(12) United States Patent
`Tanimura
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll 111111111111111 11111 1111111111 1111111111 11111111
`US006371380Bl
`US 6,371,380 Bl
`Apr.16, 2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) NON-CONTACTING-TYPE INFORMATION
`STORING DEVICE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`* 5/1986
`
`61-94084
`
`JP
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Kazunari Tanimura, Kanagawa (JP)
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(73) Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/410,281
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 30, 1999
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Oct. 2, 1998
`
`(JP) ........................................... 10-281305
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ G06K 19/06
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................ 235/497; 235/487
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 235/492, 441,
`235/486, 488, 493, 487, 449, 450, 451
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,497,140 A * 3/1996 Tuttle et al. .................. 342/51
`5,808,285 A * 9/1998 Rockstein et al.
`.......... 235/472
`6,045,652 A * 4/2000 Tuttle et al. ................ 156/292
`6,068,192 A * 5/2000 McCable .................... 235/487
`6,073,856 A * 6/2000 Takahashi ................... 235/492
`6,078,791 A * 6/2000 Tuttle et al. .................. 455/90
`
`Primary Examiner-Karl D. Frech
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frommer Lawrence &
`Haug LL; William S. Frommer; Matthew K. Ryan
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Anon-contacting-type information storing device is stuck to
`the adherent surface of the object, and includes a storing
`means for storing the stated information and an antenna
`which has the stated loop form and which is connected to the
`storing means. The non-contacting-type information storing
`device further includes a magnetism absorbing plate which
`is made from high-permeable material and which is placed
`so that it is interposed between the adherent surface of the
`object and the antenna at the time when the information
`storing device is stuck to the adherent surface of the object.
`As a result, it is possible to provide a non-contacting-type
`information storing device in which the modulated
`magnetic-field given from the exterior can be absorbed by
`the antenna without being leaked to the adherent surface of
`the object even though the adherent surface of the object is
`made of metal. Thus the information can be read irrespective
`of the type of the material of the adherent surface of the
`object.
`
`4 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`4 MEMORY
`
`IC ~3 MEMORY-IC TAG
`3A ------~ ,, : .,, - -- -; ~ =: ------,,-., ., ,,
`' /~------ ,, ......
`,,.,
`TAG SUBSTRATE
`,,
`<:.:.:.:-:------,-'-.::-
`, /
`,
`--------------------
`✓----------------- ✓ /
`
`/
`
`-----!- 5 TAG ANTENNA
`
`21 MAGNETISM ABSORBING
`PLATE
`
`2A ADHERENT
`SURFACE
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0001
`
`

`

`l DATA READ/WRITE SYSTEM
`
`------------------------
`--- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - -
`7A READ/WRITE ANTENNA SUBSTRATE
`READ/WRITE
`ANTENNA
`9
`
`/ 6 DATA READ/WRITE DEVICE
`:
`:
`£-----------------------------1
`11 HARNES
`READ/WRITE
`MODULE
`
`8
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`3A (cid:173)
`TAG SUBSTRATE
`2
`COMMODITY
`
`/✓
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`3 MEMORY
`
`IC TAG
`
`-5 TAG ANTENNA
`
`4 MEMORY IC
`
`2A ADHERENT SURFACE
`
`FIG. 1 (RELATED ART)
`
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`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`3A
`TAG SUBSTRATE
`
`3AF
`/
`/
`--~------____,~ COVER PAPER
`
`3AE
`/
`/
`...... ~ - - - - - - - - -~ PRESSURE
`-SENSITIVE
`MEMORY I c2;---... ; : :: = = =_=_=_=_~ = = = = = = =r-~ FILM
`. - - - - - - - - - - - ADHESIVE
`4------
`;::"' --;~~:_-.1/"=-===:.-=-~~;;-:
`~ ... --
`3AA
`-~====================-'
`ANTENNA
`5----
`_ _ _ _ _ SUBSTRATE
`TAG ANTENNA
`3ABH~
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`PENETRAT~·~··
`HOLEc=========:,;;~ REINFORCING
`PLATE
`
`3AC
`/
`/
`--~------____,~ PRESSURE
`-SENSITIVE
`ADHESIVE
`--------/----- FILM
`3AD
`RELEASABLE
`PAPER
`3 MEMORY-IC TAG
`
`/
`
`FIG. 2 (RELATED ART)
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`2OA-(cid:173)
`T AG SUBSTRATE
`
`I
`
`MODULATED MAGNETIC FIELD MF
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`IC TAG
`
`- ---- 5
`TAG ANTENNA
`2A ADHERENT SURFACE
`
`4 MEMORY
`
`IC
`
`FIG. 3 (RELATED ART)
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`/
`~3AF
`,,._L___ ______ ____,/
`COVER PAPER
`
`20A
`TAG SUBSTRATE
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
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`
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`PRESSURE
`-SENSITIVE
`ADHESIVE FILM
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`MEMORY
`IC >~;-:: =-= ---_=_-=_=-~-= =-= ---=-= =-=-=,=-;-,--, ____,,..
