IP Library Granted Patent US 8,952,472
Granted Patent B2
US 8,952,472 · App. 13/513,923 · Granted Feb 10, 2015

Semiconductor device using close proximity wireless communication

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,952,472
App. No.
13/513,923
Granted
Feb 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides a semiconductor device capable of changing the setting of the internal operation mode without increasing the number of terminals of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a transmitting cell, a receiving cell, a semiconductor chip including a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, and a conductor. The transmitting antenna is connected to the transmitting cell, and the receiving antenna is connected to the receiving cell. The conductor is provided close to the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna. Close proximity wireless communication is used between the transmitting cell and the receiving cell.

Claims (34)

1. A semiconductor device, comprising:

a semiconductor chip including a transmitting cell, a receiving cell, a first antenna connected to the transmitting cell, and a second antenna connected to the receiving cell, the first antenna and the second antenna being disposed on a surface of the semiconductor chip with a separation therebetween; and

a band-like foil conductor having one end disposed close to the first antenna and having another end disposed close to the second antenna, such that the one end of the conductor is disposed closer to the first antenna than the second antenna and the other end of the conductor is disposed closer to the second antenna than the first antenna, wherein

the transmitting cell and the receiving cell communicate with each other using close proximity wireless communication,

the first antenna and the second antenna are each a coiled metal wire,

the first antenna and the second antenna are inductively coupled with each other via the conductor,

the transmitting cell outputs a first electrical signal to the first antenna, the first electrical signal being at a potential that changes from a first potential to a second potential,

the receiving cell detects a second electrical signal, the second electrical signal being at a potential that changes,

the semiconductor chip further includes a switching cell that switches between operation modes when the receiving cell detects the second electrical signal,

the semiconductor chip is disposed on a circuit substrate,

the circuit substrate includes a bus and a flash memory,

the potential of the second electrical signal indicates a bus width, a flash memory type, or a flash memory operation mode,

the semiconductor chip further includes a logical block,

the switching cell switches the bus width, the flash memory type, or the flash memory operation mode in response to the second electrical signal, and

the logical block performs an input/output of data with the flash memory, via the bus, in accordance with the bus width, the flash memory type, or the flash memory operation type after the switching thereof.

2. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the semiconductor chip further comprises a sheet including the conductor,

the sheet is adhered to a surface of the semiconductor chip, and

the sheet is a flexible film that covers the surface of the semiconductor chip.

3. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the conductor is disposed on a circuit substrate, and

the semiconductor chip is disposed on the circuit substrate and covers the conductor.

4. A semiconductor device, comprising:

a semiconductor chip including a transmitting cell, a receiving cell, a first antenna connected to the transmitting cell, and a second antenna connected to the receiving cell, the first antenna and the second antenna being disposed on a surface of the semiconductor chip with a separation therebetween; and

a band-like foil conductor having one end disposed close to the first antenna and having another end disposed close to the second antenna, such that the one end of the conductor is disposed closer to the first antenna than the second antenna and the other end of the conductor is disposed closer to the second antenna than the first antenna, wherein

the transmitting cell and the receiving cell communicate with each other using close proximity wireless communication,

the first antenna and the second antenna are each a coiled metal wire,

the first antenna and the second antenna are inductively coupled with each other via the conductor,

the transmitting cell outputs a first electrical signal to the first antenna, the first electrical signal being at a potential that changes from a first potential to a second potential,

the receiving cell detects a second electrical signal, the second electrical signal being at a potential that changes,

the semiconductor chip further includes a switching cell that switches between operation modes when the receiving cell detects the second electrical signal,

the semiconductor chip further includes a first cell, a second cell and a third cell, and

the switching cell switches between connection of the first cell with the second cell and connection of the first cell with the third cell in response to the second electrical signal.

5. The semiconductor device of claim 4 , wherein the second cell is a cell for normal operation and the third cell is a cell for outputting a test signal.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2012
From: KITAGAWA, DAISAKU; NAKAYAMA, TAKESHI; ISHII, MASAHIRO
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028939/0504 →