Max Howard Davis

US Patent:

8164423, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Apr 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/103662

Inventors:

J. Devin MacKenzie - San Carlos CA, US
James Montague Cleeves - Redwood City CA, US
Vik Pavate - San Mateo CA, US
Christopher Gudeman - Los Gatos CA, US
Fabio Zurcher - Brisbane CA, US
Max Davis - San Francisco CA, US
Dan Good - San Francisco CA, US
Joerg Rockenberger - Redwood City CA, US

Assignee:

Kovio, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H04Q 3/00
G08B 13/14

US Classification:

340 101, 340 102, 340 105, 3405728, 340 732

Abstract:

A RF MOS- or nonlinear device-based surveillance and/or identification tag, and methods for its manufacture and use. The tag generally includes (a) an inductor, (b) a first capacitor plate coupled to the inductor, (c) a dielectric film on the first capacitor plate, (d) a semiconductor component on the dielectric film, and (e) a conductor that provides electrical communication between the semiconductor component and the inductor. The method of manufacture generally includes (1) depositing a semiconductor material (or precursor) on a dielectric film; (2) forming a semiconductor component from the semiconductor material/precursor; (3) forming a conductive structure at least partly on the semiconductor component; and (4) etching the electrically functional substrate to form (i) an inductor and/or (ii) a second capacitor plate. The method of use generally includes (i) causing/inducing a current in the present tag sufficient for it to generate detectable electromagnetic radiation; (ii) detecting the radiation; and optionally, (iii) selectively deactivating the tag. The present invention advantageously provides a low cost EAS/RFID tag capable of operating at MHz frequencies and in frequency division and/or frequency multiplication modes.