JP2010527521A - Wireless identification antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved wireless identification antenna system for a product identification system (WIS) wherein at least two patch antennas (21) form a patch antenna group (A, B) and at least two patch antennas (21) A straight line passing through the center point and / or the center of gravity of at least two adjacent patch antennas (21) at equal distances to the floor surface (5) of (3) and / or displaced on the same horizontal plane or relative to each other. And / or forming an angle α of ≦ 45 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the floor (5) to focus and narrow the monitoring area in the direction of travel (31) of the passage.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio identification antenna system comprising a radio identification (“RFID”) antenna device for a commodity identification system (WIS) as described in the preamble of claim 1.

  So-called UHF wireless identification methods and systems (WIS) for detecting and identifying goods are well known. A wireless identification tag is attached to the product to be detected. Similarly, compared to known electronic merchandise monitoring methods (so-called EAS systems), this method can not only assess individual bits as information using radio frequency identification labels, but also microcode UHF radio frequency identification labels. A chip is provided and provides the essential advantage of allowing information having a multi-digit word length to be stored in and read from the microchip. It is preferable to use a so-called passive radio identification tag that obtains energy from the electromagnetic field of the antenna system, reads the contents from the radio identification tag, and sends back the corresponding information. The wireless identification tag has an antenna structure having a microchip. The energy required to be driven by the electromagnetic field is supplied to the tag from a known so-called reader, for example via an antenna system, and the tag with the microchip uses the supplied energy to store the information stored as an appropriate response. The response information can be read out and evaluated via a wireless identification reader connected to the latter stage of the antenna system.

  The structure of a radio identification antenna system for an electronic merchandise monitoring system (EAS) is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. A technique for reading data having a relatively large bit length using the wireless identification antenna system is further disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1.

  In addition, for example, an electronic merchandise monitoring system (EAS) that protects merchandise at the exit of department stores, stores, and the like is also known. In this system, a path to be monitored is formed in the area of the exit or passage between radio identification antenna systems that are spaced apart from each other.

  Applicable products and merchandise purchased in the store are protected by, for example, electronic merchandise protection labels. Once the merchandise is paid for, the salesperson removes the corresponding merchandise protection label so that the customer who owns the merchandise can pass through the monitored exit passage without any problems.

  When an unpaid item in a protected state is taken out through a monitored exit passage, for example, an acoustic warning signal is normally output in the monitored area to notify the unpaid item removal from the store Is done.

  This electronic product protection system can be realized with various basic technologies.

  The electronic merchandise monitoring system operates in the form of a 1-bit transponder that recognizes the presence or absence of a predetermined label in the monitoring area and the reading area.

  Patent document 2 shows the outline of the antenna system which can be installed in an entrance / exit (gateway). For example, various antenna systems such as a radio identification antenna system constituted by patch antennas can be used at the entrance / exit. Instead, so-called loop antennas or photonic (optical) bandgap antennas are also used.

  In addition to the entrance / exit, the antenna that radiates radio waves can be disposed in the original door arch by extending forward on the adjacent wall, in the original door frame, in the front, rear, or parallel to the traveling direction of the passage. .

  When using patch antennas, a plurality of patch antennas arranged vertically (overlapping) in the vertical direction can be driven simultaneously. A plurality of patch antennas of this type illustrated in other embodiments are arranged extending in the vertical direction in a plurality of branches and driven in common. In the disclosed modification, a so-called diversity switch or diversity coupler is provided. Can be used. The use of this system for an electronic merchandise monitoring system and / or merchandise identification system is of course not disclosed in the published prior art documents. The fact that a radio identification antenna system having an antenna for an electronic merchandise monitoring system and an antenna for a merchandise identification system WIS can also be constructed is not disclosed at least in the published prior art documents.

International Publication No. WO99 / 30384 US Publication No. 2006/0132312

Wireless Identification Handbook "Basic Three Operating Principles": Remotely Controllable IC Cards and Identification Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd Edition, 2003 by Klaus Finkenzeler, John and Wiley, International Standard Book Number 0-470 -84402-7, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3 to 2.5.4 and 3.1 to 3.1.2

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless identification antenna system that is improved over a product identification system (WIS) that reads from a tag having a microchip. The radio identification antenna system should in principle be a simple system, and can easily be adapted to various conditions and specialities when necessary, with information from the corresponding radio identification tag with optimum results. Must be readable. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is further necessary that the antenna system according to the present invention can be reliably retrofitted in a conventional electronic merchandise monitoring system.

