Stand-alone device for transmitting a wireless signal containing data from a memory or a sensor

• US 6,480,699 B1
• Filed: 08/28/1998
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tagent Corp.
• Original Assignee: Woodtoga Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Lovoi, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/141,826
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• Field of Search: 455/14, 455/90, 455/350, 455/558, 455/575, 455/41, 379/357, 235/380, 235/384, 235/385, 235/474, 235/492, 902/26, 340/693.1
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• 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

Abstract

A stand-alone device includes an integrated circuit (IC) die (optionally free of conventional IC packaging and bond pads) that responds to a signal by (1) storing energy retrieved from the signal, and (2) using the stored energy to generate another signal that is encoded with information provided by a data source (such as a memory or a sensor depending on the implementation) that is included in the device. The IC die includes a power supply, a signal transmitter, and optionally includes an antenna. During operation of one embodiment, the power supply receives from the antenna electrical energy extracted from a portion of a radio frequency signal incident on the IC die. The power supply stores the energy in an energy store over a period of time, and thereafter supplies at least a portion of the stored energy to the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter uses the energy to generate an electrical signal carrying the information from the data source, and on receipt of the electrical signal the antenna transmits another radio frequency signal containing the information. All parts of the IC die are coupled to each other by electrical conductors formed within the IC die. The device is used as a stand-alone component, i.e. free of connections to other electronic components. In one such case the IC die includes the antenna, and all interactions with the device are performed by wireless signals.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a power supply having a power input terminal and a power supply line, the power supply including an energy store coupled between the power input terminal and the power supply line; and

a signal transmitter having a reference voltage terminal, a data input line and a signal output terminal, the reference voltage terminal being coupled to the power supply line, the signal transmitter drawing stored energy from the energy store and using the stored energy to supply an electrical signal to the signal output terminal; and

a single antenna, tie single antenna being coupled to each of the power input terminal and the signal output terminal, and

wherein each of the power supply and the signal transmitter are formed in a single integrated circuit die; and

wherein the single antenna is formed in the single integrated circuit, and the device is devoid of any bond pads; and

wherein the energy store stores at least a portion of energy rectified from a first radio frequency signal received by the single antenna during an absorption period; and

wherein the single antenna transmits, during a transmission period, a second radio frequency sign, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the data source comprises a sensor.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the data source comprises a counter and the data source supplies a signal to the signal transmitter after a delay period counted by the counter.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the delay period has a random duration.

6. A device comprising:

a power supply having a power input terminal and a power supply line, the power supply including an energy store coupled between the power input terminal and the power supply line; and

a signal transmitter having a reference voltage terminal, a data input line and a signal output terminal, the reference voltage terminal being coupled to the power supply line, the signal transmitter drawing stored energy from the energy store and using the stored energy to supply an electrical signal to the signal output terminal;

a data source having a terminal coupled to the data input line of the sign transmitter; and

wherein the data source further comprises a circuit having a non-volatile memory; and

wherein the circuit is responsive to a third electrical signal generated by the antenna on receipt of a third radio frequency signal encoded with data, the circuit storing the data in the non-volatile memory.

7. A device comprising:

a power supply having a power input terminal and a power supply line, the power supply including an energy store coupled between the power input terminal and the power supply line; and

a signal transmitter having a reference voltage terminal, a data input line and a signal output terminal, the reference voltage terminal being coupled to the power supply line, the signal transmitter drawing stored energy from the energy store and using the stored energy to supply an electrical signal to the signal output terminal

a first conductive layer having a first external surface; and

a second conductive layer; and

a first dielectric layer interposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the signal transmitter being formed in the second conductive layer; and

an antenna formed in the first external surface.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising:

a first substrate having a conductive trace; and

a conductive adhesive interposed between the first substrate and the first external surface;

wherein the conductive adhesive electrically couples the first external surface to the conductive trace, the conductive surface forming at least a portion of the antenna.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the conductive trace is spiral, and the substrate includes paper.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the device has a second external surface formed by a third conductive layer included in the device, the device further comprising:

a second dielectric layer interposed between the third conductive layer and the second conductive layer;

wherein the device has a second substrate having a fourth conductive layer electrically coupled to the third conductive layer.

11. An apparatus comprising:

an object; and

an integrated circuit (IC) die supported by the object, the IC die comprising;

a storage element having an input line and an output line, the storage element containing information about the object;

an energy store having a power line, said energy store being coupled to the input line of the storage element;

a rectifier coupled to the power line of the energy store;

the rectifier supplies electrical energy extracted from a radio frequency signal to the power line of the energy store; and

the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a signal transmitter coupled to the energy store; and

an antenna coupled to the signal transmitter;

the signal transmitter and the antenna being formed in integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being devoid of any bond pads.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the storage element includes a mailing address associated with the object.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an oscillator coupled to the storage element.

