WO2006019072A1

WO2006019072A1 - Ic tag attaching structure

Info

Publication number: WO2006019072A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/014906
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kunio Hane; Masaki Nakamura
Original assignee: Deuce Inc.; Environmental Culture Study-System Inc.
Priority date: 2004-08-16
Filing date: 2005-08-15
Publication date: 2006-02-23
Also published as: JP2007328378A

Abstract

An IC tag attaching structure capable of providing a sufficient transmission/reception capability even when a general-purpose IC tag is attaché to a conductive article such as a metal product. An IC tag (11) is attached to an article, for example, a conductive metal product (14) via an insulator (15). The insulator (15) is preferably formed to a thickness of ±5% of L/(4√ϵ) with respect to the relative permittivity (ϵ) of the insulator and the wavelength (L) of an electromagnetic wave over which radio communication is conducted. Also, the insulator (15) preferably has an antenna length-direction size at least 1/2 of a wavelength.

Description

Specification

IC tag mounting structure

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an IC tag mounting structure, and more particularly, it has good wireless communication between an IC tag and a transmission / reception device even when the article to which the IC tag is attached is a conductive article, for example, a metal product. For example, when building a management system for bicycles and bikes that are metal products, an IC tag that holds data for each bike and each bike is attached to the metal tag of each bicycle or bike. It is most suitable as a structure to be attached to each part, and also relates to an IC tag attachment structure that can be applied to the plastic part of a motorcycle.

Background art

[0002] As a logistics management method for various articles, an IC tag holding various data for each article is attached to each article, and the data of the IC tag is read by a transmission / reception device, for example, a reader. Well managed. At this time, if the IC tag is attached to a conductive product such as a metal product, the output power of the IC tag becomes extremely weak, so the radio waves of the IC tag attached to the conductive product may not be detected.

, Management may become impossible.

[0003] As a means to solve this problem, an individual ID code data is transmitted at a predetermined time interval. 1.1-3 times the impedance of the antenna section between the transmitting section of the IC tag and the antenna section. A matching circuit is provided to match the impedance of the transmitter and the impedance of the transmitter (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-70413

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, the IC tag provided with the matching circuit as described above has a problem in manufacturing cost, and there is a problem in that it needs to be used properly according to the target product.

Therefore, the present invention is sufficient even if a general-purpose IC tag is attached to a conductive article such as a metal product. The purpose is to provide an IC tag mounting structure that can achieve transmission and reception capabilities. Means for solving the problem

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the IC tag mounting structure of the present invention is configured such that an authentication IC tag that transmits and receives an authentication signal by wireless communication with a transmission / reception device is attached to an article via an insulator. In particular, the insulator has a thickness of LZ (4ε) with respect to the relative dielectric constant (ε) of the insulator and the wavelength (L) of the electromagnetic wave that performs the wireless communication. Or a dielectric constant of the insulator is 3 or more, and the insulator has a length in the antenna length direction of 1Z2 or more. This is an IC tag mounting structure.

[0007] Further, the article is a bicycle or motorcycle in which the article is a conductive article, and the IC tag holds different data for each bicycle or each bike, and the transmission / reception device is provided at the entrance / exit of the bicycle parking lot. This is an IC tag mounting structure provided in the section.

[0008] Further, the IC tag is attached in a state in which it is substantially impossible to remove from the conductive article, and a metal having a size larger than the insulator is provided between the insulator and the article. IC tag mounting structure with foil or metal plate interposed.

The invention's effect

[0009] According to the mounting structure of the IC tag of the present invention, even if a general-purpose IC tag is mounted on a conductive product such as a metal product, the transmission / reception capability does not decrease. Therefore, metal products can be managed efficiently using general-purpose IC tags. In addition, by using an insulator with a relative dielectric constant of 3 or more, preferably 8 or more, the thickness of the insulator can be reduced to about 10 mm or less with a wireless IC tag of 960 MHz or more. The degree of freedom of installation location is improved. Bicycles and motorbikes can be efficiently managed at bicycle parking lots by attaching IC tags to bicycles and motorbikes, which are one of the metal products, via an insulator. Further, when the IC tag is attached to a plastic article, for example, a plastic member such as a scooter body, good transmission and reception can be performed by interposing a metal foil between the insulator and the article.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an IC tag mounting structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a shape of an IC tag.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another shape example of the IC tag.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the IC tag mounting structure of the present invention is applied to a bicycle management system.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an IC tag mounting structure of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an IC tag, and FIG. 3 shows another example of the IC tag. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example in which the IC tag mounting structure of the present invention is applied to a bicycle management system.

First, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the IC tag 11 holds data and has an IC chip 12 having a function of transmitting this data to an external reader, and an antenna connected to the IC chip 12 It is composed of 13 parts and 2 parts. Since the IC chip 12 can be arbitrarily used in various structures, shapes, and functions that have been used in the past, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0013] The antenna 13 can use a metal thin wire 13a as shown in FIG. 2 or a metal foil 13b having a sufficiently narrow width with respect to the length as shown in FIG. In the case of a dipole antenna, the antenna length of the transmitter / receiver and the IC tag 11 are equal. For example, when the frequency of the transmitter / receiver is 2.4 GHz, the antenna length is 6.12 cm, which is 1Z2 wavelength. It is set to a length that is several percent shorter. The shortening rate of the antenna for 1Z2 wavelength can be determined by the thickness of the antenna. When the metal foil 13b is used as an antenna, for example, a copper foil on a flexible substrate can be used. When the metal thin wire 13a is used as an antenna, for example, a metal thin wire such as copper or aluminum, or a metal such as iron. It is possible to use a material in which fine wires are plated with gold.

[0014] When such an IC tag 11 is directly attached to a conductive article such as a metal product, electromagnetic waves around the IC tag 11 are affected by the metal, and the transmission / reception distance of the IC tag 11 is greatly reduced. If the distance between the tag 11 and the metal is 1Z2 or more of the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave, it will be hardly affected by the metal. Furthermore, by making the distance between the metal and the IC tag 11 near 1Z4 of the wavelength, it is possible to resonate with the antenna 13 of the IC tag 11 using the metal as a reflector, thereby improving the antenna efficiency. [0015] For example, when the frequency of electromagnetic waves used in wireless communication between the transmission / reception device and the IC tag 11 is 2.45 GHz, the distance of 1Z4 wavelength is 3.06 cm. However, it is not practical to mount the IC tag 11 on a metal product at such a distance, and it becomes difficult to handle the metal product. There is a problem such as being caught in Moreover, it is not preferable in terms of appearance.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the IC tag 11 is attached to the metal product 14, an insulator 15 is interposed between the two. Any material can be used for the insulator 15 as long as it is an insulator. The thickness of the insulator 15 depends on the relative dielectric constant (ε) of the insulator 15 and the wavelength (L) of the electromagnetic wave. 4 ε) thickness or slightly, preferably in view of functionality, economy and the like, it is made thin or thick to 95% to 105% of this thickness. For example, when quartz with a specific dielectric constant of 3.8 is used as the insulator 15, if the frequency is 2.45 GHz, LZ (4 ε) «15.7 mm, which is slightly thinner or thicker than this. Insulator 15 is used, for example, insulator 15 which is 3% thicker and formed to a thickness of 16.16 mm.

[0017] Thereby, the antenna efficiency can be improved by using the metal product 14 as a reflector. Furthermore, the insulator 15 using an alumina compact with a relative dielectric constant of 8.5 can be reduced to a thickness of 10.48 mm if the frequency is 2.45 GHz. Further, when the frequency is 960 MHz, for example, by using a ceramic insulator having a relative dielectric constant of 300, the thickness of the insulator 15 can be reduced to about 4.51 mm. There is no point in making the insulator 15 larger than necessary as long as the wavelength is 1Z2 or more in the antenna length direction within the range in which the insulator can be attached. There are times when the effect cannot be obtained. The relative dielectric constant is a material-specific value, so there is little loss within the usable range and the relative dielectric constant is large.

