JP2006033247A - Noncontact data carrier read system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a noncontact data carrier read system that is low in cost and is simple in configuration, maintains electric field strength within the range of the constraint of the Radio Law, and can extend a communicable region at the same timing to a data carrier without losing response properties. <P>SOLUTION: The noncontact data carrier read system comprises a read drive control unit 3 for generating question information and recognizing prescribed identification information from response electromagnetic waves; and a transmission/reception antenna 2 for transmitting the question information generated by the read drive control section 3 to the data carrier 11 as electromagnetic waves, and receiving response electromagnetic waves from the data carrier 11. The noncontact data carrier read system has a distributor 5 and an induction antenna 7. The distributor 5 has a plurality of transmission/reception antennas 2 and distributes the question information generated by the read drive control unit 3 for transmitting to the plurality of transmission/reception antennas 2. The induction antenna 7 is provided at a position where mutual induction with the plurality of transmission/reception antennas 2 can be made, and resonates with the transmission/reception antennas 2 at the same frequency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact data carrier reading system that reads information recorded on a data carrier in a non-contact manner through electromagnetic waves used in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the basic configuration of the RFID system.
The RFID system includes a data carrier reading device 1 that is an interrogator and a data carrier 11 that is a responder.
The data carrier 11 is portable in a small, thin, and small size, with a transmission / reception antenna 12 that receives a query electromagnetic wave and transmits a response electromagnetic wave, and an IC chip 13 having a transmission / reception circuit unit 13a and a memory 13b that can rewrite data. It is built in a formed synthetic resin exterior body (not shown).
The transmission / reception antenna 12 is configured to have directivity, for example, a wound coil, a loop, or a printed circuit board.
The transmission / reception circuit unit 13a includes a transmission circuit 13a-1, a reception circuit 13a-2, a circuit (not shown) for transmitting and receiving via the transmission / reception antenna 12, and a circuit for processing transmission signals and reception signals ( (Not shown).

The data carrier reader 1 includes a transmission / reception antenna 2 that transmits an interrogation electromagnetic wave and receives a response radio wave, and a read drive control unit 3 that includes a transmission / reception circuit unit 3a and a controller 3b.
The transmission / reception antenna 2 is configured to have directivity, for example, a wound coil, a loop shape, or one formed on a printed board.
The transmission / reception circuit unit 3a includes a transmission circuit 3a-1, a reception circuit 3a-2, a circuit (not shown) for transmitting and receiving via the transmission / reception antenna 2, and a circuit for processing transmission signals and reception signals ( (Not shown).

The controller 3b is composed of a microcomputer in which a program for controlling antenna driving for inputting information recorded on a data carrier is incorporated.
The data carrier reading device 1 is connected to an upper related equipment 4 such as a host computer and is provided in a fixed state as a terminal device for acquiring identification information.

In the RFID system, the data carrier reading device 1 outputs a question signal to the transmission / reception antenna 2 via the transmission circuit 3a-1 based on the control signal from the controller 3b, and the transmission / reception antenna 2 uses the question signal as an electromagnetic wave. Send.
The data carrier 11 receives the interrogation electromagnetic wave from the transmission / reception antenna 2 by the transmission / reception antenna 12, extracts the interrogation signal via the reception circuit 13a-2, reads out data responding to the content of the interrogation signal from the memory 13b, and transmits the transmission circuit 13a. The response signal is output to the transmission / reception antenna 12 via -1, and the transmission / reception antenna 12 transmits the response signal as an electromagnetic wave.
The data carrier reader 1 receives the response electromagnetic wave transmitted from the data carrier 11 by the transmission / reception antenna 2 and transmits a response signal to the controller 3b via the reception circuit 3a-2.
The controller 3b extracts predetermined identification information and other related information from the response signal, and transmits the information in response to an input / output command from the upper related equipment 4.

  However, in the past, many data carrier readers in an RFID system are configured to include one transmission / reception antenna 2 for one read drive control unit 3, for example, as shown in FIG. In such a data carrier reader, the range in which communication with the data carrier is possible depends on the size of the transmission / reception antenna 2 and the electric field strength output from the transmission / reception antenna 2 via the read drive control unit 3.

