Radio field intensity measurement device, and radio field intensity detector and game console using the same

• US 8,044,813 B1
• Filed: 11/05/2007
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Dembo, Hiroki, Miyaguchi, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US11/979,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20110275315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 340/635, 340/539.1, 340/636.1, 340/636.2, 340/641, 340/657, 340/691.1, 340/691.6, 320/2, 320/56, 320/108
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/32 in circuits having distributed constants , e.g. having very long conductors or involving high frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/08 Measuring electromagnetic field characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0857 Dosimetry, i.e. measuring the time integral of radiation intensity; Level warning devices for personal safety use nuclear radiation dosimetry G01T
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0878 Sensors; antennas; probes; detectors wave guide measuring sections G01R1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/28 Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
• 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: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1607 Supply circuits converters H02M; filters therefor H02M1/14; voltage stabilisers G05F1/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

The present invention provides a radio field intensity measurement device having a display portion with improved visibility, in the case of measuring a weak radiowave from a long distance. In the radio field intensity measurement device, a battery is provided as a power source for power supply and the battery is charged by a received radiowave. When a potential of a signal obtained from the received radiowave is higher than an output potential of the battery, the power is stored in the battery. On the other hand, when the potential of the signal obtained from the received radiowave is lower than the output potential of the battery, power produced by the battery is used as power to drive the radio field intensity measurement device. As an element to display the radio field intensity, a thermochromic element or an electrochromic element is used.

Claims

1. A radio field intensity measurement device comprising:

an antenna configured to convert a received radiowave to an induction signal;

a rectifier circuit configured to output a direct signal by rectifying the induction signal;

a battery to be charged by the direct signal;

a control circuit configured to compare a potential of the direct signal with an output potential of the battery;

an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the direct signal; and

a display element which is operated depending on the direct signal amplified by the amplifier circuit,

wherein the control circuit is configured to charge the battery when the potential of the direct signal is higher than the output potential of the battery, and supply power of the battery to the amplifier circuit when the potential of the direct signal is lower than the output potential of the battery.

2. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 1, wherein a color of the display element is changed in accordance with a magnitude of the direct signal amplified by the amplifier circuit.

3. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a lithium battery, a lithium polymer battery, a lithium ion battery, a nickel hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, an organic radical battery, a lead-acid battery, an air secondary battery, a nickel zinc battery, a silver zinc battery, or a capacitor.

4. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 3, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

15. A radio field intensity detector comprising the radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the radio field intensity detector is attached to an object to detect a radiowave.

18. An amusement device comprising a plate-like radio field intensity detector attached with the radio field intensity detector according to claim 15 and a radiowave emitter, and

wherein a color of the plate-like radio field intensity detector is changed by using a radiowave emitted from the radiowave emitter.

5. A radio field intensity measurement device comprising:

an antenna configured to convert a received radiowave to an induction signal;

a rectifier circuit configured to output a direct signal by rectifying the induction signal;

a battery to be charged by the direct signal;

a control circuit configured to compare a potential of the direct signal with an output potential of the battery;

an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the direct signal; and

a display element which is operated depending on the direct signal amplified by the amplifier circuit,

wherein the control circuit is configured to charge the battery when the potential of the direct signal is higher than the output potential of the battery, and supply power of the battery to the amplifier circuit when the potential of the direct signal is lower than the output potential of the battery, and

wherein the display element includes a resistance heating element and a thermochromic element.

6. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 5, wherein a color of the display element is changed in accordance with a magnitude of the direct signal amplified by the amplifier circuit.

7. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the thermochromic element includes a thermotropic liquid crystal.

8. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the battery is a lithium battery, a lithium polymer battery, a lithium ion battery, a nickel hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, an organic radical battery, a lead-acid battery, an air secondary battery, a nickel zinc battery, a silver zinc battery, or a capacitor.

9. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

16. A radio field intensity detector comprising the radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the radio field intensity detector is attached to an object to detect a radiowave.

19. An amusement device comprising a plate-like radio field intensity detector attached with the radio field intensity detector according to claim 16 and a radiowave emitter, and

wherein a color of the plate-like radio field intensity detector is changed by using a radiowave emitted from the radiowave emitter.

10. A radio field intensity measurement device comprising:

an antenna configured to convert a received radiowave to an induction signal;

a rectifier circuit configured to output a direct signal by rectifying the induction signal;

a battery to be charged by the direct signal;

a control circuit configured to compare a potential of the direct signal with an output potential of the battery;

an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the direct signal; and

a display element which is operated depending on the direct signal amplified by the amplifier circuit,

wherein the control circuit is configured to charge the battery when the potential of the direct signal is higher than the output potential of the battery, and supply power of the battery to the amplifier circuit when the potential of the direct signal is lower than the output potential of the battery, and

wherein the display element includes a voltage application element and an electrochromic element.

11. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 10, wherein a color of the display element is changed in accordance with a magnitude of the direct signal amplified by the amplifier circuit.

12. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 10, wherein the electrochromic element includes a metal oxide.

13. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 10, wherein the battery is a lithium battery, a lithium polymer battery, a lithium ion battery, a nickel hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, an organic radical battery, a lead-acid battery, an air secondary battery, a nickel zinc battery, a silver zinc battery, or a capacitor.

14. The radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 13, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

17. A radio field intensity detector comprising the radio field intensity measurement device according to claim 10, wherein the radio field intensity detector is attached to an object to detect a radiowave.

20. An amusement device comprising a plate-like radio field intensity detector attached with the radio field intensity detector according to claim 17 and a radiowave emitter, and

wherein a color of the plate-like radio field intensity detector is changed by using a radiowave emitted from the radiowave emitter.

21. A security device in the public vehicle comprising

an antenna configured to convert a received radiowave to an induction signal;

a rectifier circuit configured to output a direct signal by rectifying the induction signal;

an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the direct signal; and

a display element which is operated depending on the direct signal amplified by the amplifier circuit.

22. The security device according to claim 21 further comprising:

a battery to be charged by the direct signal; and

a control circuit configured to compare a potential of the direct signal with an output potential of the battery;

wherein the control circuit is configured to charge the battery when the potential of the direct signal is higher than the output potential of the battery, and supply power of the battery to the amplifier circuit when the potential of the direct signal is lower than the output potential of the battery.

23. An airplane comprising the security device according to claim 21.

24. The airplane according to claim 23, wherein the security device is installed above seats.