16. An apparatus comprising:

an object; and

an integrated circuit (IC) die supported by the object, the IC die comprising;

a storage element having an input line and an output line, the storage element containing information about the object;

an energy store having a power line, said energy store being coupled to the input line of the storage element;

a rectifier coupled to the power line of the energy store;

the storage element supplies the information on the data output line in response to a signal on the power line;

the storage element using at least a first portion of the electrical energy to supply the information; and

the apparatus includes an antenna, the antenna using at least a second portion of the electrical energy to transmit a radio frequency signal carrying the data signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the antenna is formed in the integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being devoid of bond pads.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the storage element includes a mailing address associated with the object.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an oscillator coupled to the storage element.

22. An apparatus comprising:

an object; and

an integrated circuit (IC) die supported by the object, the IC die comprising;

a storage element having an input line and an output line, the storage element containing information about the object;

an energy store having a power line, said energy store being coupled to the input line of the storage element;

a rectifier coupled to the power line of the energy store;

the information includes a mailing address indicating a recipient of the object.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

a signal transmitter coupled to the energy store; and

an antenna coupled to the signal transmitter;

the signal transmitter and the antenna being formed in integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being devoid of any bond pads.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the storage element includes a mailing address associated with the object.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising an oscillator coupled to the storage element.

28. A device having only one integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being at least partially enclosed in an encapsulant, the device die being free of leads or bands for connection to any electronic component external to the device;

wherein the integrated circuit die comprises a radio frequency modulator; and

wherein the integrated circuit further comprises an energy store having a power supply line coupled to the radio frequency modulator; and

wherein the energy store stores at least a portion of energy rectified from a first signal incident on the integrated circuit die during an absorption period passes stored energy to the radio frequency modulator during a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

29. A device having only one integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being at least partially enclosed in an encapsulant, the device die being free of leads or pads for connection to any electronic component external to the device, the integrated circuit comprising;

a radio frequency modulator; and

a data source coupled to the radio frequency modulator, wherein the data source comprises a thermistor.

30. The device of claim 29, further comprising an antenna formed in the integrated circuit die.

31. The device of claim 29, further comprising an energy store having a power line, the energy store being coupled to the data source wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

32. The device of claim 29, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

33. A device having only one integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being at least partially enclosed in an encapsulant, the device die being free of leads or pads for connection to any electronic component external to the device, the integrated circuit comprising:

a radio frequency modulator; and

a data source coupled to the radio frequency modulator, wherein the data source comprises a sensor, wherein the sensor includes a pressure transducer.

34. The device of claim 33, further comprising an antenna formed in the integrated circuit die.

35. The device of claim 33, further comprising an energy store having a power line, the energy store being coupled to the data source wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

36. The device of claim 33, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

37. A device having only one integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being at least partially enclosed in an encapsulant, the device die being free of leads or pads for connection to any electronic component external to the device, the integrated circuit comprising:

a radio frequency modulator; and

a data source coupled to the radio frequency modulator, wherein the data source comprises a sensor, wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer.

38. The device of claim 37, further comprising an antenna formed in the integrated circuit die.

39. The device of claim 37, further comprising an energy store having a power line, the energy store being coupled to the data source wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

40. The device of claim 37, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

41. A device having only one integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being at least partially enclosed in an encapsulant, the device die being free of leads or pads for connection to any electronic component external to the device, the integrated circuit comprising:

a radio frequency modulator; and

a data source coupled to the radio frequency modulator, wherein the data source comprises a humidity sensor.

42. The device of claim 41, further comprising an antenna formed in the integrated circuit die.

43. The device of claim 41, further comprising an energy store having a power line, the energy store being coupled to the data source wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

44. The device of claim 41, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

45. A device having only one integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being at least partially enclosed in an encapsulant, the device die being free of leads or pads for connection to any electronic component external to the device, the integrated circuit comprising:

a radio frequency modulator; and

a data source coupled to the radio frequency modulator, wherein the data source comprises a sensor, further comprising a calibration device for calibrating said sensor.

46. The device of claim 45, further comprising an antenna formed in the integrated circuit die.

47. The device of claim 45, further comprising an energy store having a power line, the energy store being coupled to the data source wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

48. The device of claim 45, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

49. A device comprising:

a single integrated circuit die being fie of leads or pads for connection to an electronic components external to the die;

a signal transmitter formed in the die;

an antenna formed in the die, the antenna being coupled to the signal transmitter;

an energy store formed in the integrated circuit die and coupled to the signal transmitter, the energy store having a power line, the energy store being coupled to the data source wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

50. A device comprising:

a single integrated circuit die being free of leads or pads for connection to an electronic components external to the die;

a signal transmitter formed in the die;

an antenna formed in the die, the antenna being coupled to the signal transmitter;

a storage element coupled to the signal transmitter, the storage element being formed in the integrated circuit die and including mailing address information.