In the data carrier reader configured as described above, in order to expand the area where communication with the data carrier is possible, it is conceivable to increase the diameter of the antenna wired in a loop. However, if the antenna shape is made large, the electric field strength of the loop antenna becomes too strong and cannot be adapted to “inductive read / write communication equipment” in the Radio Law. The electric field strength of the interrogation electromagnetic wave cannot exceed the value specified by the Radio Law, and is limited by the electric field strength from the antenna.
For this reason, the size per antenna applicable to the RFID system is about 1 m × 50 to 60 cm. It is difficult to use an antenna larger than that in an RFID system.
Therefore, a data carrier reading apparatus configured with a single transmission / reception antenna cannot obtain a wide communication area.

Further, as another measure for expanding the area where communication with the data carrier is possible, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of sets of read drive control units 3 and transmission / reception antennas 2.
However, a data carrier reading device provided with a plurality of sets of reading drive control units and transmission / reception antennas is disclosed in FIG.
JP 2003-84063 A

  According to the data carrier reading device disclosed in FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1, a communication area that is as many as the number of antennas can be obtained as compared with a data carrier reading device configured by providing one transmission / reception antenna.

However, in the data carrier reading device disclosed in FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1, the manufacturing cost increases as compared with the data carrier reading device configured by providing one transmission / reception antenna. Moreover, the burden of the input / output switching control of each transmission / reception antenna increases.
For this reason, the data carrier reading device disclosed in FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1 is disadvantageous in terms of cost.

Further, in the data carrier reading device, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of transmission / reception antennas 2 are provided for one reading drive control unit 3 and an antenna distributor 5 is provided to It is conceivable to distribute the interrogation signal to a plurality of transmission / reception antennas 2.
However, when an antenna distributor is used, the power radiated from each antenna is reduced to a fraction of the number distributed. For this reason, if the number of transmission / reception antennas distributed through the distributor is increased by a predetermined number or more, the communication distance is greatly reduced, and it becomes impossible to obtain the gain of the transmission / reception antenna that enables communication with the data carrier. .
For this reason, in the configuration in which a plurality of transmission / reception antennas are provided and the interrogation signal is distributed to the plurality of transmission / reception antennas by the antenna distributor, there is a limit to the expansion of the communication area with the data carrier.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, it is conceivable to use the antenna switch 6 to provide a separate transmission / reception antenna for each predetermined area in the communication area and switch between the transmission / reception antennas.
Thus, for example, in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 described above, a transmission / reception antenna that is provided with a plurality of transmission / reception antennas and a switch that switches transmission / reception antennas with time control is provided for one reading drive control unit. On the other hand, a data carrier reading device that outputs a maximum power interrogation electromagnetic wave has been proposed.

  The data carrier reading device disclosed in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 sequentially outputs a maximum output interrogation signal to each of a plurality of transmission / reception antennas in time division. For this reason, according to the data carrier reading device disclosed in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, the communication area with the data carrier can be expanded, and the communication distance equivalent to the configuration in which one transmission / reception antenna is provided is provided. Can be maintained.

However, in the data carrier reading device disclosed in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, the transmission / reception antenna drive must be switched with a time difference, and the interrogation electromagnetic wave is transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna to the entire communication area at the same timing. Can not do it. For this reason, depending on the position in the communication area, there is a possibility that communication with the data carrier cannot be performed due to a time lag, and stable communication cannot be performed.
In addition, as in the data carrier reading device disclosed in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, if a plurality of antennas are switched and controlled by time division, the configuration becomes complicated.

  As described above, in the non-contact data carrier reading system in the conventional RFID system, it is difficult to expand the area that can be communicated with the data carrier without time lag with a low cost and simple configuration.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and maintains the electric field strength within the limits of the Radio Law with a low cost and simple configuration, and without impairing the responsiveness. In contrast, an object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact data carrier reading system capable of expanding a communication area at the same timing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a non-contact data carrier reading system according to the present invention includes a read drive control unit that generates query information and recognizes predetermined identification information from response electromagnetic waves, and a query generated by the read drive control unit. In a non-contact data carrier reading system having a transmission / reception antenna that transmits information to the data carrier as an electromagnetic wave and receives a response electromagnetic wave from the data carrier and transmits the response electromagnetic wave to the reading drive control unit. A distributor that distributes the query information generated by the read drive control unit and transmits the information to the plurality of transmission / reception antennas; and a position that can be mutually guided with the plurality of transmission / reception antennas at the same frequency as the transmission / reception antenna Featuring a resonating induction antenna

  In the non-contact data carrier reading system according to the present invention, it is preferable to include induction antenna control means for controlling the induction level of electromagnetic waves by the induction antenna.

