JP5220661B2 - Article information reading apparatus, article information reading equipment, and mobile object information reading apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an article information reading apparatus, an article information reading facility, and a mobile object information reading apparatus that read information stored in a wireless tag.

There has been proposed an information management system for managing an article by attaching a wireless tag to an article handled in a factory or a warehouse.
The wireless tag used in such an information management system stores information corresponding to the application. Then, information stored in the wireless tag can be read or new information can be written in the wireless tag by an information reading device having a wireless communication function.

  There are an electromagnetic induction method and a radio wave method for transmitting information. In the electromagnetic induction system, energy and signals are transmitted by magnetically coupling a coil as an antenna and a coil of a wireless tag. In the radio wave system, energy and signals are transmitted by exchanging radio waves between an antenna and a wireless tag.

  Since the electromagnetic induction method can transmit energy more efficiently than the radio wave method, it has been developed and popularized, but the communicable distance is very small and is about several tens of centimeters. On the other hand, since the radio wave method radiates and transmits radio waves to space, the communicable distance is larger than that of the electromagnetic induction method, but the reading rate decreases as the communication distance increases.

  As shown in FIG. 27, in the article management apparatus of Patent Document 1, an IC tag 304 is added to an article 302 stored in a movable shelf 300. In addition, an antenna 306 as a means for receiving and transmitting radio waves exchanged with the IC tag 304 is provided inside the display cabinet 308. Then, a radio wave is transmitted from the antenna 306, and the radio wave transmitted from the IC tag 304 of the article 302 that has received the radio wave is received by the antenna 306, whereby information stored in the IC tag 304 can be read. .

However, in the article management apparatus of Patent Document 1, the antenna 306 is arranged farther than the reading rate of the IC tag 304 attached to the article 302 arranged near the antenna 306 as a means for receiving and transmitting radio waves. There is a concern that the reading rate of the IC tag 304 attached to the article 302 that is being used will be low.
That is, it is difficult to secure a desired electric field strength in the entire area in the space where the article 302 is placed and the information of the IC tag 304 is read (hereinafter referred to as “information management space”).

  Further, when the number of antennas 306 is increased to improve the reading rate of the IC tag 304 attached to the article 302 disposed far from the antenna 306, the equipment cost increases.

  These problems are also a concern in an information management system that reads information on a wireless tag by allowing a mobile object such as an article or a person equipped with the wireless tag to pass through a gate-shaped management device.

JP 2008-254865 A

  In consideration of such facts, the present invention can ensure a desired electric field strength in the entire information management space for reading information stored in a wireless tag, and can provide a low-cost article information reading apparatus and article information reading apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide equipment and a mobile information reader.

The invention according to claim 1 is an information management space for storing an article provided with a wireless tag storing information, and a waveguide disposed adjacent to or in the information management space. A plurality of radio wave entrances formed in the waveguide and opening toward the information management space; radio wave transmission means for transmitting radio waves into the waveguide; radio wave reception means for receiving radio waves from within the waveguide; The radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitting means is reflected toward the information management space through the radio wave entrance and exits, and the radio wave transmitted from the radio tag and radiated from the radio wave entrance and exit into the waveguide is received by the radio wave receiving means. a reflector for reflecting the a passage portion that during or provided on the reflector spend radio waves through the thickness direction of the reflection plate and the inner wall and the reflective plate of the waveguide, the electric wave receiving means Having an information reading means for reading the received radio wave as information.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the waveguide is arranged adjacent to the information management space for storing the article or in the information management space. The article is provided with a wireless tag storing information.

  The article information reading apparatus has radio wave transmission means and radio wave reception means. The radio wave transmitting means transmits radio waves into the waveguide, and the radio wave receiving means receives radio waves from within the waveguide. The radio wave received by the radio wave receiving means is read as information by the information reading means.

A plurality of radio wave entrances opening toward the information management space are formed in the waveguide. Radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitting means is reflected toward through Telecommunications entrance to the information management space by the reflector. Further, the radio wave radiated toward the radio doorway is transmitted from the wireless tag to the waveguide is reflected towards the electric wave receiving means by a reflection plate. Between the inner wall of the waveguide and the reflector, or in the reflector, passes through portions are provided that spend radio waves through the thickness direction of the reflector.

The radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmission means into the waveguide propagates through the waveguide and is guided to the radio wave entrance / exit, the reflection plate , or the passage.
The radio wave guided to the radio wave entrance is radiated from the radio wave entrance to the information management space. The radio wave guided to the reflector is reflected towards through Telecommunications entrance to the information management space by the reflecting plate is radiated to the information management space. Further, the radio wave guided to the passing portion propagates again through the waveguide through the passing portion, and is guided to the next radio wave entrance / exit, the reflecting plate , or the passing portion.
Since the radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmission means propagates in the waveguide, the radio wave can be guided to a radio wave entrance / exit, a reflection plate , or a passage portion that is far from the radio wave transmission means.

  Therefore, the amount of radio wave radiation to the information management space can be increased by radiating radio waves from the plurality of radio wave entrances to the information management space. In addition, radio waves radiated from the plurality of radio wave entrances to the information management space are propagated in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in the information management space. Thereby, the radio wave is propagated to the entire information management space.

The radio wave transmitted from the radio tag that has received the radio wave radiated from the radio wave entrance to the information management space is radiated from the radio wave entrance to the inside of the waveguide. Radio wave radiated from the radio wave entrance into the waveguide is reflected towards the electric wave receiving means by the reflection plate and received by the radio wave receiving means. The radio wave received by the radio wave receiving means is read by the information reading means as information on the wireless tag (article).

  As a result, the article information reader can secure a desired radio wave intensity in the entire information management space with a small number of radio wave transmission means and radio wave reception means. Therefore, the reading rate of the wireless tag can be improved and the cost can be reduced without being affected by the communication distance between the radio wave transmitting unit and the radio wave receiving unit and the wireless tag.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information management space is surrounded by a radio wave reflection layer that reflects radio waves.

  In the invention described in claim 2, since the information management space is surrounded by a radio wave reflection layer that reflects radio waves, radio waves radiated from the radio wave entrance to the information management space are prevented from diffusing outside the information management space. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign radio waves from entering the information management space from the outside of the information management space.

  For example, when two article information reading devices are arranged close to each other, radio waves transmitted from a wireless tag provided in an article stored in the information management space of one article information reading device are read from the other article information reading device. It is possible to prevent the radio wave receiving means provided in the apparatus from receiving by mistake.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an opening is formed in a side surface of the information management space, and the information management space is opened to the outside by the opening.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the opening for opening the information management space to the outside is formed on the side surface of the information management space, articles can be taken into and out of the information management space.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a movable shelf that accommodates the article can enter and exit the information management space from the opening.

  In the invention according to the fourth aspect, the articles are stored in the mobile shelf, and the shelves can enter and leave the information management space. Therefore, the articles can be managed in units of groups (shelves). In addition, articles can be moved in batches in units of groups.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a radio wave absorbing layer that absorbs radio waves is formed on the peripheral edge of the opening.

  In the invention according to claim 5, since the radio wave absorbing layer that absorbs radio waves is formed at the opening peripheral edge of the opening, the radio wave diffusing from the vicinity of the opening to the outside of the information management space is absorbed by the radio wave absorbing layer. be able to. Thereby, the sensing range by a radio wave transmission means and a radio wave reception means can be limited.

  In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a radio wave absorbing layer that absorbs radio waves is formed on the inner wall of the information management space facing the opening.

  In the invention described in claim 6, radio waves that are reflected on the inner wall of the information management space facing the opening and diffused from the opening to the outside of the information management space are absorbed by the radio wave absorption layer formed on the inner wall. Can do. Thereby, the sensing range by a radio wave transmission means and a radio wave reception means can be limited.

  In the invention according to claim 7, the opening area of the passage portion is sequentially reduced as the distance from the radio wave transmission means increases.

  In the invention according to claim 7, by increasing the opening area of the passage portion in order as the distance from the radio wave transmission means increases, the number of radio waves passing through the passage portion arranged on the side closer to the radio wave transmission means is increased, and the radio wave transmission is performed. The influence of the decrease in radio wave propagation efficiency due to the distance from the means is reduced. As a result, radio waves can be propagated uniformly throughout the entire waveguide.

