RFID tag with a releasable coupler

A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:

• an RFID transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, the RFID transceiver comprising:
• an integrated circuit (IC) chip and;
• an antenna comprising a plurality of discrete segments, wherein the plurality of discrete segments are spaced apart from each other, and at least one of the plurality of discrete segments is permanently electrically coupled to the IC chip to provide a first read range for the RFID tag;
• and
• a removable, releasable coupler, configured to be releasably engagable with the RFID transceiver comprising a coupling material, the releasable coupler being configured such that when the releasable coupler is releasably engaged with the RFID transceiver, the coupling material couples at least two of the plurality of discrete antenna segments together to provide a second read range for the RFID tag, wherein the second read range is greater than the first read range and when the releasable coupler is disengaged from the RFID transceiver the second read range is less than the first read range and when in a disengaged state, only one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments is electrically or physically coupled to the IC chip such that the releasable coupler comprises a releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably secure the releasable coupler to a substrate;
• wherein the releasable coupler comprises a layer of adhesive material that releasably secures the releasable coupler to the substrate;
• and
• textual indicia printed on the RFID tag under the releasable coupler so that when the releasable coupler is removed the indicia is revealed to indicate that the RFID tag is in a disengaged state.

A method for altering a read range of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:

• providing the RFID tag in an engaged state that comprises:
• an RFID transceiver that can provide radio frequency (RF) signals in response to interrogation signals;
• and
• a removable, releasable coupler, engaged with the RFID transceiver to define a first read range for the RFID tag, the RFID tag having a plurality of discrete antenna segments that are spaced apart from each other, and at least one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments is permanently electrically coupled to the IC chip wherein the releasable coupler comprises a releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably secure the releasable coupler to a substrate,
• transitioning the RFID tag to a disengaged state with a second read range that is less than the first read range by disengaging the releasable coupler from the RFID transceiver and when in a disengaged state, only one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments is electrically or physically coupled to the IC chip;
• wherein the releasable coupler is secured to the RFID transceiver via an adhesive material;
• and
• textual indicia printed on the RFID tag under the releasable coupler so that when the releasable coupler is removed the indicia is revealed to indicate that the RFID tag is in a disengaged state.

A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:

• an RFID transceiver including an integrated circuit configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, the RFID transceiver comprising an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to an antenna having a plurality of discrete antenna segments that are spaced apart from each other, and at least one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments is permanently electrically coupled to the integrated circuit, having one or more of an impedance, gain or directionality that defines a first read range of the RFID tag;
• and
• a removable, releasable coupler, configured to be releasably engagable with the RFID transceiver comprising a coupling material, the releasable coupler being configured such that when the releasable coupler is releasably engaged with the RFID transceiver, the coupling material altering at least one of the impedance, gain and directionality of the RFID tag by coupling at least one spaced apart discrete antenna segment to at least one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments permanently electrically coupled to the integrated circuit in order to define a second read range of the RFID tag, wherein the second read range is greater than the first read range and when the releasable coupler is disengaged from the RFID transceiver the second read range is less than the first read range and when in a disengaged state, only one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments is electrically or physically coupled to the IC chip such that the releasable coupler comprises a releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably secure the releasable coupler to a substrate;
• wherein the releasable coupler comprises a layer of adhesive material that releasably secures the releasable coupler to the substrate;
• and
• textual indicia printed on the RFID tag under the releasable coupler so that when the releasable coupler is removed the indicia is revealed to indicate that the RFID tag is in the disengaged state.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising;

• an RFID transceiver including an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to an antenna having a plurality of discrete antenna segments that are spaced apart from each other, and at least one of the plurality of discrete antenna segments is permanently electrically coupled to the integrated circuit;
• a releasable coupler configured to be releasably engaged with the RFID transceiver having a read range and when the releasable coupler is disengaged from the RFID transceiver the read range is reduced and when in a disengaged state, only one of the plurality of antenna segments is electrically or physically coupled to the IC chip;
• the removable, releasable coupler, comprising a coupling material and one or more separable discrete sections which when removed from the RFID transceiver alters the read range and the releasable coupler comprises a releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably secure the releasable coupler to a substrate wherein the locking mechanism includes a plurality of locking members that need to be simultaneously engaged;
• and
• textual indicia printed on the RFID tag under the releasable coupler so that when the releasable coupler is removed the indicia is revealed to indicate that the RFID tag is in a disengaged state.