WO2006031087A1

WO2006031087A1 - Eyelet for radio frequency identification

Info

Publication number: WO2006031087A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003094
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong Woong Ryu
Original assignee: Rfcamp Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-09-17
Filing date: 2005-09-16
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Also published as: KR100633583B1; KR20060025888A

Abstract

Provided is an eyelet for RFID, performing contactless identification function. The eyelet for RFID includes an eyelet base, a built-in antenna, and an RFID circuit module. The eyelet base is composed of plastic and includes a rim closely attached to an object and a barrel portion passing through the object to be fastened. As an end of the barrel portion is wound to be closely attached to the object and the built-in antenna and the RFID circuit module are fastened to the object. The RFID circuit module fastened to the object uses the built-in antenna as an antenna for transmitting and receiving data with an external reader. Since the eyelet base is composed of plastic material, the RFID circuit module may communicate unimpeded with the reader. A conventional eyelet structure is used, thereby increasing the amount of production, reducing the cost of an RFID tag, and making a durable engagement.

Description

EYELET FOR RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tag using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, and more particularly, to a tag for RFID, which can be applied to an object requiring auto-identification, regardless of the type and shape of the object, and used multiple times.

Background Art Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags generally indicate devices formed of an IC chip, an antenna, and adhesive material and transmitting or receiving predetermined data with an external reader or interrogator. RFID tags may be called as transponders.

RFID tags transmit or receive data with a reader by using a contactless method. According to the amplitude of a used frequency, inductive coupling, backscattering coupling and surface acoustic wave (SAW) may be used. Using electromagnetic waves, data may be transmitted or received to or from a reader by using a full duplex method using the electromagnetic wave, a half duplex (HDX) method, and a sequential (SEQ) method. For example, RFID tags are used in managing products due to the property of the contactless method and used multiple times for an IC card for payment or a pass.

Considering frequency band, low frequency bandwidth such as 135 KHz and 13.56 MHz are conventionally used and the use of ultra high frequency (UHF) of 900 MHz is notably increased in a current administration of physical distribution. Particularly, RFID is used for the administration of physical distribution in a big organization such as Wal-Mart, or the Pentagon of the U. S. A with a large distribution system. In this case, the UHF bandwidth using backscattering coupling is substantially used and passive tags stimulated with respect to an external scan and generating a required current without a built-in battery have been recognized as standard for some time. Table 1

As illustrated in Table 1, there are a method of using a tag as is, a method of laminating a tag to make a card, a method of using an adhesive material such as a sticker, and a method of forming a tag in a single body by using injection molding as methods of applying RFID technology.

The method of directly inserting a tag into a package or garment without additional adhesion has merits in which engagement is not required and reuse is possible but has demerits in which a risk of loss is great and a tag may be easily damaged by an external impact. The form of a laminated card may protect an RFID chip from a change of external environments and easily carried such as in a wallet of a user, but is difficult to be attached to a product or engaged with a product for use, thereby being restricted in use. Also, in the case of a sticker, it is assumed to be generally used more than the other described methods but is restricted in adhesive strength and durability in harsh environments. Since a tag formed by molding protects an RFID chip, the tag may be used in harsh environments. However, the tag manufacturing by molding may not be reused because an RFID component can not be separated to be used for another purpose, and has a manufacturing process more complicated than other forms of use, and is relatively high-priced.

As described above, an RFID tag is formed of an IC chip, an antenna, and an adhesive material. A substrate formed in the shape of a film composed of any type of plastic material such as PVC, PCB, PE, and PA is used. The substrate is formed in a thickness less than approximately 100 μm, and an antenna is formed above the substrate. A conducting wire of the antenna may be installed on the substrate together with a chip or connected to an IC chip outside the substrate by using a direct bonding method or a chip-on-board (COB) method. The RFID tag may be partly coated by using an epoxy resin for the stability of connection between the IC chip and the conducting wire.