  In the invention according to claim 8, one waveguide is arranged so as to be adjacent to the plurality of information management spaces, and the radio wave entrance is opened toward each information management space.

In the invention described in claim 8, one waveguide is disposed adjacent to a plurality of information management spaces. A plurality of radio wave entrances / exits formed in one waveguide open to a plurality of information management spaces, respectively.
Therefore, the articles stored in the plurality of information management spaces can be managed by a small number of radio wave transmitting means and radio wave receiving means.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the waveguide is a rectangle, and the length of each side of the rectangle is 1/2 or more of the wavelength of the radio wave.

In the invention described in claim 9, the cross-sectional shape of the waveguide is rectangular. The length of each side of the rectangle is ½ or more of the wavelength of the radio wave.
Generally, in order to pass a circularly polarized radio wave (wavelength λ) through a waveguide having a rectangular cross section of a × b, the conditions of (a ≧ λ / 2) and (b ≧ λ / 2) are satisfied. There is a need. Therefore, if the cross-sectional shape of the waveguide is rectangular, and the length of each side of the rectangle is ½ or more of the wavelength of the radio wave, the minimum necessary size that allows the circularly polarized radio wave to pass therethrough. A waveguide having a cross-sectional shape of ((a ≧ λ / 2) and (b ≧ λ / 2)) can be formed.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the waveguide is a straight pipe.

In the invention described in claim 10, by making the waveguide a straight tube, the waveguide can be easily manufactured, and the manufacturing cost can be kept low.
Further, when the waveguide is a curved pipe having a corner portion, it is conceivable that radio wave attenuation is caused at the corner portion. However, the straight pipe waveguide is efficient without causing such radio wave attenuation. A radio wave can be propagated well in a waveguide.

  The invention described in claim 11 is an article information reading facility in which a plurality of article information reading devices according to claim 10 are arranged in combination.

  In the invention described in claim 11, a wide sensing range by the radio wave transmitting means and the radio wave receiving means can be secured by arranging a plurality of article information reading devices in combination.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information management space through which a mobile body provided with a wireless tag storing information passes, and a waveguide disposed adjacent to or in the information management space A plurality of radio wave entrances formed in the waveguide and opening toward the information management space; radio wave transmission means for transmitting radio waves into the waveguide; and radio wave reception means for receiving radio waves from within the waveguide; The radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitting means is reflected toward the information management space through the radio wave entrance / exit, and the radio wave transmitted from the radio tag and emitted from the radio wave entrance / exit into the waveguide is received by the radio wave. a reflector for reflecting the means, the waveguide inner walls and the reflective plate between or the that spend radio waves through the thickness direction of the reflective plate provided on the reflecting plate passing portion, the radio wave receiving Having an information reading means for reading the electric wave received by the stage as information.

  In the invention described in claim 12, the waveguide is disposed adjacent to or in the information management space through which the moving body passes. The mobile body is provided with a wireless tag storing information.

  The mobile body information reading apparatus has radio wave transmission means and radio wave reception means. The radio wave transmitting means transmits radio waves into the waveguide, and the radio wave receiving means receives radio waves from within the waveguide. The radio wave received by the radio wave receiving means is read as information by the information reading means.

A plurality of radio wave entrances opening toward the information management space are formed in the waveguide. Radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitting means is reflected toward through Telecommunications entrance to the information management space by the reflector. Further, the radio wave radiated toward the radio doorway is transmitted from the wireless tag to the waveguide is reflected towards the electric wave receiving means by a reflection plate. A passage portion through which radio waves pass is provided between the inner wall of the waveguide and the reflecting plate , or in the reflecting plate .

The radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmission means into the waveguide propagates through the waveguide and is guided to the radio wave entrance / exit, the reflection plate , or the passage.
The radio wave guided to the radio wave entrance is radiated from the radio wave entrance to the information management space. The radio wave guided to the reflector is reflected towards through Telecommunications entrance to the information management space by the reflecting plate is radiated to the information management space. Further, the radio wave guided to the passing portion propagates again through the waveguide through the passing portion, and is guided to the next radio wave entrance / exit, the reflecting plate , or the passing portion.
Since the radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmission means propagates in the waveguide, the radio wave can be guided to a radio wave entrance / exit, a reflection plate , or a passage portion that is far from the radio wave transmission means.

  Therefore, the amount of radio wave radiation to the information management space can be increased by radiating radio waves from the plurality of radio wave entrances to the information management space. In addition, radio waves radiated from the plurality of radio wave entrances to the information management space are propagated in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in the information management space. Thereby, the radio wave is propagated to the entire information management space.

The radio wave transmitted from the radio tag that has received the radio wave radiated from the radio wave entrance to the information management space is radiated from the radio wave entrance to the inside of the waveguide. Radio wave radiated from the radio wave entrance into the waveguide is reflected towards the electric wave receiving means by the reflection plate and received by the radio wave receiving means. The radio wave received by the radio wave receiving means is read by the information reading means as information on the wireless tag (article).

As a result, the mobile information reading apparatus can secure a desired radio wave intensity in the entire information management space with a small number of radio wave transmission means and radio wave reception means. Therefore, the reading rate of the wireless tag can be improved and the cost can be reduced without being affected by the communication distance between the radio wave transmitting unit and the radio wave receiving unit and the wireless tag.
In addition, since the mobile body information reading apparatus can increase the reading rate of the wireless tag, the mobile body information reading apparatus can be reliably read the information of the wireless tag that is provided in the mobile body and moves together with the mobile body.

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to secure a desired electric field strength in the entire information management space for reading information stored in the wireless tag, and a low-cost article information reading apparatus and article information reading apparatus. Equipment and a mobile information reader can be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an article information reading device and a shelf according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view and side view which show the shelf which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an article information reading device and a shelf according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an AA arrow line view of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the article information reading apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a waveguide according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view and side view which show the waveguide which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the antenna and reader / writer apparatus which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the waveguide concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, and its modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the waveguide which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reflection loss with respect to the electromagnetic wave which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of the waveguide which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the article information reading apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the article information reading apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the mobile body information reading apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the mobile body information reader which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the modification of the article information reading apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the modification of the article information reading apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the article information reading equipment which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the experimental method which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the simulation model which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the simulation model which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a distribution map which shows the simulation result which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the simulation model which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the simulation model which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a distribution map which shows the simulation result which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional article management apparatus.

The article information reading apparatus, article information reading facility, and mobile object information reading apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment is adjacent to an information management space S for storing a mobile shelf 14 in which articles 12 are stored, and the information management space S. And a waveguide 16 as a waveguide disposed so as to be fitted with each other.

  As shown in the front view of FIG. 2A and the side view of FIG. 2B, the shelf 14 includes shelf plates 18A to 18D (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D from the bottom to the top of the shelf 14). It is a general shelf structure on which the articles 12 are placed almost horizontally.

The shelf boards 18A-18D are formed of rigid urethane foam, and the left and right ends of the shelf boards 18A-18D are supported by the beam members 20A-20D, 22A-22D.
The left and right ends of the beam members 20A to 20E are respectively joined to the column members 24C and 24B standing substantially vertically, and the left and right ends of the beam members 22A to 22E are joined to the column members 24A and 24D standing substantially vertically, respectively. Has been. That is, the shelf boards 18A to 18D are supported by the column members 24A to 24D via the beam members 20A to 20D and 22A to 22D.

Beam members 26A to 26E are bridged between the column members 24B and 24A, and left and right ends of the beam members 26A to 26E are joined to the column members 24B and 24A. Further, beam members 28A to 28E are bridged between the column members 24D and 24C, and the left and right ends of the beam members 28A to 28E are joined to the column members 24D and 24C.
The casters 30 are provided at the lower ends of the column members 24A to 24D, whereby the shelf 14 can freely move in the lateral direction.

  The perspective view of FIG. 3 shows a state in which the shelf 14 in which the article 12 is stored is stored in the article information reading apparatus 10. That is, FIG. 3 shows a state where the article 12 is stored in the information management space S.

  Paper square pipes are used for the beam members 20A to 20E, 22A to 22E, 26A to 26E, 28A to 28E, and the column members 24A to 24D. Further, the beam members 20A to 20E, 22A to 22E, 26A to 26E, 28A to 28E, and the column members 24A to 24D are joined by a plastic joint member (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a rectangular parallelepiped article 12 is placed on the shelf boards 18A to 18D. Three articles 12 are stacked and arranged in three stages on the six places on the shelf boards 18B to 18D, and one article 12 is arranged on each of the six places on the shelf board 18A.