  In the present invention, this problem is solved by the features described in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

  The electronic merchandise identification system (WIS) according to the present invention is characterized by a simple structure and its high flexibility and ability to adapt to various conditions and specialities in the field. By adjusting the monitoring area and the reading area to different areas, it is possible to reliably avoid a malfunction.

  Like the prior art, the system according to the invention operates on the basis of radio identification technology.

  In the present invention, the antenna system provided on the side of the passing area to be monitored has at least two antennas juxtaposed with each other in the direction of travel of the passage or at least with components in the direction of travel of the passage, It is possible to realize a system constructed with a simple configuration having “readability rate” and high functionality usability. It is not always necessary to arrange a plurality of antennas at the same height position (for example, parallel to the level of the entrance / exit), and the plurality of antennas can be arranged at partially different height positions. Of course, a straight line passing through the center point or center of gravity of two antenna systems arranged adjacent to each other forms an angular deviation of 45 ° or less with respect to a horizontal plane (or a plane extending parallel to the entrance / exit). Is preferred.

  In the present invention, the UHF wireless identification system has a patch antenna or is constituted by a patch antenna. The UHF wireless identification system has a particularly low assembly height and may be equipped with a frame-shaped antenna in an antenna system apparatus of an existing electronic merchandise monitoring system, for example, a frame shape of an existing electronic merchandise monitoring system monitoring system. It can be retrofitted without any problems inside the antenna.

  By means of two patch antennas which are displaced laterally in the direction of travel of the passage or displaced relative to each other with a component in the direction of travel of the passage, an improvement in the focusing of the monitoring area is realized with simple means. In that regard, the wireless identification antenna system of the present invention provides essential advantages. That is, a product or product having a wireless identification tag is detected by radiation directivity only when a person who has a product having a wireless identification tag mounted with a microchip actually passes a predetermined reading area (monitoring area). Since reading is performed, the wireless identification tag cannot be detected only by passing through the vicinity of the reading area. For example, a product protected by a radio frequency identification tag is already detected by an antenna system, particularly when a person walks through a passage (eg, in a store) monitored by two antenna systems installed on the sides. Reaching into the area and / or the reading area can reliably prevent premature detection operation.

  The patch antenna used in the present invention can be formed as an individual patch antenna. However, for example, since it can be formed as a combined patch antenna formed on a common ground plane, a common substrate, etc., only the connection region can be arranged on the substrate separately from each other. In that case, any modification is possible.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, for example, at least two pairs of patch antennas can be placed on each side antenna device on two different levels or planes (as described above, at the same height level). It is not always necessary to arrange the patch antennas cooperating in each pair, and they can be arranged displaced at least to an appropriate degree).

  However, not only two antennas, but two or more antennas, for example, three or four or more patch antennas are used in the direction of travel of the passage, and the monitoring area is radiated in the narrowest passing area in the direction of the entrance / exit. Directional focusing can also be achieved, and the area can be narrowed accordingly. In other words, since the radiation of the antenna area on the horizontal plane (the horizontally extending entrance) and the monitoring area is focused accordingly, the passing area monitored by the antenna apparatus is as much as possible in the three directions of the entrance (usually the horizontal direction). Stretch over only a few dimensions.

  In addition to the preferred modification, an additional antenna device used for detection is further provided in the lower transition region where the side partition device that houses the antenna system transitions to the floor region (and / or the ceiling region). Similarly, it is preferable to use the patch antennas effectively, particularly in a paired arrangement and in particular displaced in the direction of passage of the passage. Within the transition area to the floor and / or the transition area to the ceiling, the patch antenna is a component whose mechanical main radiation direction is not substantially parallel to the plane of the entrance / exit but extends vertically. It is preferable that the orientation can be adjusted in advance. Accordingly, the main radiation direction of the antenna system arranged extremely low can be directed somewhat upward, and the main radiation direction of the antenna system arranged extremely high can be directed somewhat downward. Thereby, the monitoring area can be optimized regardless of the position of the antenna.

  However, instead or in addition, the electronic radiation direction of the antenna may be determined and / or adjusted to pre-adjust the radiation direction to at least some different recognition and / or reading areas for optimization. it can. For example, the radiation direction of the antenna can be adjusted by a predetermined phase difference (phase offset) between two patch antennas arranged in an overlapping manner or a phase difference that can be adjusted in some cases.

  Similarly, in the present invention, the phase difference can be realized by mechanical pre-adjustment and / or feeding of two patch antennas mounted adjacent to each other in the traveling direction of the passage. The radiation area to be monitored can be changed in one direction or the other.

  In the present invention, the patch antenna operates by being linearly or circularly polarized. In that regard, in particular, regardless of the direction of the wireless identification tag when passing through the reading area, the product equipped with the wireless identification tag is always recognized reliably by driving the patch antenna that is polarized in a circular shape. There is an advantage that the information stored on the identification tag can be read completely and without any problems.

  For example, it is preferable to operate the wireless identification system in the 800 MHz to 1000 MHz UHF region (particularly the 800 MHz to 950 MHz region, for example, the 868 MHz region). The reading width of the patch antenna can be set to 1.5 m or more (for example, up to 2 m).

  Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antenna device linked to the product identification system (WIS) used in the present invention is later mounted on an existing wireless identification antenna system for an electronic product monitoring system (WAS). As a result, the functions and operation methods of the electronic merchandise monitoring system or merchandise identification system are not impaired by retrofitting.

  Other advantages, details and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described with respect to FIGS.

A perspective view showing a monitoring region or a monitoring passage of an electronic product identification system (WIS) The front view which shows the UHF antenna apparatus for electronic goods monitoring systems (EAS) used for this invention in a passing gaze direction Plan view showing the patch antenna pair to be used 3 is a cross-sectional view in which the patch antenna pair of FIG. 3 is arranged in parallel to the direction of travel of the passage. Sectional drawing which shows embodiment different from FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a patch antenna pair different from those in FIGS. The top view which shows the patch antenna used for different embodiment Side view showing possible implementation variations The side view which shows the deformation | transformation embodiment simplified by the display similar to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, an electronic product having two antenna devices 1 that are spaced apart from each other, the entrance 3 extends along the traveling direction 3 ′ of the passage on the floor surface 5, between the antenna devices 1. 1 shows a schematic basic structure of an identification system (WIS).

  The antenna device 1 is formed in the form of a side partition 1 ', the partition 1' being substantially horizontal or in particular perpendicular to the floor 5 or with a height or vertical dimension 7, with respect to the entrance 3 The width extending in parallel or substantially parallel or parallel component or the horizontal or horizontal dimension 9 and the transverse direction or perpendicular to the direction of travel 3 of the passage formed relatively narrow with respect to the horizontal dimension 9, in particular It has a thickness 11 parallel to the floor surface 5.

  Between the entrance 3 and the antenna device 1 arranged on the left and opposite the right with respect to the traveling direction 3 ′ of the passage and the side partition 1 ′, the lateral direction with respect to the entrance 3 and the traveling direction 3 ′ of the passage A passing region to be monitored is formed by an antenna device extending laterally and particularly vertically.

  A rectangular frame antenna 15 is indicated by a broken line in FIG. This does not belong to the invention of the product identification system (WIS). It merely indicates that a radio identification (“RFID”) antenna device according to the present invention for a merchandise identification system (WIS) can be accommodated in a side partition 1 ′, for example, a conventional electronic merchandise monitoring system ( An EAS) antenna device, for example, a rectangular frame antenna 15 is housed in a side partition and used.

  A transmission unit and / or evaluation unit 17 is preferably provided in the base region 1 ″ of the lateral partition 1.

  As long as the antenna device used in the present invention for the electronic product identification system (WIS) described in detail below is retrofitted into an existing electronic article surveillance system (EAS), this type of electronic product surveillance system is Reference should be made to systems known in the prior art. Typically, such a system is operated, for example, in the frequency range 10 Hz to 20 kHz [e.g. 8-9 MHz (usually 8.2 MHz when applying an electromagnetic method or using a radio frequency method, for example)]. .

  A UHF radio identification device for a product identification system (WIS), which will be described in more detail later, is used, for which an additional antenna is provided in the form of a patch antenna.

  As described above, the product identification system (WIS) is used to detect and read out information about a product, that is, information about a product to which the corresponding wireless identification tag is attached, particularly using a wireless identification tag having a microchip. . Finally, in another step, to build an electronic article monitoring device (for example, read information about the product stored on the wireless identification tag and have already paid for the product with the corresponding wireless identification tag) This information can also be used together (for example when compared to information stored via a POS system) to query whether or not.

