JP2007070112A - Rack plate with antenna for article control rack, and article control rack using the rack plate with the antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rack plate with an antenna communicable with an electronic tag substantially irrespective of the orientation of the electronic tag installed on an article placed on the rack plate of an article control rack and the article control rack using the rack plate with the antenna. <P>SOLUTION: The antenna 15 for reader installed on the rack plate 11 comprises a plurality of antennas 23, 24 having generally loop-shaped antenna patterns 31. The first and second antennas 23, 24 of these plurality of antennas comprise a plurality of base line parts 43 and at least one bent part 44. Each of the bent parts 44 is formed in a projected shape having first rise parts 46, 47 and a connection part 48 connecting the ends of the first and second rise parts 46, 47 to each other, and disposed in a mutually abutted state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  According to the present invention, at least one type of various items (for example, containers such as bottles having a curved shape, irregularly shaped clothing, small jewelry, books, etc.) stored in the item shelf are provided thereon. The present invention relates to an antenna-equipped shelf board that is used to be placed and provided with a reader antenna, and an article management shelf that uses such an antenna-equipped shelf board. In the text, “books” means not only books but also newspapers, magazines, materials, documents, other paper media, and document binding files created by binding such paper media with a binder. In addition, optical recording media such as CD and DVD, and magnetic recording media such as video tape and audio tape are also included.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an article management system, a system has been widely used in which articles are managed by attaching a barcode to each article, scanning the barcode with a barcode reader, and capturing the information into a computer. ing.

On the other hand, in recent years, as a management system for goods in / out, stock, sales, etc., a large amount of information can be recorded in a contactless manner instead of conventional systems using tags, shelf labels, barcodes, etc. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems that can be used are being adopted in various fields. This RFID system includes an electronic tag attached to the article side and a reader / writer equipped with an antenna for communicating with the electronic tag by wireless communication. Such an electronic tag is also called a wireless tag or an IC tag, and is composed of communication circuits each including an IC chip in which a memory in which information is recorded is incorporated and a small antenna. And, as a method of communicating with the antenna for the reader / writer the article with the electronic tag stored in the article management shelf,
(1) A method of communicating with a mobile or handy type reader / writer antenna,
(2) A method of communicating with the reader / writer antenna installed on the upper surface, lower surface or inside of the shelf board of the article management shelf, or on the inner side surface or outer side surface of the rear or side plate of the article management shelf
There is.

  One example of the need for efficient management of tens of thousands of articles is the management of collections in libraries. When such library management in a library is performed using an RFID system, the method described in the above section (1) is usually used. In this case, the operator traces and manages the electronic tag attached to the back cover, front cover or back cover of books with a handy type reader / writer antenna. Therefore, if such a collection management is performed by the RFID system, books are extracted from the bookshelf of the library one by one, and then scanned with a handy type barcode reader (so-called handy scanner) against the barcode of the books. Compared to the collection management by the contact type bar code system, the workability is remarkably improved. However, even in the case of non-contact type scanning with a handy type reader / writer antenna, the scanning speed is limited due to its accuracy, so depending on the quantity of collections, for regular collection or collection of collections. The required closing period is several days.

  On the other hand, it has also been proposed to perform library management at the library by the method described in the above item (2) using an RFID system. Specifically, the orientation of the electronic tag to be attached to the books is uniformly determined, and the reader / writer antenna installed in the bookcase for storing the books communicates with the electronic tag by wireless communication. An article management shelf and an article management system that allow information to be received and received between an electronic tag in which is recorded and a reader / writer antenna have been proposed as described below.

For example, in Patent Document 1, an electronic tag on which information on books is recorded is pasted on the back cover of the books, and an antenna for a simple loop reader / writer that is substantially rectangular and elongated in the frontage direction is attached to the shelf of the bookshelf. A system for managing books by communicating with the electronic tag of the books placed on the shelf along the outer peripheral portion of the book and the reader / writer antenna by electromagnetic induction. Is disclosed.
JP 2004-269079 A

Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a system for managing books by communicating between an electronic tag attached to a cover of a book and a reader / writer antenna. In the case of the book management system disclosed in Patent Document 2, at least two antennas close to each other among a plurality of reader / writer antennas are connected to a common surface (that is, the rear surface) of a bookcase. , The bottom surface or the top surface) are partially overlapped with each other with the position shifted by about half each. Then, by sequentially switching the communication antennas among the plurality of reader / writer antennas and sequentially changing the communicable area on the shelf of the bookshelf, the reader / writer antenna can be changed on the shelf of the bookshelf. It is also possible to communicate with the electronic tags of books at the position. If such a book management system disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used, it is not necessary to scan the books with a hand-held reader / writer antenna for each book. Can be made more efficient.
JP 2003-72919 A

However, the book management systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have the following problems (A) to (C). The reason why these problems occur is as described in the items (a) to (c), which are sequentially described after the descriptions of the items (A) to (C).
(A) When the electronic tag attached to the article is not oriented in a predetermined direction with respect to the reader / writer antenna, communication between the two becomes difficult. In addition, when it is easy to align the direction of the electronic tag in a predetermined direction, such as books, the direction of the electronic tag can be aligned by human work, but it is affixed to an article whose shape or size is unspecified. In the case of an attached electronic tag, it is very difficult to uniformly unify the orientation of such an electronic tag for each article.
(A) Since the direction of the magnetic force lines formed by the reader / writer antenna is limited, when the antenna surface of the electronic tag is oriented in a direction not intersecting with the magnetic field lines, the reader / writer antenna and the electronic tag Communication with is difficult.
(B) In the case of a simple loop type reader / writer antenna provided along the peripheral portion of the shelf board, the direction of the shelf board in the back direction so that the electronic tag is parallel to the opening direction of the shelf board When it is arranged at the center portion of this, communication between the reader / writer antenna and the electronic tag is likely to be impossible. In addition, the electronic tags arranged so as to be in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction of the shelf cannot communicate with the reader / writer antenna except when they are arranged at both edge portions in the opening direction of the shelf.
(B) In any of these cases, among the lines of magnetic force formed by the reader / writer antenna, there are few lines of magnetic force that intersect the electronic tag surface.
(C) When a large number of loop antennas are installed as reader / writer antennas sequentially shifted in the front direction of the shelf, an area incapable of communicating with the electronic tag arranged in parallel to the front direction is It may exist in the center part of the depth direction of a shelf board. In addition, in a portion between adjacent antennas, communication with the electronic tag may be disabled throughout the entire depth direction of the shelf board. In addition, since it is necessary to sequentially switch and operate a plurality of reader / writer antennas, a device for sequentially switching the plurality of antennas is required. Since the antennas are sequentially switched, the communication time between the reader / writer antenna and the electronic tag becomes long.
(C) Although the communication state with respect to the electronic tag arranged at right angles to the front direction of the shelf is improved, it is arranged parallel to the front direction of the shelf among the magnetic lines formed by the reader / writer antenna. The number of magnetic field lines that intersect with the electronic tag surface is not improved. Further, in order to sequentially switch and operate a large number of reader / writer antennas, as many switches as the number of reader / writer antennas are required.

