Non-Contact Communication Medium Clock Frequency Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

As magnetic tape cartridges increase in memory size, the power consumption also increases, limiting the electric power that can be drawn from the antenna and affecting stable communication with the reader/writer, especially due to variations in resonant capacitance values affecting power extraction.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact communication medium with a voltage generation unit, memory unit, and clock signal generation unit, including an antenna coil and resonant capacitance adjustment, allows for selective clock signal frequencies to ensure stable power draw independent of memory size, using a control unit to adjust resonant capacitance and reference voltage settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the memory size of the cartridge memory is increased to handle larger recording data sizes, then the storage capacity is improved, but the power consumption increases and exceeds the limit of power that can be drawn from the antenna

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory sizeVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the clock signal frequency adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically selects between a first clock signal (lower frequency) and a second clock signal (higher frequency) based on the memory size and power availability. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different memory configurations while maintaining power consumption within the limits of what can be drawn from the antenna.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of clock signal frequency to control power consumption. By selecting between different frequency parameters (first clock signal with lower frequency vs. second clock signal with higher frequency), the system can adjust its operational characteristics to match the available power from the antenna, thereby enabling larger memory sizes without exceeding power limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If the memory size is increased, then the storage capacity is improved, but the communication stability with the reader/writer deteriorates due to insufficient power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory sizeVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the clock signal frequency based on the detected memory size and available power conditions. This dynamic adaptation ensures that communication operations are performed at frequencies that the antenna can support, thereby maintaining communication stability even when larger memory sizes are used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit detects the memory size and uses this information as feedback to select the appropriate clock signal frequency. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system operates within power constraints while maintaining reliable communication, as the clock frequency selection is continuously adapted based on the actual memory configuration and power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If a fixed clock signal frequency is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different memory sizes and power conditions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock signal generationVSAvoidmemory size compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clock signal generation unit is designed to provide multiple functions by generating both a first clock signal at a lower frequency and a second clock signal at a higher frequency. This multi-functional capability allows the same hardware to adapt to different memory sizes and power conditions, achieving universality without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using a single fixed frequency, the system implements dynamic frequency selection where the control unit chooses between multiple clock signal frequencies based on operational requirements. This dynamic approach enhances adaptability to different memory sizes while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through a straightforward selection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures stable communication by optimizing power extraction from the antenna, reducing power consumption, and maintaining communication integrity despite variations in memory size and capacitance values, ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage generation unit (41), including an antenna coil (32), receives a signal magnetic field from an external device to generate a voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3767540B1Non-contact communication medium, recording medium cartridge, driving method for non-contact communication medium and program
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP3767540B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767540B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3767540B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Solving Means] A non-contact communication medium according to an embodiment of the present technology includes: a voltage generation unit; a memory unit; a clock signal generation unit; and a control unit. The voltage generation unit includes an antenna coil for transmission/reception, and receives a signal magnetic field from an external device to generate a voltage. The memory unit stores one or more circuit parameters set in the voltage generation unit, and predetermined management information. The clock signal generation unit is configured to be capable of selectively generating clock signals having two or more different frequencies. The control unit is configured to select a frequency of a clock signal to be supplied to the memory unit from the clock signal generation unit. [Selected Drawing] Fig. 6