JP2002185358A - Method for fitting rf transponder to container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for relaxing interference due to the reflection of a container where a transponder is fitted when receiving a signal that is transmitted for identifying the transponder and returning a response signal including an identification code, by utilizing the energy in an electronic identification device including a plurality of passive transponders. SOLUTION: The container 10 is composed by reflection content 16 for reflecting a radio frequency energy in use. The transponder 22 having radio frequency label is fitted to the container. An identification device is operated by an energization signal having an operation wavelength of λ. The transponder is made by an antenna 26 that is composed by a feeder element 26.1. The feeder element is separated from the reflection content 16 by an electrical distance of at least λ/100. A dielectric medium 20 is arranged between a feeder element and a reflection element, and separates the feeder element from the reflection content.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electronic identification devices and, more particularly, to devices that include a radio frequency (RF) transponder.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electronic identification devices, including interrogators or readers and a plurality of passive transponders, are well known in the art. In use, the interrogator uses ultra-high frequency (UH
F) Send the RF activation signal of the band to the transponder to be identified and read. The transponder responds to the activation signal by utilizing the energy of the activation signal to send power to a local circuit forming part of the transponder, and transmitting a response signal including an identification code to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the signal and reads the identification code. Code reading is used to identify the transponder and the article or container to which it is attached.

A problem with these devices when used in conjunction with articles such as containers that reflect RF energy is that the destructive interference between the incident energizing signal and its reflected signal from the container may cause A transponder conventionally mounted on the container wall is not able to derive enough energy from the activation signal. Certain articles have a detuning effect by altering the transponder antenna impedance, thereby preventing the transponder from drawing sufficient energy.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an article for which the applicant believes that the above-mentioned disadvantages have been at least alleviated, and a method for providing a transponder on that article.

[0005]

The article comprises a reflective element for reflecting radio frequency energy in use, a transponder of a radio frequency identification device having an operating wavelength, and a dielectric medium, the transponder comprising a feeder element. And the feeder element is at least λ /
Separated from the reflective element by an electrical distance of 100, the dielectric medium is between the feeder element and the reflective element.

In this specification, the term electrical distance (d _e ) is used with respect to the physical distance (d) given by the following equation. _{d e = d (c / V} m). Here, c is the speed of electromagnetic wave through free space, Moreover, V _m is the velocity of an electromagnetic wave through the dielectric medium.

The article is preferably a portable, wall-shaped container. The reflective element may be constituted by a wall. Alternatively, the reflective element may consist of the contents of a container having a dielectric wall.

[0008] Reflective elements and / or dielectric media form an integral part of the antenna. The dielectric medium consists of a body of dielectric material mounted on the wall, with the feeder element mounted on the wall and separating it from the reflective element.

[0009] The container comprises a closed assembly of the closure element, an anchor member mounted on the container, and a link between the anchor member and the closure element, and the feeder element is mounted on the assembly.

The closure element comprises a cap and the anchor member comprises a collar mounted on the neck of the container. The cap, collar and link are integrally formed from a plastic material. Preferably, a feeder element is provided on the link.

In another embodiment, the feeder element is provided in the neck region of the container and the dielectric medium is provided in part by the head space in the container between the feeder element and the contents of the container.

[0012] In another embodiment, the feeder element is mounted on a dielectric casing attached to the article by a flexible link, the casing comprising a dielectric medium. The casing may be provided by encapsulating the feeder element.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the dielectric medium may comprise a thickening of the container wall. In yet another embodiment, the dielectric medium may comprise an insert of a dielectric material provided on the wall of the container.
The insert may be in the form of a loop provided in a peripheral groove in the wall of the container.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the dielectric medium may comprise a second wall and an air gap between the wall and the second wall. Also included within the scope of the present invention are arrays of self-filling articles. Each article comprises a reflective element for reflecting radio frequency energy during use, a transponder of a radio frequency identification device having an operating wavelength λ, and a dielectric medium, wherein the transponder comprises an antenna comprising a feeder element; Is at least λ / 100
And the dielectric medium is between the feeder element and the reflective element.

Further within the scope of the present invention is a method of providing a transponder of an electronic identification device having an operating wavelength λ to an article comprising a reflective element. The method comprises separating the feeder element of the transponder antenna from the reflective element by an electrical distance of at least λ / 100 and providing a dielectric medium between the feeder element and the reflective element.

The invention includes within its scope a cap assembly for a container comprising a transponder of an electronic identification device and a dielectric medium for separating the transponder from the container.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A block diagram of a known electronic identification device 200 is shown in FIG. The electronic identification device comprises a reader or interrogator 202 and a plurality of passive transponders 204.1-204. n. In use, the transponder is mounted on an article such as a container to be identified or counted. Thus, each transponder is normally associated with each article.

In use, an item is identified by having an interrogator emit a radio frequency (RF) interrogation signal toward the item. Interrogation signal is 400MHz-3GH
z (typically 900 MHz). Each transponder
Respond to the activation signal by utilizing energy as an activation signal to send power to a local circuit forming part of the transponder, and then transmitting a response signal 208 containing an identification code to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the response signal and reads the identification code. The code read identifies and counts the transponder, and thus the article or container to which it is associated.

