Miniature Radio Frequency Transceiver

• US 6,013,949 A
• Filed: 09/22/1997
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Tuttle, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clark, Sheila V.
• Application Number:
  US08/934,701
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 257/924, 257/723, 257/724, 257/787, 257/679, 257/700, 342/51, 342/44, 342/42, 340/825.32, 340/825.54
• US Class Current: 257/723
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/758 using a signal generator powered by the interrogation signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/767 Responders; Transponders teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using reflecting targets or active targets F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07786 the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00629 Circuit, e.g. transponder
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/604 Address structures or formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/622 Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/35 involving non-standard use of addresses for implementing network functionalities, e.g. coding subscription information within the address or functional addressing, i.e. assigning an address to a function
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5046 Resolving address allocation conflicts; Testing of addresses testing when self-assigning an address H04L61/5092
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5084 Providing for device mobility network addressing or numbering for mobility support in wireless networks H04W8/26; mobile IP H04W80/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 257/924 with passive device, e.g. capacitor, or battery, as integral part of housing or housing element, e.g. cap

Abstract

The present application describes an electronically powered postage stamp or mailing label and including a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and system mounted between the opposing and facing major surfaces thereof. The RFID device and system includes an integrated circuit transceiver chip which is connected to and powered by a thin flat battery cell and is operated with a thin film RF antenna, all of which are mounted in side-by-side relationship on a thin base or support layer. These thin flat components are mounted in an essentially two dimensional planar configuration well suited for incorporation into the planar structure of a postage stamp or a mailing label. In addition, the RFID transceiver chip may be replaced with an electro-optically operated IC chip using, for example, LEDs or laser diodes for the propagation of light signals to an interrogator.

Claims

1. A miniature radio frequency transceiver, comprising:

(a) a thin sheet bounded by first and second outer surfaces;

(b) a thin, flat battery bounded by first and second planar electrodes, the first electrode being mounted on and bonded directly to the first surface of the sheet;

(c) an integrated circuit including a radio frequency identification transceiver circuit, the integrated circuit being mounted on and bonded directly to the first surface of the sheet;

(d) a first thin, conductive strip on the first surface of the sheet, the strip being shaped so as to function as a radio frequency antenna, the strip being connected to the integrated circuit by electrically conductive adhesive; and

(e) a second thin, conductive strip on the first surface of the sheet, the strip having one end connected to the battery and an opposite end connected to the integrated circuit, both connections being secured by electrically conductive adhesive;

(f) a cover bonded directly to the sheet at a mutual periphery so that the cover and the sheet sealingly enclose the battery and the integrated circuit;

(g) wherein the sheet and the cover each have a thickness not substantially greater than either the thickness of the battery or the thickness of the integrated circuit;

(h) whereby the transceiver is extremely thin.

2. A miniature radio frequency transceiver, comprising:

(a) first and second covers, each cover being a thin sheet, the two covers being bonded directly together at a mutual periphery so as to sealingly enclose a thin, planar cavity;

(b) a thin, flat battery located within the cavity, the battery being bounded by first and second planar electrical terminals, the first and second terminals being bonded directly to the first and second covers, respectively;

(c) an integrated circuit including a radio frequency identification transceiver circuit, wherein the integrated circuit is located within the cavity and is bonded directly to the first and second covers;

(d) a first thin, conductive strip on the interior surface of at least one of the covers, the strip being shaped so as to function as a radio frequency antenna, the strip being connected to the integrated circuit by electrically conductive adhesive; and

(e) a second thin, conductive strip on the interior surface of at least one of the covers, the strip having one end connected to the battery and an opposite end connected to the integrated circuit, both connections being secured by electrically conductive adhesive;

(f) wherein each of the two covers has a thickness not substantially greater than either the thickness of the battery or the thickness of the integrated circuit;

(g) whereby the transceiver is extremely thin.

3. A transceiver according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive adhesive is electrically conductive epoxy.

4. A transceiver according to claim 2, wherein

the first and second battery terminals are composed of a lithium sheet and a copper sheet, respectively;

and

a polymerized electrolyte fills a volume separating the two battery terminals.

5. A miniature radio frequency transceiver, comprising:

(a) upper and lower covers, each cover being a thin sheet, the two covers being bonded directly together at a mutual periphery so as to sealingly enclose a thin, planar cavity;

(b) an integrated circuit including a radio frequency transceiver circuit, wherein the integrated circuit is located within the cavity and is bonded directly to at least one of the covers;

(c) first and second thin, flat batteries located within the cavity, each battery being bounded by a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface bonded directly to the upper and lower covers, respectively, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of each battery include an upper battery electrical terminal and a lower battery electrical terminal, respectively;

(d) a first thin, conductive strip on the interior surface of the lower cover, the first strip having one end connected to the lower terminal of the first battery and an opposite end connected to the integrated circuit;

(e) a second thin, conductive strip on the interior surface of the lower cover, the second strip extending between one portion connected to the lower terminal of the second battery and another portion connected to the integrated circuit; and

(f) a third thin, conductive strip on the interior surface of the upper cover, the third strip having one end connected to the upper terminal of the first battery and an opposite end connected to the upper terminal of the second battery;

(g) wherein the upper and lower terminals of one battery are negative and positive, respectively, and wherein the upper and lower terminals of the other battery are positive and negative, respectively;

(h) whereby the third strip connects the two batteries in series, and whereby the first and second strips permit the integrated circuit to connect to both positive and negative battery terminals from below the integrated circuit.

