JP3910784B2 - tag - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tag incorporating an integrated circuit. Specifically, the present invention relates to a tag that outputs information when the tag is broken.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional tag with an integrated circuit built therein stores information such as a price in the integrated circuit and returns the information as a response radio wave.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a conventional tag 200 and an interrogator 210. The tag 200 includes a receiving antenna 220, an integrated circuit 230, a transmitting antenna 240, a packaging material substrate 250, and a packaging material cover 260.
[0003]
The interrogator 210 is a device for extracting information stored in the integrated circuit from the tag 200 (hereinafter referred to as storage information. The normal storage information is information that can uniquely identify the tag). The receiving antenna 220 is a receiving antenna for receiving radio waves from the interrogator 210.
The integrated circuit 230 is an integrated circuit that stores stored information, demodulates and analyzes a radio wave from the interrogator 210, and outputs a radio wave signal (hereinafter referred to as response radio wave) modulated with the stored information. The transmission antenna 240 is a transmission antenna for sending a response radio wave from the tag 200 to the interrogator 210. The packaging material substrate 250 is a substrate on which the transmission antenna 220 and the integrated circuit 230 transmission antenna 240 which are internal components of the tag 200 are installed. The packaging material cover 260 is a cover for storing the internal components of the tag 200.
[0004]
Next, the operation of the conventional tag will be described.
First, radio waves are transmitted from the interrogator 210 to the tag 200. Next, when the tag 200 is located at a distance where radio waves can be obtained from the interrogator 210, the reception antenna 220 receives the radio waves from the interrogator 210 and transmits them to the integrated circuit 230. The integrated circuit 230 demodulates and analyzes the radio wave from the interrogator 210 and outputs a response radio wave to the transmission antenna 240. The integrated circuit 230 extracts the stored information inside the tag 200 by receiving, demodulating, and analyzing the response radio wave.
Such a conventional tag is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-315081.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional tag returns a response radio wave when the tag is operating normally. However, when the tag is broken (damage or failure), it simply does not transmit the response radio wave. This has the problem that the tag cannot be distinguished from the case where the tag goes out of the response range from the interrogator.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the tag that sends the stored unique identification information to the interrogator,
Means for connecting the tag to the article, detection means for detecting that the tag is disconnected from the article, and means for transmitting information detected by the detection means to the interrogator,
As a means for connecting the tag to the article, a sheet-like conductor and an adhesive sheet are used, and as the detection means, means for detecting disconnection of the conductor, and memorizing that the conductor is disconnected when the conductor is disconnected. The above-described problem can be solved by including a storage unit that stores information and a unit that always notifies the interrogator that a disconnection occurs when the storage unit stores a disconnection.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a structural cross-sectional view of a tag according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The tag 100 includes a receiving antenna 120, an integrated circuit 130, a transmitting antenna 140, a packaging material substrate 150, a packaging material cover 160, a conductive wire 170, and a portion (hereinafter referred to as an entry area 180) in which information in a visible state can be written. Has been.
[0008]
FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the tag 100 according to the first embodiment.
The tag 100 includes a conductive wire 300, a disconnection detection circuit 310, a power supply circuit 320, a response circuit 330, a reception antenna 340, and a transmission antenna 350. The power supply circuit 320 rectifies the radio wave from the interrogator 110 and obtains a DC voltage as a power supply for the tag 100. In FIG. 3, the line connecting the power supply circuit 320 to the disconnection detection circuit 310 and the line connecting the power supply circuit 320 to the response circuit 330 indicate power supply lines.
The response circuit 330 outputs a response radio wave different from that before disconnection from the transmission antenna 350 while the disconnection detection circuit 310 detects disconnection of the conducting wire 300.
The integrated circuit 130 includes a circuit (and necessary wiring) including a disconnection detection circuit 310, a power supply circuit 320, and a response circuit 330.
[0009]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of the tag according to the first embodiment.
