WO1999050779A1 - Appareil de transmission de donnees - Google Patents

Appareil de transmission de donnees Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999050779A1
WO1999050779A1 PCT/GB1999/000989 GB9900989W WO9950779A1 WO 1999050779 A1 WO1999050779 A1 WO 1999050779A1 GB 9900989 W GB9900989 W GB 9900989W WO 9950779 A1 WO9950779 A1 WO 9950779A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal
slave unit
unit
coupling means
output
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1999/000989
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew David White
Glen Pitt-Pladdy
Original Assignee
Innovision Research & Technology Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Innovision Research & Technology Ltd. filed Critical Innovision Research & Technology Ltd.
Priority to AU31602/99A priority Critical patent/AU3160299A/en
Publication of WO1999050779A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999050779A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07701—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier comprising an interface suitable for human interaction
    • G06K19/07703—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier comprising an interface suitable for human interaction the interface being visual
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a data communication apparatus of the type comprising a master unit and at least one physically separate, passive slave unit.
  • the invention is concerned particularly, but not exclusively, with toys, games and collectable cards.
  • the present invention provides apparatus wherein a master unit is arranged to receive an analogue audio signal produced by a slave unit which is arranged to derive power from a signal induced in the slave unit by inductive coupling with the master unit and to produce the analogue audio signal when powered.
  • the slave unit is arranged to modulate a carrier electrical signal, generally an RF frequency signal, using the analogue audio frequency electrical signal.
  • the analogue audio frequency electrical signal may be encoded, for example by Pulse Width Modulation.
  • the present invention also provides an inductance for use in the master unit to enable a slave unit to couple inductively to the master unit, the inductance being formed from a network of inductance elements so as to enable inductive coupling to a plurality of slave units at different locations on a coupling surface area defined by the inductance.
  • the inductance comprises a single track or wire which winds back and forth across the coupling surface area and then turns and winds back and forth in the opposite direction to define a number of slightly overlapping loops.
  • a data communication apparatus comprising: a master unit having a first part of an inductive communication system, and an output device coupled to the first part of the inductive communication system; and, at least one physically separate, passive, slave unit having a second part of the inductive communication system, and a data store for storing data, wherein the first and second parts of the inductive communication system are constructed so that when the slave unit is brought into proximity with the master unit, power is inductively coupled from the master unit to the slave unit via the inductive communication system, thereby causing the data store to output the data such that an analogue signal representing the data is generated in the second part of the communication system, wherein the analogue signal is inductively communicated from the slave unit to the master unit via the inductive communication system, the output device being responsive to the data supplied to the master unit.
  • the apparatus utilizes inductive communication between the slave unit and the master unit allowing electrically contactless communication to be achieved. It is preferable that the reading system is contactless, as this allows the cards or pieces to be laminated or even tested whilst still in the sales packaging.
  • the master unit comprises a carrier wave (generally an RF frequency wave) generator, means for inductively coupling the carrier wave to the slave unit, means for receiving an analogue signal modulated carrier wave signal provided by the slave unit, means for demodulating the received signal and an output device for generating an output in response to the demodulated signal.
  • a carrier wave generally an RF frequency wave
  • the signal r and hence the data which is generally sound data can simply be transferred to the master unit, demodulated, amplified and output without requiring any additional processing. This vastly reduces the complexity of the apparatus required.
  • an analogue signal provided by the slave unit directly modulates a carrier signal.
  • the master unit comprises means for generating a drive or carrier signal, which is fed to the first part of the inductive communication system so as to generate a signal in the second part of the inductive communication system.
  • the signal supplies power to the data store, causing the data store to output the data.
  • the data store may be provided with an activation switch such that data is not output from the store until the switch is triggered.
  • the carrier signal is amplitude modulated in accordance with the data to form an amplitude modulated signal, the amplitude modulated carrier signal being fed to the second part of the communication system so as to generate an amplitude modulated signal in the first part of the inductive communication system.
  • the amplitude modulated signal is demodulated to remove the carrier and then fed directly to the output device causing the output device to generate an output.
  • additional processing of the signal is also possible if required.
  • any RF inductive communication system could be used but in the preferred arrangement, the inductive communication system comprises a tuned circuit arrangement. The use of a tuned circuit arrangement maximises power transfer allowing the slave unit to operate when in close proximity to the master unit.
