JP2011219240A - Planar antenna-equipped shelf device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a planar antenna-equipped shelf device accurately detecting presence/absence of each stored object even when storing a stored object such as an optical disk having an RFID tag, a storage medium using a magnetic disk, or a storage medium using a magnetic tape.SOLUTION: In this shelf device, an acute angle made between one face in a thickness direction of a thin plastic case 1 stored in each storage part 11a-11g and an extension direction of each planar antenna is not more than 80°. Accordingly, even when the plurality of thin plastic cases 1 are stored such that they are lapped on each other, a tendency that an electromagnetic wave is aslant incident on a surface in the thickness direction of each CD becomes strong when the electromagnetic wave emitted from each planar antenna 22 to the thickness direction thereof is incident into a gap between the CDs, so that the RFID tag 2 of each CD becomes easy to be excited.

Description

  The present invention is suitably used for storing a storage medium using a magnetic disk such as an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or a storage medium using a magnetic tape such as an audio cassette tape or a video cassette tape. The present invention relates to a shelf device with a planar antenna.

  In general, as shown in FIG. 18, a shelf device with a planar antenna of this type includes a metal shelf body 200 and a plurality of shelves laid on each shelf plate 202 of a plurality of storage units 201 of the shelf body 200. A planar antenna device 210 is known, and the planar antenna device 210 is connected to a reader / writer device (not shown). In this shelf apparatus, a flat RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) is affixed to the cover or back cover of each book B stored in each storage unit 202, and the reader / writer device is connected to each planar antenna device 210. By communicating with the RFID tag of each book B in the storage unit 202 via the card, it is detected what book B is arranged for each storage unit 201.

  Here, since each book B mainly uses paper as a material, the electromagnetic wave emitted from each planar antenna device 210 easily reaches the RFID tag of each book B, and the RFID of each book B A radio wave transmitted from the tag easily reaches each planar antenna device 210.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19, each book B is placed in a case 230 made of an insulating material such as plastic, and the case 230 is placed on the antenna 210. 240 and 250 are attached, the antennas 240 and 250 are electrically connected, and the resonance frequency of the connected antennas 240 and 250 is matched with the frequency of the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the planar antenna device 210. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this case, the RFID tag of each book B is excited by the electromagnetic waves from the planar antenna device 210 via the antennas 240 and 250, and the radio wave transmitted from the RFID tag of each book B passes through the antennas 240 and 250. Via the planar antenna device 210. Here, the planar RFID tag affixed to the front or back cover of each book B is not easily excited by electromagnetic waves from the height direction of the book B (direction perpendicular to the thickness direction), and is transmitted from the RFID tag. Is easily received in the thickness direction of the book B. For this reason, the above-described configuration aims to improve the detection accuracy of the RFID tag by providing the antenna 250 in the thickness direction of each book B.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, the planar antenna device 210 can be arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the thickness direction of each book B.

JP 2009-038601 A

  By the way, in the shelf apparatus as described above, in addition to the book B, an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD to which an RFID tag is attached may be similarly stored.

  However, since the optical disk uses a metal for the recording layer, as shown in FIG. 20, for example, each optical disk is placed in a thin plastic case 260, and a plurality of thin cases 260 are placed on the shelf plate 202. When placed, the electromagnetic wave from the antenna 210 is blocked by the recording layer of each optical disk, and the electromagnetic wave from the antenna 210 is difficult to reach the RFID tag attached to each optical disk. Further, the presence of the optical disc in the storage unit 201 makes it difficult for electromagnetic waves to reach the RFID tag of each book B. For this reason, it is not preferable for accurately detecting what books B and optical disks are arranged for each storage unit 201.

  In addition, a plurality of thin cases 260 containing optical disks are arranged in the case 230, and even when the antennas 240 and 250 are attached to the case 230, the antennas 250 are arranged in the direction in which the thin cases 260 are arranged. Are blocked by the recording layer of the optical disk. For this reason, the electromagnetic wave from the antenna 210 does not easily reach the RFID tag attached to each optical disk, and the electromagnetic wave does not easily reach other books B due to the presence of the optical disk.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to store an object to be stored such as an optical disk having an RFID tag, a storage medium using a magnetic disk, and a storage medium using a magnetic tape. It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf device with a planar antenna that can accurately detect the presence or absence of each item to be stored.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes at least one storage unit capable of storing a plurality of objects to be stored, and a planar antenna connected to a predetermined power supply device, and has a thickness as the object to be stored. A shelf device for storing an object with an RFID tag having a planar antenna extending in a direction along one surface in the direction, and one surface in the thickness direction of the object stored in the storage part And the extending direction of the planar antenna is configured so that the acute angle is 10 ° or more and 80 ° or less.