`. :: :-:~~~~---~f~-;~::~!~-~-~-~-~;;;f: -, -5
`i~~ENNA SUBSTRATE
`TAG ANTENNA
`
`3ABH
`PENETRA~
`/
`-3AB
`HOLEt,~========_/" ~ REINFORCING
`PLATE
`A---3AC
`PRESSURE
`-SENSITIVE
`L ~:~HESIVE FILM
`~. ========i::/ - MAGNETISM
`ABSORBING
`/
`PLATE
`
`/
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`________ ___,
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`
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`ESIVE FILM
`~L_ ______ ___,/ -
`RELEASABLE
`PAPER
`
`3:
`
`20 MEMORY-IC TAG
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`MODULATED MAGNETIC FIELD MF
`
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`
`4 MEMORY
`
`IC
`
`2A ADHERENT SURFACE
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`26 MEMORY-IC TAG
`\
`
`3 MEMORY-IC TAG
`
`25A PLASTIC SHEET
`
`/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /,',- /,-
`z , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,~ ,
`
`/
`
`25B PLASTIC SHEET
`21 MAGNETISM ABSORBING PLATE
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`/ /
`
`/
`
`I /~ - - - - - - , , , _
`
`1 MEMORY
`IC
`------c-----------~
`3A - - . . J /:_,,----;L-=-:- -----.,.-,,,,,,
`TAG SUBSTRATE
`, ,
`<= = =:.: - - - - - -,-'-,.;-
`/~~---------------✓,,
`--------------------
`
`I
`
`p-----" 3 MEMORY- IC TAG
`
`----..!- 5 TAG ANTENNA
`
`21 MAGNETISM ABSORBING
`PLATE
`
`I 1~ ~: _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_l/_/_/_
`
`2A ADHERENT
`SURFACE
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0008
`
`

`

`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`1
`NON-CONTACTING-TYPE INFORMATION
`STORING DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`2
`more than or equal to the height of the memory IC 4, and a
`penetrating hole 3ABH whose size is slightly larger than that
`of the memory IC is formed almost in the center of the
`reinforcing plate 3AB.
`When the reinforcing plate 3AB has been stuck to the
`antenna substrate 3AA, the memory IC 4 is contained in the
`penetrating hole 3ABH of the reinforcing plate 3AB, and so
`the memory IC 4 is able to avoid jutting from the reinforcing
`plate 3AB.
`One surface of a pressure-sensitive adhesive film 3AC is
`glued to the reinforcing plate 3AB; to the other surface of the
`pressure-sensitive adhesive film 3AC, a releasable paper
`3AD is stuck in a manner that it can be peeled away as
`necessary. On the other hand, one surface of a pressure(cid:173)
`sensitive adhesive film 3AE is glued to the top surface of the
`antenna substrate 3AA; to the other surface of the pressure(cid:173)
`sensitive adhesive film 3AE, a cover paper 3AF is stuck.
`Thus, the operator can write the characters, the signs and
`such regarding a commodity 2 on the cover paper 3AF that
`lies on one side of the tag cover 3A, and able to stick the
`memory-IC tag 3 on the surface of the commodity 2, by
`pressing the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 3AC onto the
`surface of the commodity 2 with the releasable paper 3AD
`25 peeled away from the other side of the tag substrate 3A.
`A data read/write device 6 of the data read/write system
`1 (FIG. 1) includes a read/write antenna division 7 for
`causing electromagnetic induction between itself and the
`memory-IC tag 3, and a read/write module 8 for sending and
`30 receiving various data via the read/write antenna division 7.
`In the read/write antenna division 7, a loop coil of
`approximately square shape (hereinafter, this is referred to
`as a read/write antenna) 9 is formed on one side of a
`read/write antenna substrate 7 A that is made from, for
`35 instance, glass epoxy resin material, so that its position
`corresponds to the position of the tag antenna 5 formed in
`the memory-IC tag 3, when it is opposed to the memory-IC
`tag 3.
`One end and the other end of this read/write antenna 9 are
`connected to the read/write module 8 via a connector 10 and
`a harness 11 in succession. In a state that the read/write
`antenna division 7 is opposed to the memory-IC tag 3, the
`read/write module 8 feeds a current to the read/write antenna
`9 from the stated AC power supply, via the harness 11 and
`the connector 10 in succession.
`As a result, a magnetic field modulated in response to the
`change of the given current is generated around the read/
`write antenna 9, so that an induction voltage is generated in
`the tag antenna 5 that is formed in the memory-IC tag 3 in
`response to the modulated magnetic-field. The degree of
`coupling of electromagnetic induction concerning the read/
`write antenna 9 and the tag antenna 5 of this time varies in
`response to the mutual relationship of position.
`The memory IC 4 rectifies the induction voltage inputted
`through the tag antenna 5, and then performs reading or
`writing of the identification data on the basis of the AC
`components that appear in the obtained voltage.
`After rectification of the induction voltage inputted via the
`tag antenna 5, the memory IC 4 is able to obtain power(cid:173)
`supply voltage on the basis of the DC components that
`appear in the obtained voltage, and so able to start up in
`response to the power-supply voltage even though a power
`source such as a battery is not provided in the memory-IC
`65 tag 3.
`When the identification data is read, in the memory-IC tag
`3, by mutual induction, a modulated magnetic-field is gen-
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to a non-contacting-type informa(cid:173)
`tion storing device, and more particularly, is suitably applied
`to a non-contacting-type commodity-identifying tag which
`is used in the process of distribution, stock control and such.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`A label printed a bar code indicating the stated identifi(cid:173)
`cation data of a commodity (hereinafter, this is referred to as
`a bar-code label) has been used as a non-contacting type
`commodity-identifying tag of this kind; by reading the 15
`identification data written in the bar code, when necessary in
`the process of distribution, stock control and such, the
`commodity to which this bar-code label has been stuck can
`easily be identified.
`In such a commodity identifying method that uses a
`bar-code label, because of very small storage capacity, 32
`byte in general, of a bar code, the amount of information that
`can be allocated to one commodity is limited to, for instance,
`the identification (ID) number, manufacture data and such of
`the commodity. As a result, the applicability is limited to
`only simple systems of the process of distribution, stock
`control and such.
`Therefore, recently, in complex systems of distribution
`process, stock control and such, a non-contacting-type tag
`that includes a memory integrated circuit (IC) is used as a,
`commodity-identifying tag (hereinafter, this is referred to as
`a memory-IC tag).
`In comparison with a bar code label, a memory-IC tag has
`such higher storage capacity: lk byte, that it is able to greatly
`increase the amount of information that can be allocated to
`one commodity; as a result, there is such an advantage that
`it is also applicable enough to complex systems of distri(cid:173)
`bution process, stock control and such.