  Among the articles 12 arranged in three stages on the shelf boards 18B to 18D, the article 12 is arranged on the first (bottom) and third (top) article 12 and the shelf board 18A. An RFID tag 32 as a wireless tag is provided on the entire surface (six sides) of the article 12 that is being placed.

  The RFID tag 32 is an IC memory having a wireless communication function, and stores information such as an article number, a manufacturer name, a product name, a model number, a production number, and a delivery date of the article 12. The RFID tag 32 includes an antenna (not shown) for receiving a 953 MHz UHF band radio wave and transmitting information stored in the RFID tag 32 as a signal (953 MHz UHF band radio wave). ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, which is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, the article information reading apparatus 10 includes square tubular wall members 34 and 36, plate-like wall members 38 and 40, and plate-like shapes. The ceiling member 42 and the waveguide 16 are configured. The wall members 34, 36, 38, 40 and the ceiling member 42 are made of wood.

  Wall members 34 and 36 are arranged adjacent to each other on the left and right of the waveguide 16, and the waveguide 16 and the wall members 34 and 36 are integrated. In this state, the front surface 16A of the waveguide 16 and the side surfaces 34A, 36A of the wall members 34, 36 are flush with each other to form a wall surface 44.

The wall member 40 is fixed to the wall member 36 so that the wall surface 40A of the wall member 40 is substantially orthogonal to the wall surface 44 in plan view. The wall member 38 is fixed to the wall member 40 so that the wall surface 38A of the wall member 38 is substantially orthogonal to the wall surface 40A of the wall member 40 in plan view. The ceiling member 42 is disposed on the ceiling portion of the article information reading apparatus 10, and is fixed to the wall members 34, 36, 38, and 40 and the upper end portion of the waveguide 16.
Thus, a substantially rectangular space surrounded by the wall surfaces 38A, 40A, 44 and the lower surface 42A of the ceiling member 42 is an information management space S.

  An opening 46 that opens the information management space S to the outside is formed on the side surface of the information management space S facing the wall surface 40 </ b> A of the wall member 40, and the shelf 14 can enter and exit through the opening 46. ing.

  5 (a) when the wall surface 44 is viewed from the front, FIG. 5 (b) when the article information reading device 10 is viewed from the front (the shelf 14 side in FIG. 1), and FIG. 5 (c) when the wall surface 38A is viewed from the front. As shown, the side surface 36A of the wall member 36, a part of the wall surface 40A of the wall member 40 (about 1/7 on the wall member 38 side), and a part of the wall surface 38A of the wall member 38 (about 2 on the wall member 40 side). / 3) and the lower surface 42A of the ceiling member 42 is a radio wave reflection layer R that reflects radio waves. Further, the side surface 34A of the wall member 34, a part of the wall surface 40A of the wall member 40 (about 6/7 on the wall member 36 side), and a part of the wall surface 38A of the wall member 38 (about 1/3 on the opening 46 side). ) Is a radio wave absorption layer Q that absorbs radio waves.

  That is, the information management space S is surrounded by the radio wave reflection layer R that reflects radio waves, and absorbs radio waves on the opening peripheral edge of the opening 46 and the inner wall (wall surface 40A) of the information management space S facing the opening 46. A radio wave absorption layer Q is formed.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 6, the front view of FIG. 7 (a), and the side view of FIG. 7 (b), the waveguide 16 as a waveguide is a rectangular tube-shaped straight tube made of wood. 48 and a conductive covering portion 54 that covers the entire inner peripheral surface of the straight pipe 48. The conductive coating portion 54 is formed of a conductive material having a function of reflecting and shielding a 953 MHz UHF band radio wave.
The cross-sectional shape of the waveguide 16 (straight tube 48) is rectangular. The opening at the upper end of the straight pipe 48 is closed by a ceiling plate 50 whose lower surface is covered with a conductive material.

  One antenna 52 is installed on the lower surface of the ceiling board 50. The radio wave transmission unit and the radio wave reception unit provided in the antenna 52 are disposed downward, and transmit and receive a 953 MHz UHF band radio wave. That is, the antenna 52 serves as both a radio wave transmitting unit that transmits radio waves into the straight tube 48 and a radio wave receiving unit that receives radio waves from within the straight tube 48.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the antenna 52 is connected to a reader / writer device 66 as information reading means, and this reader / writer device 66 is connected to a personal computer 68. The personal computer 68 may be connected to an RFID tag issuer, a server, an information database, and the like as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the shelf 14 is stored in the article information reading device 10, radio waves are transmitted from the radio wave transmission unit of the antenna 52 via the reader / writer device 66 according to a command from the personal computer 68.

  The antenna provided in the RFID tag 32 provided in the article 12 receives this radio wave. The RFID tag 32 converts the energy of the radio wave received by the RFID tag 32 into electric power, and uses this electric power to transmit information stored in the RFID tag 32 as an electric wave from an antenna provided in the RFID tag 32. .

  The radio wave transmitted from the RFID tag 32 is received by the radio wave receiving unit of the antenna 52 in a non-contact manner with the RFID tag 32, and this radio wave is read by the reader / writer device 66 as information by a command from the personal computer 68.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and FIGS. 7A and 7B, a radio wave entrance 56 that opens toward the information management space S is formed in the middle portion in the vertical direction of the waveguide 16. In addition, a radio wave entrance 58 that opens toward the information management space S is formed at the lower part of the waveguide 16 in the vertical direction. That is, the waveguide 16 is formed with a plurality of radio wave entrances 56 and 58 opening toward the information management space S.

As shown in FIG. 7 (b), in the vicinity of radio doorway 56, the anti-radiation plate 60 is internally provided you reflecting radio waves. Thus, the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 52 is reflected toward the information management space S through the radio wave entrance 56 by the reflector 60. In addition, the radio wave transmitted from the RFID tag 32 provided in the article 12 and radiated from the radio wave entrance 56 into the waveguide 16 is reflected toward the antenna 52 by the reflector 60.

  As shown in a side sectional view (upper view) and a plan sectional view (lower view) of FIG. 9A, the inner wall (conductive covering portion 54) of the waveguide 16 and the back of the reflector 60 are shown. A passage portion 62 through which radio waves pass is formed between the end portions.

As shown in FIG. 7 (b), in the vicinity of radio doorway 58, the anti-radiation plate 64 you reflecting radio waves it is internally provided. The reflection plate 64 is disposed so as to close the inside of the waveguide 16.

  Next, the operation and effect of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in the side cross-sectional views of FIGS. 7B and 10A, the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 52 into the waveguide 16 propagates through the waveguide 16, and the radio wave entrance 56 and the reflection plate 60 are transmitted. Or to the passage 62.

  The radio wave guided to the radio wave entrance / exit 56 is radiated from the radio wave entrance / exit 56 to the information management space S (arrow 70A). 10B, the radio wave guided to the reflecting plate 60 is reflected by the reflecting plate 60 toward the information management space S through the radio wave entrance 56, and enters the information management space S. Radiated (arrow 70B). Further, as shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 10C, the radio wave guided to the passage portion 62 propagates again through the waveguide 16 through the passage portion 62, and the next radio wave entrance / exit, reflection member Or, it is guided to the passage part (in the case of FIG. 7B, the radio wave entrance 58 or the reflector 64) (arrow 70C).

  Since the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 52 propagates through the waveguide 16, the radio wave can be guided to the radio wave entrance / exit, the reflection member, or the passage part far from the antenna 52.

  The radio wave that has propagated through the waveguide 16 through the passage portion 62 and led to the radio wave entrance / exit 58 is radiated from the radio wave entrance / exit 58 to the information management space S. In addition, the radio wave propagating through the waveguide 16 through the passage portion 62 and guided to the reflection plate 64 is reflected by the reflection plate 64 toward the information management space S through the radio wave entrance 58 and enters the information management space S. Radiated.

  Therefore, by radiating radio waves from the plurality of radio wave entrances 56 and 58 to the information management space S, the amount of radio wave radiation to the information management space S can be increased. The radio waves radiated from the plurality of radio wave entrances 56 and 58 to the information management space S are propagated in the information management space S in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. As a result, radio waves are propagated to the entire information management space S.

