JP2004266811A - Wireless tag reader/writer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless tag reader/writer with a high performance antenna of a comparatively large size providing a wide read/write range, the antenna being located even in a constrained place in the casing of the wireless tag reader/writer. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless tag reader/writer is configured such that a radio wave read port 2 for reading a wireless tag is formed to the case in a form of a curved face and the flexible antenna comprising a flexible base sheet 102 and a loop antenna 101 formed on the sheet is fitted along an inner wall side face of the radio wave reading port. Thus, the wireless tag reader/writer with a high latitude of position setting freedom in the casing, a long communication distance and excellent directivity can be realized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag reader / writer that communicates with a wireless tag using a flexible antenna and reads or writes the memory contents of the wireless tag.

  Conventionally, a wireless tag reader / writer for reading and writing the contents of a memory of an IC card or a wireless tag in a non-contact manner has a built-in antenna for utilizing electromagnetic induction. A coil wound in a spiral shape on a plane, a coil formed by stacking multiple layers, or a copper wire wound spirally using ferrite or the like as an axis is used.

In such a wireless tag reader / writer, there is a strong demand to improve the range in which information signals can be transmitted / received to / from the wireless tag, the reliability of the transmission / reception direction, and the distance, so that a plurality of planar antennas are mounted. Also, various measures have been taken for the positioning (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-172799 (pages 2, 3 and 2)

  However, according to the above-described conventional configuration, the built-in antenna has a robust shape such as a planar shape or a cylindrical shape, and the installation position is limited, and in order to increase the communication distance, Has a problem that it takes up space in a wireless tag reader / writer because it requires a certain size.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the radio wave reading port 802 of the wireless tag reader / writer equipped with the flat rigid antenna 12. The arrow indicates the direction in which the flat rigid antenna 12 can communicate. Since the antenna 12 cannot be installed in close contact with the inside of the case, it is inevitably mounted in a deep place inside the case, thereby extending the distance between the case surface and the wireless tag, which is a substantial communication distance. It was difficult. For example, when reading a wireless tag, since the communicable distance between the wireless tag and the antenna mounted on the wireless tag reader / writer is as small as 1 cm to 2 cm, the antenna should be as close as possible to the inner wall surface of the case. We know that we want to install in.

  FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the antenna 13 having a ferrite core, and a magnetic flux passes through the center of the ferrite core and is radiated. FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of a wireless tag reader / writer in which the antenna 13 having the ferrite core is mounted in parallel with the radio wave reading port 902. There is a problem that a large space is required in the wireless tag reader / writer.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and has an antenna that effectively uses a limited space in the case of a wireless tag reader / writer, so that the communication distance is long, the read / write range is wide, and the weight is low. An object of the present invention is to provide a small and inexpensive wireless tag reader / writer.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is a wireless tag reader / writer in which one end surface for reading a wireless tag in a case is formed with a curved surface, and a sheet having flexibility along the curved surface and a sheet having the same are provided. A configuration was adopted in which a flexible antenna composed of the formed conductor pattern was attached. As a result, a wireless tag reader / writer having a high degree of freedom in position setting within the case, a long communication distance, and excellent directivity can be provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a wireless tag reader / writer in which one end surface for reading a wireless tag in a case is formed with a curved surface, a flexible sheet along the curved surface, and a flexible sheet formed on the sheet By adopting a configuration in which a flexible antenna composed of a conductor pattern is mounted, a wireless tag reader / writer having a high degree of freedom in position setting within a case, a long communication distance, and excellent directivity can be obtained.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a wireless tag reader / writer in which an end surface for reading a wireless tag in a case is formed with a curved surface, and a flexible sheet along the curved surface and a flexible sheet are formed on the sheet. A wireless tag reader / writer equipped with a flexible antenna composed of a conductor pattern was used. As a result, it is possible to install a large-area antenna, which leads to an improvement in the communication distance, and also provides a small-sized wireless tag reader / writer that can perform a read operation and a write operation reliably with a wide wireless tag read range. Can be.

  Further, in the case, a wireless tag reader / writer in which an end surface for reading the wireless tag is formed of a plurality of surfaces, a flexible sheet extending over at least two of the plurality of surfaces, and a flexible sheet formed on the sheet A wireless tag reader / writer to which a flexible antenna made of a conductive pattern formed as described above is attached. This makes it possible to widen the read / write range.

