(19) Japan Patent Office (JP)
`
`(12) Published Patent Gazette (A)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7
`G06K 17/00
`19/07
`H04B 5/02
`
`Identification No.
`
`FI
`G06K 17/00
`H04B 5/02
`G06K 19/00
`
`(11) Patent Application
`Publication No.:
`2001-243431
`(P2001-243431A)
`(43) Publication Date:
`September 7, 2001
`Theme Code (Reference)
`F
`5B035
`5B058
`5K012
`
`H
`
`(21) Application No.:
`
`(22) Application Date:
`
`Trial Examination Request: Not yet made Number of Claims: 6 OL (Total pages: 7)
`2000-51249 (P2000-
`(71)
`000005821
`51249)
`Applicant:
`Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
`February 28, 2000
`1006 Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma City,
`Osaka, Japan
`Mikio Naruse
`Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
`1006 Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma City,
`Osaka, Japan
`Yasuo Shibata
`Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
`1006 Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma City,
`Osaka, Japan
`(74) Agent: Hideo Miyai, Patent Attorney
`
`(72)
`Inventor:
`
`(72)
`Inventor:
`
`Continued on last page
`
`(54) Title of the Invention: Contactless
`read/write device
`
`(57) Summary:
`
`Problem: To provide a contactless read/write
`device that reduces power consumption in the
`standby state and can read from and write to
`the standby state by a movement which brings
`the data carrier closer.
`
`Means of Solving the Problem: The device
`consists of an antenna circuit 1 that transmits
`and receives electromagnetic waves to and
`from a data carrier 10, a drive circuit 2 that
`drives the antenna circuit 1, a modulation
`circuit 3 and a demodulation circuit 4 for
`
`1 … Antenna circuit
`
`2 … Drive circuit
`
`3 … Modulation circuit
`
`Ex.1010
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`
`
`transmitting and receiving data, a display circuit
`8 that displays the status of the communication
`with the data carrier 10, a communication
`circuit 7 that communicates data to an external
`device 11, a control circuit 5 that controls each
`circuit, a contactless sensor circuit 6, and a
`power supply circuit 9 that supplies power to
`each circuit. The contactless sensor circuit 6
`detects a resonant circuit in the data carrier 10,
`thereby detecting the approach of the data
`carrier 10, and notifies the control circuit 5,
`initiating communication with the data carrier
`10.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4 … Demodulation circuit
`
`5 … Control circuit
`
`6 … Contactless sensor circuit
`
`7 … Communication circuit
`
`8 … Display circuit
`
`9 … Power supply circuit
`
`10 … Data carrier
`
`11 … External device
`12 … Contactless read/write device
`
`Ex.1010
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`

