JP2004070413A - Physical distribution management system for electrically conducting article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately manage physical distribution by preventing a decrease in the transmission output of an IC tag attached to each electrically conducting article, such as a metallic article. <P>SOLUTION: The physical distribution management system for electrically conducting articles comprises electrically conducting articles each having an IC tag from which individual ID code data are sent over electric waves from an antenna part at predetermined time intervals; at least one reader installed in the management area of the articles for receiving the electric waves of the IC tags; and a data processing part connected to the reader. The IC tag has between its sending part and the antenna part a matching circuit which achieves a matching between an impedance of 1.1 to 3 times the impedance of the antenna part and the impedance of the sending part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a distribution management system for conductive articles. More specifically, an integrated circuit (IC) tag that communicates by weak radio waves is attached to a conductive article such as various metal products or a package thereof, and the conductive article is managed. The present invention relates to a distribution management system for conductive articles that manages distribution.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various articles have been distributed on the market. As a physical distribution management method for these articles, there is a method using a label, a bar code, or the like. In these methods, visually and optically readable management data is attached to an article for distribution, and the distribution of the article is managed by visually and optically reading the management data.
[0003]
Therefore, data cannot be read if the location where the label or barcode is attached to the article is oriented in a direction that is not suitable for visual or optical reading, such as the case on the back of the article. In this case, it is necessary to correct the direction of the article in a direction suitable for reading the management data and read the management data, which is complicated.
[0004]
On the other hand, a method of managing the distribution of articles by attaching a small transmitter (IC tag) for transmitting individual ID code data at predetermined time intervals to an article and detecting the ID code data with a receiver called a reader is known. is there. According to this method, the ID code data can be detected within the radio wave reception range irrespective of the mounting direction of the IC tag. Can be managed.
[0005]
However, the current logistics is complex, and the types of goods are extremely diverse. For this reason, when IC tags are attached to various articles in the same management area, the transmission output of the IC tags is greatly changed due to the environment in which the IC tags are placed. For example, when the IC tag is attached to a conductive article such as a metal, and when the IC tag is attached to a non-conductive article, the transmission output is significantly different, and the transmission output of the IC tag attached to the conductive article is extremely large. become weak. For this reason, the radio wave of the IC tag attached to the conductive article may not be detected in some cases, and as a result, physical distribution management may not be possible.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object the purpose of reducing the transmission output even when attached to a conductive article or its packaging, preventing a radio wave non-detection accident, and therefore, controlling logistics. It is an object of the present invention to provide a distribution management system for a conductive article using an IC tag which can reliably perform the distribution.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention that achieves the above object is as described below.
[0008]
[1] In a distribution management system for conductive articles, in which distribution is managed by attaching an IC tag, which transmits individual ID code data from an antenna section on a radio wave at predetermined time intervals, to a conductive article or a package thereof, A distribution management system for a conductive article, characterized in that the tag has a matching circuit between the transmitting section and the antenna section for matching the impedance of the transmitting section with 1.1 to 3 times the impedance of the antenna section. .
[0009]
[2] The distribution management system for conductive articles according to [1], wherein a frequency of a radio wave transmitted from the IC tag belongs to a VHF band or a UHF band.
[0010]
[3] The distribution management system for conductive articles according to [1], wherein the transmitted radio wave of the IC tag is a weak radio wave having a communication distance of 20 m or less.
[0011]
[4] A conductive article provided with an IC tag that transmits individual ID code data from an antenna section by being put on a radio wave at a predetermined time interval, and a radio wave of the IC tag which is installed in a management area of the conductive article. In a distribution management system for a conductive article, comprising at least one reader for receiving and a data processing unit connected to the reader, the IC tag is disposed between the transmitting unit and the antenna unit so that the impedance of the antenna unit is 1.1 to 1.0. A distribution management system for a conductive article, comprising: a matching circuit for matching the impedance of three times with the impedance of the transmitting unit.
[0012]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The management target in the physical distribution management system of the present invention is a conductive article including a conductive package among various articles handled in various activities such as social activities, production activities, and commercial activities. Although the degree of conductivity depends on the shape and size of the article and cannot be said unconditionally, when the IC tag is attached, the electric wave of the IC tag is reduced to a level where it cannot be used practically. Generally, the conductivity is usually 10 ⁻⁴ Ω · cm or less.
[0014]
Examples of such a conductive article include a metal product, an article in which a conductive thin film is formed on the surface or inside of a non-conductive product such as plastic or paper by metal foil or metal plating, or a conductive material in a resin. Can be exemplified, or a package or the like manufactured by using these.
[0015]
In the present invention, the IC tag attached to the conductive article is a non-contact IC tag. As shown in FIG. 1, the IC tag 1 has a transmitting unit 100 including a transmitting circuit 2 and an amplifier circuit 4, and a control circuit 6 having an IC chip mounted thereon. A matching circuit 10 is provided therebetween. In this IC tag, a resonance circuit is formed by a coil pattern also serving as an antenna unit and a capacitance element such as a capacitor.
[0016]
This IC tag has a built-in power supply and can transmit weak VHF waves and UHF waves. The communication distance is about 20 m, preferably about 15 m or less. In the present invention, since many IC tags are often handled simultaneously, it is preferable to use an anti-collision type. Such an IC tag itself is known, and specific examples thereof include TR-C003 manufactured by Lintec Corporation.
[0017]