Generally, the size of the RFID tag is determined by various features such as the size of a chip, the size of an antenna, the degree of technical skill, and whether a battery is installed according to an active or passive method. Currently, since technical levels with respect to the size of a chip and the degree of technical skill have been notably improved, the size of an RFID tag is substantially dependent upon the size of an antenna. The size of an antenna may become larger as the size of reading range required in a reader becomes larger, become smaller as emitted power of a reader becomes greater, and become smaller as a used frequency becomes high. In the case data is transmitted and received by backscattering while using frequency in a bandwidth higher than UHF, the degree of backscattering is dependent upon the size and shape of an antenna, geological features, surface structure, wavelength, and polarization and has an improved efficiency when an antenna of metal material is used. Therefore, in the case of generally used existing tags in a frequency bandwidth of less than 13.56 MHz, there are basic limitations in which an antenna has to be formed in the type of a coil by using an inductive coupling method, the size of the antenna has to be more than several cm, and external housing may not be composed of metal material. As an RFID tag using a frequency higher than approximately 900 MHz and backscattering becomes generally used in such a physical distribution area, the limitation on the size of an antenna and the material of housing becomes relaxed. Particularly, housing formed of metal material may be used and the size of an antenna and tag may be reduced. Also, in the case of a backscattering method, the problem of directivity between a reader and an RFID tag is relieved more than the inductive coupling method, thereby relaxing the limitation on the shape of tags.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Goals

As described above, the shape of a conventional RFID tag has at least one of the following problems in which 1) there may be poor adhesive strength in harsh environments, 2) chip reliability is difficult to guarantee in harsh environments, 3) a process of manufacturing a tag, particularly, a process of manufacturing an antenna is complicated and has high costs.

The present invention provides an RFID tag that can easily integrate or install a tag by using a conventional eyelet integrating device or an improved eyelet integrating device and has a structure favorable to maintain adhesion or chip durability more than a conventional RFID tag.

The present invention also provides an RFID tag that can satisfy the function of maintaining an engagement of and a hole in an object, which is possible in a conventional eyelet base, and a function supplementary to the engagement of an eyelet base or rivet of an eyelet washer which is perform the RFID tag function.

The present invention also provides an RFID tag that has superiority in the cost of raw material of an RFID tag, is economic by simplifying a manufacturing process of an antenna, and does not use an additional adhesive agent, thereby obtaining merits in manufacturing cost and manufacturing process. The present invention also provides an RFID tag that uses a built-in antenna and RFID circuit module in an eyelet, thereby minimizing space and ratio of space being occupied by the tag itself. The present invention also provides an RFID tag having a structure, in which various shapes, appearance, and colors may be shown, and being valuably utilized in other uses in addition to a tag.

Technical Solutions

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an eyelet for radio frequency identification (RFID), including: an eyelet base; a built-in antenna fastened to the object with the eyelet base; and an RFID circuit module electrically connected to the built-in antenna. The eyelet base includes a rim and a barrel portion formed in a single body. An end of the barrel portion is wound to fasten the eyelet for RFID to the object. As a conventional eyelet, in the case the object is thin, the eyelet may be fastened to the object by using eyelet base, but in the case the object is relatively thick, an eyelet washer corresponding to the eyelet base is used for securely fastening the eyelet to the object. The built-in antenna may be formed as a coil antenna suitable for low frequency or a dipole antenna suitable for high frequency. The built-in antenna is electrically connected to a terminal of the RFID module, thereby forming one RFID circuit. For example, the built-in antenna is a conductive body in the shape of a ring, a part of the built-in antenna is partly cut to form a cut portion, and the RFID circuit module is electrically connected to each part defined by the cut portion. In this case, the built-in antenna operates as a complete dipole antenna or, for example, a partial dipole antenna by bypassing an electric wave, with respect to the RFID circuit module and uses a frequency in UHF bandwidth with coupling through backscattering.