Radio waves transmitted from the RFID tag 32 that have received radio waves radiated from the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 to the information management space S are radiated from the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 into the waveguide 16.
Radio waves radiated into the waveguide 16 from the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 are reflected by the reflectors 60 and 64 toward the antenna 52 and then received by the antenna 52. In the side sectional view of FIG. 10D, the direction (arrow 70D) in which the radio wave reflected toward the antenna 52 by the reflecting plate 60 propagates is shown. As for the reflector 64, the radio wave is reflected toward the antenna 52 as in FIG.

Here, the radio waves radiated into the waveguide 16 from the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 are reflected only in the direction in which the antenna 52 is located (upward in the case of FIG. 10D) by the reflectors 60 and 64. Therefore, radio waves can be reliably received by the antenna 52.
The radio wave received by the antenna 52 is read by the reader / writer device 66 as information of the RFID tag 32 (article 12).

  Accordingly, the article information reading apparatus 10 secures a desired radio wave intensity in the entire area of the information management space S with a small number of radio wave transmission means (radio wave transmission part of the antenna 52) and radio wave reception means (radio wave reception part of the antenna 52). be able to. Therefore, the reading rate of the RFID tag 32 can be improved and the cost can be reduced without being affected by the communication distance between the radio wave transmitting unit and the radio wave receiving unit and the RFID tag 32.

  Here, the reading rate is the number of wireless tags (RFID tags 32) that exist in the information management space S (including cases where they exist temporarily in the information management space S) and are read by the reader / writer device 66. Is the number of wireless tags existing in the information management space S (in the case of the first embodiment, the number of wireless tags existing in the information management space S = the number of RFID tags 32 provided in one article 12 × It means a value divided by the number of articles 12 stored in the information management space S and equipped with the RFID tag 32.

Further, for example, when a plurality of article information reading apparatuses 10 having only one antenna 52 are installed, if a reader / writer apparatus 66 capable of connecting a plurality of antennas 52 is used, a plurality of reader / writer apparatuses 66 can be used. It is possible to correspond to the article information reading apparatus 10.
As a specific example, when a reader / writer device 66 capable of connecting four antennas 52 is used, four article information reading devices 10 having only one antenna 52 can be made to correspond with one reader / writer device 66. it can.

In general, since an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves has directivity, reading rates may vary due to subtle differences in antenna arrangement and installation angle. And this variation tends to occur as the number of antennas increases.
On the other hand, in the article information reading apparatus 10, the number of antennas installed in the article accommodation space S can be reduced, so that variations in reading rate can be reduced.

  Further, since the information management space S is surrounded by the radio wave reflection layer R that reflects radio waves, the radio waves radiated from the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 to the information management space S are diffused to the outside of the information management space S. In addition, it is possible to suppress foreign radio waves from entering the information management space S from the outside of the information management space S.

  For example, when two article information readers 10 are arranged close to each other, radio waves transmitted from the RFID tag 32 provided in the article 12 stored in the information management space S of the one article information reader 10 are The antenna 52 provided in the other article information reading apparatus 10 can be prevented from being received by mistake.

In addition, since the opening 46 that opens the information management space S to the outside is formed on the side surface of the information management space S, the articles 12 can be taken into and out of the information management space S.
Moreover, since the movable shelf 14 in which the articles 12 are accommodated can enter and leave the information management space S, the articles 12 can be managed in groups (shelves). Moreover, the articles | goods 12 can be moved collectively in a group unit.

  In addition, since the radio wave absorbing layer Q that absorbs radio waves is formed at the peripheral edge of the opening 46, the radio wave absorbing layer Q can absorb radio waves that diffuse from the vicinity of the opening 46 to the outside of the information management space S. it can. Thereby, the sensing range by the radio wave transmission means (the radio wave transmission part of the antenna 52) and the radio wave reception means (the radio wave reception part of the antenna 52) can be limited.

  In addition, since the radio wave absorption layer Q that absorbs radio waves is formed on the inner wall (wall surface 40A) of the information management space S facing the opening 46, it reflects off the inner wall and reflects from the opening 46 to the outside of the information management space S. The radio wave that diffuses to the inside can be absorbed by the radio wave absorbing layer Q formed on the inner wall. Thereby, the sensing range by the radio wave transmission means (the radio wave transmission part of the antenna 52) and the radio wave reception means (the radio wave reception part of the antenna 52) can be limited.

In the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the waveguide 16 is rectangular. Generally, in order to pass a circularly polarized radio wave (wavelength λ) through a waveguide having a rectangular cross section of a × b, the conditions of (a ≧ λ / 2) and (b ≧ λ / 2) are satisfied. There is a need.
For example, when a 953 MHz UHF band radio wave (λ = 0.315 m) is used, it is preferable that the waveguide has a rectangular cross section of 157.5 mm × 157.5 mm or more.

  Therefore, if the shape of the cross section of the waveguide is a rectangle with each side having a length of λ / 2 or more, the necessary minimum size ((a ≧ λ / A waveguide having a cross-sectional shape of 2) and (b ≧ λ / 2) can be configured.

  This principle is similarly applied to the shapes of the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 formed in the waveguide 16. That is, when a 953 MHz UHF band radio wave is used, it is preferable that the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 have a rectangular shape with a size of 157.5 mm × 157.5 mm or more.

  Further, since the waveguide 16 is a straight tube, it can be easily manufactured, and the manufacturing cost can be kept low. In general, when the waveguide is a curved pipe having a corner portion, it is conceivable that radio wave attenuation occurs at the corner portion. However, since the waveguide 16 is a straight tube, such wave attenuation is not caused. The radio wave can be efficiently propagated in the waveguide 16.

  Further, since the article information reading apparatus 10 has a configuration in which the waveguide 16 is disposed only on one side of the information management space S, it is possible to reduce the size and space, and to exhibit high transportability and ease of installation. is there.

  The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  In the first embodiment, the waveguide 16 is disposed so as to be adjacent to the information management space S. However, the waveguide 16 may be disposed in the information management space S.

Moreover, although the example (refer FIG. 2) which accommodates the articles | goods 12 in the shelf 14 as a container was shown in 1st Embodiment, the accommodation structure of a container is the RFID affixed on the articles | goods 12. FIG. Any structure may be used as long as the article 12 is accommodated so that the tag 32 can receive and transmit radio waves.
For example, when the container has a shelf structure, a partition member for partitioning articles placed on the shelf board may be provided, and the shelf board and the partition member may have any shape or arrangement. Moreover, it is good also considering the accommodating body as accommodation structures other than shelf structures, such as a cabinet.
Further, the shelf 14 may be a fixed shelf that does not move. Further, the article 12 may be directly stored in the information management space S without using a container such as a shelf.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, the shelf boards 18A-18D are formed with a rigid urethane foam, and the beam members 20A-20E, 22A-22E, 26A-26E, 28A-28E, and the column members 24A-24D are made of paper. However, it is preferable to use a material or a member that has a large reflection loss with respect to radio waves (= transmits radio waves) as members (shelf plates, beam members, column members, etc.) that constitute the shelf.

  If a material or a member having a large reflection loss with respect to radio waves is used as a member constituting the shelf, radio waves transmitted from the antenna 52 can be transmitted, thereby reliably receiving and transmitting radio waves from the RFID tag 32. Can do. If each member of the shelf is made of a material having a reflection loss with respect to radio waves of 20 dB or more, it is more preferable because it can exhibit better transmission performance with respect to radio waves.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the reflection loss with respect to the radio wave is a value indicating the degree to which the electric field intensity of the radio wave 76 reflected on the object 72 decreases with respect to the electric field intensity of the radio wave 74 irradiated on a certain object 72. If the radio wave is not absorbed inside the object 72, the greater the reflection loss with respect to the radio wave, the higher the transparency of the object with respect to the radio wave, and the lower the reflection loss with respect to the radio wave, the lower the transparency of the object with respect to the radio wave.

The beam members 20A to 20E, 22A to 22E, 26A to 26E, 28A to 28E, and the column members 24A to 24D may be formed of, for example, a low foam plastic.
Moreover, you may form shelf board 18A-18D with a low foam plastic, an acrylic board, or a paper honeycomb board, for example.

In addition, for example, by providing a plurality of holes in a member (shelf, beam member, pillar member, etc.) constituting a shelf or using a net-like member as a member constituting a shelf, the permeability to radio waves is improved. May be.
Further, for example, the surface of a shelf board made of a material that transmits radio waves may be covered with felt, a vinyl chloride sheet, a polyalloy, or a melamine resin to protect the surface.