  • a further alternative is for the inductive communication system to comprise first and second tuned circuit arrangements, the first tuned circuit arrangement being used to inductively couple power from the master unit to the slave unit and the second tuned circuit arrangement being used to enable the master unit to receive or derive the analogue signal from the slave unit.
  • the slave unit may be in the form of a card. However, any suitable form of slave unit which is large enough to include the slave components may be used.
  • each slave unit storing different data in its data store.
  • These individual slave units may relate to one or more of a number of different articles such as CD's, for example.
  • Each slave unit would then contain audio data relating to the respective article, such as an extract of a song from the CD, or alternatively, an abstract summarising the product.
  • the slave unit comprises a card including an image that appeals to the eye. If a card including an image is used, typically, the image is light-transmissive or transparent such that the image is viewable when visible radiation is transmitted through the card.
  • the master unit will typically further comprise a device for producing visible radiation which allows the image to be viewed.
  • the present invention provides apparatus comprising a master unit arranged to receive a signal produced by a slave unit which is arranged to derive power from the master unit to generate said signal, said master unit being arranged to illuminate an image carried by the slave unit when the slave unit is powered by the master unit.
  • a data communication apparatus comprising: a master unit having a first part of a communication system, an output device coupled to the first part of the communication system, and an illuminating device for producing visible radiation; and, at least one physically separate, passive, slave unit comprising a card including a light-transmissive or transparent image, the card having a second part of the communication system, a data store for storing data, wherein the slave unit and master unit are constructed such that when the slave unit is coupled to the master unit, the slave unit outputs the data from the data store to the output device via the first and second parts of the communication system, and the illuminating device produces visible radiation which is transmitted through the card enabling the image on the card to be viewed.
  • the second aspect of the present invention employs illumination techniques in conjunction with data transfer to cause an image on the slave unit to be illuminated.
  • the illuminated image is provided to correspond to the data output from the output device, thereby enhancing the information presenting ability of the card.
  • the second aspect of the invention is implemented using an inductive communication system, although it will be realised by a person skilled in the art that this is not essential.
  • the device for producing visible radiation comprises an electroluminescent member as this provides a compact source of illumination.
  • an inorganic electroluminescent device comprising a phosphor based material
  • an organic electroluminescent device comprising a light emitting polymer, or light emitting diodes may be used.
  • any light source may be used.
  • the card may include multiple images, with each image located in a different portion of the card, with the backlight including a corresponding number of separate regions.
  • the separate portions of the backlight will be activated in sequence such that the sequence of images on the card will be observed in sequence.
  • the visual effect of this can be further enhanced by ensuring that the audio output and the activation of the backlight is timed so that the output sound corresponds to the currently displayed image.
  • the output device comprises an amplifier having an input coupled to the communication system and an output coupled to a speaker.
  • the system can be adapted for use with any form of output device such as a display or the like.
  • the use of the audio output is however preferable as it may be implemented with a simple apparatus configuration.
  • the audio data would generally be related to the image in some way.
  • the image may be that of a footballer scoring a goal, and the audio data the associated commentary. It is then possible to produce sets of related cards, which in their entirety form a group of collectable cards .
  • each set of cards may show the respective footballers from a different football club, the entire collectable group including all of the footballers in the football league.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a first example of a toy comprising a base unit and an accompanying slave unit;
  • Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram of a first example of a master unit for use in the base unit shown in Figure 1 ; 8
  • Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing a first example of a passive data storage device or tag for use within the slave unit shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of a second example of apparatus comprising a base unit and accompanying slave unit;
  • Figure 5 is a cross-section of an electroluminescent display suitable for use in the base unit shown in Figure 4;
  • Figure 6 is a block circuit diagram of a second example of a master unit for use in the base unit shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4;
  • Figure 7 is a circuit diagram showing a second example of a passive data storage device or tag for use within the slave unit shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4;
  • Figure 8 is a block circuit diagram of a third example of a master unit for use in the base unit shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4 ;
  • Figure 9 is a block circuit diagram of a fourth example of a master unit for use in the base unit shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4 ;
  • Figure 10 is a block circuit diagram of another example of a master unit for use in the base unit shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4;
  • Figure 11 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a passive data storage device or tag for use with the master unit shown in Figure 10:
  • Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a coil suitable for use in a master unit of apparatus embodying the invention
  • Figure 13 shows an equivalent electrical circuit for the coil shown in Figure 12;
  • Figure 14 is a circuit diagram showing another example of a passive data storage device or tag for use within the slave unit shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4.