  Further, by using a wireless tag reader / writer in which a flexible sheet has magnetism and a wireless tag reader / writer in which a flexible magnetic material is attached to the air core of an antenna, a long communication distance can be achieved. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Example 1)
1A and 1B are a side view and a front view of a wireless tag reader / writer incorporating a flexible loop antenna 101. FIG. The radio wave reading port 2 is formed with a curved surface that is convex toward the outside, and the loop antenna 101 is attached along the shape of the wall surface inside the radio wave reading port 2. The radio wave reading port 2 is provided with a reference line so that the target wireless tag is within the reading / writing range. This may be an instruction display of an ideal positional relationship with the wireless tag.

  On the surface of the wireless tag reader / writer, a power switch 3 for turning on / off the power, a transmission start key 4 for starting transmission / reception of information of the loop antenna 101, an OK key for the user to confirm a work operation 5, ten keys 6 for the user to input information, function keys 7 for the user to select information and work, and a display unit 8 for displaying the input and output results of the information.

  FIG. 2 shows an antenna of the electromagnetic induction type wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a front view, and FIG. 2B is a side view. In both figures, the loop antenna 101 is formed of a copper or aluminum wire or foil so as to be sandwiched between sheet-like substrates 102. The number of loops varies depending on the frequency of electromagnetic induction and the size of the antenna. For example, when the frequency of electromagnetic induction is 13.56 MHz, the number of loops is about 4 to 10. The base material 102 is made of a thin film such as polyester having a thickness of about 0.1 mm, and has a property of being flexible and flexible. The loop antenna 101 is connected to the antenna drawer 103 and is connected to a circuit in the wireless tag reader / writer.

  When the loop antenna 101 is attached to the case, it is preferable to provide a hooking part or a part where the base material 102 enters into the inner wall surface of the case, and further fix it there with an adhesive or the like. Further, the loop antenna 101 on the base material 102 can be incorporated in the inside of the case wall. However, if the thickness of the wall does not impair the communication distance of the loop antenna 101, as described above, the wall inside the case may be used. It is enough to stick it to

  Further, since the magnetic field produced by the loop antenna 101 is usually symmetrical between the front and the back, the base material 102 sandwiching the loop antenna 101 has no front and back. If, for example, a reflective material or the like is provided inward of the base material 102 in the case, the directivity toward the outside of the case is enhanced.

  In FIG. 3, the wireless tag reader / writer 300 includes a control device 310 and a wireless tag reading / writing device 320.

  The control device 310 includes a signal processing unit 311, a transmission start key 312, a key input unit 313, a display unit 314, and a storage unit 315.

  First, the signal processing unit 311 is mainly realized by a microcomputer called a CPU, performs input / output of data and digital operation with a connected device, and plays a central role in control. The signal processing unit 311 outputs information input from the transmission start key 312, the key input unit 313, and the wireless tag read / write device 320 to the display unit 314, and stores information data in the storage unit 315.

  The key input unit 313 includes a power switch 3, a transmission start key 4, an OK key 5, a ten key 6, a function key 7, and the like.

  The display unit 314 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device or the like, and transmits visual information to an operator. The storage unit 315 is constituted by a memory for storing digital data, and stores information read from the wireless tag.

  Now, the wireless tag read / write device 320 includes an antenna 321 and a demodulation modulator 322. The antenna 321 transmits an electromagnetic wave to the wireless tag 340, transmits data, and receives an electromagnetic wave from the wireless tag 340. The modulation / demodulator 322 modulates the transmission data sent from the signal processing unit 311 and sends the modulated data to the antenna 321, and demodulates the signal received by the antenna 321, converts the signal to digital data, and sends the digital data to the signal processing unit 311.

  The wireless tag 340 can read or write information data from the wireless tag read / write device 320, and stores and holds digital data.

  The processing results in the signal processing unit 311 are sent together to a host device 350 provided separately from the wireless tag reader / writer.

  According to such a configuration, since the flexible loop antenna 101 is attached along the curved surface of the radio wave reading port 2 of the case, the surface area of the loop antenna 101 becomes large, resulting in a large magnetic field. It will be. That is, if the size of the case is the same, a longer communication distance can be used, and if the communication distance can be shorter, a smaller wireless tag reader / writer can be obtained.

  Further, since the antenna is attached to the curved surface in close contact, unlike the conventional flat and robust antenna, there is no useless space between the loop antenna 101 and the case. That is, transmission / reception using the communication distance of the loop antenna 101 to the maximum extent becomes possible. Since the communication distance of some antennas is 1 cm to 2 cm, the effect of the above configuration is great.