At the outset of this specification, problems arise when a transponder of the type described above is used in a reflective article of a conductive container, such as a metal can or other container containing a conductive fluid. Pointed out.

The incident electromagnetic energizing signal is 180
It is known that the light is reflected with a phase change of degrees.
Also, because of the destructive interference between the incident and reflected signals
In addition, the distance from the reflective surface, which is a short distance with respect to the wavelength of the
Electrical distance d_eIs the total electric field strength (Eγ) at
Given. Eγ (d_e) = E_i(D_e) + E_r(D_e).
Where E_i(D_e) Is d_eOf the injection activation signal at
Field strength. E_r(D _e) Is d_eOf the reflected signal at
The electric field strength.

[0021] The complete reflection in d _e = λ / 12 is, Eγ
(D _e ) = E _i (d _e ). λ / 12 large d _e than
, Eγ (d _e )> E _i (d _e ). For example, in _{d e = λ / 4, Eγ} (d e) = 2E
_i (d _e ). This is the maximum value.

[0022] The λ / 12 small d _e than is, E
γ (d _e ) <E _i (d _e ). For example, d _e = λ / 24
, Eγ (d _e ) = E _i (d _e ) / 2. d _e
For> λ / 100, it is believed that improved results compared to the prior art have been achieved.

Furthermore, the electrical distance d _e are known to be related to the physical distance d of spaced positions by a dielectric medium from the surface based on the following equation. d _e
= D (c / V _m ) = d (εr) ^1/2 where c is the speed at which the signal passes through free space. V _m is the speed at which the signal passes through the dielectric medium. εr is the dielectric constant of the pure dielectric medium.

Since the dielectric constant of a dielectric medium other than free space is greater than 1, the actual or physical distance d from the reflective surface will be less than the free space between the particular location and the reflective surface. by providing, it may be made smaller than the electrical distance d _e.

A first embodiment of an article according to the present invention in the form of a container comprising a radio frequency (RF) transponder is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. The container 10 comprises a body 12 of a dielectric material defining a chamber 14 for holding a product such as a liquid 16 as a power transmitter. The container 10 is closed by the cap 18 and the liquid 16 and the cap 18
And a head space 20 is defined.

Chip or dice 24 and antenna 2
The transponder 22 including 6 is mounted on the base 30. The chip consists of an integrated electronic transponder circuit,
The antenna consists of a feeder element 26.1 connected to the chip at a feeder point. The base is in the form of a collar that can be mounted in the neck region 32 of the container, so that the air in the head space 20 can remove the feeder element 26.1 from the liquid 16 and at least λ of the operating wavelength λ of the dielectric identification device. / 100, preferably lambda / 50, more preferably at least lambda / 12, releasing the electrical distance d _e of up lambda / 4 only equivalent distance d.
Such an arrangement improves the operation of the electronic identification device of which the transponder forms part, more particularly the operation of the transponder.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a second embodiment of a container 40 according to the present invention. The container 40 has its side wall 4
Platform 4 of a suitable dielectric material mounted on 4
2 inclusive. Transponder 4 including chip 48 and antenna feeder element 50 screen printed thereon
The base supporting 6 is mounted on a platform.
Platform 42, a feeder element from a liquid 16, separated by a distance d which corresponds to the electrical distance d _e of at least lambda / 24, to improve the transponder and identification system as a whole.

In the third embodiment, the container 50 comprises a chip 56 and an antenna 5 contained in a dielectric capsule 52.
8 of the transponder 54. Capsule 52
The capsule 52 is loosely suspended from the neck region 62 of the container, as is secured to the container 60 by a string 60 or the like. The capsule is at least λ / 100, preferably λ / 2
4, and more preferably between the antenna and the outer surface of the capsule by a distance corresponding to an electrical distance of λ / 12.

Referring to FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment of the container 70 is shown. The container 70 includes double plastic walls 72, 74 separated by an air gap 76. A dielectric spacer 78 supporting a transponder including a chip 80 and an antenna 82 is secured to the container wall 74. The air gap 76, double wall, spacers serve to separate the transponder from the liquid 16 and therefore improve the operation of the transponder and the device compared to conventional arrangements.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.
4 may have a relatively thick solid wall 86 of dielectric material. A peripheral annular groove 88 may be provided in the wall. A belt 90 of material with a suitable dielectric container may be removably or permanently attached to the groove. Because the transponder 92 is attached to the belt, the belt will move the antenna feeder element from the liquid 16 to greater than λ / 100, preferably greater than λ / 24, more preferably λ / 24.
Separation by a distance d corresponding to an electrical distance greater than 12.

