Battery-operated wireless-communication apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An integrated combined rechargeable battery and wirelesslyrecharging timepiece apparatus comprising:
- a flexible support structure;
a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure;
a thin-film battery deposited as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;
a wireless energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure; and
an electronic timepiece circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device;
wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate;
wherein the apparatus further includes a protective coating located on the thin-film battery;
wherein the electronic timepiece circuit forms a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; and
wherein the apparatus further includes an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A combined battery and wireless-communications apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a support, a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support, a thin-film battery including a cathode layer, a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, an antenna mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support and electrically coupled to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications. Other embodiments include an energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device.
255 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An integrated combined rechargeable battery and wirelessly
recharging timepiece apparatus comprising: -
a flexible support structure; a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure; a thin-film battery deposited as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;a wireless energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure; and an electronic timepiece circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the apparatus further includes a protective coating located on the thin-film battery; wherein the electronic timepiece circuit forms a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; and wherein the apparatus further includes an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A combined battery and wireless-communications apparatus comprising:
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a flexible support structure; a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure; a thin-film battery deposited as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;an antenna mounted to the support structure; and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support structure and electrically coupled to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications; wherein the flexible support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the apparatus further includes a protective coating located on the thin-film battery; wherein the antenna and electronic communications circuit form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; and wherein the apparatus further includes an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A combined battery and wireless-communications apparatus comprising:
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a support structure; a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure; a thin-film battery deposited as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;an antenna mounted to the support structure; and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support structure and electrically coupled to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications; wherein the cathode layer comprises a lithium intercalation material deposited on the first conductive layer; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the apparatus further includes a protective coating located on the thin-film battery; wherein the antenna and electronic communications circuit form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; and wherein the apparatus further includes an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor.
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17. A method for making an integrated combined battery and wireless-communications device comprising:
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providing a flexible support structure; depositing a first conductive layer on a first surface area of the support structure; depositing a thin-film battery as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;mounting an antenna to the support structure; mounting an electronic communications circuit to the support structure; and electrically coupling the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on the first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the method further includes depositing a protective coating on the thin-film battery; wherein mounting of the antenna, the mounting of the electronic communications circuit and the electrically coupling of the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; and wherein the method further includes depositing an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for making an integrated combined battery and wireless-communications device comprising:
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providing a flexible support structure; depositing a first conductive layer on a first surface area of the support structure; depositing a thin-film battery as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;mounting an antenna to the support structure; mounting an electronic communications circuit to the support structure; and electrically coupling the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on the first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the method further includes depositing a protective coating on the thin-film battery; wherein mounting of the antenna, the mounting of the electronic communications circuit and the electrically coupling of the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; wherein the method further includes depositing an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor; and wherein the support structure has a curved shape having a convex face and a concave face, and the battery is curved and located on the concave face.
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24. A method for making an integrated combined battery and wireless-communications device comprising:
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providing a flexible support structure; depositing a first conductive layer on a first surface area of the support structure; depositing a thin-film battery as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;mounting an antenna to the support structure; mounting an electronic communications circuit to the support structure; and electrically coupling the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on the first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the method further includes depositing a protective coating on the thin-film battery; wherein mounting of the antenna, the mounting of the electronic communications circuit and the electrically coupling of the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; wherein the method further includes depositing an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor; and wherein the mounting of the antenna comprises depositing a thin-film trace on the battery.
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25. A method for making an integrated combined battery and wireless-communications device comprising:
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providing a flexible support structure; depositing a first conductive layer on a first surface area of the support structure; depositing a thin-film battery as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;mounting an antenna to the support structure; mounting an electronic communications circuit to the support structure; and electrically coupling the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on the first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the method further includes depositing a protective coating on the thin-film battery; wherein mounting of the antenna, the mounting of the electronic communications circuit and the electrically coupling of the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; wherein the method further includes depositing an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor; and wherein the mounting of the antenna comprises depositing a thin-film trace on the electronic communications circuit.
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26. A method for making an integrated combined battery and wireless-communications device comprising;
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providing a flexible support structure; depositing a first conductive layer on a first surface area of the support structure; depositing a thin-film battery as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;mounting an antenna to the support structure; mounting an electronic communications circuit to the support structure; and electrically coupling the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on the first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the method further includes depositing a protective coating on the thin-film battery; wherein mounting of the antenna, the mounting of the electronic communications circuit and the electrically coupling of the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; wherein the method further includes depositing an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor; and wherein mounting of the antenna comprises depositing a thin-film trace on the support structure.
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27. A method for making an integrated combined battery and wireless-communications device comprising;
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providing a flexible support structure; depositing a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure; depositing a thin-film battery deposited as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;mounting an antenna to the support structure; mounting an electronic communications circuit to the support structure; and electrically coupling the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on the first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the method further includes depositing a protective coating on the thin-film battery; wherein mounting of the antenna, the mounting of the electronic communications circuit and the electrically coupling of the electronic communications circuit to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; wherein the method further includes depositing an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor; and wherein the electronic circuit includes a recharging circuit that recharges the battery using energy received by the antenna.
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28. An integrated combined battery and wireless-recharging apparatus comprising:
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a flexible support structure; a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure; a thin-film battery deposited as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;an energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure; and an electronic communications circuit including an antenna mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the apparatus further includes a protective coating located on the thin-film battery; wherein the antenna and electronic communications circuit form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; and wherein the apparatus further includes an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. An integrated combined rechargeable battery and wirelessly recharging hearing aid apparatus comprising:
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a support structure; a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure; a thin-film battery deposited as successive thin-film depositions over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, the battery comprising a cathode layer;
a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the electrolyte layer in contact with and completely separating the anode layer and the cathode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer includes LiPON;a wireless energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure; and an electronic hearing-aid circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device; wherein the support structure, and the first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support structure form a substrate and the successive thin-film depositions form the thin-film battery affixed to at least one surface of the substrate; wherein the apparatus further includes a protective coating located on the thin-film battery; wherein the antenna and electronic communications circuit form a device that is affixed to said thin-film battery via the protective coating, and electrically coupled to the thin-film battery through a conductor external to the thin-film battery and to the device; and wherein the apparatus further includes an encapsulant to encapsulate the device and external conductor. - View Dependent Claims (45)
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Specification