Apple Granted a Patent for an Autonomous Battery-Free Microwave Frequency Communication System

Apple has been granted another major patent today for their invention relating to communications systems, and more particularly to an autonomous battery-free microwave frequency communication device.

An autonomous battery-free microwave frequency communication device according to one embodiment includes a capacitance, at least one antenna, a microwave energy harvesting system, a microwave frequency transceiver, and a control system.

The microwave energy harvesting system is configured to harvest and store microwave energy received via the antenna onto the capacitance. The microwave frequency transceiver is empowered by energy stored on the capacitance, and is configured to autonomously generate a microwave frequency carrier and to autonomously transmit information using the microwave frequency carrier according to a predetermined communications protocol via the antenna. The control system is empowered by energy stored on the capacitance, and is configured to provide information for transmission.

A method of performing autonomous communications by a battery-free device according to one embodiment includes receiving microwave energy via at least one antenna, harvesting the received microwave energy and storing harvested energy on a storage capacitance, generating at least one data frame formatted according to a first communications protocol using energy stored on the storage capacitance, generating a microwave frequency carrier using energy stored on the storage capacitance, modulating the microwave frequency carrier with the data frame using energy stored on the storage capacitance to provide a modulated information, and transmitting the modulated information via the at least one antenna using energy stored on the storage capacitance.

A wireless radio frequency tag device according to one embodiment includes a physical article configured for a predetermined purpose, and an autonomous battery-free microwave frequency communication device according to embodiments of the present invention and embedded on the physical article to enhance the predetermined purpose. The physical article may take on any of many different types of formats, such as wristbands, advertisement flyers, cards, etc.

Apple's patent FIG. 3 noted below is a block diagram of a communication system communicatively coupled with a battery powered device via bi-directional communication link.

Apple's patent FIG. 8 above is a figurative diagram showing a portion or fragment of a basic protocol for charging a battery-free microwave frequency RF tag and an initial response sent by the tag for initialization of communications according to one embodiment; FIG. 9 is a figurative diagram showing a fragment of the 802.11 WLAN protocol, in which charging a battery-free microwave frequency RF tag is accomplished by beaconing.

Apple's Wireless Disposable Wristband

Apple's patent FIG. 5 noted below is a block diagram showing a wireless disposable wristband incorporating a battery-free microwave frequency RF tag which communicates with the device of FIG. 3 (noted above) using microwave frequency communications.

In one embodiment, the device #301 (noted in FIGS. 5,6 and 7 below) is a smart phone or the like running a software application, in which the phone may read from and, in various embodiments, write to the tag #503 incorporated on the wristband 501. The tag 503 contains sensors and/or stored information or the like, such as, for example, medical records, administered medications or procedures (like CT scans) that had been performed on a patient earlier during hospitalization.

The wireless disposable wristband may also include sensors such as relative body temperature, pulse, or a pulse oximeter (SPO2) (not shown). The microwave frequencies may include the bands used for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and/or one or more of the licensed cellular bands.

Wireless Credit/Debit/Loyalty Card Applications

Apple's patent FIG. 7 noted above is a block diagram that shows a wireless credit, debit, and/or loyalty card #701 incorporating a battery-free microwave frequency RF tag #703 which communicates with a future iPhone using microwave frequency communications according to one embodiment.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 is similar to that shown in FIG. 5 in which the card andthe tag replaces the wireless disposable wristband 501 and RF tag 503. In one embodiment, the iPhone will run a software application in which the phone may read from and, in various embodiments, write to the tag incorporated on the card. In this case, the card enables localized promotions to be deployed and offers the possibility of "one card in the wallet" for multiple purposes (identification (ID), payment, promotions). Microwave frequencies may include the bands used for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and/or one or more of the licensed cellular bands.

A Wireless Ad/Flyer Application

Apple's patent FIG. 6 noted above is a block diagram that shows a wireless advertisement or flyer #601 incorporating a battery-free microwave frequency RF tag #603 which communicates with a device like an iPhone using microwave frequency communications.

In this case, the wireless AD/FLYER with the tag enables localized promotions to be deployed, for example, a coupon that enables an owner of an iPhone to receive a discount at a recently-opened nearby store in the same group or chain. It also allows localization of potential customers, as the tag may communicate also with store infrastructure (e.g., a nearby Wi-Fi Access Point or AP). Microwave frequencies may include the bands used for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and/or one or more of the licensed cellular bands.

Apple credits Benjamin Cook, Axel Berny and Jason Trachewsky as the inventors of granted patent 8,797,146 which was originally filed in Q2 2011 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Comments are reviewed daily from 4am to 8pm MST and sporadically on the weekend.