US4857893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Single chip transponder device
Assignee: BI Inc
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Filing: 1988-02-08
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Granted: 1989-08-15
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Expires: 2008-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A transponder device receives a carrier signal from an interrogator unit. This carrier signal, of frequeny F, is rectified by a rectifying circuit in order to generate operating power. Logic/timing circuits derive a clock signal and second carrier signal of frequency F/n from the received carrier signal. This clock signal reads a unique identifying data word from a programmable read only memory (PROM). The data word is encoded and mixed with the carrier signal in a balanced modulator circuit. The output of the balanced modulator is transmitted to the interrogator unit where it is decoded and used as an identifying signal. The identifying signal identifies the particular transponder device from which it originated. The rectifier and balanced modulator circuits are realized from the same diode elements. All electrical circuits of the transponder device are realized on the same monolithic semiconductor chip. In one embodiment, an antenna receiving/transmitting coil is also part of the chip, being placed around the periphery thereof. In alternative embodiments, various hybrid elements may be connected to the monolithic elements in order to realize additional functions, such as adjustable tuning of the receiving circuit, independent crystal frequency control, and battery-powered operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary T. Carroll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/22; H01Q1/2208; H01Q1/2225; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/74; G01S13/75; G01S13/751; G01S13/758; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G06K19/0723; G06K19/077; G06K19/07745; G06K19/07747; G06K19/07749; G06K19/07773; G06K19/07775; G06K19/07777; G06K19/07779; G06K7/00; G06K7/0008; G06K7/10; G06K7/10009; G06K7/10316; G06K7/10336; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/28; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2405; G08B13/2414; G08B13/2417; G08B13/2428; G08B13/2431; G08B13/2437; G08B13/2442; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/017; H01Q1/36; H01Q1/38; H01Q7/00; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/16; H01Q9/26; H01Q9/27; H10; H10W; H10W44/00; H10W44/501
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A transponder device comprising: a single monolithic semiconductor chip; receiving means for receiving a carrier signal from an external source; diode means for rectifying the received carrier signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with the carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals; digital circuit means for deriving a clock signal from said carrier signal; data generating means responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the carrier signal in said diode means; and transmitting means for transmitting the sum and difference signals to a location external from said transponder device; said diode means, digital circuit means, and data generating means comprising electrical circuits that are realized on said single monolithic semiconductor chip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A transponder device comprising: a single monolithic semiconductor chip; receiving means for receiving a carrier signal from an external source; diode means for rectifying the received carrier signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with the carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals; digital circuit means for deriving a clock signal from said carrier signal; data generating means responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the carrier signal in said diode means; and transmitting means for transmitting the sum and difference signals to a location external from said transponder device; said diode means, digital circuit means, and data generating means comprising electrical circuits that are realized on said single monolithic semiconductor chip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The transponder device of claim 1 further including a plurality of select hybrid circuit elements and means for connecting said hybrid circuit elements to the electrical circuits of said monolithic semiconductor chip in order to tune said electrical circuits to the frequency of said carrier signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The transponder device of claim 1 further including a hybrid battery and means for connecting said hybrid battery to the electrical circuits of said monolithic semiconductor chip in order to provide operating power therefor independent of any power contained within said carrier signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The transponder device of claim 1 further including a hybrid crystal element and means for connecting said hybrid crystal element to the electrical circuits of said monolithic semiconductor chip in order to provide crystal frequency control of the signals used within said electrical circuits independent of the frequency of said carrier signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transponder device of claim 1 wherein the receiving means and transmitting means comprise a single antenna coil that is placed around the periphery of the single monolithic semiconductor chip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transponder device of claim 5 wherein said monolithic semiconductor chip is no larger than 0.01 square inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transponder device of claim 1 wherein said diode means comprises a bridge circuit that functions both as a rectifier circuit and a balanced modulator circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transponder device of claim 1 wherein said data generating means includes programmable read only memory (PROM) means, said PROM means having a unique code word previously programmed therein from which said encoded data word is derived.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transponder device of claim 8 wherein said data generating means includes encoding means for encoding the unique code word programmed in said PROM means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The transponder device of claim 9 wherein said encoded data word generated by the encoding means of said data generating means comprises an n bit digital word, wherein n is an integer greater than 7.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