  As an example, the object to be stored is a thin plastic case containing a CD. An RFID tag antenna is arranged along one surface of the CD in the thickness direction, and a plurality of thin plastic cases are placed vertically. It is assumed that the components are placed and stored on the shelf plate of the storage unit so as to be superimposed on each other.

  Here, by arranging the planar antenna parallel to the shelf plate, when each thin plastic case is disposed substantially perpendicular to the planar antenna, each CD is placed in a state where the interval between the CDs is narrow. The extending direction of the antenna of the RFID tag which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the planar antenna and is disposed on one surface in the thickness direction of each CD is also substantially perpendicular to the planar antenna. For this reason, for example, even if an electromagnetic wave emitted from the planar antenna in the thickness direction enters between each CD, the electromagnetic wave reaches the antenna of the RFID tag of each CD from a direction substantially equal to the extending direction. Therefore, the RFID tag of each CD is difficult to be excited. On the other hand, when the planar antenna is provided substantially perpendicular to the shelf plate of the storage unit and is disposed substantially parallel to each thin plastic case, each CD is disposed substantially parallel to the planar antenna. Become. In this case, for example, the electromagnetic wave emitted from the planar antenna in the thickness direction is blocked by the first CD close to the planar antenna, and the second and subsequent CDs have a gap in the CD thickness direction. The electromagnetic wave incident from the thickness direction of the CD into the gap between the CDs hardly travels toward the inside of the CD. Therefore, the second and subsequent CDs are viewed from the planar antenna. The RFID tag affixed to is difficult to be excited.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, the acute angle formed between the surface in the thickness direction of the object stored in the storage portion and the extending direction of the planar antenna is configured to be 10 ° or more and 80 ° or less. Therefore, when the electromagnetic waves emitted from the planar antenna enter the gaps between the CDs, the tendency of the electromagnetic waves to enter obliquely with respect to the surface in the thickness direction of each CD becomes strong. For this reason, electromagnetic waves reach the antenna of the RFID tag of each CD from an oblique direction with respect to the extending direction, and the RFID tag of each CD is easily excited. On the other hand, even when the electromagnetic wave emitted from the planar antenna is blocked by the first CD close to the planar antenna, the gap between the second and subsequent CDs is oblique to the surface in the CD thickness direction. The electromagnetic wave is incident from the surface, and the incident electromagnetic wave easily reaches the entire surface in the thickness direction of the CD.

  According to the present invention, when the electromagnetic wave emitted from the planar antenna enters the gap between the objects to be stored, the electromagnetic wave tends to be incident obliquely with respect to the surface in the thickness direction of the objects to be stored. Even when the electromagnetic wave emitted from the planar antenna is blocked by the first object to be stored near the planar antenna, the thickness direction of the object to be stored in the gap between the second and subsequent objects Electromagnetic waves are incident on the surface of the object from an oblique direction, and the incident electromagnetic waves easily reach the entire surface in the thickness direction of the object to be stored. That is, since the RFID tag of each object to be stored is easily excited, even when an object to be stored such as an optical disk having an RFID tag, a storage medium using a magnetic disk, or a storage medium using a magnetic tape is stored, Presence or absence of stored items can be accurately detected.

The front view of the shelf apparatus which shows one Embodiment of this invention Top view of shelf device Perspective view of main part of shelf device Shelf device side view Plan view of planar antenna Plan view of planar antenna Block diagram showing the connection state of each planar antenna, reader / writer, control device, and each antenna device Plan view of opposed antenna device Front view of a shelf device mounted on a rack Front view of main parts of shelf device Front view of main parts of shelf device CD top view CD top view The principal part front view of the shelf apparatus which shows the 1st modification of this embodiment. The principal part front view of the shelf apparatus which shows the 2nd modification of this embodiment. The principal part front view of the shelf apparatus which shows the 3rd modification of this embodiment. The top view of the planar antenna apparatus which shows the 4th modification of this embodiment Front view of conventional shelf device Front view of main parts of a conventional shelf device Front view of main parts of a conventional shelf device

  A shelf device with a planar antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The description of directions in the following description is based on the directions shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and FIGS. Further, the left-right direction matches the width direction, and the rear direction matches the depth direction.

  This shelf device with a planar antenna includes a shelf body 10, a plurality of planar antenna devices 20 attached to the shelf body 10, and a known reader / writer as a power supply device connected to each planar antenna device 20. 30, a control device 40 connected to the reader / writer 30, and a plurality of opposed antenna devices 50 arranged to face each planar antenna device 20.