In the IC tag used in the present invention, unique ID code data is set in advance for each tag, and this ID code data can be transmitted on a weak radio wave at predetermined intervals. For example, a 7-digit ID code is transmitted at intervals of several seconds for several years.
[0018]
Normally, when an IC tag is attached to the conductive article, the impedance of the antenna of the IC tag is 1/3 to 1 / 1.1 of the impedance of the antenna in free space. Therefore, the ID tag used in the present invention includes a matching circuit that matches the impedance of the transmitting section with the impedance of 1.1 to 3 times, preferably 1.2 to 2 times the impedance of the antenna section. And between.
[0019]
When a matching circuit is provided such that the impedance of the antenna unit is less than 1.1 times, the impedance of the antenna unit is smaller than the impedance of the transmitting unit, and the difference between the impedance of the antenna unit and the impedance of the transmitting unit is large. As a result, the reduction of the radio wave output becomes large.
[0020]
Further, when a matching circuit is used in which the impedance of the antenna unit exceeds three times, the impedance of the antenna unit becomes larger than the impedance of the transmitting unit, and the difference between the impedance of the antenna unit and the impedance of the transmitting unit increases. Therefore, the decrease in the radio wave output becomes large.
[0021]
There is no particular limitation on the method of attaching the IC tag to the conductive article or its package, and the IC tag can be attached by a known means as appropriate according to the shape and size of the article. More specifically, the use of an IC tag with a string or the like, the use of an adhesive tape, the use of a one-touch type magic tape (registered trademark), and the like can be exemplified.
[0022]
The reader used in the present invention receives the transmission radio wave of the ID tag and sends the received ID code data to the information processing device connected to the reader, where the data processing is performed. Specific examples include DR-W003 (trade name, manufactured by Lintec Corporation).
[0023]
At least one reader is installed at a location where the distribution of the conductive articles to be managed is to be managed. The number of installations is appropriately determined according to the contents of physical distribution management.
[0024]
There are no particular restrictions on the contents of logistics management. For example, the number of articles to be carried in or carried out, sorting, positions at arbitrary times, and the like can be exemplified.
[0025]
Further, the information processing data of the information processing device connected to the reader may be transmitted to a server or the like, and the information of many readers may be collectively managed. For transmission, either wired or wireless transmission can be used.
[0026]
【Example】
Example 1
Each of 10 stainless steel baskets for storing products was attached with a string of an IC tag (trade name: TR-T503, manufactured by Lintec Co., Ltd.) whose impedance in the free space of the antenna section was 70.2Ω. The antenna impedance was changed to 46Ω by attaching the IC tag to the conductive stainless steel basket. Transmitting portion of Inpi - consisting Dance (70.2Ω) and three capacitors _C 21 shown in FIG. 2 as 1.5 times the impedance of the antenna part of the impedance (46Ω) is _{aligned, C 22,} C ₂₃ A matching circuit was provided between the antenna unit and the transmitting unit.
[0027]
ID signals of all 10 IC tags could be detected at a distance of 5 m using a reader DR-W003 manufactured by Lintec Corporation.
[0028]
Comparative Example 1
The same IC tag of Example 1 except that no matching circuit was formed was attached to each of ten stainless steel baskets for storing products by strings. By attaching the IC tag to the conductive stainless steel basket, the impedance of the antenna changed from 70.2Ω to 46Ω.
[0029]
When the ID signals of the IC tags were detected at a distance of 5 m using a reader DR-W003 manufactured by Lintec Co., Ltd., the ID signals of all 10 IC tags could not be detected.
[0030]
Comparative Example 2
The same IC tag of Example 1 was attached to ten stainless steel baskets each storing a product, except that a matching circuit was configured so that the impedance of the transmitting portion and the impedance of the antenna portion were four times the impedance of the antenna portion. . As shown in FIG. 3, the matching circuit was composed of two capacitors C ₃₁ and C ₃₂ and one coil L ₃₁ .
[0031]
When the ID signals of IC tags were detected at a distance of 5 m using a reader DR-W003 manufactured by Lintec Co., Ltd., the ID signals of six out of ten IC tags were detected, but the remaining four IC tags were detected. Tag signals could not be detected.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
In the distribution management system for conductive articles according to the present invention, the impedance of the transmitting section is matched with the impedance of 1.1 to 3 times the impedance of the antenna section of the IC tag by providing a matching circuit. When the IC tag is attached to the conductive article, the decrease in the radio wave output of the IC tag is small. Therefore, the signal of the IC tag can be accurately detected by the reader, and the occurrence of a system abnormality due to non-detection can be greatly reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an IC tag used in a distribution management system for conductive articles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram illustrating a matching circuit used in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram showing a matching circuit used in Comparative Example 2.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 IC tag 2 transmission circuit 4 amplification circuit 6 control circuit 8 antenna unit 10 matching circuit 100 transmission unit C ₂₁ , C ₂₂ , C ₂₃ , C ₃₁ , C ₃₂ capacitor L ₃₁ coil

Claims (4)

In a logistics management system for a conductive article, in which an IC tag for transmitting individual ID code data from an antenna unit at a predetermined time interval on a radio wave is attached to a conductive article or a package thereof to manage distribution, the IC tag is transmitted. A distribution management system for a conductive article, comprising: a matching circuit between the unit and the antenna unit for matching the impedance of the antenna unit to 1.1 to 3 times the impedance of the antenna unit. 2. The distribution management system for conductive articles according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the radio wave transmitted from the IC tag belongs to a VHF band or a UHF band. 2. The distribution management system for conductive articles according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted radio wave of the IC tag is a weak radio wave having a communication distance of 20 m or less. A conductive article attached with an IC tag for transmitting individual ID code data from an antenna section on a radio wave at a predetermined time interval; and at least a radio wave installed in a control area of the conductive article and receiving the radio wave of the IC tag. A reader and a data processing unit connected to the reader, wherein the IC tag has a distance between the transmitting unit and the antenna unit of 1.1 to 3 times the impedance of the antenna unit. A distribution circuit for a conductive article, comprising: a matching circuit for matching the impedance of the transmission part with the impedance of the transmission part.

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