Wave antenna wireless communication device and method

• US 7,439,928 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Forster, Ian J, Terranova, Steven N
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; Tan
• Application Number:
  US11/468,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20070057861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 343/803, 343/793, 343/796, 343/895, 343/806, 340/442, 340/572.7, 152/152.1
• US Class Current: 343/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/04 mounted on the wheel or tyre
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• 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: 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 1/2208 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 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• 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 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/28 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: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

A wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna that provides greater increased durability and impedance matching. The wave antenna may be in the form of a polygonal, elliptical curve and/or coil shape. The wireless communication device is coupled to the wave antenna to provide wireless communication. 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 curved structure, is capable of stretching and compressing more easily than other structures, reducing the wireless communication device'"'"'s susceptibility to damage or breakage that might render the wireless communication device coupled to the wave antenna unable to properly communicate information wirelessly.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless communication device coupled to a polygonal-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one polygonal-shaped conductor that operates at a first operating frequency; and

a tire wherein said wireless communication device is mounted to the inside of said tire to detect information related to said tire and wirelessly communicate said information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said information is environmental information.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to a pressure sensor contained inside said tire that measures the pressure inside said tire so that said wireless communication device can wirelessly communicate the pressure inside said tire as environmental information.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to a temperature sensor contained inside said tire that measures the temperature inside said tire so that said wireless communication device can wirelessly communicate the temperature inside said tire as environmental information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tire comprises:

an outer surface, comprising;

a circular-shaped tread surface having a left outer side and a right outer side and an orifice; and

said left outer side and said right outer side each fold down at an angle substantially perpendicular to said tread surface to form a left outer wall and a right outer wall substantially perpendicular to said tread surface and to form a left inner wall and a right inner wall attached substantially perpendicular to an internal wall on the opposite side of said tread surface; and

wherein said wireless communication device is attached to a wall inside said tire comprised from the group consisting of said left inner wall, said right inner wall, and said internal wall.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said polygonal-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire is placed under pressure.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said tread surface is comprised out of rubber having a thickness wherein said polygonal-shaped wave antenna is contained inside said rubber.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said tread surface is comprised out of rubber having a thickness wherein said wireless communication device is contained inside said rubber.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a resonating ring coupled to said polygonal-shaped wave antenna wherein said resonating ring forms a second antenna that operates at a second operating frequency.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one polygonal-shaped conductor has a peak that is thicker than the other portions of said at least one conductor to reduce the susceptibility of breakage of said polygonal-shaped wave antenna.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said polygonal-shape is comprised from the group consisting of a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, and a decagon.

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

an interrogation reader;

a wireless communication device coupled to a polygonal-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one polygonal-shaped conductor that operates at a first frequency; and

a tire wherein said wireless communication device is mounted to the inside of said tire to detect information related said tire and wirelessly communicate said information to said interrogation reader.

13. A method for wirelessly communicating with a tire, comprising the steps of:

placing inside said tire a wireless communication device coupled to a polygonal-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one polygonal-shaped conductor that operates at a first operating frequency;

placing an interrogation reader proximate to said tire; and

receiving information wirelessly at a first frequency from said wireless communication device inside said tire.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said polygonal-shape is comprised from the group consisting of a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, and a decagon.

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

attaching a wireless communication device that is coupled to a polygonal-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one polygonal-shaped conductor that operates at a first frequency to the inside of a tire;

pressurizing said tire; and

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

16. The method of 15, wherein said polygonal-shape is comprised from the group consisting of a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, and a decagon.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless communication device coupled to an elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one elliptical curve-shaped conductor that operates at a first operating frequency; and

a tire wherein said wireless communication device is mounted to the inside of said tire to detect information related to said tire and wirelessly communicate said information.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said information is environmental information.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to a pressure sensor contained inside said tire that measures the pressure inside said tire so that said wireless communication device can wirelessly communicate the pressure inside said tire as environmental information.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to a temperature sensor contained inside said tire that measures the temperature inside said tire so that said wireless communication device can wirelessly communicate the temperature inside said tire as environmental information.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a resonating ring coupled to said elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna wherein said resonating ring forms a second antenna that operates at a second operating frequency.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said at least one elliptical curve-shaped conductor has a peak that is thicker than the other portions of said at least one conductor to reduce the susceptibility of breakage of said elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna.