  • a toy 1 having a base unit 2 in the form of a rectangular housing moulded, for example, out of plastics. Separate from the base unit 2 there is provided a slave unit in the form of a character 4 e.g. a cartoon or other fictitious character.
  • the slave unit 4 has a base 3 in which is located a passive data storage device, hereinafter referred to as a tag, 5.
  • the tag 5 is remotely activatable from energy transmitted thereto and, when activated, transmits information contained in its memory
  • the master unit includes a tag reader 6, connected to a speaker 7.
  • the character 4 is placed on the surface 2 of the base unit 1 in the vicinity of the tag reader 6.
  • the base unit may also include a display 8, such as an LCD display for displaying information to the user.
  • a display 8 such as an LCD display for displaying information to the user.
  • the tag 5 contains information about the character in audio form which is read by the reader 6 and output through the speaker 7. Such information could include a brief story about the character or the character's name and what it does for example.
  • the base unit 1 could be fabricated and sold with one or more characters. The owner could then purchase or otherwise acquire different characters each with the ability to convey different information.
  • Figure 2 shows a block circuit diagram of a first example of the master unit.
  • the master unit comprises a power supply 20, such as 10 a battery or the like housed within the base unit.
  • the power supply 20 is coupled to an RF (radio frequency) oscillator 22.
  • the output of the oscillator 22 is applied via an impedance, in this example an inductance, 23 to a first part 24 of a tuned circuit arrangement, the first part 24 is a tuned circuit having a capacitor 26 and a coil 28 connected in parallel to ground.
  • An output signal from the coil 28 is obtained via a diode 30 connected to the tuned circuit 24.
  • the diode 30 is then connected via a filter 31 to an input 33 of an amplifier 32 whose output 34 is applied to the speaker 7. Power is supplied to power supply inputs of the amplifier 32 directly from the power supply 20, as shown.
  • the components of the tag 5 are shown in more detail in Figure 3.
  • This comprises an audio chip 40 which stores audio signal data and is arranged to output an analogue audio frequency electrical signal.
  • the chip 40 may be any standard data store and generally consists of a memory, usually a ROM, storing compressed audio data, a decompression circuit for decompressing the compressed audio data, a digital-to-analogue converter, and a read out controller (such as, for example, a microcontroller or microprocessor) for controlling output of audio data from the chip.
  • Such audio chips are available from, for example, Winbond Electronics Corporation of Hsinchu, Taiwan, Holtek Microelectronics Inc. of Hsinchu, Taiwan and Sunplus Technology Company of Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • the audio chip 40 is coupled to a second part 44 of the tuned circuit via a diode 42.
  • the second part of the tuned circuit arrangement comprises a second tuned circuit having a capacitor 46 in parallel with a coil 48.
  • a zener diode 60 is also connected in parallel across power supply terminals 50, 52 of the chip 40. 11
  • the oscillator 22 When the tag reader 6 is initially activated with no tag 5 in the vicinity, the oscillator 22 is powered up to generate an oscillating drive electrical signal, having an RF drive frequency, which is applied to the first tuned circuit 24.
  • the first tuned circuit 24, the impedance 23 and the oscillator 22, are designed so that preferably the drive frequency of the drive signal from the oscillator coincides with the resonant frequency of the first tuned circuit 24. Accordingly, a magnetic field oscillating with the drive frequency is generated in the vicinity of the coil 28. If the drive frequency and the resonant frequency are not matched, the tuned circuit will still oscillate at the drive frequency, but the magnetic field generated will have a smaller magnitude.
  • the signal across the coil 28 is also applied to the diode 30, which acts as an RF demodulator and provides half-wave rectification of the signal before it is fed to the amplifier 32 via the filter 31.
  • the filter 31 may be a simple bandpass filter and is used to remove extraneous high and low frequency noise.
  • the amplifier 32 is AC coupled using a capacitor (not shown) to block DC. In this configuration, an audio output is only generated by the speaker 7 if the signal applied to this capacitor is modulated as a result of an audio signal from a tag 5 in the vicinity of the reader 6. Accordingly, with no tag 5 in the vicinity of coil 28, the RF demodulated signal applied to the amplifier 32 will result in no output being produced by the speaker 7. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, a proportion of the DC component of the audio modulated signal is used to bias 12 the amplifier 32.
  • the tag coil 48 becomes inductively coupled to the reader coil 28. Accordingly, the changing magnetic field causes an oscillating voltage having a frequency equal to the drive frequency to be generated in the tag coil 48 of the second tuned circuit 44.
