Patent Description:
Wireless communications, including radio frequency identification (RFID) and other near field communication (NFC) protocols, are gaining in popularity for applications such as security, inventory management, access control, and the like. The number of smart phones that include RFID or NFC protocols is growing along with the various applications of passive or active transponders, such as RFID indicator circuits and NFC indicator circuits. Such indicator circuits include an antenna that modulates, and in some instances emits, a wireless communication signal that can be read by a reader, such as a smartphone. A parasitic capacitance, however, may form between the antenna and a ground plane. Parasitic capacitance, for example, may be particularly problematic when the antenna is placed on or near metal. The parasitic capacitance may reduce the antenna voltage of the antenna within the indicator circuit. As a result, the read range of the antenna may be reduced. In addition, the parasitic capacitance may detune the antenna from the antenna's specified frequency, such as <NUM>. The antenna may need to be re-tuned and the re-tuning could be impracticable in certain situations.

Electrochemical cells, or batteries, are commonly used as electrical energy sources. A battery contains a negative electrode, typically called the anode, and a positive electrode, typically called the cathode. The anode contains an active material that can be oxidized. The cathode contains an active material that can be reduced. The anode active material is capable of reducing the cathode active material. A separator is disposed between the anode and cathode. An electrolyte is also included within the battery. The aforementioned components are generally disposed in a metal can.

Battery testers may be used to determine characteristics of a battery, such as the remaining battery capacity. An exemplary type of a common battery tester that is placed on batteries is known as a thermochromic-type tester. In a thermochromic battery tester, a circuit may be completed when a consumer manually depressing one or two button switches. Once the switch is depressed, the consumer has connected the battery to the thermochromic tester. The thermochromic tester may include a silver resistor, e.g., a flat silver layer that has a variable width so that the electrical resistance also varies along its length. As current travels through the silver resistor, the dissipated power generates heat that changes the color of a thermochromic ink display that is placed over the silver resistor. The thermochromic ink display may be arranged as a gauge to indicate the relative capacity of the battery. However, it is typically necessary for the consumer to inconveniently hold the battery and/or remove the battery from the device in order to test the battery using the battery tester.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an indicator circuit for wireless communication, for example RFID and/or NFC applications, that is decoupled from a ground plane. A communications system including such an indicator circuit may reduce or eliminate shorting between the antenna and the ground plane. In addition, the communications system including such an indicator circuit may eliminate any need to re-tune the antenna. In addition, the communications system including such an indicator circuit may reduce or eliminate interference from other metal parts that may function as the ground plane. An indicator circuit for wireless communications that is decoupled from a ground plane may also be incorporated within a battery tester. Any parasitic capacitance that may form as a result of the metal housing of the battery or other metal components, such as those within the device, may be reduced or eliminated. In either instance, the read range of the antenna within the indicator circuit may not be adversely affected by the ground plane/metal components when the antenna is near the ground plane/metal components.

<CIT> discusses a secondary battery module that includes a battery information storage unit for storing electric characteristic information and usage history information of the secondary battery module. A battery information management device is connected to a terminal device via a communications network.

<CIT> discusses a battery information acquiring apparatus including a voltage acquiring unit which acquires an inter-terminal voltage of the battery cell; a battery information acquiring circuit which acquires battery information of the battery cell with the acquired voltage being supplied as a first power supply voltage and; a radio circuit which transmits a signal of the battery information to the management unit via the antenna with the acquired voltage being supplied as a second power supply voltage.

The invention provides an on-cell remote indication system in accordance with the claims.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter, which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is directed towards an indicator circuit that is decoupled from a ground plane. The indicator circuit is capable of sending and/or receiving a wireless communication signal. The indicator circuit includes an integrated circuit, an antenna, and a decoupler component. The indicator circuit may wirelessly communicate characteristics, such as battery voltage, to a reader, such as a smartphone. In some embodiments, the ground plane may be, for example, a metal housing of the battery.

The integrated circuit (IC) may include a circuit of transistors, resistors, diodes, inductors, and/or capacitors constructed on a single substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer or chip, or a metal, polymer, or ceramic substrate, in which the discreet components are interconnected to perform a given function. The IC may comprise a communications circuit and/or an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) electrically coupled together to perform a function, or any number of functions. The IC may be electrically connected to a system ground in order for the IC to perform its function(s). The IC may include other circuits to include, but not be limited to, an indication circuit, a power circuit, a RFID circuit or block, a NFC circuit or block, an input/output circuit or port, etc. The IC may physically co-locate the communications circuit and ADC together side-by-side or physically integrate them together. The IC may also comprise an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is specifically manufactured to encompass the performance of the function, or any number of functions, that are required. The function may be to determine a specified condition of an article and relay that information to the reader in the form of function information. The function may also be to signally communicate a notification of the specific condition of the article or the function may be to provide an indication of the specified condition of the article which may include audible, visible, or pallesthesia indications. Pallesthesia is the ability to sense a vibration and a pallesthesia indication is a mechanical or electromechanical means to provide the sense of vibration. The IC may be of any suitable shape. The IC may have a rectangular or square shape with a length, width, and height. The IC may be active, semi-active, battery-assisted passive, or may be passive. The IC may have a width of less than about <NUM>, for example between about <NUM> and about <NUM>. The IC may have a height of less than about <NUM>, for example between about <NUM> and about <NUM>. The IC may have a length of less than about <NUM>, for example between about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The communications circuit may be any suitable communications circuitry such as radiofrequency identification (RFID) circuitry and near field communication (NFC) circuitry as included within, for example, ISO/IEC <NUM> (proximity cards), <NUM> (vicinity cards),<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communication standards; Bluetooth circuitry as included within, for example, IEEE <NUM>. <NUM> communication standard; WiFi circuitry as included within, for example, IEEE <NUM> communication standard; Zigbee circuitry as included within, for example, IEEE <NUM> communication standard; and any suitable fixed wireless communication circuitry. The communications circuit may utilize any suitable frequency bands such as low-frequency (from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and from about <NUM> to about <NUM>); high frequency (HF) (<NUM>); ultra-high frequency (UHF) (<NUM> - <NUM>); or microwave frequency (<NUM> - <NUM>). In addition, other communications circuitry may be used, such as audible or inaudible sound or visible light.