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

attaching a wireless communication device that is coupled to an elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one elliptical curve-shaped conductor that operates at a first frequency to the inside of a tire;

pressurizing said tire; and

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

24. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless communication device coupled to a coil-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one coil-shaped conductor that operates at a first operating frequency; and

a tire wherein said wireless communication device is mounted to the inside of said tire to detect information related to said tire and wirelessly communicate said information.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said information is environmental information.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to a pressure sensor contained inside said tire that measures the pressure inside said tire so that said wireless communication device can wirelessly communicate the pressure inside said tire as environmental information.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a resonating ring coupled to said coil-shaped wave antenna wherein said resonating ring forms a second antenna that operates at a second operating frequency.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said at least one coil-shaped conductor has a peak that is thicker than the other portions of said at least one conductor to reduce the susceptibility of breakage of said coil-shaped wave antenna.

29. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless communication device coupled to a coil-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one coil-shaped conductor that operates at a first operating frequency; and

a tire, comprising;

an outer surface, comprising;

a circular shaped tread surface having a left outer side and a right outer side and an orifice; and

said left outer side and said right outer side each fold down at an angle substantially perpendicular to said tread surface to form a left outer wall and a right outer wall substantially perpendicular to said tread surface and to form a left inner wall and a right inner wall attached substantially perpendicular to an internal wall on the opposite side of said tread surface; and

wherein said wireless communication device is attached to a wall inside said tire comprised from the group consisting of said left inner wall, said right inner wall, and said internal wall to detect information related to said tire and wirelessly communicate said information.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said coil-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire is placed under pressure.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said tread surface is comprised out of rubber having a thickness wherein said coil-shaped wave antenna is contained inside said rubber.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said tread surface is comprised out of rubber having a thickness wherein said wireless communication device is contained inside said rubber.

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

an interrogation reader;

a wireless communication device coupled to a coil-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one coil-shaped conductor that operates at a first frequency; and

a tire wherein said wireless communication device is mounted to the inside of said tire to detect information related to said tire and wirelessly communicate said information to said interrogation reader.

34. A method for wirelessly communicating with a tire, comprising the steps of:

placing inside said tire a wireless communication device coupled to a coil-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one coil-shaped conductor that operates at a first operating frequency;

placing an interrogation reader proximate to said tire; and

receiving information wirelessly at a first frequency from said wireless communication device inside said tire.

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

attaching a wireless communication device that is coupled to a coil-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one coil-shaped conductor that operates at a first frequency to the inside of a tire;

pressurizing said tire; and

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

36. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless communication device coupled to an elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one elliptical curve-shaped conductor that operates at a first operating frequency; and

a tire, comprising;

an outer surface, comprising;

a circular-shaped tread surface having a left outer side and a right outer side and an orifice; and

said left outer side and said right outer side each fold down at an angle substantially perpendicular to said tread surface to form a left outer wall and a right outer wall substantially perpendicular to said tread surface and to form a left inner wall and a right inner wall attached substantially perpendicular to an internal wall on the opposite side of said tread surface; and

wherein said wireless communication device is attached to a wall inside said tire comprised from the group consisting of said left inner wall, said right inner wall, and said internal wall to detect information related to said tire and wirelessly communicate said information.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire is placed under pressure.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said tread surface is comprised out of rubber having a thickness wherein said elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna is contained inside said rubber.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said tread surface is comprised out of rubber having a thickness wherein said wireless communication device is contained inside said rubber.

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

an interrogation reader;

a wireless communication device coupled to an elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one elliptical curve-shaped conductor that operates at a first frequency; and

a tire wherein said wireless communication device is mounted to the inside of said tire to detect information related to said tire and wirelessly communicate said information to said interrogation reader.

41. A method for wirelessly communicating with a tire, comprising the steps of:

placing inside said tire a wireless communication device coupled to an elliptical curve-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least one elliptical curve-shaped conductor that operates at a first operating frequency;

placing an interrogation reader proximate to said tire; and

receiving information wirelessly at a first frequency from said wireless communication device inside said tire.