  In the first embodiment, the side surface 36A of the wall member 36, the wall surfaces 38A and 40A of the wall members 38 and 40, and the lower surface 42A of the ceiling member 42 are shown as radio wave reflection layers R that reflect radio waves. However, the wall members 36, 38, and 40 and the ceiling member 42 may be formed of a material that reflects radio waves. For example, the wall members 36, 38, and 40 and the ceiling member 42 may be steel plates, aluminum plates, or stainless steel plates.

  In the first embodiment, the waveguide 16 is constituted by a rectangular tube-shaped straight tube 48 made of wood and a conductive coating portion 54 that covers the entire inner peripheral surface of the straight tube 48. Although an example has been shown, any waveguide may be used as long as it constitutes a waveguide capable of propagating radio waves. For example, the waveguide 16 may be constructed by attaching an aluminum sheet to a plywood or the like. The waveguide 16 itself may be formed of a galvanized copper plate.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which one radio wave entrance / exit 56 and one radio wave entrance / exit 58 are formed in the waveguide 16 has been shown. However, a plurality of radio wave entrances / exits 56 are formed in the waveguide 16. Also good. In this case, the reflection plate 60 may be provided so as to correspond to all the radio wave entrances 56, or the reflection plate 60 may be provided so as to correspond to at least one radio wave entrance 56.

  In addition, the shape, size, and arrangement of the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 may be determined as appropriate. As described above, when a 953 MHz UHF band radio wave is used, it is preferable that the radio wave entrances 56 and 58 have a rectangular shape with a size of 157.5 mm × 157.5 mm or more.

When a plurality of radio wave entrances / exits 56 are provided in the waveguide 16 and a reflection plate is provided for all of the radio wave entrances / exits 56, the shapes and sizes of the passage portions may all be the same or different.
For example, as shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 12, the sizes of the reflectors 80A to 80C are made different, and the sizes of the opening areas of the passing portions 78A to 78C are made smaller in order as the distance from the radio wave transmitting means (antenna 52) increases. May be.
In this way, the amount of radio waves passing through the passing portion 78A disposed on the side closer to the radio wave transmission means (antenna 52) is increased, and the propagation efficiency of the radio waves is reduced due to the distance from the radio wave transmission means (antenna 52). The influence of can be reduced. This makes it possible to propagate radio waves uniformly throughout the entire waveguide 16.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the passage portion 62 through which the radio wave passes is formed between the inner wall of the waveguide 16 (conductive covering portion 54) and the rear end portion of the reflection plate 60 is shown. The passing portion may be any member as long as radio waves can pass through the cross section of the waveguide 16 provided with the reflecting plate, and is provided between the inner wall (conductive covering portion 54) of the waveguide 16 and the reflecting plate, or reflected. What is necessary is just to provide in board itself.

For example, the reflecting plate 60 may be reflecting plates 60B to 60E as shown in the side sectional views (upper drawing) and the flat sectional view (lower drawing) of FIGS.
In FIG. 9B, a passage portion 62B through which radio waves pass is formed between the inner wall (conductive covering portion 54) of the waveguide 16 and the front end portion of the reflection plate 60B.
In FIG. 9C, a passage portion 62C through which radio waves pass is formed between the inner wall (conductive coating portion 54) of the waveguide 16 and both side portions of the reflection plate 60C.
In FIG. 9D, a passage portion 62D through which radio waves pass is formed between the inner wall (conductive covering portion 54) of the waveguide 16 and the rear end portion and the side end portions of the reflection plate 60D.
In FIG. 9 (e), a passage portion 62E through which radio waves pass is formed in the approximate center of the reflector 60E. As an example of forming the passage portion in the reflecting plate, in addition to FIG. 9E, a rectangular through hole is formed in the center of the reflecting plate in plan view, or a plurality of through holes are formed in the reflecting plate. May be.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention and its operation and effect will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the waveguide 16 of the first embodiment is arranged so as to be adjacent to two information management spaces S. Therefore, in the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and are appropriately omitted.

As shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 13, in the article information reading device 82 of the second embodiment, one waveguide 84 is disposed so as to be adjacent to each of the two information management spaces S. In the second embodiment, in FIG. 13, the information management space S is disposed on the left and the information management space S _1, the information management space S is disposed on the right and the information management space S _2.

Similarly to the waveguide 16 of the first embodiment, the waveguide 84 is a rectangular tube-shaped straight tube 48 formed of wood, and a conductive coating portion coated on the entire inner peripheral surface of the straight tube 48. 54. A single waveguide 84 is formed with a plurality of radio wave entrances 56 that open toward the _two information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ .

The radio wave entrance / exit 56 that opens toward the information management space S ₁ and the radio wave entrance / exit 56 that opens toward the information management space S ₂ are formed to be staggered in the vertical direction. A reflecting plate 60 corresponding to each radio wave entrance / exit 56 is provided. A passage portion 106 through which radio waves pass is formed between the inner wall of the waveguide 84 (conductive covering portion 54) and the rear end portion of the reflection plate 60.

With such a configuration, the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 52 installed on the lower surface of the ceiling plate 50 provided at the upper end portion of the waveguide 84 and guided to the radio wave entrance / exit 56 is transmitted from the radio wave entrance / exit 56 to the information management space. Radiated to S ₁ and S ₂ . In addition, the radio wave guided to the reflection plate 60 is reflected by the reflection plate 60 toward the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ through the radio wave entrance 56 and radiated to the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ . Further, the radio wave guided to the passing portion 106 propagates again through the waveguide 84 through the passing portion 106.

Therefore, the article 12 stored in the plurality of information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ can be managed by a small number of radio wave transmission means (radio wave transmission part of the antenna 52) and radio wave reception means (radio wave reception part of the antenna 52). it can.

  The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

In the second embodiment, an example in which one waveguide 84 is disposed so as to be adjacent to the _two information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ has been described. However, it is adjacent to three or more information management spaces. A single waveguide may be disposed in each.

In the second embodiment, the radio wave entrance / exit 56 that opens toward the information management space S ₁ and the radio wave entrance / exit 56 that opens toward the information management space S ₂ are alternately formed in the vertical direction. For example, as shown in the article information reading device 120 shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 14, the radio wave entrance 56 opening toward the information management space S ₁ and the opening toward the information management space S ₂ are shown. It is good also as the waveguide 86 arrange | positioned so that the radio wave entrance / exit 56 which opposes may be opposed.

In this case, the reflecting plate 100 has a mountain shape that is pointed upward, the radio wave is reflected toward the information management space S ₁ through the radio wave entrance 56 by the left slope of the reflector 100, and the radio wave entrance 56 is reflected by the right slope of the reflector 100. it suffices to reflect radio waves toward the information management space S ₂ through. A passage portion 108 through which radio waves pass is formed between the inner wall of the waveguide 86 (conductive covering portion 54) and the lower end portion of the reflecting plate 100.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the third embodiment, the article information reading device 10 of the first embodiment is applied to human entry / exit management. Therefore, in the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and are appropriately omitted.

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 15, in the third embodiment, the entrance / exit management of a person in a facility such as an office building or an airport is performed using the mobile information reader 130. The mobile information reader 130 arranged on the left side of FIG. 15 is an entrance gate (hereinafter referred to as “entrance gate 88”), and the mobile information reader 130 arranged on the right side is an exit gate ( Hereinafter, “exit gate 90”).

  The entrance gate 88 and the exit gate 90 are configured such that the wall member 40 is eliminated from the configuration of the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. As a result, a visitor 92 or a leaving person 94 as a moving body can pass through the information management space S. The wall surface 38A of the wall member 38 and the side surfaces 34A and 36A of the wall members 34 and 36 located near the entrance / exit (opening) of the entrance gate 88 and the exit gate 90 form a radio wave absorption layer Q. Further, the radio wave reflection layer R is formed between the radio wave absorption layer Q on the wall surface 38A of the wall member 38 and the front surface 16A of the waveguide 16.

  RFID cards 32 are provided in ID cards and passports held by visitors 92 and exits 94. In other words, in the third embodiment, a visitor 92 and a leaving person 94 as a moving body equipped with the RFID tag 32 pass through the information management space S.

  Next, operations and effects of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in a facility such as an office building or an airport, a visitor 92 passes through an entrance gate 88 and enters the facility or boarding gate, and an exit person 94 passes through the exit gate 90. Leave the facility or boarding gate.

  Then, when the visitors 92 and the exits 94 enter the information management space S when passing through the entrance gate 88 and the exit gate 90, the antenna 52 via the reader / writer device 66 is received by a command from the personal computer 68. Radio waves are transmitted from the radio wave transmitter. Then, the RFID tag 32 provided in the ID card or passport possessed by the visitors 92 and the exits 94 receives this radio wave, and uses the energy of this radio wave to transfer the information stored in the RFID tag 32 to the RFID tag. 32 is transmitted as a radio wave. The radio wave transmitted from the RFID tag 32 is received by the radio wave receiving unit of the antenna 52, and this radio wave is read by the reader / writer device 66 as information according to a command from the personal computer 68.

  Therefore, the mobile body information reading device 130 (entrance gate 88 and exit gate 90) can improve the reading rate of the RFID tag 32 as in the case of the article information reading device 10 of the first embodiment. It is also possible to reliably read the information of the RFID tag 32 provided to the visitor 92 and the exit person 94 as a moving body, thereby performing entrance / exit management of people (the entrance person 92 and the exit person 94). Can do.

  In addition, since the mobile information reader 130 having a small number of radio wave transmitters (radio wave transmitters of the antenna 52) and radio wave receivers (radio wave receivers of the antenna 52) can be configured, the mobile body information reader 130 can be reduced. Can be manufactured at cost.

  Since facilities such as office buildings and airports require a large number of entrance gates and exit gates, the cost reduction of the mobile information reader 130 serving as an entrance gate and an exit gate can be reduced in office buildings and airports. This can greatly contribute to the reduction of facility costs.

  If the mobile information reader 130 can be manufactured at a low cost, a large number of mobile information readers 130 as entrance gates and exit gates can be installed in facilities such as office buildings and airports. Thereby, the more effective entrance / exit management of a person can be performed.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the fourth embodiment, the article information reading device 82 of the second embodiment is applied to management of articles conveyed by a belt conveyor. Therefore, in the following description, the same components as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and are appropriately omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the fourth embodiment, an article 102 such as a finished product or a part conveyed by belt conveyors 96 and 98 installed in two rows in parallel in a facility such as a factory or a distribution center, Management is performed using the information reader 132.

The moving body information reading device 132 has a configuration in which the wall member 40 is eliminated from the configuration of the article information reading device 82 of the second embodiment. Thereby, the article 102 as a moving body can pass through the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ . Further, the wall surface 38A of the wall member 38 and the side surfaces 34A and 36A of the wall members 34 and 36 located in the vicinity of the entrance / exit (opening) of the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ constitute a radio wave absorption layer Q. Further, the radio wave reflection layer R is formed between the radio wave absorption layer Q on the wall surface 38 </ b> A of the wall member 38 and the front surface 84 </ b> A of the waveguide 84.

The article 102 is provided with an RFID tag 32. The RFID tag 32 stores information such as an article number, a manufacturer name, a product name, a model number, a production number, and a delivery date of the article 102. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the article 102 as a moving body provided with the RFID tag 32 passes through the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ .

  Next, operations and effects of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 16, the articles 102 are conveyed by the belt conveyors 96 and 98 so as to pass through the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ .

First, when the article 102 conveyed by the belt conveyors 96 and 98 enters the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ when passing through the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ , according to a command from the personal computer 68. A radio wave is transmitted from the radio wave transmission unit of the antenna 52 via the reader / writer device 66.

  Next, the antenna provided in the RFID tag 32 provided in the article 102 receives this radio wave. Then, the radio wave energy received by the RFID tag 32 is converted into electric power, and information stored in the RFID tag 32 is transmitted as radio waves from an antenna provided in the RFID tag 32 using this electric power.

  Next, the radio wave transmitted from the RFID tag 32 is received by the radio wave receiving unit of the antenna 52 in a non-contact manner with the RFID tag 32, and this radio wave is read by the reader / writer device 66 as information by a command from the personal computer 68.

  Similar to the article information reading device 82 of the second embodiment, the moving body information reading device 132 is capable of improving the reading rate of the RFID tag 32, and is therefore provided in the article 102 as a moving moving body. The information on the RFID tag 32 can also be read reliably, whereby the article 102 can be managed.

  In addition, since the mobile information reading device 132 having a small number of radio wave transmission means (radio wave transmission unit of the antenna 52) and radio wave reception means (radio wave reception unit of the antenna 52) can be configured, Can be manufactured at cost.

  In facilities such as factories and distribution centers, it is necessary to manage a large number of articles, so a large number of mobile information readers 132 need to be installed. Therefore, the cost reduction of the mobile information reading device 132 can greatly contribute to the reduction of the equipment cost of facilities such as factories and distribution centers.

  Heretofore, the fourth embodiment of the present invention has been described.

In addition, although the wall member 40 was not provided in the mobile body information reading apparatus 132 shown in 4th Embodiment, 40 A of wall surfaces are the electromagnetic wave absorption layer Q and an electric field reflection layer similarly to 2nd Embodiment. You may provide the wall member 40 used as R. FIG. In this case, the wall member 40 is formed with an opening that allows the belt conveyors 96 and 98 to be installed and the article 102 to pass through.
For example, if the wall member 40 is provided on the exit side of the mobile body information reading device 132, radio waves diffusing from the exit of the mobile body information reading device 132 to the outside of the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to suppress radio waves that are reflected on the wall surface 40A of the wall member 40 and diffuse from the entrance of the mobile body information reading device 132 to the outside of the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ .

In the fourth embodiment, an example is shown in which the article 102 is conveyed by the belt conveyors 96 and 98. However, the article 102 provided with an RFID tag is attached to the shelf 14 or the cart shown in the first embodiment. The shelf 14 and the cart may be passed through the information management spaces S ₁ and S ₂ of the mobile information reader 132.

  The first to fourth embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

  The article information readers 10, 82, 120, the waveguides 16, 84, 86, the shelf 14, the articles 12, 102, and the mobile object information readers 130, 132 shown in the first to fourth embodiments. What is necessary is just to determine suitably the shape and magnitude | size. 2, 5, 6, and 7 show specific dimensions of the shelf 14, the article information reading device 10, or the waveguide 16, this numerical value is an experimental condition of an embodiment described later. It is an example shown for the sake of clarity and is not limited to this dimension.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, an example in which the cross-sectional shape of the waveguides 16, 84, 86 is rectangular has been described. However, the cross-sectional shape of the waveguides 16, 84, 86 is other than rectangular. The shape may also be

In the first to fourth embodiments, the article information readers 10, 82, 120 and the mobile information readers 130, 132 are provided with the radio wave reflection layer R and the radio wave absorption layer Q. When radio waves diffusing outside the management spaces S, S ₁ , S ₂ do not matter, the radio wave reflection layer R and the radio wave absorption layer Q may not be provided.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, an example in which the waveguides 16, 84, and 86 are straight pipes is shown, but a curved pipe may be used.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, an example in which one antenna 52 is provided in one waveguide 16, 84, 86 has been described. However, a plurality of antennas are provided in one waveguide 16, 84, 86. 52 may be provided. Moreover, you may make it provide the antenna provided with a radio wave transmission part, and the antenna provided with a radio wave reception part in a different position of a waveguide.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the waveguides 16, 84, and 86 are disposed adjacent to the information management spaces S, S ₁ , and S _2. , 86 may be arranged in the information management spaces S, S ₁ , S ₂ .

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, the goods 12 of the 1st step (bottom) and the 3rd step (top) of the articles | goods 12 currently stacked and arrange | positioned on the shelf boards 18B-18D in three steps. Although the example in which the RFID tag 32 is provided in the article 12 arranged on the shelf board 18A is shown, the RFID tag 32 may be provided in all the articles 12 accommodated in the shelf 14. The RFID tag 32 may be provided on at least one surface of the entire surface (six surfaces) of the article 12.

  In the third embodiment, an example in which the first embodiment is applied to human entry / exit management is shown. In the fourth embodiment, the second embodiment is used to manage articles conveyed by a belt conveyor. Although an applied example has been shown, the first embodiment may be applied to management of articles conveyed by a belt conveyor, and the second embodiment may be applied to human entry / exit management.

In the first embodiment, the article information reading apparatus 10 is configured by the wall members 34, 36, 38, 40, the ceiling member 42, and the waveguide 16, but the plan view of FIG. As shown, the wall member 40 may be an openable / closable wall member that is opened and closed by being divided into two wall members 41A and 41B.
In this way, the degree of freedom of putting in and out of the shelf 14 with respect to the article information reading device 10 is increased.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the waveguides 16, 84, and 86 are arranged on the left side or the right side of the information management space S. However, the waveguides 16, 84, and 86 are arranged above or below the information management space S. Also good. For example, as shown in the front view of FIG. 18A, the article information reading apparatus 10 may be installed on the floor 110 so that the waveguide 16 is disposed substantially horizontally above the information management space S. Alternatively, as shown in the front view of FIG. 18B, the article information reader 10 may be installed on the floor 110 so that the waveguide 16 is disposed substantially horizontally below the information management space S. Good. As shown in FIG. 18B, if the waveguide 16 is embedded in the floor 110, the height of the article information reader 10 can be reduced.

Further, a plurality of article information reading apparatuses 10 of the first embodiment may be arranged in combination to construct article information reading facilities 112, 114, 116, and 118 as shown in FIGS. 19 (a) to 19 (d). . In this way, it is possible to secure a wide sensing range by the radio wave transmission means (the radio wave transmission part of the antenna 52) and the radio wave reception means (the radio wave reception part of the antenna 52).
In the case of the article information reading facility 112 in FIG. 19A, the article information reading apparatus 10 can be installed without leaving a gap between the article information reading apparatuses 10. Therefore, the article information reader 10 can be installed with high accuracy.

  Further, the article may be managed by passing the article provided with the wireless tag in the information management space S of the article information reading facility in which a plurality of article information reading devices 10 are arranged in combination. For example, in the article information reading facility 118 in FIG. 19D, a passage in which the information management space S is connected is formed. Therefore, if the article 102 provided with the RFID 32 is flowed in this passage, the RFID 32 and the antenna 52 are connected. Since a long time can be spent for transmission and reception, the reading rate of the wireless tag can be further improved.

  The first to fourth embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and the first to fourth embodiments may be used in combination. Needless to say, the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Example)

  In this example, the results of experiments and simulations for verifying the effects of the article information reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, an experiment performed on the article information reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

The dimensions of the article information reading device 10 used in the experiment are shown in FIG. 5, the dimensions of the waveguide 16 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the dimensions of the shelf 14 and the arrangement interval of the articles 12 are shown in FIG. . That is, the external shape of the article information reading device 10 is 1480 mm wide × 900 mm deep × 1990 mm high, the external shape of the waveguide 16 is 340 mm wide × 260 mm deep × 1990 mm high (thickness 20 mm), and the external shape of the shelf 14 is The width was 880 mm × depth 657 mm × height 1960 mm, and the articles 12 were placed on the shelf boards 18A to 18D at intervals of 300 mm.
The article 12 was a rectangular parallelepiped box having dimensions of 150 mm in length, 150 mm in width, and 100 mm in height, and was formed of paper.

  In the experiment, first, with the shelf 14 stored in the information management space S (see FIG. 3), radio waves are transmitted from the antenna 52 15 times at intervals of 2.5 seconds, and the reader / writer device 66 at this time The average value of the reading rate (reception rate by the antenna 52) was obtained.

  The reading rate refers to the number of wireless tags (RFID tags 32) existing in the information management space S and read by the reader / writer device 66, and the number of wireless tags existing in the information management space S (= one article). 12 divided by the number of RFID tags 32 provided in 12 × the number of articles 12 stored in the information management space S and provided with the RFID tags 32).

Next, the shelves 14 were sequentially arranged at positions P _{1 to} P ₅ shown in the plan view of FIG. Then, similarly to the case where the shelf 14 is stored in the information management space S, average values of the reading rates by the reader / writer device 66 are obtained at the positions P _{1 to} P ₅ , respectively.

In a state where the shelf 14 is disposed at the position P ₁ , the side surface 124 of the shelf 14 facing the article information reading device 10 side and the opening surface 122 of the opening 46 are substantially parallel and between the side surface 124 and the opening surface 122. The distance is 500 mm. Further, the side surface 126 on the right side of the shelf 14 and the wall surface 44 of the article information reading apparatus 10 are flush with each other when viewed from the front.

In a state of arranging the rack 14 to the position _{P 2,} the opening face 122 of the side surface 124 and the opening 46 of the shelf 14 is substantially parallel, and the distance between the side surface 124 and the opening face 122 becomes 500mm Yes. In front view, the right side surface 126 and the left side surface 128 of the shelf 14 and the side surface 126 and the side surface 128 of the shelf 14 when stored in the information management space S are flush with each other.

In a state of arranging the rack 14 to the position _{P 3,} the opening face 122 of the side surface 124 and the opening 46 of the shelf 14 is substantially parallel, and the distance between the side surface 124 and the opening face 122 becomes 500mm Yes. Moreover, the side surface 128 of the shelf 14 and the wall surface 38 </ b> A of the article information reading apparatus 10 are flush with each other when viewed from the front.

In a state of arranging the shelves 14 to position _{P 4,} the opening face 122 of the side surface 124 and the opening 46 of the shelf 14 is substantially parallel, and the distance between the side surface 124 and the opening face 122 becomes a 1000mm Yes. Moreover, the side surface 126 and the side surface 128 of the shelf 14 and the side surface 126 and the side surface 128 of the shelf 14 when stored in the information management space S are flush with each other in a front view.

In a state of arranging the rack 14 to the position _{P 5,} and the opening face 122 of the side surface 124 and the opening 46 of the shelf 14 is substantially parallel, and the distance between the side surface 124 and the opening face 122 becomes a 1000mm Yes. Moreover, the side surface 128 of the shelf 14 and the wall surface 38 </ b> A of the article information reading apparatus 10 are flush with each other when viewed from the front.

The results of the experiment, the average value of the read rate while storing the shelf 14 to the information management space S 80.6%, and the average value of the read rate in the state in which the rack 14 to the position P ₁ is 5.0% , the average value of the read rate in the state in which the rack 14 to the position _{P 2} is 10.0%, the average value of the read rate in the state in which the rack 14 to the position _{P 3} 22.2% shelf 14 mean value of the read rate in the state of being disposed at a position P ₄ is 2.0%, the average value of the read rate in the state arranged at a position P ₅ shelves 14 became 5.0%.

  Therefore, through an experiment, in the article information reading apparatus 10 using one antenna 52 (radio wave transmitting means and radio wave receiving means), the reading rate of the RFID tag 32 provided in the article 12 stored in the information management space S is improved. It was found that a high-accuracy reading rate of 80.6% can be realized.

The radio wave radiated from the waveguide 16 to the information management space S is diffused outside the information management space S by the action of the radio wave reflection layer R and the radio wave absorption layer Q provided in the article information reading device 10. It turned out that it can suppress. In particular, even at the position P ₃ where the radio wave was predicted to be most diffused, the reading rate was as low as 22.2%.

  Next, simulation results performed on the article information reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  FIGS. 23A to 23D show three-dimensional electromagnetic field simulations for models 1 to 4 shown in the perspective views of FIGS. 21A and 21B and FIGS. 22A and 22B. The result of performing is shown.

  Since the configurations of the models 1 to 4 are the same as those of the article information reading apparatus 10 described in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted. The dimensions of each part of the models 1 to 4 are the same as those used in the experiment described above (the dimensions of the article information reader 10 are shown in FIG. 5 and the dimensions of the waveguide 16 are shown in FIGS. ing).

  In the coordinate axes X, Y, and Z shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B and FIGS. 22A and 22B, the surface formed by the X axis and the Z axis is the wall surface of the article information reading apparatus 10. 44, and when the front surface 16A of the waveguide 16 is viewed from the front, the surface composed of the Y-axis and the Z-axis is set to equally divide the waveguide 16 left and right.

  The model 1 in FIG. 21A is a radio wave absorption layer that absorbs radio waves in the opening peripheral portion of the opening 46 and the wall member 40A facing the opening 46 in the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. Q is not provided.

  In the model 2 of FIG. 21B, in the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the wall member 40 </ b> A facing the opening 46 is not provided with the radio wave absorption layer Q that absorbs radio waves (opening 46. The radio wave absorption layer Q is provided only on the peripheral edge of the opening.