  The shelf body 10 is made of an insulating material such as plastic or wood, and has a plurality of storage portions 11a to 11g that can store a thin plastic case 1 containing a CD as a storage object. The shelf body 10 includes a lower shelf board 10a, a pair of side boards 10b, a top board 10c, a middle shelf board 10d, a plurality of partition boards 10e, and a back board 10f. A rectangular parallelepiped box having a front surface opened is formed by the lower shelf board 10a, the pair of side boards 10b, the top board 10c, and the back board 10f. In addition, the hollow portion of the rectangular parallelepiped box is vertically divided by the middle shelf plate 10d, and the upper and lower hollow portions of the middle shelf plate 10d are partitioned in the width direction by the respective partition plates 10e, and a plurality of openings having a front surface opened. Storage units 11 a to 11 g are formed in the shelf body 10. Here, as an example in the present embodiment, the height of each of the storage portions 11a to 11g is set to about 120 mm, the depth size is set to about 200 mm, and the width of each of the storage portions 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f is The width of each of the storage portions 11a and 11d is set to about 130 mm. The height of the thin plastic case 1 is approximately 122 mm.

  One or two position restricting members 12 are provided in each of the storage portions 11a to 11g, and each position restricting member 12 is made of an insulating material such as plastic, wood, or glass. Each position restricting member 12 is formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and each position restricting member 12 is disposed in the lower right and lower left in each storage portion 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, and in the storage portion 11a. Then, the position restricting member 12 is disposed at the lower right, and the position restricting member 12 is disposed at the lower left in the storage portion 11d.

  Since the height dimension of each storage part 11a-11g is smaller than the height dimension of each thin plastic case 1, and the position control member 12 is provided in the width direction end side and lower side in each storage part 11a-11g. When the thin plastic case 1 is stored in the storage portions 11a to 11g, the thin plastic case 1 is inclined with respect to the lower shelf plate 11a and the middle shelf plate 11d. In addition, the angle of inclination depends on the height of the thin plastic case 1, the height of each of the storage portions 11a to 11g, and the size of each position restricting member 12. In this embodiment, the thin plastic case 1 and the lower shelf board are used. The acute angle formed by 11a and the middle shelf board 11d is configured to be 80 ° or less.

  A plurality of protrusions 13 are provided in each of the storage portions 11a to 11g, and each protrusion 13 is made of an insulating material such as plastic, wood, or glass. Each protruding portion 13 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction, and is disposed on the bottom surface of each of the storage portions 11a to 11g with a space in the width direction. That is, since the plurality of protruding portions 13 are provided on the bottom surfaces of the storage portions 11a to 11g, the lower end of the thin plastic case 1 stored in the storage portions 11a to 11g is connected to the lower shelf plate 11a or the middle shelf plate 11a. It is prevented that the position is shifted in the left-right direction on the shelf board 11d. For this reason, when the thin plastic case 1 is tilted and stored with respect to the lower shelf plate 11a and the middle shelf plate 11d, the tilt is maintained. In the present embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 13 extending in the front-rear direction are provided. However, instead of each protrusion 13, a plurality of recesses extending in the front-rear direction can be provided. It is also possible to provide a plurality of hemispherical protrusions instead of.

  Each of the storage portions 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f is provided with an upper position restricting member 14, and each upper position restricting member 14 is made of an insulating material such as plastic, wood, or glass. Each upper position restricting member 14 is formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and each position restricting member 12 is attached to the upper surface in each storage portion 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f and substantially in the center in the width direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when the thin plastic cases 1 are stored in the left range in the storage portion 11c so as to be inclined to the right, the number of the thin plastic cases 1 that can be stored due to the upper position restricting member 14 being an obstacle. As shown in FIG. 10, when the thin plastic cases 1 are stored in the left range in the storage portion 11c so as to be inclined to the left as shown in FIG. Become more. For this reason, the upper position restricting member 14 is provided on the upper surface in each of the storage portions 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f and in the center in the width direction, so that the thinness in each of the storage portions 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f The direction of inclination of the plastic case 1 can be made constant to some extent.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each planar antenna device 20 includes a planar substrate 21 and a planar antenna 22 provided on one surface in the thickness direction of the substrate 21. The substrate 21 is made of an insulating material such as PVC, PET, ABS, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, or fluorine resin. The planar antenna 22 is made of a metal thin film such as copper foil or aluminum foil, and is formed on one surface in the thickness direction of the substrate 21 using a known technique such as etching or vapor deposition. The planar antenna 22 includes a pair of planar antenna portions 22a in the width direction that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction, a connection portion 22b that connects the front end side of each antenna portion 22a, and a rear end of each antenna portion 22a. A pair of feeding points 22c provided on the respective sides, and a coupler circuit 22d for connecting the rear end side of each antenna portion 22a and adjusting the sensitivity of the planar antenna 22. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, it is also possible to provide a plurality of strip-shaped electrode portions 22e provided at predetermined intervals in each antenna portion 22a, and other configurations are added. It is also possible to do. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the coupler circuit 22d is omitted. A cable 23 is connected to each feeding point 22 c, and each cable 23 is connected to the reader / writer 30. In addition, when power of a predetermined frequency is supplied from the reader / writer 30 to each feeding point 22c, an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency is emitted from each antenna unit 22b, and on both surface sides in the thickness direction of the planar antenna device 20. An electromagnetic field is formed. A slit for inserting each planar antenna device 20 is provided in the middle shelf board 10d, and each planar antenna apparatus 20 is inserted into the slit of the middle shelf board 10d from the back side. Each planar antenna device 20 is inserted so that the surface on which the planar antenna 22 is provided faces downward, and the upper surface of the middle shelf board 10d and each planar antenna 22 are arranged in parallel.