Eyelets are previously used in many fields, and mass production of eyelets is possible because engaging devices and manufacturing methods are also widespread. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost may be notably less than a conventional high- priced RFID tag. However, since the size of a generally used eyelet is small, the size of a built-in antenna installed in the eyelet also has to be small. In a frequency more than approximately 2 GHz, the size of a built-in antenna matching a conventional eyelet may sufficiently function as an antenna. However, in a frequency of 900 MHz, a conventional size of an eyelet can not sufficiently perform as an antenna. For example, smooth communication is possible by using a dipole antenna of approximately 15 to 16 cm in a frequency more than approximately 900 MHz. However, if an eyelet is manufactured as approximately in the size of 15 cm, an essential function of an eyelet may be diminished. To solve this, in the eyelet for RFID, according to the present invention, an antenna extension portion is electrically connected to a built-in antenna, thereby enlarging the size of an antenna in an RFID circuit, as required.

The antenna extension portion may be composed of an aluminum tape, a conductive paint, or a conductive sheet and may be applied to the object to enlarge the size of the antenna. Also, since the process of forming the antenna extension portion is simple and cheap, common use is very easy. The eyelet base may have a protrusion in the shape of teeth or spur on the rim in order to prevent idling or separation from the object.

The eyelet washer and the eyelet base are manufactured by using an existing eyelet structure and disposed opposite to each other, interposing the object therebetween to be engaged with the object. Also, since the eyelet washer and the eyelet base are composed of plastic such as polycarbonate, in order not to interfere with data transmission/reception between the RFID circuit module and the reader, it is easy to be deformed.

In the present invention, the eyelet may be not only used as a simple fastener but also used for forming a relatively strengthened hole by putting strong metal material in a hole formed on a material that is easily torn, such as paper or fabric, or may be used for adorning clothes or other fabrics. Also, the shape and type of the eyelet may be referred to by conventional eyelets or grommet. Namely, according to the type of rim or eyelet washer, the externals of the eyelet may be varied, such as a circle, an oval, or square. Particularly, the eyelet washer may be engaged together with a rivet, bolt, a stud, or a snap button in addition to a barrel portion.

The eyelet is used as an antenna, and comparing with a manufacturing process of conventional RFID tag, the manufacturing process of the RFID tag may be notably simplified and an RFID circuit module may be firmly fastened to an object to maintain and improve the function of conventional eyelets generally used. Also, since a conventional eyelet engagement unit may be used as is, it is very economic. The eyelet washer and the eyelet base may be used as an antenna, may effectively protect an IC chip for RFID, and may securely stay fastened by using the structure of the eyelet closely attached and firmly fastened to the object under harsh environments.

In addition, since eyelets are used in many fields in real life, fields of application and a ripple effect on the application may be enormously increased. The process of manufacturing and installing is also simple and many manufacturing facilities of eyelets already exist, thereby notably reducing the cost of RFID tags.

For example, an eyelet may be used in a tag used for identifying freights of trains, stocks in storages, and products being sold in all types of markets. In this case, if a conventional ordinary eyelet is replaced by an eyelet for RFID, information on freight may be automatically recognized instead of checking individually and a case of losing or erroneous sending of freight or product may be prevented. Also, the eyelet for RFID may endure external impact or harsh environments and may protect the RFID chip. Also, if the RFID tag is engaged with freight by using a rubber band or a wire, the tag may be separated and reused.

In addition, in not only fields in which eyelets are used, such as clothes, shoes, shading tent, tent for construction materials, but also fields in which eyelets are currently not used, the eyelets for RFID may be simply fastened to various objects by using conventional eyelet engaging unit and contactless identification technology using

RFID via the eyelet for RFID may be applied.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an eyelet for RFID according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating X-X' of the eyelet for RFID according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a built-in antenna and an RFID chip of the eyelet for RFID according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an eyelet for RFID according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an eyelet for RFID according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the eyelet for RFID according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Y-Y' of the eyelet for RFID according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a method of providing an antenna extension portion in the eyelet for RFID according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an eyelet for RFID according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an eyelet for RFID according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an eyelet for RFID according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Hereinafter, preferable embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited or defined by the embodiments.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an eyelet for RFID according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating X-X' of the eyelet for RFID according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a built-in antenna and an RFID chip of the eyelet for RFID according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an eyelet 100 for RFID, according to the first embodiment includes an eyelet base 120, an RFID chip 140, and a built-in antenna 150. The RFID chip 140 is electrically connected to the built-in antenna 150 to form an

RFID circuit. The RFID chip 140 and the built-in antenna 150 are interposed between a rim 125 and an object OBJ to be firmly fastened and protected by the eyelet base 120.