`
`
`Scope of the Claims:
`
`Claim 1:
`
`(2) 001-243431 (P2001-243431A)
`
`
`A contactless read/write device, characterized in that it consists of a data carrier having a data
`carrier that has a resonance circuit, an antenna circuit that transmits and receives electromagnetic
`waves to and from the data carrier, a drive circuit that drives the antenna circuit, a modulation circuit
`and a demodulation circuit for transmitting and receiving data, a display circuit that displays the status
`of the communication with the data carrier, a communication circuit that communicates data to an
`external device, a control circuit that controls each circuit, a contactless sensor circuit, and a power
`supply circuit that supplies power to each circuit; the contactless sensor circuit detects a resonant circuit
`in the data carrier, thereby detecting the approach of the data carrier, and notifies the control circuit,
`initiating communication with the data carrier.
`
`Claim 2:
`
`A contactless read/write device according to Claim 1, wherein a contact sensor circuit emits
`electromagnetic waves intermittently from the antenna circuit, excites the resonance circuit of the data
`carrier during the emission period of the electromagnetic waves, and detects the approach of the data
`carrier by receiving, via the antenna circuit, the electromagnetic waves emitted from the resonant circuit
`of the data carrier during the pause period of the waves.
`
`Claim 3:
`
`A contactless read/write device according to Claim 1, wherein the contactless sensor circuit emits
`electromagnetic waves from the antenna circuit and detects a change in the voltage or a shift in the
`oscillation frequency of the antenna circuit by the approach of the resonant circuit of the data carrier,
`and thereby determines the approach of the data carrier.
`
`Claim 4:
`
`A contactless read/write device according to Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the contactless
`sensor circuit uses a direct digital synthesizer oscillator for the electromagnetic wave emission.
`
`Claim 5:
`
`A contactless read/write device within the scope of Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which the
`contactless sensor circuit uses superheterodyne detection for the detection of the electromagnetic
`waves from the data carrier.
`
`Claim 6:
`
`A contactless read/write device within the scope of Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3, Claim 4 or Claim 5, in
`which the antenna of the contactless sensor circuit and the antenna for data communication with the
`data carrier share the same antenna by time division.
`
`Detailed Description of the Invention:
`
`[0001]
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 3 of 18
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`
`
`Technological Field of the Invention: This invention relates to a contactless read/write device, in
`particular, a contactless read/write device with low power consumption and long life.
`
`[0002]
`
`Conventional Technology: Various methods have been considered to reduce the power consumption of
`contactless read/write devices, such as Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-135884 and others which
`are well known. The gist of that method is to reduce the power consumption by reducing the
`communication area when the user's use of communication is inactive and to expand it when the user's
`use of communication is frequent so that full functionality can be demonstrated, with the aims of overall
`usability and reducing power consumption.
`
`[0003]
`
`In addition, methods to disable the emission of electromagnetic waves by means of switches, etc.,
`when communication is inactive have also been considered. For example, in Patent Application No. 10-
`134155, a button-type switch on a contactless read/write device and a foot switch on an automatic door
`are given as examples of switches.
`
`[0004]
`
`Problems to be Solved by the Invention: In the conventional cases described above, the switch is
`generally a contact type, or a contactless type sensor is may also be used to detect the person carrying
`the data carrier, but when a contact type switch is used, there is the problem of the mechanical life of
`the switch part, and operation through glass (water resistance, pollution resistance, and the
`requirement for operation without opening windows from the inside and outside of cars and trains) is
`troublesome.
`
`[0005]
`
`Furthermore, in the case of a way to detect the person who is carrying the data carrier, it was
`difficult to restrict the detection range of the sensor, so that it was difficult to avoid malfunctions due to
`detecting passersby. In addition, in both cases, it was difficult for anyone to operate the device in a
`natural way, since it required an action other than reading the data carrier. For example, pressing a
`button and then holding the data carrier in front of a contactless reader/writer requires two different
`actions. In addition, when an operator is detected by a sensor, malfunctions are likely to occur
`depending on the type of sensor, and once a malfunction occurs, for example, the contactless
`reader/writer will not start operating until the operator leaves the detection area of the sensor.
`
`[0006]
`
`In addition, when the strength of the electromagnetic waves is varied, power must be supplied by
`electromagnetic waves up to the minimum voltage at which the data carrier begins to operate, which
`causes the problem that a full-scale reduction in power consumption cannot be achieved.
`
`[0007]
`
`Furthermore, the use of light, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation, had some problems, such
`as limits on the use of infrared ray-cut glass and the complicated configuration of the part of the window
`that transmits and receives the light.
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 4 of 18
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`

`

`
`
`[0008]
`
`As applications in which contactless tags or labels are used, various kinds of anti-theft devices have
`been developed and marketed as well. However, in this case, instead of using contactless
`reader/writers, contactless detectors are used. These constantly emit electromagnetic waves to detect
`the passage of a contactless tag, and are read-only. The purpose and configuration of these devices are
`different from the purpose of the present invention, i.e., to reduce power consumption.
`
`[0009]
`
`The purpose of the present invention is to provide a contactless read/write device that reduces
`power consumption in the standby state and can shift from the standby state to an operating state in
`which reading and writing are possible by moving the data carrier closer, thus enabling a good
`operatability and reliable detection.
`
`[0010]
`
`Means of Solving the Problems: The contactless read/write device according to Claim 1 has a data
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 5 of 18
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`