  The control device 40 is composed of a known computer having a hard disk, RAM, CPU, keyboard, mouse and the like. As shown in FIG. 7, the planar antenna 22 of each planar antenna device 20 is connected to the reader / writer 30 via a cable 23, and the reader / writer 30 is connected to the control device 40 via another cable. Yes.

  Each counter antenna device 50 has the same configuration as each planar antenna device 20, but is not connected to the reader / writer 30. As shown in FIG. 8, each counter antenna device 50 includes a planar substrate 51 and a counter antenna 52 provided on one surface in the thickness direction of the substrate 51. The opposing antenna 52 includes a pair of planar antenna parts 52a in the width direction that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction, a connection part 52b that connects the front end side of each antenna part 52a, and a rear part of each antenna part 52a. A pair of feeding points 52c provided on each end side and a coupler circuit 52d for connecting the rear end side of each antenna portion 52a and adjusting the sensitivity of the planar antenna 22 are provided. That is, each opposed antenna device 50 has the same configuration as each planar antenna device 20 except that it is not connected to the reader / writer 30. Further, since the reader / writer 30 is not connected, power is not supplied to each counter antenna device 50. A slit for inserting each counter antenna device 50 is provided in the lower shelf board 10a and the top board 10c, and each counter antenna apparatus 50 is inserted into the slits of the lower shelf board 10a and the top board 10c from the back side. It has become so. Further, each counter antenna device 50 inserted into the lower shelf board 10a has a surface provided with the counter antenna 52 facing upward, and each counter antenna apparatus 50 inserted into the top board 10c has a surface provided with the counter antenna 52. Facing down.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 1 and the like, the planar antennas 22 of the respective planar antenna devices 20 are arranged so as to be aligned in the width direction, and the opposed antennas 52 of the opposed antenna devices 50 are also arranged so as to be aligned in the width direction. Has been. In addition, one antenna portion 52a in the width direction of each counter antenna 52 faces the other antenna portion 22a in the width direction of each planar antenna 22 in the vertical direction (for example, the left side), and the width direction of each counter antenna 52 The other antenna part 52a faces one antenna part 22a in the width direction of each planar antenna 22 in the vertical direction. Further, among the planar antennas 22 arranged in parallel, the antenna portion 22a on one side (for example, the right side) of the planar antenna 22 disposed at one end (for example, the right end) in the width direction faces the counter antenna 52 in the vertical direction. Not. In addition, among the planar antennas 22 arranged side by side, the other antenna portion 22a in the width direction other (for example, the left side) of the planar antenna 22 disposed at the other end in the width direction (for example, the left end) also faces the counter antenna 52 in the vertical direction. Not done.

  Further, since the opposing antenna 52 of each opposing antenna device 50 has the same configuration as the planar antenna 22 of the planar antenna device 20 and faces the planar antenna 22, the electromagnetic wave emitted by each planar antenna 22 is emitted. To resonate.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the RFID tag 2 is formed on one surface in the thickness direction of the CD stored in the thin plastic case 1 (the surface not used for data recording). The antenna 2a is wound in the circumferential direction, and the IC chip 2b is connected to the antenna 2a. Further, a unique identification signal set for each CD is stored in the IC chip 2b. When an electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency is received from the outside, the RFID tag 2 is excited, and the IC chip 2b is activated by an electromotive force generated by the excitation. In addition, a radio wave including an identification signal is transmitted to the outside. As shown in FIG. 13, the antenna 2a can be formed on one surface in the thickness direction on the inner peripheral surface side of the CD. It is also possible to provide the antenna 2a at a position radially inward of FIG. 12 and radially outward of FIG. Furthermore, it is also possible to affix a planar RFID tag on one surface in the thickness direction of the CD without directly forming the antenna 2a and the IC chip 2b on the surface of the CD. Even in this case, the antenna of the RFID tag extends in a direction along one surface in the thickness direction of the CD.

