US5566441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate
Assignee: BTG International Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-03-11
•
Granted: 1996-10-22
•
Expires: 2014-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Integrated circuits such as transponders are attached to a substrate such as cardboard packaging material by adhering an integrated circuit in the substrate, applying a patch antenna to the substrate and the integrated circuit, and applying a sealing layer over the integrated circuit and at least a portion of the antenna. In variations of the method, an indentation may be formed in the substrate into which the integrated circuit is placed. The patch antenna may be screen printed onto the substrate and the integrated circuit, using conductive ink, or may be a metallic foil which is applied to the substrate and the integrated circuit. Where the integrated circuit is a transponder, it can be programmed with an identification code, either before or after being attached to the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. C. Marsh
- 👤 Mark H. Carson
- 👤 Gideon J. Gouws
- 👤 Mario A. Marais
- 👤 Trevor M. Hodson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:24
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/30; B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/4212; B65D5/4233; B65D5/44; B65D5/52; B65D5/528; B65D51/00; B65D51/24; B65D51/245; G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G06K19/077; G06K19/07749; G06K19/0775; G06K19/07771; H10W70/00; H10W70/099; H10W70/60; H10W70/611; H10W70/614; H10W72/071; H10W72/077; B31; B31B; B31B50/00; B31B50/74; B31B50/81; B65D2203/00; B65D2203/10; B65D2211/00; H10W70/67; H10W70/68; H10W70/682; H10W72/072; H10W72/07231; H10W72/07236; H10W72/073; H10W72/07331; H10W72/07337; H10W72/351; H10W72/353; H10W72/354; H10W72/701; H10W90/00; H10W90/701; H10W90/721; H10W90/724; H10W99/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/901; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49016; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/4913; Y10T29/49144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate, comprising: providing an electronic circuit having at least two electrical terminals; securing the electronic circuit to the substrate; applying a metallic foil to the substrate and the electronic circuit to define an antenna, so that the metallic foil makes electrical contact with the at least two electrical terminals, wherein: the metallic foil has an adhesive layer thereon for securing the metallic foil to the substrate, and the adhesive layer is removed from the metallic foil in areas corresponding to positions of the electrical terminals of the electronic circuit prior to application of the metallic foil to the electronic circuit or the substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate, comprising: providing an electronic circuit having at least two electrical terminals; securing the electronic circuit to the substrate; applying a metallic foil to the substrate and the electronic circuit to define an antenna, so that the metallic foil makes electrical contact with the at least two electrical terminals, wherein: the metallic foil has an adhesive layer thereon for securing the metallic foil to the substrate, and the adhesive layer is removed from the metallic foil in areas corresponding to positions of the electrical terminals of the electronic circuit prior to application of the metallic foil to the electronic circuit or the substrate.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate, comprising: providing an electronic circuit having at least two electrical terminals; securing the electronic circuit to the substrate; applying a conductive element to the substrate and the electronic circuit to define an antenna, so that the conductive element makes electrical contact with the at least two electrical terminals; and applying a protective coating over the electronic circuit and at least a portion of the antenna, wherein the protective coating comprises a layer of settable sealant.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate, comprising: providing an electronic circuit having at least two electrical terminals; securing the electronic circuit to the substrate; applying a conductive element to the substrate and the electronic circuit to define an antenna, so that the conductive element makes electrical contact with the at least two electrical terminals; and applying a protective coating over the electronic circuit and at least a portion of the antenna, wherein the protective coating comprises a layer of settable sealant.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of attaching an integrated circuit to a substrate, comprising: providing an integrated circuit having at least two electrical terminals, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a transponder which is programmable with an identity code; securing the integrated circuit to the substrate; applying a conductive element to the substrate and the integrated circuit to define an antenna, so that the conductive element makes electrical contact with the at least two electrical terminals; applying at least one contact element to the substrate which is in contact with a terminal of the transponder; applying contacts of a programming device to the antenna and the at least one contact element after securing the integrated circuit and the antenna to the substrate to program the identity code into the transponder; and applying a protective coating to the transponder, a portion of the antenna and a portion of the contact element prior to programming of the transponder, wherein the contacts of the programming device are applied to uncoated portions of the antenna and the contact element.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of attaching an integrated circuit to a substrate, comprising: providing an integrated circuit having at least two electrical terminals, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a transponder which is programmable with an identity code; securing the integrated circuit to the substrate; applying a conductive element to the substrate and the integrated circuit to define an antenna, so that the conductive element makes electrical contact with the at least two electrical terminals; applying at least one contact element to the substrate which is in contact with a terminal of the transponder; applying contacts of a programming device to the antenna and the at least one contact element after securing the integrated circuit and the antenna to the substrate to program the identity code into the transponder; and applying a protective coating to the transponder, a portion of the antenna and a portion of the contact element prior to programming of the transponder, wherein the contacts of the programming device are applied to uncoated portions of the antenna and the contact element.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate comprising: providing an electronic circuit having at least two electrical terminals; securing the electronic circuit to the substrate; and applying a metallic foil layer to the substrate and the electronic circuit to define an antenna, so that the metallic foil layer makes contact with the at least two electrical terminals.