Patents by Inventor Heikki Seppä

Heikki Seppä has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10145729
    Abstract: The present invention related to a new passive wireless sensor platform which is based on the intermodulation communication principle. The platform may utilize a quartz crystal or other mechanical resonator. Additionally, the platform allows for a narrow bandwidth and/or ID-code of a sensor. Certain embodiments enable high frequencies and large read-out distances. It facilitates a generic sensor element and can thus be used to monitor virtually any quantity. Additionally, it offers a means to realize a wireless passive sensor using MEMS sensor technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Ville Viikari, Heikki Seppä
  • Patent number: 9647577
    Abstract: A power collector structure connected to a base is repetitively deformed or bent. The power collector structure is bar-like, and is connected to the base in an essentially rigid manner. A power collector for converting mechanical energy to electric power is connected to the power collector structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA ELECTRONICS OY
    Inventor: Heikki Seppä
  • Patent number: 9476975
    Abstract: Described herein is a passive wireless resonating non-linear sensor that is typically based on a ferroelectric varactor. The sensor replies its data at an intermodulation frequency when a reader device illuminates it at two closely-located frequencies. Furthermore, described herein is a general intermodulation read-out principle for passive wireless sensors. A sensor utilizes a mixing element, such as a varactor and it can be equipped with a capacitive, inductive, or resistive sensor element. When the sensor is illuminated with signals with two frequencies it replies the sensor data at an intermodulation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Ville Viikari, Heikki Seppä, Tomi Mattila, Ari Alastalo, Mark Allen, Timo Varpula
  • Patent number: 9322906
    Abstract: This document describes a wireless sensor comprising a MEMS resonator and an antenna directly matched thereto. Also a method of reading the wireless sensor is described. The method comprises illuminating the wireless sensor with electromagnetic energy at a first and second frequencies and receiving an intermodulation signal emitted by the wireless sensor in response to said electromagnetic energy at the first and second frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Seppä, Ville Viikari
  • Patent number: 9212954
    Abstract: This document describes a method for measuring temperature. In accordance with the invention the temperature is determined from frequency variation of a local oscillator of a RFID tag (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Jerome Lamy, Heikki Seppä
  • Patent number: 9202093
    Abstract: A method for determining a value of an environment variable using raw data from an energetically essentially passive remote-access apparatus. A value of a first measurable quantity indicative of the environment variable is obtained from the raw data. The value of the environment variable is determined using calibration data and the value of the first measurable quantity. The accuracy is enhanced by measuring the value of the measurable quantity with a measuring signal of which strength is regulated or by obtaining a value of a second measurable quantity. The second measurable quantity is indicative of the environment variable or measurement conditions of the first measurable quantity. A method for forming calibration data for the measurements. RFID reader devices arranged to carry out the methods and energetically essentially passive remote-access apparatuses for the methods. A database that may be used with the method and a computer product including the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SMARTRAC IP B.V.
    Inventors: Kaj Nummila, Kaarle Jaakkola, Miika Huusko, Heikki Seppä, Juhani Virtanen, Juha Vattulainen
  • Patent number: 9043992
    Abstract: This document describes a method and system for object localization. In accordance with the method an object (1) is illuminated by at least one first type of signal, and response of the signal is detected. In accordance with the invention the object (1) equipped with a transponder (2, 3) backscattering the first type of signal, the transponder (2, 3) is illuminated also by a second type of signal affecting to the backscattering frequency of the transponder (2, 3), and the backscattered signal from the transponder (2, 3) is detected in order to localize the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Ville Viikari, Heikki Seppä, Kaj Nummila, Timo Varpula
  • Publication number: 20150128707
    Abstract: The present invention related to a new passive wireless sensor platform which is based on the intermodulation communication principle. The platform may utilize a quartz crystal or other mechanical resonator. Additionally, the platform allows for a narrow bandwidth and/or ID-code of a sensor. Certain embodiments enable high frequencies and large read-out distances. It facilitates a generic sensor element and can thus be used to monitor virtually any quantity. Additionally, it offers a means to realize a wireless passive sensor using MEMS sensor technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Ville Viikari, Heikki Seppä
  • Patent number: 9011762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sintering method for manufacturing structures by sintering. In addition, the invention relates to a sintered product, an electronic module, and new uses. In the method, a particle material containing conductive or semiconductive encapsulated nanoparticles is sintered, in order to increase its electrical conductivity, by applying a voltage over the particle material. In the method, a substrate is typically used, one surface of which is at least partly equipped with a layer containing nanoparticles. The method is based on thermal feedback between the voltage feed and the nanoparticles. The invention permits the manufacture of conductive and semiconductive structures and pieces by sintering at room temperature and at normal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
    Inventors: Heikki Seppä, Mark Allen
  • Patent number: 8955751
    Abstract: A method and device for reading an electronic code. An alternating electrical signal is brought to the code being measured with the aid of electrodes, and the current or voltage travelling through the electrodes is measured. The real and the imaginary components of the current or correspondingly the voltage are defined. The electrodes, being on an essentially lossless surface, an angle correction is made to the real and imaginary components of the current or the voltage in such a way that substantial changes in the current take place only in the imaginary component of the current or voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nicanti Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Seppä, Hannu Sipola, Anssi Rautiainen, Panu Helistö
  • Patent number: 8916089
    Abstract: This publication discloses a method and apparatus for functionalizing nanoparticle systems. The method comprises treating a nanoparticle-containing layer so as to produce a pattern of structurally transformed zones, the treatment comprising applying an electric field through the nanoparticle layer. According to the invention an AC-field capacitively coupled to the nanoparticle-containing layer is used as said electric field. The treatment preferably results in at least partly sintered structures, which can be used as conductors, for example. The document discloses several realizations for utilization of the disclosed functionalization in mass-fabrication lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
    Inventors: Mark Allen, Tomi Mattila, Ari Alastalo, Heikki Seppä
  • Publication number: 20130265139
    Abstract: A method for determining a value of an environment variable using raw data from an energetically essentially passive remote-access apparatus. A value of a first measurable quantity indicative of the environment variable is obtained from the raw data. The value of the environment variable is determined using calibration data and the value of the first measurable quantity. The accuracy is enhanced by measuring the value of the measurable quantity with a measuring signal of which strength is regulated or by obtaining a value of a second measurable quantity. The second measurable quantity is indicative of the environment variable or measurement conditions of the first measurable quantity. A method for forming calibration data for the measurements. RFID reader devices arranged to carry out the methods and energetically essentially passive remote-access apparatuses for the methods. A database that may be used with the method and a computer product including the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: SMARTRAC IP B.V.