The eyelet base 120 is composed of plastic material such as polycarbonate PC and includes the rim 125 and a barrel portion 130 formed in a single body with the rim 125. The barrel portion 130 is formed in the shape of a cylinder, passes through a hole of the object OBJ, and is wound as described later to fasten the eyelet 100 to the object

OBJ. The barrel portion 130 protruded outward via the object OBJ is pressurized by a punch press that is an eyelet engaging device and is wound from an end by a ring- shaped groove of the punch press. The barrel portion 130 is continually wound from the end to be fastened close to the object OBJ, thereby fastening the eyelet base 120, the built-in antenna 150, and the RFID chip 140 to the object OBJ (W).

The built-in antenna 150 is composed of conductive material such as iron, copper, or aluminum and is formed in the shape of a ring. A cut portion 152 is formed in the built-in antenna 150, which breaks the ring shape. A slit connecting the inside and outside of the built antenna 150 is formed by the cut portion 152. Accordingly, a current flow is blocked based on the cut portion 152, and parts defined by the cut portion 152 are electrically connected to the RPID chip 140.

Terminals of the RFID chip 140 are electrically connected to both ends of the cut portion 152. The RFID chip 140 may be installed in a gap or the top or bottom of the cut portion 152. The RFID chip 140 is coated by epoxy to be protected. The RFID chip 140 may include an additional antenna. However, basically, the RFID chip

140 uses a dipole antenna as the built-in antenna.

In the eyelet 100 for RFID according to the present invention, the RFID chip 140 and the built-in antenna 150 can be fastened to the object OBJ by the eyelet base 120 without an eyelet washer, which is corresponding to the case in which the object OBJ is thin. However, in the case the object OBJ is thick or firmer bonding is required, an eyelet washer is used in order to firmly maintain the engagement between an eyelet and an object.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an eyelet for RFID according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the eyelet for RFID further includes an eyelet washer 110. The eyelet washer 110 is formed in the shape of a circle and composed of plastic material such as polycarbonate, as the eyelet base 120. A washer hole 112 is formed in the center of the eyelet washer 110, and the barrel portion 130 of the eyelet base 120 passes via the washer hole 112. The end of the barrel portion 130 is wound along the ring-shaped groove of the punch press to be attached close to an inner margin 114 of the eyelet washer. Embodiment 2

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an eyelet for RFID according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a top view of the eyelet for RFID according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross- sectional view illustrating Y-Y¹ of the eyelet for RFID according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, an eyelet 200 for RFID, according to the second embodiment, includes an eyelet washer 210, an eyelet base 220, an RFID chip 240, a built-in antenna 250, and an antenna extension portion 260. The built-in antenna 250 is electrically connected to the antenna extension portion 260. The RFID chip 240 forms an RFID circuit using the built-in antenna 250 and the antenna extension portion as an antenna. The RFID chip 240 and the built-in antenna 250 are interposed between a rim 225 and an object OBJ to be firmly fastened and, simultaneously, the antenna extension portion 260 is electrically connected to the built-in antenna 250.

The eyelet washer 210 is formed in the shape of a circle and composed of plastic material such as polycarbonate. A washer hole 212 is formed in the center of the eyelet washer 210, and the barrel portion 230 of the eyelet base 220 passes via the washer hole 212. The eyelet base 220 is also composed of plastic material and includes the rim having a circular external form and the barrel portion 230 formed in a single body with the rim 225. The end of the barrel portion 230 is wound along a ring-shaped groove of a punch press to be attached close to an inner margin 214 of the eyelet washer 210, thereby fastening the eyelet washer 210 and the eyelet base 220 to the object OBJ. Simultaneously, the built-in antenna 250 and the RFID chip 240 are also protected by the eyelet washer 210 and the eyelet base 220 and firmly fastened to the object OBJ.