  The present invention has been invented to solve the above-described problems, and is substantially irrelevant to the direction of an electronic tag provided on an article placed on a shelf board of an article management shelf. Another object of the present invention is to provide a shelf board with an antenna capable of communicating with the electronic tag and an article management shelf using such a shelf board with an antenna.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the shelf board with an antenna used for placing an article stored in an article shelf and provided with an antenna for a reader, the reader antenna Is composed of a plurality of antennas, and the antenna pattern of the first antenna among the plurality of antennas extends on the side of the first edge extending substantially in the frontage direction of the shelf plate in the substantially frontage direction. A first pattern portion that is present, a second pattern portion that extends substantially in the depth direction on the side of the second edge extending substantially in the depth direction of the shelf plate, and the substantially frontage of the shelf plate. A third pattern portion extending in the direction and extending on the side of the third edge opposite to the first edge in the frontage direction, and extending in the depth direction of the shelf. On the side of the fourth edge opposite to the second edge. A fourth pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction is sequentially connected, and the antenna pattern of the second antenna of the plurality of antennas has the third edge portion on the side of the third edge portion. A first pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction, a second pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction on the second edge side, and the substantially frontage side on the first edge side. A third pattern portion extending in the direction and a fourth pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction on the side of the fourth edge, and the first antenna. The first and / or third pattern portion of the second antenna and the first and / or third pattern portion of the second antenna include a plurality of baseline portions extending substantially in the frontage direction. And several of these At least one bent portion that connects the slline portions to each other, and each of the bent portions includes a first and a second rising portion, and tip ends of the first and second rising portions. The present invention relates to a shelf board with an antenna for article management shelves, characterized in that it has a convex shape each having a connecting portion that is connected.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, each of the unit regions when the reader antenna provided on the shelf is divided into unit regions by a virtual unit region dividing line extending substantially in the depth direction. And the first pattern portion of the first antenna and the third pattern portion of the second antenna are substantially along the first edge of the shelf board. The plurality of baseline portions extending substantially in the frontage direction and the at least one bend connecting the plurality of baseline portions to each other. Each of the unit areas, and any one of the first pattern portion of the first antenna and the third pattern portion of the second antenna in each of the unit regions. When either one is the first pattern portion of the first antenna, the first pattern portion of the second antenna is substantially in front of the third edge of the shelf. And the third pattern portion of the first antenna connects the plurality of baseline portions and the plurality of baseline portions to each other. Each of the unit regions, and each of the unit areas includes the first pattern portion of the first antenna and the third pattern portion of the second antenna. When either one is the third pattern portion of the second antenna, the third pattern portion of the first antenna is substantially along the third edge portion of the shelf board. The first pattern portion of the second antenna extends substantially in the frontage direction, and the plurality of baseline portions extending substantially in the frontage direction are connected to the plurality of baseline portions. It is preferable that each of the at least one bent portion is connected.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the shelf board with an antenna used for placing an article stored in an article shelf and provided with an antenna for a reader, the reader antenna Is composed of a plurality of antennas, and the antenna pattern of the first antenna among the plurality of antennas is substantially along the first edge portion extending in the frontage direction of the shelf board in the substantially frontage direction. A first pattern portion that extends, a second pattern portion that extends substantially in the depth direction on the side of the second edge that extends substantially in the depth direction of the shelf, and the substantially A third pattern portion extending in the frontage direction and extending on the third edge side opposite to the first edge portion in the frontage direction; and in the substantially depth direction of the shelf board A fourth edge extending and opposite to the second edge. Are sequentially connected to the fourth pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction, and the antenna pattern of the second antenna of the plurality of antennas is substantially at the third edge. A first pattern portion extending substantially along the frontage direction, a second pattern portion extending substantially along the depth direction on the second edge side, and a first edge side extending along the second edge portion side. The third pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction and the fourth pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction on the fourth edge side are sequentially connected, and The third pattern portion of one antenna and the third pattern portion of the second antenna include a plurality of baseline portions extending substantially in the frontage direction, and the plurality of baseline portions. Are connected to each other At least one bent portion, and each of the bent portions includes a first and a second rising portion, and a connecting portion that connects the leading ends of the first and second rising portions to each other. It is related with the shelf board with the antenna for articles | goods management shelves characterized by comprising the convex shape provided respectively.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, the base line portion of the third pattern portion of the first antenna and the connecting portion of the bent portion of the third pattern portion of the second antenna. Each extending between the first pattern portion of the second antenna and a virtual shelf centerline extending substantially in the frontage direction of the shelf, and the first antenna Each of the connecting portion of the bent portion of the third pattern portion and the baseline portion of the third pattern portion of the second antenna is the first pattern of the first antenna. It preferably extends between the portion and the shelf centerline.

  In the first and second aspects of the present invention, the convex bent portion of the second antenna is in the plan view with respect to the convex bent portion of the first antenna. It is preferable that the first antenna has a portion that overlaps with the convex bent portion and a portion that does not overlap with the first antenna by being disposed in a state of being substantially displaced in the frontage direction. In this case, the width of the overlapping portion in the frontage direction is basically a value obtained by dividing the width of the convex bent portion by the number of antennas of the plurality of antennas (in other words, the plurality of antennas). However, as described later, there may be a fluctuation range such as ± 25%.

  In the first and second aspects of the present invention, any one of the second pattern portion of the first antenna and the second pattern portion of the second antenna is The shelf extends substantially in the depth direction along the second edge of the shelf, and the other extends in the depth direction on the opposite side of the one of the second edges. Any one of the fourth pattern portion of the first antenna and the fourth pattern portion of the second antenna is substantially along the fourth edge portion of the shelf board. Preferably, the other extends in the depth direction, and the other extends in the depth direction on the side opposite to the fourth edge of any one of the above. In the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that each of the plurality of antennas constituting the reader antenna does not have an intersection when viewed in a plan view. In the first and second aspects of the present invention, any one of the plurality of antennas constituting the reader antenna and another of the plurality of antennas may be used. It is preferable that the mutual space | interval in the thickness direction of the said shelf board with one antenna is 70 mm or less. Moreover, in the said 1st and 2nd viewpoint of this invention, it is preferable that the main component of the said shelf board is a glass plate. Further, in the first and second aspects of the present invention, at least each of the antenna patterns of the plurality of antennas is configured by a wire conductor having a cross-sectional shape that may be substantially circular (other words). In this case, a prefabricated linear conductor may be attached to the shelf board). And if comprised in this way, since the width | variety of the said antenna pattern can be made small, when the goods shelf is comprised from translucent materials, such as a glass plate, the translucency of an goods shelf is the said antenna. Reduction due to the pattern can be substantially prevented. In this case, from the viewpoint of practicality, the cross-sectional diameter of the wire conductor is generally preferably 1.0 mm or less, and preferably 0.02 mm or more.

  Furthermore, in the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of antennas constituting the reader antenna operate in order. With this configuration, mutual interference between the plurality of antennas can be effectively prevented, so that the magnetic lines of force formed by at least one of the plurality of antennas have an arbitrary direction on the shelf board. Crossing the facing electronic tag can be effectively achieved. Furthermore, in the first and second aspects of the present invention, the reader antenna is preferably a reader / writer antenna that also serves as a reader / writer antenna.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one shelf board with an antenna selected from the shelf board with an antenna according to the first aspect and the shelf board with an antenna according to the second aspect. The present invention relates to an article management shelf that is provided as a plate.

  According to the present invention, even if the direction of the electronic tag provided on the article placed on the shelf is not specified with respect to the shelf, each of the plurality of antennas is an incommunicable area on the shelf. Therefore, the communication by the wireless communication of the reader antenna with the electronic tag provided on the article placed on the shelf board can be performed satisfactorily. Therefore, since it is not necessary to align the direction of the electronic tag provided on the article placed on the shelf board with respect to the shelf board, the article management by the article management shelf can be performed reliably and easily. For example, in a library used by many people, books are not always placed facing the front, and the position of the electronic tag varies depending on the size of the books. Management of books can be easily performed without performing work for accurately arranging books. In addition, since the reader antenna can satisfactorily communicate with the electronic tag by wireless communication irrespective of the orientation of the electronic tag with respect to the shelf board, the present invention provides a storage shelf for merchandise and medicine, merchandise It is also suitable for application to a shelf that manages articles that are difficult to unify the orientation of the electronic tag provided on the shelf board, such as an article management shelf such as a showcase.

  Next, the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described by dividing them into “1, first embodiment” and “2, second embodiment” with reference to the drawings.

1. First Embodiment First, the first embodiment of the present invention is described in “(1) Overall configuration of article management shelf”, “(2) Pattern shape of antenna for reader / writer” and “(3) Reader”. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.

(1) Overall configuration of article management shelf As shown in FIG. 1, the article management shelf 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in the first embodiment of the present invention has a side plate 2 on the left side and a right side on the right side. It has a substantially box-lid shape (in other words, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape) composed of the side plate 3, the back plate 4, the top plate 5 and the bottom plate 6. The pair of left and right side plates 2, 3, the back plate 4, the top plate 5 and the bottom plate 6 can be made of an appropriate material such as glass, synthetic resin, wood, etc., and the bottom plate 6 is the bottom shelf plate. Is also used. The article management shelf 1 may further include a front plate (not shown) that is preferably made of glass, synthetic resin, or the like so as to be substantially transparent. Such a front plate includes, for example, a pair of left and right sliding doors. It may be a structure. Note that one or more or all of the pair of left and right side plates 2, 3, the back plate 4, the top plate 5, the bottom plate 6 and the front plate may be metal, and when a reader / writer antenna is formed on the surface thereof. May be formed after covering the surface with an insulating layer. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of left and right side plates 2 and 3 are configured to slightly protrude downward from the bottom plate 6, and a pair of left and right support legs 7 and 8 are formed by the pair of left and right projections, respectively. .

  In the illustrated embodiment, the article management shelf 1 shown in FIG. 1 is the uppermost shelf 11 and the second shelf, each of which is made of a suitable nonmetallic material such as glass, synthetic resin, or wood. The board 12 has a five-stage structure including the third-stage shelf board 13, the fourth-stage shelf board 14, and the lowermost shelf board 6, respectively. These shelf boards 6, 11-14 can be supported by a pair of left and right side plates 2, 3 and the like by means of appropriate support means (not shown).

  Reader / writer antennas 15 are installed on the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 of the article management shelf 1 shown in FIG. 1 so as to be substantially parallel to the respective shelf board surfaces. These reader / writer antennas 15 are connected to a reader / writer main body (not shown) via a switch 16 by a twist cable or a coaxial cable (both not shown). The reader / writer main body is for exchanging information such as electrical signals with the reader / writer antenna 15 and is connected to a computer (not shown) via an interface circuit (not shown). The switch 16 can be disposed on the article management shelf 1 and is disposed on the top plate 5 in the illustrated embodiment. The reader / writer main body can be similarly arranged on the article management shelf 1 as necessary. In the present invention, the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 can be made of a suitable metallic material such as steel or aluminum alloy. In this case, a magnetic material sheet (such as a ferrite sheet) is interposed between the metallic material and the reader / writer antenna 15 so that the magnetic flux canceling phenomenon due to the metallic material of the shelf plates 6 and 11 to 14 does not occur. (Not shown) is preferably interposed.

  Various forms of articles 17 are mixedly mounted on the respective shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 of the article management shelf 1 shown in FIG. 1, and these articles 17 have electronic tags 18 that may be in the form of sheets. Each is provided. When the article 17 is a book 17a, the electronic tag 18 may be attached to the back cover, the front cover, or the back cover. When the article 17 is an article 17b such as a box or a container other than the book, You may affix on the upper surface, the lower surface, etc. In any of these cases, the electronic tag 18 does not need to be in a specific position or a specific direction with respect to the surfaces of the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic tag 18 has a single-turn or multiple-turn small loop-shaped antenna 21 whose center substantially coincides with the center of the electronic tag 18, and information is recorded. And a communication circuit including an IC chip 22 provided in a central opening of a small loop-shaped antenna 21 in which a memory is incorporated.

Each shelf board of the article management shelf 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 6,11～14, for example, at approximately rectangular length _{L 2} in the depth direction of the frontage direction length _{L 1} of about 900mm is about 350mm It may be. As shown in FIG. 2, a reader / writer antenna 15 including first and second antennas 23 and 24 is installed on each of the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the uppermost shelf 11, for example, by projecting only the first antenna 23 without the second antenna 24. FIG. 2B is a plan view of, for example, the uppermost shelf 11, in which the first antenna 23 is omitted and only the second antenna 24 is projected. FIG. 2C is a plan view of, for example, the uppermost shelf 11 that projects both the first and second antennas 23 and 24. Each shelf plate 6, 12 to 14 other than the shelf plate 11 may be provided with a reader / writer antenna 15 having substantially the same shape as the shelf plate 11 shown in FIG. A reader / writer antenna 15 in which one or both of the antennas 23 and 24 are different from the shelf board 11 may be installed. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, for convenience of illustration, the first antenna 23 is indicated by a solid line, and the second antenna 24 is indicated by a broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 include two upper and lower plates 25 each made of a suitable non-metallic material such as glass, synthetic resin, or wood. It may be a conductive pattern formed by printing and baking a conductive wire paint (for example, silver paste) on at least one of 26 with a width of about 20 mm, for example. The first and second antennas 23 and 24 (specifically, both the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 and the pair of terminal portions 32a and 32b) have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and a cross-sectional diameter of 0.1 mm. It may be configured using a 1 mm copper wire. In this case, the copper wire may be attached and arranged by being bent or formed into a predetermined pattern shape and then partially or entirely bonded to at least one of the plates 25 and 26 with an appropriate adhesive. Furthermore, as described above, the pair of terminal portions 32a and 32b of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 are composed of a conductive pattern formed by printing and baking a conductive paint, and substantially As described above, the loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 may be made of a copper wire. In this case, both end portions of the antenna pattern 31 may be electrically connected to the pair of terminal portions 32a and 32b by bonding or soldering with an appropriate conductive adhesive.

