CA2519425A1 - Energy source with a slot antenna formed in the body - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wireless communication device that is coupled to an energy source, such as a battery (30), capacitor, or solar cell. The wireless communication device is coupled to a slot (40) in the energy source to form a slot antenna for wireless communication. The slot antenna can receive communication signals from an interrogation reader or other communication device. The wireless communication device may be attached to a device or container for purposes such as communicating information regarding identification, manufacturing, tracking, and the like. The wireless communication device may also be coupled to the energy source for power.

Description

~:~~~R~~' SC~LC~ ~:()?~~~~~'~~I~~.'T'~f~I~ ~~~P~..a~~''~~ ~L4'~'':~.I'~~'~~~~.
The presur~t in~~enti~n r~.I~.t~s tea an ~n~r~~r ~s~rarc.~
r~arr~r~u.~.icai.ia~
d~~rice and rneth~d that emyl~o~:Ts a seat ~i~.rrn~.
it is a~er~ ei~sir~t~ tt~ ~rc~~-id~ ~~-ire3~~s r~m.rnur~~eratie~a carp ~.I~ctre~nic de:~~ic,~~. Q
:i ~~arm~Ie e~f ~ueh at-~ ~i~~t.~rt?~c c3e~i~e is Ia~~t a~ a ~~r~~~a~
~3i~it:~.E assistant ~,~'~,~.~.
~'T~~s are sxrzall e~~p~ati~a ~~~~ic.~s tlxat are ne?~t ~~n p~~~rr~..~ ~~f hatt~ries d c~.r~
stcar~ ~I~c~rani~ irttvr~a~n, ~~ch a~ e~r~tactws,, ~rn~.i~~, tc~-~~~ Ii~ts.
r~:~mc~s. ~c~t~~, ~t~.
?~~~:r~~r ~l~re»~ t~~~tis are ~u~~rp:~ci tr ~rrr~ur~it~ ~~-ix~i~s~~~F -ith a>th~r Gi~~tr~n~~
d~~rc~~ t~ ~rar~~~r zz~f'~ar~~.e~~a. ~~~~ ci~~°i.~ arr. ~e~~i~~~
s~i.t:~ infrare.~
?U errz~ticafiie~n ~c~rt~. ~c~r~e i L~~~ ree~~zre iz~ ~-~~" ~i~ht ~~a~nitie~rz~ that is s~~j~~t t.o ir~t~z~~:r~~e~ ~rc~~ ~u.rre~ua~dz.~~ z~ht ~c~~r~. hut ~th;~~-s u~~ ~zz~ni-~ir~~.ti~r~al ra~-fret~t~~rRC~x ~e~~r~ie~~~.tie~..
a~i~-~r~cc~~c~ ~c~r.r.~iew~tic~z~ r~c~ir~~ tr~z~~rr~i~~i~ aid rc~~t~c~r~
e;ireu~tr~°.
f:~ft~.~z this cirit:~t zs rra~~id~ci~ ~h~ ~e~rrn ~~' ~ r~iir~-fr~~u~:z~~r i~~r~ti~~a~e~zt c~~~~i t~ F~'~ aid ~:r~t~~~.. ~'.~ls are ~~ri~~ s~~~er ire sz~,~ ~~-ith a~~-~c.~s ~z~
t~'~~uc~~c~
~ are th~re~'c~re ~"~~e t~ h~ ~~~c~d z~ szailr e:i4ctrc~rc d~~-i~:~. ~~~_ ~i~c.~:re~~ic ~~~-ie~~~ ~r~~cric~~ ~~ns~u~s s~s:~ tea i~e~iuei~ a R~'~7,'hut ~n r~e}t ~rc~~~i~~ s~f~e~ient ~a:,~ fear ampan~-i~~ ~.~te~a~a. ~~~~z~~i~~ eaz~ ~~ FIB c~p~r~~tzzz~ ~'r~qu~~e~=, ar~tcrtr~a ~i~~
~~~ri~s ~.d c~.~ ~~ zu~°~ ~r~~t.~r in size i~za~ the Rl=I~?. '~rer~ if are ~Irctrc~~i~ ci~zvc ~r3 ~rc~~=ides ~~e~~~h spaCp ~o ar~clude ;gin a~te~.r~a, ~I~~;i~r~~rs ~~f screrh. ~l~ctzc~nic ~e~~ic~s are soil ~'ae~~3 ~rit~ ci~;si.~r~ zssu~s surro~c~ir~~ ~~ar.,~r~e~t ~f .~~
~z~t~r~a.

Therefore, a need exists to provide an easier method of including an antenna for a R~'I~
in an electronic device, and especially in a smaller electronic device, that conforms to packaging and/or size. constraints.
"I'he present zn~Jention relates to a Wireless communication de~rice that is coupled to a slot on an energy source to provide a slot antenna far Wireless communication.
such ~~.reless communiCatron ir~clc~des identif.~c:atic~n information, manufa~tnring information, tracking information, and the Iike.
In one embodiment, the Wireless communication device is attached to a'coin-l3 battery. ~ 'I~e careless communication devi.is Coupled to a slut fo~ied by a separator bets=ee~ t~e~positiv~ and negative ter~niinai cif the l~at~eiy 'to .form a slot ariteri.zia. The =ireless coxiii~unicatic~ri~ cie~rice is also attached to the positive and negati~=e tern~.inals of the batter,~= using feed Iiiies to~pi~o~~ide pr~er'to~ floe xeless coau:~.icatio~n device:
~n ~.nc~tl~~r em~rodi~ne~.t,-tl~e Tireless r~irr~uziicatic~zz device is attached to a coin-cell' ~batter~ that is essentially ~ the same as the prec.~dihg emfiodirxient.
I~o~~e~~er, tie is u~irele~s'~c~ciz~icariozi device only uses a single feed line to attach the Wireless corr~rn~catic~ii d~~,=ice to the positive term'znal for porter: Tl~e negati~Te poorer input to the W~z~eless corriricunicatioiz device ~is direc~Ly attached to the ncgati~=e tenx~znal of tile ~a~tt~ry in Iieu of using an additional feed Mine.
In another em~adin~ent, the urireless c~rn:munication deuce is cbupled to ~tl~e slot 2c> of a t~attery at tvcFo different points to forriz a slot antenna. ~ The ctiugling of the Wireless cotrtm~nc~nieafiic~at device at more than one feed poi.f otters tie i~adiatic~n pat~e~i of the slat anteiiiz~.;
In anotliei~ embodiment, the ulireless cozrriri.'unic~tictn de-ice uses a feed paint to couple the v~ireless comrnuriication device to, a ~sloi on a battery to p~n~ride a slot antenna. The feed point also acts as a feed line to couple the wixeless communication device to the positive tezmiz~al of the t~atter,~ for go~Ter.
1:n another embodiment, the wireless communication device is attached to a c~Tlindrzcal-shaped battery. T'he careless communication device is coupled to a slat formed by a separator bet~reen the positive and ne~atx~Je terminal of the battery to form a slot antenna. 'Fe Wzreless communication device does not attach to the l~atter~r terminals ~'or povaer.
In another embodiment, the recess coznrnunication device is placed across' the slot of a battery ~ta~prb~dde a slot ar~t~nna. ~~''~crcs feed'~oints are used ~ci'~cc~ugle the 1c~ ~ireless~com~iu~t:icatio~i devzee to tl~e I~attery~for power. C?ne feed paint is COUgled tc~
the positive terminal of the battery, adci the other feed poi~it is coupled tca the negative termimal ~f tl~e ixattery.
lri~ ~rio~her 'erntiodame.t,~ the ~d.~eless. comuxiicatioii de~rice is cotipleti acrt~ss tl~e slot ~ of the battery as. i.n the preceding gara~rapl~. Lei' addition., "oz~e ~eed~ goi.rit' is coupled to' the slot at a different paint to change the effective ler~~th c~f slat fc~r zrnge~dace rnatchl.ng anti izr~proved ante~ina perfcir~ance.
1n ai~cither embodiment, the Wzz~el~ss cor~n~urcatic~~t device is attached to a cylxndri~.I=s~~.~ed batt~~T. 'T'he ~~dreless~ conzz~ricatic~n ~ d~~~ice is coizgled. to~ a slcat fciimecl by a~~egarator bet~xFeen,the pe~sitive and ixegative tern~inal of'the battery tti forzzi a 'skit ~ a:nteana~ The Wireless corrr~mur~acation device is also attached to the battery tezxrii.nals to'po~er the ~=ii~eles's communicatiori~clevice. .:
yn ' ai~ather emhodiix~en~t,' the ~'~~irelessr cc~mzni~ziicatioi~ device is attached uiidern~ath tl~e slee~le of a battery. 'Fhe sleeve is pLaced~ csve~ the fc~p of ~e body o~ ilie batter and the attached wireless cor~ixiu~cario~ rle~=iCe to er~capsuIate the ~.-ire~ess commuzxicati.on de~~ice to the body. 'I'he ~~ireless r orn.rnuzzication device zs cc~ugled to a slot in the battery to form a slot antenna. Placement of the wireless communication de~rice underneath the sl.ee~le of the battery may be done during manufacture of the.
battery, ~~ays of carrying out the invention ~~ill noun be described in detail, by «ay of example, ~~ith reference to tl~e accorngan~.rirz~ drauFings, in ~=hich:
Figure I is a schematic diagram of a ~~ireless com.znunication de~ric~e in tl~e prior arty ~Fi~~,e 2 is a'schernatic diagram ~'of a scoreless ci~i~r~~riica~on~'de~i'ce attached '~o a 'ccii~-cell ~aa~ery foil oWCr ~nd~ couplec3'tc~ ~a slat on tl~e bane tcs'fori~u ~a ~~ot anteru~~.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram c~f a ~reless cornmunacatian de-ice attached add ~rg~ided to ~~~ coin-cell 'battery for gtx~ier ~.nc~ coupled to ~
a, slat c~u tl~e t~~.ttery to fs~z-~a ~c'slat an~enria;
x5 Fz~:re ~ is a sclicmatic dia~r~rn 'of a ~~dreless cozz~i~nica,~i~r~ device ha°~rin~ a 'cc~mbzr~ed feed line and feed point to couple the Wireless cammunicatie~n des~~ice to a slat and to a batteiv t~~.rminal ~'t~r~po~~rer ~,i~uze '~ is' a sc~erriadta 'diagram ~of a ~.~zreless 'ccri~rn~z~n~ca~.oi~
~d~~jice atta~ed'to a coin-cell battery for palter and coupled to a slot in tl~e battery at multiple 2t~ points to form a slot antenna;
figure ~ is a ~cherraatic diagrams of a wireless c~rnmuzzicsatic~i~ device paced acrQSS a slot fc~rr~:ed 'hy a batter~r seal tO form a slat antenna;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a v~ireless cammunicatian device placed across a slot formed by a battery seal to fozm a slat an enna with one feed point additionally extending to cross the slot at a second paint;
Figcxre $ is a schematic diagram of a c~~reless comrnunicatian device attached to a cylindrical-shaped battery and coupled to a slat on the battery to farru a slot antenna;
Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a ~Ti.reless cammunicatic~r~ device attached to a c~TlindriCal-shaped battery for ga~~rer and coupled to a slot on ~e batter at multiple points to fcirn ~ slat antenna; aid zo Figure '20 is'a s~eatic diagram of a ~~.reless cc~ir~munz~catian device attached u.~derziea~h~ a 'batterysleeve ~d. eaupl~d to a slat on'the battery to farm a slat antenna.
'I~e present in~~ention is dirtied to ~a de~Tie~,~ s~s~erii 'arid i~iet'hod t~f using an energy saurc~ iri iii el~ctranic de~~ice~as a slot anteznaa~Zef~i'ring riav~
to ~the~drawirkgs ~rir erieral, az~d to 'ig~zre I in parti~ar, it c~~ill be understood that the illustrati~ans are x5 far the purpose of de~c~bing specifle eznb~dzr~h s t~f t~e~pz~esent in~~eiitat~n~and are'ria~
irit~nd~ed ~o l~mzt tie ii~~=en~i~n tlieieto.
' Fire 1 illu~tr~.tes a typical ~~rehss ~~nmur~ication device and communication system ~ in the' ~gricsr art. ~e u~reless caminunicatio~ device I~? is capable of coinm~.nicatin~ ~ i~zfarrnatiaiz uri.r~lessl~J ~ ar~d~ rcia~ include ' a control s~Tst~rn ' 1.2, a zc~ camrn.czn.i~ation ~Iecti~oz~i~s 2~-, a mei~az~t ~.6; anal ~an ei~erg~
so'ce ~f'7. ''I'I~e wireless ~mznu~iic~tion device 1~i~iriay be a radii-freq~ez~c~F
ideht~cat~on~de~ice~~~~, b~.t the ~ gz~esent zzi~Fentiari~ is~ z~at limited ~ tci any ~ paiticular t3i~re of wireless ceiiiii~:uirucado~
c~e~Fir~e 10. 'Fhe conimui~zicatian electronics l~ rs ~:oupled~to ~r~
~an~ei~na I~ far ~~irelessly coiii~iiinicatirig infarnzation in radio-freqt~e~cy signals. The corr.~x~nication electronics 14 is capable of receiving a modulated radio-frequency signal through tire antenna 18 and demodulating the signal into information passed to the ~c~ntrol system 12.
The antenna I8 may be internal or ea.temal to the ~~ireless cornznunication de~rice ltl.
Tide control system 22 rnay be any type of circuitry or processor that receives and processes irxforrrration recei~fed by the communication electronics 24, such as a micro-controller or znieroproc~.ssor. 'The u3ireless cona.munication de~rice 1~l may also contain memory 16 far storage of information. such information may include identif~.eation, tracking and/i~r other information desired, The mers~ary' I~~rnay~ she electronic ~r~~'ertic~ry; such~ras ra~doin access zriernc~iy~ {~t.A~~, z~eac~=drily rrieinory7 al~~'j, 1.0 fl~sli''n~eznciiy;' diode; ~tc.~ 'or~ t'he rnemoiy ~T.~ ri~'ay.,be mec~.axii~a.I ~rri~rr~oz~l, °sirch asy,'a 'switch; dip~s~~tch,e'tc~ ''.
Ttie ener~~~ source 17 m.ay ~e~ariy'i~%p~ of energy s~i~rce to provide ~c~~fer'to~th~
ccsz~.pc~nen~ ref the v~izeless corniiiunicatxari de~~ice 1~?, 'ir~cludir~g~
but Trot l.imi~ed to, a battery, a~c~pacitiar, and a sQlai cell.
1.5 ~ome~ ireless ~corrrri~unzcation de~~iees 1Ct are termed "acti~re"devices rrreaning tliat'tLiey recei~x~ arid tra~;smit data u~z.iig ' an enei-r 'st~urce ~
su~Sl~d to the ~uzreless ~cb~c~icaait~n device' IO. A ~~~ireless~ cornr~r'unicaticrn device' ma~~ rise a battery ~dt poez~ysas desczib~d iir TJ.~. ~Fate~t No. 6,i~t#,6C1~~'entitled' '"Radio .freciuency data cciiu~.zcat~c~i~s device," or rrray use ~otlrer forms of energy anchor pourer, such as a 2Q capacitor 'as described ~ iri F.T.S. ~ JPatent Into: 5,8~3,~03,' entztl'ed ~~"Iiriplantable bi~aseii'sirig transpe~i~de~i.~ ~~th of .the precedingpaten s are iiie.~iporated herein by refereiice~ in their errtiret~~.
t'~tlrer Wireless coizimunicatioii devices 1~~ aide termedr"passive" de~iees ire ~ ~.a~iizi that they do riot actively=,~ti~a~ismit and ilrez~efore rnay~'ncit~ deed their siwn energy s'ouice far polder. Cane t~rpe of passive v~ireless communication device L0 is Imawn as a "transpander:' A. transpander effectively transmits information by reflecting back a received signal from an eternal communication device, such as an interrogation reader.
An example of a transpander. is disclosed in 'U.8. Patent No. ~,347,28Q, entitled "Frequency diversity transpander arrangement," incorporated herein by reference in i.ts entirety. ~.nother example of a transpander is described in U.~. Patent I~o.
6,~C11,435, er~tided ='tWireless ~a~nmunicatian Device and I~etl~od," incorporated herein by reference in its entiret~~.
Figure 1 depicts commur~icatiori ta~t~T~e'n 'a' ~~ireless con~unicati~zi' device I~
ao and' ~i interrc~gati~n ~re~de~ ~~Q. T'~e iizterfogatrt~ii readez' 20' i~zcludes oh i'~iterrc~gation co~nii~nication eL~ctronics~2~ and an i~ter~~~atiozi an~enna~?~:'''.~~
iriterrcrganc~n reader 20 coinz~~.u~iicate~ ~itli the wireless caFnnizi~ni.cation device IO by err~itti~ig,ari~elecirtinic sib a1° 2~ r~i~dulat~d by the znterragation cornr~txriicaci~ electro~cs ~22 tivu~fi the irit~xragation'aiz'ee~ina 24, 'Il~e zntei~ag~.tion anteima 2~ raay be any t~rpe cif ant~nn.a~that ~.5 'cue rariiate a'~igr~al 26' thra~igh~a held 2~ sca that''a rece~tic~n device such as a wireless vacation 'device' I0, can receive such signal 26 thrc~~h its av~rn antenna I8.
The field 28' may be ~electro-rii.~g~etxc, 'ma~n.etic, ~ c~r'~elect~ic. ~'~ie si.grial ~ 26 rriay ~e .
massage ce~ntaizriizg inforniatiozi arid/c~r a ~ sp~ci~c request '.- for ~ tie ° guileless com.tnncini.catidn device 1~i to per.~ornx a task.
2c~ 'then" die a.tenna' L8 is in ~ the presence' ~of tie field '2~ ezni tea by the i.~iterrogati~ri reader '2~, the caz~~rsunica~zon'el~ctrcnics' 1.4 are eziergized by~al~.~ energy S
~zzi' sig~ial 26, tl~ei~e~i~ eziergzxing° the °~vi.i~~ess' ~or~iiuiicat~.o~i device ~ 1~. "~ 'I'.~.e i~~ireIess 'carririiun~cation ~ew~i.ce I~'r~ni'ains'erier~ized s~ci~lang as 'tie an~n~a I8'is izi~tl~e field 2~
c~~ tl~e iriterF~igation .reaelef 2tt. The' cona:rriii~icatioii 'elec~oiiics ~
14 deir~ciduLates the signal 26 and sends the message containing information and/or request to the control system 12 far appropriate actions. it is readily understood to one of ordinary ski.il in the art that there are many other t~=ges of wireless cornrnunications deices and communication techniques than those described herein, and the present invention is not limited to a particular type~ of u~reless cornmuzzication device, technique or method.
In one aspect of the present invention, the ~rireless communication cle~rice 1~~ uses a gap or slat bets=een battery tern~inai,s to form a slot antenna ft~r Wireless communication. Figures 2' - l.0' illustrate ~~arious configurations of skits in batteii.es to'provide a 'stot anien:na 2~. The w=ireless communication 'device Itl~ ~.ay W c~igle to 'a slot izi ~~lie''hat~e.~~= to ~ foim ~ a slot ~ antenna' ~ ~.
~c~re infc~rm.atic~ri on slot an er~~18 arid heir ~perati~~~is describecl'in x.1:5. P~.ter~t'l~o.
4;~'75,'7I1, eri~ided '~~~t an~era clec=ice faz~~porta=ble'Tadii~phr~ne,x3 arid ~zternational Patent ~,p~licati~ri'I~o: 'E~
~3IJ'73~~~5, en~ztleci' '~Rerr~ote Comi~c~zrzicatic~n 'Using ~~Iot~~teru~a;'' birth caf vcfliich are incorporated herein bar referable iri their e~tiret~r.' Fi-ar~ ~ illustrates a '~7ire~e~s corriniun.i.c~.d~an '~ei~ice 1.0 cc~ple~ to an an~.~.r shot ~-Q in a b~.~e~y ~Ci~t~ form a slat anterir~a 28.~~'T'he ~ri.Te.Iess c~iii~rniizdc~tac~n device ~.tl uses 'tl~e I~~tt~ry 3E1 to provide pc~Ter for trans~nzssic~ns aid to o~~Fer citei corr.~p~~e~ts of the wiieless cori~ui~caf~azi de~rice l~, such as ~te'cc~u.trol s~Fstern~
1.~~ ce~rnzri~nica~i~h electi~iai~ °I4, ' rn~riiory ' L6, ' a~d!or ~ other :; cle~rices contained i~ the w=ireless zU cazni~i.iir~c~desn device' 1(l.
Figure '~ d~gkGtsya pariic~ar urge of a~er~t 3~~'h~'o~Jn 'as' a ~coi.~i-cell '~~att~zy.~ ' Tl~:e batters' 30'rria~.? a recl~iai~gea'ble batter~~,~ ~ncludirzg, but not Iirnited to lithium, Nickel Cadniurri'~I>TzCd), ~:Iicl~el lt~etal~Hydride {l~~i~~. The battery ~(l'n~ay~also be~nozi-rechargeable..:'~'he battery ~C~ may be of arxy ~=oltage rating: If the ~a~ter~F '~tl is used as an energy source 17 in the wireless eommnnication device /fl, the battery 3fl must be of the prc~ger voltage to provide polder to the wireless ~m~nunica~c~n device /fl and/or its components or an additional voltage-regulating device must tie provided i.n the wireless communication device I0. Far example, an additional rectifier m.ay be included to a decrease the battery 3fl voltage, or a transformer ma~~ be included to increase the battery 3fl voltage.
'T'l~e battery 3t? has two terminals - a positive terminal ~2 and a negative terminal 3#. The positive terminal 32 and tl~e negative terminal 34 are separated try a separ=ator ~~: ' ''I'~iet~epa~ratoi 36 i's ~a die3ectric~rnaterial tl~at° creates a voltag~'poteniial beteer~A ~'e 1c~ ~posi.ti~Te ~erininai'32 anc~~t~e ~gative terminal. ~~.~~'I'he separator ~36~m:a~ be~ c<iristi'iicted C'~tJ~ a~ r~ ~lOn-CX~rIC~llCtl~te rrt~te y ' I y nal c~ may be' ccinstnzc~ed'o~.~ ~cif a ctar~dctf~ a material: that coclhc' eh~rg~''at currents c~f a ga~ticular freqi~~ticy. ''Foz ~~;azn~ale, ~
the l~attei~~ 3Ci ~~n~~i be a' cohduc'tc~r at direct current {'~?~ cir lo~sr' freqi~eric~,~ current, but ia~ be' nary ~ndr~ctixig at l~gher frequency current. Irt this embadirnent, the separator 36 also acts 1.~ as a seal b~i~e~u~ ~e posztive terminal ~~ azid tl3e rt~gati~Te terminal 3~- to ~~rre~Jeitt t~~
positive tez~.inal 32 aid the ~r~egafave terminal 34~frtim shod-circi~ztzz~~.
'~fi~ ~~i-eless cainniiziii~atzori''~evice ~~~ niay~be'p3.ac~d on th~'batter~'aC?, and ziia~T'~e eifh~r placed on oiie'Saf the'tez'rni~aa~s' ~2, 3~'oi .cross t'he slot ~Ø~az'zrr~ed lay ~h~
se~a~aac~r 36 t~et~Feen tl~e terxninals..~~~ °~4. An 'adhesive (not sha~~~ may ~e used ~o

2~ att~cl~ the ~~.reie~s cornmunieatiori derrick 1Q to the'ba~t~~y ~tl. 'i'he adhesive may citlier lie ~con~ucti~=e' or non=~r~ducti~e. Tf .the ~~itel~ss~~car~n~urizcatii~n de~liee '1C/ is ~tt:a'ched c~irectly.'ati the ~~x~ac,~ of tl~e battery 3fl tci pi~o~ide a coi~r~ectian t~eti~een~~.th~ terminals °32, ~4~ ° foi' po~~ez, a' ~ cciiid~tctii~e adhesive ina~ be .
used t:o facilitate' ~ a'~ c.~~nn~i.t~'ed 'condectit~n ' aad adhesion.

A. non-conductive adhesive may be also used to attach the ~viraless con~.znunicati~n device ID to the hattery 3t3. Examples of adhesives include tape, glue, and epoxy. The v,~ireless communication device 10 inCLudes two feed Lines 38A, X88. A feed line 38 i.s any conductive connection that allov~s the transfer of electricity. The feed lines 38A, 38B connect tl~e wireless communication device 10 to the pasiti~cpe and negati~xe terminals 32, ~~ to provide power to the wireless communication device 1~.
TL~e wireless communication device 1(1 is additionally grounded tO the battery 30 by a. feed line 3813 connection to the negative tern~iz~al~ 34. An adhesive ~nc~t sl~own~
m~a~ be used to attach the feed Iines SBA, 388 ~~y to tl~e battery 3~7. A cc~ducti~Fe ad3~~s'zve (not xtt shav~j may die used ~uitLi the feed I.irie 8B since the feed line 3~F3 does ~c~t run across the~~cisiti~xe terixt~iztal 3~ on its cor~necticin patl3 to a rzegatir:e teriiainal 3'l: IIo~Tever, the feed line ~3~8 i~ay i~~qu'ire a nOU=con~u~ive ~clhesivv~39~ c~zi the poi~ti~an of tie feed Bite ~ $I~ t~a.t ruui2s aerc~ss the .zzegative 'teirdinal 3$E ire order to pfe~erit suit circuiting of ~the~~sositi~Te tetznuial 3? arid the negative terminal 3~. ' ~.
coi"i~ue.ttive~~dhesive X98 is ~a~ die u~e~ Ori tlae p~z~ion of tl~e feed Iine 388 tLtat rt~r~s across a pcisitive terrninal~~
to attach tie ~e~d: Iine 38B to the positi~re tezmihal 3~a.
Ttie ~d~ele~s ce~iuzz~unicatio~. ilea=ice 1.#~ ~zses the I~~tter~ ~~ to provide a slot antezina 18. ~ 'T'tie ~attei~ 3(l 'has a slat ~Q created by ~~tl~e separator

3~ between the pc~siti~Te ~ermi.r~al ;~ and tL~e z~e~ati~Te tezrni~al 34. "I'f~e Wi~el~ss cesmzz~unication rle~ice ~t~ is coupled tto't'ne slat ~Q using 'a sizi~e feed point 4'~ to ~ar~ri the slot antenna ~18. A
feed 'gt~irit ~2' is~~ aii~~ ~ hype conductive cc3~aeCtic~n that aIlc~ws 'the' tra.~sfez~ of ~ energy.
~ou~Iin~ the ~~irel~ss' comzrtuizicati.on device ~ l~~ to' tlaeX slot 4t1 at crr' proximate to aiie Ic~cat~~n onjt~e slot.4Q creates~an antenna radzatiai~ palters ~irnila.r'ta a dipoleya~.tenna.
'~'I~e E ~anc1 H fields ~f the slot ~aritemia 1I~ are FeV~rsetl from tl~e E
and H (gilds of a dipole antenna ~nc~t shogun). Ho~tever, it should be noted that the enact radiation pattern of the slot antenna 18 rnay be difFeren.t depending an the operating frequency and impedance of the wireless communication de~.fice 10 and the geometry and other characteristics, including impedance of the battery 30 and the slot 4D.
s Tl~e feed point 42 may be constrr~cted out 0f any type of conductive materials, such as copper or aLuminurn. ~,dditic~nally, the feed point 42 rr~ay be a conductive tab like that used in a patch antenna., such as described in U.S. Patent Via.
E,S01,43~, previously referenced above. These feed points 42 may be three millimeters ~in width or Iess. '°
. . ,"
~ t~ ~ The f~~d point 42'r.~a~r be ~ attached tip t'~.e batteiy 3~ ju~~cig ~~
~~adhesnesuch ~s those°adli~sz~.Tes ctiscuss~d above fciir die 'feed Lines gig, ' ~
~or~ccinductive 'adh~~i~-e' (not sci~~Tn~ is ~ed fir fhe 'portion of deed point .~-2 fat rur~s~ across the i~egati~re terminal 3~
of tL~e battery 3t7 so that the fwd paint ~2 dries not form ~a cciiiducti~re ~r,~iiuiectian to tb:e negative tee.rt~.l. ~~.
Fi~cire 3~i.ll~zstr~tes another embc~di.ment~c~f~a~i~i~~l.ess ~niu~.ication device~l.tt ~i~.t z~ coupled tci a slot ~.(I to pra~lide a dipole-lil~e slot lantoz~zia 2.8- within a rad~a~i.~n patteiti similar to the ezr~bodin~ent illustrated in Figure ~. l~o~ever, the ~~rireless ec~rnmu~ca~.oi~ de~dce 1~ in Figure 3 onl~~ has c~r~e feed 'line SBA to couple fih~ ~,=ireLess caz~c~tion de~tic~~ l.fl to tie pasit~ve Lerir~i.aL~32'i'or po~ex. ,1'f~e~~eed Iine ~iSB may 2c~ 'b~v ear~~ne~tive poron~~(not sho~m) pro~Tideci~~an~tl~e reldss cc~zriunicat~c~ti dei~i'~ 1(?
c3i.rectly° ~'ta 'tkie negati:ve~ teirriir~al 34~ ~f:: t~~' ~~~int' ~of 'attac~rnen ~ of 'tie ~~ireLe~s conriri~uiaicat~on de~rice L t7 to the battery ~Cl. For e~ampie, the o~~ireless communication device Iii inay hay*e a gin, if aii I~ ch.ip, that i ached'dtiectly to the z~egatzve tez~zxii~ai 3~-'.

Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the W ireless communication device I Q uThere a feed point 42 that is used to couple the wireless communication device 10 to the slot 40, is also be used as a feed line 3~ to couple the r~rireless communication device 1a to the positive tezminal 32 for pov~er. 'The v~ireless communication de~rice 10 s contains one feed Iine 38 and one feed point 42. 'The feed point 42 ~.ay be left as an open circuit ox rnay be connected to the positive terrn.inal 32. If the feed point 42 is connected to the positive tem~.inal 32, the wireless cc~mmurdcation de~.Tice L(I can use this crrnnection as a slot antenna L8 as Well as a connection to the battery 30 ~foir power.
if the feed: point 4:~ is .connected tci the g~sitive terminal ~2 fgr poc~Fer;
feed line 38 20 g~c~vides a connection ~bet~~een the ~~.reIe~s cozrii~unicati.on device 3.t7 and the ~nega~tve termiz~aT ~~.
Figure ~ illustrates arioter embodiment c~f a wireless'coni.i~i}ni~a~.an derrick l.fl ~~.pled to slot 4~ to grc~vide'a dipole-Ii.i~e a~tezma patte.:cT~.~ 'fh~
v~ireless m.rni~ication device IEl' ~is cc~nf ~ red srrnilai~ Its 'tl~e t~=irel~~s~ cor~iinicatit~n de~rice ~ I(I 'il.Iu~trated in 2s Figiate' '~; o~=ever, ~fi~~a feed 'points 424.,' 42B are used tia couple .:the ~rireless eotrimun~catic~n 'de~lice ~Q' to~~ .tee slat 4~. Use of r~iltiple feed points'.4'~ 'rr~ay ~be desirab~~~ to ~ ch~ge ~~e radiation p~~erri of 'the slot aiitenna~ 18, a~d/ox tc~ change rec~~tic~n android tra~as~:iss~on capability. Furthei~a use i~f more than one~feed point° 42 mad allow the slot antenna 18 and ~e wi.reless communication device 1.0 to operate at 2~ multiple frequencies. e~ain~Ie of 'a ~.dreless ~~cc~ri~n~zrucatic~zi device u~ir~~ multiple f,, feed points ~: a slot, ~utenna z~ disclosed ~ in pe~drn~~ '~.~. Fatez~i Application 1~0.10/12~,~83, ezilitlecl "h~~i~..ple Feed Pent Slat Arztei~z~a,''~ed on f-~.pr3.l L~, ~2Qfl°~ Iry the assignee of this'apglicatioh.,s~incozpcrrated heiein by~~Tefeierzr.~ in its'ez~d.re~ty. .

Figure 6 illustrates another ernbodimer~t of a wireless caznmunication device that is coupled to a slat 40 an the battery 3t1 to provide a slat antenna 18.
In this embodiment, the ~~ireless camfnunication device ~.0 is placed across the slot 40. Two feed paints 42A, 42B are used; one feed paint 4~A is coupled to the positive terminal 32 and the other feed paint 42B is coupled to the negative terminal 34. if the feed points ~-~ are non-conductive, the ~dreless cammunicaation device ~t~ capacitively coup~.es to the slot 40 between the positive tezrninal 32 and the negative terminal ~4 to form a slot antenna I8. If the feed paints 42A, ~~B are cc~z~.dnctavel~T coupled to the terminals 32, ~~, such as throubh solderizig or a=elding~ for 'example; tl~e i~~:i~eless cadirnnicatis~n Icy devise 1.0 ri~a~ use suchconnection for~bath a 'caiinection'ta terminals 32~ 34.~for povtrei ~id~'can~e~tioii to th~'slot ~~ to prcivide a shot~ar~t~nzia ~.8 ~~tl~ocitwneed fair a ~~ci lire ~8,~
l~iguse 7 i~Iust~=~.te~ ~nc~t':er embc~ctinaent trf a wireless cc~za~imirn~cati~n device ~~
cau~lec~ ~o a"slit ~.fl an a battery 3C1 to gr~i~~~e a' skit ate~ria 1~:
'1'I~e ~~ireless cca~nmtin~cadoi~ dewace ~.Q is cauplod~acrass the 'slt3~~d-#~ rife iii Fz~~ire v. Tn adc3~.tion, the feed paint ~2$ is cciupled to the slot 4Q at a,.'dif~ereni~~:c~int' tliaii the feed pciii~t' ~'~A.:
'I~iis changes a elective length of the slot ~(l s~ci~~~that" the~~~c~t '4-fl~
re~o~iates ~at a pai~~cul~r freque~c~.~ o~ desi~ arid assists in ma cbing the ~.rzzgedce of the slot 4t) to the irnpecia~ce ~~of '"~~z~eless cazxiunicataon~ c~ev~~e ~lCl far tmpraved ariteiit#a ' l~
performance. 'I'he adhesive used for coupling the feed points 42A, X28 to the slot ~.~1 must be non-cc~ndu~ive iri th~'z~egioti that ~x~~fee~
paiiifis~4.~A,'4~.B~tc~ss'the s~l~~ 40, o~
.'..
a shart.eircui.t at dzTect current ~.~11 be 'placed aczass ~a~tezy"3~fl.
Tl~ezefc~ie, the feed p~ii~ts 4~~2F3 ~rre capacatively 'cciupL~~ to the slot ~~.

Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention where a wireless cornrnunicatic~n device IO is connected to a cylindrical-shaped battery a0. The battery i0 may be a commonly available, off the-shelf battery, including sues AA, A.AA, C, and l~. The battery ~0 contains a body 3I thafi is covered by a sleeve 33 to encapsulate the body 3I. The sleeve 3~ may be constructed out of a plastic or other encapsulating material and xnay be heat~sl~rinkable. The tog of the body 31 contains the positive terminal 3Z, and the bottom of the body 3I ~ntains the negati~=e tenni.nal 34.
The separator 36 separates the positi~=e terminal ~2 from the negative tezzninaT ~4, as previously ~isci~ssed abrs~re.
1t~ In tl~i.s ~iihodi~ent, the ~rireles~ 'cointrin~catian device 'lf~ is attached in 'the z~ggerT regic~~ ~ 'c~f ~l~.e ~ batt~z~ " 3Q adj a~izt " to' the ~ positive tei~iizat ''~'2. ' ' T'I~.~ '~~ireless cc~n~munica~ic~tf device Itl inay be "attached to the batfery'' 3t1' using an adesi~=e {not sl~o~,~ ae' previ~~.sly discussed. A. con~uctixre adhesive gay lae used if' die ~~i.rels~
ccir~iunicatio~' de~;riee' Ift is z-niected directly to the ~positz~=e terminal32 wit'hoiit i~e~d 15 far a feed Iii~e r8.
F~ 'Lizies a~i~c~t used: iri this ez~ibodiine~it since tlZe wireless caznmuiziea~an ..,:.
cle~d~e It~ d~~s 'itot' tee" a battery 3(i to provide po~Fer. °I'he ~.reless communication device 1 t) eztber lass its oi~rn "ir~tern~ ' energy sdurce~ o~= is a passive cle~x~ce: ~ ' tie ~ feed ~tiizit 4~, ~is used 'to ctiugle tl~~ ~vzreless ctari~.municaaic~n de~~i.c.~
~"I tl "to the ~ shot' 4Q to pro~Fids 'a slot" ~antenz~a~ ~ 8.
Fi~nze ~ illu~ rates a ~iiess cor~municatic~ii°de~.~ce~ltl attaeh~d to a ha~tei=~w3C1 srrazilat lb il~e en~badiinet illustrated in Figc~re ~; ~~~~evei;the wireless cornihar~caticin c~e~Tice 2U'uses feed lines ~S.A, 3~B to couple the wireless communication device I~ to the positi~xe attd negative terii~ina~s~~2, 34 respe~ivel~.r for g~u~er hide that il~.ustrated" i Figure 5. Two feed points 4,~..,~, ~2B are also provided so that the wireless communication device ~~ is coupled to the slot 40 at two points just as in ttze embodiment illustrated in Figure 5.
The feed Line TSB extends down the body 31 to the negati~Te terminal 3~. Since the body 3~. is constructed out of a non-conductive material, any type~ of adhesive (not shc~wn~ may be used to attach tl~.e feed Line 38$ to the battery 3t1. I-~o~rever, it is more desirable to use a nOn-conductive adhesive so that any dewiCes ~r materi is that come into contact with the body 31 are not grounded tO the negative termizzal 3~
uni~antiizgl~r, 'Ibis embodiri~ent could also 'be practiced ~in iewer~e' ~here'b~~ the iviiel~ss lt~ cc>irmitiniC.~:ti~n device I(~ is aitach~. to fhe Lower portion of tLie battez~~ 3~ a~ the ~nega~i~F~~~teimi~al 34, aid the feed line s~A is extended upv,~ard to connect to the positi~Te terEni~at'~Z. ~,.~az~i~riy type ~if adhesive' mayr ~ie'use~ to attaeh~ a feed ~Lirie 3~A t~ the ~bociy~~l, b~.t~a r~oi~=.co~dudtive ~dhe~i~JiE is~uz~~e desirable:
.
Figure '10 'illustrates ~a ~~irel~ss t:~iu~canon =~~dte' ~.t3 ~at~~hed ui~ddriieath 1~ the' ~'L~e~=e 33~ ~c~f a ~iatte~r 3tl 'as a iii=~rii~nt ~netLat~~.~ of attaci~r~t: ~ In this m apex, an ~dhdsi~~e niay nod ~e required tc~ secure ~ the ~i.rel~ss c~~uzz'ica~tiri de~~ice 1?~ to' a <hai~ery ~C~~: The 'u~zreles's cOmnaunicadc~i~~ ~d~~~zce ~.Ll zalie attae~ed urid~rn~eath the ~~e~re ~~ ~.~~ur~n~ the' r~i~nufa~~cznng prices 'af 'the ba.:~i~l 3~. Izi =~zs partico.Lar eii~bod~merit, ~ a sin~Ie fwd poznt 42 'is coupled to t~.e slOt ~.Q ~ta provide ~ or slot a~tez~za 2D ~8;~ 'I~ie ~ri.i~eless~cc~znr~zuz~iration d~uice l~ ~s~ i~ot ~upled ta'the<te~i.~i~.l "32; ~~<f~ir ..r ~ o.~.~'. '< .' . . ~ : z'~ . , ' .. ;... : :7:~ "
goiter. ~o~~e'~=er; the i~~ireless' ccimmurncat~an: devic~e'~ ICJ' zi~.a~' use feed lines (nQt :. ' ' '. ~ ' a ; , sho~n~ t~~''caugle the ~viFeless cozzi.~hri~caiio~i'mde~Fice ~.(l 'to' the ter~i~i~.als 3~; '3~~ ~oz ~a~Terrif d~si.recL."

T'he wireless communication device IO may also be placed totally internal to a battery ~0 (not illustrated). The battery 30 contains an electrolyte plate structure. A
non-conductive void area may be constructed beiv~Jeen the battery 3~ plates, arid the ~vi.reless communication device IO may be placed in this void. The ~~ireless communication device Id may be connected to the positme and negative terminals 32:
34 I'or pov,~er and/or to the slot 40 to provide a slat antenna 18.
The gresent invention also allc~u~s rechar~i.ng of the enemy source I'7 illustrated in Figure I i.~ the v~ireless cc~mmunicatioz~ device SCI is coupled to termzri~Ls 3~?~ ~~.
Externals radio-frequency sisals i~ec:~ived liy the wireless ~cciinz~itinic~tic~ri de~jice='Il~
1 o rr~a~~ ~ ~c~z~tai~ enei=~. '' ir~ce ~ ~ the ~ c~~iieless c~m'ih iinica~r~n ~' device' 2~ is' capable c~f r~ceivir~g eiiei~gy frc~ni~~ai~ e~t~riial radio ~frequezi~y signal thiciu.~h its ~inten.na' ~~~ :e wxi~el~ss e~a~m~iunicat~oii defile may '~'rec~iar~~°~t~ie battery' 3(?
u~ir~g such ~e~er~y-b~a:fig i~aci~~i-~~qu~r~.cy~ s~g~a.'t L6 ~wr~.t'~er than 'clxrect~l~r ~
~di~~~ng ~th~ ' ~~rel.~ss comi~nnicatia~i device' 1~ ~a a po~reF ~au~c~: ~~Ic~t~ ~i~if~imatic~n gn recharging systems z~ Paz energy sources is'"disclcrs~I in cur -pendzn~' In~~rziaf~r~bal Pa~ent~
.~plicat~ca iefererice F'J~6'll~ en~~~ed "Exi'~i~g~r sacu~ce rechargind~~~i~e ar~d~
~izetlar~d,"'filed on tie ~ame''day as ~ the' pr~s~z~t Iztt~iiiatioiial Fatent A.~rpl~ca'nozi 'mid izz~ocipcizated rerein by Fe~eredce in its'er~~ie~ty.