51. A device comprising:

a single integrated circuit die being free of leads or pads for connection to an electronic components external to the die;

a signal transmitter formed in the die;

an antenna formed in the die, the antenna being coupled to the signal transmitter;

a counter coupled to the signal transmitter, the counter supplying a signal to the signal transmitter after a delay period counted by the counter, the delay period having a random duration.

52. A device comprising:

a single integrated circuit die being free of leads or pads for connection to an electronic components external to the die;

a signal transmitter formed in the die;

an antenna formed in the die, the antenna being coupled to the signal transmitter;

a data source coupled to the signal transmitter, the data source having an input line and an output line, the data source providing information about an associated object;

an energy store having a power line, the energy store being coupled to the data source input line;

a rectifier coupled to tile power line, the rectifier supplies electrical energy from a power signal to the energy store power line;

the data source supplies the information on the data source output line in response to a power signal on the power input line;

the data source using at least a first portion of the electrical energy to supply the information;

the antenna using a second portion of the electrical energy to transmit a signal carrying the information.

53. A device comprising:

an integrated circuit die;

a signal generator formed in the integrated circuit die;

an energy store formed in the integrated circuit die and coupled to the signal generator, the energy store having a power line;

the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the signal generator over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

54. The device of claim 53, further comprising an antenna formed in the integrated circuit die and coupled to the signal generator, wherein the integrated circuit die is devoid of any pads or leads for connection to any electronic component external to the integrated circuit die.

55. The device of claim 53, wherein the signal generator further comprises a storage element including mailing address information.

56. The device of claim 53, the signal generator further comprises a counter and a signal transmitter, the counter supplies a signal to the signal transmitter after a delay period counted by the counter, the delay period having a random duration.

57. A device comprising:

an integrated circuit die;

an storage element formed in the integrated circuit die, the storage element including mailing address information;

a single transmitter coupled to the storage element for transmitting the mailing address information;

an energy store formed in the integrated circuit die and coupled to the signal transmitter, the energy store having a power line, energy store being coupled to the data source wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

58. A device comprising:

an integrated circuit die;

a storage element formed in the integrated circuit die, the storage element including mailing address information;

a signal transmitter coupled to the storage element for transmitting the mailing address information;

a counter coupled to the signal transmitter, the counter supplies a signal to the signal transmitter after a delay period counted by the counter, the delay period having a random duration.

59. An integrated circuit die comprising:

a storage element having an input line and an output line, the storage element containing information about the object;

an energy store having a power line, said energy store being coupled to the input line of the storage element;

a rectifier coupled to the power line of the energy store;

the rectifier supplies electrical energy extracted from a radio frequency signal to the power line of the energy store; and

the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

60. The integrated circuit of claim 59, further comprising:

a signal transmitter coupled to the energy store; and

an antenna coupled to the signal transmitter;

the signal transmitter and the antenna being formed in integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being devoid of any bond pads.

61. The integrated circuit of claim 59, wherein the storage element includes a mailing address.

62. The integrated circuit of claim 59, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

63. An integrated circuit comprising:

a storage element having an input line and an output line, the storage element containing information about the object;

an energy store having a power line, said energy store being coupled to the input line of the storage element;

a rectifier coupled to the power line of the energy store;

the storage element supplies the information on the data output line in response to a signal on the power line;

the storage element using at least a first portion of the electrical energy to supply the information; and

the apparatus includes an antenna, the antenna using at least a second portion of the electrical energy to transmit a radio frequency signal carrying the data signal.

64. The integrated circuit of claim 63, wherein the antenna is formed in the integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being devoid of bond pads.

65. The integrated circuit of claim 63, wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

66. The integrated circuit of claim 63, wherein the storage element includes a mailing address.

67. The apparatus of claim 63, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.

68. An integrated circuit die comprising:

a storage element having an input line and an output line, the storage element containing information about the object;

an energy store having a power line, said energy store being coupled to the input line of the storage element;

a rectifier coupled to the power line of the energy store;

the information includes a mailing address indicating a recipient of the object.

69. The integrated circuit die of claim 68, further comprising:

a signal transmitter coupled to the energy store; and

an antenna coupled to the signal transmitter;

the signal transmitter and the antenna being formed in integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die being devoid of any bond pads.

70. The integrated circuit die of claim 68, wherein the energy store has a discharged state and a charged state, the energy store transitioning from the discharged state to the charged state by storing energy received on the power line over an absorption period, the energy store transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state by supplying the stored energy to the storage element over a transmission period, the transmission period being at least an order of magnitude smaller than the absorption period.

71. The integrated circuit die of claim 68, wherein the storage element includes a mailing address.

72. The integrated circuit die of claim 68, further comprising a counter coupled to the signal transmitter that supplies a signal to a signal transmitter after a delay period, the delay period having a random duration.