Multiple feed point slot antenna

• US 7,432,869 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Forster, Ian J., Horrell, Peter Robert George
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THUY V
• Application Number:
  US11/469,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20070075906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 343/746, 343/767, 343/768, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 455/41.1, 455/25, 455/523, 455/63.4
• US Class Current: 343/767
• 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: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• 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 19/07786 the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
• 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 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/12 Longitudinally slotted cylinder antennas; Equivalent structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/18 the slot being backed by, or formed in boundary wall of, a resonant cavity longitudinally slotted cylinder H01Q13/12 ; Open cavity antennas

Abstract

A wireless communication device and method for identifying a container, or communication information about a container using a slot in the container as an antenna. The device includes a wireless communication device for transmitting information regarding the container. The container includes an outer wall forming rim and a slot between the rim edge and the outer wall that is circular and continues without boundaries. The wireless communication device is coupled to the slot to provide the slot antenna for communications. An impedance matching network is additionally provided to make the operating frequency of the slot substantially the same as the operating frequency of the wireless communication device. Alternatively, shorting posts may be placed in the slot to define boundaries of the slot to match the operating frequency of the slot to the operating frequency of the antenna. Multiple feed points may be provided between the wireless communication device and the slot.

Claims

1. A device for communicating information associated with a container having a slot, comprising:

a wireless communication device to communicate information associated with the container wirelessly; and

a slot antenna electrically associated with the wireless communication device, said slot antenna formed by a conductive clip that couples the wireless communication device to the slot.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive clip comprises aluminum.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive clip is constructed from metal.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive clip is formed substantially in the shape of an “

R”

.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the conductive clip contacts an outer wall of the container to form a ground plane.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the conductive clip contacts a rim edge of the container to form a connection feed point.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is mounted on a top portion of the conductive clip.

8. A system for communicating information associated with a container, comprising:

a container having a slot;

a wireless communication device to remotely communicate information associated with the container;

a slot antenna formed by a conductive clip that electrically couples the wireless communication device to the slot.

9. A method of using a slot in a container as an antenna, comprising:

associating a wireless communication device with the container;

positioning a conductive clip within the slot to form a feed point to a slot antenna formed by the slot in the container, wherein the conductive clip is electrically connected to the wireless communication device; and

communicating information associated with the container between the wireless communication device and an inteffogation reader.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising interrogating the wireless communication device at a plurality of frequencies.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication device is mounted on the conductive clip.

12. A container, comprising:

a slot formed in the container;

a wireless communication device associated with the container; and

a mounting device contacting the slot of the container to provide a connection feed point for the wireless communication device,

wherein the slot in the container forms a slot antenna that is usable by the wireless communication device to remotely communicate information associated with the container.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the slot is formed by a curl in the container that forms a rim of the container.

14. The container of claim 12, wherein the slot is formed by at least two pieces of conductive material in proximity to one another.

15. The container of claim 12, wherein the slot is formed by an area of free space contained on a conductive surface of the container.

16. The container of claim 12, wherein the mounting device is a conductive clip.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the conductive clip is formed substantially in the shape of an “

R”

.

18. The container of claim 16, wherein the conductive clip comprises copper.

19. The container of claim 16, wherein the conductive clip is made of iron.

20. A method of using a slot in a container as an antenna, comprising:

associating a wireless communication device with the container;

forming a feed point to a slot antenna formed by the slot in the container using a conductive clip attached to the container, wherein the conductive clip is electrically connected to the wireless communication device; and

through the slot antenna, communicating information associated with the container between the wireless communication device and an inteffogation reader.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the feed point is formed by contacting the conductive clip with a rim of the container.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising forming a ground plane from the conductive clip and the container.