As the product 410 as an example of goods, for example, clothing or the like can be considered. The tag 100 is suspended from the product 410 by passing the conducting wire 170 of the tag 100 through the product 410. The interrogator 110 and the tag 100 are installed in a range where radio waves can be transmitted and received.
[0010]
Next, the operation in the tag 100 of the first embodiment will be described.
It is assumed that the conductive wire 170 (conductive wire 300 in FIG. 3) shown in FIG. 1 is cut. At this time, when the tag 100 is located at a distance from which the radio wave is obtained from the interrogator 110, the disconnection detection circuit 310 shown in FIG. 3 is activated, and the response circuit 330 transmits a response different from that before disconnection through the transmission antenna 350. Send the signal to the outside. The response radio wave is received by an external interrogator 110 or a reception device (not shown) dedicated to the response radio wave. Therefore, it is possible to immediately detect which tag 100 has the conductor 170 cut.
[0011]
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the operation focusing on the response radio wave transmission of the tag 100.
First, when the conducting wire 170 of the tag 100 is connected, the tag 100 transmits a normal response radio wave. (Step 520)
Next, it is determined whether the conducting wire 170 of the tag 100 is cut (step 510). When the conducting wire 170 of the tag 100 is disconnected, a response radio wave indicating disconnection is transmitted (step 530).
[0012]
In the said embodiment, it is set as the structure which passed the thin copper wire in the synthetic resin with few elastic changes, for example. When the conductor wires having this structure are cut, only the cross sections of the copper wires become electrical contacts in order to reconnect them, so the cross sections of the copper wires must be connected to each other. In such a case, it is difficult to connect the wires again in a short time compared to the case where the conducting wire is composed of only a copper wire. In this way, the conductive wires are made difficult to reconnect in a short time.
[0013]
In the above-described embodiment, the product is an example of the product. However, as another product, the product can be used as a seal management system through a lead wire in a seal of a safe or the like.
[0014]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the first embodiment, the response radio wave is changed depending on whether the conducting wire 170 is physically disconnected. In the second embodiment, whether or not the conductor 170 has been disconnected during energization is stored, and the response radio wave is changed by this storage. In other words, if the conductor 600 is disconnected even once during energization, the tag 600 always transmits a response radio wave indicating the disconnection.
[0015]
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional structure diagram of a tag 600 according to the second embodiment. The tag 600 includes a receiving antenna 120, an integrated circuit 630, a transmitting antenna 140, a packaging material substrate 150, a packaging material cover 160, a male side conductor 620, a female side conductor 610, and an entry area 180.
Here, the integrated circuit 630 includes a circuit (and necessary wiring) including a disconnection detection circuit 310, a power supply circuit 320, and a response circuit 1310.
For the connector of the male side conductor 620 and the female side conductor 610, for example, a connector terminal having a structure in which a male connector terminal is inserted into a female connector terminal is used. Moreover, it is set as the structure which supplies with electricity to a conducting wire by inserting a male side connector terminal in a female side connector terminal. When a part of the male side conductor 620 and the female side conductor 610 is disconnected, these conductors are not energized (hereinafter, this state is referred to as “disconnected”).
[0016]
Next, the integrated circuit 630 incorporates a programmable ROM such as a fuse ROM. This programmable ROM memorizes if a disconnection occurs when the radio wave operable by the tag 600 is located at a distance obtained from the interrogator 110.
[0017]
FIG. 13 shows a circuit diagram of a tag 600 according to the second embodiment.
The male side conductor 620, the female side conductor 610, the disconnection detection circuit 310, the power supply circuit 320, the response circuit 1310, the reception antenna 340, and the transmission antenna 350 are configured. The power supply circuit 320 rectifies radio waves from the interrogator 110 and obtains a DC voltage as a power supply for the tag 600. Note that a line connecting the power supply circuit 320 and the disconnection detection circuit 310 and a line to the response circuit 1310 in FIG. 3 indicate power supply lines.
Unlike the response circuit 330 of the first embodiment, the response circuit 1310 incorporates the programmable ROM. When the tag 600 is located at a distance where radio waves can be obtained from the interrogator 110, when the disconnection detection circuit 310 detects disconnection, the response circuit 1310 stores the disconnection. Thereafter, even if the disconnection is resolved by connecting the conductors again, a response radio wave different from that before the disconnection is output from the transmission antenna 350.
[0018]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of a tag according to the second embodiment.
The product 410 may be, for example, clothing. The tag 600 is suspended from the product 410 by passing the male-side conductor 620 and the female-side conductor 610 of the tag 600 through the product 410. The interrogator 110 and the tag 600 are installed in a range where radio waves can be transmitted and received.
[0019]
Next, the operation in the tag 600 of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 shows a tag operation flowchart. A case where the tag 600 is located at a distance where radio waves can be obtained from the interrogator 110 will be described.
First, it is checked whether or not the disconnection is stored in the response circuit 1310 (step 710).
If the disconnection is stored, the response circuit 1310 transmits a disconnection response radio wave to the outside through the transmission antenna 350 (step 740). The response radio wave is received by the interrogator 110.
[0020]
Next, a case where no disconnection is stored in step 710 will be described.
The response circuit 1310 checks the disconnection through the disconnection detection circuit 310 (step 720).
If disconnection is not detected in step 720, the response circuit 1310 transmits a normal response radio wave to the outside through the transmission antenna 350. The interrogator 110 receives the response radio wave and detects that no disconnection has occurred.
[0021]
On the other hand, when disconnection is detected in step 720, the response circuit 1310 stores the disconnection in a programmable ROM in the circuit (step 730). The response circuit 1310 transmits a disconnection response radio wave to the outside through the transmission antenna 350 (step 740). The interrogator 110 receives the response radio wave and detects that a disconnection has occurred.
That is, once the disconnection is stored in the programmable ROM in the circuit of the response circuit 1310, the response circuit 1310 continues to output only the response radio wave different from that before the disconnection through the transmission antenna 350.
[0022]
In the second embodiment, if a disconnection occurs when the tag 600 is located at a distance where radio waves can be obtained from the interrogator 110, the disconnection is stored. The response radio wave is changed by this memory. If tag 600 stores a disconnection even once during energization, tag 600 always transmits a response radio wave indicating the disconnection thereafter.
As a result, it is possible to prevent an injustice such as cutting the lead wire of the tag 600 and removing it once from the product and replacing it with another product.
[0023]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the second embodiment, when the tag 600 is separated to a distance at which radio waves cannot be obtained from the interrogator 110 and the connection between the male side conductor 620 and the female side conductor 610 is disconnected, the interrogator 110 detects the disconnection. I couldn't. Further, in this case, the tag 600 could not store in the response circuit 1310 that the conducting wire was disconnected.
[0024]
In the third embodiment, as a method for solving this problem, the power of the tag is not obtained from the radio wave of the interrogator 110 but from the battery built in the tag 800 itself. As a result, even if the tag 800 is at a distance where the radio wave from the interrogator 110 cannot be obtained, the tag 800 can store the disconnection in the integrated circuit 630 and can obtain the radio wave from the interrogator 110 later. In some cases, the interrogator 110 can detect disconnection of the conductor of the tag 800.
[0025]
FIG. 8 shows a sectional structural view of a tag 800 according to the third embodiment. The tag 800 includes a receiving antenna 120, an integrated circuit 630, a transmitting antenna 140, a packaging material substrate 150, a packaging material cover 160, a male side conductor 620, a female side conductor 610, an entry area 180, and a battery 810. Here, the integrated circuit 630 includes a circuit (and necessary wiring) including the disconnection detection circuit 310, the power supply circuit 320, and the response circuit 1310, as in the second embodiment.
For the connectors of the male side conductor 620 and the female side conductor 610, for example, a connector terminal having a structure in which a male connector terminal is inserted into a female connector terminal is used. Moreover, it is set as the structure which supplies with electricity to these conducting wires by inserting a male side connector terminal in a female side connector terminal. When the male connector terminal is not inserted into the female connector terminal, or when a part of the male conductor 620 and the female conductor 610 is disconnected, these conductors are not energized (hereinafter, this state is referred to as “disconnected”). Called).
[0026]
Next, the integrated circuit 630 incorporates a programmable ROM such as a fuse ROM. This programmable ROM memorizes when a male wire 620 and a female wire 610 are connected and a disconnection occurs during energization.
[0027]
FIG. 9 shows a circuit diagram of a tag 800 according to the third embodiment.
The male side conductor 620, the female side conductor 610, the disconnection detection circuit 310, the battery 910, the response circuit 1310, the reception antenna 340, and the transmission antenna 350 are configured. Note that a line connecting the battery 910 and the disconnection detection circuit 310 and a line to the response circuit 330 in FIG. 9 indicate power supply lines.
The response circuit 1310 incorporates a programmable ROM as in the second embodiment, stores this when the disconnection detection circuit 310 detects the disconnection, and thereafter disconnects the disconnection even if the disconnection is resolved by connecting the conductors again. A response radio wave different from the previous one is output from the transmission antenna 350.
[0028]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of a tag according to the third embodiment.
The product 410 may be, for example, clothing. The tag 800 is suspended from the product 410 by passing the male side conductor 620 and the female side conductor 610 of the tag 800 through the product 410.
[0029]
Next, the operation in the tag 800 of the third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 10 shows an operation flowchart of the tag 800. First, it is checked whether or not the response circuit 1310 stores the disconnection (step 1001).
If the disconnection is stored, the response circuit 1310 transmits a disconnection response radio wave to the outside through the transmission antenna 350 (step 1005). The response radio wave is received by the interrogator 110.
[0030]
If the disconnection is not stored in step 1001, the response circuit 1310 checks the disconnection through the disconnection detection circuit 310 (step 1002).
[0031]
If disconnection is not detected by the disconnection detection circuit 310, the response circuit 1310 transmits a normal response radio wave to the outside through the transmission antenna 350 (step 1003). The interrogator 110 receives the response radio wave and detects that no disconnection has occurred.
When disconnection is confirmed by the disconnection detection circuit 310 in step 1002, the response circuit 1310 stores the disconnection in a programmable ROM in the circuit (step 1004). Next, when the disconnection is stored in the programmable ROM in the circuit, the response circuit 1310 continues to output only the response radio wave different from that before the disconnection through the transmission antenna 350 (step 1005). The interrogator 110 receives the response radio wave and detects that a disconnection has occurred.
[0032]
In the third embodiment, the power of the tag 800 is obtained not from the interrogator 110 but from the battery 810 built in the tag 800.
Thereby, for example, even if the tag 800 cannot obtain radio waves from the interrogator 110, the tag 800 can store the disconnection. Later, when radio waves can be obtained from the interrogator 110, the interrogator 110 can detect disconnection of the tag 800. Therefore, fraud can be further prevented.
[0033]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the above-described embodiment, the tag is attached to the product using a string-like lead wire. In other words, if it was a product that could pass a string, the tag could be easily attached. However, for example, a tag cannot be easily attached to a product packaged in vinyl or the like.
[0034]
In the fourth embodiment, as a method for solving this problem, a sheet-like conductor is used instead of the string-like conductor. For example, it is set as the structure where a conducting wire is cut | disconnected by inserting a sheet-like conducting wire into an adhesive sheet (henceforth an adhesive sheet) and breaking an adhesive sheet.
[0035]
FIG. 11 is a sectional structural view of a tag 1100 according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of a tag 1100 according to the fourth embodiment.
The tag 1100 includes a reception antenna 120, an integrated circuit 130, a transmission antenna 140, a packaging material substrate 150, a packaging material cover 160, a conductive wire 1110, an entry area 180, and an adhesive sheet 1120.
The conducting wire 1110 is in contact with the packaging material cover 160. An adhesive sheet 1120 is bonded onto the conducting wire 1110.
[0036]
The transmission antenna 140 is a transmission antenna 140 for sending a response radio wave from the tag 1100 to the interrogator 110. The packaging material substrate 150 is a substrate on which the receiving antenna 120, the integrated circuit 130, and the transmitting antenna 140, which are internal components of the tag, are installed. The packaging material cover 160 is a cover for storing the internal components of the tag. The adhesive sheet 1120 has different adhesive strengths on the front and back sides, and the adhesive strength on the packaging material cover 160 side is weak.
[0037]
Next, the operation of the tag 1100 of the fourth embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12, the tag 1100 is bonded to the product 410 with the adhesive sheet 1120. At this time, when the tag 1100 is to be peeled off from the product 410, the adhesive sheet 1120 remains on the product side because the adhesive force on the packaging material cover 160 side is weakened.
The strength of the conductive wire 1110 is set to be weak enough to be easily cut when a force for peeling the conductive wire 1110 from the adhesive sheet 1120 is applied.
That is, when the tag 1100 is peeled off from the product 410, the conducting wire 1110 inserted in the adhesive sheet is cut off to the adhesive sheet 1120 side. Therefore, disconnection of the conducting wire 1110 occurs.
[0038]
As described above, the tag 1100 according to the fourth embodiment can be used for various products because the tag 1100 can be attached without passing the conductor through the product.
The fourth embodiment can also be used for the tags of the first to third embodiments.
[0039]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the first and fourth embodiments, the DC voltage obtained by rectifying the interrogation signal has been described as a power source for the tag as a modification, but a battery may be incorporated and used as a power source.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, transmission of memory | storage information showed the case of the electromagnetic wave. However, the method using electromagnetic induction or infrared rays is not limited to radio waves.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although disconnection of the conducting wire was detected, as long as it is a means which implement | achieves a switching function, another means may be sufficient.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the response circuit incorporated the programmable ROM, this can also be simply made into RAM. In that case, when the tag cannot obtain an operable radio wave from the interrogator 110, the memory disappears.
[0040]
In the above-described embodiment, the commodity is an example of the article. However, as another article, it can be used as a seal management system by sticking an adhesive sheet to a seal of a safe or the like.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above, according to the method that the interrogator can detect that the conducting wire of the present invention has been cut, when attaching a tag to a product as a price tag, the customer pays a small amount by changing the price tag, However, it is possible to detect and prevent fraud in which a price tag (tag) is removed from a product for the purpose of shoplifting and the product is taken away.
It can also be used as a seal management system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional structure diagram of a tag according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional tag and an interrogator.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a tag according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of a tag according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a tag according to the first or fourth embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a sectional structural view of a tag according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of tag operations according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional structure diagram of a tag according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a tag according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of tag operations according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a sectional structural view of a tag according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of a tag according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of a tag according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of a tag according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of a tag according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 200, 600, 800, 1100 tags
110, 210 Interrogator
120, 220 receiving antenna
130, 230, 630 integrated circuits
140, 240 Transmit antenna
150, 250 Packaging material substrate
160, 260 Packaging material cover
170, 300, 1100 conductor
310 Disconnection detection circuit
320 Power supply circuit
330, 1310 Response circuit
340 receive antenna
350 Transmit antenna
410 items
610 female conductor
620 Male conductor
910 battery
1120 Adhesive sheet

Claims (3)

In the tag that sends the stored unique identification information to the interrogator,
Means for connecting the tag to the article, detection means for detecting that the tag is disconnected from the article, and means for transmitting information detected by the detection means to the interrogator,
As a means for connecting the tag to the article, a sheet-like conductor and an adhesive sheet are used, and as the detection means, means for detecting disconnection of the conductor, and memorizing that the conductor is disconnected when the conductor is disconnected. And a means for always informing the interrogator that a disconnection has occurred when the storage means stores a disconnection. 2. The tag according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive sheet is an adhesive sheet having different adhesive strengths between the front and back surfaces in which the sheet-like conductor is inserted. The tag according to claim 2, wherein the sheet-like conducting wire has a strength to break when it is peeled off from the adhesive sheet.

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