`In addition, the data contents of a memory-IC tag can be
`rewritten any number of times; therefore, the memory-IC tag 40
`can be recycled efficiently: the memory-IC tag is peeled
`away from the commodity at the time of transportation or the
`time of sale, and then the identification data of the different
`commodity is newly written in it.
`Practically, in the process of distribution, stock control
`and such, a data read/write system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is
`constructed so that the stated identification data is read from
`a memory-IC tag 3 stuck to a commodity 2, or new identi(cid:173)
`fication data is written in the memory-IC tag 3.
`As the-memory-IC tag 3 that can be applied to such a data
`read/write system 1, there is one known wherein a memory
`IC 4 is built almost in the center of a substrate (hereinafter,
`this is referred to as a tag substrate) 3A that has a multi-layer
`structure for instance, and a wiring (hereinafter, this is 55
`referred to as a tag antenna) 5 is placed along the marginal
`inner side of the tag substrate 3A so that it forms a loop of
`an approximately square shape.
`As shown in FIG. 2, the memory-IC tag 3 has an antenna
`board 3AA provided with a memory IC 4 almost in the 60
`center of its underside surface, and the tag antenna 5
`extended from the memory IC 4 has been attached to the
`marginal inside portion of the surface.
`To the under surface of this antenna board 3AA, a
`reinforcing plate 3AB made of polyethylene telephthalate
`(PET) is stuck, so as to protect the memory IC 4 and the tag
`antenna 5. This reinforcing plate 3AB has a thickness that is
`
`20
`
`45
`
`50
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0009
`
`

`

`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`3
`erated from the tag antenna 5 to the read/write antenna 9,
`such that it cancels the modulated magnetic-field generated
`from the read/write antenna 9 to the tag antenna 5.
`At this time, because the input impedance between the
`both terminals of the tag antenna 5 varies in response to the
`identification data that has been read from the memory IC 4,
`the varied amount is added to the modulated magnetic-field
`that generate from the tag antenna 5 to the read/write
`antenna 9.
`Hence, the impedance between the both terminals of the 10
`read/write antenna 9 which is opposed to the tag antenna 5
`varies in like manner, and so the induction voltage generated
`in the read/write antenna 9 also varies to the same extent.
`Therefore, by demodulating the generated varied amount of
`the induction voltage, the read/write module 8 is able to read 15
`the identification data obtained from the memory IC 4.
`However, when such a memory-IC tag 3 is stuck on the
`adherent surface 2 A made of metal of a commodity 2 and
`then the identification data is read from the memory-IC tag
`3 by the use of said data read/write device 6, the modulated
`magnetic-field MF generated from the read/write antenna 9
`is absorbed by the adherent surface 2 A of the commodity 2
`without reaching the tag antenna 5. On the other hand, part
`of the modulated magnetic-field MF that has passed through
`the tag board 3 A is reflected by the adherent surface 2 A so
`that it might cancel the magnetic field, as shown in FIG. 3.
`As a result, there has been a fear that the sufficient electric
`power can not be supplied to the memory IC 4 in the
`memory-IC tag 3.
`As a result, there has been a problem that the identifica-
`tion data can not be read from the memory IC 4 included in
`the memory-IC tag 3. In the case where the adherent surface
`2Aof the commodity 2 is made of metal, the memory-IC tag
`3 can not be applied.
`
`30
`
`4
`member is provided on the substrate, the gluing material is
`provided on the magnetism absorbing member, the substrate
`provided with the adhesive member and the magnetism
`absorbing member provided with the gluing member are
`5 composed as individual units, and the substrate provided
`with the adhesive member and the magnetism absorbing
`member provided with the gluing member are integrated
`when being glued on the adherent surface of the object.
`In addition, in the present invention, the magnetism
`absorbing member is made from high-permeable material
`whose permeability is 10 or more.