`

`
`
`
`
`(3) 001-243431 (P2001-243431A)
`
`carrier having a resonance circuit, an antenna circuit that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves
`to and from the data carrier, a drive circuit that drives the antenna circuit, a modulation circuit and a
`demodulation circuit for transmitting and receiving data, a display circuit that displays the status of the
`communication with the data carrier, a control circuit that controls each circuit, a contactless sensor
`circuit, and a power supply circuit that supplies power to each circuit. The contactless sensor circuit
`detects the approach of the data carrier by detecting the resonance circuit in the data carrier, and
`notifies the control circuit to start communication with the data carrier. The contactless sensor circuit
`detects a resonant circuit in the data carrier, thereby detecting the approach of the data carrier, and
`notifies the control circuit, initiating communication with the data carrier.
`
`[0011]
`
`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 1 uses a contactless sensor circuit that uses
`electromagnetic waves, and since the contactless sensor circuit detects the resonance circuit of the data
`carrier itself, the data carrier can be detected when the person carrying the data carrier, that is, the
`operator, moves the data carrier close to the antenna of the contactless read/write device, so that the
`data carrier can then be detected. Then, the contactless sensor circuit activates the control circuit, which
`is in standby state, and the control circuit activates the modulation circuit, demodulation circuit, drive
`circuit, and antenna circuit to read from and write to the data carrier.
`
`[0012]
`
`Therefore, the resonant circuit in the data carrier is detected and the device is transferred from the
`standby state to the read/write operation, so that the power consumption can be reduced during
`standby. In addition, the data carrier may simply be moved closer to the contactless read/write device
`without needing any additional actions such as pressing a switch. Moreover, since the data carrier is
`detected by detecting the resonance circuit in the data carrier, compared with the method of detecting
`the surface of the data carrier, there is the effect that data carriers in other frequency bands are not
`detected, and only legitimate data carriers are reliably detected.
`
`[0013]
`
`The contactless read/write device of Claim 2 detects the approach of a data carrier by having the
`contact sensor circuit emit electromagnetic waves intermittently from the antenna circuit, excite the
`resonance circuit of the data carrier during the emission period of the electromagnetic waves, and
`receive the electromagnetic waves emitted from the resonance circuit of the data carrier during the
`pause period of the electromagnetic waves via the antenna circuit.
`
`[0014]
`
`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 2 has the same effect as in Claim 1 by emitting
`electromagnetic waves intermittently by the contactless sensor circuit in the standby state to excite the
`resonance circuit of the data carrier and receiving the electromagnetic waves emitted from the
`resonance circuit of the data carrier during the period when the electromagnetic waves are inactive.
`
`[0015]
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 6 of 18
`
`

`

`
`
`With regard to the contactless read/write device according to Claim 3, the contactless sensor circuit
`in Claim 1 emits electromagnetic waves from the antenna circuit and detects the change in the voltage
`of the antenna circuit due to the approach of the resonant circuit of the data carrier in order to
`determine the approach of the data carrier.
`
`[0016]
`
`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 3 has the same effect as in Claim 1 by emitting
`weak continuous electromagnetic waves from the antenna circuit and detecting the absorption of the
`waves due to the approach of the resonant circuit of the data carrier as the voltage of the antenna
`circuit.
`
`[0017]
`
`With regard to the contactless read/write device according to Claim 4, the contactless sensor circuit
`in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 uses a digital direct-coupled synthesizer oscillator for the electromagnetic
`wave emission.
`
`[0018]
`
`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 4 has the same effect as in Claim 1, Claim 2 or
`Claim 3, and also makes it easy to detect the return of the electromagnetic waves from the data carrier
`by instantly oscillating and stopping the oscillation.
`
`[0019]
`
`With regard to the contactless read/write device according to Claim 5, the contactless sensor circuit
`in Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3 or Claim 4 uses superheterodyne detection for detecting the electromagnetic
`waves from the data carrier.
`
`[0020]
`
`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 5 has the same effect as in Claim 1, Claim 2,
`Claim 3 or Claim 4, and also limits the influence of the electromagnetic waves that are transmitted by,
`for example, outputting electromagnetic waves of a frequency that passes through a filter.
`
`[0021]
`
`With regard to the contactless read/write device according to Claim 6, the antenna of the
`contactless sensor circuit and the antenna for data communication with the data carrier in Claim 1,
`Claim 2, Claim 3, Claim 4 or Claim 5 share the same antenna at different times.
`
`[0022]
`
`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 6 has the same effect as in Claim 1, Claim 2,
`Claim 3, Claim 4 or Claim 5, and also facilitates antenna placement.
`
`[0023]
`
`Embodiments of the Invention: Embodiments of the invention will be explained by using the figures.
`
`[0024]
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 7 of 18
`
`

`

`
`
`Fig. 1 explains the first embodiment of the invention. The antenna circuit 1 communicates with the
`data carrier 10 in a contactless manner. In this embodiment, the antenna circuit 1 combines
`transmission and reception, and has the function of separating transmission and reception. The antenna
`circuit 1 usually consists of a series or parallel resonant circuit of a coil and a capacitor, and is tuned to
`the carrier frequency. The transmitted data is modulated at this carrier frequency by the modulation
`circuit 3 and is sent to the data carrier 10. The contactless read/write device 12 can also transmit power
`to the data carrier 10 using electromagnetic waves that are mainly at the carrier frequency for
`transmission.
`
`[0025]
`
`The data carrier 10 can be operated without installing a battery by using an LC circuit resonant to the
`carrier frequency to generate voltage on the data carrier 10 side, rectifying it, and storing it. The data
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 8 of 18
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`

`

`
`
`
`
`(4) 001-243431 (P2001-243431A)
`
`carrier 10 can be read from and written to within the range in which the electromagnetic wave can
`supply a certain level of power, and when the power supply is insufficient, the data is retained in a non-
`volatile memory.
`
`[0026]
`
`The driver circuit 2 is a structure that drives the antenna circuit 1; it injects current into the antenna
`circuit 1. More specifically, it consists of field-effect transistors or transistors, and has a structure similar
`to the output stage of a power amplifier.
`
`[0027]
`
`The modulation circuit 3 is a circuit for modulating the carrier frequency; it uses either the ASK
`(amplitude-shift keying) modulation method, in which the carrier frequency is controlled on/off by the
`transmission data, or the FSK (frequency-shift keying) modulation method, which switches between two
`different frequencies according to the transmission data.
`
`[0028]
`
`The demodulation circuit 4 has the function of receiving the electromagnetic waves returned from
`the data carrier 10 by the antenna circuit 1 and returning them into data. The contactless read/write
`device 12 uses the control circuit 5 to communicate these data to the external device 11 via the
`communication circuit 7.
`
`[0029]
`
`The display circuit 8 has the function of indicating to the operator whether a reading has been taken
`or not by using the control circuit 5 alone or by using the control circuit 5 under the direction of the
`external device 11 when the data have been obtained according to the rules. More specifically, the
`display circuit 8 can use a light-emitting diode or liquid crystal display device. If the current consumption
`of the display circuit 8 is a problem, the display circuit 8 is completely turned off in the standby state.
`Thus, the first time the display circuit 8 is turned on or displayed when a reading is taken or not taken,
`the operator will feel secure in the operation.
`
`[0030]
`
`A complete power supply circuit 9 is not necessarily built into the contactless reader/writer 12, but
`at least a capacitor is needed to stabilize the voltage. Although not shown in Fig. 1, each circuit is
`supplied with power from the power circuit 9 via a semiconductor switch. The on/off control of the
`semiconductor switches is performed by the control circuit 5, for low power consumption.
`
`[0031]
`
`The contactless sensor circuit 6 detects the resonant circuit, usually a parallel resonant circuit of an
`coil L and a capacitor C, inside the data carrier 10 which is brought close to the contactless read/write
`device 12, and provides an interrupt input to the control circuit 5, which is in the standby state or
`power-saving mode, to activate it.
`
`[0032]
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 9 of 18
`
`

`

`
`
`The contactless sensor circuit 6 specifically sends intermittent pulses to the drive circuit 2 in the
`standby state and emits intermittent electromagnetic waves from the antenna circuit 1. The emission of
`the electromagnetic waves excites the resonant circuit in the data carrier 10 when the data carrier 10
`approaches the contactless read/write device 12. The oscillation in the data carrier 10 continues,
`although it is damped, even during each rest period, that is, when the antenna circuit 1 stops emitting
`electromagnetic waves, and the data carrier 10 in turn sends back electromagnetic waves. The
`contactless sensor circuit 6 detects these electromagnetic waves via the antenna circuit 1 and notifies
`the control circuit 5 of the proximity of the data carrier 10. The control circuit 5 activates the drive
`circuit 2, modulation circuit 3, demodulation circuit 4, communication circuit 7, display circuit 8, etc., of
`the contactless read/write device in the standby state in order to read from and write to the data carrier
`10.
`
`[0033]
`
`When the aim is the lowest power consumption, the power of each circuit can be turned on and off
`by the control circuit 5, and the power of all the circuits except the contactless sensor circuit 6 and the
`minimum power circuit 9 can be turned off when the control circuit 5 is in the standby state. For
`example, if the intermittent cycle of the non-contact sensor circuit 6 is 2 ms for the electromagnetic
`wave emission period and 100 ms for the electromagnetic wave pause period, the power consumption
`during the emission of the electromagnetic waves can be reduced to a maximum of 2%. The detection
`period of the electromagnetic wave ends at about 2 ms immediately after the electromagnetic wave
`emission period.
`
`[0034]
`
`The standby state of the control circuit 5 should be put into the reception state only for interrupt
`inputs from the contactless sensor circuit 6 and communication interrupt inputs from the external
`device 11.
`
`[0035]
`
`As a variation of the first embodiment, the contactless sensor circuit 6 can be configured to emit
`electromagnetic waves from the antenna circuit 1 and detect a change in the voltage of the antenna
`circuit 1 or a shift in the oscillation frequency due to the approach of the resonant circuit of the data
`carrier 10 and determine that the data carrier 10 is approaching. For example, when the contactless
`sensor circuit 6 emits electromagnetic waves by increasing the Q of the antenna circuit 1, the approach
`of the resonant circuit of the data carrier 10 causes the voltage at both ends of the antenna circuit 1 to
`drop as the electromagnetic waves are absorbed by the resonant circuit. If there is a difference between
`the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit of the data carrier 10 and that of the antenna circuit 1,
`the oscillation frequency will be affected and shifted.
`
`[0036]
`
`Thus, when weak electromagnetic waves are used, although the IC inside the data carrier cannot be
`activated, the resonance circuit inside the data carrier 10 begins to operate, so that the voltage at both
`ends of the transmitting antenna changes and the oscillation frequency shifts, and thus the contactless
`sensor circuit can detect the voltage and the shift in oscillation frequency and detect the approach of
`the data carrier.
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 10 of 18
`
`

`

`
`
`[0037]
`
`Fig. 2 explains the second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows a configuration in which, in the
`first embodiment of the invention, the antenna circuit is divided into a transmitting antenna circuit 1a
`and a receiving antenna circuit 1b. This configuration of separate antenna circuits is mainly used when
`frequencies in the 125 kHz to 500 kHz band are used. In contrast, in the vicinity of 13.56 MHz, the
`antenna circuits for both transmitting and receiving are usually combined, as shown in Fig. 1. The rest of
`the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.
`
`[0038]
`
`Even when the electromagnetic radiation is continuous, the distance at which the contactless sensor
`circuit 6 detects the resonant circuit in the data carrier 10 is more than twice as long as the distance
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex.1010
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`

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`
`
`
`(5) 001-243431 (P2001-243431A)
`
`between the data carrier 10 and where the data are read and written for the same electric field
`strength. Therefore, in the standby state, the approach of the data carrier 10 can be detected even
`when the field strength is lowered so that the output is reduced.
`
`[0039]
`
`Even when the contactless sensor circuit 6 detects the data carrier 10 and interrupts the control
`circuit 5, power is supplied to each circuit and the read/write operation is enabled, but when the
`read/write operation does not proceed normally because the data carrier 10 is not the correct one or
`because of some fault, the power supply is stopped after a certain time and the control circuit 5 is
`returned to the standby state again. For example, in the case of a normal data carrier 10, a certain
`response is returned to the call from the contactless read/write device; therefore, it can then be
`decoded by the control circuit 5. This is an action which prevents the continued energization of the
`device, which would unnecessarily waste power. When communication has been established between
`the contactless reader/writer 12 and the data carrier 10, the display circuit 8 is used to indicate this,
`providing the operator with a sense of security and guiding him or her through the operating procedure.
`
`[0040]
`
`An example of an application of this invention is a reader/writer used for access control. It can be
`made more compact than conventional examples, requires less space for installation, and can be easily
`installed. Its use as a door key also poses a wiring problem, so that battery-powered, low-power
`operation is desired. In addition, if the door or wall is non-metallic, the main body of the contactless
`reader/writer can be installed inside the door or wall, and thus the possibility of tampering with the
`contactless reader/writer is reduced.
`
`[0041]
`
`Fig. 3 explains the third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 shows the details of the configuration of
`the contactless sensor circuit 6 in the second embodiment. Using data from the control circuit 5, a digital
`direct synthesizer (DDS) oscillator 13 produces a sine wave and outputs it to the drive circuit 2. The
`reason for using the digital direct synthesizer oscillator 13 is that, especially in the case of intermittent
`oscillation, it is easy to detect the return of electromagnetic waves from the data carrier 10 by instantly
`oscillating and stopping the oscillation.
`
`[0042]
`
`Furthermore, if the resonance frequency error of the data carrier 10 is large, the digital direct
`synthesizer oscillator 13 makes it easy to change the frequency and continuously scan the oscillator by
`changing the data.
`
`[0043]
`
`The electromagnetic waves returning from data carrier 10 are received by the receiving antenna 1b,
`amplified by the receiving amplifier 14, and combined with the signal from the digital direct synthesizer
`oscillator 13 by the mixer 15. Next, they pass through the filter 16, detected by the detector 17,
`
`Ex.1010
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`

`

`
`
`converted into data by the A/D converter 18, and compared to a predetermined level by the control
`circuit 5 to detect the data carrier 10.
`
`[0044]
`
`The reason why superheterodyne detection is performed using mixer 15 is that when the
`electromagnetic waves to be transmitted are scanned and used, the effect of the electromagnetic waves
`to be transmitted is limited after the mixer 15, so that when the electromagnetic waves when resonated
`in the resonant circuit of the data carrier 10 return to the input of the A/D converter 18, the frequency
`of the electromagnetic waves passing through the filter 16 is output. Filter 16 is formed from a bandpass
`filter that passes only a certain frequency, e.g., 10.7 MHz.
`
`[0045]
`
`The A/D converter 18 in the block diagram of Fig. 3 can be incorporated into the control circuit 5.
`The demodulator circuit 4 in Figs. 1 and 2 can also share part of the filter with the receiver amplifier 14
`in Fig. 3, since the demodulator circuit 4 in Figs. 1 and 2 includes a receiver amplifier and a filter in its
`configuration, as described in detail.
`
`[0046]
`
`The antenna of the contactless sensor circuit 6 can be installed independently from the antennas 1,
`la, and lb for data communication, but it is easier to arrange them in a time-divided manner.
`
`[0047]
`
`Furthermore, the contactless sensor circuit 6 of the third embodiment can also be applied in the first
`embodiment.
`
`[0048]
`
`Moreover, in the standby state, the invention detects the resonance circuit in the data carrier 10 by
`using a constant frequency or a frequency in a constant range centered on the resonance frequency of
`the resonance circuit, and in the operating state, it transmits electromagnetic waves modulated with
`data for communication with the data carrier 10. This has the effect of facilitating both low-power
`standby and normal operation.
`
`[0049]
`
`Furthermore, since the invention has a significant effect of reducing power consumption, it can be
`installed in automobiles and applied in battery-powered equipment and portable devices where low
`power consumption is desirable. In addition, the read/write part and the contactless sensor part share
`the same antenna, which makes it easy to install, compact, and easy to transport.
`
`[0050]
`
`In the standby state, at least some of the contactless sensor and control circuits must be powered
`on, but other circuits do not need to be powered on.
`
`[0051]
`
`[Effectiveness of the Invention] The contactless read/write device described in Claim 1 uses a
`contactless sensor circuit that employs electromagnetic waves, and since the contactless sensor circuit
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 13 of 18
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`