[0018] As described above, by attaching the IC tag 11 to the metal product 14 via the insulator 15, it is possible to reliably perform wireless communication with the transmission / reception device by eliminating the adverse effect of the metal. In addition, the distance between the IC tag 11 and the metal product 14 can be reduced to LZ (4 ε) by interposing the insulator 15 as compared with the case of air insulation, which adversely affects the handling of the metal product 14. As a result, the IC tag 11 does not get caught in the clothes, and the design of the metal product 14 is not impaired. In addition, the insulator 15 is processed accurately. As a result, the antenna efficiency can be made constant, so that stable transmission / reception performance can be obtained.

The means for attaching the IC tag 11 to the metal product 14 via the insulator 15 can be arbitrarily selected according to the shape, purpose of use, etc. of the metal product 14. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the metal product 14, the insulator 15, and the IC tag 11 may be fixed with an adhesive, so that the IC tag 11 and the insulator 15 may be fixed by the adhesive tape 16. You can also.

[0020] When the same IC tag 11 is attached to a non-conductive article, for example, a plastic product, the IC tag 11 is attached to an insulator 15 having a thickness of LZ (4 ε), and an insulation is provided under the insulator 15. The antenna sensitivity of the IC tag 11 can be increased by interposing various metal foils having a size (area) larger than the object 15 such as an aluminum foil. The thickness of the metal foil is arbitrary, and it is also possible to use a metal plate with a thickness of several millimeters, preferably 10 μm or more, which does not penetrate radio waves above the UHF band. In other words, the effect of improving the transmission / reception performance hardly changes, resulting in an increase in weight and cost. In addition, the size (area) of the metal foil can be selected according to the size of the mounting portion as long as it is equal to or larger than the size (area) of the insulator 15.

[0021] By applying the IC tag mounting structure of the present invention to various articles, the article can be effectively used for management of various articles related to conductivity and non-conductivity. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the IC tag 11 is fixed to the frame 18 of the bicycle 17 via the insulator 15 with the adhesive tape 16, and the transmitting / receiving device (leader) 20 is attached to the pillar 19 at the entrance / exit of the bicycle parking lot. A bicycle management system at a bicycle parking lot or the like can be easily constructed by providing an authentication signal between the IC 12 and the reader 20 in advance.

[0022] The data necessary for the management of the bicycle 17 includes, for example, a contact method such as an address, name, and telephone as the owner's information, and the color, wheelbase, wheel diameter, and registration information as characteristics of each bicycle 17. There are the supplier, date of purchase, date of registration, registration number, designation of bicycle parking lot, name of bicycle parking lot, period available for bicycle parking and other rights information. When using the IC chip 12 that can be written to the IC tag 11 that is attached to the bicycle 17, these data may be written to the IC chip 12, respectively. Also, when using IC chip 12 that cannot be written, write only the address number to IC chip 12, and the address number Data corresponding to can be recorded on a server attached to the reader or on an external server via a network.

The IC tag 11 is attached by, for example, a method in which the IC tag 11 is preliminarily bonded to the surface of the insulator 15 with an adhesive and the insulator 15 is fixed together with the IC tag 11 by the adhesive tape 16. Can be done. At this time, when the adhesive tape 16 is peeled from the frame 18 of the bicycle 17 by appropriately setting the adhesive strength of the adhesive, the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape 16 and the bonding strength between the IC chip 12 and the antenna 13. In addition, the IC chip 12 can be separated on the insulator 15 side and the antenna 13 can be separated on the adhesive tape 16 side, and the IC tag 11 can be left in a state where it cannot be removed with the force of the bicycle 17.

[0024] By separating the antenna 13 in this way, the IC tag 11 can be made substantially non-reusable. As a result, even if the IC tag 11 is stolen and affixed to another bicycle, it will not operate normally, preventing impersonation and ensuring that the relationship between the bicycle 17 and the IC tag 11 is 1: 1. As a result, it is possible to reliably manage bicycles using bicycle parking fees and bicycle taxes. As compared with the conventional IC tag that considers general reuse, the coupling strength between the IC chip 12 and the antenna 13 can be lowered and the overall strength can be lowered. Cost can also be reduced. In addition, the insulator 15 and the adhesive tape 16 can be appropriately colored and printed, and can be used as a registration sticker for the bicycle 17.

