Sensor device having non-contact charge function and containers having the same

• US 20080062066A1
• Filed: 08/22/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Arai, Yasuyuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/867
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

A first base having a first antenna receiving electromagnetic waves and a second base having a sensor portion are separated. An antenna is provided over each of the first base and the second base such that the antennas are electromagnetically coupled. The first antenna constantly receives electromagnetic waves to generate electromotive force and charges a power storage portion. Since the electric power of the power storage portion is also used for driving of a sensor portion, the sensor portion operates even without communication with the external device. Provision of the first antenna receiving electromagnetic waves and the sensor portion on different bases permits miniaturization of a base having the sensor portion. Further, provision of the power storage portion storing electric power converted from electromagnetic waves received by the antenna enables operating the sensor actively.

Claims

1. A sensor device comprising:

a first antenna formed over a first base for receiving electromagnetic waves transmitted from an external device;

a second antenna formed over the first base and electrically connected to the first antenna;

a third antenna formed over a second base and electromagnetically coupled to the second antenna;

a power storage portion for storing electric power obtained by rectification of electromagnetic waves received by the third antenna; and

a sensor portion formed over the second base and configured to operate with the electric power supplied from the power storage portion,

wherein the first base and the second base are separated from each other.

3. A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna is a multi-frequency common antenna.

9. A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the power storage portion is a capacitor.

13. A sensor device according to claim 9, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

17. A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the first base and a part of the second base are overlapped with each other.

2. A sensor device comprising:

a first antenna over a first base for receiving electromagnetic waves transmitted from an external device;

a power storage portion over the first base for storing electric power obtained by rectification of electromagnetic waves received by the first antenna;

a second antenna over the first base for transmitting electric power modified after being supplied from the power storage portion;

a third antenna over a second base electromagnetically coupled to the second antenna; and

a sensor portion over the second base which operates with electric power obtained by rectification of electromagnetic waves received by the third antenna.

4. A sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the first antenna is a multi-frequency common antenna

10. A sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the power storage portion is a capacitor.

14. A sensor device according to claim 10, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

18. A sensor device according to claim 2, wherein a part of the first base and a part of the second base are overlapped with each other.

5. A sensor device comprising:

a first base provided with an antenna portion for receiving electromagnetic waves transmitted from an external device, a power storage portion for storing electric power obtained by conversion of electromagnetic waves received by the antenna portion, and a first coil antenna; and

a second base provided with a sensor portion capable of measuring a physical quantity of an object and a second coil antenna,

wherein communication and supply/reception of electric power between the first base and the second base are performed by the first coil antenna and the second coil antenna, which are electromagnetically coupled.

7. A sensor device according to claim 5, wherein the antenna portion includes a multi-frequency common antenna.

11. A sensor device according to claim 5, wherein the power storage portion is a capacitor.

15. A sensor device according to claim 11, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

19. A sensor device according to claim 5, wherein a part of the first base and a part of the second base are overlapped with each other.

6. A sensor device comprising:

a first base provided with an antenna portion for receiving electromagnetic waves transmitted from an external device and a first coil antenna; and

a second base including a sensor portion capable of measuring a physical quantity of an object, a power storage portion for storing electric power obtained by conversion of electromagnetic waves received by the antenna portion, and a second coil antenna, and

wherein communication and supply/reception of electric power between the first base and the second base are performed by the first coil antenna and the second coil antenna, which are electromagnetically coupled, and

wherein the first base and the second base are separated from each other.

8. A sensor device according to claim 6, wherein the antenna portion includes a multi-frequency common antenna.

12. A sensor device according to claim 6, wherein the power storage portion is a capacitor.

16. A sensor device according to claim 12, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

20. A sensor device according to claim 6, wherein a part of the first base and a part of the second base are overlapped with each other.

21. A container comprising:

an antenna on an exterior portion of a main body for receiving electromagnetic waves;

a power storage portion on an inner side of the main body for storing electric power obtained by rectification of induced electromotive force generated when the antenna absorbs electromagnetic waves;

a central processing unit on the inner side of the main body, which operates with electric power supplied from the power storage portion; and

a sensor portion on the inner side of the main body for inputting signals into the central processing unit.

22. A container comprising:

an antenna on an exterior portion of a main body for receiving electromagnetic waves;

a power storage portion on the exterior portion of the main body for storing electric power obtained by rectification of induced electromotive force generated when the antenna absorbs electromagnetic waves;

a central processing unit on the exterior portion of the main body, which operates with electric power supplied from the power storage portion; and

a sensor portion on an inner side of the main body, which operates with electric power supplied from the power storage portion.

23. A container comprising:

a first base on an exterior of a main body, provided with a first antenna for receiving electromagnetic waves, and a second antenna electrically connected to the first antenna; and

a second base on an inner side of the main body, provided with a third antenna electromagnetically coupled to the second antenna, a power storage portion for storing electric power obtained by rectification of induced electromotive force generated by the third antenna, a central processing unit, which operates with electric power supplied from the power storage portion, and a sensor portion for inputting signals into the central processing unit.

24. A container comprising:

a first base on an exterior of a main body, provided with a first antenna for receiving electromagnetic waves, a second antenna electrically connected to the first antenna, a power storage portion for storing electric power obtained by rectification of induced electromotive force generated when the first antenna absorbs electromagnetic waves, and a central processing unit, which operates with electric power supplied from the power storage portion; and

a second base on an inner side of the main body, provided with a third antenna electromagnetically coupled to the second antenna, a sensor portion which operates with electric power supplied from the power storage portion.