In another embodiment, the transponder 9
4 may be mounted on a cap assembly 96 for the container 98. The cap assembly 96 includes a container cap 100,
A collar formation 102 is removably or permanently mounted around the neck 104 of the container and includes a link 106 in the form of a platform extending between the cap 100 and the collar formation 102. The transponder 94 is mounted on the platform and the area 108 and the head space 110
The air within separates the transponder from the container or liquid within the container.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the container according to the invention. The container 120 is a metal cap. A transponder 122 comprising a chip 124 and an antenna comprising a feeder element 126 is mounted on the metal wall of the container by a dielectric spacer 128 separating the antenna feeder element from the metal wall. The distance d is λ / 10
It corresponds to an electrical distance greater than zero. In addition, the metal walls of the cans and / or dielectric spacers form an integral part of the antenna with careful antenna design to provide optimum performance of the antenna during use.

Referring to FIG. 9, a container 130 having a dielectric wall 132 is shown. In this case, the local thickness of the wall 13
4 serves to separate the antenna 136 of the transponder 138 from the contents of the container.

In FIG. 10, the containers 142.1-14
9 shows an auto-filled article arrangement 140 in the form of 2.6. Each container comprises a transponder 144 having a feeder element spaced a desired distance d from the reflective surface of each article. Preferably, the spacing 146 between each container is equal to or greater than d.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of an article according to the invention in the form of a container comprising an RF transponder.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the container of the present invention comprising an RF transponder.
It is a schematic front view of an Example.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the container of the present invention comprising an RF transponder.
It is a schematic front view of an Example.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the container of the present invention comprising an RF transponder.
It is a schematic front view of an Example.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the container of the present invention comprising an RF transponder.
It is sectional drawing of the wall in an Example.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a container cap assembly including an RF transponder.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing the arrangement of the self-filling article of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an electronic signage device comprising a reader or interrogator and a plurality of transponders.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Christopher Gordon Garveyth Turner South Africa Gauteng, Halfway House, Agricultural Holdings, President Park, Hoff Meier Road 265 (72) Inventor Andries Petras・ Cronnier Foley South Africa Gauteng, Johannesburg, 2193, Greenside East, Donegal Drive 38 F-term (reference) 3E062 AA09 AC02 AC03 BA20 BB03 BB06 BB10 5K012 AA01 AC01 AC08 AC10 AE12

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A radio frequency identification device, comprising: a reflective element for reflecting radio frequency energy in use; a transponder of a radio frequency identification device having an operating wavelength; and a dielectric medium, said transponder comprising an antenna comprising a feeder element. An article wherein the feeder element is spaced from the reflective element by at least an electrical distance of λ / 100, and wherein the dielectric medium is between the feeder element and the reflective element. 2. The article according to claim 1, which is portable. 3. The article according to claim 1, which is a container made of a wall. 4. The article according to claim 3, wherein said reflective element is constituted by a wall. 5. The article of claim 3, wherein said reflective element comprises the contents of a container having a dielectric wall. 6. An article according to claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises a passive element of said antenna. 7. The article of claim 3, wherein said dielectric medium comprises a body of dielectric material mounted on said wall, said feeder element being mounted on a wall and separating it from said reflective element. 8. The container according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a closure assembly comprising a closure element of said container, an anchor member mounted on said container, and a link between said anchor member and said closure element. 4. The article of claim 3, wherein an element is mounted on the assembly. 9. The closure element comprises a cap, and the anchor member comprises a collar mounted on the neck of the container.
An article according to claim 8. 10. The article of claim 9, wherein said cap, collar, and link are integrally formed from a plastic material. 11. An article according to claim 8, wherein said feeder element is provided on said link. 12. The feeder element is provided in a neck region of the container, and the dielectric medium is partially provided by a head space in the container between the feeder element and the contents of the container. An article according to claim 5. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feeder element is mounted on a dielectric casing attached to said article by a flexible link, said casing comprising a dielectric medium.
Articles described in. 14. The article of claim 13, wherein said casing is provided by encapsulating said feeder element. 15. The article of claim 5, wherein said dielectric medium comprises a thickening of said container wall. 16. The article of claim 5, wherein said dielectric medium comprises an insert of a dielectric material provided on a wall of said container. 17. The insert according to claim 16, wherein said insert is in the form of a loop provided in a peripheral groove in said container wall.
Articles described in. 18. The article of claim 5, wherein said dielectric medium comprises a second wall and an air gap between said wall and said second wall. 19. An array of self-filling articles, each article comprising a reflective element for reflecting radio frequency energy in use, a transponder of a radio frequency identification device having an operating wavelength, and a dielectric medium. Wherein the transponder comprises an antenna comprising a feeder element, wherein the feeder element is separated from the reflective element by an electrical distance of at least λ / 100, and wherein the dielectric medium is between the feeder element and the reflective element. Array of filled articles. 20. A method of providing a transponder of an electronic identification device having an operating wavelength λ on an article comprising a reflective element, wherein the transponder antenna has a feeder element having an electrical distance of at least λ / 100 from the reflective element. A spacing, a dielectric medium being provided between the feeder element and the reflective element. 21. A container cap assembly comprising a transponder of an electronic identification device and a dielectric medium for separating said transponder from said container.