    Inventors: Kaj Nummila, Kaarle Jaakkola, Miika Huusko, Heikki Seppä, Juhani Virtanen, Juha Vattulainen
  • Publication number: 20130229089
    Abstract: A power collector structure connected to a base is repetitively deformed or bent. The power collector structure is bar-like, and is connected to the base in an essentially rigid manner. A power collector for converting mechanical energy to electric power is connected to the power collector structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: MURATA ELECTRONICS OY
    Inventor: Heikki Seppä
  • Publication number: 20130112755
    Abstract: The present publication discloses an electronic code, comprising a substrate (105, 10) of essentially electrically non-conducting material,several electrically conducting code elements (108) formed on the substrate. In accordance with the invention at least one code element (101, 108) comprises an editable area (109), the conductance of which can be altered electrically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Mark Allen, Ari Alastalo, Mikko Aronniemi, Jaakko Leppäniemi, Tomi Mattila, Heikki Seppä
  • Publication number: 20120306683
    Abstract: This document describes a method and system for object localization. In accordance with the method an object (1) is illuminated by at least one first type of signal, and response of the signal is detected. In accordance with the invention the object (1) equipped with a transponder (2, 3) backscattering the first type of signal, the transponder (2, 3) is illuminated also by a second type of signal affecting to the backscattering frequency of the transponder (2, 3), and the backscattered signal from the transponder (2, 3) is detected in order to localize the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Ville Viikari, Heikki Seppä, Kaj Nummila, Timo Varpula
  • Publication number: 20120275489
    Abstract: This document describes a method for measuring temperature. In accordance with the invention the temperature is determined from frequency variation of a local oscillator of a RFID tag (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Jerome Lamy, Heikki Seppä
  • Publication number: 20120235847
    Abstract: Described herein is a passive wireless resonating non-linear sensor that is typically based on a ferroelectric varactor. The sensor replies its data at an intermodulation frequency when a reader device illuminates it at two closely-located frequencies. Furthermore, described herein is a general intermodulation read-out principle for passive wireless sensors. A sensor utilizes a mixing element, such as a varactor and it can be equipped with a capacitive, inductive, or resistive sensor element. When the sensor is illuminated with signals with two frequencies it replies the sensor data at an intermodulation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Ville Viikari, Heikki Seppä, Tomi Mattila, Ari Alastalo, Mark Allen, Timo Varpula
  • Publication number: 20120176609
    Abstract: This document describes a wireless sensor comprising a MEMS resonator and an antenna directly matched thereto. Also a method of reading the wireless sensor is described. The method comprises illuminating the wireless sensor with electromagnetic energy at a first and second frequencies and receiving an intermodulation signal emitted by the wireless sensor in response to said electromagnetic energy at the first and second frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Heikki Seppä, Ville Viikari
  • Patent number: 8063369
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bolometer element, a bolometer cell, a bolometer camera, and a method for reading a bolometer cell. The bolometer cell comprises several bolometer elements. Each bolometer element comprises a first bolometer having a first heating resistance for sensing radiation power acting on the element, and a second bolometer having a second heating resistance, and in each bolometer element the first and second bolometers are electrically connected to each other in such a way that the heating resistance (611) of the first bolometer can be biased with the aid of a voltage through the heating resistance of the second bolometer in order to amplify the radiation power detected with the aid of the connection. With the aid of the invention, it is possible to implement an extremely sensitive bolometer camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
    Inventors: Heikki Seppä, Panu Helistö, Arttu Luukanen
  • Patent number: 8029722
    Abstract: This publication discloses a method for creating nanoscale formations. According to the method, a filler matrix and first nanoparticles embedded in the filler matrix, and two conductive electrodes are superimposed on the insulating material layer. According to the invention, a voltage is applied between the conductive electrodes, a filler matrix is used and first nanoparticles have substantially different electrical properties in order to induce self-organized localized contact creation when said voltage is applied. Potential applications of the invention include e.g. parallel-plate capacitor structures based on metal-oxide nanoparticles, such as memory cells, and high-permittivity/tunable capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
    Inventors: Tomi Mattila, Ari Alastalo, Mark Allen, Heikki Seppä