`As described above, the present invention provides a
`magnetism absorbing plate which is made of high(cid:173)
`permeable member and which has been placed so that it is
`interposed between the adherent surface of the object and
`the antenna at the time when the information storing device
`is stuck to the adherent surface of the object. As a result, it
`is possible to provide a non-contacting-type information
`storing device that the modulated magnetic-field given from
`20 the exterior can be absorbed by the antenna without being
`leaked toward the adherent surface of the object even though
`the adherent surface of the object is made of metal, Thus, the
`information can be read irrespective of the type of the
`material of the adherent surface of the object.
`The nature, principle and utility of the invention will
`become more apparent from the following detailed descrip(cid:173)
`tion when read in conjunction with the accompanying draw(cid:173)
`ings in which like parts are designated by like reference
`numerals or characters.
`
`25
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the accompanying drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration
`35 of the conventional data read/write system;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration
`of the conventional memory IC tag;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view used for explaining
`the conventional generation state of the modulated
`magnetic-field at the time of data reading;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration
`of the memory IC tag according to the embodiment;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view used for explaining
`the generation state of the modulated magnetic-field at the
`time of data reading according to the embodiment;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating one
`example of an application of the magnetism absorbing plate
`according to another embodiment; and
`FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating one
`example of an application of the magnetism absorbing plate
`according to another embodiment.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In view of the foregoing, an object of this invention is to
`provide a non-contacting-type information storing device
`that is able to read information irrespective of the type of the 40
`material of the adherent surface of the object.
`The foregoing object and other objects of the invention
`have been achieved by the provision of a non-contacting(cid:173)
`type information storing device which is stuck to the adher(cid:173)
`ent surface of an object, having an information storing 45
`means storing therein prescribed information on the object
`and an antenna in a loop form connected to the information
`storing means, and reads out and writes the prescribed
`information in the information storing means via the antenna
`in response to a modulated magnetic-field given from the 50
`exterior. The non-contacting-type information storing device
`comprises: a substrate having the information storing means
`and the antenna; a magnetism absorbing member made from
`high-permeable material, provided between the substrate
`and an adherent surface of the object, and having an area at 55
`least enough to cover the antenna provided on the substrate;
`an adhesive member gluing the substrate and the magnetism
`absorbing member; and a gluing member gluing the mag(cid:173)
`netism absorbing member on the adherent surface of the
`object.
`Also, in the non-contacting-type information storing
`device according to the present invention, the substrate and
`the magnetism absorbing member are integrated by the
`adhesive member, and the gluing member is provided on the
`magnetism absorbing member integrated with the substrate.
`Further, in the non-contacting-type information storing
`device according to the present invention, the adhesive
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
`described with reference to the accompanying drawings:
`In FIG. 4, which has the same reference numerals as those
`60 of FIG. 2 on its portions corresponding to the portions of
`FIG. 2, the reference numeral 20 shows, as a whole, a
`memory-IC tag of the present invention that can be applied
`to the data read/write system 1 shown in the above(cid:173)
`mentioned FIG. 1; the memory-IC tag 20 is constituted by
`65 lamination in the same manner as the conventional memory(cid:173)
`IC tag 3, excepting that the tag substrate 20A is formed so
`that one surface of a magnetic absorbing plate 21 made of
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0010
`
`

`

`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`5
`
`20
`
`5
`high-permeable material such as Sendust (permeability is
`about 26 ) is stuck on the under surface of the reinforcing
`plate 3AB via the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 3AC, and
`the releasable paper 3AD is stuck on the other surface of the
`magnetism absorbing plate 21 via a pressure-sensitive adhe-
`sive film 22 in a manner that it can be peeled away as
`necessary.
`The magnetism absorbing plate 21 made of high(cid:173)
`permeable material, has a characteristic that it strongly
`magnetizes itself even if the magnetic field given from the 10
`exterior is extremely weak. Therefore, even though metal
`material exists in the periphery of the magnetism absorbing
`plate 21, the magnetism absorbing plate 21 is able to absorb
`the magnetic field without leaking it out to the metal
`material.