  In the contactless data carrier reading system of the present invention, the reading drive control unit includes a transmission circuit and a reception circuit, and the plurality of transmission / reception antennas are connected to the transmission circuit and the reception circuit. It is preferable that at least one induction antenna is provided at a position where it can be mutually guided with the antenna connected to the transmission circuit and the antenna connected to the reception circuit.

  In the non-contact data carrier reading system of the present invention, it is preferable that the induction antenna control means has a function of controlling the Q, resonance frequency, polarization plane, or phase of the induction antenna.

  According to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the present invention, the electric field strength is kept within the limits of the Radio Law with a low cost and simple configuration, and at the same timing with respect to the data carrier without impairing responsiveness. A non-contact data carrier reading system capable of expanding the communicable area is obtained.

Prior to the description of the embodiment, the function and effect of the present invention will be described.
In transmission / reception using an antenna, if a metal member is present in the vicinity of the antenna communication area, a current is induced by the magnetic field generated from the antenna, and the magnetic field is disturbed and communication is likely to be hindered.
For example, when a plurality of antennas are arranged side by side, reading of a data carrier may be restricted due to interference of electromagnetic waves from each antenna. For this reason, in the conventional RFID system, the antennas are individually shielded, or the distance between the antennas is separated to avoid interference by the antennas.

However, in the present invention, a metal member that may cause this communication hindrance is arranged in the vicinity of the communication area, and a phenomenon in which current is induced by the magnetic field generated by the transmission / reception antenna is used to enlarge the communication area. That is, the present applicant has come up with the idea that the communication area can be expanded without hindering communication if the metal member in which current is induced is constituted by an induction antenna that resonates at the same frequency as the transmission antenna. It was.
The degree of electromagnetic wave interference can be controlled using a microcomputer, or adjusted with individual components to optimize the degree of interference, thereby optimizing the communication state with the data carrier. .

  Like the non-contact data carrier reading system of the present invention, the data carrier reader is provided with a distributor and a plurality of transmission / reception antennas, and an induction antenna that resonates at the same frequency at a position that can be mutually guided with each transmission antenna. For example, the induction antenna resonates with electromagnetic waves emitted from a plurality of transmission / reception antennas, and emits electromagnetic waves having the same frequency as the transmission / reception antennas. For this reason, the area | region which can communicate with a data carrier can be expanded.

  Further, according to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the present invention, the induction antenna resonates simultaneously with the generation of electromagnetic waves from the plurality of transmission / reception antennas. Therefore, unlike the system disclosed in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 in which transmission of electromagnetic waves is time-controlled in the communication area, a constant interrogation electromagnetic wave is always transmitted at any location within the wide communication area. Communication with the data carrier.

  Further, according to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the present invention, it is only necessary to provide a distributor and an induction antenna for a plurality of transmission / reception antennas, and it is not necessary to provide a plurality of reading drive control units, and a plurality of transmission / reception antennas are provided. There is no need to provide a means for switching between the two by time division control. For this reason, the structure for expanding the communication area is simple and the cost can be reduced.

  The data carrier reading system of the present invention further comprises induction antenna control means for controlling the induction level (that is, the degree of interference) of the electromagnetic wave by the induction antenna such as Q, resonance frequency, polarization plane, or phase of the induction antenna. If necessary, it is possible to adjust the communication area with the data carrier and the degree of guidance interference as necessary.

  As the induction antenna control means, a device equipped with a CPU such as a microcomputer or a personal computer may be used to control the Q and resonance frequency of the induction antenna so as to be optimal for the communication range required by the RFID system. The induction antenna may be controlled manually and the degree of interference may be adjusted by adjusting individual components.

