Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

The accelerating demand for ubiquitous connectivity and smart infrastructure is driving a global shift towards energy-efficient, self-sustaining IoT ecosystems. Industries are under pressure to reduce operational expenditures associated with device maintenance, particularly battery replacement cycles, and to comply with stricter environmental regulations regarding electronic waste. This technology offers a strategic advantage by enabling truly autonomous devices, fostering innovation in sectors like smart manufacturing and digital healthcare where continuous, reliable power without physical intervention is paramount for competitive differentiation and operational resilience.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Achieves Miniaturization and High-Power Reception: Realizes compact size and high-output power, previously challenging, through an impedance transformation capacitor, significantly enhancing IoT device design flexibility.

02

Ensures High-Efficiency Power Conversion: Functions as a low-impedance antenna through optimized loop antenna and capacitor, capable of supplying stable 0.1-10mW DC power in the 920MHz band.

03

Offers High Installation Flexibility and Durability: The compact loop antenna adapts to shape changes, supporting diverse installation environments and enabling new applications in wearables or curved surfaces.

Market Opportunity
Smart Factories
$15B–$20B globally (AI est.)
In factories operating numerous IoT sensors and actuators, this technology eliminates battery replacement and wiring efforts, contributing to improved equipment uptime and labor savings, thus anticipating high demand.
Industrial automation solution providers Factory equipment OEMs Large-scale manufacturing corporations
Digital Healthcare
$5B–$10B globally (AI est.)
For small, continuously operating medical devices like wearables and implantable sensors, battery-free operation and contactless charging directly reduce patient burden and enhance convenience.
Medical device manufacturers Wearable health tech companies Remote patient monitoring solution providers
Smart Homes and Buildings
$5B–$10B globally (AI est.)
Eliminating power wiring for sensors and smart appliances increases installation flexibility, lowers barriers to renovation and integration into existing environments, potentially accelerating market expansion.
Smart home device manufacturers Building management system integrators IoT sensor developers for infrastructure
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent protects the core invention of a rectenna device using a loop antenna with an impedance transformation capacitor, enabling efficient wireless power reception. The claims were rigorously examined and strengthened through a detailed dialogue with the patent office, resulting in a robust and stable intellectual property foundation with low invalidation risk.

Competitive White Space

This patent primarily covers the rectenna device for power reception. White space exists in developing novel power transmission systems, integrating this technology with advanced energy storage solutions, or creating specialized power management ICs optimized for rectenna output.

Economic Impact
~$50K/year estimated maintenance cost reduction per facility (est.).
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

Assuming an enterprise operates 1,000 IoT sensors, conventional methods require two battery replacements annually. Each replacement incurs an estimated $10 (AI est.) in labor and $13.50 (AI est.) in battery costs. This totals ($10 + $13.50) × 2 times/year × 1,000 units = ~$47,000 (AI est.) in annual costs. Implementing this technology eliminates these expenses. Additionally, an estimated $5,000 (AI est.) in wiring installation cost reductions is achieved, leading to a total projected annual cost savings of ~$52,000 (AI est.).

Speed to Market
4× faster than in-house development
This technology is already patented, with its technical principles and effects described in detail. The mechanism for efficiency improvement via the impedance transformation capacitor is established, significantly shortening R&D periods compared to developing a wireless power system from scratch. Combining it with existing loop antenna technology is expected to accelerate prototype development and productization, reducing time to market.
Competitive Positioning

X: Miniaturization Efficiency
Y: Power Supply Stability

Business Models & Applications
🤝 Product Integration Licensing
License this rectenna technology for integration into a licensee's IoT devices or systems. This model enhances product competitiveness and creates new added value.
🔌 Wireless Power Module Supply
Provide this technology as a compact wireless power module. Licensees could shorten their product development cycles and accelerate time to market.
💡 Joint Solution Development
Collaborate with companies facing specific industrial challenges to develop wireless power solutions centered on this technology, allowing for customized market-aligned offerings.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
⚕️ Medical & Healthcare
Extended Operation for Implantable Medical Devices
Applying this technology to implantable medical devices like pacemakers or glucose sensors could enable external contactless power supply, potentially reducing the frequency of battery replacement surgeries. This would alleviate patient burden and extend device lifespan.
👗 Smart Apparel
Battery-Free Wearable Sensors
Integrating this technology into smartwatches or smart clothing could allow them to harvest power from ambient radio waves while worn, eliminating the need for battery charging. This has the potential to enhance user convenience and contribute to smaller, lighter products.
🏗️ Infrastructure & Structural Monitoring
Maintenance-Free Sensor Networks
Applying this technology to sensors in hard-to-reach locations like bridges, tunnels, or plant facilities could create self-sustaining power sources that require no battery replacement. This is expected to reduce maintenance costs and enable continuous monitoring.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 18-Month Deployment
Technical Evaluation & Prototype Design
Duration: 4 months
Evaluate applicability to existing products/systems, then design and simulate an initial prototype incorporating this technology.
Implementation & Validation
Duration: 8 months
Manufacture a wireless power module based on the design, then conduct performance validation and optimization for reception efficiency, power stability, and durability in real-world environments.
Mass Production & Market Rollout
Duration: 6 months
Establish mass production design based on validation results and prepare for manufacturing line integration. Concurrently, formulate and execute market expansion strategies for target markets.
Technical Feasibility
This technology is estimated to be easily integrated into existing circuit designs and manufacturing processes, as it consists of relatively standard electronic components: a loop antenna, an impedance transformation capacitor, and a rectifier. The patent claims detail specific circuit configurations, suggesting low technical hurdles. The flexible, compact loop antenna can adapt to shape changes, offering versatility for integration without significant modifications to existing product housing designs.
Success Scenario
Upon implementation, IoT sensors in a factory could operate maintenance-free throughout the year, eliminating battery replacements. This is estimated to reduce labor hours for battery replacement tasks by approximately 30% annually and minimize production line downtime. Furthermore, the absence of wiring could enhance sensor placement flexibility, potentially optimizing data collection points and improving production efficiency by up to 15%.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2021-143576
REGISTRATION NO.
7742633
FILING DATE
2021/09/03
GRANT DATE
2025/09/11
EXPIRATION DATE
2041/09/03
PATENT HOLDER
学校法人金沢工業大学
Examination History
2024年06月05日
出願審査請求書
2025年04月17日
拒絶理由通知書
2025年06月06日
意見書
2025年06月06日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2025年07月01日
拒絶理由通知書
2025年08月19日
意見書
2025年08月19日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2025年09月01日
特許査定