Ring Designer FAQ

This FAQ is aimed at Ring Designers who want to implement NFC Ring (tm) Technology into their own rings.

We really value creativity in the ring industry, style is one thing but we require constant innovation to bring new users into the market and to improve value for those users. Our aim here is to provide our technology to other Ring manufacturers and providers so that they can build the next generation of NFC enabled jewellery.

Definitions

Inlay

The Inlay is where our tech lives, it consists of..

1. Flexible Printed Circuit Board
2. Chip or IC
3. Antenna
4. Adhesive

We currently only provide four NFC Ring Inlays with the following dimensions:

• 20mm x 6mm x 1mm
• 20mm x 6mm x 0.2mm
• 17mm x 10mm x 1mm
• 20mm x 10mm x 0.2mm

The 0.2mm thick inlays can be used in non-metalic environments IE Ceramics, Plastics. The 1mm thick inlays can be used in metalic environments IE Titanium, Stainless Steel.

Why can't I use the thinner inlays in metalic environments?

We provide a polymer ferrite on the metalic inlays which means they work in that environment.

Can you provide a thinner inlay?

We can, at volume (10k+), however the reason we provide the sizes we do is to get maximum read distance when targeted against the current mobile phone antenna design. When the inlay gets smaller the performance decreases. For more information on this study the topic of antenna design.

So why don't we do some form of active modulation to increase RF range?

That would require power, making the ring need charging, this would make for a poor user experience.

Does the inlay have to curve?

No. It can be flat or curved. The antenna should always be facing the target device.

How much can it curve?

Easily to support a US Ring 4.5 size.

Do you offer some certification / testing for rings?

We offer consulting services for ring designs so we can ensure they will work within given parameters. We will require at least one days consulting to certify a given ring design so we can class it as an "NFC Ring". See our Testing documentation for the tests we carry out.

Can you provide software licensing and white labelling with the inlays?

Yes.

Does whatever I use to cover the inlay (epoxy/enamel etc) have to be transparent?

No. The NFC Ring uses Radio Frequencies which are not affected by colour pigments in these materials.

Can I use the NFC Ring with Carbon Fibre?

No.

Are there any metals I can use that wont interfere with the NFC Ring?

Not that we know of.

When inserting the inlay into a ring what are my design considerations?

Don't cover the inlay with metal IE

/ = metal
# = inlay

Side View (these need making into easier to understand illustrations): Bad.

/////////
/#######/
/////////

Good.

/#######/
/////////

Try to put the inlay as close to the outer edge of the ring as possible

/ = metal
# = inlay

Side View: Bad.

/       /
/       /
/#######/
/////////

Good.

/#######/
/////////

What materials can I use in front of the inlay?

1. Epoxy
2. Enamel
3. Most Stones Inc Precious.

Note: Remember to keep these layers as thin as possible so the inlay is as close as possible to the target device (phone etc).

How should I glue the inlay into the ring blank?

We do provide an adhesive on the inlay and this might be enough for the inlay to stay in your design but if not you can use "super glue" or "the hopes and dreams of minions".

Is the inlay waterproof?

No. You will need to add some material over the top of the inlay to make it waterproof.

How do I go about getting my hands on some inlays to prototype with?

Contact Us through the contact page at http://nfcring.com