US Patent 8193873 High-frequency coupler and communication device

A high-frequency coupler and a communication device are compact, capable of efficiently communicating a large volume of data over a short distance and can be used in combination with a non-contact IC card. The high-frequency coupler includes magnetic-field-generating patterns and a surrounding pattern disposed around a periphery thereof, and is used to communicate a large volume of data over a short distance in a communication system that uses broadband frequencies. Out of the magnetic fields radiated in directions perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the patterns from the magnetic-field-generating patterns, portions extending laterally in the plane of the patterns are blocked by the surrounding pattern, the magnetic fields are lengthened in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the patterns and the communication distance is increased.