  A schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a UHF wireless identification product identification system is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a pair of patch antennas 21 is arranged in a rectangular frame antenna 15 in a region above the side partition 1 ′ or the side antenna device 1, and the other two pairs of patch antennas. 21 is placed in the lower area.

  As shown in the vertical plan view of FIG. 3 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the patch antenna is an antenna having a substrate 23 (comprising a dielectric material or air), and is disposed above or below the substrate 23. A connection area 25 or a ground plane 27 arranged below is provided. The connection region 25 and the ground plane 27 are arranged at an interval 23 ′ corresponding to the thickness of the substrate 23.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the two patch antennas 21 are arranged in parallel to face the ground plane 31, and the ground plane 27 below each patch antenna 21 is electrically separated from the ground plane 31 (contacted). (With electric capacity with respect to the ground 31). The ground contact surface 31 protrudes beyond the patch antenna 21 in all directions as seen in a plan view and projects laterally. For example, the ground plane 31 can be formed from a metal or metal thin plate or a conductive wiring board covered with, for example, copper.

  For example, when a conventional patch antenna is used for bonding to the ground plane 31 using an adhesive (when the adhesive is electrically non-conductive), the ground plane 27 of the patch antenna 21 is separated from the common ground plane 31. Electrical separation becomes a problem. In principle, the patch antenna 21 can be mounted on the ground plane 31 while directly or mechanically contacting the lower ground plane 27. For example, the substrate 23 of the patch antenna can be formed directly on the ground surface 31 and the ground surface 27 on the substrate 23 can be omitted in principle.

  In the embodiment, a through hole 31 ′ is formed in the lower common ground plane 31, and a coaxial through hole 27 ′ is formed in the ground plane 27 belonging to the patch antenna 21. Since the through-hole 35 penetrating the substrate 23 is formed coaxially in the hole 31 ′, the power supply lead 37 electrically connected to the connection region 25 at the power supply position 25 ′ extends through the entire device.

  Alternatively, it can be coupled to the connection region 25 in terms of capacitance within the region of the feeding position 25 ′. Further, for example, the power supply lead 37 is arranged on the surface of the substrate 23 and / or extended (parallel to the plane of the connection region), and the power supply lead 37 is connected to the connection region at the edge of the connection region, for example. The connection region 25 can also be provided. However, since a U-shaped notch or the like can be formed in the connection region 25, for example, a feeding conductor extending in the plane of the connection region 25 is formed at the end of the U-shaped notch (an edge around the connection region). And electrically connected to the connecting region.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the grounding surface 27 disposed below extends to the peripheral side surface 123 of the substrate 23, but ends up in front of the side boundary of the side surface 123 of the substrate 23 with a spacing 39 in the plan view of FIG. The connection region 25 shown is formed with a smaller length and area than the ground plane 27 below the patch antenna 21 on the plan view.

  In the illustrated embodiment, slopes 41 for tuning the antenna are provided at two corners arranged at diagonal lines of the surface of the patch antenna 21 formed at least in a substantially square shape.

  When forming an air gap in the substrate 23, the connection area 25 is held at a distance from the ground plane 21 by a dielectric spacer (gap holding member) provided only for holding the connection area 25 mechanically. Can be fixed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two patch antennas 21 having the above-described configuration at the side interval 43 (that is, the side interval 43 between the side boundary surfaces 123 of the two adjacent patch antennas facing each other) In particular, it is arranged on a common ground plane 31.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the distance between the two center points of the patch antenna 21 or the centroids of the two patch antennas 21 is indicated by reference numeral 45.

  The center interval 45 is larger than or equal to 0.2 times λ (lambda) with respect to the driving frequency of the patch antenna to be used, preferably the center wavelength of the frequency to be used, for example, 0.2 × 34 cm≈5 cm.

For example, the optimum center spacing when a UHF radio identification antenna system operates at a frequency of 868 MHz is expressed as:
0.5 × λ (≒ 0.5 × 34cm ≒ 17cm)

  However, it is not always necessary to form the patch antenna 21 with the same shape or the same size. It is not always necessary to arrange two patch antennas parallel to the traveling direction 3 ′ of the passage exactly horizontally (in the illustrated embodiment, the traveling direction 3 ′ of the horizontally extending passage is Suppose that it extends parallel to the floor 5).