The built-in antenna 250 is composed of conductive material such as iron, copper, or aluminum and formed in the shape of a ring. A cut portion 252 breaking the ring shape is formed in the built-in antenna 250, and a slit connecting the inside and outside of the built-in antenna 250 is formed by the cut portion 252. Accordingly, a current flow is broken based on the cut portion 252, and parts defined by the cut portion 252 are electrically connected with each other to the RFID chip 240. ^• i i

Terminals of the RFID chip 240 are electrically connected to both ends of the cut portion 252. The RFID chip 240 may be installed in a gap or around the gap of the cut portion 252. The RFID chip 240 is coated by epoxy to be protected. The RFID chip 240 may include an additional antenna, but basically, the RFID chip 240 may use the built-in antenna 250 and the antenna extension portion 260 as an antenna to transmit and receive a signal due to backscattering coupling.

In the first embodiment, only the built-in antenna 250 may be used for transmitting and receiving a signal by using a dipole antenna. However, since the size of the built-in antenna 250 installed in the eyelet 200 is small, it is suitable for a reader using a frequency of 2 GHz, but in the case of a reader using a frequency of 900 MHz, transmission/reception of data is not easy. The size of a dipole antenna that easily transmits and receives is one half length of a wavelength (λ/2), and one half of a wavelength of a frequency of 900 MHz is approximately 15cm. An eyelet having a built-in antemia whose length is 15cm is too large to be applied. Accordingly, the eyelet 200 for RFID, according to the present invention, includes the antenna extension portion 260 composed of conductive material and controls the length of the antenna to be a preferable length, thereby easily transmitting and receiving data between a reader and the eyelet 200.

In the present embodiment, the antenna extension portion 260 is provided as being printed on the object OBJ. Namely, a paint including conductive material is provided, the provided paint is applied in the shape of a line before or after printing the object OBJ. Since the paint includes conductive material, the antenna extension portion 260 functions as an antenna, electrically connected to the built-in antenna 250 in a process of coupling the eyelet washer 210 and the eyelet base 220, and forms a single RFID circuit together with the RFID chip 240.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a method of providing an antenna extension portion in the eyelet for RFID according to the present invention.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 8, an antenna extension portion 260-2 may be provided by applying an aluminum tape to a position in which an eyelet is installed before installing the eyelet. Namely, an aluminum application unit C includes a tape-roller formed of aluminum thin film and release liner protecting the aluminum thin film and being detachable. The aluminum thin film is detached from the release liner when the release liner is exposed to the tape-roller. As an existing correction tape applicator, when the aluminum application unit C is moved while the aluminum thin film is in contact with the release liner, the aluminum thin film is separated from the release liner to apply the aluminum thin film to the object OBJ, thereby providing the antenna extension portion 260-2 on the object OBJ.

Also, referring to (b) of FIG. 8, an antenna extension portion 260-3 may be provided in the form of being printed by hot stamping. Not only simple shapes but also various designs such as trademarks and names may be shown by such hot stamping.

While the eyelet 200 for RFID closely passes by a reader (not shown), a signal with respect to a data request is received from a reader- writer apparatus and the RFID chip 240 may generate a signal or modify data stored in the RFID chip 240, corresponding to the signal received from the antenna extension portion 260 and the built-in antenna 250. In this case the RFID chip 240 is physically protected by the eyelet washer 210 and eyelet base 220 composed of metal. The object OBJ may be a tag attached to a freight to indicate the place of arrival or starting point and may be used in not only all types of mails, parcels, packages for freight, tags for garment, tents for freight or vehicle but also products sold in large retail stores .