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate comprising: providing an electronic circuit having at least two electrical terminals; securing the electronic circuit to the substrate; and applying a metallic foil layer to the substrate and the electronic circuit to define an antenna, so that the metallic foil layer makes contact with the at least two electrical terminals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the metallic foil layer is applied to the electronic circuit prior to securing the electronic circuit to the substrate, with the metallic foil layer and the circuit being applied together to the substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the metallic foil layer is applied to the substrate after the electronic circuit has been secured to the substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the metallic foil layer has an adhesive layer thereon for securing the foil to the substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the metallic foil layer is applied to the substrate prior to securing the electronic circuit to the substrate, and the electronic circuit is subsequently attached to predetermined areas of the metallic foil layer, thereby to secure the electronic circuit to the substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising attaching the electrical contacts of the electronic circuit to predetermined areas of the metallic foil layer using contact adhesive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising forming an indentation in the substrate to receive the electronic circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the indentation is formed by punching or stamping the substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the indentation is formed by molding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the indentation is formed in a plastic substrate by the application of a heated tool.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the indentation is formed in a plastic substrate by heating the electronic circuit and pressing it into the substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein an upper face of the electronic circuit bearing the electrical terminals is substantially flush with the surface of the substrate being secured thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising applying solder to the at least two electrical terminals, applying the metallic foil layer to the substrate so that it makes contact with the terminals, and reflowing the solder to join the metallic foil layer to the terminals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising applying a protective coating over the electronic circuit and at least a portion of the antenna.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the protective coating comprises a layer of settable sealant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the protective coating comprises a label.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the electronic circuit is an integrated circuit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein the integrated circuit is programmable with an identity code.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 21, further comprising programming the identity code before the integrated circuit is applied to the substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 21, further comprising programming the identity code after the integrated circuit is applied to the substrate by applying contacts of a programming device to both the integrated circuit and the antenna.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 23, further comprising providing a contact element of the substrate which is in contact with a respective terminal of the integrated circuit, applying at least one contact of the programming device to the contact element, and applying another contact of the programming device to the antenna.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising applying a protective coating over the integrated circuit, a portion of the antenna and a portion of the contact element prior to programming, the contacts of the programming device being applied to uncoated portions of the antenna and the contact element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the substrate comprises at least first and second components, the second component being secured to the first component after attachment of the electronic circuit and the antenna thereto, so that the electronic circuit and antenna are substantially enclosed.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate comprising: providing an electronic circuit having at least two electric terminals; providing an indentation in the substrate; inserting the electronic circuit into the indentation; securing the electronic circuit to the substrate; and applying a conductive element to the substrate and the electronic circuit to define an antenna, so that the conductive element makes electrical contact with the at least two electrical terminals.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of attaching an electronic circuit to a substrate comprising: providing an electronic circuit having at least two electric terminals; providing an indentation in the substrate; inserting the electronic circuit into the indentation; securing the electronic circuit to the substrate; and applying a conductive element to the substrate and the electronic circuit to define an antenna, so that the conductive element makes electrical contact with the at least two electrical terminals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the indentation is formed by punching or stamping the substrate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the indentation is formed by molding.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the indentation is formed in a plastic substrate by the application of a heated tool.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the indentation is formed in a plastic substrate by heating the electronic circuit and pressing it into the substrate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein an upper face of the electronic circuit bearing the electrical terminals is substantially flush with the surface of the substrate being secured thereto.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the step of applying a conductive element comprises printing, in the shape of the antenna, a layer of conductive ink over the substrate and the electronic circuit, so that the conductive ink makes contact with the at least two electrical terminals.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 33, further comprising applying solder to the at least two electrical terminals, printing the conductive ink over the at least two electrical terminals and the substrate, and reflowing the solder to join the conductive ink to the terminals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 27, further comprising applying a protective coating over the electronic circuit and at least a portion of the antenna.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein the protective coating comprises a layer of settable sealant.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein the protective coating comprises a label.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein the electronic circuit is an integrated circuit.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the integrated circuit is programmable with an identity code.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 39, further comprising programming the identity code before the integrated circuit is applied to the substrate.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 39, further comprising programming the identity code after the integrated circuit is applied to the substrate by applying contacts of a programming device to both the integrated circuit and the antenna.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 41, further comprising providing a contact element of the substrate which is in contact with a respective terminal of the integrated circuit, applying at least one contact of the programming device to the contact element, and applying the other contact of the programming device to the antenna.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 42, further comprising applying a protective coating over the integrated circuit, a portion of the antenna and a portion of the contact element prior to programming, the contacts of the programming device being applied to the uncoated portions of the antenna and the contact element.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first and second component, the second component being secured to the first component after attachment of the electronic circuit and the antenna thereto, so that the electronic circuit and antenna are substantially enclosed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |