Method and apparatus for using a slap bracelet as a component of a body-worn antenna structure

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods, devices, and systems for mitigating signal attenuation in a body-worn device that transmits wireless signals. An antenna structure for the body-worn device includes an antenna array configured to radiate at least one wireless signal and a conductive band capacitively coupled to the antenna array. The conductive band is configured to detachably couple to a user's body to mitigate attenuation of the at least one wireless signal when the conductive band is coupled to the body. The conductive band mitigates attenuation by facilitating radio frequency (RF) signal current corresponding to the at least one wireless signal to flow through the conductive band and preventing absorption of the RF signal current by the body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims priority and the benefit thereof to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 071,226, filed on August 27, 2020, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING SLAP BRACELET AS COMPONENT OF BODY - WORN ANTENNA STRUCTURE", and claims priority and the benefit thereof to U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 411,014, filed on August 24, 2021, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING SLAP BRACELET AS COMPONENT OF BODY - WORN ANTENNA STRUCTURE". The contents of these documents are hereby incorporated by reference into this document as if fully set forth herein in their entirety for all applicable purposes.

[0002] The technology described hereinafter generally relates to antennas, and more specifically to body - worn antenna structures.

Background Art

[0003] Advances in wearable technology have enabled an expansion in the scope and degree of communication capabilities. For example, wrist or body - worn devices are widely used for communication purposes. Such devices can be used to track or identify objects or people within a space, or to transmit or receive related data. However, since the antennas of wearable devices are in close proximity to the human body, it is difficult to provide efficient and / or effective radiation.

[0004] Recent trends demand miniaturization of wearable devices. For example, combining the increasing demand for better performance in small wrist- or body-worn devices presents numerous challenges. Antennas and impedance matching associated with wearable devices must be able to distinguish between multiple signals to acquire specific signals of interest or to expand the device's sensitivity / range. Furthermore, antennas must be efficient radiators. However, when devices are manufactured according to a small form factor, performance may be compromised, especially when using correspondingly small antennas, particularly when placed close to the human body. Innovative improvements in antenna design and manufacturing are needed to accommodate even smaller devices. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In conventional wrist or body-worn devices such as smartwatches, the antenna array can only be placed within the device's pack portion (main part or "watch" portion) or wristband portion. However, because the antenna array is close to the wrist or body, and the body has the property of absorbing radio signals, the maximum signal emission range of such devices is limited (e.g., 1-2 m). Furthermore, conventional wrist or body-worn devices do not allow tuning of the antenna array, so it is not possible to mitigate signal absorption by the human body, and therefore the signal emission range cannot be extended beyond the current limit (e.g., 1-2 m). Accordingly, this disclosure aims to provide a structure and / or technique for improving / tuning the antenna array of a wrist or body-worn device in order to extend the maximum signal emission range of the antenna array. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To provide a basic understanding of these embodiments, an overview of one or more embodiments of the Disclosure is provided below. This overview is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of all conceivable features of the Disclosure, nor to identify any important or essential elements of all embodiments of the Disclosure, nor to precisely describe the scope of any part or all embodiments of the Disclosure. The sole purpose of this overview is to provide a simplified representation of some concepts of one or more embodiments of the Disclosure as a prelude to the more detailed explanations provided later.

[0007] Aspects of this disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for mitigating signal attenuation on a body-worn device for transmitting signals. The system includes a body-worn device (e.g., a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag) and a reader (e.g., an RFID reader). The body-worn device may include a circuit, an antenna array, and a conductive band capacitively coupled to the antenna array. The conductive band may be detachably coupled to the user's body. The body-worn device may operate without a battery or internal power supply. Thus, the body-worn device may receive energy from a reader's transmission and use this same energy to send a response transmission back. In some embodiments, the structure of the conductive band (e.g., length, width, and / or thickness) may be tuned or adjusted to various sizes to improve the radiation performance characteristics of the antenna array. Other embodiments, features, and characteristics are also claimed and described.

[0008] In one example, an antenna structure for a body-worn device is disclosed. The antenna structure includes an antenna array configured to emit at least one radio signal and a conductive band capacitively coupled to the antenna array. The conductive band is detachably coupled to the user's body and is configured to mitigate the attenuation of at least one radio signal when the conductive band is coupled to the body.

[0009] Another example discloses a method for mitigating signal attenuation on a body-worn device. This method includes providing the body-worn device with an antenna array and a conductive band capacitively coupled to the antenna array, detachably coupling the conductive band to a user's body, radiating at least one radio signal from the antenna array, and mitigating attenuation of at least one radio signal through the conductive band when the conductive band is coupled to the body.

[0010] A further example discloses a wearable device for transmitting a wireless signal. The wearable device includes an antenna array and a circuit configured to receive a first signal transmitted from a reader via the antenna array, generate a second signal specific to the wearable device based on the energy of the first signal, and transmit the second signal to the reader via the antenna array. The wearable device further includes a conductive band capacitively coupled to the antenna array, the conductive band being configured to be detachably coupled to the user's body to mitigate attenuation of the second signal when the conductive band is coupled to the body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows the curved (or bent) configuration of an example antenna structure according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows a flat (or linear) configuration of an example antenna structure according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of an antenna structure having an antenna including an antenna element with a connector, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of an antenna structure having an antenna coupled to a slap band via capacitive coupling, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic example of an antenna structure (including an antenna and a slap band) wrapped around a user's wrist (or other body part) according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]This is another schematic example of an antenna structure wrapped around a user's wrist (or other body part) according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of an antenna radiation pattern according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a plot of an example radiation pattern of a slapband antenna simulated on a user's wrist according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a Smith chart showing an example of the S(1,1) performance of a slapband antenna simulated on a user's wrist, according to the aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 10] This is an example of a gain plot showing the gain versus frequency of an antenna structure according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a block diagram showing an example of a system for transmitting wireless signals between devices according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of a process for mitigating signal attenuation on a body-worn device according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The detailed descriptions provided below, along with the accompanying drawings, are intended to illustrate various configurations and are not intended to represent only the configurations in which the concepts described herein can be implemented. The detailed descriptions include specific details to ensure a full understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be implemented without these specific details. In some examples, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid ambiguity of such concepts. While this application describes aspects and embodiments by illustrating several examples, those skilled in the art will understand that further implementations and uses can be realized in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and / or packaging configurations.

[0013] The human body presents significant challenges regarding the transmittance and reflectivity of radio signals. The inherent salt and water content of the human body can cause radio signals to be absorbed, preventing them from propagating to their intended destination. Aspects of this disclosure provide apparatus and methods for securely immobilizing a radio device on the human body to support and enhance radio operation in order to achieve detectable radio transmission or backscattering.

[0014] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device including a metal spring band (e.g., a steel spring band) located beneath a radio device capable of operating at different discrete frequencies. The metal spring band is configured to shield the radio device from the human body on which the device is worn. The metal spring band can be part of the overall antenna structure of the radio device. The metal spring band can perform antenna structural functions coupled to or uncoupled from the radio device. The radio device can be optimized by utilizing the width, length, and / or thickness of the metal spring band as tunable variables. The overall size of the metal spring band can also be optimized to improve the shielding of the antenna structure from the human body.

[0015] Although the spring band was described above as a metal spring band (e.g., a steel spring band), in some embodiments, the spring band is not limited to metal materials. The spring band can be formed from other materials, such as conductive polymers, metal meshes, metal-imbued ceramics, or any other material that can be worn on the human body while having radio frequency (RF) antenna functions or properties.

[0016] Figure 1 shows the curved (or bent) configuration of antenna structure example 100 according to an aspect of this disclosure. Figure 2 shows the flat (or straight) configuration of antenna structure example 100 according to an aspect of this disclosure.

[0017] In one aspect, the antenna structure 100 includes an antenna 102 and a strap band 104 that can be electrically coupled to the antenna 102. The strap band 104 is formed of a malleable material that enables the strap band to maintain a desired configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the strap band 104 can be curved or bent from a flat configuration so as to wrap around a user's wrist or other body part. The strap band 104 can return from a curved configuration to a flat (or straight) configuration (FIG. 2) when removed from the user's wrist, for example. Further, the malleable material of the strap band 104 is conductive so as to be electrically coupled to the antenna 102. For example, the strap band 104 can be formed of steel, a conductive polymer, a metal mesh, a metal-embedded ceramic, or any other conductive material.

[0018] The strap band 104 can be coupled to the antenna 102 directly or otherwise. In one aspect, the strap band 104 includes a ground plane structure through which radio frequency (RF) current can flow around the conductive portion of the strap band 104 and around the user's wrist rather than being lost through the band and / or the user's wrist. One or more portions of the antenna 102 and the strap band 104 can be electrically coupled to each other or not, depending on the coupling mechanism used to couple the strap band 104 to the antenna 102.

[0019] In one aspect, the physical dimensions of the strap band 104 can be changed or tuned. For example, to achieve desired performance characteristics in the antenna 102, the length, width, and / or thickness of the strap band can be adjusted to various sizes. In addition to and / or instead of this, the length, width, and / or thickness of the strap band 104 can also be changed to hide or shield the effect of the human body on the performance of the antenna 102.

[0020] Figure 3 shows an example antenna structure 100 having an antenna 102 including connectorized antenna elements according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 4 shows an example antenna structure 100 having an antenna 102 coupled to a slap band 104 via one or more capacitive couplers 402 according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0021] In one embodiment, the antenna 102 of the antenna structure 100 can be constructed on a slab of dielectric material, which helps to miniaturize the antenna 102. In one embodiment, air can be used as the dielectric material. As shown in Figure 3, the antenna 102 includes a first antenna element (e.g., a first printed circuit board (PCB)) 302, a second antenna element (e.g., a second PCB) 304, and an air gap 306 between the first antenna element 302 and the second antenna element 304. The first antenna element 302 is connector-connected to the second antenna element 304 above the slap band 104 (e.g., via one or more cables or wires 308) to realize the required radiation structure. The slap band 104 can function as a ground plane. In some embodiments, the antenna 102 can also be made of other materials (e.g., ceramics) with different dielectric properties, which helps to miniaturize the antenna.

[0022] In some embodiments, the antenna structure 100 differs from that of conventional body-worn devices (e.g., smartwatches). For example, in conventional body-worn devices, the antenna structure is incorporated exclusively into the main part or body of the device itself. Therefore, the smartwatch band does not affect the function of the antenna structure. In contrast, in this disclosure, the slap band 104 is part of the antenna structure 100 and therefore affects the function of the antenna structure 100. Whether the slap band 104 is electrically connected to the antenna 102 or is completely separate from the antenna 102, the dielectric value of the slap band 104 is used in combination with the antenna 102 to affect / expand the signal radiation range of the antenna structure 100. In some embodiments, the length, width, and / or thickness of the slap band 104 can be tuned to a specific size to achieve a desired radiation range. Previously, the antenna 102 could have a maximum signal radiation range of 1 to 2 meters. On the other hand, a body-worn device implementing the antenna structure 100 may achieve a maximum signal radiation range of 4 to 8 meters by using a tuned slap band 104 as part of the antenna structure 100. Therefore, by using the slap band 104, the antenna structure 100 can have an extended range while worn on the body.

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic example 500 of an antenna structure 100 (including antenna 102 and slap band 104) wrapped around a user's wrist (or other body part) 502. In Figure 5, the surface current of the slap band 104 is plotted to show how the slap band 104 acts as part of the radiation structure of antenna 102. Figure 6 is another schematic example 600 of an antenna structure 100 wrapped around a user's wrist (or other body part) 502. In Figure 6, the electric field of the slap band 104 is plotted to show how the slap band 104 acts as part of the radiation structure of antenna 102. Figure 7 is a schematic example 702 of the radiation pattern of antenna 102.

[0024] In some embodiments, the performance of antenna 102 may be impaired when it is in close proximity to the human body. Therefore, a slap band 104 (formed of a conductive material) can be used to shield antenna 102 from adverse effects of the human body. Furthermore, the slap band 104 can also be used as part of the radiating structure of antenna 102 so that RF current flows through it. Thus, the RF current can be directed to flow around the user's wrist / body rather than through the user, thus avoiding potential losses. By controlling the configuration of the slap band 104 in conjunction with modifications to antenna 102, the performance characteristics of antenna 102 can be adjusted or improved.

[0025] In some embodiments, various performance characteristics of antenna 102 can be controlled based on modifications to the slap band 104 acting as a ground plane, or modifications to the armature associated with the ground plane of antenna 102. Performance characteristics may include, but are not limited to, antenna size, frequency, gain, radiation pattern, radiation efficiency, aperture, and / or impedance. In some embodiments, performance characteristics can be controlled through modifications to the structure of antenna 102, modifications to the structure of the slap band 104, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the performance of antenna 102 when the slap band 104 is in a curved / bent configuration can be designed to differ from the performance of antenna 102 when the slap band 104 is in a flat / straight configuration. For example, the radiation pattern of antenna 102 can be adjusted as desired by shifting from a curved / bent band configuration to a flat / straight band configuration, thus facilitating two different use cases in an end device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the antenna structure 100 may include multiple antennas. The antennas can be active sequentially or simultaneously. Furthermore, the slap band 104 can be shared among the multiple antennas so that it can be used as part of the radiation structure of each antenna. In some embodiments, the antenna structure 100 may include physical elements configured to adjust the position, size, and / or polarization of the antennas in order to direct the antenna signals more accurately and / or efficiently. In an example of an antenna structure 100 including multiple antennas, the antenna structure may include a near-field communication (NFC) coil and an ultra-high frequency (UHF) antenna placed in close proximity to each other. The NFC coil and the UHF antenna can share the slap band 104 as part of their radiation structure so as to allow for miniaturization of the antennas (NFC coil and UHF antenna) that are physically close to each other and located in the same place.

[0027] Figure 8 is a plot of example radiation patterns of antenna 102 with slap band 104 simulated on the user's wrist 502. Figure 9 is a Smith chart showing example S(1,1) performance of antenna 102 with slap band 104 simulated on the user's wrist 502. Figure 10 is an example gain plot showing gain versus frequency (e.g., 0.915 GHz) of antenna structure 100 for different angles θ (degrees).

[0028] In some embodiments, the antenna structure 100 may include a director or reflector that can be dynamically adjusted (or reconfigured) to form the antenna's radiation pattern or other desired antenna characteristics. For example, the slap band 104 can be considered a director / reflector that can be reconfigured to form the radiation pattern or other characteristics of antenna 102. The RF characteristics of the antenna structure 100 can be adjusted as desired by activating or deactivating the director / reflector using a switch or other indirect coupling mechanism. The switch may be a physical semiconductor-based switch or some hardware element that can change the capacitive coupling of the slap band 104 to antenna 102.

[0029] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example system 1100 for transmitting wireless signals between devices according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The system 1100 includes a body-worn device 1102 (e.g., a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag) and a reader 1110 (e.g., an RFID reader). The body-worn device 1102 may include a circuit 1104, an antenna array 1106, and a conductive band 1108 capacitively coupled to the antenna array 1106. The conductive band 1108 can be detachably coupled to the body of the user of the device 1102. Furthermore, the combination of the antenna array 1106 and the conductive band 1108 may be referred to as the “antenna structure” as referred to throughout the present disclosure.

[0030] In one embodiment, the wearable device 1102 can operate without using a battery or internal power source. Thus, the wearable device 1102 can receive energy from the reader's transmission 1112 and use this same energy to send back a response transmission 1114. For example, the wearable device 1102 receives electromagnetic waves 1112 propagated from the reader 1110 via the antenna array 1106. When the electromagnetic waves 1112 reach the antenna array 1106, the energy of the electromagnetic waves 1112 moves through the antenna array 1106 to activate a circuit 1104. The circuit 1104 modulates the energy with information specific to the wearable device 1102 (e.g., modulated with circuit data) to generate a response transmission 1114. The circuit 1104 then transmits the response transmission 1114 (modulated with information specific to the wearable device 1102 / circuit 1104) to the reader 1110 in the form of electromagnetic waves via the antenna array 1106.

[0031] The reader 1110 receives the response transmission 1114, reads information specific to the wearable device 1102 / circuit 1104, and can perform an operation corresponding to the wearable device 1102 based on this information. For example, the reader 1110 can determine that a user wearing the wearable device 1102 is in the vicinity of the reader 1110 and / or (for example, in a theme park environment) provide the user wearing the wearable device 1102 with a predetermined service corresponding to the information.

[0032] In one embodiment, the conductive band 1108 can mitigate the attenuation of the response transmission 1114 when it is coupled to the user's body. For example, when the circuit 1104 transmits the response transmission 1114 to the reader 1110 via the antenna array 1106, the conductive band 1108 can facilitate the flow of the radio frequency (RF) signal current corresponding to the response transmission 1114 through the conductive band 1108, thereby preventing the absorption of the RF signal current by the body.

[0033] Conventional wearable devices (e.g., traditional wristband tags / systems) can have limited signal emission ranges due to the human body's ability to absorb certain signal frequencies (e.g., 900 MHz). Typically, the maximum range of such devices is about 1-2 meters. Therefore, the use of conventional wearable devices has been problematic in some applications, such as those implemented in crowded areas (e.g., music festivals, sporting events). For example, the signal emission range of the device may be limited by the user's proximity to the antenna structure (i.e., the user's wrist attenuates a large portion of the device signal emitted from the antenna structure), which may necessitate the placement of reading portals near the user to read short-range transmissions from the device.

[0034] Aspects of this disclosure provide a system and / or method that enables a reader (e.g., an RFID reader) to read signals from a body-worn device at a distance of 4 to 8 meters. Thus, the distance at which the reader can read the body-worn device can be determined. In one aspect, this disclosure provides a body-worn device configured to mitigate signal attenuation caused by the user's body (e.g., wrist). In a further aspect, the antenna structure characteristics can be tuned to determine the maximum distance at which the reader can detect signals from the antenna structure of the body-worn device, while enabling the form factor of the body-worn device to fit most users. Thus, the body-worn device of this disclosure not only functions to have antenna parameters that can be tuned to achieve a desired signal range, but also conforms to the user's size / shape.

[0035] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process 1200 for mitigating signal attenuation on a body-worn device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In some examples, the body-worn device 1102, or any preferred device or means performing a function or algorithm described later, can perform the process 1200.

[0036] In 1202, the body-worn device is provided with an antenna array (e.g., antenna 102 or antenna array 1106) and a conductive band (e.g., slap band 104 or conductive band 1108) capacitively coupled to the antenna array. In one embodiment, the conductive band can be made of steel, a conductive polymer, a metal mesh, and / or a metal-embedded ceramic.

[0037] In one embodiment, providing a conductive band to a body-worn device may include configuring the length, width, and / or thickness of the conductive band to optimize one or more performance characteristics of the antenna array. For example, optimizing performance characteristics may include extending the maximum signal radiation range of the antenna array (e.g., to a range of 4 to 8 meters) so that a reading device can read transmissions from the body-worn device from such a range. In another embodiment, providing a conductive band to a body-worn device may include configuring the length, width, and / or thickness of the conductive band to shield the body from the absorption effect of at least one radio signal radiated from the antenna array.

[0038] In 1204, the conductive band is detachably coupled to the user's body. In one embodiment, the conductive band is detachably coupled to the user's body by flattening the conductive band into a substantially linear configuration to uncouple it from the body and by bending the conductive band into a curved configuration to couple it to the body. In one embodiment, the performance characteristics of the antenna array (e.g., radiation pattern) when the conductive band is in a linear configuration may differ from the performance characteristics of the antenna array when the conductive band is in a curved configuration.

[0039] In 1206, at least one radio signal (e.g., response transmission 1114) is radiated from the antenna array. In one embodiment, at least one radio signal has a frequency in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range (e.g., about 900 MHz) or any other frequency that is easily absorbed by the body.

[0040] In 1208, when the conductive band is coupled to the body, the attenuation of at least one radio signal is mitigated through the conductive band. In one embodiment, the attenuation is mitigated by facilitating the flow of a radio frequency (RF) signal current corresponding to at least one radio signal through the conductive band, thereby preventing absorption of the RF signal current by the body.

[0041] The term “exemplary” in this disclosure is used to mean “serving as an example, case, or explanatory example.” Any implementation or aspect described herein as “exemplary” should not necessarily be construed as being preferable or advantageous to other aspects of this disclosure. Similarly, the term “aspects” does not require that all aspects of this disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation described herein. The term “coupled” as used herein means a direct or indirect connection between two objects. For example, if object A is in physical contact with object B, and object B is in contact with object C, objects A and C can be considered coupled to each other, even if they are not in direct physical contact with each other. For example, even if the first object is never in direct physical contact with the second object, the first object can be considered coupled to the second object.

[0042] One or more of the components, steps, features, and / or functions shown in Figures 1 to 12 can be rearranged and / or combined into a single component, step, feature, or function, or embodied in multiple components, steps, or functions. Further elements, components, steps, and / or functions can be added without departing from the novel features disclosed herein. The apparatus, devices, and / or components shown in Figures 1 to 12 can be configured to perform the methods, features, and / or steps described herein. The novel algorithms described herein can be efficiently implemented in software and / or embedded in hardware.

[0043] The specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed method should be understood as illustrative of an exemplary process. The specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method should be understood as being rearrangeable based on design choices. The attached claims of the method present elements of various steps in a sample order and are not intended to be limited to any specific order or hierarchy presented unless specifically stated in the claims.

[0044] The above description is provided so that any person skilled in the art can implement the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications of these embodiments will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, and the general principles set forth herein may also be applicable to other embodiments. Accordingly, the claims are not limited to the embodiments described herein, but the full scope consistent with the language of the claims is recognized, and references to singular elements are intended to mean "one or more" rather than "only" unless specifically stated so. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the term "some" means one or more. Expressions relating to "at least one of" in a list of items mean any combination of those items (containing one element). For example, "at least one of a, b or c" is intended to include a, b, c, a and b, b and c, and a, b and c. All structural and functional equivalents of elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are well known to a person skilled in the art, or will become known later, are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be included in the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made publicly available, whether or not it is expressly stated in the claims. No element of a claim should be interpreted under Section 112(f) of the U.S. Patent Act unless it is explicitly indicated using the phrase “means for…” or, in the case of a method claim, described using the phrase “steps to…”. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 100 Antenna Structures 102 Antenna 104 Slap Band

Claims

1. An antenna structure for a device attached to a part of the body, An antenna array configured to emit at least one radio signal, A conductive band capacitively coupled to the antenna array, wherein the dielectric constant of the conductive band, when combined with the dielectric constant of the antenna array, expands the signal radiation range of the antenna array, and the conductive band has a length, width, and / or thickness that shields the antenna array from the absorption effect from a part of the body. The conductive band includes, It attaches detachably to a part of the user's body. The conductive band reduces the attenuation of the at least one wireless signal when it is attached to a part of the body. It is configured in such a way. Antenna structure.

2. The conductive band configured to mitigate the aforementioned attenuation is To facilitate the flow of a radio frequency (RF) signal current corresponding to at least one of the aforementioned radio signals through the conductive band, To prevent absorption of the RF signal current by the part of the body, The antenna structure according to claim 1, configured as described above.

3. The aforementioned conductive band is steel, conductive polymer, Metal mesh, or Metal-embedded ceramic, The antenna structure according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.

4. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein the conductive band is configured to be flattened into a linear configuration when detached from the part of the body, and bent into a curved configuration when attached to the part of the body.

5. The antenna structure according to claim 4, wherein the performance characteristics of the antenna array when the conductive band is in the linear configuration are different from the performance characteristics of the antenna array when the conductive band is in the curved configuration.

6. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the length, width, or thickness of the conductive band is configured to optimize at least one performance characteristic of the antenna array.

7. The antenna structure according to claim 6, wherein the optimization of the at least one performance characteristic includes expanding the maximum signal radiation range of the antenna array.

8. The antenna structure according to claim 7, wherein the maximum signal radiation range is extended to a range of 4 to 8 meters.

9. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the length, width, or thickness of the conductive band is configured to shield the absorption effect of the part of the body on the at least one radio signal radiated from the antenna array.

10. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radio signal has a frequency in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range.

11. A method for mitigating signal attenuation on a device attached to a part of the body, The device to be attached to a part of the body comprises an antenna array and a conductive band capacitively coupled to the antenna array, wherein the dielectric constant of the conductive band, when combined with the dielectric constant of the antenna array, expands the signal radiation range of the antenna array, and the conductive band has a length, width, and / or thickness that shields the antenna array from the absorption effect from the part of the body. The conductive band is detachably attached to a part of the user's body, The antenna array emits at least one radio signal, When the conductive band is attached to a part of the body, the attenuation of the at least one wireless signal is mitigated through the conductive band. Methods that include...

12. To mitigate the aforementioned damping, To facilitate the flow of the radio frequency (RF) signal current corresponding to the at least one radio signal through the conductive band, To prevent absorption of the RF signal current by the aforementioned part of the body, The method according to claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

13. The aforementioned conductive band is steel, conductive polymer, Metal mesh, or Metal-embedded ceramic, The method according to claim 11, comprising at least one of the following.

14. The conductive band is detachably attached to a part of the user's body. When the conductive band is detached from the part of the body, the conductive band is flattened into a linear configuration. When the conductive band is attached to the part of the body, the conductive band is bent into a curved configuration, The method according to claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein providing the conductive band to the device attached to a part of the body includes configuring at least one of the length, width, or thickness of the conductive band to optimize the performance characteristics of at least one of the antenna arrays.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the optimization of the at least one performance characteristic includes expanding the maximum signal emission range of the antenna array.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the maximum signal emission range is extended to a range of 4 to 8 meters.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the conductive band is provided to the device attached to a part of the body, and the length, width, or thickness of the conductive band is configured to shield the part of the body from the absorption effect of the at least one radio signal radiated from the antenna array.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one radio signal has a frequency in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range.

20. A device worn on a part of the body for transmitting wireless signals, Antenna array and The first signal transmitted from the reading device is received via the antenna array. Based on the energy of the first signal, a second signal specific to the device attached to the part of the body is generated. The second signal is transmitted to the reading device via the antenna array. A circuit configured as follows, A conductive band capacitively coupled to the antenna array, wherein the dielectric constant of the conductive band, when combined with the dielectric constant of the antenna array, expands the signal radiation range of the antenna array, and the conductive band has a length, width, and / or thickness that shields the antenna array from the absorption effect from a part of the body. The conductive band includes, It attaches detachably to a part of the user's body. The conductive band reduces the attenuation of the second signal when it is coupled to the part of the body. It is configured in such a way. A device that is attached to a part of the body.

21. The conductive band configured to mitigate the aforementioned attenuation is To facilitate the flow of the radio frequency (RF) signal current corresponding to the second signal through the conductive band, To prevent absorption of the RF signal current by the part of the body, A device to be attached to a part of the body according to claim 20, configured as described above.

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