The antenna includes at least one antenna trace that may define a single antenna; multiple antennas; or define one or more continuous loop antennas. Each loop may have one or more turns or windings of the at least one antenna trace. The at least one antenna trace includes a first antenna terminal and a second antenna terminal. The first antenna terminal and the second antenna terminal may provide joint connections for solder, conductive adhesive, ultrasonic welding, themosonic bonding, thermo-compression bonding, or crimping of the integrated circuit (IC). The first antenna terminal and the second antenna terminal are electrically coupled to the IC.

The antenna may include any number of loops required to achieve the desired read range. The corresponding IC input capacitance and antenna inductance must be accounted for in deciding how many symmetrical loops and/or how many turns per symmetrical loop may be used to provide a LC (inductance and capacitance) tank circuit with a tunability range to meet the communications circuit and reader resonance frequencies.

The at least one antenna trace, the first antenna terminal, and the second antenna terminal may be made from copper, aluminum, silver, gold, or other conductive metals. Other examples include conductive polymers, conductive glues, and conductive carbon, such as graphite. The at least one antenna trace, the first antenna terminal, and the second antenna terminal may be printed or painted. The at least one antenna trace of the antenna may be printed by a machine that defines the antenna through the use of screen, gravure, or ink jet printing to apply the material onto a subject surface. The printing may be completed via RF sputtering techniques; impact or pressure techniques that define material on the subject surface; metal foil mask techniques; and etch techniques, or heat or light activation techniques that activate the material that is applied to the subject surface.

The at least one antenna trace, the first antenna terminal, and the second antenna terminal may be made from foil. The at least one antenna trace, the first antenna terminal, and the second antenna terminal may be a pre-formed wire that is either insulated or bare. If the pre-formed wire is bare, it may be covered by a non-conductive sheet, a non-conductive tape, a non-conductive flexible substrate, or a non-conductive shrink wrap.

The ground plane may be an electrically conductive surface that is connected to system ground. The ground plane may be, for example, metal. The ground plane may be, for example, metal components or componentry that are included within a device.

A parasitic capacitance may form when the antenna is in proximity to the ground plane. The parasitic capacitance may be a distributed capacitance between the antenna and the ground plane. The parasitic capacitance may affect any antenna including, for example, a single-ended antenna and a differential-type, or floating-type, antenna. The parasitic capacitance may reduce the desired read range of the antenna. The parasitic capacitance may electronically function as a capacitor and may have a capacitive value. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance will vary depending upon the area of overlap of the antenna with the ground plane. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance will also vary depending upon the distance between the antenna and the ground plane as well as the dielectric medium between the antenna and the ground plane. The dielectric medium may be an electrical insulator, such as ferrite, plastic, air, and the like. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance may be calculated according to Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where C is the capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance, in Farads (F); εr is the relative static permittivity, or the dielectric constant, of the dielectric medium between the antenna and the ground plane (for a vacuum, εr = <NUM>); ε<NUM> is the vacuum permittivity, which is approximately <NUM>×<NUM>- <NUM> F m-<NUM>; A is the area of overlap of the antenna and the ground plane, in square meters (m<NUM>); and d is the distance of separation between the antenna and the ground plane, in meters (m). For example, the dielectric material between the antenna and the ground plane may be ferrite with a dielectric constant of <NUM>; the surface area of the antenna trace may be <NUM><NUM>; and the distance between the antenna and the ground plane may be <NUM>. Using Equation <NUM>, the capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance under these conditions is calculated to be about <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> F [(<NUM>)(<NUM><NUM>)( <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> F m-<NUM>) / (<NUM>)].

The reactance of the antenna and the parasitic capacitance may act as a voltage divider within the indicator circuit. The voltage divider will reduce the antenna voltage of the antenna and the associated read range of the antenna. The decoupler component may be selected to minimize the reduction of the voltage of the antenna by the voltage divider. The decoupler component decouples the parasitic capacitance from the antenna and reduces or eliminates any interference from the ground plane with the antenna. The decoupler component is a resistor, an inductor, and any combination thereof. The decoupler component may be, for example, a discrete surface mount component. The decoupler component may be a printed component, such as printed carbon. The decoupler component may be a resistive material, such as resistive glue. The system ground and the ground plane are not directly connected when the decoupler component is included within the indicator circuit.

The decoupler component may be, for example, a resistor having a resistance that is selected to minimize reduction of the antenna voltage within the indicator circuit by the ground plane. The resistance of the resistor may be, for example, at least about <NUM> times the reactance of the parasitic capacitance at the operating frequency of the indicator circuit. The resistor may have a resistance, for example, of greater than about <NUM> Ohms (Ω). The resistor may have a resistance, for example, of greater than about <NUM>Ω. The resistor may have a resistance, for example, of greater than about <NUM>,<NUM>Ω. The resistor may have a resistance, for example, of greater than about <NUM>,<NUM>Ω. The resistor may have a resistance, for example, of greater than about <NUM>,<NUM>Ω.