[0025] Further, it is desirable that the IC tag 11 is attached to a height that can be read by the same reader 20 even for bicycles of various sizes for adults and children. The front and sides of the frame 18 from the front wheel handle post to the fork tip are suitable as a place where the height can be freely selected without being hidden by the human body riding the bicycle. It is only necessary to set and attach the IC tag 11 via the insulator 15 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the bicycle 17.

[0026] At this time, the antenna 13 is directed in a substantially vertical direction from the shape of the normal frame 18, so that the antenna of the reader 20 is also installed in the substantially vertical direction. As a result, the reader 20 can reliably read the authentication signal of the front or side force IC tag 11 of the bicycle 17. If the angle between the tag and reader antenna is within 30 degrees, the antenna There is no problem because the efficiency is within the range.

[0027] The antenna of the reader 20 is installed in the same polarization plane at a position facing the IC tag 11 attached to the bicycle 17. The reader 20 is fixed at the entrance / exit of the bicycle parking lot, and the data of the IC tag 11 attached to the bicycle entering / leaving the bicycle parking lot is read in a wireless communication system. Management can be performed. For example, by recording and managing the arrivals and departures of bicycles, it is possible to grasp the usage status of each bicycle and use it for calculation of charges, or to create management data such as availability of bicycle parking lots.

[0028] In addition, in a bicycle parking lot where bicycles and motorcycles are mixed, management can be performed in the same manner as bicycles by attaching IC tags 11 to motorcycles in the same manner. In addition, when attaching the IC tag 11 to a plastic part such as the front surface of the scooter, as described above, an aluminum foil having a thickness of 10 m or more is interposed under the insulator 15, so that the IC tag 11 is unloaded. Tena sensitivity can be increased. Leaders 20 can be installed at multiple locations as necessary.

[0029] Further, by attaching the IC tag 11 to the bicycle 17 or the motorcycle as described above, illegal parking, illegally parked bicycles, and theft can be dealt with. For example, by reading the data of an IC tag of a bicycle that has been neglected using a portable reader, it is possible to easily check the owner's information, the presence of a theft report, etc., and to perform the necessary processing quickly. it can

[0030] In addition to the management of bicycles and motorcycles as described above, the IC tag 11 is attached to various luggage and items as described above, and information on each item is read by a reader installed at the entrance of a warehouse or delivery place. By reading, it is possible to reliably perform management and sorting determined for each article. In particular, by attaching the IC tag 11, which is formed in a three-layer structure of the IC tag 11, the insulator 15 and the metal foil, to various articles, the same model relating to the material of the article (conductive or non-conductive) The IC tag 11 can be used to transmit and receive with the same antenna efficiency, and various items can be managed easily and reliably.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An IC tag mounting structure in which an authentication IC tag that transmits and receives an authentication signal by wireless communication with a transmitting / receiving device is attached to an article via an insulator.

[2] In the mounting structure of the IC tag according to claim 1, the insulator has an LZ with respect to a relative dielectric constant (ε) of the insulator and a wavelength (L) of the electromagnetic wave performing the wireless communication. Thickness of (4 ε) To the IC tag mounting structure formed with a thickness of 95 to 105% of this thickness.

[3] The IC tag mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the insulator has a relative dielectric constant (ε) of 3 or more.

[4] The IC tag mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulator is

The mounting structure of the IC tag whose dimension in the antenna length direction is 1Z2 or more of the wavelength.

[5] The IC tag mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the article is a bicycle or a motorcycle, and the IC tag holds different data for each bicycle or each motorcycle. IC tag mounting structure.

[6] The IC tag mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein the transmitting / receiving device is provided at an entrance / exit of a bicycle parking lot.

[7] The IC tag mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the IC tag is mounted in a state in which it is substantially impossible to remove from the article. Construction.

[8] The IC tag mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a metal is interposed between the insulator and the article.

[9] The IC tag mounting structure according to claim 8, wherein the metal is a metal foil having a size larger than that of the insulator.