Next, these plates 25 and 26 are bonded together using an intermediate film 27 made of a non-conductive film such as PVB resin, so that the first and second antennas 23 and 24 have two upper and lower plates 25 and 26. It is sandwiched between. These plates 25 and 26 may be glass plates having a thickness of about 5 mm, for example, and the thickness L ₃ of the intermediate film 27 may be about 300 μm, for example. The material constituting the first and second antennas 23 and 24 is not necessarily a conductive paint, and may be a conductive film, a conductive metal foil, a metal wire, or the like. The first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 configured as described above are electrically insulated from each other and substantially parallel to the surfaces of the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 (in other words, The antennas 23 and 24 are substantially parallel to each other) and are sandwiched between the two glass plates 25 and 26, so that the article 17 disposed on the shelf plates 6 and 11 to 14 Abrasion caused by contact is prevented. Moreover, since the glass plate which comprises the upper and lower surfaces of the shelf boards 6 and 11-14 is excellent in water resistance, chemical resistance, etc., the article management shelf 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be used for various uses. it can. When the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 are made of a transparent glass material, the reader / writer antenna 15 may also be made of a transparent conductive film made of indium tin oxide (ITO), tin dioxide (SnO ₂ ), or the like. it can.

In the present invention, the distance L ₃ (see FIG. 3) between the plurality of antennas 23 and 24 substantially parallel to each other in the thickness direction is generally 0.1 to 70 mm from the viewpoint of practicality. It is preferable that it is the range. However, this spacing _{L 3} is even smaller than 0.1 mm, or if possible electrical isolation between the plurality of antennas 23, 24. Further, if the distance _{L 3} is greater than 70 mm, none of the plurality of antennas 23 and 24, to better communicate with the electronic tag 18 provided in the article 17 being placed on the shelf plate 6,11～14 It becomes difficult.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 are embedded in the shelves 6 and 11 to 14, but these first and second antennas are used. At least one of the antennas 23 and 24 may be similarly formed on the upper surfaces of the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14. Moreover, the said at least one antenna can be formed in the lower surface of each shelf board 6,11-14 by turning over and using each shelf board 6,11-14 upside down. Further, one of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 can be formed on the upper surface of each shelf plate 6, 11 to 14, and the other can be formed on the lower surface of each shelf plate 6, 11 to 14. . In any of these cases, the intermediate film 27 is omitted when the plates 25 and 26 that are the main components of the respective shelf plates 6 and 11 to 14 are interposed between the first and second antennas 23 and 24. Can do. Moreover, when these antennas 23 and 24 are formed on the upper surface and / or the lower surface of each shelf plate 6, 11 to 14, the chance of contacting the articles 17 disposed on each shelf plate 6, 11 to 14 is reduced. Therefore, the upper surface and / or the lower surface of each shelf plate 6, 11 to 14 including the at least one antenna can be coated with a coating film made of a suitable insulating material.

(2) Pattern shape of antenna for reader / writer As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 15 for reader / writer for communicating with the electronic tag 18 provided on the article 17 by radio communication is connected to the first antenna 23 and the second antenna It consists of an antenna 24. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 may be a loop type such as a one-loop, and has a pattern shape corresponding to the electromagnetic coupling type electronic tag 18. Yes. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 is connected to the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 and both ends of the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 so as to be close to each other. It consists of a pair of terminal portions 32a and 32b. Since the gap 33 is provided between the pair of terminal portions 32 a and 32 b, the gap 33 is also present between both ends of the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31. The pair of terminal portions 32a and 32b may be electrically connected to the switch 16 shown in FIG. 1 by appropriate lead wires or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the substantially loop-shaped antenna patterns 31 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 can be formed with substantially equal widths, and a pair of terminal portions 32a and 32b are also necessary. Accordingly, the antenna pattern 31 can be formed to have substantially the same width as the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 (in other words, a width of about 20 mm).

  The substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 of the first antenna 23 includes, as shown in FIG. 2A, a first pattern portion 35 in which the terminal portion 32a is continuously provided and located on the rear edge portion 34 side of the shelf board 11, A second pattern portion 37 positioned on the left edge 36 side of the shelf 11 and a front edge of the shelf 11 (in other words, an edge on the article take-out side) 38. The third pattern portion 39 and the fourth pattern portion 41 in which the terminal portion 32b is continuously provided and located on the right edge 40 side toward the shelf board 11 may be sequentially provided, As a whole, it may be configured in a loop shape excluding the gap 33. The substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 of the first antenna 23 is preferably a one-loop pattern that does not have an intersecting portion where a part thereof intersects another part. In the text, this “intersection” means that the crossing is not electrically connected, but intersects in a projection view of the shelf 11 viewed from the top (in other words, in plan view). is doing.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the first pattern portion 35 of the first antenna 23 is close to the rear edge 34 of the shelf board 11 and substantially parallel to the rear edge 34 (in other words, the shelf board 11 in the state substantially parallel to the frontage direction, and in the illustrated embodiment, extends substantially over the entire length in the frontage direction of the shelf 11 in a substantially linear manner. The second pattern portion 37 of the first antenna 23 is in a state close to the left edge 36 and substantially parallel to the left edge 36 (in other words, in the depth direction of the shelf 11). In the illustrated embodiment, it extends substantially linearly (hereinafter the same). The fourth pattern portion 41 of the first antenna 23 is slightly separated from the right edge 40 toward the shelf 11 and substantially parallel to the right edge 40 (in other words, the depth direction of the shelf 11). In a substantially parallel state).

  The third pattern portion 39 of the first antenna 23 is slightly separated from the front edge portion 38 of the shelf board 11 and is substantially parallel to the front edge portion 38 (in other words, substantially parallel to the opening direction of the shelf board 11). A plurality of baseline portions 43 that are intermittently extended so that an intermittent portion 42 is generated between them, and a plurality of baseline portions 43 that are intermittently extended. Preferably, it consists of a plurality of bent portions 44 that are respectively present in the space (in other words, the intermittent portion 42). Each base line portion 43 extends on the front edge portion 38 side from the virtual center line 45 of the shelf plate 11 extending in the frontage direction of the shelf plate 11 along the center of the shelf plate 11 in the depth direction. . Each bent portion 43 has a first edge that is connected to the right edge of the left-side baseline portion 43 and has a front edge that is connected to the rear edge 34 of the shelf 11. A second rising edge 46, and a second rising edge whose front edge is connected to the left edge of the right base line 43 and rises toward the rear edge 34 of the shelf 11 Part 47 and a connecting part 48 extending substantially parallel to the opening direction so as to connect the rear edges of the first and second rising parts 46 and 47, respectively, and as a whole, substantially rectangular. It is preferable that it is a convex-shaped part. In this case, it is preferable that the connection part 48 extends substantially parallel to the front edge direction on the rear edge part 34 side of the shelf board 11 from the shelf center line 45. Therefore, the first and second rising portions 46 and 47 are arranged from one side (specifically, the portion on the front edge portion 38 side of the shelf 11) to the other side (specifically, the shelf centerline 45). Is preferably extended so as to be substantially orthogonal to the shelf center line 45 to a portion on the rear edge 34 side of the shelf 11.

For example, the dimensions of the antenna pattern 31 of the first antenna 23 are as described in the following items (a) to (d). However, the above dimensions are calculated with reference to a line passing through the center of the antenna pattern 31 in the width direction.
(A) Distance L ₄ between the first rising portion 46 and the second rising portion 47 of each bent portion 44: about 150 mm (this interval L ₄ is equal to the second rising portion 47 of the first bent portion 44) The distance between the second bent portion 44 adjacent to the right side of the first bent portion 44 and the first rising portion 46 may be substantially the same.
(B) Length L ₅ of each of the first and second rising portions 46 and 47 of each bent portion 44: about 180 mm,
(C) Interval L ₆ between the first pattern portion 35 and the baseline portion 43: about 250 mm, and (d) Interval L ₇ between the first pattern portion 35 and the connecting portion 48: about 70 mm (this numerical value is (It can also be obtained from the equation (L ₆ −L ₅ = L ₇ )).

As apparent from observation of FIG. 2, the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 of the second antenna 24 shown in FIG. 2B is substantially the same as the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 of the first antenna 23 shown in FIG. 2A. The shelf center line 45 is substantially symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry. However, as is apparent from FIG. 2C, the antenna pattern 31 of the second antenna 24 is substantially half the distance L ₄ described in the above item (a) (illustrated). In this embodiment, it is formed on the shelf board 11 in a state of being shifted to the right by about 80 mm). Therefore, the above description of the antenna pattern 31 of the first antenna 23 is the same as the first except for the change caused by the shift to the right side as described above and the line symmetry as described above. The same applies to the antenna pattern 31 of the antenna 24.

  When the antenna pattern 31 of the second antenna 24 is slightly described with reference to FIG. 2B, the second pattern portion 37 is slightly separated from the left side edge portion 36 toward the shelf plate 11 and the left side edge portion 36. In a state (in other words, a state substantially parallel to the depth direction of the shelf board 11). The fourth pattern portion 41 of the second antenna 24 is close to the right edge 40 toward the shelf 11 and is substantially parallel to the right edge 40 (in other words, the depth direction of the shelf 11). In a substantially parallel state). As is apparent from FIG. 2C, each baseline portion 43 of the first antenna 23 is present at substantially the same position in the depth direction as each connection portion 48 of the second antenna 24 in plan view. Therefore, when viewed in a plan view, it overlaps with each of the connecting portions 48 approximately by half. Each connecting portion 48 of the first antenna 23 is present at substantially the same position in the depth direction as each base line portion 43 of the second antenna 24 when viewed in a plan view. , Approximately ½ each overlaps each of the baseline portions 43. This is because the center lines in the depth direction of the bent portions 44 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 respectively constituted by the substantially rectangular convex portions are substantially coincident with the shelf center line 45. It is. In the present invention, the base line part 43 of the one antenna 23, 24 and the connecting part 48 of the other antenna 24, 23 do not need to overlap each other as described above, and are somewhat shifted from each other in the depth direction. May be.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, in the state where the first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 are formed on the common shelf board 11, the first pattern portion 35 of the first pattern 23 is The shelf 11 extends substantially over the entire length in the front-end direction of the shelf 11 in a state close to the rear edge 34 and substantially parallel to the rear edge 34. In addition, the first pattern portion 35 of the second antenna 24 is close to the front edge portion 38 of the shelf board 11 and is substantially parallel to the front edge portion 38 in substantially the entire length in the frontage direction of the shelf board 11 ( However, it extends over a certain distance from the left edge 36 toward the shelf 11. Further, the second pattern portion 37 of the first antenna 23 is in the depth direction of the shelf board 11 in the state of being close to the left edge 36 and substantially parallel to the left edge 36 toward the shelf 11. It extends over almost the entire length (however, it is somewhat apart from the front edge 38 of the shelf 11). The fourth pattern portion 41 of the second antenna 24 is close to the right edge 40 toward the shelf 11 and is substantially parallel to the right edge 40 in the depth direction of the shelf 11. It extends over almost the entire length (however, it is somewhat apart from the rear edge 34 of the shelf 11). The first, second, and third baseline portions 43 of the first antenna 23 and the first and second connection portions 48 of the second antenna 24 are connected to the shelf center line 45 and the shelf 11. They are located between the front edge 38 and each of them. Furthermore, the first and second connecting portions 48 of the first antenna 23 and the first, second and third baseline portions 43 of the second antenna 24 are connected to the shelf center line 45 and the shelf 11. It is located between each of the trailing edges 34.

Between the second pattern portion 37 of the first antenna 23 and the fourth pattern portion 41 of the second antenna 24, the second pattern portion 37 of the first antenna 23 and the second antenna 24 are The second pattern portion 37, the first rising portion 46 of the first bent portion 44 of the first antenna 23, the first rising portion 46 of the first bent portion 44 of the second antenna 24, the first The second rising portion 47 of the first bent portion 44 of the antenna 23, the second rising portion 47 of the first bent portion 44 of the second antenna 24, and the second bent portion 44 of the first antenna 23. The first rising portion 46, the first rising portion 46 of the second bent portion 44 of the second antenna 24, the second rising portion 47 of the second bent portion 44 of the first antenna 23, the second The second rising portion 47 of the second bent portion 44 of the antenna 24, the first antenna 2 The fourth pattern portion 41 of the fourth pattern portion 41 and the second antenna 24 is approximately equal intervals (i.e., approximately spacing L _4/2) with at sequentially disposed to right toward the left toward Has been. The intervals that are sequentially arranged do not necessarily have to be substantially equal, and there may be a case where the communicable area becomes wider if the intervals are not equal. In the present invention, from the viewpoint of practicality, the fluctuation range of each of these intervals is generally ± 25% compared to the case of equal intervals (in the illustrated embodiment, the interval is 0.375L _4). a is preferably numerical range of ~0.625L _4).

  In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first pattern portion 35, the base line portion 43, and the connecting portion 48 among the pattern elements constituting the antenna pattern 31 extends substantially in the frontage direction of the shelf plate 11. It is configured as follows. In addition, each of the second pattern portion 37, the fourth pattern portion 41, the first rising portion 46, and the second rising portion 47 of the pattern elements extends substantially in the depth direction of the shelf board 11. It is configured as follows. However, each of these pattern elements 35, 43, 37, 41, 46 to 48 is simply inclined with respect to the opening direction or depth direction of the shelf board 11, or is zigzag shaped like a polygonal line or a wave shape. Or may be inclined. However, in the present invention, from the viewpoint of practicality, in general, the angle formed by each of the pattern elements 35, 43, and 48 with respect to the opening direction of the shelf 11 is preferably in the range of ± 20 °. Further, the range of ± 10 ° is more preferable, and the range of ± 5 ° is most preferable. In the present invention, from the viewpoint of practicality, generally, the angle formed by each of the pattern elements 37, 41, 46, 47 with respect to the depth direction of the shelf board 11 is in a range of ± 20 °. Is more preferably in the range of ± 10 °, and most preferably in the range of ± 5 °. In this case, the angles formed by the first and second rising portions 46 and 47 adjacent to each other constituting the antenna pattern 31 of any one of the plurality of antennas 23 and 24 are the first and second angles. It is preferable that the magnetic field lines generated by the rising portions 46 and 47 are as small as possible so as to prevent the magnetic field lines from interfering with each other as much as possible. Therefore, it is preferable that the convex bent portion 44 has a substantially trapezoidal shape (however, a sideways trapezoidal shape) such as a substantially rectangular shape or a substantially parallelogram shape. In the present invention, from the viewpoint of practicality, generally, the angle formed by the first and second rising portions 46 and 47 adjacent to each other constituting the common antenna pattern 31 is ± 20 °. The range of ± 10 ° is preferable, the range of ± 10 ° is more preferable, and the range of ± 5 ° is most preferable.

(3) Operation Test of Reader / Writer Antenna FIG. 7 shows the electronic tag 18 provided on the article 17 and the shelf 11 respectively used in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. The relationship between the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 of the provided reader / writer antenna 15 and the lines of magnetic force 51 is schematically shown. In FIG. 7, the antenna pattern 31 extends substantially perpendicular to the paper surface. The electronic tag 18 shown in FIG. 4 used in the operation test shown in FIG. 7 had a longitudinal length L ₈ of 85.6 mm and a lateral length L ₉ of 54 mm.

  In the operation test, a high frequency of 13.56 MHz was alternately supplied to the first and second antennas 23 and 24 provided on the shelf board 11. At the same time, the electronic tag 18 is made to move in a substantially horizontal direction with a substantially constant distance from the surface of the shelf plate 11 and kept at a substantially constant distance from the surface, so that the electronic tag 18 communicates with the reader / writer antenna 15. It was judged whether or not. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 showing the evaluation results in the operation test, the incommunicable area 52 is indicated by halftone, and the communicable area 53 is not subjected to halftone.

  FIG. 5A shows that the surface of the electronic tag 18 is substantially parallel to the surface of the shelf plate 11 and the length direction of the electronic tag 18 is substantially the frontage direction of the shelf plate 11. The evaluation results are shown in the case where the electronic tag 18 is held so that the distance between and is approximately 80 mm, and the electronic tag 18 is moved above and around the shelf board 11. From FIG. 5A, it can be seen that when the electronic tag 18 is above the shelf board 11, the reader / writer antenna 15 can communicate with the electronic tag 18 with certainty. 5B shows that the surface of the electronic tag 18 is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the shelf board 11 and the length direction of the electronic tag 18 is substantially the depth direction of the shelf board 11, and the surface of the shelf board 11 and the electronic tag 18 The electronic tag 18 is held so that the distance between the upper side and the upper side of the electronic tag 18 is approximately 80 mm (the distance between the lower side of the electronic tag 18 is approximately 26 mm) and The evaluation result when moved in the peripheral region is shown. From FIG. 5B, it can be seen that there is almost no position above the shelf board 11 at which communication of the reader / writer antenna 15 with the electronic tag 18 is disabled. 5C shows that the surface of the electronic tag 18 is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the shelf board 11 and the length direction of the electronic tag 18 is substantially the frontage direction of the shelf board 11, and the surface of the shelf board 11 and the electronic tag 18 The electronic tag 18 is held so that the distance between the upper side and the upper side of the electronic tag 18 is approximately 80 mm (the distance between the lower side of the electronic tag 18 is approximately 26 mm) and The evaluation result when moved in the peripheral region is shown. From FIG. 5C, it can be seen that there is almost no position above the shelf plate 11 at which communication of the reader / writer antenna 15 with the electronic tag 18 is disabled. Even when the electronic tag 18 is tilted in any direction from any of the three types of directions in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the antenna pattern 31 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 Magnetic field lines 51 generated by any one of the pattern elements 35, 37, 41, 43, 46 to 48 intersect the electronic tag 18. However, when the magnetic field lines are fed to the first antenna 23, the magnetic field generated by the first antenna 23 and the induced magnetic field generated by the second antenna 24 induced by the first antenna 23. Including magnetic field lines. Similarly, when power is supplied to the second antenna 24, magnetic field lines generated by the magnetic field generated by the second antenna 24 and the induced magnetic field generated by the first antenna 23 induced by the second antenna 24 are included. It is. Therefore, even when tilted in this way, as in the case shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, there are almost no positions above the shelf plate 11 at which communication of the reader / writer antenna 15 with the electronic tag 18 is disabled. I understand that there is nothing.

  For comparison with FIGS. 5A to 5C, FIG. 6 shows the case of FIGS. 5A to 5C in the case where the reader / writer antenna 15 is composed of a single antenna as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The same evaluation results are shown. 6, parts common to those in FIGS. 2 and 5 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted. In the case of FIG. 6, as in the case of FIG. 5B, the surface of the electronic tag 18 is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the shelf plate 11 and the length direction of the electronic tag 18 is substantially the depth direction of the shelf plate 11. At the same time, the electronic tag 18 is held so that the distance between the surface of the shelf board 11 and the upper side of the electronic tag 18 is approximately 80 mm (the distance from the lower side of the electronic tag 18 is approximately 26 mm). The tag 18 is moved above the shelf board 11.

  FIG. 6A shows the same evaluation results as in FIG. 5B in the case of the simple loop type reader / writer antenna 15 as the first comparative example. The substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 of the reader / writer antenna 15 is substantially rectangular. From FIG. 6A, the communication of the reader / writer antenna 15 with the electronic tag 18 is almost impossible at the center portion of the shelf board 11 and can be communicated only near the left and right side edges 36 and 40 of the shelf board 11. I understand. This is because the small antenna 21 of the electronic tag 18 whose surface is arranged so as to be substantially perpendicular to the surface of the shelf board 11 depending on the pattern elements 31 and 39 substantially parallel to the front direction of the shelf board 11. This is because the lines of magnetic force 51 that intersect the surface of the line are not generated.

  FIG. 6B shows evaluation results similar to those in FIG. 5B for the reader / writer antenna 15 including a single antenna having substantially the same shape as the first antenna 23 shown in FIG. 2A as the second comparative example. ing. In the case of FIG. 6B, the communicable area 53 of the reader / writer antenna 15 with the electronic tag 18 is wider than that of the simple loop type reader / writer antenna shown in FIG. 6A. However, the region extending in the depth direction through the substantially central portion in the front opening direction of the baseline portion 43 of the reader / writer antenna 15 and the substantially depth direction through the substantially central portion in the front opening direction of the connecting portion 48 respectively. The non-communication area 52 is present in each of the areas extending to.

2. Second Embodiment In the present invention, each of a plurality of antennas (for example, the first and second antennas 23, 24) constituting the reader antenna 15 provided on the shelf boards 6, 11-14 is provided. The configuration such as the shape of the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 is not limited to that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but is exemplified by the second embodiment shown in FIG. Various changes and modifications are possible. The shelf board 11 in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 may have substantially the same configuration as the shelf board 11 in the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below. Therefore, in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIGS. 1 to 3, and description thereof is omitted as necessary. Moreover, in the following description, although only the shelf board 11 is demonstrated, the remaining shelf boards 6 and 12-14 may also be the structure substantially the same as the shelf board 11. FIG.

