Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations using low power, including control circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the control circuitry and the internal power source, the switching circuitry having a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit. The apparatus is configured in a normal mode of operation and an off mode of operation in which the apparatus is powered down, and wherein in the off mode of operation energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the control circuitry for performing one or more operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for shipping a device containing a circuit, including a bag sized for holding the device; and an antenna connected to the bag, the antenna having a first end for coupling to the circuit of the device when the device is in the bag so as to allow for radio frequency (RF) communication with the device while the device is in the bag. Separation of the device from the bag causes the antenna to be disconnected from the circuit of the device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes adding a substrate material to a mold defining the shape of a layer of the z-directed component. A top surface of the substrate material in the mold is leveled. The substrate material in the mold is treated and the layer of the z-directed component is formed. A conductive material is applied to at least one surface of the formed layer. The z-directed component is formed that includes a stack of component layers that includes the formed layer.

Abstract: A RFID based system, including an RFID tag to communicate with a reader and having a motion-based generator generating current upon the device being moved. When the object moves, the RFID tag is configured to transmit at least one signal to the reader using the current generated by the motion-based generator to indicate that the object is in use. The RFID tag may include an energy scavenging circuit such that the RFID tag is also capable of being interrogated by the reader and perform additional operations, independent of the motion-based generator.

Abstract: A method for forming a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example includes filling a first cavity having a tapered surface with a body material. A first layer of a constraining material is provided on top of the first cavity and has a second cavity having a width that is smaller than the first cavity. The second cavity is filled with the body material. Successive layers of the constraining material are provided on top of the first layer of the constraining material. Cavities of the successive layers of the constraining material are selectively filled with at least the body material to form layers of the main body portion of the Z-directed component. The constraining material is dissipated to release the Z-directed component from the constraining material and the Z-directed component is fired.

Abstract: An apparatus for shipping a device containing a circuit, including a bag sized for holding the device; and an antenna connected to the bag, the antenna having a first end for coupling to the circuit of the device when the device is in the bag so as to allow for radio frequency (RF) communication with the device while the device is in the bag. Separation of the device from the bag causes the antenna to be disconnected from the circuit of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations using low power, including control circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the control circuitry and the internal power source, the switching circuitry having a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit. The apparatus is configured in a normal mode of operation and an off mode of operation in which the apparatus is powered down, and wherein in the off mode of operation energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the control circuitry for performing one or more operations.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes forming the Z-directed component in a cavity formed by a constraining material that defines the outer shape of the Z-directed component. The constraining material is dissipated to release the Z-directed component from the constraining material and the Z-directed component is fired.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes simultaneously extruding a plurality of materials according to the structure of the Z-directed component to form an extruded object and forming the Z-directed component from the extruded object. In one embodiment, the extruded object is divided into individual Z-directed components. In one embodiment, the timing of extrusion between predetermined sections of one of the materials is varied in order to stagger the sections in the extruded object.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes simultaneously extruding a plurality of materials in the cross-sectional shape of the Z-directed component to form an extruded object with the plurality of materials arranged relative to each other in their operative positions for the Z-directed component. The extrusion of a first portion of at least one of the materials in the extruded object is staggered relative to the extrusion of a second portion of the at least one of the materials in the extruded object. At least a segment of the extruded object is fired. The fired segment forms the Z-directed component insertable into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A Z-directed signal delay line component for insertion into a printed circuit board while allowing electrical connection to internal conductive planes contained with the PCB. In one embodiment the Z-directed delay line component is housed within the thickness of the PCB allowing other components to be mounted over it. The delay line embodiments include a W-like line and a plurality of spaced apart, semi-circular line segment connected such that current flow direction alternates in direction between adjacent semi-circular line segments, each of which in other embodiments can be varied by use of shorting bars. Several Z-directed delay line components may be mounted into a PCB and serially connected to provide for longer delays. The body may contain one or more conductors and may include one or more surface channels or wells extending along at least a portion of the length of the body.

Abstract: A Z-directed capacitor according to one embodiment includes a body having top, bottom and side surfaces, a cross-sectional shape that is insertable into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board, and a plurality of stacked support members. Each support member includes an annular plate mounted on a surface thereof. A first conductive side channel and a second conductive side channel are formed in the side surface and extend along a top-to-bottom dimension of the body. A first set of the annular plates electrically contact the first conductive side channel but not the second conductive side channel and a second set of the annular plates electrically contact the second conductive side channel but not the first conductive side channel. A third conductive side channel is formed in the side surface, extends along the top-to-bottom dimension of the body and is electrically separated from the annular plates.

Abstract: A Z-directed component for mounting in a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface. The body has a cross-sectional shape that is insertable into the mounting hole in the printed circuit board. A first portion of the body is composed of a first dielectric material having a first dielectric constant and a second portion of the body is composed of a second dielectric material having a second dielectric constant that is higher than the first dielectric constant. A conductive channel extends through a portion of the body forming a signal path.

Abstract: A Z-directed signal pass-through component for insertion into a printed circuit board while allowing electrical connection from external surface conductors to internal conductive planes or between internal conductive planes. The Z-directed pass-through component is mounted within the thickness of the PCB allowing other components to be mounted over it. The body may contain one or more conductors and may include one or more surface channels or wells extending along at least a portion of the length of the body.

Abstract: A printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes a Z-directed component mounted in a mounting hole in the printed circuit board. The Z-directed component includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface. Four conductive channels extend through a portion of the body along the length of the body. The four conductive channels are spaced substantially equally around a perimeter of the body. An integrated circuit is mounted on a surface of the printed circuit board. The integrated circuit has a ball grid array that includes four conductive balls electrically connected to a corresponding one of the four conductive channels of the Z-directed component.

Abstract: A Z-directed component for mounting in a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface. The body has a cross-sectional shape that is insertable into the mounting hole in the printed circuit board. A portion of the body is composed of an insulator. A first conductive channel extends through an interior portion of the body along the length of the body from the top surface to the bottom surface. The first conductive channel forms a signal path through the body. A second conductive channel and a third conductive channel each extends through the interior portion of the body along the length of the body. The second and third conductive channels are positioned next to and on opposite sides of the first conductive channel.

Abstract: A Z-directed component for mounting in a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface. The body has a cross-sectional shape that is insertable into the mounting hole in the printed circuit board. A portion of the body is composed of an insulator. Four conductive channels extend through a portion of the body along the length of the body. The four conductive channels are spaced substantially equally around a perimeter of the body.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes extruding a substrate material according to the shape of the Z-directed component. A conductive material is then selectively applied to the extruded substrate material and the Z-directed component is formed from the extruded substrate material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes punching a plurality of segments out of at least one sheet of substrate material to form a plurality of layers of the Z-directed component. A channel is formed through the substrate material either before or after the segments are punched. At least one of the formed layers includes at least a portion of the channel. A conductive material is applied to at least one surface of at least one of the formed layers. A stack of the formed layers is combined to form the Z-directed component.

Abstract: A Z-directed signal delay line component for insertion into a printed circuit board while allowing electrical connection to internal conductive planes contained with the PCB. In one embodiment the Z-directed delay line component is housed within the thickness of the PCB allowing other components to be mounted over it. The delay line embodiments include a W-like line and a plurality of spaced apart, semi-circular line segment connected such that current flow direction alternates in direction between adjacent semi-circular line segments, each of which in other embodiments can be varied by use of shorting bars. Several Z-directed delay line components may be mounted into a PCB and serially connected to provide for longer delays. The body may contain one or more conductors and may include one or more surface channels or wells extending along at least a portion of the length of the body.