6. A transceiver according to claim 5, further comprising:

a fourth thin, conductive strip on the interior surface of at least one of the covers, the fourth strip being shaped so as to function as a radio frequency antenna, wherein the fourth strip is connected to the integrated circuit.

7. A transceiver according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the conductive strips is connected to an RF section of the transceiver so as to function as an antenna.

8. A miniature radio frequency transceiver, comprising:

a first thin sheet;

a first thin, conductive strip mounted on the first sheet so as to directly overlie the first sheet;

a thin, flat battery having an electrical terminal which is mounted on and bonded directly to a first area of the first conductive strip;

an integrated circuit having a number of electrical terminals and including a radio frequency transceiver circuit, wherein one of the integrated circuit terminals is mounted on and bonded directly to a second area of the first conductive strip so that the first conductive strip electrically connects the integrated circuit to the battery; and

a thin cover bonded directly to the first sheet at a mutual periphery so that the cover and the first sheet sealingly enclose the battery and the integrated circuit;

wherein the first sheet and the cover each have a thickness not substantially greater than the thickness of the battery.

9. A transceiver according to claim 8, wherein the first sheet is a polymer film.

10. A transceiver according to claim 8, further comprising:

a second thin, conductive strip mounted directly on the first sheet so as to directly overlie the first sheet, wherein the strip is shaped so as to function as a radio frequency antenna, and wherein an area of the second strip is bonded directly to one of the terminals of the integrated circuit.

11. A transceiver according to claim 10, wherein the respective areas of the first and second strips which are bonded to the battery and the integrated circuit, respectively, are bonded by electrically conductive adhesive.

12. A transceiver according to claim 8, wherein:

the cover is a second thin sheet; and

the first and second thin sheets are bonded together at a mutual periphery so as to sealingly enclose a thin volume which includes the battery and the integrated circuit, wherein each sheet has a surface facing the thin volume.

13. A transceiver according to claim 12, wherein each sheet is a polymer film.

23. A transceiver according to claim 12, further comprising:

a second thin, conductive strip mounted directly on at least one of the two sheets so as to directly overlie said surface of said at least one sheet, wherein the strip is shaped so as to function as a radio frequency antenna, and wherein an area of the second strip is bonded directly to one of the terminals of the integrated circuit.

14. A miniature electrical circuit, comprising:

first and second thin sheets bonded directly together at a mutual periphery so as to sealingly enclose a thin volume, wherein each sheet has a surface facing the thin volume;

a first thin, conductive strip mounted on the first sheet so as to directly overlie said surface of the first sheet; and

first and second thin, flat batteries located within the thin volume between the upper and lower sheets, wherein

each battery is bounded by first and second planar electrical terminals,

the first and second terminals of the first battery are negative and positive, respectively,

the first and second terminals of the second battery are positive and negative, respectively, and

the first terminal of each battery is bonded directly to the first conductive strip so that the first conductive strip electrically connects the two batteries in series.

15. A circuit according to claim 14, wherein;

the integrated circuit includes a radio frequency transceiver circuit.

16. A circuit according to claim 15, further comprising:

a fourth thin, conductive strip mounted on one of the sheets so as to directly overlie said surface of at least one of the sheets, wherein the fourth strip is shaped so as to function as a radio frequency antenna, and wherein the fourth strip is connected to the integrated circuit.

17. A circuit according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the conductive strips is connected to an RF section of the transceiver so as to function as an antenna.

22. A circuit according to claim 14, further comprising:

an integrated circuit located within the thin volume between the two sheets, wherein the integrated circuit includes first and second electrical terminals;

a second thin, conductive strip mounted on the second sheet so as to directly overlie said surface of the second sheet, wherein one area of the second strip is bonded to the second terminal of the first battery, and another area of the second strip is bonded to the first terminal of the integrated circuit; and

a third thin, conductive strip mounted on the second sheet so as to directly overlie said surface of the second sheet, wherein one area of the third strip is bonded to the second terminal of the second battery, and another area of the third strip is bonded to the second terminal of the integrated circuit.

18. A miniature electrical circuit, comprising:

a first thin sheet;

a first thin, conductive strip mounted on the first sheet so as to directly overlie the first sheet;

a thin, flat battery having an electrical terminal which is mounted on and bonded directly to a first area of the first conductive strip;

an integrated circuit having a number of electrical terminals, wherein one of the integrated circuit terminals is mounted on and bonded directly to a second area of the first conductive strip so that the first conductive strip electrically connects the integrated circuit to the battery; and

a thin cover bonded directly to the first sheet at a mutual periphery so that the cover and the first sheet sealingly enclose the battery and the integrated circuit;

wherein the first sheet and the cover each have a thickness not substantially greater than the thickness of the battery.

19. A circuit according to claim 18, wherein the first sheet is a polymer film.

20. A circuit according to claim 18, wherein:

the cover is a second thin sheet; and

the first and second thin sheets are bonded together at a mutual periphery so as to sealingly enclose a thin volume which includes the battery and the integrated circuit, wherein each sheet has a surface facing the thin volume.

21. A circuit according to claim 20, wherein each sheet is a polymer film.