Detectable components and detection apparatus for detecting such components

• US 20050033544A1
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zarbana Digital Fund LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Brewster Kaledioscope LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Symons, Peter Robert, Brooks, Colin Philip, White, Andrew David, Mapleston, David Bernard
• Granted Patent: US 7,469,838 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/128
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/02 Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux G01R33/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/081 the magnetic field is produced by the objects or geological structures characterised by the method of magnetic field measurement G01R33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10128 the step consisting of detection of the presence of one or more record carriers in the vicinity of the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/04 Testing magnetic properties of the materials thereof, e.g. by detection of magnetic imprint G07D7/01 takes precedence

Abstract

A detectable component has a first inductive coupler (L;M) adapted to couple inductively to a second inductive coupler (L1) of a detection apparatus when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus. The first inductive coupler has a resistive component (M) with a resistance that varies with magnetic field to cause modulation of a carrier signal supplied to the second inductive coupler of the detection apparatus, the detectable component having a characteristic signature that enables the detectable component to be distinguished by the detection apparatus from other such detectable components having different characteristic signatures.

Claims

1. A detectable component having first inductive coupling means adapted to couple inductively to second inductive coupling means of a detection apparatus when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus, the first inductive coupling means having a resistive component with a resistance that varies with magnetic field to cause modulation of a carrier signal supplied to the second inductive coupling means of the detection apparatus, the detectable component having a characteristic signature that enables the detectable component to be distinguished by the detection apparatus from other such detectable components having different characteristic signatures.

2. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic signature is provided at least partly by the that the manner in which the resistance of the resistive component varies with magnetic field.

3. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the resistive component comprises a material exhibiting Giant Magneto-Impedance (GMI).

4. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the resistive component comprises a material exhibiting Giant Magneto-Impedance (GMI) and the composition of the material is different from that of other such detectable components.

5. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the detectable component also carries a passive data storage device such as an RFID tag that at least partly provides the characteristic signature to enable the detectable component to be distinguished by the detection apparatus from other such detectable components having different characteristic signatures.

6. A detectable component according to claim 1, further comprising an optically detectable element that at least partly provides the characteristic signature to enable the detectable component to be distinguished by the detection apparatus from other such detectable components having different characteristic signatures.

7. A detectable component according to claim 6, wherein the optically detectable element comprises a colour of a region of the detectable component or a portion thereof.

8. A detectable component according to claim 6, wherein the optically detectable element comprises a fluorescent region of the detectable component.

9. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic signature is provided at least partly by a magnetic biassing element.

10. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic signature is provided at least partly by at least one of the size and shape of the resistive component.

11. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic signature is provided at least partly by the shape of the resistive component which is selected from a loop, ring or disc, cross, bar and so on.

12. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the resistive component defines a code such as a bar code.

13. A detectable component according claim 1, wherein the resistive component is associated with, for example incorporated in or hidden beneath a metallic member.

14. A detectable component according to claim 1, wherein the resistive component is associated with, for example incorporated in or hidden beneath a foil hologram carried by the detectable component.

42. A subsidiary body for use with an electronic device or electrical appliance, comprising a detectable component according claim 1.

43. A tool attachable to an electronic device or electrical appliance, comprising a detectable component according to claim 1.

44. A substrate carrying a detectable component in accordance with claim 1.

45. A sheet of paper incorporating a detectable component in accordance with claim 1.

46. A detection apparatus for detecting a detectable component selected from a detectable component in accordance with claim 1 and a detectable component comprising a GMI element, the detection apparatus having the second inductive coupling means adapted to couple inductively to the first inductive coupling means when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus, the detection apparatus having carrier signal supplying means for supplying an excitation carrier signal to the second inductive coupling means and magnetic field generation means for subjecting the detectable component to a magnetic field and modulation detection means for detecting modulation of the carrier signal caused by variation of the resistance of the resistive component due to changes in the magnetic field when the first and second inductive coupling means are coupled.

48. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the magnetic field generation means comprises means for generating a relatively low frequency varying magnetic field.

49. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the magnetic field generation means comprises an oscillating signal source and an excitation coil.

51. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the magnetic field generation means comprises a magnet movable with a component of the detection apparatus and relative to the detectable component.

52. A detection apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the magnet is coupled to a drive shaft for driving a part of a subsidiary body carrying the detectable component.

53. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the second coupling means comprises a coil.

54. A detection apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the second coupling means coil comprises a plurality of electrically conductive paths coupled in parallel.

55. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the second coupling means comprises a coil of Litz wire.

56. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the second inductive coupling means and the magnetic field generation comprise respective first and second coils.

57. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the second inductive coupling means and the magnetic field generation comprise respective first and second coils with the second coil at right angles to the first coil.

58. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the second coil has a core.

59. A detection apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the second coil lies within the first coil.

60. A detection apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the first coil comprises a plurality of electrically conductive paths coupled in parallel.

61. A detection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the first coil comprises a coil of Litz wire.

62. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, having control means for controlling at least one of the excitation signal supplying means and the magnetic field generating means to change at least one of a frequency, a magnitude and polarity of at least one of the excitation signal and the magnetic field to enable the identifying means to identify a characteristic resistance signature of the detectable component.

63. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, further comprising identifying means for identifying a detectable component in accordance with a characteristic of the resistive component of the detectable component.

64. A detection apparatus according to claim 46, in the form of an electrical appliance or electronic device, further comprising at least one tool attachable to a main body of the appliance or device.

70. Detection apparatus according to claim 46, including the detectable component.

75. A toy or game, or subsidiary body for use in or with a toy or game, having at least one of a detectable component in accordance with claim 1, or consisting solely of a GMI material element and a detection apparatus in accordance with claim 15.

76. An accessory such as a tool, attachment or disposable component such as a disposable set or disposable accessory attachable to a medical device, comprising a detectable component in accordance with claim 1.

15. A detection apparatus for detecting detectable components having a resistance that varies with magnetic field when the detectable component is subject to an excitation field, the detection apparatus comprising:

magnetic field providing means for subjecting a detectable component to a magnetic field;

excitation field providing means for subjecting the detectable component to an excitation field;

control means for controlling at least one of the magnetic field providing means and the excitation field providing means to vary at least one of the magnetic field and excitation field;

resistance determining means for determining a change in the resistance characteristics of the detectable component in response to variation of the at least one of the magnetic field and excitation field; and

identifying means for identifying the particular detectable component from the determined change in resistance.

17. A detection apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the control means is arranged to control at least one of the excitation signal supplying means and the magnetic field generating means to change at least one of a frequency, a magnitude and polarity of at least one of the excitation signal and the magnetic field to enable the identifying means to identify a characteristic resistance signature of the detectable component.

18. A detection apparatus according to claim 15, in combination with one or more detectable components.

41. A detection apparatus according to claim 15, in combination with one or more detectable components each detectable component having first inductive coupling means adapted to couple inductively to second inductive coupling means of a detection apparatus when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus, the first inductive coupling means having a resistive component with a resistance that varies with magnetic field to cause modulation of a carrier signal supplied to the second inductive coupling means of the detection apparatus, the detectable component having a characteristic signature that enables the detectable component to be distinguished by the detection apparatus from other such detectable components having different characteristic signatures.

50. A detection apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the magnetic field generation means comprises a loudspeaker coil.

71. An electronic device having detection apparatus in accordance with claim 15.

74. A detection apparatus according to claim 15, in conjunction with a set of detectable components in accordance with claim 73.

77. A medical device comprising a detection apparatus according to claim 15.

16. A detection apparatus for detecting detectable components each having a first inductive coupling means and a resistance that varies with magnetic field when the detectable component is subject to an excitation field, the detection apparatus having a second inductive coupling means adapted to couple inductively to a first inductive coupling means when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus, the detection apparatus having:

excitation signal supplying means for supplying an excitation signal to the second inductive coupling means;

magnetic field generation means for subjecting the detectable component to a magnetic field;

control means for controlling at least one of the magnetic field providing means and the excitation field providing means to vary at least one of the magnetic field and excitation field;

modulation detection means for detecting modulation of the excitation signal caused by variation of the resistance of the resistive component due to changes in the magnetic field when the first and second inductive coupling means are coupled;

resistance determining means for determining a resistance characteristic of the detectable component in response to change in the resistance in response to variation of the at least one of the magnetic field and excitation field; and

identifying means for identifying the particular detectable component from the determined resistance characteristic.

19. A detectable component having first inductive coupling means adapted to couple inductively to second inductive coupling means of a detection apparatus when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus, the first inductive coupling means having:

an inductive component comprising a plurality of electrically conductive paths coupled in parallel; and

a resistive component with a resistance that varies with magnetic field to cause modulation of a carrier signal supplied to the second inductive coupling means of the detection apparatus.

20. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the inductive component is a coil of Litz wire.

21. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the resistive component comprises a resistive element coupled in series with the inductive component.

22. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the resistive component is provided by a coil also forming the inductive component.

23. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the resistive component comprises a closed loop inductively coupled to the inductive component.

24. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the inductive component comprises an open-circuit coil and the resistive component comprises a closed loop inductively coupled to the inductive component.

25. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the inductive component comprises a coil and the resistive component comprises a closed loop providing a resistive path along a magnetic flux line.

26. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the first inductive coupling means also includes a capacitor.

27. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the resistive component has a skin resistance that varies with magnetic field.

28. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the resistive component comprises a material exhibiting Giant Magneto-impedance (GMI).

29. A detectable component according to claim 28, wherein the resistive component comprises a cobalt alloy.

30. A detectable component according to claim 19, wherein the first inductive coupling means is a tuned circuit.

36. A detectable component according to claim 19, further comprising a passive device, such as an RFID tag, the passive device being operable, when the detectable component is coupled to or is in range of the detection apparatus, to derive power from a carrier signal supplied by the detection apparatus and to communicate with the detection apparatus.

37. A detectable component according to claim 19, further comprising a passive device, the passive device being operable, when the first and second inductive coupling means are coupled, to derive power from the carrier signal and to communicate with the detection apparatus.

38. A detectable component according to claim 36, wherein the passive data storage device includes a memory storing data and is operable, when powered, to modulate the carrier signal in accordance with data read out from the memory.

39. A detectable component according to claim 38, wherein the passive data storage device also has write means for writing data to the memory.

40. A detectable component according to claim 19, also incorporating a permanent magnetic element.

66. Detection apparatus for detecting a detectable component according to claim 28, the detection apparatus having the second inductive coupling means adapted to couple to the first inductive coupling means, the detection apparatus having carrier signal supplying means for supplying a relatively high frequency excitation carrier signal to the second inductive coupling means and magnetic field generation means for generating a symmetrically oscillating magnetic field at a given frequency, the detection apparatus having a modulation detection means for detecting modulation of the carrier signal at a frequency the same as or twice the given frequency.

69. Detection apparatus in combination with a detectable component according to claim 28, the detection apparatus having the second inductive coupling means adapted to couple to the first inductive coupling means, the detection apparatus having carrier signal supplying means for supplying a relatively high frequency excitation carrier signal to the second inductive coupling means and magnetic field generation means for generating a symmetrically oscillating magnetic field at a given frequency that, when the first and second inductive coupling means are coupled causes the resistance of the resistive component to vary modulating the carrier signal with a modulation representing a full-wave rectification of the symmetrically oscillating magnetic field, the detection apparatus having a modulation detection means for detecting modulation of the carrier signal at a frequency twice the given frequency.

73. A set of detectable components each according to claim 19, each detectable component having a resistance that varies with magnetic field when the detectable component is subjected to an excitation field, each of the detectable components having a different resistance characteristic so providing each detectable component with a different identification signal.

31. A detectable component having first inductive coupling means adapted to couple inductively to second inductive coupling means of a detection apparatus when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus, the first inductive coupling means consisting solely of a coil formed of a material having a resistance that varies with magnetic field to cause modulation of a carrier signal supplied to the second inductive coupling means of the detection apparatus with magnetic field.

32. A detectable component according to claim 31, wherein the resistive component has a resistance that varies with magnetic field.

33. A detectable component according to claim 31 to 32, wherein the resistive component comprises a material exhibiting Giant Magneto-Impedance (GMI).

34. A detectable component according to claim 33, wherein the resistive component comprises a cobalt alloy.

35. A detectable component according to claim 31, wherein the coil is a single closed loop.

47. A detection apparatus for detecting a detectable component in accordance with claim 35, the detection apparatus having the second inductive coupling means adapted to couple inductively to the first inductive coupling means when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus, the detection apparatus also having carrier signal supplying means for supplying an excitation carrier signal to the second inductive coupling means and magnetic field generation means for subjecting the detectable component to a magnetic field, modulation detection means for detecting modulation of the carrier signal caused by variation of the resistance of the resistive component due to changes in the magnetic field when the first and second inductive coupling means are coupled and communication means for enabling communication of data with the passive data storage device.

65. Detection apparatus for detecting a detectable component comprising first inductive coupling means including a resistive component having a resistance that varies with magnetic field strength but is insensitive to the polarisation of the magnetic field, the detection apparatus having second inductive coupling means adapted to couple to the first inductive coupling means, the detection apparatus having carrier signal supplying means for supplying a relatively high frequency excitation carrier signal to the second inductive coupling means and magnetic field generation means for generating a symmetrically oscillating magnetic field at a given frequency, the detection apparatus having a modulation detection means for detecting modulation of the carrier signal at the same or twice the given frequency.

67. Detection apparatus according to claim 65, having frequency control means for controlling the frequency of the excitation carrier signal.

68. Detection apparatus according to claim 65, further comprising identifying means for identifying a detectable component in accordance with a characteristic of the resistive component of the detectable component.

72. A frequency doubling device comprising a transformer having a primary and a secondary coil with the secondary coil comprising a coil of a GMI material.