Single chip transponder device
First Claim
1. A transponder device comprising:
- a single monolithic semiconductor chip;
receiving means for receiving a carrier signal from an external source;
diode means for rectifying the received carrier signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with the carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals;
digital circuit means for deriving a clock signal from said carrier signal;
data generating means responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the carrier signal in said diode means; and
transmitting means for transmitting the sum and difference signals to a location external from said transponder device;
said diode means, digital circuit means, and data generating means comprising electrical circuits that are realized on said single monolithic semiconductor chip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transponder device receives a carrier signal from an interrogator unit. This carrier signal, of frequeny F, is rectified by a rectifying circuit in order to generate operating power. Logic/timing circuits derive a clock signal and second carrier signal of frequency F/n from the received carrier signal. This clock signal reads a unique identifying data word from a programmable read only memory (PROM). The data word is encoded and mixed with the carrier signal in a balanced modulator circuit. The output of the balanced modulator is transmitted to the interrogator unit where it is decoded and used as an identifying signal. The identifying signal identifies the particular transponder device from which it originated. The rectifier and balanced modulator circuits are realized from the same diode elements. All electrical circuits of the transponder device are realized on the same monolithic semiconductor chip. In one embodiment, an antenna receiving/transmitting coil is also part of the chip, being placed around the periphery thereof. In alternative embodiments, various hybrid elements may be connected to the monolithic elements in order to realize additional functions, such as adjustable tuning of the receiving circuit, independent crystal frequency control, and battery-powered operation.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A transponder device comprising:
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a single monolithic semiconductor chip; receiving means for receiving a carrier signal from an external source; diode means for rectifying the received carrier signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with the carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals; digital circuit means for deriving a clock signal from said carrier signal; data generating means responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the carrier signal in said diode means; and transmitting means for transmitting the sum and difference signals to a location external from said transponder device; said diode means, digital circuit means, and data generating means comprising electrical circuits that are realized on said single monolithic semiconductor chip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electronic identification system for identifying a plurality of objects comprising:
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a controller/interrogator unit for interrogating the objects to be identified and processing the responses received, said controller interrogator unit including; means for generating an RF carrier signal, said RF carrier signal comprising an interrogation signal, means for transmitting said interrogation signal towards an object to be identified, means for receiving a responsive signal generated in response to said interrogation signal, and means for decoding, storing, and displaying the response received; and a transponder unit, carried by each object to be identified, comprising; a single monolithic semiconductor chip; receiving means on said semiconductor chip for receiving the interrogation signal from said controller-interrogator unit, diode means on said semiconductor chip for rectifying the received interrogation signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with a digital carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals, said sum and difference signals comprising said responsive signal, digital circuit means on said semiconductor chip for deriving a clock signal and said digital carrier signal from said interrogation signal, data generating means on said semiconductor chip responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the digital carrier signal in said diode means, and transmitting means on said semiconductor chip for transmitting the responsive signal to said controller/interrogator unit. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A transponder device consisting of:
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a single semiconductor chip; receiving means placed on said semiconductor chip for receiving a carrier signal from an external source; diode means for rectifying the received carrier signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with the carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals, said diode means comprising an electrical circuit that is fabricated on said semiconductor chip; digital circuit means for deriving a clock signal from said carrier signal, said digital circuit means comprising electrical circuits that are fabricated on said semiconductor chip; data generating means responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the carrier signal in said diode means, said data generating means comprising an electrical circuit that is fabricated on said semiconductor chip; and transmitting means placed on said semiconductor chip for transmitting the sum and difference signals to a location external from said transponder device. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification