ANTENNA DEVICES AND PROCESSES FOR IMPROVED RF COMMUNICATION WITH TARGET DEVICES
Devices and methods are provided for wireless communication with a target, such as an optical disc or an electronic device. The devices include an integrated processor and an antenna that are connected to the target, which enable a wireless communication with an associated reader or scanning system. The integrated circuit may be embedded in the target attached to the surface of the target, or in a label attached to the target. In a similar manner, the antenna may be embedded in the target, attached to the surface of the target, or in a label attached to the target. Interconnection lines may be used connect the integrated processor to the antenna, and may include a feedthrough arrangement for passing electrical signals between the surface and the interior of the target. A demodulator may also be positioned adjacent or on the antenna, allowing a long lead line to pass demodulated data to the integrated circuit. In one example, the antenna is positioned in or on a case that holds the target, with lead lines connecting the antenna to the target's integrated circuit. One, two, or three antennas may be used, with the multi-antenna arrangements preferably arranging the antennas orthogonally.
1 . A wireless system for a target, comprising:
a target device;
an integrated circuit attached to the target;
a first antenna connected to the integrated circuit and constructed to receive a wireless signal;
a demodulator adjacent the antenna for demodulating the wireless signal; and
a lead line connecting the demodulator to the integrated circuit.
2 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is an RF signal.
3 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is an RF signal operating at an RFID frequency or a near field communication frequency.
4 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the first antenna is removable.
5 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a second antenna orthogonal to the first antenna and connected to the integrated circuit;
a second demodulator adjacent the antenna for demodulating a wireless signal; and
a second lead line connecting the demodulator to the integrated circuit.
6 . The wireless system according to claim 5 , wherein the first antenna or the second antenna is removable.
7 . The wireless system according to claim 5 , wherein both the first antenna and the second antenna are removable.
8 . The wireless system according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a third antenna orthogonal to the first antenna and the second antenna, and connected to the integrated circuit;
a third demodulator adjacent the antenna for demodulating a wireless signal; and
a third lead line connecting the demodulator to the integrated circuit.
9 . The wireless system according to claim 8 , wherein any one of the first antenna, second antenna, or third antenna is removable.
10 . The wireless system according to claim 8 , wherein any two of the first antenna, second antenna, or third antenna are removable.
11 . The wireless system according to claim 8 , wherein the first antenna, second antenna, and third antenna are all removable.
12 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , further comprising a second antenna orthogonal to the first antenna and connected to the integrated circuit.
13 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , further comprising a second antenna orthogonal to the first antenna and connected to the demodulator.
14 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the demodulator comprises a diode.
15 . The wireless system according to claim 14 , wherein the demodulator comprises a capacitor.
16 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the demodulator couples to a matching circuit.
17 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit is on a surface of the target.
18 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit is in the target.
19 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit is embedded in the target.
20 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit is in a label that is attached to the target.
21 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit is on a label that is attached to the target.
22 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the target is an optical disc.
23 . The wireless system according to claim 1 , wherein the target is an electrical device.
24 . An antenna for an RF system, comprising:
an antenna;
an RF demodulator adjacent the antenna; and
a lead line for transmitting demodulated data.
25 . The antenna according to claim 24 , wherein the RF demodulator is on the antenna.
26 . The antenna according to claim 24 , wherein the lead line is constructed to couple to an integrated circuit.
27 . The antenna according to claim 26 , wherein the lead line is a long lead line.
28 . The antenna according to claim 26 , wherein the lead line is longer than about 2 inches.
29 . The antenna according to claim 24 , wherein the RF demodulator comprises a diode demodulator.
30 . The antenna according to claim 29 , wherein the RF demodulator comprises a capacitor.
31 . The antenna according to claim 24 , wherein the RF demodulator couples to a matching circuit.
32 . The antenna according to claim 24 , further including a substrate, and the antenna is on the substrate
33 . The antenna according to claim 32 , wherein the substrate is foldable to change orientation of the antenna.
34 . The antenna according to claim 32 , wherein the substrate is foldable to tune the antenna.
35 . The antenna according to claim 32 , wherein the substrate further comprises attachment means to a target, the target having an associated integrated circuit.
36 . The antenna according to claim 35 , wherein the attachment means enables the substrate to be removable from the target.
37 . The antenna according to claim 24 , wherein the RF operates at an RFID frequency or a near field communication frequency.
38 . A multi-antenna device for an RF system, comprising:
a plurality of antennas;
an RF demodulator adjacent to at least one of the antennas; and
a lead line coupled to each RF demodulator, each lead line for transmitting demodulated data.
39 . The antenna according to claim 38 , wherein the RF demodulator is on each respective antenna.
40 . The antenna according to claim 38 , wherein each RF demodulator comprises a respective diode demodulator.
41 . The antenna according to claim 38 , further including a substrate, and the plurality of antennas are on the substrate.
42 . The antenna according to claim 41 , wherein the substrate is foldable to orient one of the antennas to be orthogonal to another antenna.
43 . The antenna according to claim 41 , wherein the substrate is foldable to tune one or more of the antennas.
44 . The antenna according to claim 41 , wherein the substrate further comprises attachment means to a target, the target having an associated integrated circuit.
45 . The antenna according to claim 38 , wherein the plurality of antennas includes two antennas.
46 . The antenna according to claim 38 , wherein the plurality of antennas includes three antennas.
47 . The antenna according to claim 38 , wherein the RF operates at an RFID frequency or a near field communication frequency.