  FIG. 5 shows that cooperating patch antenna pairs need not in principle be formed by a total of two individual patch antennas 21 but are provided in a common structure.

  The patch antenna pair shown in FIG. 5 includes a common ground plane 27 provided on the lower side of the common substrate 23, two connection regions 25 formed separately on the upper side of the substrate 23, and a feeding position 25 ′. A plurality of power supply conductors 37 individually connected to each of the two connection regions 25, and the power supply conductors 37 extend to the connection region 25 to be linked. In the patch antenna pair to be formed, the lower ground surface 27 of the substrate 23 is disposed above the common ground surface 31 with a slight space and extends with a narrow space with respect to the common ground surface 31.

  The partially illustrated patch antenna pairs are arranged at different positions in the traveling direction 3 ′ of the passage. There is no need to arrange the patch antenna pair exactly parallel to the direction of travel 3 'of the passage. For example, even in a continuously widening path or a narrowing path, the lateral intervals from the vertical plane in the traveling direction 3 ′ of the path to the connection region 25 associated with the patch antenna 21 may be different. 1 shows a basic form of a pair of patch antennas according to the present invention forming a first group (group) A of patch antennas in which at least two patch antennas 21 cooperate; However, more patch antennas such as three patch antennas can be arranged with components that are displaced from each other in the traveling direction of the passage or in the traveling direction of the passage.

  FIG. 6 shows such a cooperating pair of patch antennas 21 that can be arranged with a certain degree of eccentricity or offset from each other not only in the direction of travel 3 ′ but also in the height or vertical direction 7. However, a straight line 47 passing through the center point or center of gravity of the associated patch antenna pair is at an angle α of 45 ° or less with respect to a horizontal plane or a plane 48 extending parallel to the doorway or floor 5. It is preferable to give the maximum deviation in the direction and / or the vertical direction.

  In addition, however, the patch antennas shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 may be arranged so as to be rotated with respect to each other. For example, in a certain patch antenna, the feeding position 25 ′ is arranged slightly above, and in the adjacent patch antenna, slightly below. Or on the right side for some patch antennas and on the left side for other patch antennas. Further, the location of the feeding position 25 'is not limited in principle.

  FIG. 7 shows, for example, four groups or a plurality of two groups or four groups of patch antennas 21 that can be used in the antenna device 1.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the patch antenna group (group) A (form of patch antenna pair A) arranged at the lower side or the low position, the second arranged at a position higher than the patch antenna group A. Patch antenna group (group) B (type of patch antenna pair B at a high position) is provided, and the patch antenna pair B at a high position is the same height position or vertical position (not necessarily at the same height or vertical position) Of course, they are arranged at different positions in the traveling direction 3 ′ of the passage with respect to the lower patch antenna pair A. Thereby, larger lateral displacements or lateral gaps 43 to 45 occur between the two patch antennas 21 of the patch antenna pair disposed above. As described above, two or more patch antennas may be provided in each of the patch antenna groups A or B or other patch antenna groups, and two or more patches may be provided in the traveling direction of the passage or having a component in the traveling direction of the passage. The antennas can be arranged displaced from each other.

  Unlike the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the power feeding positions 25 ′ can be arranged not in the same direction or in the same position but in different places.

  The inner distance 43 in the horizontal direction or the direction of travel 3 ′ of the passage or in the height direction or the vertical direction 7 can be as large as several millimeters to several centimeters (no limitation in principle to this size area).

In this embodiment, for example, compared with the patch antenna 21 in the upper row B, the patch antennas 21 in the lower row A can be fed with a phase difference (offset) from each other. When Tilt) occurs or is required, other advantages result in an electrical down-tilt depending on the respective arrangement. In other words, the main radial direction or central axis radiation (main lobe) is electrically pre-adjusted upward or downward in the vertical direction. Thereby, predetermined fine adjustment and fine adjustment of the monitoring area can be performed.
For example, when the four patch antennas shown in FIG. 7 are used in the lower monitoring area X1 shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 1), the patch antenna is electrically driven by separating the monitoring area upward from the lower floor. Can be adjusted in advance.
Therefore, for example, when this type of patch antenna group shown in FIG. 7 is used in the lower region of the antenna device 1 (FIG. 1), the patch antennas arranged to overlap each other in different rows or planes are driven with different phases. Thus, for example, the central axis radiation or the main monitoring region can be oriented not to extend perpendicularly to the ground plane 31 of the patch antenna but to extend upward with a vertical component.
For example, when the patch antenna group shown in FIG. 7 is used in the upper region X2 of the antenna device 1 (FIG. 1), for example, the central axis radiation or main radiation direction of the patch antenna is directed downward within a predetermined angle region. It can be stretched and directed into the monitoring area and fed with different phases.
However, in the same way, according to the main radiation direction (center axis radiation direction) of the patch antenna, the height is almost the same in the direction that deviates the monitoring area in one direction or in the opposite direction from the central symmetry plane extending laterally with respect to the entrance 3. The two patch antennas 21 in the groups A and / or B juxtaposed adjacent to each other can be driven in different phases.

