Wireless communication device and method

• US 6,501,435 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2000
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terrestrial Comms LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Marconi Communications, Inc. (Marconi Holdings Company Limited)
• Inventors: Forster, Ian J., King, Patrick F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEN, SHIH CHAO
• Application Number:
  US09/678,271
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/746, 343/795, 343/793, 343/846, 343/866, 343/867, 343/872, 343/845, 340/572.7
• US Class Current: 343/795
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/81 Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 15/04 Attaching a series of articles, e.g. small electrical components, to a continuous web ammunition filling F42B
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/20 for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents adding unpacking elements B65B61/18
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0003 Use of RFID labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/205 Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like; cards or coupons for the other types of rigid or semi-rigid containers B65D25/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/004 Information or decoration elements, e.g. level indicators, detachable tabs or coupons
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4233 Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/54 Cards, coupons, or other inserts or accessories opening devices B65D75/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• 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 19/07771 the record carrier comprising means for minimising adverse effects on the data communication capability of the record carrier, e.g. minimising Eddy currents induced in a proximate metal or otherwise electromagnetically interfering object
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/286 Antitheft arrangements, e.g. Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tags
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3241 particular used in keyless entry systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 : Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 : Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/00 : Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements combinations of separate active antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system H01Q21/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/378 : Combination of fed elements with parasitic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/40 : Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/28 : Conical, cylindrical, cage, strip, gauze, or like elements having an extended radiating surface; Elements comprising two conical surfaces having collinear axes and adjacent apices and fed by two-conductor transmission lines waveguide horns or mouths H01Q13/00; slot antennas H01Q13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/285 : Planar dipole H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/40 : Element having extended radiating surface

Abstract

The wireless communication device contains at least one conductive tab that provides an antenna. The tab(s) form a pole antenna, and the tabs may also be attached across a slot to form a slot antenna. The tab(s) may be attached across a slot created in a package to form a slot antenna, or the tab(s) may be attached to a slot that is created as part of the wireless communication device to form a slot antenna. The tab(s) and/or the slot may also contain an adhesive material to attach the wireless communication device to a package, container or other material. More than one slot may be provided to form a circularly polarized antenna. The carrier may be a conductive material in which tabs are formed as part of the carrier before the wireless communication device is attached. The wireless communication device may have an asymmetrical antenna arrangement.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a wireless communication device;

two conductive tabs coupled to said wireless communication device to form a dipole antenna wherein said two conductive tabs asymmetrically arranged with respect to each other;

a thin dielectric coupled to said two conductive tabs; and

a ground plane coupled to said thin dielectric, wherein said thin dielectric is between said two conductive tabs and said ground plane.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device operates in a frequency from the group consisting of UHF, VHF.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device operates at an operating frequency from the group consisting of 2.45 GHz, 915 MHz, and 13.56 MHz.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one conductive tab of said two conductive tabs contains an adhesive.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one conductive tab of said two conductive tabs is an adhesive.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said two conductive tabs are constructed out of a conductive ink.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein one of said two conductive tabs is λ

/2 in length.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein one of said two conductive tabs is λ

/4 in length.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein one of said two conductive tabs is a different length than the other tab of said two conductive tabs.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein one of said two conductive tabs is a different width than the other tab of said two conductive tabs.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said two conductive tabs are at right angles with respect to each other.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first of said two conductive tabs is in the shape of a ring, and the other of said two conductive tabs is nested inside said first conductive tab.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the second of said two conductive tabs is in the shape of a loop surrounding the first conductive tab.

14. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a wireless communication device attached to a substrate;

two conductive tabs coupled to said wireless communication device wherein said two conductive tabs are asymmetrically arranged with respect to each other to form an asymmetrical dipole antenna, and

a thin dielectric attached between said two conductive tabs and said substrate.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one conductive tab is two conductive tabs that are asymmetrically arranged with respect to each other to form an asymmetrical dipole antenna.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein one of said two conductive tabs is a different length than the other tab of said two conductive tabs.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein one of said two conductive tabs is a different width than the other tab of said two conductive tabs.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising a ground plane coupled to said wireless communication device, wherein said thin dielectric is between said wireless communication device and said ground plane.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one conductive tab is attached off-center across a slot on said substrate to form an asymmetrical slot antenna.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said at least one conductive tab is two conductive tabs.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising a ground plane coupled to said wireless communication device wherein said thin dielectric is between said wireless communication device and said ground plane.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said ground plane is attached on a side of said substrate opposite from said wireless communication device.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said substrate is said ground plane.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein said slot is rectangular shaped.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein said slot is λ

/2 in length.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein said two conductive tabs are 10 mm square tabs.

27. The system of claim 14, wherein said substrate is comprised of a non-conductive material.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said thin dielectric is said substrate.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein said substrate is comprised from the group consisting of cardboard, polyester fabric, and plastic.

30. The system of claim 14, wherein said substrate is comprised out of a conductive material.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said substrate is an aluminum can.

32. The system of claim 14, wherein said thin dielectric is equal to or less than 0.2 mm.

33. The system of claim 14, wherein said thin dielectric is comprised, from the group consisting of cardboard, plastic, clear plastic, Lexan, and polypropylene.

34. The system of claim 14, wherein said wireless communication device comprises conductive feed lines placed in an indentation in said substrate.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said at least one conductive tab is two conductive tabs that are on the surface of said substrate on each side of said indentation wherein said indentation contains conductive material inside coupled to said two conductive tabs.

36. A method of constructing a wireless communication device to be attached to a substrate, comprising:

coupling at least two conductive tabs of differing size to a wireless communication device to form an asymmetrical dipole antenna;

coupling said two conductive tabs to the substrate; and

placing a thin dielectric in between said two conductive tabs and the substrate.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

attaching a ground plane on said substrate; and

coupling said wireless communication device to said ground plane.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said ground plane is on a side of the substrate opposite from said wireless communication device.

39. A method of constructing a wireless communication device to be attached to a substrate, comprising:

creating a slot in the substrate;

coupling two conductive tabs of differing size to a wireless communication device to form an asymmetrical dipole antenna; and

coupling said two conductive tabs to said slot to form an asymmetrical slot antenna;

coupling said wireless communication device to the substrate; and

placing a thin dielectric in between said wireless communication device and the substrate.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

attaching a ground plane on said substrate; and

coupling said wireless communication device to said ground plane.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said ground plane is attached on a side of the substrate opposite from said wireless communication device.

42. A device, comprising:

a wireless communication device;

two conductive tabs coupled to said wireless communication device to form a dipole antenna; and

said two conductive tabs asymmetrically arranged with respect to each other, wherein the first of said two conductive tabs is in the shape of a ring, and the other of said two conductive tabs is nested inside said first conductive tab.

43. A device, comprising:

a wireless communication device;

two conductive tabs coupled to said wireless communication device to form a dipole antenna; and

said two conductive tabs asymmetrically arranged with respect to each other, wherein the second of said two conductive tabs is in the shape of a loop surrounding the first conductive tab.

44. A method of constructing a wireless communication device to be attached to a substrate, comprising:

creating a slot in the substrate;

coupling two conductive tabs of differing size to a wireless communication device; and

coupling said two conductive tabs to said slot to form an asymmetrical slot antenna.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising placing a thin dielectric in between said two conductive tabs and the substrate.

46. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

attaching a ground plane on the substrate; and

coupling said wireless communication device to said ground plane.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said ground plane is attached on a side of the substrate opposite from said wireless communication device.