`
`
`detects the resonance circuit of the data carrier itself, the data carrier can be detected when the person
`carrying the data carrier, i.e., the operator, moves the data carrier closer to the antenna of the
`contactless read/write device. After this, the contactless sensor circuit activates the control circuit in
`standby state, and the control circuit operates the modulation circuit, demodulation circuit, drive circuit,
`and antenna circuit to read to and write from the data carrier.
`
`[0052]
`
`Therefore, since the device detects the resonant circuit in the data carrier and transitions from a
`standby state to an operational state in which it can read and write, it reduces power consumption
`during standby and does not require any additional action, such as pressing a switch; the data carrier
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 14 of 18
`
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`

`
`
`
`
`(6) 001-243431 (P2001-243431A)
`
`can be simply moved closer to the contactless read/write device. Also, since the data carrier is detected
`by detecting the resonant circuits in the data carrier, compared to methods that detect the surface of
`data carriers, data carriers in other frequency bands are not detected, and only legitimate data carriers
`are reliably detected.
`
`[0053]
`
`The same effects as in Claim 1 are obtained by means of the contactless read/write device according
`to Claim 2, by causing electromagnetic waves to be emitted intermittently by the contactless sensor
`circuit in the standby state and exciting the resonance circuit of the data carrier, and receiving the
`electromagnetic waves emitted from the resonance circuit of the data carrier in the period when the
`electromagnetic waves are inactive.
`
`[0054]
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`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 3 has the same effects as in Claim 1 by emitting
`weak continuous electromagnetic waves from the antenna circuit and detecting the absorption of the
`waves due to the approach of the resonant circuit of the data carrier as the voltage of the antenna
`circuit.
`
`[0055]
`
`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 4 has the same effects as in Claim 1, Claim 2 or
`Claim 3, and also makes it easy to detect the return of the electromagnetic waves from the data carrier
`by instantly oscillating and stopping the oscillation.
`
`[0056]
`
`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 5 has the same effects as in Claim 1, Claim 2,
`Claim 3, or Claim 4, and also limits the influence of the electromagnetic waves to be transmitted by, for
`example, outputting electromagnetic waves of a frequency that passes through a filter.
`
`[0057]
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`The contactless read/write device according to Claim 6 has the same effects as in Claim 1, Claim 2,
`Claim 3, Claim 4 or Claim 5, and also makes the antenna arrangement easier.
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`Brief Descriptions of the Drawings:
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`Fig. 1: A block diagram showing the first embodiment of the invention.
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`Fig. 2: A block diagram showing the second embodiment of the invention.
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`Fig. 3: A block diagram showing the contactless sensor circuit of the third embodiment of the invention.
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`Explanation of the Symbols:
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`1, 1a,1b Antenna circuit
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`2 Drive circuit
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`3 Modulation circuit
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`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 15 of 18
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`4 Demodulation circuit
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`5 Control circuit
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`6 Contactless sensor circuit
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`7 Communication circuit
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`8 Display circuit
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`9 Power supply circuit
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`10 Data carrier
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`11 External device
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`12 Contactless read/write device
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`13 Digital direct synthesizer oscillator
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`14 Receiving amplifier
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`15 Mixer
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`16 Filter
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`17 Detector
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`18 A/D converter
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` Fig.1
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` Fig. 2
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`1a, 1b … Antenna circuits
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`1 … Antenna circuit
`2 … Drive circuit
`3 … Modulation circuit
`4 … Demodulation circuit
`5 … Control circuit
`6 … Contactless sensor
`circuit
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`7 … Communication circuit
`8 … Display circuit
`9 … Power supply circuit
`10 … Data carrier
`11 … External device
`12 … Contactless read/write
`device
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`Ex.1010
`APPLE INC. / Page 16 of 18
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`(7) 001-243431 (P2001-243431A)
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`Fig. 3
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`13 … Digital direct