  In model 3 of FIG. 22A, in the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the radio wave absorbing layer Q that absorbs radio waves is not provided at the opening peripheral edge of the opening 46 (opposite the opening 46). The radio wave absorption layer Q is provided only on the wall member 40A.

  The model 4 in FIG. 22B is a radio wave that absorbs radio waves in both the opening peripheral edge of the opening 46 and the wall member 40A facing the opening 46 in the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. The absorption layer Q is provided.

  FIG. 23A shows an electric field distribution in a cross section of X = 1000 mm of model 1 in FIG. 21A, and FIG. 23B shows X = 1000 mm of model 2 in FIG. The electric field distribution in the cross section is shown, FIG. 23 (c) shows the electric field distribution in the cross section of model 3 in FIG. 22 (a) with X = 1000 mm, and FIG. 23 (d) shows the electric field distribution in FIG. The electric field distribution in the cross section of X = 1000 mm of model 4 is shown.

23A to 23D, a region E ₁ indicates a region where the electric field strength is B ₀ or more and less than 2B ₀ , and a region E ₂ indicates a region where the electric field strength is 2B ₀ or more and less than 3B _0. Region E ₃ indicates a region where the electric field strength is 3B ₀ or more. B ₀ means a reference value of electric field strength.

  In FIGS. 23A to 23D, the overall electric field strength in the cross section of X = 1000 mm decreases in the order of models 1 to 4. Thus, it can be seen that by providing the radio wave absorber Q that absorbs radio waves, the radio waves diffused outside the sensing range (information management space S) are reduced. Thus, if the radio wave diffusing outside the sensing range (information management space S) can be reduced, the reading rate outside the sensing range can be reduced.

  26 (a) to (d) show three-dimensional electromagnetic field simulations for models 5 to 8 shown in the perspective views of FIGS. 24 (a) and 24 (b) and FIGS. 25 (a) and 25 (b). The results are shown.

  Since the configurations of the models 5 to 8 are the same as those of the article information reading apparatus 10 described in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted. The dimensions of each part of the models 5 to 8 are the same as those used in the experiment described above (the dimensions of the article information reader 10 are shown in FIG. 5 and the dimensions of the waveguide 16 are shown in FIGS. ing).

  The coordinate axes X, Y, and Z shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B and FIGS. 25A and 25B are the surfaces of the article information reading apparatus 10 that are formed by the X axis and the Z axis. 44, and when the front surface 16A of the waveguide 16 is viewed from the front, the surface composed of the Y-axis and the Z-axis is set to equally divide the waveguide 16 left and right.

  A model 5 in FIG. 24A is a product in which the reflectors 60 and 64 are not provided in the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment.

  The model 6 in FIG. 24B is one in which the reflection plate 64 is not provided (only the reflection plate 60 is provided) in the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment.

  The model 7 in FIG. 25A is the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in which the reflecting plate 60 is not provided (only the reflecting plate 64 is provided).

  The model 8 in FIG. 25B is provided with both the reflectors 60 and 64 in the article information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment.

  26A shows an electric field distribution in a cross section of X = 0 mm of model 5 in FIG. 24A, and FIG. 26B shows X = 0 mm of model 6 in FIG. 24B. The electric field distribution in the cross section is shown, FIG. 26 (c) shows the electric field distribution in the cross section of X = 0 mm of the model 7 in FIG. 25 (a), and FIG. 26 (d) shows the electric field distribution in FIG. The electric field distribution in the cross section of X = 0 mm of the model 8 is shown.

26A to 26D, a region F ₁ indicates a region where the electric field strength is D ₀ or more and less than 2D ₀ , and a region F ₂ indicates a region where the electric field strength is 2D ₀ or more and less than 3D _0. A region F ₃ indicates a region where the electric field strength is 3D ₀ or more and less than 4D ₀ , and a region F ₄ indicates a region where the electric field strength is 4D ₀ or more. D ₀ means a reference value of electric field strength.

Comparing the model 6 models 5 and FIG. 26 (b) of FIG. 26 (a), the the model 6 in comparison with the model 5, is the field number emission intensity of the region F ₄ from the radio wave doorway 56 just laterally Yes. Further, the sensing range (Information Management space S) broad distribution of electric field strength in the region F ₂ at the same height as the wave entrance 56 in is observed.

Comparing the model 7 shown in FIG. 26 (a) Model 5 and FIG. 26 (c) of the model 7 in comparison with the model 5, the strength of the electric field in the region F ₄ emitted from the radio wave doorway 58 is often released ing. Further, the sensing range (Information Management space S) broad distribution of electric field strength in the region F ₂ at the same height as the wave entrance 58 in is observed.

In model 8 in FIG. 26 (d), broad distribution of intensity of the electric field in the region F ₂ the entire sensing range (Information Management space S) is observed.

  26A to 26D, it can be seen that the effect of distributing a desired electric field over the entire sensing range (information management space S) can be obtained by the reflectors 60 and 64.

10, 82, 120 Article information reader 12 Article 14 Shelf 16, 84, 86 Waveguide (waveguide)
32 RFID tags (wireless tags)
46 opening 48 straight pipe 52 antenna (radio wave transmission means, radio wave reception means)
56 and 58 radio doorway 60,60B~60E, 64,80A~80C, 100 reflection plate
62, 62B to 62E, 78A to 78C, 106, 108 Passing portion 66 Reader / writer device (information reading means)
88 Entrance gate (mobile information reader)
90 Exit gate (mobile information reader)
92 Visitors (mobile)
94 Exit (moving body)
102 Article (moving object)
112, 114, 116, 118 Article information reading equipment 130, 132 Mobile object information reading device Q Radio wave absorption layer R Radio wave reflection layer S, S ₁ , S ₂ Information management space

Claims (12)

An information management space for storing articles equipped with wireless tags storing information;
A waveguide disposed adjacent to or in the information management space; and
A plurality of radio wave openings formed in the waveguide and opening toward the information management space;
Radio wave transmitting means for transmitting radio waves into the waveguide;
Radio wave receiving means for receiving radio waves from within the waveguide;
The radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitting means is reflected toward the information management space through the radio wave entrance / exit, and the radio wave transmitted from the radio tag and emitted from the radio wave entrance / exit into the waveguide is received by the radio wave. a reflector for reflecting the unit,
A passage unit that spend radio waves through the thickness direction of the reflective plate between or provided on the reflecting plate and the inner wall and the reflective plate of the waveguide,
Information reading means for reading radio waves received by the radio wave receiving means as information;
An article information reading apparatus.   The article information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information management space is surrounded by a radio wave reflection layer that reflects radio waves.   The article information reading device according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed in a side surface of the information management space, and the information management space is opened to the outside by the opening.   The article information reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a movable shelf accommodating the article is capable of entering and exiting the information management space from the opening.   The article information reading device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a radio wave absorption layer that absorbs radio waves is formed at an opening peripheral edge of the opening.   The article information reading device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein a radio wave absorbing layer that absorbs radio waves is formed on an inner wall of the information management space facing the opening.   The article information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an opening area of the passage portion is sequentially reduced as the distance from the radio wave transmission unit increases.   8. The article information reading device according to claim 1, wherein one waveguide is disposed adjacent to the plurality of information management spaces, and the radio wave entrance is open to each information management space. 9. apparatus.   The article information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the waveguide is a rectangle, and a length of each side of the rectangle is equal to or greater than ½ of a wavelength of a radio wave.   The article information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide is a straight pipe.   An article information reading facility in which a plurality of article information reading apparatuses according to claim 10 are arranged in combination. An information management space through which a mobile body equipped with a wireless tag storing information passes;
A waveguide disposed adjacent to or in the information management space; and
A plurality of radio wave openings formed in the waveguide and opening toward the information management space;
Radio wave transmitting means for transmitting radio waves into the waveguide;
Radio wave receiving means for receiving radio waves from within the waveguide;
The radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitting means is reflected toward the information management space through the radio wave entrance / exit, and the radio wave transmitted from the radio tag and emitted from the radio wave entrance / exit into the waveguide is received by the radio wave. a reflector for reflecting the unit,
A passage unit that spend radio waves through the thickness direction of the reflective plate between or provided on the reflecting plate and the inner wall and the reflective plate of the waveguide,
Information reading means for reading radio waves received by the radio wave receiving means as information;
A mobile information reader.