`When the memory-IC tag 20 is used, the characters, the
`signs and such regarding a commodity 2 are written on the
`cover paper 3AF that lies on one side of the tag substrate
`20A, and then the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 22 is
`pressed onto the surface of the commodity 2 with the
`releasable paper 3AD peeled away from the other side of the
`tag substrate 20A, thus the memory-IC tag 20 can be stuck
`onto the surface of the commodity 2.
`With the above constitution, when the commodity 2 with
`the memory-IC tag 20 stuck on it is conveyed on the
`occasion of distribution process, stock control and such, the
`operator opposes the above-mentioned data read/write
`device 6 shown in FIG. 1 to the memory-IC tag 20 stuck to
`the commodity 2.
`In response to the operation of the operator, the read/write
`antenna division 7 then reads the identification data DID
`from the memory IC 4, with the above-mentioned magnetic(cid:173)
`field modulation system performing mutual induction
`between the read/write antenna 9 formed on the read/write
`antenna substrate 7 A and the tag antenna 5 formed in the
`memory-IC tag 20.
`In the case of this memory-IC tag 20, the magnetism
`absorbing plate 21 is superimposed under the antenna sub(cid:173)
`strate 3AA on which the tag antenna 5 is formed, therefore,
`as shown in FIG. 5, the modulated magnetic-field MF
`generated from the read/write antenna 9 is absorbed by the
`magnetism absorbing plate 21 after passing through the tag
`antenna 5 without leaking to the adherent surface 2A of the
`commodity 2. Hence, the sufficient induction voltage is
`generated in the tag antenna 5 in response to the. modulated
`magnetic-field MF, and so the identification data can be read
`from the memory IC
`According to the above configuration, the magnetism
`absorbing plate 21 has been provided in the memory-IC tag
`20 so that it is interposed between the adherent surface 2A
`of the commodity 2 and the tag antenna 5 when the memory(cid:173)
`IC tag 20 is stuck to the adherent surface 2A. Thereby, even
`though the adherent surface 2A of the commodity 2 is made
`of a metal, the modulated magnetic-field MF generated from
`the read/write antenna 9 included in the data read/write
`device 6 can be absorbed by the tag antenna 5 without being
`leaked to the adherent surface 2A of the commodity 2, and
`so, by giving the induction voltage generated from the tag
`antenna 5 in response to the modulated magnetic-field MF to
`the memory IC 4, the identification data can be read without
`fail. Thus, it is possible to provide a memory IC tag 20 that
`can read the identification data irrespective of the type of the
`material of the adherent surface 2A of the commodity 2.
`In the above embodiment, the description has been given
`of the case where Sendust is used as the magnetism absorb(cid:173)
`ing plate 21 that is interposed between the adherent surface
`2A of the commodity (object) 2 and the tag antenna 5. 65
`However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
`Another high-permeable material (that is, soft magnetic
`
`6
`material) such as ferrite, carbonyl iron and so on can also be
`used as the magnetism absorbing plate.
`In this case, if a magnetism absorbing plate 21 made from
`high-permeable material whose permeability is 10 or more
`is used, the modulated magnetic-field MF generated from
`the read/write antenna 9 can be absorbed by the tag antenna
`5 sufficiently in effect, and so, the induction voltage gener(cid:173)
`ated from the tag antenna 5 can be given to the memory IC
`4 sufficiently in effect.
`Besides, in the above embodiment, the description has
`been given of the case where the memory-IC tag 20 has been
`constituted by laminating the tag board 20 A including the
`magnetism absorbing plate 21. However, the present inven(cid:173)
`tion is not limited thereto. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6,
`15 the memory-IC tag 26 can also be constituted by superim(cid:173)
`posing the memory-IC tag 3 and the magnetism absorbing
`plate 21, holding them between plastic sheets 25A and 25B,
`and then heating and sealing them hermetically.