When the Q or resonance frequency of the induction antenna is changed, the gain or selectivity of the antenna changes.
Theoretically, Q = ωL / R. For this reason, if R (resistance) is changed, Q can be controlled within a certain range.
The antenna is designed to optimally transmit and receive a specific frequency, and the resonance frequency f is
It is represented by
Therefore, when L (inductor) or C (capacitor) of the induction antenna is changed, the resonance frequency changes.
Specifically, when R is switched or C is varied, the resonance frequency and Q change.
When control is performed using a microcomputer or the like, the resonance frequency can be made variable by using C as a variable capacitor (varicap). In the case of manual control, C is a variable trimmer and R uses a volume.

When the plane of polarization is controlled, the direction of the magnetic field can be changed by adjusting the arrangement of the induction antenna in the vertical direction or the parallel direction via a gear or a motor.
Furthermore, when controlling the phase of the induction antenna, the phase of the high-frequency current flowing through the antenna is controlled.

  In the contactless data carrier reading system of the present invention, the reading drive control unit includes a transmission circuit and a reception circuit, and the plurality of transmission / reception antennas are connected to the antenna connected to the transmission circuit and the reception circuit. Including at least one induction antenna, the antenna connected to the transmitting circuit and the antenna connected to the receiving circuit can be provided at positions where mutual induction is possible. Since each antenna is mutually induced, all antennas can transmit and receive data carriers. On the other hand, only the antenna connected to the transmission circuit is sufficient for the electrical energy output from the reading drive control unit during transmission. For this reason, the area | region which can communicate with a data carrier can be increased further, without increasing the output to the transmission / reception antenna from a reading drive control part.

Note that the data carrier reading device used in the system of the present invention is not limited to a device having a reading function for a data carrier, and includes a device having a reading and writing function.
Further, the internal configuration of the data carrier reading device is not limited to the illustrated configuration, and any configuration of a known data carrier reading device can be applied.
In the non-contact data carrier reading system according to the present invention, the induction antenna is not limited to the position between the transmission and reception antennas as long as it is a position where mutual induction with the transmission and reception antennas is possible. In addition, the arrangement of the induction antenna is not limited to the two-dimensional arrangement, but may be a three-dimensional arrangement, but an arrangement that reduces reflected waves is desirable.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that members having the same configurations as those in the system shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and illustration and description of the configurations inside the members are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a non-contact data carrier reading system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
Contactless data carrier reading system of the first embodiment, the reading drive control unit 3, an antenna distributor 5, is constituted by a plurality of transmission-reception antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n, the induction antenna 7 ₁ to _7-n Yes.

Antenna distributor 5 is connected to a plurality of transmitting and receiving antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n. Then, the output from the transmission circuit is omitted distributed to each receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n in FIG. 1, the receiver circuit is omitted in FIG. 1 by combining the output received by the reception antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n Configured to send.
Note that the number of transmission / reception antennas 2 _{1 to} 2 _n is within a range in which the output level of power to each transmission / reception antenna distributed through the antenna distributor 5 can maintain a gain capable of communicating with the data carrier 11. Is set.
The induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n are arranged at positions where they can be mutually guided with the transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n . Furthermore, induction antenna 7 ₁ to _7-n, the electric field is induced by a magnetic field generated by the transmitting and receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n, is adapted to resonate at the same frequency as the transmitting and receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n.
The related equipment 4 is composed of a device equipped with a CPU such as a personal computer, and is connected to the reading drive control unit 3 to control the driving of the interrogation signal generation by the transmission circuit omitted in FIG. 1 and the reception omitted in FIG. A function of extracting desired information including identification information from a response signal from the circuit is provided.

In the non-contact data carrier reading system according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the interrogation signal generated via the transmission circuit omitted in FIG. 1 in the reading drive control unit 3 is transmitted / received via the distributor 5. It is distributed to the antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n. When the interrogation signal to each transmitting and receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n is outputted by the magnetic field generated by the respective transmitting and receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n, derived disposed their antennas mutually inducible position antenna 7 ₁ to _7-n A current is induced in The induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n resonate at the same frequency as the transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n and emit electromagnetic waves.
Therefore, for the data carrier 11 transmits the question electromagnetic wave from the transmitting and receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n and induction antenna 7 ₁ to _7-n.

On the other hand, the response electromagnetic wave from the data carrier 11 is received by either antenna of the transmitting and receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n and induction antenna 7 ₁ to _7-n. When received by the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n , the transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n resonate at the same frequency as the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n and receive response electromagnetic waves. The response electromagnetic wave passes through the distributor 5 and is output to the reception circuit omitted in FIG. 1 in the reading drive control unit 3 and is processed into a response signal through the reception circuit. Predetermined identification information and other related information are extracted from the response signal via the controller omitted in FIG. 1 and transmitted in response to an input / output command from the related equipment 4.

For this reason, according to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the first embodiment, it is possible to expand the communication area with the data carrier by the number of the plurality of transmission / reception antennas and induction antennas.
On the other hand, in the non-contact data carrier reading system according to the first embodiment, the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n are not connected to the reading drive control unit 3 and power for driving the antenna from the transmission circuit is not output. For this reason, the electric field strength does not exceed the value specified by the Radio Law.

Further, according to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the first embodiment, it is possible to communicate with the data carrier at the same timing in any place within the electromagnetic wave communication area where the transmission / reception antenna and the induction antenna are arranged. .
Further, according to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a reading drive control unit in accordance with the number of transmission / reception antennas and induction antennas, and means for switching a plurality of transmission / reception antennas by time division control It is not necessary to provide For this reason, the structure for expanding the communication area is simple and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a non-contact data carrier reading system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
In the contactless data carrier reading system according to the second embodiment, the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n are connected to the related equipment 4.
The related equipment 4 controls the drive of the interrogation signal generated by the transmission circuit and extracts the desired information including the identification information from the response signal from the reception circuit, in addition to the Q-equipment of the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n . And a device for controlling the resonance frequency, the polarization plane, or the phase. Note that the device for controlling the Q, resonance frequency, polarization plane, phase, etc. of the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n may be provided integrally in the CPU mounting device or separately from the CPU mounting device. Also good. Other configurations are almost the same as those of the data carrier reading apparatus of the first embodiment.

According to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the second embodiment, the Q, resonance frequency, polarization plane, and the like of the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n can be adjusted via the control device provided in the related equipment 4. . As a result, the induction levels of the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n are adjusted, and the communication distance and communication area with the data carrier are adjusted to a desired distance and range.
Other functions and effects are almost the same as those of the contactless data carrier reading system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a contactless data carrier reading system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
In the non-contact data carrier reading system according to the third embodiment, antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n in which a plurality of transmission / reception antennas are connected to a transmission circuit 3 a-1 provided in the reading control driving unit 3 via an antenna distributor 5. And antennas 2 _{n + 1} to 2 _{n + n} connected to the receiving circuit 3-2 provided in the reading drive control unit 3 via the second antenna distributor 5 ′ or the antenna switch 6. Has been.
In addition, induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n and 7 _{n + 1 to} 7 _{n + n} are provided at positions where these induction antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n and 2 _{n + 1} to 2 _{n + n} can be mutually guided. Yes. In the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n and 7 _{n + 1 to} 7 _{n + n} , an electric field is induced by a magnetic field generated by the transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n , 2 _{n + 1} and 2 _{n + n} , and the transmission / reception antenna 2 ₁ It resonates at the same frequency as ˜2 _n , 2 _{n + 1} , 2 _{n + n} .
Other configurations are almost the same as those of the contactless data carrier reading system according to the first embodiment.

In the contactless data carrier reading system according to the third embodiment configured as described above, the interrogation signal generated via the transmission circuit 3a-1 in the transmission / reception circuit unit 3a is transmitted to each transmission / reception antenna 2 ₁ via the distributor 5. Distribute to ~ 2 _n . When the interrogation signal to each transmitting and receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n is outputted by the magnetic field generated by the respective transmitting and receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n, derived disposed their antennas mutually inducible position antenna 7 ₁ to _7-n in addition to transmitting and receiving antenna _{2 n + 1 ~2 n + n} , a current is induced in the inductive antenna _{7 n + 1 ~7 n + n} , induction antenna 7 ₁ to _7-n, the transmitting and receiving antennas 2 _n + 1 ~2 _{n + n} and the induction antennas 7 _{n + 1 to} 7 _{n + n} resonate at the same frequency as the transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n to emit electromagnetic waves.
Therefore, for the data carrier 11, the question electromagnetic wave from the transmitting and receiving antenna _{2 1 ~2 n, 2 n +} 1 ~2 n + n and the induction antenna _{7 1 ~7 n, 7 n +} 1 ~7 n + n Send.