  The shelf device configured as described above is used by being detachably stored in, for example, the middle storage section 101b of the metal rack 100 having a plurality of storage sections 101a, 101b, and 101c. The other storage units 101a and 101c are provided with a vertically placed antenna device 110 for storing a book B to which an RFID tag is attached. Each antenna device 110 is connected to the reader / writer 30. The reader / writer 30 has a switch mechanism that can supply power to each planar antenna 22 and each antenna device 110 in a predetermined order, and the control device 40 has a predetermined mechanism for each planar antenna 22 and each antenna device 110. It is configured to issue a command to the reader / writer 30 to supply power in order. For example, after power is supplied to the left antenna device 110 of the upper storage unit 101a, power is supplied to the central antenna device 110, then power is supplied to the right antenna device 110, and then the interrupted storage unit 110a. After supplying power to the left planar antenna 22, power is supplied to the central planar antenna 22, and then power is supplied to the right planar antenna 22. Further, the control device 40 detects the presence or absence of each book B stored in the upper storage unit 101a using each antenna device 110 disposed in the upper storage unit 101a, and detects each planar antenna device 20. Is used to detect the presence or absence of each CD 1 stored in the middle storage unit 101b, and is stored in the lower storage unit 101c using each antenna device 110 disposed in the lower storage unit 101c. The presence or absence of each book B is detected.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the acute angle formed by the thin plastic case 1, the lower shelf plate 11a, and the middle shelf plate 11d is configured to be 80 ° or less, and the middle shelf plate 10d and each planar antenna 22 are parallel to each other. Therefore, the acute angle formed by one surface in the thickness direction of the thin plastic case 1 stored in each of the storage portions 11a to 11g and the extending direction of the planar antenna is 80 ° or less. Has been. Since one surface in the thickness direction of the CD and one surface in the thickness direction of the thin plastic case 1 are substantially parallel to each other, the RFID tag 2 is along one surface in the thickness direction of the thin plastic case 1. It extends in the direction.

  Therefore, even when a plurality of thin plastic cases 1 are stored so as to overlap each other as shown in FIG. 10, for example, electromagnetic waves emitted from the planar antennas 22 in the thickness direction of each CD When the light enters the gap, the tendency of the electromagnetic wave to enter obliquely with respect to the surface in the thickness direction of each CD becomes strong. For this reason, electromagnetic waves reach the antenna 2a of the RFID tag 2 of each CD from an oblique direction with respect to the extending direction, and the RFID tag 2 of each CD is easily excited. Further, for example, the first thin plastic among the CDs of the plurality of thin plastic cases 1 in which the electromagnetic field of each planar antenna 22 has a magnetic flux extending in the width direction and the electromagnetic waves are stored so as to overlap each other. Even when obstructed by the CD in the case 1, electromagnetic waves are incident on the gaps between the CDs in the second and subsequent thin plastic cases 1 from an oblique direction with respect to the surface in the thickness direction of the CD. Electromagnetic waves easily reach the entire surface in the CD thickness direction.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the electromagnetic waves emitted from the respective planar antennas 22 are incident on the gaps between the CDs, the electromagnetic waves are obliquely incident on the surface in the thickness direction of each CD. The tendency to do becomes strong. Also, the first thin plastic case among the CDs of the plurality of thin plastic cases 1 in which the electromagnetic field of each planar antenna 22 has a magnetic flux extending in the width direction and the electromagnetic waves are stored so as to overlap each other. Even when obstructed by the CD in 1, the electromagnetic wave is incident on the gap between the CDs in the second and subsequent thin plastic cases 1 from an oblique direction with respect to the surface in the thickness direction of the CD. Becomes easy to reach over the entire surface in the thickness direction of the object. For this reason, since the RFID tag 2 of each CD is easily excited, even when the thin plastic case 1 containing the CD having the RFID tag 2 is stored in the shelf device, the presence or absence of each thin plastic case 1 is accurately detected. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the acute angle formed by one surface in the thickness direction of the thin plastic case 1 housed in each of the housing portions 11a to 11g and the extending direction of the planar antenna 22 is 80 ° or less. However, if the acute angle is not less than 10 ° and not more than 80 °, each thin plastic case is stored even when a plurality of thin plastic cases 1 containing CDs having RFID tags 2 are stored in a shelf device so that they can be stacked on each other. The applicant was able to obtain from experience that the presence or absence of 1 could be detected well. Further, if the acute angle is 20 ° or more and 70 ° or less, each thin plastic case 1 is stored when the plurality of thin plastic cases 1 containing CDs having the RFID tags 2 are stored in the shelf device so as to be superposed on each other. Applicants were able to gain from experience that the presence or absence of the occurrence could be better detected.