  • the resonant frequencies of the first and second tuned circuits 24 and 44 are chosen to achieve the best combination of voltage induced and bandwidth available for modulation by an audio signal from the audio chip.
  • the second tuned circuit 44 should be tuned such that its resonant frequency is identical to that of the first part of the tuned circuit.
  • the resonant frequencies of the first and second tuned circuits 24 and 44 could be slightly different from one another, as is known in the art.
  • the drive frequency is intermediate the two resonant frequencies.
  • the reader coil 28 and the tag coil 48 should be located in planes which are substantially parallel to each other, although the specific orientation of the coils within the respective planes does not affect the inductive coupling. Accordingly, the tag 5 is located in the base 3 such that the tag coil 48 is substantially parallel in orientation to the reader coil 28 when the base 3 is positioned on the surface 2 of the base unit 1. It should be noted that inductive communication is possible even if the coils 28 and 48 are located several millimetres apart. Accordingly, precise positioning of the character 4 on the surface 2 is not required. 13
  • the reader 6 with a sufficiently large coil, it is possible to ensure that successful data transfer will occur no matter where the character 4 is positioned, assuming there is sufficient inductive coupling between the tag 5 and the tag reader 6 to power up the chip 40.
  • the RF frequency oscillating signal in the coil 28 induces in the tag coil 48 a correspondingly oscillating voltage which then undergoes half-wave rectification within the diode 42 and is applied to the audio chip 40.
  • the half- wave rectified signal is used to power up the chip by application of the signal to the power supply inputs 50, 52.
  • the audio chip 40 is configured such that as the power is applied, the audio chip begins outputting the audio data in the form of an analogue base band audio wave form. Accordingly, an analogue audio frequency electrical signal is generated at a chip output 54.
  • the chip output 54 is coupled to the ground power supply connection 52.
  • generation of the analogue audio signal at the output 54 results in the power drain of the chip varying in accordance with the output audio data signal and causes the current generated in the coil 48 to be amplitude modulated in accordance with the audio signal output from the audio chip.
  • This audio amplitude modulation of the RF current in the tag coil 48 is equivalent to the load or impedance experienced by the tag coil 48 being modulated.
  • the coupling between the tag and reader coils 48 and 28 causes the current through the reader coil 28 to be modulated in the same manner with the impedance 23 being such that the voltage output of the first tuned circuit 14
  • the 24 varies in accordance with the audio modulated RF signal in the tag coil 48. This voltage is thus also amplitude modulated in accordance with the audio signal generated by the chip 40.
  • the signal from the reader coil 28 is then RF demodulated by the diode 30 and applied to the input 33 of the amplifier 32 via the filter 31 which is used to remove high and low frequency noise from the signal.
  • the amplifier 32 is configured to generate an output signal at the output 34 in accordance with the amplitude modulation of the input signal. Accordingly, the speaker 7 generates an audio output in accordance with the audio data stored in and output from the audio chip 40.
  • the zener diode 60 is placed in parallel with the power supply inputs 50,52 to the chip 40. Accordingly, when a voltage greater than the break down voltage of the zener diode is produced, current will flow through the diode 42 and the zener diode 60. Accordingly, the zener diode 60 clamps the supply voltage.
  • the toy character shown in Figure 1 may easily be replaced by a simple card, or the like.
  • the toy character is replaced by a card including a tag 5, the card having an image thereon.
  • the audio data provided in 15 the tag 5 can then be chosen to correspond to the image.
  • the image may be that of a footballer scoring a goal with the audio data corresponding to the football commentary associated with the goal.
  • the reader will generate audio outputs of the football commentary.
  • the audio output from the speaker 7 is generated as the audio signal is output from the audio chip 40, if the tag 5 (that is the character or card) is removed from the vicinity of the tag reader 6 at any time during which audio output is being produced, the audio output will cease. This is in contrast to many digital implementations in which the entirety of the digital data is downloaded from the tag before it is processed and then output from the reader.
  • the card 100 is a light-transmissive colourless card carrying a tag 104 and a light-transmissive (transparent) coloured image 102 that can only be viewed easily under transmissive light.
  • a base unit 110 is provided which includes a backlight 112 located adjacent a tag reader 114, similar to the tag reader 6.
  • the position of the backlight 112 is designed such that the card 100 may be positioned on top of the backlight 112 with the tag 104 located adjacent the tag reader 114 of the base unit.
  • the backlight 112 is activated.
