Extended range RFID system

A label for use with an annular disc having a central hole therein, and including inner and outer annular portions surrounding the central hole, the outer annular portion having an annular conductive material, and the inner portion being substantially free of conductive material, the label comprising:

• a face stock layer;
• a transponder;
• antenna elements electrically coupled to the transponder;
• a base layer;
• and
• an adhesive layer attached to the base layer for adhesively coupling the label to the disc;
• wherein the antenna elements and the transponder are between the adhesive layer and the face stock layer;
• and
• wherein the antenna elements are substantially co-linear with one another, configured to be diametrically opposed on opposite sides of the central hole when the label is adhesively coupled to the disc.

A label for use with an annular disc having a central hole therein, and including inner and outer annular portions surrounding the central hole, the outer annular portion having an annular conductive material, and the inner portion being substantially free of conductive material, the label comprising:

• a face stock layer;
• a transponder;
• antenna elements electrically coupled to the transponder;
• a base layer;
• and
• an adhesive layer attached to the base layer for adhesively coupling the label to the disc;
• wherein the antenna elements and the transponder are between the adhesive layer and the face stock layer;
• and
• wherein the antenna elements are angled with respect to one another.

A label for use with an annular disc having a central hole therein, and including inner and outer annular portions surrounding the central hole, the outer annular portion having an annular conductive material, and the inner portion being substantially free of conductive material, the label comprising:

• a face stock layer;
• a transponder;
• antenna elements electrically coupled to the transponder;
• a base layer;
• and
• an adhesive layer attached to the base layer for adhesively coupling the label to the disc;
• wherein the antenna elements and the transponder are between the adhesive layer and the face stock layer;
• and
• further comprising an interconnection of conductive material conductively coupling the transponder and at least one of the antenna elements;
• wherein the interconnection is configured to overlie the inner portion of the disc when the label is attached to the disc.

A label for use with an annular disc having a central hole therein, and including inner and outer annular portions surrounding the central hole, the outer annular portion having an annular conductive material, and the inner portion being substantially free of conductive material, the label comprising:

• a face stock layer;
• a transponder;
• antenna elements electrically coupled to the transponder;
• a base layer;
• and
• an adhesive layer attached to the base layer for adhesively coupling the label to the disc;
• wherein the antenna elements and the transponder are between the adhesive layer and the face stock layer;
• and
• further comprising a conductive shunt that electrically couples the antenna elements together.

A label for use with an annular disc having a central hole therein, and including inner and outer annular portions surrounding the central hole, the outer annular portion having an annular conductive material, and the inner portion being substantially free of conductive material, the label comprising:

• a face stock layer;
• a transponder;
• antenna elements electrically coupled to the transponder;
• a base layer;
• and
• an adhesive layer attached to the base layer for adhesively coupling the label to the disc;
• wherein the antenna elements and the transponder are between the adhesive layer and the face stock layer;
• and
• wherein the antenna elements are configured to at least in part overlie the outer annular portion when the label is adhesively coupled to the disc, and to thereby capacitively couple to the annular conductive material of the disc.

An RFID system comprising;

• an annular disc that includes;
• an inner annular portion surrounding a central hole;
• and
• an outer annular portion surrounding the inner annular portion;
• and
• a transponder;
• wherein the outer annular portion includes an annular conductive material;
• wherein the transponder is electrically coupled to the annular conductive material, such that the annular conductive material functions as at least part of an antenna structure in conjunction with the transponder;
• and
• wherein the transponder is directly electrically coupled to antenna elements that in turn are capacitively coupled to the annular conductive material.