  Moreover, since the height dimension of each storage part 11a-11g was formed smaller than the height dimension of the thin plastic case 1, the thin plastic case 1 accommodated in each storage part 11a-11g is with respect to the planar antenna 22. Therefore, the acute angle formed by one surface in the thickness direction of the thin plastic case 1 and the extending direction of the planar antenna 22 can be surely set to a predetermined angle (for example, 80 °) or less.

  Further, a position regulating member 12 that regulates the position of the lower end of the thin plastic case 1 housed in each housing portion 11a to 11g in the width direction of each housing portion 11a to 11g is an end in the width direction in each housing portion 11a to 11g. Since it is provided on the side, the thin plastic case 1 accommodated in each of the accommodating portions 11 a to 11 g is securely inclined with respect to the planar antenna 22.

  Further, a plurality of protrusions 13 that regulate the position of the lower end of the thin plastic case 1 stored in the storage units 11a to 11g in the width direction of the storage units 11a to 11g are provided on the lower surfaces of the storage units 11a to 11g. Therefore, the thin plastic case 1 accommodated in each of the accommodating portions 11a to 11g is inclined with respect to the planar antenna 22 so that the acute angle is surely a predetermined angle (for example, 10 ° to 80 °). Arranged.

  Further, a plurality of planar antennas 22 are provided so as to be aligned in the width direction, and each planar antenna 22 extends into the lower surface (inside the shelf 10d) of each of the storage portions 11a to 11g, and the extending direction extends from the lower surface. A pair of planar antenna portions 22a in the width direction that emits electromagnetic waves by electric power from the reader / writer 30 while being spaced apart from each other in the width direction. Are disposed in the upper surface (inside the top plate 11c) of each of the storage portions 11a to 11g so as to oppose each planar antenna 22 in the vertical direction and emitted from the opposing planar antenna 22. An opposing antenna 52 that can resonate with electromagnetic waves is provided. For this reason, when the opposed antenna 52 resonates, effects such as expansion of the vertical range of the electromagnetic field formed by the planar antenna 22 and improvement of the stability of the electromagnetic field can be obtained. It is extremely advantageous for accurate detection of.

  In addition, the opposing antenna is provided with a pair of widthwise planar antenna portions 52 a that are spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction, and one antenna portion 52 a in the widthwise direction of each opposing antenna 52 is the planar antenna 22. The other antenna portion 22a in the width direction faces the other antenna portion 52a in the vertical direction, and the other antenna portion 52a in the width direction of the opposed antenna 52 faces the one antenna portion 52a in the width direction of the planar antenna 22 in the vertical direction. By configuring in this way, effects such as expansion of the vertical range of the electromagnetic field formed by the planar antenna 22 and improvement of the stability of the electromagnetic field can be obtained more reliably. This is extremely advantageous for accurate detection.

  In the present embodiment, the antenna portion 22 a on one side (for example, the right side) of the planar antenna 22 disposed at one end in the width direction (for example, the right end) of the planar antennas 22 arranged side by side is the counter antenna 52. Not facing up and down. In addition, among the planar antennas 22 arranged side by side, the other antenna portion 22a in the width direction other (for example, the left side) of the planar antenna 22 disposed at the other end in the width direction (for example, the left end) also faces the counter antenna 52 in the vertical direction. Not done. The reason for this is that when the antenna portions 22a of the planar antennas 22 arranged in parallel are close to the antenna portion 22a of the adjacent planar antenna 22, the plane of the adjacent planar antenna 22 is caused by the electromagnetic waves emitted by itself. Since the electromagnetic antenna 22 may resonate and the electromagnetic field may be blocked by the adjacent planar antenna 22, the opposing antenna 52 may be provided for the purpose of expanding the vertical range of the electromagnetic field or improving the stability of the electromagnetic field. Although it is provided, the electromagnetic field from the antenna portion 22a in which the planar antenna 22 does not exist next to the antenna portion 22a is relatively less likely to be blocked, and it is not necessary to provide the counter antenna 52. As described above, the counter antenna 52 can be partially omitted, which is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing cost.

