JP2011221838A - Tag for radio communication and antenna module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tag for radio communication, capable of inhibiting communication outside a management area.SOLUTION: The tag 1 for radio communication includes a tag 11 having a semiconductor chip 101 and an antenna module 12 having an antenna part 201 as separate bodies. Then, when connecting the tag 11 and the antenna module 12, since the feed parts 202a, 202b of the antenna module 12 are electrically connected to power reception parts 102a, 102b of the tag 11, the tag 1 for the radio communication can communicate with an external reader/writer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication tag and an antenna module thereof that are supplied with power by receiving a wireless signal transmitted from a contactless wireless communication reader and wirelessly communicate with the reader. The present invention relates to a radio communication tag used in a (Radio Frequency IDentification) system and an antenna module thereof.

  Due to recent developments in communication technology and the semiconductor industry, wireless communication tags that perform non-contact communication are used in various fields such as entrance / exit management, user management in transportation and amusement halls, and logistics management. Yes. The RFID tag used in the RFID system has a wide frequency range such as 2.45 GHz in the microwave band, 950 MHz band in the UHF band, or 13.56 MHz in the HF band used in the electromagnetic induction method. Bandwidth is used. Such a wireless communication tag that performs non-contact communication includes an antenna pattern and a semiconductor chip made of a conductive thin film laminated on a dielectric substrate such as a resin sheet (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). .

  In the wireless communication tag (RFID tag) disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a semiconductor chip is mounted on an antenna pattern made of a conductive thin film, and the semiconductor chip and the antenna pattern are electrically connected. . In addition, the antenna pattern is provided with a notch in a portion where the semiconductor chip is mounted, and the semiconductor chip is mounted so as to straddle the notch of the antenna pattern. That is, the two terminals provided on the semiconductor chip are respectively connected to the ends on both sides of the cutout in the antenna pattern. In addition, the edge part of the notch both sides in this antenna pattern is corresponded to the part by which the electric power feeding part in patent document 1, and the strap in patent document 2 are arrange | positioned.

Japanese Patent No. 4026080 JP 2009-260757 A

  Conventional wireless communication tags, as typified by RFID tags disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, have a semiconductor chip that performs a communication operation mounted on an antenna pattern called an inlay or an inlet. ,It is configured. The wireless communication tag configured as described above receives a radio wave radiated from a reader / writer by its antenna pattern, and the semiconductor chip performs a communication operation based on the power generated by the radio wave received by the antenna pattern. . In other words, the conventional wireless communication tag can perform a communication operation by the semiconductor chip if the power based on the radio wave radiated from the reader / writer is larger than the operation power of the semiconductor chip.

  That is, when a wireless communication tag is attached to an article to be managed, if a reader / writer capable of communicating with the wireless communication tag is installed even outside the management area of the article, the wireless communication tag Communication is possible. Therefore, the content stored in the wireless communication tag attached to the article may be read or the content may be rewritten even outside the article management area. In particular, when storing individual information linked to personal information in a wireless communication tag, reading or rewriting the stored contents outside the management area will not only leak personal information but also cause system malfunctions within the management area. There is a risk of inviting.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication tag capable of prohibiting communication outside a management area.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication tag according to the present invention is a wireless communication tag including a semiconductor chip that performs a communication operation with an external communication device. A tag having an electrically connected power receiving unit; an antenna unit for receiving radio waves from the communication device; and a power feeding unit electrically connected to the antenna unit; and detachable from the tag An antenna module having a configuration, and when the tag is connected to the antenna module, the power receiving unit and the power feeding unit are electrically connected to each other, thereby enabling communication with the communication device. It is characterized by becoming.

  Such a wireless communication tag may have a connection member that holds the connection between the tag and the antenna module. At this time, a connection member that holds the connection between the tag and the antenna module may be included, and each of the power reception unit and the power supply unit may include the connection member. Only the antenna module may include the connection member.

  In the above wireless communication tag, when the antenna module and the tag are connected, the antenna module sandwiches the tag at a position where the power feeding unit overlaps the power receiving unit, and the power receiving unit and the power feeding unit. May be electrically connected.