  As described above, since no extra space is taken even in the case of the wireless tag reader / writer whose space is limited, it is obvious that the case is downsized, and the wireless tag reader / writer is mounted in the wireless tag reader / writer. Another advantage is that the degree of freedom in position setting for other components is increased.

  Further, since the loop antenna 101 is arranged in a curved surface, the generated magnetic field is also generated corresponding to the curved surface.

  FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a wireless tag reader / writer in which the loop antenna 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is arranged along the curved surface of the radio wave reading port 2, and arrows indicate the state of magnetic flux. Since the magnetic flux draws an arc around the conductor of the loop antenna 101, it can be seen that a strong magnetic field is generated even from the upper surface to the lower surface of the wireless tag reader / writer.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, transmission / reception to / from the wireless tag at a position along the curved surface of the radio wave reading port 2 becomes possible. That is, since the direction of the magnetic field expands, the reading angle of the wireless tag increases.

  FIG. 4B is an explanation thereof. The generation of magnetic flux that turns around the conductor of the loop antenna 101 is indicated by a circle. It can be seen that such magnetic fluxes reinforce each other, and the strength of the magnetic field becomes maximum near the center of the loop antenna 101 as shown by the arrow. In other words, when the loop antenna 101 is arranged along the radio wave reading opening 2, the center is just held over the wireless tag, so that the user is kind to the user.

  Further, the shape of the end face for reading by the wireless tag reader / writer can be formed according to a desired reading range.

  For example, FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a wireless tag reader / writer in which a radio wave reading port 502 is formed from a plurality of surfaces. By attaching a loop antenna 501 to an inner wall surface formed from the plurality of surfaces, the same as above is performed. The effect of is obtained. FIG. 5B is a front view of a wireless tag reader / writer provided with curved surfaces on the left and right of the radio wave reading port 502. In this case, since the loop antenna 501 is adhered from the left and right curved surfaces to the front wall surface, the communication angle spreads right and left.

(Example 2)
Next, a wireless tag reader / writer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the wireless tag reader / writer is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are a side view and a front view of the loop antenna 601 according to the second embodiment. The first loop antenna 601, the second loop antenna 602, and the third loop antenna 603 are formed of a copper wire or a copper foil as a continuous loop antenna sandwiched between base materials 605 made of a flexible material such as a polyester sheet, It is connected to the antenna lead wire 604. That is, when the case of the wireless tag reader / writer has a curved surface in the horizontal direction, the first loop antenna 601 communicates with the wireless tag on the front, and the second loop antenna 602 communicates with the wireless tag in front of the second loop antenna. The third loop antenna 603 can communicate with a tag, and can communicate with a wireless tag in front of the third loop antenna. In this case, it is possible to communicate not only with the front face of the wireless tag reader / writer but also with the wireless tags located in the side direction, thereby providing a wide communication range.

  Further, since the loop antenna formed of a copper wire or a copper foil is formed by being sandwiched between base materials 605 such as a polyester sheet, it is easy to prevent short circuit and breakage.

(Example 3)
Third Embodiment A wireless tag reader / writer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the wireless tag reader / writer is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are a front view and a side view of the loop antenna 701 to which the magnetic material 704 according to the third embodiment is attached. A loop antenna 701 is formed in a loop shape by a copper or aluminum wire or foil in a form sandwiched between base materials 702 made of a flexible material, connected to an antenna lead-out portion 703, and connected to a circuit in a wireless tag reader / writer. You. A magnetic material 704 obtained by mixing a ferrite powder in a flexible material such as rubber or plastic is attached to both sides of the base material 702.

  If the thickness of the magnetic material 704 is 1 mm to 3 mm and the thickness of the base 702 is about 0.3 mm, the flexibility is not impaired. In addition, the magnetic material 704 may be exposed as it is, or may be coated with a resin for high temperature and high humidity. With the above structure, the entire antenna is flexible and the magnetic permeability can be increased by the magnetic material 704, so that the communication performance of the antenna can be improved and the communication distance with the wireless tag can be extended.

  Although the magnetic material 704 is attached to both sides of the base material 702 made of a flexible material in the third embodiment, the base material 702 having magnetism may be used. For example, a magnetic sheet in which a plastic material and ferrite powder are mixed may be used.

  According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be expected.

  1) The area of the antenna can be increased, and the communication distance increases.