  In the present embodiment, each of the storage portions 11 a to 11 g has an acute angle formed between one surface in the thickness direction of each thin plastic case 1 stored and each planar antenna 22 in the width direction of each planar antenna 22. It is comprised so that it may form in the center side. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the six thin plastic cases 1 disposed on the left side of the storage portion 11 c are thicker than the planar antenna 22 of the planar antenna device 20 disposed in the center in the width direction. Four thin plastic cases 1 disposed on the right side of the storage portion 11b, with an acute angle formed on the left side (the central side in the width direction of the planar antenna 22) with one planar surface corresponding to the corresponding planar antenna 22, The five thin plastic cases 1 arranged on the left side of the portion 11f and the three thin plastic cases 1 arranged on the right side of the storage portion 11f are also planar antennas on one surface in the thickness direction of the thin plastic case 1. An acute angle with 22 is formed on the center side in the width direction of the planar antenna 22. The applicant was able to obtain from experience that the accuracy of detecting the presence or absence of each thin plastic case 1 can be improved by arranging in this way. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the acute angle formed by one surface in the thickness direction of each thin plastic case 1 accommodated and each planar antenna 22 is the outer side in the width direction of each planar antenna 22. The number of thin plastic cases 1 that can be stored is reduced. For this reason, even when the direction in which an acute angle is formed is reversed, the number of thin plastic cases 1 is reduced, so that the accuracy of detecting the presence or absence of each thin plastic case 1 can be maintained.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the position control member 12 is provided in the width direction end side and lower side in each accommodating part 11a-11g, and each position control member 12 shows what is formed so that it may extend in the front-back direction. It was. On the other hand, the position restricting portion is provided on the width direction end side and the lower side in each of the accommodating portions 11a to 11g. For example, by providing the position restricting portion, the height dimension of the accommodating portion of that portion is made higher than the other portions. If the thin plastic case 1 is arranged obliquely, for example, by reducing the size, the same effects as described above can be achieved.

  In addition, in this embodiment, although the height dimension of each accommodating part 11a-11g showed the thing smaller than the height dimension of each thin plastic case 1, the height dimension of each accommodating part 11a-11g was each thin plastic. Even when the height dimension of the case 1 is larger than each other, each thin plastic case 1 is arranged obliquely by providing at least one of the position restricting members 12 and the protruding portions 13. It is possible to achieve the same effects as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the thin plastic case 1 containing a CD is stored as an object to be stored. However, a storage medium in which a magnetic disk is stored in a predetermined case, such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, Even when a storage medium, such as an audio cassette tape or a video cassette tape, is wound in a reel and is stored in a plastic case, the same effect as described above Can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the planar antennas 22 and the opposing antennas 52 are arranged in the top plate 10c, the middle shelf plate 10d, and the lower shelf plate 10a. On the other hand, it is also possible to arrange each planar antenna 22 in the vicinity of the middle shelf board 10d by placing each planar antenna device 20 on the middle shelf board 10d, etc. It is possible to arrange them in the same manner, and even in this case, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the radio wave transmitted from each RFID tag 2 is received by each planar antenna 22, but an antenna for receiving the radio wave transmitted from each RFID tag 2 is provided separately. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the stored thin plastic cases 1 are arranged obliquely with respect to the middle shelf board 10d depending on the height dimensions of the storage portions 11a to 11g. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the height of each of the storage portions 11 a to 11 g is made larger than the height of each thin plastic case 1, and each position regulating member 12, each projecting portion 13, and each Even when the upper position restricting member 14 is not provided, the thin plastic cases 1 are accommodated in the accommodating portions 11a to 11g by providing the supporting members 60 that support the thin plastic cases 1 so as to be inclined with respect to the middle shelf board 10d. Each thin plastic case 1 can be configured to be disposed obliquely with respect to the middle shelf board 10d, and even in this case, the same effects as described above can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the planar antennas 22 are arranged in parallel with the middle shelf board 10d. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, it is also possible to arrange each planar antenna device 20 so as to extend in the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the middle shelf board 10d. Even in this case, the acute angle formed by the support members 60, 61, etc. between one surface in the thickness direction of each thin plastic case 1 and the extending direction of the planar antenna 22 of each planar antenna device 20 is 10 ° or more and 80 ° or less. If it becomes, it can achieve the effect similar to the above-mentioned.