Also, a magnetic insulating material such as Ferrite may be interposed between the eyelet washer 210 and the eyelet base 220. The magnetic insulating material may be interposed between the object OBJ and the RFID chip 240 or may be interposed between the eyelet base 220 and the RFID chip 240.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an eyelet for RFID according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, a protrusion 227 is formed at the bottom of the rim 225 of the eyelet base 220. The protrusion 227 is protruded from the bottom of the rim 225 along the periphery of the barrel portion 230 and formed at uniform intervals. Accordingly, the eyelet washer 210 and the eyelet base 220 are fastened to the object OBJ by the punch press, the protrusion 227 pressurizes the built-in antenna 250, and the built-in antenna 250 is more effectively electrically connected to the antenna extension portion 260. Embodiment 3

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an eyelet for RPID according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, an eyelet 101 for RFID, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, includes an eyelet base 120, an RFID chip 140, and a built-in antenna 150, identical with the first embodiment, but the RFID chip 140 and the built-in antenna 150 are disposed opposite to the rim 125. Accordingly, the RFID chip 140 and the built-in antenna 150 are interposed between the object OBJ and the end of the eyelet base 130, which is curled. Also, the RFID chip 140 is electrically connected to the built-in antenna 150 by direct wire bonding to form an RFID circuit. A resin protection layer 142 is formed around the RFID chip 140 by using epoxy.

The eyelet base 120 is composed of plastic material such as polycarbonate PC and includes the rim 125 having a circular outer wall and a barrel portion 130 formed in a single body with the rim 125. The barrel portion 130 is formed in the shape of a cylinder, passes through a hole of the OBJ, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and is wound to fasten the eyelet 101 to the object OBJ. In detail, the barrel portion 130 protruded outside via the object OBJ is pressurized by a punch press that is a unit for coupling the eyelet, and is curled from the end portion of the barrel portion 130 by a ring-shaped groove of the punch press. The barrel portion is curled from the end to be closely fastened to the object OBJ, thereby being in contact with the bottom of the built-in antenna 150, and simultaneously, fastening the eyelet base 120, the built-in antenna 150, and the RFID chip 140 to the object OBJ.

The built-in antenna 150 is composed of conductive material such as iron, copper, or aluminum. A slit connecting the inside and outside of the built-in antenna 150 is formed by the cut portion 152 formed in the built-in antenna 150. Terminals of the RFID chip 140 are electrically connected to both ends of the cut portion 152. The RFID chip 140 may be installed in a gap or around the gap of the cut portion 152. The RFID chip 140 is coated by using epoxy to be protected. In the eyelet 101 for RFID, according to the present embodiment, the built-in antenna 150 functions as an eyelet washer in addition to an antenna, thereby firmly fastening the eyelet base 120 to the object OBJ. Embodiment 4

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an eyelet for RFID according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, an eyelet 300 for RFID, according to the fourth embodiment, includes an eyelet base 320, an RFID chip 340, and a built-in antenna 350, but the RFID chip 340 and the built-in antenna 350 are disposed opposite to a rim 325. As similar to being shown in FIG. 2, an end of the eyelet base 320 may be wound by a punch press and pressurize the bottom of the built-in antenna 350, thereby fastening the RFID chip 340 and the built-in antenna 350 to the object OBJ.

The built-in antenna 350 may be formed of an antenna substrate 352 and a coil portion 354 formed on the antenna substrate 352. The coil portion 354 is formed around the center hole of the antenna substrate 352 and electrically connected to the RFID chip 340 to function as an important element of an RFID tag. The coil portion 354 is composed of metal having conductivity and formed on the surface of the antenna substrate 352 or inside the antenna substrate 352. In detail, in order to form the coil portion 354 inside the antenna substrate 352, the antenna substrate 352 has a duplex structure and the coil portion 354 is formed in a certain layered structure, thereby disposing the coil portion 354 in the antenna substrate 352. Also, the RFID chip 340 is electrically connected to the coil portion 354 of the built-in antenna 350 by direct wire bonding to form an RFID circuit. A resin protection layer may be formed around the RFID chip 340 by using epoxy.