  The antenna module may have a plurality of antenna parts having different directivities. At this time, when the antenna module and the tag are connected, the tag may be sandwiched by a plurality of the antenna portions.

  The antenna module of the present invention is an antenna module according to any one of the above-described wireless communication tags, and is electrically connected to an antenna unit that receives radio waves from an external communication device. The power feeding unit is electrically connected to the power receiving unit provided in the tag when connected to the tag including the semiconductor chip that performs a communication operation with the communication device. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the antenna module and the tag are separated from each other, and when the antenna module is connected to the tag, communication with the outside is possible. Therefore, the antenna module is attached to an article outside the management area without the antenna module. The tag can not be communicated. Therefore, when the article is outside the management area, the information stored in the tag can be prevented from being read, and the leakage of personal information can be prevented. In addition, since rewriting of information stored in the tag outside the management area can be prevented, malfunction of the article management system in the management area can be prevented.

These are the schematic diagrams which show the basic composition of the tag for radio | wireless communication of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the wireless communication tag shown in FIG. 1. These are figures which show schematic structure of the tag for radio | wireless communication of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which show schematic structure of the tag for radio | wireless communication of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. These are figures which show schematic structure of the tag for radio | wireless communication of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. These are figures which show the state at the time of connecting the tag and antenna module in the tag for radio | wireless communication of FIG. These are figures which show the state at the time of connecting the tag and antenna module in the tag for radio | wireless communication of FIG. These are figures which show schematic structure of the tag for radio | wireless communication of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a configuration of a power receiving unit of the tag in the wireless communication tag of FIG. 8. [FIG. 9] is a back view showing a configuration of a power receiving unit of the tag in the wireless communication tag of FIG. These are figures which show a state when the tag and antenna module in the tag for radio | wireless communication of FIG. 8 are connected.

<Basic configuration>
A basic configuration of the wireless communication tag of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the wireless communication tag of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the wireless communication tag shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication tag 1 of the present invention includes a tag 11 attached to an article, and a tag 11 and a separate antenna module 12. The tag 11 and the antenna module 12 are electrically connected. By being connected, it becomes a configuration capable of wireless communication with an external reader / writer. The tag 11 includes a semiconductor chip 101 that performs wireless communication with a reader / writer, and power receiving units 102a and 102b that are electrically connected to terminals 103a and 103b (see FIG. 2) provided on the semiconductor chip 101, respectively. Prepare. The antenna module 2 includes an antenna unit 201 that excites radio waves radiated from the reader / writer, and power supply units 202a and 202b that are electrically connected to the power receiving units 102a and 102b of the tag 101. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the semiconductor chip 101 mounted on the tag 11 rectifies the terminals 103a and 103b connected to the power receiving units 102a and 102b and the electric signals supplied to the terminals 103a and 103b. A power supply unit 104 that supplies power, a modulation / demodulation unit 105 that operates when power is supplied from the power supply unit 104, a control unit 106 that controls the operation of the semiconductor chip 101, and identification information unique to the semiconductor chip 101 are stored. A memory unit 107. The wireless communication tag 1 configured in this way is connected to the power receiving units 102a and 102b of the tag 11 and the power feeding units 202a and 202b of the antenna module 2 as shown by the broken lines in FIG. The antenna unit 201 operates as an antenna of the semiconductor chip 101.

  The operation of the wireless communication tag 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be briefly described. As described above, the wireless communication tag 1 is configured to be able to communicate with an external reader / writer by connecting the power feeding units 202a and 202b of the antenna module 12 to the power receiving units 102a and 102b of the tag 11, respectively. . In addition, as will be described in each embodiment described later, each of the tag 11 and the antenna module 12 has a connecting member that can be attached to and detached from each other. The tag 11 and the antenna module 12 are connected to each other by connecting the respective connection members so that the power receiving units 102a and 102b are in physical contact with and electrically connected to the power feeding units 202a and 202b. Note that the connection between the power receiving units 102 a and 102 b and the power feeding units 202 a and 202 b includes a case in which the power receiving units 102 a and 102 b are connected via a dielectric film or an insulating film that covers at least one surface of the tag 11 or the antenna module 12.

  In the wireless communication tag 1 in which the tag 11 and the antenna module 12 are connected, the antenna unit 201 of the antenna module 12 excites radio waves emitted from a reader / writer (not shown). Due to the excitation of the antenna unit 201, a current flowing through the antenna unit 201 is supplied to the power receiving units 102a and 102b of the tag 11 through the power feeding units 202a and 202b. Thereby, in the tag 1, the current received by the power receiving units 102 a and 102 b is supplied to the semiconductor chip 101. Therefore, in the semiconductor chip 101, the power supply unit 104 receives a current through the terminals 103a and 103b. Therefore, by rectifying the current, power for driving the semiconductor chip 101 is generated. In the tag 11, power is supplied from the power supply unit 104 to each of the modem unit 105, the control unit 106, and the memory unit 107 in the semiconductor chip 101.

  As for the above-described power supply operation, power is supplied to the semiconductor chip 101 by exciting the radio wave received by the antenna unit 201 of the antenna module 12 as in the microwave system used in the UHF band or the like. However, a current may be generated by electromagnetic induction in the antenna unit 201 of the antenna module 12 and power may be supplied to the semiconductor chip 101 as in an electromagnetic induction method used in HF or the like.

  Thus, when power is supplied to the semiconductor chip 101 in the tag 11 and each part in the semiconductor chip 101 starts driving, the modem unit 105 demodulates the electric signal supplied from the terminals 103a and 103b. To the control unit 106. The control unit 106 confirms an electrical signal (question signal) transmitted from an external reader / writer, reads out identification information stored in the memory unit 107, and returns an electrical signal (returned to the reader / writer). Response signal). When the response signal generated by the control unit 106 is given to the modulation / demodulation unit 105, the modulation / demodulation unit 105 performs a modulation operation based on the encoded response signal and outputs the modulated electric signal through the terminals 103a and 103b. . The electric signals output from the terminals 103a and 103b are transmitted from the antenna unit 201 of the antenna module 12 to an external reader / writer.

  Communication between the wireless communication tag 1 and a reader / writer (not shown) is performed after the wireless communication tag 1 and the reader / writer are synchronized with radio waves radiated from the reader / writer. It is established by performing modulation based on the electrical signal transmitted at each timing. That is, the wireless communication tag is formed by superimposing a signal modulated based on an electrical signal transmitted by the reader / writer and the wireless communication tag 1 on a radio wave of a predetermined frequency band radiated from the reader / writer. Communication between 1 and the reader / writer is executed.

<First Embodiment>
A wireless communication tag according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the wireless communication tag of the present embodiment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, parts used for the same purpose as in the configuration shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication tag 1a according to the present embodiment includes a tag 11a including a semiconductor chip 101 and power receiving units 102a and 102b, and an antenna unit, like the wireless communication tag 1 having the basic configuration described above. 201 and the antenna module 12a provided with the power feeding sections 202a and 202b are separated. As shown in FIG. 3, the power receiving units 102a and 102b of the tag 11a and the power feeding units 202a and 202b of the antenna module 12 are also configured as connection members for mutual connection.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the power receiving units 102 a and 102 b are configured by a metal member provided with a concave portion 21 at the central portion, and the power feeding units 202 a and 202 b are configured by a metal member provided with a convex portion 22 at the central portion. . Then, by inserting the convex portions 22 of the power feeding units 202a and 202b into the recesses 21 of the power receiving units 102a and 102b, respectively, the power receiving units 102a and 102b are physically connected to the power feeding units 202a and 202b, respectively. Also connect electrically. At this time, the recesses 21 of the power reception units 102a and 102b are made of a metal member having elasticity, and the recesses 21 of the power reception units 102a and 102b sandwich the projections 22 of the inserted power supply units 202a and 202b. Thus, the connection between the power receiving units 102a and 102b and the power feeding units 202a and 202b can be made more reliable.

  In the wireless communication tag 1 configured as described above, the tag 11a has, for example, a strap on which a semiconductor chip 101 is mounted and wiring applied to the surface of a dielectric substrate such as a resin film that forms the strap. The power receiving units 102a and 102b may be connected to each other. That is, the semiconductor chip 101 is mounted on the base of the strap so that the terminals 103a and 103b (see FIG. 2) are connected to the wiring on the thin film coated on the substrate surface. The strap wiring is connected to a conductor pattern made of a metal thin film or the like applied to another dielectric substrate on which the power receiving units 102a and 102b are mounted. The power receiving units 102a and 102b are configured by a conductor pattern connected to the strap wiring and a metal member constituting the connection member connected to the conductor pattern by solder, conductive adhesive, or the like. Also good.

  Similarly, in the antenna module 12a, for example, the antenna unit 201 may be configured by a conductor pattern made of a metal thin film or the like applied on a dielectric substrate. The power feeding sections 202a and 202b may be configured by a metal member that constitutes a connection member that is connected to the end of the conductor pattern that constitutes the antenna section 201 with solder or the like. The tag 11a and the antenna module 12a may be covered with an insulating protective film for protecting the semiconductor chip 101, the conductor pattern, and the wiring.

  Further, the metal members constituting the power receiving units 102a and 102b and the power feeding units 202a and 202b are not limited to the configuration example of FIG. 3 and are configured to be mutually connectable and at the same time physically connected. Any electrical connection may be used. Therefore, for example, the power receiving units 102a and 102b may be provided with a convex portion and the power feeding units 202a and 202b may be provided with a concave portion, and any one of the power receiving units 102a and 102b and the power feeding units 202a and 202b may have a bowl shape. At the same time as the above configuration, the other may be configured by a member provided with a hole into which the hook-shaped portion is fitted.

<Second Embodiment>
A washing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the washing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, parts used for the same purpose as those in the configuration shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication tag 1b of this embodiment includes a tag 11a having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), and an antenna module 12a of the first embodiment (FIG. 3). And an antenna module 12b having a configuration in which a conductive wire cable 203 is added. In the wireless communication tag 1b having such a configuration, the tag 11a is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of the antenna module 12b will be described below, particularly focusing on parts different from the configuration of the first embodiment.

  Unlike the antenna module 12a, the antenna module 12b has a configuration in which a conducting wire cable 203 is connected between the antenna unit 201 and the power feeding units 202a and 202b. That is, the antenna unit 201 configured by applying a conductor pattern on a dielectric substrate and the power feeding units 202a and 202b made of a metal member mounted on an insulating material such as a resin are physically connected by the conductive wire cable 203. . The conductive wire cable 203 includes two conductive wires coated with an insulating material, and one of the two conductive wires simultaneously connects one end of the conductor pattern constituting the antenna unit 201 and the power feeding unit 202a. The other electrically connects the other end of the conductor pattern constituting the antenna unit 201 and the power feeding unit 202b.

  The wireless communication tag 1b according to the present embodiment uses the antenna module 12b having the conductor cable 203 so that when the power feeding units 202a and 202b of the antenna module 12b are connected to the power receiving units 102a and 102b of the tag 11a, the tag The antenna unit 201 can be arranged at a position away from 11a. Therefore, when the tag 11a attached to the article is in a position where communication with an external reader / writer is difficult, reliable communication can be performed by arranging the antenna unit 201 at a position where communication is possible. In the present embodiment, the power feeding sections 202a and 202b of the antenna module 12b are separate metal members, and the conductor cable 203 is separated into two conductors, and each of the two separated conductors has a power feeding section. 202a and 202b may be connected independently.

<Third Embodiment>
A washing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the washing apparatus of the present embodiment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, parts used for the same purpose as in the configuration shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless communication tag 1c according to the present embodiment is different from the wireless communication tag 1a according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 3) between the tag 11c that does not include a connection member and the tag 11c. And the antenna module 12c provided with a connecting portion 204 that is connected to the tag 11c. Unlike the tag 11a of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), the tag 11c is electrically connected to the terminals 103a and 103b (see FIG. 2) of the semiconductor chip 101 on the dielectric substrate. Formed with connected conductor patterns.

  The antenna module 12c has power supply portions 202a and 202b with conductor patterns provided at both ends of the antenna portion 201 on the dielectric substrate, and a substrate close to the portion where the power supply portions 202a and 202b of the dielectric substrate are installed. The connecting portion 204 is configured to protrude from the end side (side surface) 200. The connecting portion 204 may be constituted by a dielectric substrate, or may be constituted by a member made of an insulating material different from the dielectric substrate.

  A connection member 205 is provided on each of the edge 200 side and the antenna unit 201 side of the board around the power feeding units 202a and 202b, and a connection member 206 connected to the connection member 205 is provided on the connection unit 204. It is done. That is, the plurality of connection members 205 provided in the vicinity of the power feeding portions 202a and 202b and the plurality of connection members 206 provided in the connection portion 204 are symmetrically arranged around the edge 200 of the substrate. Is done. Each of the connecting members 205 and 206 may have a configuration in which a concave portion is provided on one side and a convex portion is provided on the other side as in the first embodiment, or one side has a hook-like shape and the other has a hook-like portion. It is good also as a shape which provided the hole which fits.

  The state of the wireless communication tag 1c when the tag 11c and the antenna module 12c having such a configuration are connected is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, the tag 11 c is fixed on the article 10 by bonding the outer edge portions 100 a and 100 b of the power receiving portions 102 a and 102 b arranged on both sides of the semiconductor chip 101. The adhesion of the tag 11c to the article 10 may be affixed with an adhesive or the like, or may be sewn with a thread or the like. That is, a hole for inserting the connection portion 204 of the antenna module 12c is formed by the tag 11c and the article 10. When the connecting portion 204 of the antenna module 12c is passed through the hole formed by the tag 11c and the article 10, the connecting member 206 provided in the connecting portion 204 is disposed outside the tag 11c.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, by bending the end 200 of the dielectric substrate of the antenna module 12 c and connecting the connection members 205 and 206, the component parts of the power feeding units 202 a and 202 b and the connection unit 204 are used. The tag 11c is sandwiched. Accordingly, each of the power receiving units 102a and 102b of the tag 11c comes into contact with each of the power feeding units 202a and 202b of the antenna module 12c, so that the wireless communication tag 1c using the tag 11c and the antenna module 12c is connected to an external reader / writer. Communication is possible.

<Fourth Embodiment>
A washing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the washing apparatus of the present embodiment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, portions used for the same purpose as those in the configuration shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the wireless communication tag 1d according to the present embodiment is different from the wireless communication tag 1c according to the third embodiment (see FIG. 5) in that the power receiving units 102a and 102b are provided on both surfaces of the dielectric substrate. It is comprised by the tag 11d comprised by the received power receiving pattern 102x, 102y (refer FIG.9 and FIG.10), and the antenna module 12d provided with the two antenna parts 201a and 201b from which the antenna directivity differs. At this time, in the antenna module 12d, as shown in FIG. 8, antenna portions 201a and 201b are formed on a T-shaped derivative substrate. In the T-shaped derivative substrate, when the antenna portion 201a is disposed in the substrate region 201x whose longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction on the paper surface, the antenna portion 201b is disposed on the substrate region 201y whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction on the paper surface. Be placed.

  In the substrate region 201y, power feeding units 202a and 202b that are electrically connected to both ends of the antenna unit 201a are disposed in the vicinity of the joint portion with the substrate region 201x. Further, in the substrate region 201y, a bent portion as indicated by a broken line X is provided between a region where the power feeding units 202a and 202b connected to the antenna unit 201a are arranged and a region where the antenna unit 201b is arranged. . Further, in the board region 201y, a connection member 205a is provided at a position sandwiching the power feeding sections 202a and 202b of the antenna section 201a, and a connection member 206a is disposed at a position sandwiching the power feeding sections 202c and 202d of the antenna section 201b. The connection members 205a and 206a are provided at positions that are symmetric with respect to the broken line X as an axis. Then, the connection members 205a and 206a have the same configuration as the connection members 205 and 206 of the third embodiment, so that the antenna module 12d can be fixed to the tag 11d.

  Each of the power receiving portions 102a and 102b of the tag 11d has power receiving patterns 102x and 102y based on conductor patterns as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 on both surfaces of the dielectric substrate constituting the tag 11d. 9 is a diagram showing the installation surface of the power reception pattern 102x, and the power reception pattern 102y is shown by a broken line, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the installation surface of the power reception pattern 102y, and the power reception pattern 102x is shown by a broken line. . That is, the power reception pattern 102y is configured by an L-shaped conductor pattern, and is configured such that the power reception pattern 102x overlaps one linear pattern that forms the L shape.

  When the antenna module 12d is connected to the tag 11d, when the power reception pattern 102x comes into contact with the power supply units 202a and 202b, the power supply units 202c and 202d are arranged on the other linear pattern constituting the L-shaped pattern of the power reception pattern 102y. Abut. The power receiving pattern 102y has an L-shaped conductor pattern provided on the surface of the dielectric substrate. However, if the power receiving pattern 102y is to be electrically connected to the power receiving pattern 102y, it is brought into contact with the power feeding sections 202c and 202d. Only the portion may be provided on the surface of the dielectric substrate.

  FIG. 11 shows a state of the wireless communication tag 1d when the tag 11d having such a configuration and the antenna module 12d are connected. As shown in FIG. 11, the end portion 100 a, 100 b of the tag 11 d is bonded to the article 10 and fixed to the article 10. When the antenna module 12d is connected to the tag 11d fixed to the article 10, similarly to the third embodiment, the substrate region 201y in which the antenna part 201b is formed in the hole formed by the article 10 and the tag 11d. Is inserted. And after bending this board | substrate area | region 201y with the broken line X (refer FIG. 8), the antenna module 12d clamps the tag 11d by connecting the connection members 205a and 206a. Accordingly, each of the power receiving units 102a and 102b of the tag 11d comes into contact with each of the power feeding units 202a to 202d of the antenna module 12d, so that the wireless communication tag 1d by the tag 11d and the antenna module 12d communicates with an external reader / writer. It becomes possible.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the power receiving units 102a and 102b and the power feeding units 202a to 202d will be described by taking an example of only a conductive pattern. It may be constituted by a conductor plate or a conductive sheet connected in the above. The power receiving portions 102a and 102b and the power feeding portions 202a to 202d may have their conductor portions exposed on the surfaces of the tags 11c and 11d, or the surfaces thereof are covered with a protective film made of a dielectric material or the like. It is good also as a structure. In the fourth embodiment, the connection member 205a may be provided in the substrate region 201x where the antenna unit 201a is provided, as in the third embodiment. On the other hand, the connection member 205 of the third embodiment may be installed in the connection unit 204 together with the power reception units 202a and 202b connected to the antenna unit 201 as in the fourth embodiment.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the power receiving portions 102a and 102b of the tag 11c may be configured by a conductor pattern or a conductor plate on a ring having a through hole. When configured in this way, the connection member 205 of the antenna module 12c may be made of a conductive material and electrically connected to each of the power feeding units 202a and 202b, and further, the connection member 206 of the antenna module 12c. Also, it may be made of a conductive material. In addition, each of the connection members 205a and 206a of the antenna module 12d is made of a conductive material, and each of the connection members 205a and 206a is electrically connected to the power feeding units 202a to 202d connected to the antenna units 201a and 201b. It doesn't matter if it is done.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the antenna unit 201 or the power feeding units 202a to 202d of the antenna modules 12a to 12d are configured by a conductor pattern formed on a dielectric substrate such as a resin sheet. It may be formed of a conductive piece such as a conductive sheet or a conductive plate, or may be formed of conductive fibers. At this time, when the antenna unit 201 or the power feeding units 202a to 202d are configured by a conductive sheet, the antenna unit 201 or the power feeding units 202a to 202d may be configured by a metal thin plate, a metal tape, a conductive sheet, or the like. Further, when the antenna unit 201 is constituted by a conducting wire, the antenna unit 201 is fixed to a shape corresponding to the use frequency band of the wireless communication, for example, by forming a loop shape with the conducting wire. Further, when the antenna unit 201 is formed of conductive fibers, conductive fibers such as carbon fibers and metal fibers are embroidered on the insulating sheet in a shape corresponding to the frequency band used for wireless communication. May be.

  Furthermore, the antenna module 12a according to the first embodiment may be configured to include two antenna portions 201a and 201b having different directivities, similarly to the antenna module 12d according to the fourth embodiment. At this time, the two power feeding units 202a and 202c connected to one end of each of the antenna units 201a and 201b are connected so as to sandwich the power receiving unit 102a of the tag 11a, and the other end of each of the antenna units 201a and 201b. Two connected power feeding units 202b and 202d are connected so as to sandwich the power receiving unit 102b of the tag 11a. Further, the antenna modules 12c and 12d of the third and fourth embodiments may be provided with a conductor cable connected to the power feeding units 202a to 202d, similarly to the antenna module 12b of the second embodiment.

  In addition, the tag which is a part of the wireless communication tag of the present invention may be in a state where it cannot communicate with an external reader / writer when it is not connected to the antenna module. However, it is preferable that the communication is impossible, but communication may be performed unless the power is large enough to be out of the standard range.

  The present invention can be applied to a wireless communication tag used in an RFID system of each frequency band. Further, the present invention can be applied as a passive wireless communication tag, and can also be applied as an active wireless communication tag by attaching a battery to the antenna module. Furthermore, it can be applied as a radio communication tag for each of the electromagnetic induction method and the microwave method depending on the shape of the antenna portion of the antenna module.

1, 1a to 1d Wireless communication tag 11, 11a, 11c, 11d tag 12, 12a to 12d Antenna module 100a, 100b End portion 101 Semiconductor chip 102a, 102b Power receiving unit 102x, 102y Power receiving pattern 103a, 103b Terminal 104 Power supply Part 105 Modulator / Demodulator 106 Control part 107 Memory part 200 Edges 201, 201a, 201b Antenna part 202a-202d Feed part 203 Conductor cable 204 Connection part 205, 205a Connection member 206, 206a Connection member

Claims (9)

In a wireless communication tag having a semiconductor chip that performs a communication operation with an external communication device,
A tag on which the semiconductor chip is mounted and having a power receiving unit electrically connected to the semiconductor chip;
An antenna module that includes an antenna unit that receives radio waves from the communication device, a power feeding unit that is electrically connected to the antenna unit, and an antenna module that is configured to be detachable from the tag;
With
A wireless communication tag, wherein when the tag is connected to the antenna module, the power receiving unit and the power feeding unit are electrically connected to enable communication with the communication device. In claim 1,
A wireless communication tag, comprising: a connection member that holds a connection between the tag and the antenna module. In claim 2,
A tag for wireless communication, wherein each of the tag and the antenna module includes the connection member. In claim 3,
Each of the said power receiving part and the said electric power feeding part has comprised the said connection member, The tag for radio | wireless communication characterized by the above-mentioned. In claim 2,
The wireless communication tag, wherein the antenna module includes the connection member. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
When the antenna module and the tag are connected, the antenna module sandwiches the tag at a position where the power feeding unit overlaps the power receiving unit, and electrically connects the power receiving unit and the power feeding unit. Features wireless communication tag. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
The wireless communication tag, wherein the antenna module has a plurality of antenna portions having different directivities. In claim 7,
A tag for wireless communication, wherein when the antenna module and the tag are connected, the tag is sandwiched by a plurality of the antenna portions. An antenna module in the wireless communication tag according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An antenna for receiving radio waves from an external communication device;
A power feeding unit electrically connected to the antenna unit;
With
An antenna module, wherein when connected to the tag including the semiconductor chip that performs a communication operation with the communication device, the power feeding unit is electrically connected to the power receiving unit provided in the tag.

Images