  As shown in FIG. 2, additional patches, for example, in addition, in the floor area, in the ceiling area or in the base area 1 "of the antenna device 1 (or also in the terminal area above the antenna device 1), for example. It is possible to provide an antenna 21. Here, individual patch antennas can also be used, however, a plurality of patch antennas which are arranged displaced from each other in the direction of travel of the passage or with components in the direction of travel of the passage, It is preferable to use at least one pair of patch antennas or for example 3, 4 or more patch antennas, especially as described with reference to Fig. 7, in particular in the lower base area or in the upper termination area. Can also be oriented mechanically pre-adjusted upward or downward, without electronic radial shaping and directing. When using a patch antenna as an additional patch antenna, either in the upper or lower area, or in the bottom area, or above the aisle (eg, suspended from or suspended from the ceiling) However, a group of patch antennas in which the patch antennas cooperate by using two or more patch antennas that are arranged displaced in the traveling direction of the passage or at least with the traveling direction component of the passage. Is preferably formed.

  1, 2 and 8 show, for example, two lateral antenna devices 1, which are arranged at a lateral distance 51 from each other, ie two lateral partitions 1 ', for example between 0.8 m and 2.5 m. In particular, the lateral spacing can be changed between 1.4 and 2.0 m (the limit may be exceeded below or above).

  The side antenna device 1, that is, the side partition 1 ′, preferably has a height 7 of, for example, 1.0 m to 1.80 m or 2.0 m on average.

  The height of the patch antenna or patch antenna pair, that is, the associated ground plane 31 is preferably between 5 cm and 40 cm, for example.

  1, 2 or 8, two combination patch antennas 125a and 125b (for example, combination patch antenna A provided in lower region X1 and upper region X2 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 8) When using the combination patch antenna B), the distance 55 between the lower combination patch antenna 125a and the floor should be at least 0.3 to 1 m. It is preferable that the distance 57 between the lower combination patch antenna 125a and the upper combination patch antenna 125b is 0.1 m to 2 m, particularly about 0.2 m to 1.2 m. In particular, when the upper antenna device is arranged at a special position by using the high side partition 1 ′, the intervals 55 and 57 can be arbitrarily increased.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when using only a combination patch antenna having a grounding surface 31 associated with it, the distance between the combination patch antenna 125 and the floor 5 should be at least 0.5 m or more. Alternatively, it can be 1 to 2 m.

  The patch antenna 21 used to realize the electronic merchandise identification system (WIS) preferably operates in the UHF frequency range of 800 MHz to 950 MHz or 1000 MHz (particularly in the range of 868 MHz). In addition to the conventional ESA monitoring system that operates without the patch antenna, when using an electronic merchandise identification system, a conventional monitoring system is used (especially in the electromagnetic electronic merchandise monitoring system method), for example from 10 Hz to It operates within 20 KHz, especially when it is a radio frequency electronic merchandise surveillance system method, it is preferable to operate in the 5 MHz to 10 MHz region (eg 8.2 MHz).

  Since the patch antenna used in the present invention is used in the radio identification monitoring system, it is still recognized when carrying the radio identification tag and passing along the doorway, and the corresponding information is read using a “reader”. When it can be evaluated, it can detect products, goods and / or people to be monitored.

  In particular, the system of the present invention will be described using an entrance / exit. However, in the monitoring system including the passage gates along the doorway described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, four doorways 3 extending in parallel with each other are formed by juxtaposing, for example, five side partitions 1 ′, Multiple side partitions can be constructed with lateral spacing. In the antenna device 1 located in the center (that is, not in the outermost antenna device 1), a patch antenna is incorporated to radiate a part in one direction and a part in the opposite direction. Thus, each of the two entrances can be detected.