The decoupler component may be, for example, an inductor having an inductance that is selected to minimize reduction of the antenna voltage within the indicator circuit by the ground plane. The inductor may have an inductance, for example, of greater than about <NUM> microHenry (µH). The inductor may have an inductance, for example, of greater than about <NUM>µH. The inductor may have an inductance, for example, of greater than about <NUM>µH.

The selection of the decoupler component may be determined in accordance with the example calculations that follow. The antenna will have an inductance that is maximized in order for the antenna to remain tunable when taking into consideration the input capacitance of the communications circuit. The reactance of the antenna may be calculated according to Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where ZL is the reactance of the antenna, in Ohms (Ω); f is the frequency of the antenna voltage, in Hertz (Hz); and L is the inductance of the antenna, in Henry (H). For example, an antenna for a high frequency RFID, or NFC, communications circuit at <NUM> may have an inductance of about <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> H where the antenna is referenced to the system ground. Using Equation <NUM>, the reactance of the antenna for the exemplary RFID indicator circuit is calculated to be about <NUM>Ω (<NUM> · π · <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Hz · <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> H).

The exemplary parasitic capacitance that is calculated by Equation <NUM> above may also have a reactance. The reactance of the parasitic capacitance may be calculated according to Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where ZC is the reactance of the parasitic capacitance, in Ohms (Ω); f is the frequency of the antenna voltage, in Hertz (Hz); and C is the capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance, as is calculated by Equation <NUM>, in Farads (F). Using Equation <NUM>, the reactance of the parasitic capacitance is calculated to be about <NUM>Ω [<NUM>/(<NUM> · π · <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Hz · <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> F)].

The current that is available to the antenna within the indicator circuit will be split, according to Kirchhoff's Law, between the current that is pulled by the integrated circuit and the current that is lost to the parasitic capacitance. This relationship is mathematically expressed according to Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where IANT is the antenna current, in Amperes (A); IIC is the input current of the integrated circuit, in Amperes (A); and ILOST is the current lost to the parasitic capacitance, in Amperes (A).

The particular integrated circuit within the indicator circuit will have a minimum operating current. The particular integrated circuit will also have a minimum voltage, or threshold voltage, at which the integrated circuit is able to turn on. The minimum operating current may be determined, according to Ohm's Law, for the particular integrated circuit since the threshold voltage of, and the resistance within, the particular integrated circuit are known. For example, the threshold voltage of, and the resistance within, the particular integrated circuit may be <NUM> volt (V) and <NUM>Ω respectively. The minimum operating current, IIC, of the integrated circuit according to Ohm's Law is <NUM> A [<NUM> V / <NUM>Ω].

The antenna will need to produce enough current to offset any lost current that is associated with the parasitic capacitance in order to keep the threshold voltage constant. The current lost to the parasitic capacitance, ILOST, may be calculated using Ohm's Law and the reactance of the parasitic capacitance, as is calculated by Equation <NUM>. The current lost to the parasitic capacitance, according to Ohm's Law, is <NUM> A [<NUM> V / <NUM>Ω] at the constant threshold voltage.

The antenna current, according to Equation <NUM>, is <NUM> A [<NUM> A + <NUM> A]. The antenna will have to generate <NUM> V and compensate for the losses across the antenna reactance according to Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where VANT is the antenna voltage, in volts (V); VIC is the threshold voltage of the integrated circuit, in volts (V); IANT is the antenna current, in Amperes (A); and ZANT is the reactance of the antenna, as is calculated by Equation <NUM>, in Ohms (Ω). The antenna voltage, as is calculated according to Equation <NUM>, is <NUM> V [<NUM> V + (<NUM> A × <NUM>Ω)], which will result in a reduced read range of the indicator circuit.

The decoupler component is added between the system ground and the ground plane. The resulting equivalent circuit of the indicator circuit would have the decoupler component in series with the parasitic capacitance. The current lost to the parasitic capacitance, ILOST, is now mathematically represented according to Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where VIC is the threshold voltage of the integrated circuit, in volts (V); ZC is the reactance of the parasitic capacitance, as is calculated by Equation <NUM>, in Ohms (Ω); and ZD is the reactance of the decoupler component, in Ohms (Ω). The reactance of the decoupler component should be large in relation to the reactance of the parasitic capacitance so as to minimize any negative affect of the parasitic capacitance on the antenna within the indicator circuit.

The antenna voltage of the indicator circuit may be, for example, more than about <NUM>% of the antenna voltage for an indicator circuit that is not affected by the parasitic capacitance. In this instance, the current lost to the parasitic capacitance should be less than <NUM>% of the input current of the integrated circuit. Equation <NUM>, under these conditions, may be written as follows: <MAT> Solving for ZC + ZD results in a total reactance within the indicator circuit at about <NUM>% voltage reduction that is <NUM>,<NUM>Ω. The reactance of the parasitic capacitance, ZC, is calculated above as <NUM>Ω. The resulting impedance of the decoupler component, ZD, for the exemplary indicator circuit is <NUM>,<NUM>Ω (<NUM>,<NUM>Ω - <NUM>Ω). Thus, the inclusion of a decoupler component, such as a resistor with a resistance of about <NUM>,<NUM>Ω, will result in less than about <NUM>% antenna voltage loss. The resistor, for example, decouples the parasitic capacitance from the antenna and reduces or eliminates any interference from the ground plane with the antenna.

The decoupler component, as is described above, may be an inductor. The inductance of the inductor may be calculated according to Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where L is the inductance of the inductor, in Henry (H); f is the frequency of the antenna voltage, in Hertz (Hz); and ZL is the resistance of the decoupler component, e.g., the inductor, in Ohms (Ω). Using Equation <NUM>, the calculated inductance of the inductor is about <NUM> [<NUM>,<NUM>Ω / (<NUM> · π · <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Hz)]. Thus, the inclusion of a decoupler component, such as an inductor with an inductance of about <NUM>, will result in less than about <NUM>% antenna voltage loss. The use of an inductor as a decoupler component may be most applicable for communications circuits with antennae having high frequencies, such as UHF and microwave communications circuits.

In addition, the impedance of the decoupler component, such as the resistor or the inductor, may not exceed a resistance value that is determined by the desired accuracy of the voltage measurement by the ADC within the indicator circuit. The maximum value of the impedance of the decoupler component will vary depending upon the input resistance of the ADC chosen for the particular indicator circuit and the desired accuracy of the voltage measurement of the ADC.

The decoupler component includes a first decoupler component terminal and a second decoupler component terminal. The first decoupler component terminal is electrically coupled to the IC. The second decoupler component terminal is electrically coupled to a negative terminal of a battery. For example, a conducting trace, such as a lead, may couple the first decoupler component terminal of the decoupler component to the IC. Similarly, a conducting trace, such as a lead, may couple the second decoupler component terminal of the decoupler component to the negative terminal of a battery. The conducting traces can be formed from any suitable material that is electrically conductive, such as conductive polymers, conductive glues, conductive carbon, such as graphite, and conductive metals, such as aluminum, nickel, silver, copper, gold, and tin. The conducting traces may take any suitable form that provides electrical coupling from the first decoupler terminal of the decoupler component to the IC and from the second decoupler terminal of the decoupler component to the negative terminal of a battery. The conducting traces, for example, may be printed directly on the subject surface; may be a thin metal wire affixed to the subject surface; or may be a thin insulated wire attached to the subject surface. The conductive trace may also function, in part, as the decoupler component. For example, the resistance of the conductive trace, or a section of the conductive trace, may be tailored to the required resistance of the decoupler component. For example, the conductive trace, such as conductive glue or carbon, may have a resistance of about <NUM>,<NUM>Ω throughout the entire, or within a section, of the conductive trace.

The reader may be any device capable of reading the RFID indicator circuit or NFC indicator circuit. Specific examples of the reader include a smartphone, tablet, personal computer (PC) with NFC adapter, dedicated RFID indicator circuit reader, a dedicated NFC indicator circuit reader, a handheld computing device, or a wand antenna electrically coupled to a computing device. The reader may be used to excite the IC by transmitting an interrogation signal or may transmit a "wake-up" signal to the IC. The interrogation signal may be a RF pulse of a predetermined frequency used to energize the circuit in the IC and provide power to the IC to transmit its function information. The "wake-up" signal may be a RF pulse, but the IC may use power from another source to power the IC and to transmit its function information. The reader may include a display to visibly present the function information or an audible device capable of audibly presenting the function information. The reader may also include algorithms to interpret and/or modify the function information before presenting.

An on-cell remote indication system may include the indicator circuit that is electrically coupled to an electrochemical cell, or a battery. The on-cell remote indication system may provide information about the battery to, for example, a consumer through the use of the reader. The battery may include a metal housing. The metal housing may act as the ground plane. The indicator circuit may be decoupled from the ground plane. The antenna voltage of the antenna within an indicator circuit that is decoupled from the ground plane within an on-cell remote indication system may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance that may form between the antenna and the battery/ground plane.

The electrochemical cell is a device that is capable of converting chemical energy within the active materials of the electrochemical cell by means of an electrochemical reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction. David Linden, Handbook of Batteries, <NUM> (<NUM>th ed. The electrochemical cell consists of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. One or more electrochemical cells may be referred to as a battery. Electrochemical cells, or batteries, may be primary or secondary. Primary batteries are meant to be discharged, e.g., to exhaustion, only once and then discarded. Primary batteries are described, for example, in David Linden, Handbook of Batteries (<NUM>th ed. Secondary batteries are intended to be recharged. Secondary batteries may be discharged and recharged many times, e.g., more than fifty times, a hundred times, or more. Secondary batteries are described, for example, in David Linden, Handbook of Batteries (<NUM>th ed. Accordingly, batteries may include various electrochemical couples and electrolyte combinations. It should be appreciated that the invention applies to both primary and secondary batteries of aqueous, nonaqueous, ionic liquid, and solid state systems. Primary and secondary batteries of the aforementioned systems are thus within the scope of this application and the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment.

Batteries also come in varying sizes and dimensions. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), for example, has established standard sizes and dimensions for batteries available to consumers at retail. The IEC has set standard sizes and dimensions, for example, cylindrical batteries, such as AAA batteries, AA batteries, C batteries, and D batteries. Similarly, standard sizes and dimensions have been set for non-cylindrical batteries. A 9V alkaline battery, for example, has a prismatic, or rectangular, shape. Individual battery or device manufacturers may also designate the dimensions for prismatic batteries that may not be generally available at retail, such as lithium ion prismatic batteries. It should be appreciated that the present invention applies to batteries of various sizes, such as cylindrical and prismatic, and dimensions, such as AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V as well as batteries sizes and dimensions designated by individual battery or device manufacturers.

The battery has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The IC may be electrically coupled, in series, parallel, or a combination thereof, to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery. For example, a conducting trace, such as a lead, may connect the negative terminal of the battery to the IC. Similarly, a conducting trace, such as a lead, may connect the positive terminal of the battery to the IC. The conducting traces can be formed from any suitable material that is electrically conductive, such as conductive polymers; conductive glues; conductive carbon, such as graphite; and conductive metals, such as aluminum, nickel, silver, copper, gold, and tin. The conducting traces may be printed directly on the battery; may be a thin metal wire affixed to the battery; may be a thin insulated wire attached to the battery; or any other suitable form that provides electrical connection from the positive terminal to the IC and from the negative terminal to the IC. The conducting traces may be electrically isolated from the housing of the battery. For example, the conducting trace may extend from the IC to the negative terminal of the battery and remain electrically isolated from the battery till it is electrically coupled to the negative terminal of the battery. Similarly, the conducting trace may extend from the IC to the positive terminal of the battery and remain electrically isolated from the battery till it is electrically coupled to the positive terminal of the battery. The conducting traces may be coupled to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery, for example, by a conductive adhesive, such as a silver epoxy, by ultrasonic welding, by resistance welding, by laser welding, or by mechanical pressure.

The IC of the indicator circuit may perform any number of a series of functions with respect to the battery. The IC may provide information regarding: power output of the battery; rate of discharge of the battery; when the battery is nearing the end of its useful life; and state of charge of the battery. The IC may also provide: over-discharge protection; over-charge protection; remaining capacity determination; voltage determination; cycle life determination; and power management. Power management functions may include battery identification; battery state of health; battery protection; cell balancing; fuel gauging; charge control; voltage conversion; load regulation; powering the battery on/off; power setting adjustment; allow or prevent recharging; battery by-pass; temperature monitoring; and charging rate adjustment. The IC may be used, for example, in an on-cell remote indication system to provide information about the battery to, for example, a consumer through the use of the reader. The IC may also be configured with a unique identifier, such as an RFID indicator circuit equivalent, that indicates either a unique sequence of numbers/symbols or information such as, for example, manufacturing date, lot number, serial number, and the other identifiable information.

The indicator circuit for the on-cell remote indication system may also include an antenna, as is described above, that includes at least one antenna trace, a first antenna terminal, and a second antenna terminal. The IC, for example, may physically integrate and electrically couple together the communications circuit, such as the RFID indicator circuit and/or the NFC indicator circuit, the ADC, the first antenna terminal, and the second antenna terminal.

The IC may, for example, be configured to sense a voltage of the battery with a first lead electrically coupled to the negative terminal of the battery and a second lead electrically coupled to positive terminal of the battery. The IC may sense the voltage between the negative terminal of the battery and the positive terminal of the battery and signally report that voltage to a reader. The metal housing of the battery may act as the ground plane. In addition, multiple batteries may be included within an electronic device. The metal housing of a battery that is near a battery including an on-cell remote indication system may act as the ground plane. In addition, the electronic device may include metal components, such as terminals, circuitry, and the like, that may act as the ground plane. A parasitic capacitance may form when the antenna is in proximity to the metal housing of the battery, the metal housing of another battery, and/or other metal components within the electronic device. The parasitic capacitance may reduce the antenna voltage of the antenna within the on-cell remote indication system. The decoupler component being electrically coupled with the IC and, for example, the positive terminal of the battery, decouples the parasitic capacitance from the antenna and reduces or eliminates any interference from the ground plane with the antenna. The antenna voltage of the antenna within an indicator circuit that is decoupled from the ground plane within an on-cell remote indication system may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance that may form between the antenna and the battery/ground plane.

The on-cell remote indication system may also include a magnetic diverter if the housing of the battery to which the on-cell remote indication system is attached is metal. The magnetic diverter may be any material with high magnetic permeability at a specified frequency and with low electrical conductivity. The magnetic diverter may be, for example, a thin, flexible, ferrite material adjacent to and covering the housing. Other materials may be used as the ferrite shield which provide a high magnetic permeability such as, for example, iron, nickel, or cobalt and their corresponding alloys. Other materials for the ferrite shield also include oxides which are not substantially electrically conductive. The magnetic diverter may be a film affixed to the surface of the housing or incorporated within a label that covers the housing. The magnetic diverter may be painted or coated on the surface of the housing. The magnetic diverter may be, for example, about <NUM> micrometers to about <NUM> micrometers thick.

Referring to <FIG>, an indicator circuit <NUM> including an antenna <NUM>, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>, a ground plane <NUM>, a system ground <NUM>, and a decoupler component <NUM> is shown. The indicator circuit is not shown on-cell as indicated in the claims. The antenna <NUM> includes at least one antenna trace <NUM>, a first antenna terminal <NUM> and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> of the antenna <NUM> are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> includes a first decoupler component terminal <NUM> and a second decoupler component terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal <NUM> via the system ground <NUM>. The second decoupler component terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the ground plane <NUM>. A parasitic capacitance <NUM> may form between the antenna <NUM> and the ground plane <NUM>. The parasitic capacitance <NUM> may have a capacitive value that is schematically represented by a capacitor <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will vary depending upon the area of overlap of the antenna <NUM> with the ground plane <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will also vary depending upon the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the ground plane <NUM> as well as the dielectric medium between the antenna <NUM> and the ground plane <NUM>. The integrated circuit current (IIC); the antenna current (IANT); the current lost to the parasitic capacitance (ILOST); and the antenna voltage (VANT) are also shown within <FIG> to further assist the exemplary calculations that are discussed above.