  • the image 102 becomes visible due to the visible radiation transmitted through the card.
  • the backlight 112 may be coupled to an additional proximity sensor (not shown) so as to detect the presence of the tag 104.
  • the backlight would only be activated once a tag 104 is in close proximity to the tag reader 114.
  • the card 100 may carry an electrically conductive member that acts to complete a circuit to supply power to the backlight when the card is placed on the base unit 110.
  • a further option is to include a detector, coupled to the coil 28 to detect variations in the modulation of the signal from the coil 28. Accordingly, when it is detected that the signal is modulated in accordance with audio data, the backlight 112 can be activated. The backlight 112 can then also be controlled in accordance with the audio data.
  • the backlight 112 may be of any suitable design although, preferably, it is formed from an electroluminescent layered structure.
  • the layered structure includes a coating of indium tin oxide 150 which provides a light-transmissive colourless electrode.
  • the indium tin oxide 150 is sandwiched between a protective coating of polyester 152 and a layer of micro encapsulated phosphor beads 154 followed by a dielectric layer 156.
  • the final layer is a silver or carbon electrode 158.
  • an electric current is passed between the silver electrode 158 and the indium tin oxide electrode 150, current flows through the dielectric and across the phosphor encapsulated beads. This causes the phosphor encapsulated beads to emit visible radiation which then passes through the indium tin oxide and polyester layers to be emitted from the layered structure. 17
  • the card 100 is a lenticular card including up to 72 different images.
  • the card is split into multiple horizontal lines, with each line containing a portion of each of the 72 images.
  • Each image is then observed by viewing the card under transmissive light, the viewing being carried out from a respective angle to observe each respective image.
  • a sequence of images will be observed.
  • These can be configured so as to form a selection of 72 frames from a full motion video sequence. Tilting the card reader 110 will give the appearance of having a moving video image which can be accompanied by corresponding audio output.
  • the moving image could be that of a footballer scoring a goal, along with the appropriate football commentary.
  • the backlight is split into multiple horizontal lines, with each line containing a number of separate portions, each portion corresponding to a respective one of the 72 images .
  • a backlight illuminating a single one of the 72 images is provided. It is thus possible to vary the illumination with time such that the images are viewed in sequence without the need for the microlens array of the lenticular card and thus without the need to tilt the card to observe the different images.
  • a light-diffusing plate may be provided on the card to reduce any visual indication that the image is made up of 18 stripes.
  • This sequential illumination of the backlight portions can be controlled in accordance with the audio data, such that the card appears to show a video sequence with the corresponding audio commentary.
  • a further example would simply be to divide the card 100 into different areas, for example quarters, with a separate image 102 being provided in each area. Again using a suitable portioned backlight 112 allows the images to be illuminated in accordance with the output audio data.
  • FIG. 6 An alternative embodiment of a tag and associated tag reader is shown in Figures 6 and 7. Reference numerals indicating similar components are increased by 200.
  • the tag reader of Figure 6 is identical to that of Figure 2 except that the first tuned circuit 224 is no longer connected via the diode 230 to the amplifier 232. Instead the input 233 of the amplifier 232 is connected via the filter 231 and the diode 230 to a first part 234 of a second tuned circuit arrangement.
  • the first part 234 of the second tuned circuit arrangement is a tuned circuit having a capacitor 236 and an coil 238.
  • the tag of Figure 7 is identical to that of Figure 3 except that the output of the audio chip 254 is coupled to a second part 264 of the second tuned circuit arrangement.
  • the second part 264 of the second tuned circuit arrangement is a tuned circuit having a capacitor 266 and an coil 268.
  • the RF frequency current generated by the oscillator 222 in the coil 228 is inductively coupled to the coil 248 and power is derived by the chip 240 from the RF oscillator output in the same manner as described above for the chip 40.
  • the coil 228 is loosely 19 magnetically coupled to the coil 238 so that the RF oscillator 222 output is also inductively coupled to the coil 268.
  • the data output from the audio chip 240 is supplied to the tuned circuit 264.
  • the chip 240 When power is derived by the chip 240 from the RF signal supplied via the first tuned circuit arrangement 224,244, the chip 240 outputs a base band audio signal which creates an impedance modulation across the coil 268 such that the current is amplitude modulated by the audio signal in the same manner as the current in the coil 48 is modulated in the example shown in Figure 3.