`In this way, it is possible to apply the conventional
`memory-IC tag 3 to a commodity 2 whose adherent surface
`2A is made of metal. Therefore, it is possible to effectively
`use the conventional memory-IC tag 3 irrespective of the
`type of the material of the adherent surface 2A of the
`commodity 2 without waste.
`In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the magnetism absorbing
`25 plate 21 can be provided apart from the memory-IC tag 3.
`The magnetism absorbing plate 21 can be placed between
`the adherent surface 2A and the memory-IC tag 3 in only the
`case where the adherent surface 2A of the commodity 2 is
`made of metal. The size of the magnetism absorbing plate 21
`30 is almost the same size as that of the loop form of the tag
`antenna 5 or the slightly larger size than that.
`In this case, when the adherent surface 2A of the com(cid:173)
`modity 2 is made from some other resin than metal, it is not
`necessary to use the magnetism absorbing plate 21, which
`35 frees the magnetism absorbing plate 21 from being wasted.
`Besides, in the same way as in the case of FIG. 6, it is
`possible to make the most of the conventional memory-IC
`tag 3 without waste.
`In addition, in the above embodiment, the description has
`40 been given of the case where the memory-IC tag 3 is used
`as an information storing device for being stuck to the
`adherent surface 2A of the commodity 2. However, the
`present invention is not limited thereto. The point is that the
`present invention can be broadly applied to various infor-
`45 mation storing devices that include a memory IC (storing
`means) 4 in which the identification data (information) DID
`is stored, and a tag antenna ( antenna) 5 having the stated
`loop form and being connected to the memory IC 4 electri(cid:173)
`cally.
`While there has been described in connection with the
`preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious
`to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifi(cid:173)
`cations may be aimed, therefore, to cover in the appended
`claims all such changes and modifications as fall within the
`true spirit and scope of the invention.
`55 What is claimed is:
`1. A memory IC tag which is stuck to the adherent surface
`of an object, having an information storing means storing
`therein prescribed information on said object and an antenna
`in a loop form connected to said information storing means,
`60 and reads out and writes said prescribed information in said
`information storing means via said antenna in response to a
`modulated magnetic-field generated from the exterior, said
`memory IC tag comprising;
`a substrate having said information storing means and
`said antenna;
`means for absorbing the modulated magnetic field gen(cid:173)
`erated from the exterior after said modulated magnetic
`
`50
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0011
`
`

`

`US 6,371,380 Bl
`
`7
`field passes through the antenna so that said memory IC
`tag can read said prescribed information irrespective of
`the type of the material of the adherent surface of the
`object, said absorbing means including a magnetism
`absorbing member made from a high permeable s
`material, provided between said substrate and the
`adherent surface of said object, and having an area at
`least sized to cover said antenna provided on said
`substrate;
`an adhesive member adhering said magnetism absorbing 10
`member to the substrate; and
`a gluing member adhering said magnetism absorbing
`member on the adherent surface of said object.
`2. The memory-IC tag according to claim 1, wherein
`said substrate and said magnetism absorbing member are
`integrated by said adhesive member, and said gluing
`
`15
`
`8
`member is provided on said magnetism absorbing
`member integrated with said substrate.
`3. The memory IC tag according to claim 1, wherein
`said adhesive member is provided on said substrate, said
`gluing material is provided in said magnetism absorb(cid:173)
`ing member, said substrate provided with said adhesive
`member and said magnetism absorbing member pro(cid:173)
`vided with said gluing member are composed as indi(cid:173)
`vidual units, and said substrate provided with said
`adhesive member and said magnetism absorbing mem(cid:173)
`ber provided with said gluing member are integrated
`when being glued on the adherent surface of said
`object.
`4. The memory-IC tag according to claim 1, wherein said
`magnetism absorbing member is made from high-permeable
`materials whose permeability is 10 or more.
`
`* * * * *
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1020, 0012
`
`