Single loop transponder system and method
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorLoek J. D'Hont
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus including an object 10 associated with a contactless, electronic identifier is disclosed herein. In one example, the object 10 is a trash bin. This object 10 is formed from a non-conductive material. A single-loop antenna 14 is disposed adjacent the object 10. An impedance transformer 18 which is matched to the single-loop antenna 14 is used to generate a desired inductance. A transponder 12 is also disposed near to and associated with the object 10. The transponder 12 is coupled to the antenna 14 through the impedance transformer 18.
Claims25
An apparatus comprising:
- an object formed of a non-conductive material;
- a loop antenna disposed adjacent said object;
- an impedance transformer matched to said loop antenna to a desired inductance;
- and
- a transponder disposed near to and associated with said object, said transponder coupled to said antenna through said impedance transformer.
An apparatus including an object associated with a contactless, electronic identifier comprising:
- an object formed of a non-conductive material;
- a loop antenna disposed adjacent said object, wherein said antenna is self-supporting and is not attached to said object;
- an impedance transformer matched to said loop antenna to a desired inductance;
- and
- a transponder disposed near to and associated with said object, said transponder coupled to said antenna through said impedance transformer.
A method of associating an object a with a contactless, electronic identifier comprising the steps of:
- providing an object formed of a non-conductive material;
- disposing a single-loop antenna adjacent said object;
- attaching an impedance transformer to said single-loop antenna, said impedance transformer for transforming the single-loop antenna inductance to a desired inductance;
- coupling a transponder to said antenna through said impedance transformer, said transponder disposed near to and associated with said object.
A method of collecting trash comprising the steps of:
- providing a trash bin formed of a non-conductive material, said trash bin having a transponder unit associated therewith;
- providing a single-loop antenna adjacent said trash bin, said single-loop antenna coupled to said transponder via an impedance transformer;
- transmitting an interrogation signal from a reader to said antenna;
- generating an identification signal within said transponder;
- and
- transmitting said identification signal from said antenna to said reader.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.