  • the coupling between the coils 268 and 238 causes the current through the coil 238 to be modulated in the same manner as the current through the coil 268 and, by virtue of the high impedance provided by the magnetic coupling to the tuned circuit 234, the voltage output of the tuned circuit 234 varies in accordance with the audio modulated RF frequency signal in the coil 268. Accordingly, an RF frequency current is generated within the coil 238 which is amplitude modulated in accordance with the audio signal.
  • the amplifier 232 generates the signal at the output 234 which causes the speaker 207 to generate an audio output in accordance with the audio data supplied by the chip 240.
  • the first and second parts 224 and 244 of the first tuned circuit arrangement should be configured so as to have identical resonant frequencies.
  • the resonant frequencies of 20 the first and second parts 234 and 264 of the second tuned circuit arrangement should be slightly different and not precisely identical.
  • FIG. 6 the tuned circuits 224 and 234 are magnetically coupled.
  • Figure 8 illustrates another example of a reader that may be used with the tag shown in Figure 7.
  • the reader shown in Figure 8 differs from that shown in Figure 6 in that each of the coils 228 and 238 is separately coupled to the RF oscillator 222 with the coil 238 being coupled to the oscillator by a high impedance 237.
  • the reader shown in Figure 8 operates in the same way as the reader shown in Figure 6 except in the manner that the RF signal is supplied to the coil 238.
  • the high impedance 237 enables the voltage output of the tuned circuit 234 to vary with the audio modulated RF frequency signal in the coil 268.
  • Figure 9 illustrates another example of a reader that may be used with the tag shown in Figure 7.
  • the reader shown in Figure 9 differs from that shown in Figure 8 in that two different frequency RF oscillators 222a and 222b are provided with the oscillator 222a being coupled to the coil 228 and the oscillator 222b being coupled to the coil 238 by the high impedance 237.
  • the reader shown in Figure 9 operates in the same way as the reader shown in Figure 8 except in the manner that the RF signal is supplied to the coil 238.
  • the use of separate different frequency RF oscillators for the two tuned circuit arrangements 224,244 and 234, 264 enables filtering to be used to separate the audio modulated RF signal from the 21 power supply RF signal which is advantageous where the power supply signal is noisy.
  • the audio signal generated by the tag chip 40, 240 modulates an RF signal derived from an oscillator in the reader.
  • the RF signal modulated by the chip 40, 240 may, however, be provided by the tag itself, for example the chip 40, 240 may incorporate an RF oscillator powered by the power signal derived from the reader.
  • the tuned circuit 234 could be replaced by a listening coil arranged to pick up the audio modulated RF signal provided by the tag.
  • the audio signal generated by the tag chip 40, 240 modulates an RF signal.
  • Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a reader and a tag, respectively, in which the audio signal is supplied as a base band audio signal from the chip 240 to the reader by replacing the tuned circuit arrangement 234, 264 with audio transmitting and receiving coils 270 and 272.
  • the RF demodulating diode 230 is removed and may be replaced by a pre-amplifier 274, if required.
  • the coils 270 and 272 operate as a base band audio transformer and in order 22 to achieve good coupling, the coils 270 and 272 could be cored coils.
  • the master unit may be provided with spaced apart multiple tuned circuits allowing multiple tags to be inductively coupled to different areas of the base unit at any one time. Because, in the above examples, the signal generated by the audio data is an amplitude modulated signal, the multiple tuned circuits may be coupled to a single amplifier. Accordingly, if multiple tags are coupled to respective tuned circuits at any one time, the signals will simply be superposed such that multiple sounds are output from the speaker simultaneously. This is in contrast to a digital system in which it is difficult to detect more than one signal or set of data at any one time.
  • the base unit to include a single tuned circuit with each slave unit being inductively coupled to this single tuned circuit.
  • the signal generated by the audio data is an amplitude modulated signal and the signals from the different tags will simply be superposed in the master unit tuned circuit 24; 234 ( Figures 2, 6, 8, 9) or 23 listening or receiving coil ( Figure 10).
  • the master unit will have two tuned circuits 224 and 234 while where the arrangement of Figures 10 and 11 is adopted the master unit will have a single tuned circuit 224 and a receiving coil 272.
  • FIG. 12 and 13 show a layout and an equivalent circuit for a coil suitable for forming a single coil that can be simultaneously coupled to a number of tags.
  • the dashed line D in Figure 12 illustrates the boundary of the area RA of the base unit on which the tags can be placed.