.~ ° ° The ~ 'e~er~T beaz~ng. ~ radio-~i~que'zic~ sir~a2' 'v6 mad we . reiterated by ;a 2o ina~tra~atztiti (reader .2Q~ lcacated nearby' ~hejWi.retess' cc~mta~ur~cat~c~n ~c~e~.rice ~ Cl, ~cir biz a ren~ate radici~-'~requetacy' tran~i~itter:~ 'i.~te v~-ireIess cari~munication' cl~'tfiice lfl~ tis~s ~tIie w . ' .f ': : . . .
'~h~ryn tie 'eite~-~y-'bearing radio-freque~icy sigizal ~6' tcz ~rec'liat~e ~
the energy sciui-ce .; . :
1?, v~hicli may ~lie a battery ~t7i. ~The 'antenna ~~.re'c~i~~e~ ~lae'ener~y-~~ea~r~g radia-frequency signal 26 that is used to recharge the energy source 17, arzd the antenna 28 rna~ he any type of antezma, including a pole antenna or a slot antenna.
Certain modi~catxons and izrzpra~rements uvill. occur to tl~.ase stalled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It s~.ould be understood that the present in~Tention: is not limited to any pardc~ar t~~pe of wireless communication device I~ and its carrzponents, tie interrogation reader 2~ and its components, energy source I7, slot ~.ti, feed lines 3~, feed points 42, etc. For the gurpases of tizis applieador~, couple, coupled, or coupling is defzned as ezt~er a direct corrneetion or a reac~zve~
caupIz~g.
Reactive c~rtzpling is defined as'either~capacit~~e c~r~i~tdi~c~ri.~~
~couplirig:' . _ . .
t~ ~e'c~f'~oi~c~inai~'skill Iin lie a~t~~~~I're~cogii~e'tlzat ~~I~.ere are diffeierit manners in Which these elern~ats cari ~p~~~ride'to 'accc~in~li~h~tl~~ prese~it z~vez~tioiz. ~
,Tie ~pi~se.t iz~~c>eritz~n is intended 'i:ci cci~~ei ~u~at is claxi~ec~ arid ai~y~ ec~~ii~=alerits. ~"Ie ~pec~~c er.~bodii~ents used°he~e~ axe ~o~~i:d' in tie ~.ndezstandir~~ ~f the 'preset zzi~re~t~cin, and s'hcriild°iaQt tie risec~~ to liiriit't~e sctig~ a~ f~~ i~ivc~ticin zr~ a ri~ai~ier naxzo~tef thari.f'~e cLaiis'at~d their z5 eq~zi~talent~: ',

Claims (35)

1. ~An energy source, comprising: a body having a first and second terminal separated by a separator forming a slot between said first and second terminals; and a wireless communication device coupled to said slot, said slot forming a slot antenna for wireless communication.

2.~An energy source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device is an passive device.

3.~An energy source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device is an active device.

4.~An energy source as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said wireless communication includes a first and second feed lines that are coupled to said first and second terminals to provide power to said wireless communication device.

5.~An energy source as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first and second feed lines are attached to said first and second terminals using a conductive adhesive.

6.~An energy source as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said separator form a seal between said first terminal and said second terminal.

7. An energy source as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, furthering comprising an adhesive between said wireless communication device and said body to attach said wireless communication device to said body.

8. An energy source as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to said slot using a feed line.

9. An energy source as claimed in claim 8, wherein said feed line is a conductive tab.

10. An energy source as claimed in claim 9, wherein said conductive tab is around about three millimeters.

11. An energy source as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said feed line is directly connected to said slot.

12. An energy source as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said feed line is reactively connected to said slot.

13. An energy source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to said slot using a plurality of feed lines.

14. An energy source as claimed in claim 8, wherein said feed line is comprised of a plurality of feed lines.

15. A battery, comprising: a body having a positive terminal and a negative terminal separated by a separator forming a slot between said first and second terminals; a wireless communication device attached to said body; and at least one feed point coupled to said wireless communication device and said slot to form a slot antenna;

16. A battery as claimed in claim 15, wherein said at least one feed point is a thin conductive tab.

17. A battery as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said wireless communication device is attached to said positive terminal and said negative terminal provide power to said wireless communication device.

18. A battery, comprising: a means for creating a voltage potential; a separating means for creating a separation between said means for creating a voltage potential to provide a slot; an attachment means for attaching a wireless communication device to the battery; and a coupling means for coupling said wireless communication device to said slot to form a slot antenna.

19. A wireless communication device attached to an energy source, comprising:
a control system coupled to the energy source; and a communication electronics couples to said control system and coupled to a slot in the energy source to provide a slot antenna.

20. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said control system is powered by the energy source.

21. A wireless communication energy source system, comprising: an energy source, comprising a body having a first and second terminal separated by a separator forming a slot between said first and second terminals; a wireless communication device attached to said energy source and coupled to said slot to form a slot antenna; and an interrogator adapted to communicate information wirelessly with said wireless communication device.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said interrogator emits a signal to said wireless communication device to power said wireless communication device.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said signal recharges said energy source.

24. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said interrogator communicates to said wireless communication device to transfer information.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said information is comprised from the group consisting of identification information, tracking information, and manufacturing information.

26. A method of providing a slot antenna for a wireless communication device, comprising the steps of: providing an energy source having a slot created by a separator in said energy source; and coupling the wireless communication device to said slot to form a slot antenna.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising receiving a communication signal through said slot antenna.

28. A method as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, further comprising receiving an energy-bearing signal through said slot antenna.

29. A method as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28, further comprising recharging said energy source with said energy-bearing signal.

30. A method as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29, further comprising attaching the careless communication device to said negative and positive terminals of the energy source to provide power to the wireless communication device.

31. A method as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein said coupling further comprises coupling the wireless communication device to one point on said slot.

32. A method as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein said coupling further comprises coupling the wireless communication device to a plurality of points on said slot.

33. A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein said attaching the wireless communication device to said negative and positive terminals further comprises coupling one of said terminals to the wireless communication device using a feed line.

34. A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein said attaching the wireless communication device to said negative and positive terminals further comprises coupling bath of said terminals to the wireless communication device using feed lines.

35. A method of attaching a wireless communication device to a body on a battery, comprising the steps of: placing a wireless communication device on the body of the battery; and covering the outside of said body with a sleeve to encapsulate said wireless communication device to the body.~