Wireless sensor device

• US 20080079565A1
• Filed: 09/25/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Koyama, Jun
• Granted Patent: US 7,965,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/166 the sensor is mounted on a specially adapted printed circuit board
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 Endoradiosondes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/22 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2223/6677 for antenna, e.g. antenna included within housing of semiconductor device antennas per se H01Q
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/60 Protection against electrostatic charges or discharges, e.g. Faraday shields
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/66 High-frequency adaptations
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/13 combined with thin-film or thick-film passive components
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1607 Supply circuits converters H02M; filters therefor H02M1/14; voltage stabilisers G05F1/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/118 specially for flexible printed circuits, e.g. using folded portions
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/00 Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus casings, cabinets, drawers H05K5/00

Abstract

A wireless sensor device capable of constant operation without replacement of batteries. The wireless sensor device is equipped with a rechargeable battery and the battery is recharged wirelessly. Radio waves received at an antenna circuit are converted into electrical energy and stored in the battery. A sensor circuit operates with the electrical energy stored in the battery, and acquires information. Then, a signal containing the information acquired is converted into radio waves at the antenna circuit, whereby the information can be read out wirelessly.

Claims

1. A wireless sensor device comprising:

an antenna circuit for transmission and reception of radio waves;

a battery for storing electrical energy obtained from the radio waves;

a sensor circuit for acquiring information by using the electrical energy; and

an airtight package packing the antenna circuit, the battery and the sensor circuit.

4. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising a memory circuit for storing the information.

7. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the information is one selected from the group consisting of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiration rate, the amount of gas in the blood, the value of action current, blood glucose level, and an internal image of the body.

10. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor device is used inside the living body.

13. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1,

wherein the sensor circuit includes a sensor;

and

wherein the sensor is one selected from the group consisting of a photoelectric conversion element, a resistor, an element which uses capacitive coupling, an element which uses induced electromotive force, a photovoltaic element, a thermoelectric conversion element, a transistor, a thermistor, and a diode.

16. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a thin-film secondary battery.

2. A wireless sensor device comprising:

an antenna circuit, a battery, a sensor circuit, and an airtight package packing the antenna circuit, the battery and the sensor circuit,

wherein radio waves are converted into electrical energy at the antenna circuit;

wherein the electrical energy is stored in the battery;

wherein the sensor circuit acquires information by using the electrical energy; and

wherein radio waves containing the information acquired are radiated from the antenna circuit.

5. The wireless sensor device according to claim 2, further comprising a memory circuit, wherein the information acquired is stored in the memory circuit.

8. The wireless sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the information is one selected from the group consisting of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiration rate, the amount of gas in the blood, the value of action current, blood glucose level, and an internal image of the body.

11. The wireless sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the wireless sensor device is used inside the living body.

14. The wireless sensor device according to claim 2,

wherein the sensor circuit includes a sensor;

and

wherein the sensor is one selected from the group consisting of a photoelectric conversion element, a resistor, an element which uses capacitive coupling, an element which uses induced electromotive force, a photovoltaic element, a thermoelectric conversion element, a transistor, a thermistor, and a diode.

17. The wireless sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the battery is a thin-film secondary battery.

3. A wireless sensor device comprising:

a first antenna circuit, a second antenna circuit, a battery, a sensor circuit, and an airtight package packing the first antenna circuit, the second antenna circuit, the battery and the sensor circuit,

wherein radio waves are converted into electrical energy at the first antenna circuit;

wherein the electrical energy is stored in the battery;

wherein the sensor circuit acquires information by using the electrical energy; and

wherein radio waves containing the information acquired are radiated from the second antenna circuit.

6. The wireless sensor device according to claim 3, further comprising a memory circuit, and an airtight package packing the first antenna circuit, wherein the information acquired is stored in the memory circuit.

9. The wireless sensor device according to claim 3, wherein the information is one selected from the group consisting of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiration rate, the amount of gas in the blood, the value of action current, blood glucose level, and an internal image of the body.

12. The wireless sensor device according to claim 3, wherein the wireless sensor device is used inside the living body.

15. The wireless sensor device according to claim 3,

wherein the sensor circuit includes a sensor;

and

wherein the sensor is one selected from the group consisting of a photoelectric conversion element, a resistor, an element which uses capacitive coupling, an element which uses induced electromotive force, a photovoltaic element, a thermoelectric conversion element, a transistor, a thermistor, and a diode.

18. The wireless sensor device according to claim 3, wherein the battery is a thin-film secondary battery.