The parasitic capacitance <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as broken lines to indicate that the parasitic capacitance <NUM> is not a physical part of the circuitry of the indicator circuit <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> decouples the parasitic capacitance <NUM> from the antenna <NUM> and reduces or eliminates any interference from the ground plane <NUM> with the antenna <NUM>. The antenna voltage (VANT) of the antenna <NUM> within the indicator circuit <NUM> that is decoupled from the ground plane <NUM> may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance <NUM> that may form between the antenna <NUM> and the ground plane <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an indicator circuit <NUM> including an antenna <NUM>, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>, a ground plane <NUM>, a system ground <NUM>, and a decoupler component <NUM> that is connected to a battery <NUM> is shown. The antenna <NUM> includes at least one antenna trace <NUM>, a first antenna terminal <NUM>, and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> of the antenna <NUM> are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit <NUM>. The battery <NUM> includes one electrochemical cell. The battery <NUM> includes a positive terminal <NUM> and a negative terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to the positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> includes a first decoupler component terminal <NUM> and a second decoupler component terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal <NUM> via the system ground <NUM>. The second decoupler component terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM> also acts as the ground plane <NUM>. A parasitic capacitance <NUM> may form between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The parasitic capacitance <NUM> may have a capacitive value that is schematically represented by a capacitor <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will vary depending upon the area of overlap of the antenna <NUM> with the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will also vary depending upon the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> as well as the dielectric medium between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>.

The parasitic capacitance <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as broken lines to indicate that the parasitic capacitance <NUM> is not a physical part of the circuitry of the indicator circuit <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> decouples the parasitic capacitance <NUM> from the antenna <NUM> and reduces or eliminates any interference from the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> with the antenna <NUM>. The antenna voltage of the antenna <NUM> within the indicator circuit <NUM> that is decoupled from the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance <NUM> that may form between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an indicator circuit <NUM> including an antenna <NUM>, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>, a ground plane <NUM>, a system ground <NUM>, and a decoupler component <NUM> that is connected to a battery <NUM> is shown. The antenna <NUM> includes at least one antenna trace <NUM>, a first antenna terminal <NUM>, and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> of the antenna <NUM> are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit <NUM>. The battery <NUM> includes one electrochemical cell. The battery <NUM> includes a positive terminal <NUM> and a negative terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> includes a first decoupler component terminal <NUM> and a second decoupler component terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal <NUM> via the system ground <NUM>. The second decoupler component terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM> also acts as the ground plane <NUM>. A parasitic capacitance <NUM> may form between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>.

The parasitic capacitance <NUM> may have a capacitive value that is schematically represented by a capacitor <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will vary depending upon the area of overlap of the antenna <NUM> with the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will also vary depending upon the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> as well as the dielectric medium between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The parasitic capacitance <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as broken lines to indicate that the parasitic capacitance <NUM> is not a physical part of the circuitry of the indicator circuit <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> decouples the parasitic capacitance <NUM> from the antenna <NUM> and reduces or eliminates any interference from the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> with the antenna <NUM>. The antenna voltage of the antenna <NUM> within the indicator circuit <NUM> that is decoupled from the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance <NUM> that may form between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an indicator circuit <NUM> including an antenna <NUM>, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>, a ground plane <NUM>, a system ground <NUM>, and a decoupler component <NUM> that is connected to a battery <NUM> is shown. The antenna <NUM> includes at least one antenna trace <NUM>, a first antenna terminal <NUM>, and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> of the antenna <NUM> are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit <NUM>. The battery <NUM> includes at least two electrochemical cells. The battery <NUM> includes a positive terminal <NUM> and a negative terminal <NUM>. The IC <NUM> is electrically coupled with the positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> includes a first decoupler component terminal <NUM> and a second decoupler component terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal <NUM> via the system ground <NUM>. The second decoupler component terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM> also acts as the ground plane <NUM>. A parasitic capacitance <NUM> may form between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The parasitic capacitance <NUM> may have a capacitive value that is schematically represented by a capacitor <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will vary depending upon the area of overlap of the antenna <NUM> with the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will also vary depending upon the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> as well as the dielectric medium between antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>.

The parasitic capacitance <NUM> may have a capacitive value that is schematically represented by a capacitor <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will vary depending upon the area of overlap of the antenna <NUM> with the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will also vary depending upon the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> as well as the dielectric medium between the antenna <NUM> and negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The parasitic capacitance <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as broken lines to indicate that the parasitic capacitance <NUM> is not a physical part of the circuitry of the indicator circuit <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> decouples the parasitic capacitance <NUM> from the antenna <NUM> and reduces or eliminates any interference from the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> with the antenna <NUM>. The antenna voltage of the antenna <NUM> within the indicator circuit <NUM> that is decoupled from the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance <NUM> that may form between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an indicator circuit <NUM> including an antenna <NUM>, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>, a ground plane <NUM>, a system ground <NUM>, and a decoupler component <NUM> that is connected to a battery <NUM> is shown. The antenna <NUM> includes at least one antenna trace <NUM>, a first antenna terminal <NUM>, and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> of the antenna <NUM> are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit <NUM>. The battery <NUM> includes at least two electrochemical cells. The battery <NUM> includes a positive terminal <NUM> and a negative terminal <NUM>. The IC <NUM> is electrically coupled to the negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> includes a first decoupler component terminal <NUM> and a second decoupler component terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal <NUM> via the system ground <NUM>. The second decoupler component terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM> also acts as the ground plane <NUM>. A parasitic capacitance <NUM> may form between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>.

