; Tao Wei; Otto Gregory - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190244071A1 ## CPC - G06K 19/07758: {arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag} - G06K 19/07771: {the record carrier comprising means for minimising adverse effects on the data communication capability of the record carrier, e.g. minimising Eddy currents induced in a proximate metal or otherwise electromagnetically interfering object} - G06K 19/07773: {Antenna details (antennas for wireless devices, e.g. RFID tags, in general H01Q1/22)} - G06K 19/07794: {the record carrier comprising a booster or auxiliary antenna in addition to the antenna connected directly to the integrated circuit} - H01Q 1/2225: {used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal} - H01Q 1/44: using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna {, e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspect}(H01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence) - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract The present disclosure is generally directed to an RFID tag for use with a metal fastener where the fastener operates as the antenna of the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a microchip for storing data. The chip is electrically coupled to the metal fastener in order to receive and transmit the RF signal, the metal fastener thereby operating as the antenna for the RFID tag. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An RFID tag comprising a semiconductor chip and an antenna, wherein the antenna comprises a metal fastener including a proximal end and a distal end constructed and arranged to secure two or more objects together. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor chip is in communicative connection with the metal fastener. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The RFID tag of claim 2, wherein the metal fastener comprises: a head comprising a first diameter and a top surface; and a shaft extending from the head and comprising a second shorter diameter and a bottom surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The RFID tag of claim 3, wherein the semiconductor chip is mounted to the head of the metal fastener. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The RFID tag of claim 3, wherein the semiconductor chip is mounted to the shaft of the metal fastener. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The RFID tag of claim 5, wherein the semiconductor chip is mounted on the shaft distal to the head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The RFID tag of claim 2, wherein the semiconductor chip is connected to the metal fastener using one or more connectors. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The RFID tag of claim 7, wherein the one or more connectors are wires. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The RFID tag of claim 4, wherein the semiconductor chip is mounted in a recess within the head, such that the integrated circuit does not extend beyond the top surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The RFID tag of claim 6, wherein the semiconductor ship is mounted in a recess within the distal end of the shaft, such that the integrated circuit does not extend beyond the bottom surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The RFID tag of claim 2, further comprising a matching network. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The RFID tag of claim 11, wherein the matching network forms a circuit in connection with the semiconductor chip and the antenna. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the metal fastener comprises an electrically conductive material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The RFID tag of claim 13, wherein the electrically conductive material has a resistance of less than about 1.0 ohm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The RFID tag of claim 14, wherein the electrically conductive material comprises a zinc coating. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor chip is a passive device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The RFID tag of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor chip is operable at frequencies between 860 and 960 MHz. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The RFID tag of claim 11, wherein the matching network comprises a single inductor. ### Claim 19 (canceled) ### Claim 20 A method for determining antenna behavior of a metal fastener, the method comprising the steps of: Connecting the metal fastener to a Vector Network Analyzer; Determining reflection coefficients of the metal fastener across a frequency spectrum using the Vector Network Analyzer; Determining impedances from the reflection coefficients; Using the impedances to determine values of an inductor and a conductor; and Constructing a circuit using the determined values. ### Claim 21 A method for determining an inductance of a matching network, the method comprising the steps of: a) Providing a metal fastener and a semiconductor chip; b) Constructing a printed circuit board; c) Connecting printed circuit board to the semiconductor chip; d) Connecting the semiconductor chip to the metal fastener using a wire; e) Twisting the wire into a loop formation having a diameter; f) Reading the semiconductor chip using an RFID reader at different distances from the semiconductor chip; g) Repeating steps e and f using different diameters to find a diameter at which the semiconductor chip can be read from a farthest distance; and h) Converting the diameter at which the semiconductor chip can be read from the farthest distance into a circuit model.