The eyelet base 320 is composed of plastic material such as polycarbonate PC and includes the rim 325 and a barrel portion 330 formed in a single body with the rim 325.

In the eyelet 300 for RFID, according to the present embodiment, since the built-in antenna 350 functions as an eyelet washer in addition to an antenna, the eyelet base 320 may be firmly fastened to the object OBJ and smoothly perform data transmission/reception in response to a reader using a frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz.

Industrial Applicability According to the present invention, the eyelet for RFID is itself used as an antenna, thereby notably simplifying a manufacturing process when comparing with a conventional RFID tag, firmly fastening an RFID chip to an object, and maintaining and improving the function of a generally used conventional eyelet. Also, since a conventional eyelet engagement unit is used as is, it is very economic and mass- produced to decrease the cost be useful in industrial development. Since the types of eyelets are varied, eyelets are widely used in various fields. Processes of manufacturing and installing eyelets are also simple and the production facilities are widely provided, thereby notably reducing the cost of RFID tags. An eyelet washer and an eyelet base composed of plastic do not interfere with data transmission/reception between an RFID chip and a reader and may safely protect a built-in antenna and the RFID chip. Also, the eyelet washer and the eyelet base are closely attached to an object to protect the RFID chip, thereby keeping excellent adhesion under harsh environments. In order to utilize backscattering of a metal eyelet in a UHF bandwidth or higher, an eyelet base, an eyelet washer, an assembly of the eyelet base and the eyelet washer, or an aluminum tape may be additionally used as an antenna.

Accordingly, a manufacturing process of a conventional RFID tag may be notably simplified, manufacturing cost may be reduced, and mass production is possible. Also, since eyelets in various shapes and a lot of designs are currently used, an eyelet for RFID may be available in various shapes and colors and the value as a product or adorning article is very high.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An eyelet for radio frequency identification (RPID), comprising: an eyelet base composed of plastic, including a rim attached close to an object and a barrel portion formed in a single body with the rim and penetrating the object to be fastened to the object, and fastened to the object by plastic deformation in which an end of the barrel portion is wound; a built-in antenna fastened to the object with the eyelet base; and an RFID circuit module electrically connected to the built-in antenna to use the built-in antenna as an antenna.

2. The eyelet of claim 1, wherein a gap portion is formed in the built-in antenna and the RPID module is electrically connected to each part divided by the gap portion.

3. The eyelet of claim 1, further comprising an antenna extension portion electrically connected to the built-in antenna and used as an antenna of the RPID circuit module together with the built-in antenna.

4. The eyelet of claim 3, wherein the antenna extension portion is applied to the object.

5. The eyelet of claim 4, wherein the antenna extension portion is provided in a form of an adhesive tape including conductive material to be attached to the object.

6. The eyelet of claim 4, wherein the antenna extension portion is provided in a form of a painted matter including conductive material to be applied to the object.

7. The eyelet of claim 1, wherein the built-in antenna is interposed between one of the group of the rim and the object, and the group of the wound end of the barrel portion and the object.

8. The eyelet of claim 7, wherein a resin protection layer is formed around the RFID module connected to the built-in antenna.

9. The eyelet of claim 7, wherein a protrusion portion for applying pressure to the built-in antenna is formed on the inner surface of the rim in order to fasten the built-in antenna interposed between the rim and the object.

10. The eyelet of claim 1, wherein the built-in antenna comprises an antenna substrate having a hole corresponding to the barrel portion and a coil antenna formed on one of the surface and inner surface of the antenna substrate around the hole.

11. The eyelet of claim 1, wherein a magnetic insulating layer is provided close to the RFID module.

12. The eyelet of claim 1, further comprising an eyelet washer provided opposite to the eyelet base based on the object, the eyelet washer including a washer hole through which the end of the barrel portion is wound to be attached close and fastened to the eyelet washer.