JP7206426B2 - Antenna and reading system - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to antennas and reading systems.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless tag reader that reads and writes information stored in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, an electronic tag, or a wireless tag called a transponder is known.

For example, wireless tags are embedded in portable articles such as cards and smartphones. Then, the wireless tag reader performs wireless communication with the wireless tag when the article embedded with the wireless tag is held over the antenna. Thereby, the wireless tag reader reads and writes the information stored in the wireless tag.

However, the human hand is dielectric. Therefore, when the hand is brought close to the antenna, the radio wave radiation characteristics are impaired. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique that reduces the deterioration of the radiation characteristics of the radio waves emitted by the antenna even when the wireless tag is held over the antenna.

An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna and a reading system capable of reducing the deterioration of radio wave radiation characteristics.

An antenna of an embodiment is an antenna of a first reader that reads a wireless tag, and includes an antenna element, a first conductor, a second conductor, and a housing . The antenna element branches in two directions from one vertex. The first conductor covers the bottom surface of the antenna element. The second conductor covers part of the side surface of the antenna element. The housing has a hollow on a minor angle side of the vertex of the antenna element and covers the antenna element.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a reading system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the antenna. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of directions of currents flowing through the first antenna element and the second antenna element. FIG. 4 is a front view explaining an example of a reading area formed by an antenna. FIG. 5 is a left side view explaining an example of a reading area formed by an antenna. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the code symbol reader. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless tag reader. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless tag. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration characteristic of each device provided in the reading system.

Embodiments of antennas and reading systems are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is one embodiment of the antenna and reading system, and does not limit the configuration, specifications, and the like. The antenna and reading system of this embodiment are examples of application to a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal connected to an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from a wireless tag in a store such as a supermarket.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a reading system 1 according to this embodiment. The reading system 1 includes a POS terminal 10 , a code symbol reader 20 and a wireless tag reader 30 . The POS terminal 10 is communicably connected to the code symbol reader 20 and the wireless tag reader 30 . The reading system 1 reads the code symbol 41 provided on the article 4 or the wireless tag 42 provided on the article 4 by each device.

The POS terminal 10 is an information processing device that performs sales registration for registering products to be sold and accounting processing for the products registered by the sales registration. Also, the POS terminal 10 requests the code symbol reader 20 and the wireless tag reader 30 to execute the reading process of the object to be read. Then, the POS terminal 10 receives execution results of reading processing from the code symbol reading device 20 and the wireless tag reading device 30 .

Code symbol reader 20 is an example of a second reader. The code symbol reader 20 is a reader that reads code symbols 41 such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes. The code symbol reader 20 irradiates, for example, a laser beam and reads the code symbol 41 by reflected light. The code symbol reading device 20 executes reading processing when receiving a reading processing execution request from the POS terminal 10 . The code symbol reading device 20 then transmits the reading result of the reading process to the POS terminal 10 .

The wireless tag reader 30 is an example of a first reader. The wireless tag reader 30 is a reader that reads and writes various types of information to and from the wireless tag 42 by performing wireless communication with the wireless tag 42 called an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, an electronic tag, or a transponder. be. The wireless tag reader 30 transmits radio waves for reading the wireless tag 42 when receiving a reading process execution request from the POS terminal 10 . The wireless tag reader 30 also receives various information stored in the wireless tag 42 from the wireless tag 42 . Thus, the wireless tag reader 30 executes the reading process. Then, the wireless tag reader 30 transmits the reading result of the reading process to the POS terminal 10 .

Next, the antenna 31 provided in the wireless tag reader 30 will be described. Here, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the antenna 31. As shown in FIG.

The antenna 31 includes a rectangular housing 311 having a hollow portion 312 . The code symbol reader 20 is arranged in the hollow portion 312 . The code symbol reader 20 irradiates a laser beam for reading the code symbol 41 toward the front or left side of FIG. 2, for example. Further, although the hollow portion 312 shown in FIG. 2 has a rectangular shape, it may have a circular shape or a shape that matches the shape of the code symbol reading device 20 .

The antenna 31 includes an antenna element 313 branched in two directions from one vertex inside a housing 311 . The antenna element 313 is, for example, a substrate antenna formed on a substrate. Hereinafter, the antenna element 313 extending in the X direction shown in FIG. 2 is called a first antenna element 314. As shown in FIG. Also, the antenna element 313 extending in the Y direction shown in FIG. 2 is called a second antenna element 315 .

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the wireless tag reader 30 is arranged on the front right side of the operator who holds the wireless tag 42 up. It is assumed that the operator holds the wireless tag 42 in his right hand and holds the wireless tag 42 above the antenna 31 . In this case, the operator holds the wireless tag 42 over the front side or the left side of the housing 311 . Therefore, it is assumed that the wireless tag reader 30 reads the wireless tag 42 held by the hand that enters from the front side or the left side of the housing 311 .

Next, details of the antenna element 313 will be described.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of directions of currents flowing through the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an example of a reading area formed by the antenna 31. FIG. FIG. 5 is a left side view illustrating an example of a reading area formed by the antenna 31. FIG.

The first antenna element 314 has a rectangular shape elongated in the X direction. The second antenna element 315 has a rectangular shape elongated in the Y direction. The first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 form a conjugate angle sharing a vertex. More specifically, the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 are arranged so that one vertex angle forms a substantially right angle.

The antenna element 313 has a bottom surface covered with a bottom conductor portion 316 . The bottom conductor portion 316 is an example of a first conductor. A part of the side surface of the antenna element 313 is covered with the side surface conductor portion 317 . More specifically, the side surface on the dominant angle side of the shared angle formed by the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 is covered with the side surface conductor portion 317 . The side conductor portion 317 is an example of a second conductor. The bottom conductor portion 316 and the side conductor portion 317 are made of a conductor such as metal.

A high-frequency signal current flows through the first antenna element 314 in the X direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the first antenna element 314 . Therefore, the first antenna element 314 radiates a linearly polarized wave in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the high-frequency signal current flows, that is, in the Y direction. A high-frequency signal current flows through the second antenna element 315 in the Y direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the second antenna element 315 . Therefore, the second antenna element 315 radiates a linearly polarized wave in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the high-frequency signal current flows, that is, in the Y direction. That is, the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 radiate radio waves with a phase shift of 90 degrees.

The bottom surface of the antenna element 313 is covered with a bottom conductor portion 316 , and the side surface on the dominant angle side is covered with a side surface conductor portion 317 . The bottom conductor portion 316 and the side conductor portion 317 reflect radio waves emitted by the antenna element 313 to reduce radiation of radio waves in the direction of the bottom surface and the direction of the dominant angle, It makes the radio waves stronger in the direction. As a result, the first antenna element 314 forms a reading area for the wireless tag 42 by radiating radio waves upward and in the minor angle direction, as shown in FIG. Similarly, the second antenna element 315 forms a reading area for the wireless tag 42 by radiating radio waves upward and in the minor angle direction, as shown in FIG. That is, the antenna element 313 can form a reading area in the area where the wireless tag 42 is supposed to be held.

Here, when linearly polarized waves are radiated from one direction, the wireless tag 42 may not be able to communicate depending on the direction of the antenna 421 (see FIG. 9) of the wireless tag 42 . However, the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 radiate linearly polarized waves so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 can improve communication accuracy.

Also, the code symbol reader 20 is arranged in the hollow portion 312 . That is, the code symbol reading device 20 is placed inside the vertex formed by the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 . Then, the code symbol reader 20 irradiates a laser beam for reading the code symbol 41 toward the front, left side, or the like in FIG. Also, the antenna element 313 forms a reading area in the area shown in FIGS. Therefore, since the reading areas of the code symbol reading device 20 and the wireless tag reading device 30 overlap, both devices can execute reading processing by holding the article 4 over them once.

Next, the hardware configuration of each device included in the reading system 1 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 10. As shown in FIG. The POS terminal 10 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication interface 103, a first connection interface 104, a second connection interface 105, a keyboard 106, a first display unit 107, a second display unit 108, a printing unit 109, and a card A reader/writer 110 is provided.

The control unit 101 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 10 and implements various functions of the POS terminal 10 . The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU centrally controls the operation of the POS terminal 10 . The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and various data. Then, the CPU uses the RAM as a work area (work area) to execute programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 102 or the like.

The storage unit 102 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). Storage unit 102 stores control program 111 . The control program 111 is a program for exerting the functions of the operating system and the POS terminal 10 . The control program 111 includes a program for exerting a characteristic function according to this embodiment.

The communication interface 103 is an interface for communicating with various devices connected to the network.

The first connection interface 104 is an interface for communicating with the code symbol reader 20 . The second connection interface 105 is an interface for communicating with the wireless tag reader 30 .

The keyboard 106 has various keys for operating the POS terminal 10 .

The first display unit 107 is a liquid crystal display device or the like having a touch panel laminated on the display surface. The first display unit 107 displays, for example, various screens for a store clerk. The second display unit 108 is a liquid crystal display device or the like having a touch panel laminated on the display surface. The second display unit 108 displays various screens for the customer, for example.

The printing unit 109 is a printer that prints a receipt or the like showing transaction details, point status, etc. on a sheet of paper. The card reader/writer 110 is a device that reads and writes information stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic material attached to a card.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the code symbol reader 20. As shown in FIG. The code symbol reading device 20 has a control section 201 , a connection interface 202 and a scanner 203 .

The control unit 201 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the code symbol reading device 20 and implements various functions of the code symbol reading device 20 . The control unit 201 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU centrally controls the operation of the code symbol reading device 20 . The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and various data. Then, the CPU executes a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM using the RAM as a work area.

A connection interface 202 is an interface for communicating with the POS terminal 10 .

The scanner 203 emits light and receives reflected light. Thereby, the scanner 203 reads the code symbol 41 and the like.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless tag reader 30. As shown in FIG. The wireless tag reader 30 includes a control section 301 , a connection interface 302 , a transmission section 303 , a reception section 304 and an antenna 31 . Furthermore, the antenna 31 comprises a first antenna element 314 , a second antenna element 315 and a branch portion 319 .

The control unit 301 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the wireless tag reader 30 and implements various functions of the wireless tag reader 30 . The control unit 301 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU centrally controls the operation of the wireless tag reader 30 . The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and various data. Then, the CPU executes a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM using the RAM as a work area.

A connection interface 302 is an interface for communicating with the POS terminal 10 .

The transmission section 303 includes an encoding circuit, a modulation circuit, a filter circuit, and an amplifier circuit. The transmission unit 303 converts the digital signal output from the control unit into a high-frequency analog signal by these circuits. The transmitter 303 then outputs a high-frequency analog signal.

The receiving section 304 includes a demodulation circuit, a filter circuit, and a decoding circuit. The receiving unit 304 converts the high-frequency analog signal output from the first antenna element 314 or the second antenna element 315 into a digital signal by these circuits. The receiving unit 304 then outputs a digital signal.

Branch section 319 is an example of a branch circuit. The branching unit 319 is an electronic circuit that outputs a high-frequency analog signal in each of the two directions of the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 . More specifically, branching section 319 outputs the high-frequency analog signal input from transmitting section 303 to first antenna element 314 and second antenna element 315 . Branching section 319 also outputs high-frequency analog signals input from first antenna element 314 and second antenna element 315 to receiving section 304 .

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless tag 42. As shown in FIG. The wireless tag 42 has an antenna 421 , a transmitter/receiver 422 and a memory 423 .

The antenna 421 transmits and receives radio waves and the like.

The transmitting/receiving unit 422 uses the radio waves received by the antenna 421 to generate power through electromagnetic induction or the like. The transmitting/receiving unit 422 then uses the generated power to perform read processing and write processing.

Further, when the antenna 421 receives a radio wave for reading information stored in the wireless tag 42, the transmission/reception unit 422 causes the antenna 421 to transmit the information in the storage unit 423. FIG. When the antenna 421 receives a radio wave for writing information to the wireless tag 42 , the transmitting/receiving section 422 writes information contained in the received radio wave into the storage section 423 .

The storage unit 423 is a non-volatile rewritable storage medium that can store information without being supplied with power. The storage unit 423 stores an identification code that can identify the wireless tag 42, for example. Note that the storage unit 423 may store arbitrary information instead of the identification code or together with the identification code.

Next, a characteristic function of each device included in the reading system 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration characteristic of each device provided in the reading system 1. As shown in FIG.

The control unit 101 of the POS terminal 10 develops the control program 111 of the storage unit 102 in RAM and operates according to the control program 111 to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 10 on the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 101 of the POS terminal 10 includes a connection control unit 1001, a product registration unit 1002, an accounting processing unit 1003, a reading management unit 1004, and an output control unit 1005 as functional units.

The connection control unit 1001 controls the first connection interface 104 to communicate with the code symbol reader 20 . The connection control unit 1001 also controls the second connection interface 105 to communicate with the wireless tag reader 30 .

The product registration unit 1002 controls sales registration of products to be sold. The product registration unit 1002 registers the product specified by the product code for sale when a product code that enables the product to be identified is input.

The accounting processing unit 1003 controls accounting processing for products registered for sale by the product registration unit 1002 . For example, the accounting processing unit 1003 calculates the total price of the products registered for sale by the product registration unit 1002 . Also, the accounting processing unit 1003 calculates the change by subtracting the total price from the amount received from the customer.

The reading management unit 1004 controls reading processing by the code symbol reading device 20 and the wireless tag reading device 30 . For example, when receiving an operation or the like to start reading processing, the reading management unit 1004 causes the connection control unit 1001 to transmit a reading start request requesting the start of reading processing. The reading management unit 1004 may transmit the reading start request to both the code symbol reading device 20 and the wireless tag reading device 30 at once, or send the reading start request to both reading devices separately. A start request may be sent. The reading management unit 1004 causes the connection control unit 1001 to transmit a reading end request for requesting the end of the reading process when, for example, an operation to end the reading process or the reading result of the reading process is received.

Further, the reading management unit 1004 uses the reading result received by the connection control unit 1001 to identify the article 4 held up. For example, the reading management unit 1004 identifies the held article 4 based on information included in one of the reading result of the code symbol reading device 20 and the reading result of the wireless tag reading device 30 . Alternatively, the reading management unit 1004 specifies the article 4 held up on the condition that the same information is included in both the reading result of the code symbol reading device 20 and the reading result of the wireless tag reading device 30. may

Further, the reading management unit 1004 may specify the article 4 held up by combining the reading result of the code symbol reading device 20 and the reading result of the wireless tag reading device 30 . For example, if the article 4 to be read is a coupon with a time limit, the time limit may be specified by the reading result of the code symbol reading device 20, and the type of coupon may be specified by the reading result of the wireless tag reading device 30. good.

The output control unit 1005 outputs the reading result. For example, the output control unit 1005 controls the first display unit 107 and the second display unit 108 to display and output the reading result. Alternatively, the output control unit 1005 controls the printing unit 109 to print out the reading result.

The control unit 201 of the code symbol reading device 20 develops the ROM program in the RAM and operates according to the program to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 10 on the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 201 of the code symbol reading device 20 includes a connection control unit 2001 and a reading control unit 2002 as functional units.

A connection control unit 2001 controls the connection interface 202 to communicate with the POS terminal 10 .

A reading control unit 2002 controls the scanner 203 to execute reading processing. For example, the reading control unit 2002 starts reading processing when the connection control unit 2001 receives a reading start request. When the code symbol 41 is read, the read control unit 2002 causes the connection control unit 2001 to transmit the read result including the information contained in the read code symbol 41 . The read control unit 2002 ends the read processing when the connection control unit 2001 receives the read end request.

The control unit 301 of the wireless tag reader 30 develops the ROM program in the RAM and operates according to the program to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 10 on the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 301 of the wireless tag reader 30 includes a connection control unit 3001 and a reading control unit 3002 as functional units.

The connection control unit 3001 controls the connection interface 302 to communicate with the POS terminal 10 .

A reading control unit 3002 controls the transmitting unit 303, the receiving unit 304, and the antenna 31 to execute reading processing. For example, the reading control unit 3002 starts reading processing when the connection control unit 3001 receives a reading start request.

The read control unit 3002 causes the connection control unit 3001 to transmit the read result including the read information when the read processing is completed. The read control unit 3002 ends the read processing when the connection control unit 3001 receives the read end request.

As described above, according to the antenna 31 of the RFID tag reader 30 according to the present embodiment, the antenna element 313 is branched from one vertex into two directions of the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315. ing. That is, the antenna element 313 is not arranged in the vicinity where the operator holding the wireless tag 42 holds the wireless tag 42 over. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the antenna element 313 is covered with a bottom conductor portion 316 made of a conductor. A part of the side surface of the antenna element 313 is covered with the side surface conductor portion 317 . Therefore, the antenna 31 forms a reading area with high radio wave intensity above and inside the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 . Therefore, the antenna 31 of the wireless tag reader 30 according to this embodiment can reduce the deterioration of radio wave radiation characteristics.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case of the code symbol reading device 20 has been described as an example of the second reading device. However, the second reading device is not limited to the code symbol reading device 20, and may be another reading device. For example, the second reader may be a reader that reads the wireless tag 42 corresponding to a frequency band different from that of the wireless tag reader 30 that is the first reader.

Also, in the above embodiment, the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 are constant. However, the first antenna element 314 and the second antenna element 315 may be separate antenna elements.

The program to be executed by each device of the above-described embodiments and modified examples is preliminarily incorporated in a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) included in each device and provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, to provide files in installable format or executable format by recording them on computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROMs, flexible disks (FD), CD-Rs, DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks), etc. can be configured to Further, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium in which programs transmitted via LAN, Internet, etc. are downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

Further, the programs executed by the devices of the above embodiments and modifications may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. It may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as.

1 reading system 10 POS terminal 20 code symbol reader 30 wireless tag reader 31 antenna 312 hollow portion 313 antenna element 314 first antenna element 315 second antenna element 316 bottom conductor 317 side conductor 319 branch

JP 2006-276997 A

Claims (5)

An antenna of a first reader that reads a wireless tag,
An antenna element branched in two directions from one vertex;
a first conductor covering the bottom surface of the antenna element;
a second conductor covering part of the side surface of the antenna element;
a housing having a hollow on the minor angle side of the vertex of the antenna element and covering the antenna element;
Antenna with A reading system comprising a first reader for reading a wireless tag and a second reader,
The first reader,
An antenna element branched in two directions from one vertex;
a first conductor covering the bottom surface of the antenna element;
a second conductor covering part of the side surface of the antenna element;
a housing having a hollow on the minor angle side of the vertex of the antenna element and covering the antenna element;
with
The second reader,
disposed in the hollow;
reading system. The second reading device is a reading device that reads code symbols.
3. The reading system of claim 2. Further comprising an information processing device that identifies an article having the wireless tag based on the reading result of the first reading device and the reading result of the second reading device,
4. The reading system according to claim 2 or 3. The information processing device specifies the article on the condition that the same information is included in both the reading result of the first reading device and the reading result of the second reading device.
5. A reading system according to claim 4.

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