  2) The configuration allows the maximum communicable distance of the antenna to be used.

  3) Since the configuration in which the direction of the magnetic field is widened can be adopted, the reading angle of the wireless tag is increased, and as a result, the operability is improved.

(Example 4)
A wireless tag reader / writer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration of the wireless tag reader / writer is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are a side view and a front view of a wireless tag reader / writer that covers a loop antenna 201 having flexibility. The radio wave reading port 202 is formed by a curved surface that is convex outward, and the loop antenna 201 is provided along the outer wall surface of the wireless tag reader / writer so as to surround the radio wave reading port 202.

  Also, on the surface of the wireless tag reader / writer, a power switch 203 for turning on / off the power, a transmission start key 204 for starting transmission / reception of information of the loop antenna 201, and a user confirming a work operation. It comprises an OK key 205, a numeric keypad 206 for the user to input information, a function key 207 for the user to select information and work, and a display unit 208 for displaying the input and output results of the information. .

  FIG. 9 is a front view of the antenna of the wireless tag reader / writer. In this figure, a loop antenna 211 is formed of copper or aluminum wire or foil so as to be sandwiched between sheet-like substrates 212. The substrate 212 is made of, for example, a thin film having a thickness of about 0.1 mm such as polyester, and is flexible and flexible. The loop antenna 211 is connected to an antenna circuit 214, and the antenna circuit 214 has a function of tuning the frequency of the antenna, adjusting impedance, and adjusting Q. The antenna circuit 214 is formed on the sheet-like base member 212, is connected to the antenna drawer 213, and is connected to a circuit (not shown) in the wireless tag reader / writer. The antenna circuit 214 and the antenna drawer 213 are located inside the case of the wireless tag reader / writer.

  When the loop antenna 201 is provided in the case of the wireless tag reader / writer, it is necessary to firmly fix the base member 212 to the outer wall surface of the case.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the antenna circuit 214. The antenna circuit 214 includes an inductance 221 of the loop antenna 211, a Q adjustment resistor 222, an antenna frequency tuning capacitor 223, and an impedance adjustment capacitor 224.

  Thus, when the antenna circuit 214 is provided on the sheet-like base material 212 provided along the outer surface of the case of the wireless tag reader, the antenna circuit 214 through which a larger current flows is provided as compared with the case where the antenna circuit is provided in the case. The antenna can be separated from an internal circuit (not shown) in the case, the influence on the internal circuit can be reduced, and the influence on the antenna from the built-in circuit can be reduced.

(Example 5)
A wireless tag reader / writer according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a handheld terminal (HHT). The handheld terminal is generally an information terminal having a built-in barcode reader, and also has a function of a wireless tag reader / writer. On the surface of the handheld terminal, a rubber cover 271 for protecting the tip, a display unit 272 for displaying information input and output results, a numeric keypad 273 for a user to input information, and transmission and reception of information are started. A transmission / reception start key 274 and the like are provided.

  FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the handheld terminal (HHT).

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the rubber cover 271 is not provided at the tip of the handheld terminal (HHT), and shows only the tip. As shown in FIG. 13, a barcode reading port 232 is provided inside the head portion 231. Then, a rubber cover 271 is provided on the distal end portion 231 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 so that a failure or the like does not occur when the handheld terminal is dropped.

  FIG. 14 shows a view from the inside of the rubber cover 271. A bar code reading port 242 is also provided on the rubber cover 271 so that the bar code reading port 232 is not covered when the rubber cover 241 is attached to the tip 231 of the handheld terminal (HHT).

  FIG. 15 shows a diagram in which a loop antenna is installed inside the rubber cover 271 (on the handheld terminal side). An antenna 252 having a loop antenna 211 provided on a sheet-like base member 212 is attached around the reading opening of the rubber cover 271. Further, an antenna circuit 253 is provided over the same sheet-like base member 212. In this antenna 252, the directivity is in the same direction as the reading port. It is desirable that the antenna circuit 253 be formed of a thin circuit element.

  FIG. 16 shows a diagram in which an antenna 252 is provided inside the rubber cover 271 (at the end of the handheld terminal). The directivity of the antenna 252 is located substantially perpendicular to the reading opening.

  As described above, even if the inside of the rubber cover 271, the directivity of the radio wave emitted for reading and writing the wireless tag can be changed depending on the position where the antenna 252 is mounted. When the reading direction is different, the work can be facilitated by replacing the rubber cover 271 with the antenna 252 having the desired reading direction with the work.