  • the coil is formed from a single conductive track or wire 300 which starts from one end RAl of the area, traverses the area RA from one side RA2 to the other RA3 in one direction, then turns through approximately 90 degrees and extends for a short distance in the orthogonal direction, returns in the one direction to the one side RA2, turns through approximately 90 degrees and extends for a short distance in the orthogonal direction again and repeats the above steps so 24 as to form a meandering zig-zag like path until the other end RA4 of the area RA is reached.
  • the track or wire then turns through approximately 90 degrees and extends for a short distance in the orthogonal direction towards the end RAl and repeats the above steps in reverse so as to form a series of overlapping loops which, as shown by Figure 13, form a series-connected set of inductances I.
  • This coil allows the area RA to be covered with very little of the area constituting magnetic null or dead spots.
  • the null spots are restricted to the area between the overlapped sides of consecutive loops, for example sides SI And S2 in Figure 12, and accordingly it should be possible to couple to a tag over almost the entire area RA. This is in contrast to the case where a perimeter coil is used because such coils inevitably have a relatively large central null spot.
  • any of the above embodiments including an additional touch switch on the tag.
  • This switch could be used to selectively connect the audio chip to the tag coil such that power will not be coupled to the audio chip 40 from the coil 48 until the switch is pressed. Accordingly, output of audio data from the audio chip will only occur when the switch is pressed. In the above example, this would allow a child to touch the cards in sequence causing the phrase "the dog is black" to be output from the speaker of the base unit.
  • FIG 14 shows a block circuit diagram for another example of a tag 5 for use with the reader shown in Figure 2.
  • the tag 5 comprises an audio chip 241 which is a low power (typically 50 micro ampere) melody IC, for example one of the melody generator series of chips such as the A5231, A5232 series 25 supplied by Hua Ko Electronics of Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong.
  • Such chips are all-logic devices consisting essentially of a ROM and a square wave generator with the ROM storing frequency and duration information which enables the square wave generator to generate the required notes for the required duration.
  • the Melody IC chip 240 includes an audio signal output 254 and a ground power supply 250.
  • the output 254 is a push/pull output.
  • This output 254 is coupled to a second tuned circuit 244 of a tuned circuit arrangement.
  • the tuned circuit 244 comprises a capacitor 246 connected in series with a coil 248.
  • the capacitor 246 is coupled to the audio output of the chip 241, whilst the coil 248 is coupled to ground.
  • Operation of the tag and the tag reader 6 is as follows. When the tag 5 shown in Figure 14 is placed in the vicinity of the coil 28 of the tag reader 6 shown in Figure 2, the tag coil 248 becomes inductively coupled to the reader coil 28. Because the Melody IC 241 has very low power requirements, the internal electrical construction (for example voltage regulation diodes or the like) of the chip 241 enables the chip to derive its power source from the RF signal induced in the coil 248 and supplied to the audio output 254.
  • the chip generates its audio output by effectively switching the output 254 between the positive supply and ground. There is a different impedance to RF in these two states so that the impedance experienced by the tuned circuit 244 varies in accordance with the audio signal output. Because the coil 248 is coupled to the reader coil 28, the load on the reader coil is similarly modulated and, because of the high impedance 23, the voltage output of the tuned circuit 24 follows the audio modulated RF signal which is 26 then RF demodulated by the diode 30 as described above with reference to Figure 2.
  • the chip 40; 240 in order for the audio chip 40; 240 to generate an analogue output, the chip will normally have a digital-to-analogue convertor. Upon power up of the chip, the memory will output the digital audio data which is then converted into an analogue signal by the digital- to-analogue convertor for output from the chip. It will therefore be realised that the chip 40; 240 could simply be replaced by a separate digital memory and a corresponding digital-to-analogue convertor. In this case, when power is inductively coupled to the tag 5; 104 the digital memory will be powered up so as to generate digital audio data. This is then transferred to the digital-to-analogue convertor which generates an analogue audio signal in the known way.
  • the chip 40; 240; 241 provides a base band audio signal.
  • This signal may however be encoded.
  • the audio signal may be encoded as a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal which then modulates the RF signal.
  • PWM pulse width modulated
  • Audio chips that provide a PWM output are available from, for example, RCL of Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. The advantage of using PWM output chips is that they generally have lower power requirements and are cheaper than chips that use 27 digital-to-analogue conversion to provide an audio analogue output signal.
  • the reader will incorporate a PWM decoder after the RF demodulator and it may also be desirable to incorporate a comparator in the reader to clean up the signal before decoding.