The parasitic capacitance <NUM> may have a capacitive value that is schematically represented by a capacitor <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will vary depending upon the area of overlap of the antenna <NUM> with the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The capacitive value of the parasitic capacitance <NUM> will also vary depending upon the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> as well as the dielectric medium between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>. The parasitic capacitance <NUM> is shown is <FIG> as broken lines to indicate that the parasitic capacitance <NUM> is not a physical part of the circuitry of the indicator circuit <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> decouples the parasitic capacitance <NUM> from the antenna <NUM> and reduces or eliminates any interference from the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> with the antenna <NUM>. The antenna voltage of the antenna <NUM> within the indicator circuit <NUM> that is decoupled from the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM> may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance <NUM> that may form between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an indicator circuit <NUM> including an antenna <NUM>, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>, a system ground <NUM>, and a decoupler component <NUM> that is connected to a cylindrical battery <NUM> is shown. The antenna <NUM> includes at least one antenna trace <NUM>, a first antenna terminal <NUM>, and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> of the antenna <NUM> are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit <NUM>. The battery <NUM> includes a positive terminal <NUM> and a negative terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> includes a first decoupler component terminal <NUM> and a second decoupler component terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal <NUM> via the system ground <NUM>. The second decoupler component terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM> also acts as a ground plane. A parasitic capacitance may form between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> decouples the parasitic capacitance from the antenna <NUM> and reduces or eliminates any interference from the positive terminal <NUM> with the antenna <NUM>. The antenna voltage of the antenna <NUM> within the indicator circuit <NUM> that is decoupled from the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance that may form between the antenna <NUM> and the positive terminal <NUM>/ground plane.

Referring to <FIG>, an indicator circuit <NUM> including an antenna <NUM>, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>, a system ground <NUM>, and a decoupler component <NUM> that is connected to a cylindrical battery <NUM> is shown. The antenna <NUM> includes at least one antenna trace <NUM>, a first antenna terminal <NUM>, and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> of the antenna <NUM> are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit <NUM>. The battery <NUM> includes a positive terminal <NUM> and a negative terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the positive terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> includes a first decoupler component terminal <NUM> and a second decoupler component terminal <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal <NUM> via the system ground <NUM>. The second decoupler component terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM> also acts as a ground plane. A parasitic capacitance may form between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The decoupler component <NUM> decouples the parasitic capacitance from the antenna <NUM> and reduces or eliminates any interference from the negative terminal <NUM> with the antenna <NUM>. The antenna voltage of the antenna <NUM> within the indicator circuit <NUM> that is decoupled from the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane may not be adversely affected by the parasitic capacitance that may form between the antenna <NUM> and the negative terminal <NUM>/ground plane.

Referring to <FIG>, an out-of-phase configuration of a two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> is shown. <FIG> depicts the two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> flat for clarity of the nonoverlapping two symmetrical loops. The two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> may be printed on a flexible substrate <NUM>. The flexible substrate <NUM> may have a first edge <NUM> and a second edge <NUM>. Each symmetrical loop of the two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> may include one, two, or more turns of an antenna trace <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> may include a first antenna terminal <NUM> and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> may be electrically coupled to an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> may be included within an indicator circuit that is decoupled from a ground plane for use within a wireless communication system.

Referring to <FIG>, an out-of-phase configuration of a two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) on a flexible <NUM> that may be wrapped around a cylindrical body, such as a battery, is shown. There is no overlap between the first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM>. The IC <NUM>, the first antenna terminal <NUM>, and the second antenna terminal <NUM> are shown and work as described above. In this illustrative embodiment, when the flexible substrate <NUM> is wrapped around a cylindrical object, the first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM> are substantially parallel to each other. In another embodiment, the two symmetrical loop antenna may be printed on the flexible substrate <NUM> that is cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical shaped flexible substrate <NUM> may slide over the cylindrical body. The antenna <NUM> may be included within an indicator circuit that is decoupled from a ground plane, such as a cylindrical battery, for use within a wireless communication system, such as an on-cell remote indication system.

Referring to <FIG>, an in-phase configuration of a two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> is shown. <FIG> depicts the two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> flat for clarity of the nonoverlapping two symmetrical loops. The two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> may be printed on a flexible substrate <NUM>. The flexible substrate <NUM> may have a first edge <NUM> and a second edge <NUM>. Each symmetrical loop of the two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> may include one, two, or more turns of an antenna trace <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> may include a first antenna terminal <NUM> and a second antenna terminal <NUM>. The first antenna terminal <NUM> and the second antenna terminal <NUM> may be electrically coupled to an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>. In the in-phase configuration <NUM>, the antenna trace <NUM> connections with the IC <NUM> are reversed as shown in the out-of-phase connection of <FIG>. The antenna <NUM> may be included within an indicator circuit that is decoupled from a ground plane for use within a wireless communication system.

Referring to <FIG>, an in-phase configuration of a two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) on a flexible <NUM> that may be wrapped around a cylindrical body, such as a battery, is shown. There is no overlap between the first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM>. The IC <NUM>, the first antenna terminal <NUM>, and the second antenna terminal <NUM> are shown and work as described above. In this illustrative embodiment, when the flexible substrate <NUM> is wrapped around a cylindrical object, the first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM> are substantially parallel to each other. In another embodiment, the two symmetrical loop antenna <NUM> may be printed on the flexible substrate <NUM> that is cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical shaped flexible substrate <NUM> may slide over the cylindrical body. The antenna <NUM> may be included within an indicator circuit that is decoupled from a ground plane, such as a cylindrical battery, for use within a wireless communication system, such as an on-cell remote indication system.