  In principle, a pair of antenna devices 1 of this kind arranged opposite to the doorway to be monitored, i.e. each applicable antenna device 1 or side partition 1 ', is provided to monitor the doorway. The antenna device 1 can be incorporated and used.

  Therefore, by using two or more patch antennas used in the traveling direction of the passage, the monitoring area can be narrowed in the entrance / exit direction with respect to the narrowest passing area. In other words, since the radiation of the antenna area and the monitoring area associated therewith can be focused in the horizontal plane (when the doorway extends horizontally), the passing area (monitoring area) monitored by the antenna device is as much as possible in the traveling direction 3 ′ of the passage. Stretch only to small dimensions.

  (1) ... Radio identification antenna device, (3) ... Gateway, (3 ') ... Direction direction, (5) ... Floor surface, (21) ... Patch antenna,

Claims (25)

-Having at least one wireless identification antenna device (1) for a product identification system (WIS), and reading information from a wireless identification label (tag) equipped with a microchip by at least one wireless identification antenna device (1) It is possible,
The at least two radio identification antenna devices (15, 1) are connected to the entrance / exit (3 ′) extending in the traveling direction (3 ′) of the passage, or the entrance / exit (3) extending in one direction or the traveling direction (3 ′) of the passage Forming monitoring areas on opposite sides of the
The radio identification antenna device (1) has at least two antennas provided on one side of the doorway (3) to be monitored;
The at least two antennas comprise a patch antenna (21);
Extending the patch antenna (21) of the wireless identification antenna device (1) with a component parallel or substantially parallel or parallel to the doorway (3);
In a radio identification antenna system for a product identification system (WIS) in which at least two patch antennas (21) are displaced relative to each other in the direction of the doorway (3) or at least in the direction of travel (3 ') of the passage,
-At least two patch antennas (21) form a group of patch antennas (A, B) to focus and narrow the monitoring area in the direction of travel (3 ') of the passage;
-The center and / or the center of gravity of at least two adjacent patch antennas (21) at the same distance to the floor (5) of the doorway (3) and / or displaced on the same horizontal plane or relative to each other; A product in which at least two patch antennas (21) are arranged such that a straight line passing through the plane forms an angle α of ≦ 45 ° with respect to a horizontal plane and / or a plane parallel to the floor (5) Wireless identification antenna system for identification system (WIS).   The radio identification antenna system according to claim 1, wherein two or more patch antennas (21) are arranged in a traveling direction (3 ') of the passage with lateral displacement.   Arrange multiple groups (A, B) with two or more patch antennas (21) at different height positions with lateral displacement from each other, especially at different height positions with respect to the level of the floor (5) The radio identification antenna system according to claim 1 or 2.   The radio identification antenna system according to claim 3, wherein the groups (A, B) of patch antennas (21) driven at different phase angles to form different upward or downward inclination angles are arranged at different height positions. Driving at least two patch antennas (21) arranged to be displaced from each other in the traveling direction (3 ′) of the path of the group (A, B) of the patch antennas (21) at different phase angles;
The radio identification antenna system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the monitoring area can be adjusted in one direction or in the opposite direction with respect to the traveling direction (3 ') of the passage.   The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein only one group of patch antennas or a plurality of cooperating groups (A, B) are provided in the radio identification antenna device (1).   The at least one or a plurality of groups of patch antennas arranged at a height of ≧ 0.3 m and ≦ 2 m with respect to the doorway (3) and / or the floor (5) of the doorway (3). 7. The radio identification antenna system according to 6. A plurality of regions (X1, X2) having one group of patch antennas (21) or a plurality of cooperating groups (A, B) are provided,
The wireless identification antenna device (1) or the side partition (1 ') in the height region below the wireless identification antenna device (1) or the side partition (1') and higher than the lower height region. The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the area is arranged in the area of (1). An antenna device in which a group (A, B) of a plurality of patch antennas (21) cooperating with each other is arranged in two regions (X1, X2) provided by being displaced in the vertical direction and / or the height direction. Has a height interval of at least 0.1 m, preferably less than 2.0 m, 1.2 m, preferably less than 0.6 m,
The height interval of the patch antenna (21) arranged at the lowest position relative to the floor (5) of the doorway (3) or the group of patch antennas (21) arranged at the lowest position is at least 0.3 m, 9. The radio identification antenna system according to claim 8, preferably 0.3 m to 1.5 m or 1.2 m.   The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the patch antenna (21) is preferably radiated in an 800 MHz to 1000 MHz UHF region (band), particularly in an 868 MHz UHF region. The patch antenna (21) is provided with a connection region (25), a substrate (23) disposed under the connection region (25), and a ground plane (27) disposed under the substrate (23),