231 words
An electronic identification system for identifying a plurality of objects comprising: a controller/interrogator unit for interrogating the objects to be identified and processing the responses received, said controller interrogator unit including: means for generating an RF carrier signal, said RF carrier signal comprising an interrogation signal, means for transmitting said interrogation signal towards an object to be identified, means for receiving a responsive signal generated in response to said interrogation signal, and means for decoding, storing, and displaying the response received; and a transponder unit, carried by each object to be identified, comprising: a single monolithic semiconductor chip; receiving means on said semiconductor chip for receiving the interrogation signal from said controller-interrogator unit, diode means on said semiconductor chip for rectifying the received interrogation signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with a digital carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals, said sum and difference signals comprising said responsive signal, digital circuit means on said semiconductor chip for deriving a clock signal and said digital carrier signal from said interrogation signal, data generating means on said semiconductor chip responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the digital carrier signal in said diode means, and transmitting means on said semiconductor chip for transmitting the responsive signal to said controller/interrogator unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
231 words
An electronic identification system for identifying a plurality of objects comprising: a controller/interrogator unit for interrogating the objects to be identified and processing the responses received, said controller interrogator unit including: means for generating an RF carrier signal, said RF carrier signal comprising an interrogation signal, means for transmitting said interrogation signal towards an object to be identified, means for receiving a responsive signal generated in response to said interrogation signal, and means for decoding, storing, and displaying the response received; and a transponder unit, carried by each object to be identified, comprising: a single monolithic semiconductor chip; receiving means on said semiconductor chip for receiving the interrogation signal from said controller-interrogator unit, diode means on said semiconductor chip for rectifying the received interrogation signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with a digital carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals, said sum and difference signals comprising said responsive signal, digital circuit means on said semiconductor chip for deriving a clock signal and said digital carrier signal from said interrogation signal, data generating means on said semiconductor chip responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the digital carrier signal in said diode means, and transmitting means on said semiconductor chip for transmitting the responsive signal to said controller/interrogator unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The identification system of claim 11 wherein the receiving means and transmitting means of said transponder unit include a single antenna coil that is placed around the periphery of said single monolithic semiconductor chip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
165 words
A transponder device consisting of: a single semiconductor chip; receiving means placed on said semiconductor chip for receiving a carrier signal from an external source; diode means for rectifying the received carrier signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with the carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals, said diode means comprising an electrical circuit that is fabricated on said semiconductor chip; digital circuit means for deriving a clock signal from said carrier signal, said digital circuit means comprising electrical circuits that are fabricated on said semiconductor chip; data generating means responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the carrier signal in said diode means, said data generating means comprising an electrical circuit that is fabricated on said semiconductor chip; and transmitting means placed on said semiconductor chip for transmitting the sum and difference signals to a location external from said transponder device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
165 words
A transponder device consisting of: a single semiconductor chip; receiving means placed on said semiconductor chip for receiving a carrier signal from an external source; diode means for rectifying the received carrier signal in order to generate operating power for the transponder device, and for mixing an encoded data word with the carrier signal in order to generate sum and difference signals, said diode means comprising an electrical circuit that is fabricated on said semiconductor chip; digital circuit means for deriving a clock signal from said carrier signal, said digital circuit means comprising electrical circuits that are fabricated on said semiconductor chip; data generating means responsive to said clock signal for generating the encoded data word that is mixed with the carrier signal in said diode means, said data generating means comprising an electrical circuit that is fabricated on said semiconductor chip; and transmitting means placed on said semiconductor chip for transmitting the sum and difference signals to a location external from said transponder device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transponder device of claim 13 wherein the receiving means and transmitting means include an antenna coil that is deposited around the periphery of the single monolithic semiconductor chip.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-14 | 1993-02-13 | 1993-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-14 | 1997-02-13 | 1997-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-14 | 2001-02-13 | 2001-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |