JP2012060649A - Information reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information reading system for inexpensively, speedily and highly precisely reading identification information from a non-contact information recording medium.SOLUTION: An information reading system 11 reads identification information from an identification object to which a non-contact information recording medium 3 with which identification information is recorded is applied. The system includes: an antenna 11A transmitting/receiving a radio wave for reading the identification information; a metal box 11B to which the antenna 11A is fixed and which can store the identification object inside; vibration means 11C installed in the metal box 11B for relatively displacing a position relation between the antenna 11A and the identification object. The metal box 11B includes: a body where an opening for putting in/out the identification object to/from the metal box 11B is formed; and a lid for closing the opening. An inner face of the metal box 11B reflects the radio wave emitted from the antenna 11A or the radio wave emitted from the non-contact information recording medium 3 receiving the radio wave.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reading system.

  Non-contact information recording media that can read identification information by transmitting and receiving radio waves having a frequency of 300 MHz or higher can also read information from a distance, and thus have been applied to the logistics industry in recent years. In particular, a UHF band-compatible RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag (hereinafter referred to as an “IC tag”) using UHF band waves can read information even if it is a moving identification object. Therefore, a reading device such as an antenna is provided at the gate, and the identification information is read when the identification object having the IC tag arranged passes through the gate, thereby being used for various receipt / shipment goods and inventory management. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  However, depending on the attachment position of the IC tag, a reading error may occur due to the relationship with the antenna. Also, when trying to collectively read the identification information of each IC tag from a group of identification objects in which a plurality of IC tags are arranged, depending on the interference between the IC tags, the relative angle between the antenna and the IC tag, the relative position, An IC tag that does not receive radio waves from the antenna is generated, and there is a possibility that a reading error occurs with a high probability. On the other hand, even if an attempt is made to read over a long time by reducing the moving speed, if the number of IC tags is a large number of 100 or more, the distribution work is hindered.

  Therefore, the present inventors changed the direction of the radio wave that has passed through the back without being received by the IC tag despite being transmitted from the antenna, by changing the direction of the radio wave to the IC tag from another direction. As a result, it has been found that the communication opportunity can be increased more than before, and the identification information of the IC tag can be read with high accuracy.

Japanese Patent No. 3565217

  However, in the above-described case, in order to reflect radio waves toward the IC tag, it is necessary to strictly adjust the installation location, installation angle, and the like of the antenna and the reflection plate, which increases the equipment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an information reading system that can quickly and accurately read identification information from a non-contact information recording medium of an identification object that moves relative to an antenna at a low cost. The purpose is to provide.

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
An information reading system according to the present invention is an information reading system that reads the identification information from an identification object attached with a non-contact information recording medium on which the identification information is recorded, and transmits and receives radio waves to read the identification information Provided in the metal box to relatively displace the positional relationship between the antenna and the identification object, and a metal box in which the antenna is fixed and capable of accommodating the identification object. The metal box has a main body formed with an opening for taking the identification object into and out of the metal box, and a lid for closing the opening, The inner surface of the metal box reflects the radio wave transmitted from the antenna or the radio wave transmitted from a non-contact information recording medium that has received the radio wave. Is Temu.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said displacement means is a vibration means fixed to the said metal box and vibrating the said metal box.

  Further, at least one partition plate is attached inside the metal box, and a plurality of storage spaces in which the identification object is stored are formed in the metal box by the partition plate. preferable.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said partition plate is a board member which permeate | transmits a UHF band wave, and the said antenna is distribute | arranged to one place in the said metal box.

  The partition plate may be a plate member that shields UHF band waves, and a plurality of the antennas may be provided and installed in each of the storage spaces in the metal box.

  Further, at least one partition plate is attached to the inside of the metal box, and the metal box has a plurality of storage spaces in which the identification object is stored by the partition plate, It is preferable that the vibration means is disposed at one place in the metal box.

  Further, at least one partition plate is attached to the inside of the metal box, and the metal box has a plurality of storage spaces in which the identification object is stored by the partition plate, A plurality of vibration means may be provided and arranged in each of the storage spaces in the metal box.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said displacement means is a moving means which mounts the said identification target object inside the said metal box, and moves the said identification target object in the said metal box.

  Further, the moving means is a rotary table provided on an inner bottom surface of the metal box, and the rotary table has a mounting surface on which the identification object is mounted, and is about one axis orthogonal to the mounting surface. It is preferable to rotate.

  According to the present invention, identification information can be read quickly and accurately at low cost from a non-contact type information recording medium of an identification object that moves relative to an antenna.

It is a top view which shows the reflector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the lifter provided with the same. It is a perspective view which shows the reflector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the lifter provided with the same. It is a perspective view which shows the reflector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the lifter provided with the same. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the reflector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and a lifter provided with the same. It is a top view which shows the modification of the reflector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the reference example of a reflector. It is a top view which shows the reference example of a reflector. It is a top view which shows the reference example of a reflector. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the reference example shown in FIG.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The reflector 1 according to this embodiment includes an IC tag (non-contact type) in which identification information is written to antennas 2A and 2B that read and transmit identification information by transmitting and receiving UHF band waves (radio waves having a frequency of 300 MHz or higher). It is provided in a lifter (moving body) 5 for moving a plurality of different identification objects P provided with an information recording medium 3.

  The reflector 1 is formed in a plate shape that can maintain a planar shape, and includes a film-like reflecting surface 1a that reflects UHF band waves, for example, on which aluminum is deposited. The reflective surface is preferably a metal surface such as aluminum or iron, which has a high UHF band wave reflection efficiency. Moreover, the reflector 1 may be formed in the shape of a thin plate that is provided with a metal surface on the surface and can be wound.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the identification objects P are mounted on one rectangular cargo handling pallet PP in five sets, and the cargo handling pallets PP are further divided into a plurality of stages as shown in FIGS. The stacked identification object group PG is configured and mounted on the lifter 5. In addition, this combination is an example and is not limited to these.

The antennas 2A and 2B are separated from each other by a predetermined distance so that the identification object group PG can pass between the antennas 2A and 2B along the traveling direction W. The antennas 2A and 2B are provided in pairs in a state where the antennas 2A and 2B are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction W.
The IC tag 3 has a dipole type planar antenna shape, for example, and is disposed on the side surface of each identification object P that is proximal to the antennas 2A and 2B so as not to interfere with each other.

  The reflection surface 1a of the reflector 1 is formed so as to be substantially the same as the distal end surface Pa of the identification object group PG on the distal side with respect to the antennas 2A and 2B. Then, the reflective surface 1a is provided in the vicinity of the distal end surface Pa of the identification target object group PG so as to be separated from the IC tag 3 by a predetermined distance. That is, the UHF band wave transmitted from the antennas 2A and 2B and passing through the identification object P is reflected from the distal side to the proximal side of the identification object P with respect to the antennas 2A and 2B.

Next, the operation of the reflector 1 according to this embodiment and the lifter 5 including the reflector 1 will be described together with a method for reading identification information.
The reading method using the reflector 1 and the lifter 5 includes a first step of moving the identification object together with the reflector 1 and the lifter 5 with respect to the antennas 2A and 2B, and transmitting UHF band waves from the antennas 2A and 2B. First, the UHF band wave that directly reaches the IC tag 3 and passes through the identification target P is reflected from the distal side to the proximal side of the identification target P with respect to the antennas 2A and 2B to reach the IC tag 3. With two steps.

  First, in the first step, the reflector 1 is mounted on the lifter 5 so that the reflecting surface 1a faces the antennas 2A and 2B, and the identification object group PG is mounted on the reflecting surface 1a. At this time, the IC tag 3 is prevented from contacting the reflection surface 1a of the reflector 1. After completion of mounting, the lifter 5 is moved in the direction in which the antennas 2A and 2B are arranged.

  When approaching a predetermined distance with respect to the antennas 2A and 2B, the process proceeds to the second step, and a predetermined UHF band wave constantly transmitted from the antennas 2A and 2B reaches the identification object group PG. At this time, there is an IC tag 3 that cannot directly receive the UHF band wave, depending on the relationship between the characteristics of the UHF band wave and the traveling direction thereof and the attachment position and direction of the IC tag 3.

At this time, as the lifter 5 moves, the relative position between the IC tag 3 and the antennas 2A and 2B changes, so that the IC tag 3 that cannot directly receive UHF band waves is moved to a position where direct reception is possible. Then, transmission / reception is performed between the antennas 2A and 2B.
On the other hand, the UHF band wave hits the reflection surface 1a of the reflector 1 arranged on the distal end surface Pa of the identification object group PG, and is reflected again proximally. At this time, depending on the direction of the reflected wave, the reflected wave hits the IC tag 3 that was not directly hit by the UHF band wave, and transmission / reception with the antennas 2A and 2B is performed.

  In this way, the reflected wave from the IC tag 3 is received again by the antennas 2A and 2B directly or via the reflector, and the identification information recorded on each is read.

  According to the reflector 1, the lifter 5 to which the reflector 1 is arranged, and the information reading method, the UHF band wave emitted from the antennas 2A and 2B does not hit the IC tag 3 and is distal to the antennas 2A and 2B. Even if it passes, the radio wave can be reflected to the proximal side, and this reflected wave can be applied to the IC tag 3. Accordingly, communication opportunities between the IC tag 3 and the antennas 2A and 2B can be increased as compared to the conventional case, and identification information can be read quickly and accurately from each of the IC tags 3 of the moving identification object P.

  Moreover, since the reflector 1 moves together with the identification target object group PG, the distance from the IC tag 3 can be kept constant, and the probability that the reflected wave hits can be increased.

  Furthermore, since the reflecting surface 1a is a metal surface, the reflection efficiency can be increased, and a reflected wave in a suitable state can be applied to the IC tag 3 in the same manner as the direct wave.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In the above embodiment, the case where the IC tag 3 arranged on the identification target object group PG moving by the lifter 5 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the width direction is a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction W of the lifter 5, the left and right side surfaces 10 </ b> Aa and 10 </ b> Ab in the width direction of the main body 10 </ b> A of the reflector 10 protrude in the width direction and are identified. It may be formed longer than the width direction of the object group PG. In this case, the surface area of the reflecting surface 10a can be increased, more radio waves can be reflected to the proximal side, and the number of contact with the IC tag 3 can be increased.

  Reference Example 1 is shown in FIG. The reference example 1 includes at least an antenna 11A that transmits and receives radio waves to read identification information, and radio waves transmitted from the antenna 11A or radio waves transmitted by the IC tag 3 attached to the identification object P that has received the radio waves. The information reading system 11 includes a metal box (reflector) 11B disposed around the identification object P that reflects either one of the objects, and vibration means 11C that vibrates and displaces the side surface of the metal box 11B.

  This information reading system 11 inserts the identification object P provided with the IC tag 3 into the metal box 11B, using the metal box 11B covered with the reflecting surface 11a as a reflector so that the UHF band wave does not leak to the surroundings. Identification information can be acquired. The reflecting surface 11a is vibrated by the vibrating means 11C and displaced relative to the antenna 11A.

  According to this information reading system 11, since the reflecting surface 11a is arranged around the identification object P, the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 11A is directly or directly applied to the IC tag 3 attached to the identification object P. It can be reached via the reflecting surface 11a. Thus, even when the radio wave cannot reach the IC tag 3 directly, the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 11A is reflected by the reflecting surface 11a, so that the traveling direction of the radio wave is changed to reach the IC tag 3. Identification information can be obtained efficiently. Further, when the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 11A cannot reach the IC tag 3 directly or by reflection by the reflection surface 11a, the reflection surface 11a is displaced by the vibration means 11C to further advance the radio wave. The direction can be changed, and the identification information can be efficiently acquired by reaching the IC tag 3.

  Furthermore, Reference Example 2 is shown in FIG. Reference Example 2 is a further modification of the information reading system 11 according to Reference Example 1, and is a partition that allows UHF band waves to pass through and partitions the interior of the metal box 14 vertically into a plurality of storage spaces 13A, 13B, and 13C. The information reading system 16 is provided with a plurality of plates 15. At this time, the antenna 11A is provided only in the storage space 13A. However, when the antenna 11A is installed in each of the storage spaces 13A, 13B, and 13C, the partition plate 15 does not transmit UHF band waves. It does n’t matter. Further, although the vibration means 11C is arranged on the side surface of the metal box 14 corresponding to each of the storage spaces 13A, 13B, 13C, it may be one or other arrangement as a whole. I do not care.

  Reference Example 3 is shown in FIGS. The reference example 3 is a modification of the information reading system 16 in which the partition plate 15 is removed from the metal box 14 of the information reading system 16 according to the reference example 2 to obtain the metal box 17. An identification object group PG in which a plurality of identification objects P are stacked is mounted on the inner bottom surface 17A of the metal box 17 of the information reading system 18 according to Reference Example 3, and the identification object group PG is applied to the reflection surface 17a. A turntable 19 is provided for relative rotation.

  In this case, since the reflecting surface 17a is arranged around the identification target object group PG, as described above, the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 11A is directly applied to each IC tag 3 attached to the identification target object group PG. Alternatively, it can be reached via the reflecting surface 17a. As a result, even when radio waves cannot reach the IC tag 3 directly, identification information can be efficiently acquired.

  Further, when the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 11A cannot reach the IC tag 3 directly or by reflection by the reflecting surface 17a, the rotary table 19 is rotated. As a result, the relative positions of the antenna 11A, the reflection surface 17a, and the IC tag 3 can be displaced, and radio waves can reach the IC tag 3 to efficiently acquire identification information. Can be played.

1,10 Reflector 1a, 10a, 11a, 17a Reflective surface (metal surface)
2A, 2B, 11A Antenna 3 IC tag (non-contact information recording medium)
5 Lifter (moving body)
11, 16, 18 Information reading system 11B, 14, 17 Metal box (reflector)
11C Vibration means

Claims (9)

An information reading system for reading the identification information from an identification object attached with a non-contact information recording medium on which identification information is recorded,
An antenna that transmits and receives radio waves to read the identification information;
A metal box in which the antenna is fixed and the identification object can be stored inside;
Displacement means provided in the metal box for relatively displacing the positional relationship between the antenna and the identification object;
With
The metal box is
A main body formed with an opening for taking the identification object into and out of the metal box;
A lid for closing the opening;
Have
The information reading system, wherein an inner surface of the metal box reflects a radio wave transmitted from the antenna or a radio wave transmitted from a non-contact information recording medium that has received the radio wave.   The information reading system according to claim 1, wherein the displacing means is a vibrating means that is fixed to the metal box and vibrates the metal box. The information reading system according to claim 1 or 2,
At least one partition plate is attached inside the metal box,
In the metal box, a plurality of storage spaces in which the identification objects are stored are formed by the at least one partition plate. The information reading system according to claim 3,
The partition plate is a plate member that transmits UHF band waves,
The information reading system, wherein the antenna is arranged at one place in the metal box. The information reading system according to claim 3,
The partition plate is a plate member that shields UHF band waves,
A plurality of the antennas are provided and installed in each of the storage spaces in the metal box. The information reading system according to claim 2,
At least one partition plate is attached inside the metal box,
In the metal box, a plurality of storage spaces in which the identification objects are stored are formed by the at least one partition plate,
The information reading system, wherein the vibration means is arranged in one place in the metal box. The information reading system according to claim 2,
At least one partition plate is attached inside the metal box,
In the metal box, a plurality of storage spaces in which the identification objects are stored are formed by the at least one partition plate,
An information reading system, wherein a plurality of the vibration means are provided and arranged in each of the storage spaces in the metal box. The information reading system according to claim 1,
An information reading system in which the identification object is placed inside the metal box and moving means for moving the identification object in the metal box is provided. The information reading system according to claim 8,
The moving means is a rotary table provided on the inner bottom surface of the metal box,
The rotation table has a mounting surface on which the identification object is mounted, and rotates around a single axis orthogonal to the mounting surface.

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