Place the patch antenna (21) opposite the ground plane (31) with electric capacity, or mechanically or electrically connect to the ground plane (31),
The patch antenna (21) and the ground plane (31) are arranged in a direction transverse to the entrance (3) and / or the traveling direction (3 ') of the passage, preferably in a vertical direction. The wireless identification antenna system according to 1. The patch antenna (21) is provided with a connection region (25), a substrate (23) disposed under the connection region (25), and a ground plane (31),
The patch antenna (21) and the ground plane (31) are arranged in a direction transverse to the entrance (3) and / or the traveling direction (3 ') of the passage, preferably in a vertical direction. The wireless identification antenna system according to 1.   The radio identification antenna system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the substrate (23) is made of a dielectric.   The radio frequency identification antenna system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the substrate (23) has an air gap, and the connection region (25) is positioned and held by a conductive spacer (gap holding member). At least one group (A, B) of patch antennas has at least two patch antennas (21) arranged displaced from each other,
The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a patch antenna is arranged facing the common ground plane (31). The group (A, B) having at least two patch antennas (21) has a common substrate (23),
Provide a common ground plane (27) on the back side of the board (23),
The radio identification antenna system according to claim 15, wherein at least two connection regions (25) electrically opposed to the ground plane (27) are formed on the heat dissipation side substrate (23). Each patch antenna (21) has a feed conductor (37),
Through hole (31 ') in the ground plane (31), through hole (27') in each ground plane (27) of the patch antenna (21) continuous to the through hole (31 '), through hole (27') The power supply conductor is extended to the power supply position (25 ′) provided in the connection region (25) through the passage (37) extending continuously through the substrate (23),
The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 6 to 16, wherein a feeding position (25 ') is provided below the connection area (25). A group of patch antennas (21) (A, B) is placed facing the common ground plane (31),
The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein a ground plane is extended in a height direction between 5 cm and 40 cm. With an additional patch antenna (21) provided in the transition area to the floor (5) in the area below the radio identification antenna device (1) and / or the side partition (1 '),
The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a main radiation direction and / or a connection region (25) of the additional patch antenna (21) is previously oriented with a vertical component facing upward. A single or multiple patch antennas (21) are provided in the end region above the radio identification antenna device (1) and / or the side partition (1 ′),
The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the main radiation direction and / or the connection region (25) of the patch antenna (21) is oriented in advance with a vertical component facing downward. Comprising at least two cooperating patch antennas (21) arranged displaced relative to each other in the direction of travel (3 ') and / or in the height direction and / or in the vertical direction;
21. Radio identification antenna system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patch antenna is driven with different phases, preferably with different adjustable phases.   Arrange at least one patch antenna (21) in the area of the floor (5) and / or above the doorway (3), or in the area of the floor (5) and / or above the doorway (3) The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein a plurality of patch antennas (21) are displaced from each other in the advancing direction (3 ') of the passage.   The radio identification antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein a patch antenna (21) is retrofitted and / or incorporated in an antenna and / or frame antenna (15) belonging to an electronic merchandise monitoring system (EAS). system. A plurality of wireless identification antenna devices (1) and / or side partitions (1 ') are formed to form a plurality of doorways (3), so that a plurality of wireless identification antenna devices (1) and / or lateral Place the partition (1 ') sideways with displacement,
Incorporate the patch antenna (21) in the central wireless identification antenna device (1) and / or side divider (1 '),
A part of the patch antenna is radiated in one direction and the other part of the patch antenna is radiated in an opposing direction to monitor two entrances (3) adjacent to the patch antenna. The radio identification antenna system according to Item. Equipped with a frame antenna (15) belonging to the Electronic Merchandise Monitoring System (EAS),
At least one patch antenna (21) is built in the frame antenna (15),
The radio identification antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein when the frame antenna (15) is viewed from above, a patch antenna (21) is built in the frame antenna (15).

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