  In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first pattern portions 35 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 are connected to the rear edge 34 or the front of the shelf board 11. The linear pattern element extends substantially along the edge portion 38, and each of the third pattern portions 39 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 includes a plurality of baseline portions 43 and a plurality of baseline portions. A bent portion 44 is used. However, each of the first pattern portion 35 and each third pattern portion 39 of the first and second antennas is a linear pattern element as illustrated in the second embodiment shown in FIG. The part comprised from this and the part comprised from the base line part 43 and the bending part 44 may be mixed. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C and FIG. 8 respectively, the reader / writer antenna 15 provided on the shelf board 11 is paired with a first pair of left and right firsts by virtual unit region dividing lines 54 extending substantially in the depth direction of the shelf board 11. And pattern elements 35 and 37 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 in the first unit region 55 when divided into the second unit regions (in other words, a plurality of unit regions) 55 and 56. , 43, and 46 to 48 can be changed to new pattern elements configured substantially in line symmetry with the shelf center line 46 as the axis of symmetry, as shown in FIG.

  In this case, a first interval between the pattern element 35 of the first antenna 23 in the first unit region 55 and the pattern element 43 of the first antenna 23 in the second unit region 56 and the first unit region 55. Pattern elements 43 of the first antenna 23 and second antenna elements 35 of the first unit 23 in the second unit area 56 and pattern elements of the second antenna 24 in the first unit area 55. 43 between the third unit area 56 and the pattern element 35 of the second antenna 24 in the second unit area 56, and between the pattern element 35 of the second antenna 24 and the second unit area 56 in the first unit area 55. In four places between the pattern element 43 of the second antenna 24 and the fourth part, there are cuts extending in the depth direction of the shelf board 11 in the vicinity of the unit area dividing line 54, respectively. Therefore, it is necessary to provide four first to fourth connecting portions 57 made of new linear pattern elements for eliminating these four breaks. These connecting portions may extend substantially in the depth direction of the shelf board 11 as in the illustrated embodiment, or may extend inclining with respect to the depth direction. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the first connecting portion 57 that connects the first portions and the third connecting portion 57 that connects the third portions are planar. , The second connecting portion 57 connecting the second portions and the fourth connecting portion 57 connecting the fourth portions overlap each other. However, in the present invention, the first and third connecting portions 57 do not have to overlap each other with the second and fourth connecting portions 57 in plan view, and are appropriately spaced in the frontage direction. They may be spaced apart from each other and extend substantially parallel to each other, cross each other, or may have a substantially V-shape as a whole.

  In the case of the reader / writer antenna 15 in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 configured as described above, in the same manner as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. There is almost no position on the shelf 11 at which the communication with the reader / writer antenna 15 becomes impossible.

  Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and is based on the gist of the invention described in the claims. Various changes and modifications are possible.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 are provided in the top and bottom in the article management shelf 1, but the shelf boards are not necessarily provided in the top and bottom. Alternatively, another plurality of stages of 2 to 4 stages or 6 stages or more may be provided above and below, and in some cases, only one stage may be provided.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the substantially loop-shaped antenna pattern 31 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 is one-turn. Alternatively, a plurality of windings wound in a spiral shape or the like may be used. Even in this case, it is preferable that the antenna pattern 31 does not have a crossing portion where a part thereof and another part thereof cross each other.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the antenna elements 35, 37, 41, 43, 46 to 48 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 are mutually connected. The connecting part between them was pointed at a substantially right angle. However, a rounded shape may be used at one or a plurality of or all of these connected parts.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the number of bent portions 44 in each of the third pattern portions 39 of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 of the reader / writer antenna 15 is two. I made it. However, the number of the bent portions 44 of each of the third pattern portions 39 is not necessarily two, and may be three or more, or may be one in some cases.

In the first and second embodiments described above, a pair of left and right first and second unit regions 55 and 56 are provided on each of the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14. However, the number of unit regions provided on each shelf board 6, 11 to 14 is not necessarily two, but may be three or more, or may be one in some cases. Incidentally, in the case of providing three simple interest areas on the shelf plates 6,11～14, for example, in the shelf plate 11 shown in Figure 2C and / or 8, the length of the frontage direction of the shelf board 11 _{L 1} Or the unit regions 55 and 56 are formed in a pattern shape compressed in the frontage direction, and the left unit region 55 and the right unit region 56 are separated from each other. A third unit region may be disposed between the first and second simple interest regions 55 and 56. The third unit region may be the left unit region 55 shown in FIG. 2C, the left unit region 55 shown in FIG. In this case, the second pattern portion 37 of each of the first and second antennas 23 and 24 is not necessary in any of the left unit regions 55 shown in FIG. 2C and FIG. Can do. In other words, if only the first pattern portion 35 and the third pattern portion 39 of the left unit region 55 shown in FIGS. 2C and 8 are disposed between the first and second unit regions 55 and 56, respectively. Good.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the antenna pattern 31 constituting the reader / writer antenna 15 is configured to have substantially the same width throughout. However, there may be a partially wide pattern portion or a partially narrow pattern portion in the antenna pattern 31, and this also applies to the thickness of the antenna pattern 31.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the reader / writer antenna 15 includes two antennas including the first and second antennas 23 and 24 on the shelf plates 6 and 11 to 14, respectively. I tried to provide it. However, three or more antennas can be provided on each shelf board 6, 11 to 14. In this case, it is preferable to sequentially switch the power feeding to the three or more antennas so that the three or more antennas operate sequentially.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 are configured in a substantially rectangular shape that is elongated in the frontage direction. However, the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 are substantially polygonal shapes other than substantially rectangular shapes, substantially arc shapes, and substantially circular shapes (in this case, the shelf plates 6, 11 to 14 or the entire article shelf 1 are of a rotary type). Or a non-linear shape that is bent, curved, or bent, such as a substantially U-shape or a substantially V-shape. In this case, the article storage space on the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 and the frontage direction of the shelf boards 6 and 11 to 14 are also substantially polygonal shapes other than substantially rectangular shapes, substantially arc shapes, substantially circular shapes, and substantially U shapes. The shape may be a non-linear shape that is bent, curved, or bent, such as a substantially V-shape.

It is a perspective view of the article management shelf in the 1st example of the present invention. Example 1 It is a top view which shows only the 1st antenna of the two antennas which comprise the antenna for reader / writers of the shelf board of FIG. Example 1 It is a top view which shows only the 2nd antenna of the two antennas which comprise the antenna for reader / writers of the shelf board of FIG. Example 1 It is a top view which shows both of the two antennas which comprise the antenna for reader / writers of the shelf board of FIG. Example 1 FIG. 2B is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a part of the shelf board of FIG. 2A. Example 1 FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the electronic tag in FIG. 1. Example 1 It is a top view in the state where the communication impossible area in the 1st arrangement state of an electronic tag was added to the shelf board of Drawing 2C. Example 1 It is a top view in the state where the communication impossible area in the 2nd arrangement state of an electronic tag was added to the shelf board of Drawing 2C. Example 1 It is a top view in the state which added the communication impossible area in the 3rd arrangement state of an electronic tag of the shelf board of Drawing 2C. Example 1 It is a top view similar to FIG. 5B of the shelf board in the 1st comparative example for demonstrating this invention. (Reference Example 1) It is a top view in the state similar to FIG. 5B of the shelf board in the 2nd comparative example for demonstrating this invention. (Reference Example 2) It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the relationship between the antenna for reader / writers, an electronic tag, and a magnetic force line. (Example 1 and Reference Examples 1 and 2) It is a top view similar to FIG. 2C of the shelf board in the 2nd Example of this invention. (Example 2)

Explanation of symbols

1 Goods management shelf 6 Bottom plate (the bottom shelf)
11 Uppermost shelf 12 Second shelf 13 Third shelf 14 Fourth shelf 15 Reader / writer antenna (reader antenna)
17 Article 18 Electronic Tag 23 First Antenna 24 Second Antenna 31 Antenna Pattern 34 in a Loop Shape Rear Edge (First Edge)
35 Left edge (second edge) toward the first pattern portion 36
37 Second pattern portion 38 Front edge (third edge)
39 Edge on the right side of the third pattern portion 40 (fourth edge)
41 4th pattern part 43 Base line part 44 Bending part 45 Shelf board center line 46 1st rising part 47 2nd rising part 48 Connection part 54 Unit area dividing line 55 1st unit area 56 2nd unit area

Claims (12)

In the shelf board with an antenna used for placing an article stored in the article shelf and provided with an antenna for a reader,
The reader antenna comprises a plurality of antennas,
The antenna pattern of the first antenna of the plurality of antennas includes a first pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction on a side of a first edge extending in the frontage direction of the shelf plate. A second pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction on the side of the second edge extending substantially in the depth direction of the shelf, and extending substantially in the frontage direction of the shelf. A third pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction on the side of the third edge opposite to the one edge portion; and the second edge extending substantially in the depth direction of the shelf board. The fourth pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction on the side of the fourth edge on the side opposite to the portion is configured in order,
The antenna pattern of the second antenna among the plurality of antennas includes a first pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction on the side of the third edge and a side of the second edge. The second pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction, the third pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction on the side of the first edge, and the side of the fourth edge on the side of the fourth edge. It is configured by sequentially connecting the fourth pattern portion extending in the depth direction,
The first and / or the third pattern portion of the first antenna and the first and / or the third pattern portion of the second antenna are a plurality extending in the substantially frontal direction. Each of the plurality of baseline portions and at least one bent portion connecting the plurality of baseline portions to each other,
Each of the bent portions is formed of a convex shape including first and second rising portions and a connecting portion that connects the tip portions of the first and second rising portions to each other. Shelf board with antenna for goods management shelf. In each of the unit areas when the reader antenna provided on the shelf is divided into unit areas by a virtual unit area dividing line extending in the substantially depth direction, the first antenna of the first antenna is provided. Any one of the pattern portion of the second antenna and the third pattern portion of the second antenna extends substantially along the first edge of the shelf in the frontage direction, The other includes the plurality of baseline portions extending substantially in the frontage direction and the at least one bent portion connecting the plurality of baseline portions to each other,
In each of the unit regions, any one of the first pattern portion of the first antenna and the third pattern portion of the second antenna is the first antenna of the first antenna. The first pattern portion of the second antenna extends substantially along the third edge of the shelf plate in the frontage direction and the first antenna. The third pattern portion includes the plurality of baseline portions extending substantially in the frontage direction and the at least one bent portion connecting the plurality of baseline portions to each other. ,
In each of the unit regions, any one of the first pattern portion of the first antenna and the third pattern portion of the second antenna is the third antenna of the second antenna. The third pattern portion of the first antenna extends substantially along the third edge of the shelf plate in the frontage direction and the second antenna. The first pattern portion includes the plurality of base line portions extending substantially in the frontage direction and the at least one bent portion connecting the plurality of base line portions to each other. The shelf board with an antenna according to claim 1, wherein the shelf board has an antenna. In the shelf board with an antenna used for placing an article stored in the article shelf and provided with an antenna for a reader,
The reader antenna comprises a plurality of antennas,
The antenna pattern of the first antenna of the plurality of antennas is a first pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction substantially along a first edge portion extending in the frontage direction of the shelf plate. And a second pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction on the side of the second edge extending substantially in the depth direction of the shelf, and extending substantially in the frontage direction of the shelf. A third pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction on the side of the third edge opposite to the first edge, and extending substantially in the depth direction of the shelf board and the second edge. The fourth pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction on the side of the fourth edge opposite to the edge is configured by being sequentially connected,
The antenna pattern of the second antenna of the plurality of antennas includes a first pattern portion extending substantially along the third edge portion in the frontage direction, and a side of the second edge portion. The second pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction, the third pattern portion extending substantially in the frontage direction on the first edge side, and the fourth edge side on the fourth edge side. The fourth pattern portion extending substantially in the depth direction is sequentially connected to each other, and
The third pattern portion of the first antenna and the third pattern portion of the second antenna include a plurality of baseline portions extending substantially in the frontage direction, and a plurality of bases. Each having at least one bent portion connecting the line portions to each other;
Each of the bent portions is formed of a convex shape including first and second rising portions and a connecting portion that connects the tip portions of the first and second rising portions to each other. Shelf board with antenna for goods management shelf. Each of the baseline portion of the third pattern portion of the first antenna and the connecting portion of the bent portion of the third pattern portion of the second antenna is connected to the second antenna. Extending between the first pattern portion and a virtual shelf centerline extending substantially in the frontage direction of the shelf,
The connecting portion of the bent portion of the third pattern portion of the first antenna and the baseline portion of the third pattern portion of the second antenna are respectively connected to the first antenna. The shelf board with an antenna according to claim 3, wherein the shelf board extends between the first pattern portion and the shelf centerline.   The convex bent portion of the second antenna is disposed in a state of being displaced in the substantially frontal direction with respect to the convex bent portion of the first antenna in plan view. 5. The shelf with an antenna according to claim 1, wherein the shelf includes a portion that overlaps the convex bent portion of the first antenna and a portion that does not overlap. Board. Any one of the second pattern portion of the first antenna and the second pattern portion of the second antenna is substantially along the second edge portion of the shelf board. The other extends in the depth direction, and the other extends in the depth direction on the side opposite to the second edge of any one of the above,
Any one of the fourth pattern portion of the first antenna and the fourth pattern portion of the second antenna is substantially along the fourth edge portion of the shelf board. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other extends in the depth direction, and the other extends in the depth direction on the opposite side of the one of the fourth edges. The shelf board with an antenna as described in one.   Each of the plurality of antennas constituting the reader antenna does not have an intersecting portion when seen in a plan view, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Shelf board with antenna.   The distance between any one of the plurality of antennas constituting the reader antenna and another one of the plurality of antennas in the thickness direction of the shelf board Is 70 mm or less, The shelf board with an antenna as described in any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The shelf with an antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a main component of the shelf is a glass plate.   The article management shelf according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least each antenna pattern of the plurality of antennas is constituted by a wire conductor having a cross-sectional diameter of 1.0 mm or less.   The shelf board with an antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of antennas constituting the reader antenna are sequentially operated.   An article management shelf comprising at least one shelf board with an antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 11 as a shelf board.

Images