Miniature transponders

• US 7,825,869 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2008
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trovan Ltd
• Original Assignee: Trovan Ltd
• Inventors: Masin, Joseph V., Masin, Barbara P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; HoangAnh T
• Application Number:
  US12/214,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20090009418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 343/787, 343/788, 343/873, 343/872, 343/702, 296/00
• US Class Current: 343/788
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/08 Ferrite rod or like elongated core
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for miniature transponders having capsule enclosure housings including a magnetic antenna core, such as a ferrite core, with a shaped form to provide space for an integrated circuit also included within the capsule enclosure housing. In addition, metal wire windings surround the antenna core, and these wires can be direct bonded to connections on the integrated circuit. Further, a stabilizing epoxy or other material can be inserted within the capsule enclosure housing to secure the antenna core and the integrated circuit within the capsule enclosure housing.

Claims

1. A miniature transponder, comprising:

a capsule enclosure;

a magnetic antenna core positioned within the capsule enclosure to provide an integrated circuit receiving space within the capsule enclosure, the integrated circuit receiving space being located adjacent a side of the antenna core within the capsule enclosure;

a wire wound around the antenna core having two wire ends extending into the integrated circuit receiving space;

an integrated circuit positioned within the integrated circuit receiving space without being mounted to the antenna core, the integrated circuit being electrically coupled to the two wire ends and not otherwise electrically coupled to the antenna core; and

a material injected within the capsule enclosure to secure the antenna core and the integrated circuit in a fixed relationship within the capsule enclosure.

2. The miniature transponder of claim 1, wherein the antenna core has a shaped form to provide for the integrated circuit receiving space within the capsule enclosure.

3. The miniature transponder of claim 1, wherein the material comprises an epoxy.

4. The miniature transponder of claim 1, wherein the antenna core has an L-shaped portion at one end configured to provide the integrated circuit receiving space.

5. The miniature transponder of claim 4, wherein the wire is not wound around the L-shaped portion.

6. The miniature transponder of claim 1, wherein the antenna core has an slanted surface portion at one end configured to provide the integrated circuit receiving space.

7. The miniature transponder of claim 6, wherein the wire is not wound around the slanted surface portion.

8. The miniature transponder of claim 1, wherein the antenna core has an depression within its surface to provide the integrated circuit receiving space.

9. The miniature transponder of claim 8, wherein the wire is wound around the depression.

10. The miniature transponder of claim 1, wherein the two wire ends are direct bonded to the integrated circuit.

11. The miniature transponder of claim 1, wherein wire windings are included around a portion of the antenna core that is adjacent the integrated circuit receiving space.

12. The miniature transponder of claim 1, wherein the antenna core extends substantially through the full length of the available space within the capsule enclosure.

13. A method of manufacturing an miniature transponder, comprising:

providing a capsule enclosure;

providing a magnetic antenna core;

winding a wire around the antenna core so that two wire ends extend from the antenna core;

coupling the two wire ends to an integrated circuit;

injecting a material within the capsule enclosure;

positioning the antenna core within the capsule enclosure to provide an integrated circuit receiving space within the capsule enclosure, the integrated circuit receiving space being located adjacent a side of the antenna core within the capsule enclosure;

positioning the integrated circuit within the integrated circuit receiving space within the capsule enclosure without mounting the integrated circuit to the antenna core; and

allowing the injected material to secure the antenna core and the integrated circuit in a fixed relationship within the capsule enclosure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the antenna core has a shaped form to provide for the integrated circuit receiving space within the capsule enclosure.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the injecting step occurs before the positioning steps.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the injecting step occurs after the positioning steps.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the injecting step comprises injecting an epoxy.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising utilizing an additional material to position the antenna core and the integrated circuit with respect to each other during the positioning steps, wherein the injected material is still what secures the antenna core and the integrated circuit in a fixed relationship within the capsule enclosure after manufacture is completed.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein wire windings are included around a portion of the antenna core that is adjacent the integrated circuit receiving space.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the antenna core extends substantially through the full length of the available space within the capsule enclosure.