  In the present embodiment, the planar antenna 22 is provided with a pair of planar antenna portions 22a. On the other hand, the number of the antenna portions 22a can be one, or three or more. Furthermore, it is possible to change the planar antenna 22 to a planar antenna having another known configuration made of a metal thin film, and even in these cases, the same effects as described above can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the planar antenna 22 is formed from a metal thin film. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, instead of the planar antenna 22, a substrate 23a, a winding portion 23b formed by winding a metal wire on the substrate 23a a plurality of times, and a winding portion 23b. It is also possible to use a planar antenna 23 comprising a pair of feeding points 23c for supplying power to the coil. Even in this case, the winding portion 23b becomes a planar antenna, and the same effect as described above can be achieved. is there.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the acute angle formed by one surface in the thickness direction of each thin plastic case 1 and the extending direction of each planar antenna 22 is 10 ° or more and 80 ° or less. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, even if the acute angle formed by one surface in the thickness direction of each thin plastic case 1 and the extending direction of each planar antenna 22 is 0 °, Each thin plastic case 1 is arranged so that each thin plastic case 1 is displaced from each other in the vertical direction, and preferably, the position of each thin plastic case 1 gradually increases from one side to the other in the width direction. Electromagnetic waves easily reach the antenna 2a of each RFID tag 2 of each CD housed in 1, and the presence or absence of each thin plastic case 1 can be accurately detected.

  Further, the thin plastic cases 1 are arranged so as to be displaced from each other in the front-rear direction by a support member or the like, and preferably arranged so that the position of each thin plastic case 1 gradually becomes closer to the front side from one side in the width direction. If so, electromagnetic waves easily reach the antenna 2a of each RFID tag 2 of each CD housed in each thin plastic case 1, and the presence or absence of each thin plastic case 1 can be accurately detected.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thin plastic case, 2 ... RFID tag, 2a ... Antenna, 2b ... IC chip, 10 ... Shelf body, 10a ... Lower shelf board, 10b ... Side plate, 10c ... Top plate, 10d ... Middle shelf board, 10e ... Partition plate DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10f ... Back plate, 11a-11g ... Storage part, 12 ... Position control member, 13 ... Projection part, 14 ... Upper position control member, 20 ... Planar antenna device, 21 ... Substrate, 22 ... Planar antenna, 22a DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Antenna part, 30 ... Reader / writer, 40 ... Control apparatus, 50 ... Counter antenna apparatus, 51 ... Board | substrate, 52 ... Counter antenna, 52a ... Antenna part, 100 ... Rack, 101a-101c ... Storage part.

Claims (6)

It has at least one storage unit capable of storing a plurality of objects to be stored and a planar antenna connected to a predetermined power supply device, and extends as a stored object in a direction along one surface in the thickness direction. A shelf device for storing an object to be stored with an RFID tag having a planar antenna.
A shelf apparatus characterized in that an acute angle formed by one surface in a thickness direction of an object to be stored stored in a storage unit and an extending direction of a planar antenna is 10 ° or more and 80 ° or less. The storage unit has a predetermined height dimension while opening the front surface, and the extending direction of the planar antenna is configured to be parallel to the lower surface of the storage unit,
By forming the height of the storage part to be smaller than the height of the storage object, an acute angle formed by one surface in the thickness direction of the storage object stored in the storage part and the extending direction of the planar antenna The shelf device according to claim 1, wherein the shelf device is configured to be 10 ° or more and 80 ° or less. The storage portion has a predetermined width dimension while opening the front surface, and the extending direction of the planar antenna is configured to be parallel to the lower surface of the storage portion,
The position restricting portion for restricting the position of the lower end of the object stored in the storage portion in the width direction of the storage portion is provided on the end side in the width direction in the storage portion. Shelf equipment. The storage portion has a predetermined width dimension while opening the front surface, and the extending direction of the planar antenna is configured to be parallel to the lower surface of the storage portion,
The plurality of protruding portions or concave portions that regulate the position of the lower end of the storage object stored in the storage portion in the width direction of the storage portion are provided on the lower surface of the storage portion. Shelf equipment. The storage portion opens a front surface and has a predetermined width dimension,
A plurality of the planar antennas are provided so as to be aligned with each other in the width direction of the storage unit, and each planar antenna is disposed in the vicinity of or within the lower surface of the storage unit so that the extending direction is parallel to the lower surface, Each planar antenna is provided with a pair of planar antenna sections in the width direction that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the storage portion and emit electromagnetic waves by power from the predetermined power supply device.
In the vicinity of or in the upper surface of the upper surface of the storage unit, there is at least one opposed antenna that is arranged to face each planar antenna in the vertical direction and can resonate by electromagnetic waves emitted from the opposed planar antenna. The shelf device according to claim 1, wherein the shelf device is provided. The opposed antenna is provided with a pair of planar antenna portions in the width direction that are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the storage portion,
One antenna part in the width direction of the opposing antenna faces the other antenna part in the width direction of the planar antenna in the vertical direction, and the other antenna part in the width direction of the opposing antenna is in the vertical direction in the width direction of the planar antenna. The shelf device according to claim 5, wherein

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