On the other hand, the response electromagnetic wave from the data carrier 11 is any one of the transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n , 2 _{n + 1} to 2 _{n + n} and the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n , 7 _{n + 1 to} 7 _{n + n} . Received by antenna. If it is received in one of the antenna, the antenna _{2 1 ~2 n, 2 n +} 1 ~2 n + n, 7 1 ~7 n, 7 n + 1 ~7 n + n resonates at the same frequency To receive response electromagnetic waves. The response electromagnetic wave passes through the distributor 5 ′, is output to the reception circuit 3a-2 in the reading drive control unit 3, and is signal-processed into a response signal via the reception circuit 3a-2. Predetermined identification information and other related information are extracted from the response signal via the controller omitted in FIG. 1 and transmitted in response to an input / output command from the related equipment 4.

For this reason, according to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the third embodiment, in addition to the plurality of transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ to 2 _n and the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n as the communication area with the data carrier, the plurality of transmission / reception antennas It is possible to enlarge the number of 2 _{n + 1 to} 2 _{n + n} and induction antennas 7 _{n + 1 to} 7 _{n + n} .
On the other hand, in the non-contact data carrier reading system of the third embodiment, in addition to the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n , the transmission / reception antennas 2 _{n + 1} to 2 _{n + n} and the induction antennas 7 _{n + 1 to} 7 _{n + n} are It is not connected to the transmission circuit 3a-1 in the reading drive control unit 3, and power for driving the antenna from the transmission circuit 3a-1 is not output. For this reason, the electric field strength does not exceed the value specified by the Radio Law.

The electrical energy output from the drive control unit 3 reads in transmission suffices only the connected receiving antenna 2 ₁ to 2 _n via the distributor 5 to the transmission circuit 3a-1.
For this reason, according to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the third embodiment, the area where communication with the data carrier can be performed without increasing the output from the reading drive control unit to the transmission / reception antenna is performed. This can be further increased compared to the carrier reading system.

In the non-contact data carrier reading system according to the third embodiment, the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 _n and 7 _{n + 1 to} 7 _{n + n} are used as the induction antenna 7 ₁ as in the non-contact data carrier reading system according to the second embodiment. ˜7 _n , 7 _{n + 1} ˜7 _{n + n} Q, resonance frequency, polarization plane, or phase may be connected to a device for controlling.
Other functions and effects are almost the same as those of the contactless data carrier reading system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement example of antennas in the non-contact data carrier reading system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, for convenience, related equipment is omitted.
In the non-contact data carrier reading system of the fourth embodiment, four transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ to 2 ₄ and 4 in the non-contact data carrier reading system of any of the first to third embodiments along the periphery of the table surface 8. The induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 ₄ are arranged alternately.
The transmission / reception antennas 2 _{1 to} 2 ₄ are connected to both the transmission circuit and the reception circuit in the reading drive control unit 3 or the transmission circuit in the reading drive control unit 3 as in the third embodiment. And any one of the configurations connected to either one of the receiving circuits.
Further, the related equipment not shown in the figure may be arranged on the table surface 8 or at a position away from the table surface 8.

According to the non-contact data carrier reading system of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the communication area with the data carrier can be expanded in the two-dimensional direction.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of transmission / reception antennas and induction antennas are arranged in a rectangular shape along a rectangular table, but are arranged in a circular shape along a circular table. Also good.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of transmission / reception antennas and induction antennas are arranged in a two-dimensional direction on the table surface, but may be arranged on a three-dimensional wall surface in a three-dimensional direction.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing another arrangement example of the antenna in the non-contact data carrier reading system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, for convenience, constituent members other than the antenna are omitted. The constituent members other than the antenna may be, for example, any configuration of the first to third embodiments.
The non-contact data carrier reading system according to the fifth embodiment is an example in which a transmission / reception antenna and an induction antenna are arranged in a three-dimensional direction on a three-dimensional wall. For example, it is suitable for a file storage management system.
In the non-contact data carrier reading system of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the transmission / reception antennas 2 ₁ and 2 ₂ and the induction antennas 7 _{1 to} 7 ₅ have a height of about 30 cm and a depth of about 25 to 30 cm, for example. The three-dimensionally shaped member 9 such as a box or a shelf having a width of about 90 cm is three-dimensionally arranged with a distance at which the data carrier can be optimally read in the horizontal and vertical directions.