  The rubber cover 271 provided with the antenna 252 can be attached to and detached from the case of the handheld terminal, and has different characteristics, for example, the rubber cover 271 provided with the antenna 252 having a short reading distance but a wide range. A plurality of rubber covers 271 having different characteristics of the antenna 252 such as a rubber cover 271 provided with an antenna 252 having a small range but a long distance can be prepared, and the antenna characteristics can be easily changed by changing the rubber cover 271. it can.

  In order to easily change the rubber cover 271 provided with the antenna 252, a simple connector is used for connection between the antenna 252 and the internal circuit, thereby enabling easy connection and disconnection between the antenna and the internal circuit. To do.

  The wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention is a wireless tag reader / writer in which one end surface for reading a wireless tag in a case is formed with a curved surface, and has a flexible sheet along the curved surface and a conductor pattern formed on the sheet. A reader / writer that has a high degree of freedom in setting the position in the case, has a long communication distance, has excellent directivity, and efficiently reads and writes wireless tags by adopting a configuration in which a flexible antenna consisting of It is industrially useful as such.

(A) Side view of wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention (b) Front view of wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention (A) Front view of the loop antenna of the present invention (b) Side view of the loop antenna of the present invention Block diagram of a wireless tag reader / writer, a wireless tag, and a host device of the present invention (A) Cross-sectional view of the radio wave reading port of the wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention (b) Explanatory drawing of the radio wave reading port of the wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention (A) Side view of a wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention in which the radio wave reading port has a plurality of surfaces. (B) Front view of a wireless tag reader / writer in which the radio wave reading port of the present invention has a plurality of surfaces including a curved surface. (A) Side view of a plurality of loop antennas of the present invention (b) Front view of a plurality of loop antennas of the present invention (A) Front view of loop antenna having magnetic material of the present invention (b) Side view of loop antenna having magnetic material of the present invention (A) Side view of wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention (b) Front view of wireless tag reader / writer of the present invention Antenna front view Diagram showing an example of an antenna circuit Front perspective view of a handheld terminal (HHT) Rear perspective view of a handheld terminal (HHT) Diagram showing the tip of a handheld terminal (HHT) Diagram showing rubber cover Diagram showing rubber cover Diagram showing rubber cover Sectional view of a wireless tag reader / writer equipped with a flat robust antenna (A) Perspective view of an antenna having a ferrite core (b) Cross-sectional view of a wireless tag reader / writer equipped with an antenna having a ferrite core

Explanation of reference numerals

101 loop antenna 2 radio wave reading opening 3 power switch 4 transmission start key 5 OK key 6 numeric keypad 7 function key 8 display

Claims (11)

A wireless tag reader / writer in which one end surface for reading a wireless tag in a case is formed with a curved surface, and has flexibility including a sheet having flexibility along the curved surface and a conductor pattern formed on the sheet. Wireless tag reader / writer with an attached antenna. A wireless tag reader / writer in which an end surface for reading a wireless tag in a case is formed of a plurality of surfaces, a flexible sheet extending over at least two of the plurality of surfaces, and a conductor formed on the sheet. A wireless tag reader / writer to which a flexible antenna having a pattern is attached. A wireless tag reader / writer in which an end surface for reading a wireless tag in a case is formed from a plurality of surfaces including at least one curved surface, and a sheet having flexibility over the curved surface and the other surface, and formed on the sheet A wireless tag reader / writer to which a flexible antenna comprising a conductive pattern formed is attached. The wireless tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible sheet has magnetism. The wireless tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a magnetic material having flexibility is provided in an air core portion of the antenna. The wireless tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an antenna is mounted outside or inside the case. A wireless tag reader / writer having an optical information reading function, comprising a case having an opening for irradiating optical information with light, and a cover attached to the case, and having flexibility along the shape of the cover. Wireless tag reader / writer to which a flexible antenna composed of a sheet having the sheet and a conductor pattern formed on the sheet is attached. The wireless tag reader / writer according to claim 7, wherein the cover has a curved shape. 9. The wireless tag reader / writer according to claim 7, wherein the cover provided with the antenna is detachable from the case, and the cover provided with antennas having different characteristics can be replaced according to the intended use. The wireless tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a cover is attached so that a surface on which the antenna is provided is on a case side. The wireless tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a tuning circuit of the antenna is provided on a flexible sheet.

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