  • a low pass filter such as the filter 31 may also be desirable. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the advantage of easily combining outputs from different tags that is available when the chips provide an amplitude modulated output is not available when PWM chips are used.
  • the PWM modulation circuitry need not necessarily be integrated with the memory of the chip, they could be separate discrete components. Other forms of encoding may be used.
  • the tag stores the audio data as digital data.
  • the tag may use a memory that stores the audio data in analogue form.
  • Such analogue audio data stores are available from, for example, Integrated Storage Devices of San Jose, California, United States of America.
  • the filter 31,231 need not necessarily be a band pass filter, it simply needs to filter out undesired low and high frequency components.
  • the filter 31, 231 is shown as a separate component from the amplifier. The function of this filter may, however, be inherent in the amplifier 32, 232. Also, the use of a proportion of the DC component of the signal to bias the amplifier is not essential and the amplifier may incorporate automatic gain or level control (AGC or ALC).
  • ALC automatic gain or level control
  • full-wave rectification may be used in place of the half-wave rectification mentioned above.
  • the tag and reader coils must not be orthogonal, they need not necessarily be parallel although a parallel configuration does reduce power requirements .

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de transmission de données constitué d'une unité maître et d'une unité asservie. L'unité maître comporte un premier système (24) de couplage inductif et un oscillateur RF (22) servant à générer un signal. L'unité asservie comporte une mémoire (40) destinée à l'enregistrement de données, un deuxième système (44) de couplage inductif destiné à être couplé au premier système (24) de couplage inductif de manière à permettre à l'unité maître de dévier une source d'alimentation du signal généré par le générateur. L'unité asservie est agencée de manière à fournir un signal analogique représentatif des données enregistrées lorsque l'unité asservie dévie une source d'alimentation du signal. L'unité maître comprend un dispositif (7) de sortie réagissant à un signal analogique fourni par l'unité asservie pour générer une sortie représentant le signal analogique fourni par l'unité asservie. Le signal analogique est généralement un signal de fréquence audio et le dispositif de sortie est un haut-parleur.
PCT/GB1999/000989 1998-03-30 1999-03-30 Appareil de transmission de donnees WO1999050779A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU31602/99A AU3160299A (en) 1998-03-30 1999-03-30 Data communication apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9806836.4A GB9806836D0 (en) 1998-03-30 1998-03-30 Data communication apparatus
GB9806836.4 1998-03-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999050779A1 true WO1999050779A1 (fr) 1999-10-07

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ID=10829570

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1999/000989 WO1999050779A1 (fr) 1998-03-30 1999-03-30 Appareil de transmission de donnees

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3160299A (fr)
GB (1) GB9806836D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999050779A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001083067A3 (fr) * 2000-05-04 2002-04-04 Pearl Technology Holdings Llc Jouets gonflables a diodes electroluminescentes organiques
US7680691B2 (en) 2004-04-29 2010-03-16 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Inventory management system using RFID

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4274089A (en) * 1978-05-19 1981-06-16 U.S. Philips Corporation Detection system
EP0416955A1 (fr) * 1989-09-07 1991-03-13 Saitek Limited Jeu pourvu de senseurs
US5190285A (en) * 1991-09-30 1993-03-02 At&T Bell Laboratories Electronic game having intelligent game pieces
WO1997023060A1 (fr) * 1995-12-15 1997-06-26 Innovision Research & Technology Limited Appareil de transmission bidirectionnelle de donnees et de transmission unidirectionnelle de puissance, entre unite maitre et unite esclave, a l'aide d'un couplage par induction

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4274089A (en) * 1978-05-19 1981-06-16 U.S. Philips Corporation Detection system
EP0416955A1 (fr) * 1989-09-07 1991-03-13 Saitek Limited Jeu pourvu de senseurs
US5190285A (en) * 1991-09-30 1993-03-02 At&T Bell Laboratories Electronic game having intelligent game pieces
WO1997023060A1 (fr) * 1995-12-15 1997-06-26 Innovision Research & Technology Limited Appareil de transmission bidirectionnelle de donnees et de transmission unidirectionnelle de puissance, entre unite maitre et unite esclave, a l'aide d'un couplage par induction

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001083067A3 (fr) * 2000-05-04 2002-04-04 Pearl Technology Holdings Llc Jouets gonflables a diodes electroluminescentes organiques
US7680691B2 (en) 2004-04-29 2010-03-16 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Inventory management system using RFID

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3160299A (en) 1999-10-18
GB9806836D0 (en) 1998-05-27

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