In the configuration of FIG. 5, if the reading sensitivity of the data carrier is not lowered, it is also possible to constitute without providing an inductive antenna 7 _3.
Alternatively, it is preferable to increase the sensitivity of the transceiver is configured by providing the transmission and reception antennas, instead of the inductive antenna 7 _3.
5 shows the antenna arrangement configuration when the width of the three-dimensional member 9 is about 90 cm. However, when the width of the box-shaped member is about 60 cm, induction antennas are placed above and below the three-dimensional member 9. One piece each may be provided.
Further, the configuration of FIG. 5 is merely an example of a three-dimensional arrangement, and an induction antenna that resonates at the same frequency as the transmission / reception antenna is disposed at a position where it can be mutually guided with a plurality of transmission / reception antennas. Of course, other arrangements may be used.

In addition, in the contactless data carrier reading system of each of the above embodiments, if the induction antenna and the transmission / reception antenna are too far apart, depending on the direction of magnetic field generation and the magnitude of the output, between the transmission / reception antenna and the induction antenna. There may be a case where the magnetic field cannot be guided and is interrupted, and continuous communication data cannot be guided to all the transmitting and receiving antennas.
Therefore, in the non-contact data carrier reading system of each of the embodiments described above, if the induction antenna is placed very close or overlapped between the transmission and reception antennas, the transmission and reception antennas are continuously connected via the induction antenna. In this state, the magnetic field can be induced, and the data carrier reading rate can be further improved.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the non-contact data carrier reading system concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the non-contact data carrier reading system concerning Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the non-contact data carrier reading system concerning Example 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows one example of arrangement | positioning of the antenna in the non-contact data carrier reading system concerning Example 4 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning of the antenna in the non-contact data carrier reading system concerning Example 5 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of an RFID system. It is a block diagram which shows the prior art example of the data carrier reader in RFID system. It is a block diagram which shows the other conventional example of the data carrier reader in RFID system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing still another conventional example of a data carrier reading device in an RFID system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing still another conventional example of a data carrier reading device in an RFID system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Data carrier reader 2 Transmission / reception antenna 3 Reading drive control part 3a Transmission / reception circuit part 3a-1 Transmission circuit 3a-2 Reception circuit 3b Controller 4 Related equipment 5, 5 'Antenna distributor 6 Antenna switch 7 Induction antenna 8 Table surface 9 Three-dimensional shaped member 11 Data carrier 12 Transmission / reception antenna 13 IC chip 13a Transmission / reception circuit unit 13b Memory unit

Claims (4)

A read drive control unit that generates query information and recognizes predetermined identification information from the response electromagnetic wave, and transmits the question information generated by the read drive control unit to the data carrier as an electromagnetic wave and transmits the response electromagnetic wave from the data carrier. In a non-contact data carrier reading system having a transmission / reception antenna for receiving and transmitting to the reading drive control unit,
With a plurality of the transmitting and receiving antennas,
A distributor that distributes the question information generated by the read drive controller and transmits the question information to the plurality of transmitting and receiving antennas;
A non-contact data carrier reading system comprising an induction antenna that resonates at the same frequency as the transmission / reception antenna at a position where the plurality of transmission / reception antennas can be mutually guided.   The non-contact data carrier reading system according to claim 1, further comprising induction antenna control means for controlling an induction level of electromagnetic waves by the induction antenna. The read drive control unit has a transmission circuit and a reception circuit,
The plurality of transmission / reception antennas are configured by an antenna connected to the transmission circuit and an antenna connected to the reception circuit,
The contactless data according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the induction antennas is provided at a position where the induction antenna and the antenna connected to the reception circuit can be mutually guided. Carrier reading system.   The non-contact data carrier reading system according to claim 2, wherein the induction antenna control means has a function of controlling a Q, a resonance frequency, a polarization plane, or a phase of the induction antenna.