The two symmetrical loop antenna is shown in an out-of-phase configuration (<FIG>) and in the in-phase configuration (<FIG>). When the two symmetrical loop antenna is coupled to the cylindrical body, such as the cylindrical battery, the two loops of the two symmetrical loop antenna are at about <NUM> degrees apart (opposite sides of the cylindrical body) from each other which may allow for better signal communication between the two symmetrical loop antenna and a reader. The out-of-phase configuration provides for increased signal fidelity at the cylindrical ends (top and bottom) of the cylindrical body where the circular sections of the antenna trace along a top section and a bottom section of the cylindrical body are in phase with one another and the long axis sections of the antenna trace cancel out. The term "in phase" may include situations where a wave form is in sync or where the frequency of two or more waveforms are the same and their positive and negative peaks occur at the same time. The term "cancel out" may include situations where two or more waveforms are out-of-phase by about <NUM> degrees and have the same frequency and amplitude.

In some embodiments, the flexible substrate may be a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB). The first terminal may be electrically coupled to the IC on the chip location via a different layer on the multi-layered PCB than the antenna trace. This may allow the overlap of traces as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> without electrically coupling the traces together. Furthermore, the leads to the positive terminal and negative terminal of the battery as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may also be on a separate layer of the multi-layered PCB to facilitate the crossing of the leads with the antenna trace.

An exemplary AA battery with an indicator circuit is assembled. The battery is a nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery with a metal housing. The battery includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. A layer of thin, ferrite material covers the surface of the cylindrical axis of the metal housing of the battery. A flexible antenna is tightly wrapped around the cylindrical axis of the ferrite-covered metal housing. A passive, ISO15693 RFID-enabled silicon chip with on-board analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is electrically connected to the antenna. A tuning capacitor to closely match the resonant frequency of the antenna to that of the RFID reader (<NUM>) is electrically connected to the integrated circuit. A voltage divider consisting of a <NUM> kΩ resistor and a <NUM> kΩ resistor is connected between the positive terminal of the battery and a system ground. The output of the voltage divider is connected to the ADC input of the IC.

Battery A includes an indicator circuit where the ADC input is connected to the positive terminal of the battery through a voltage divider. The system ground of the IC of the indicator circuit for Battery A is not connected to, or in proximity with, a ground plane. Battery B includes an indicator circuit where the ADC input is connected to the positive terminal of the battery through a voltage divider. The system ground of the IC of the indicator circuit for Battery B is connected to the metal housing of the battery through a decoupler component that is a <NUM> kΩ resistor. Battery C includes an indicator circuit where the ADC input is connected to the positive terminal of the battery through a voltage divider. The system ground of the IC of the indicator circuit for Battery C is directly connected to the metal housing of the battery.

The read range of each indicator circuit within the exemplary battery is evaluated by the Read Range Test. The Read Range Test includes communicating, via a smartphone, with the RFID-enabled integrated circuit that is attached to the antenna within the indicator circuit that is in electrical communication with the battery. The maximum read range is found by aligning the long axes, center points, and relative rotation of the smartphone and the battery. The maximum read range for each configuration is recorded with the use of an NFC enabled application on the smartphone. The maximum read range is determined by measuring the furthest distance at which successful communication is established between the smartphone and the indicator circuit. To measure the maximum read range, the indicator circuit and phone are separated by a set distance by using a non-metallic spacer of low permittivity. The smartphone attempts to initiate communication with the indicator circuit. Successful communication is deemed to have occurred if the phone is able to receive and understand the indicator circuit's response containing its Unique Identification Number (UID) and voltage reading. The distance between the phone and antenna is successively increased until communication is no longer established. The distance measured is that between the rear surface of the phone and the closest surface of the antenna to the phone. The Read Range Test is carried out in a laboratory at room temperature.

The maximum read range of Battery A is determined to be <NUM>. The maximum read range of Battery C is determined to be <NUM>, or about <NUM>% of the maximum read range of Battery A. The maximum read range of Battery B is determined to be <NUM>, or about <NUM>% of the maximum read range of Battery A. The read range of Battery B, which includes an indicator circuit that includes a decoupler component of the present invention, has a read range that is approximately equal to Battery A and does not exhibit a significant reduction in read range in the presence of the metal housing (ground plane) of the battery.

Claim 1:
An on-cell remote indication system including an indicator circuit, the indicator circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a battery (<NUM>, <NUM>), the battery (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a positive terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a negative terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>);
an antenna (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a decoupler component (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first decoupler component terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second decoupler component terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
an integrated circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein said on-cell remote indication system is arranged to provide information about the battery;
characterized in that;
the integrated circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) is electrically coupled to the positive terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the battery (<NUM>, <NUM>); the integrated circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>); and the second decoupler component terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) is electrically connected to the negative terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the battery (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the antenna comprises at least one antenna trace (<NUM>, <NUM>), a first antenna terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a second antenna terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the decoupler component is configured to decouple a parasitic capacitance from the antenna, wherein the decoupler component (<NUM>, <NUM>) is selected from the group consisting of a resistor, an inductor, and any combination thereof, and
the integrated circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) is electrically coupled to the first antenna terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the second antenna terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>).