Wave antenna wireless communication device and method

• US 7,916,095 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Forster, Ian James, Horrell, Peter Robert George, King, Patrick F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan; Tho G
• Application Number:
  US12/789,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20100231360A1
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 343/795, 343/803, 343/806, 343/895, 340/442, 340/447, 340/572.7
• US Class Current: 343/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/04 mounted on the wheel or tyre
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0452 Antenna structure, control or arrangement vehicle tyre mounted antennas H01Q1/2241
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• 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 19/07764 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier attachable to a tire tire temperature or pressur control arrangements, see B60C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07786 the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
• 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 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• 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 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/26 with folded element or elements, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of operating wavelength resonant loop antennas H01Q7/00
• 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 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 : Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49179 : by metal fusion bonding

Abstract

A wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna that provides greater increased durability and impedance matching. The wave antenna is a conductor that is bent in alternating sections to form peaks and valleys. The wireless communication device is coupled to the wave antenna to provide wireless communication with other communication devices, such as an interrogation reader. The wireless communication device and wave antenna may be placed on objects, goods, or other articles of manufacture that are subject to forces such that the wave antenna may be stretched or compressed during the manufacture and/or use of such object, good or article of manufacture. The wave antenna, because of its bent structure, is capable of stretching and compressing more easily than other structures, reducing the wireless communication device'"'"'s susceptibility to damage or breaks that might render the wireless communication device coupled to the wave antenna unable to properly communicate information wirelessly.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a wireless communication device; and

a wave antenna coupled to the wireless communication device, wherein the wave antenna includes at least one conductor having a bend in at least one position to form at least two different sections configured to touch each other when the antenna is compressed.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the wave antenna is configured as a monopole wave antenna or a dipole wave antenna.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor comprises two separate conductors, each conductor having a bend in at least one position to form an angle and each conductor being coupled to the wireless communication device to form a dipole wave antenna.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the two separate conductors each have bends in a plurality of positions to form three or more different sections, and wherein the two separate conductors each contain at least one inflection point.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor is constructed out of a material selected from a group consisting of copper, brass, steel, and zinc-plated steel.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor has bends in a plurality of positions to form at least one inflection point and three or more different sections in the at least one conductor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor is coated with a non-conductive material.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the wave antenna is configured to operate at a frequency selected from a group consisting of about 915 MHz and about 2.45 GHz.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two different sections comprise a first section having a first length forming a first antenna configured to operate at a first operating frequency and a second section having a second length forming a second antenna configured to operate at a second operating frequency.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first section is coupled to the wireless communication device and the second section is coupled to the first section.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the second section has bends forming a plurality of subsections, each subsection having the same length.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the first section has bends forming a plurality of subsections, each subsection having the same length.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the second section has bends forming a plurality of subsections, each subsection having the same length.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a resonating ring coupled to the wave antenna, wherein the wave antenna is configured to operate at a first operating frequency, and wherein the resonating ring forms a second antenna configured to operate at a second operating frequency.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the resonating ring is capacitively coupled to the wave antenna.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the resonating ring is further coupled to the wireless communication device such that a force placed on the wave antenna is configured to be placed, in whole or in part, on the resonating ring to relieve mechanical stress on the wireless communication device.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna configured to operate at a first operating frequency, wherein the wave antenna includes at least one conductor having a bend in at least one position to form at least two different sections that touch when the wave antenna is compressed; and

a tire, wherein the wireless communication device is mounted to the inside of the tire.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to detect environmental information inside the tire, and wherein the environment information is selected from a group consisting of pressure inside the tire and temperature inside the tire.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the tire comprises:

an outer surface, including;

a circular-shaped tread surface having a left outer side, a right outer side, and an orifice, wherein the left outer side and the right outer side each fold down at an angle substantially perpendicular to the tread surface to form a left outer wall and a right outer wall substantially perpendicular to the tread surface and to form a left inner wall and a right inner wall attached substantially perpendicular to a internal wall on the opposite side of the tread surface;

wherein the wireless communication device is attached to a wall inside the tire.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the tread surface comprises rubber having a thickness, and wherein the wave antenna is positioned inside the rubber.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the tread surface comprises rubber having a thickness, and wherein the wireless communication device is positioned inside the rubber.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the tread surface further comprises an inner steel belt inside the rubber, and wherein the wave antenna is coupled to the inner steel belt.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the coupling of the wave antenna to the inner steel belt is selected from a group consisting of direct coupling, capacitive coupling, and reactive coupling.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the wave antenna is positioned inside the tread surface.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the wireless communication device is positioned inside the tread surface.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the wave antenna is positioned inside the tread surface.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wave antenna is further configured to expand when the tire is placed under pressure.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the wave antenna is further configured to operate at a second operating frequency in response to the wave antenna expanding when the tire is placed under pressure.

29. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a resonating ring coupled to the wave antenna, wherein the resonating ring forms a second antenna configured to operate at a second operating frequency.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the resonating ring is capacitively coupled to the wave antenna.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the resonating ring is further coupled to the wireless communication device such that pressure placed on the wave antenna is configured to be placed, in whole or in part, on the resonating ring to relieve mechanical stress on the wireless communication device.

32. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless communication device is further coupled to a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure inside the tire such that the wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate the pressure inside the tire as environmental information.

33. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless communication device is further coupled to a temperature sensor configured to measure temperature inside the tire such that the wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate the temperature inside the tire as environmental information.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the wireless communication device is further coupled to a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure inside the tire such that the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly communicate the pressure inside the tire as environmental information.

35. A system for wirelessly communicating information about a tire, the system comprising:

an interrogation reader;

a wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna configured to operate at a first frequency, wherein the wave antenna includes at least one conductor having a bend in at least one position to form at least two different sections configured to touch each other when the wave antenna is compressed; and

a tire;

wherein the wireless communication device is positioned inside the tire and is configured to wirelessly communicate environmental information to the interrogation reader.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the environmental information is selected from a group consisting of pressure inside the tire and temperature inside the tire.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the wave antenna is further configured to expand when the tire is placed under pressure.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the wave antenna is further configured to operate at a frequency compatible with the interrogation reader in response to the wave antenna expanding when the tire is placed under a threshold pressure.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the wave antenna is further configured to operate at a second operating frequency in response to the wave antenna expanding when the tire is placed under pressure.

40. The system of claim 35, further comprising a resonating ring coupled to the wave antenna, wherein the resonating ring forms a second antenna configured to operate at a second operating frequency.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the resonating ring is capacitively coupled to the wave antenna.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the resonating ring is further coupled to the wireless communication device such that pressure placed on the wave antenna is configured to be placed, in whole or in part, on the resonating ring to relieve mechanical stress on the wireless communication device.

43. The system of claim 35, wherein the wireless communication device is further coupled to a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure inside the tire such that the wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate the pressure inside the tire to the interrogation reader.

44. The system of claim 35, wherein the wireless communication device is further coupled to a temperature sensor configured to measure temperature inside the tire such that the wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate the temperature inside the tire to the interrogation reader.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the wireless communication device is also further coupled to a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure inside the tire such that the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly communicate the pressure inside the tire to the interrogation reader.

46. A method for wirelessly communicating with a tire, the method comprising:

placing inside a tire a wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna, wherein the wave antenna is configured to operate at a first operating frequency and comprises at least one conductor having a bend in at least one position forming at least two different sections that touch each other when the wave antenna is compressed;

placing an interrogation reader proximate to the tire; and

receiving information wirelessly at the first operating frequency from the wireless communication device.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising sending a wireless communication to the wireless communication device before said receiving information.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the information comprises environmental information about the tire.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the environmental information comprises temperature inside the tire or pressure inside the tire.

50. The method of claim 48, further comprising sensing pressure inside the tire and including the sensed pressure in the information.

51. The method of claim 48, further comprising sensing temperature inside the tire and including the sensed temperature in the information.

52. The method of claim 46, further comprising placing the wave antenna under pressure by placing the tire under pressure.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising receiving information at a second operating frequency through wireless communication from the wireless communication device when the tire is placed under a threshold pressure.

54. The method of claim 46, further comprising coupling a resonating ring to the wave antenna to form a second antenna that operates at a second operating frequency.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising coupling the resonating ring to the wireless communication device such that pressure placed on the wave antenna is configured to be placed, in whole or in part, on the resonating ring to relieve mechanical stress on the wireless communication device.

56. A method of testing a wireless communication device that is attached to a tire during the manufacture of the tire, the method comprising:

attaching to the inside of a tire a wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna, wherein the wave antenna is configured to operate at a first frequency and comprises at least one conductor having a bend in at least one position, thereby forming at least two different sections that touch each other when the wave antenna is compressed;

pressurizing the tire; and

communicating with the wireless communication device at the first frequency to determine if the wireless communication device is operating properly.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises communicating with the wireless communication device at the first frequency to obtain an indication of pressure inside the tire.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising comparing the pressure indication received from the wireless communication device to a pressure measurement provided by a pressure measuring device attached to a needle stem on the tire.