Information communication terminal device and temperature management system

Abstract

To provide convenient information communication terminal devices, temperature management systems, and the like capable of detecting temperature even under an environment in which a user cannot visually recognize, such as a remote location, a high place, a narrow place, and an environment harmful to a human body.SOLUTION: An RFID tag (information communication terminal device) 10 comprises: a first electrode section 30 formed on a base material 20; a second electrode section 40 that is an electrode section formed on the base material 20 and is arranged in a position different from the position in which the first electrode section 30 is arranged; a solid and non-conductive thermal melting material M that is laminated on the end of the first electrode section 30 and the end of the second electrode section 40, and changes in phase from solid to liquid at a given temperature; a first magnet piece 50 that overlaps with the first electrode section 30 and the second electrode section 40 in a plan view from an upper surface of the base material 20, and is formed separately on upper surfaces of the end of the first electrode section 30 and the end of the second electrode section 40 while sandwiching the laminated thermal melting material M; and a second magnet piece 60 for energizing the first magnet piece 50 toward the base material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information communication terminal device and a temperature control system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, maintaining a constant temperature in various types of equipment such as electronic devices or distribution boards, or in storage cabinets or boxes with heat retention functions, has been considered extremely important from the standpoint of proper operation of the equipment or proper protection of the contents stored therein.

[0003] In particular, recently, when performing such temperature control, temperature indicating materials such as labels, tapes, paints, etc. that change color when the temperature changes are used (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4789083 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the temperature-sensing sticker using the temperature-indicating material described in Patent Document 1 requires the user to visually check it on the spot, making it difficult to use in an environment where visual inspection is not possible.

[0006] Furthermore, even if the temperature sensing sticker is visible, the temperature management is analog, which is inconvenient.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a convenient information and communication terminal device and temperature control system that can detect temperature even in environments where the user cannot see, such as remote locations, high places, narrow places, or environments that are harmful to the human body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: A substrate; a first electrode portion formed on the substrate; a second electrode portion formed on the substrate and disposed at a position different from a position at which the first electrode portion is disposed; a conductive member that partially overlaps an end of the first electrode portion and an end of the second electrode portion in a plan view from the upper surface of the base, and is formed on the upper surfaces of the end of the first electrode portion and the end of the second electrode portion so as to be spaced apart from each other; a piece of material provided between at least one of an end of the first electrode portion and an end of the second electrode portion and the conductive member, for insulating at least one of the end of the first electrode portion and the end of the second electrode portion from the conductive member, the piece being a solid, non-conductive heat-melting material piece that changes phase from solid to liquid at a given temperature; a biasing member that biases the conductive member toward the substrate; a transmitting means for transmitting a given signal when the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit are electrically connected; The configuration includes:

[0009] With this configuration, when the temperature reaches a given temperature or higher, the piece of heat-melting material that was an obstacle when the conductive member was urged toward the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion by the urging member melts, and the conductive member comes into contact with the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion and becomes electrically connected, so that a given signal can be transmitted when the given temperature is reached.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to recognize that the temperature around or the location where an information communication terminal device is placed has reached a given temperature or higher in a location away from the information communication terminal device, such as a remote location, without having to visually check the terminal device itself, and can provide a signal that can be used to process various types of information, thereby improving convenience in temperature management.

[0011] Furthermore, in the present invention, once the heat-melting substance piece is liquefied, the insulating state between the conductive member and the first and second electrode portions cannot be restored, and after the phase change to liquid, the conductive member remains in contact with the first and second electrode portions and electrically connected, thereby making it possible to irreversibly control the temperature.

[0012] In other words, the present invention enables strict management of "things" that would be fatally affected if they were to exceed a certain temperature through irreversible temperature management, and also improves the convenience of temperature management processes even in environments where users cannot see them, such as remote locations, high places, narrow spaces, or environments harmful to the human body.

[0013] The "given signal" may be, for example, a signal indicating that conduction has occurred (i.e., a signal indicating that a given temperature has been reached), or, when used simultaneously with other terminal devices, may be an identification signal (identification information) such as the ID of the terminal device.

[0014] Furthermore, the "transmitting means" is composed of various components for transmitting signals, such as an antenna, a transmitting circuit, and a power supply circuit (in the case of an active type).

[0015] (2) The present invention also provides the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are each formed by a comb-shaped electrode, and a plurality of ends of the first electrode portion and a plurality of ends of the second electrode portion are formed on the substrate, At least a part of the conductive member The electrode portion is configured to overlap with a plurality of ends of the first electrode portion and a plurality of ends of the second electrode portion in a plan view from the upper surface of the base material.

[0016] With this configuration, the present invention can increase the contact area between the conductive member and the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion when the temperature reaches a given temperature or higher, thereby preventing problems such as poor contact.

[0017] (3) The present invention also provides the biasing member is formed of a magnetic material formed on the back surface of the base material, The conductive member is made of a magnetic material that is attracted to the biasing member.

[0018] With this configuration, the present invention can provide an information communication terminal device that detects temperature with a simple structure.

[0019] (4) The present invention also provides The biasing member is a first contact portion, one surface of which serves as a contact surface and contacts the base material; a second contact portion that faces the contact surface of the first contact portion and contacts the conductive member; , a clip mechanism for clamping the substrate and the conductive member together using the first contact portion and the second contact portion while biasing the first contact portion and the second contact portion toward the contact surface from the outside; It has a configuration that is composed of.

[0020] With this configuration, the present invention can provide a terminal device that detects temperature with a simple structure.

[0021] (5) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: an information communication terminal device that irreversibly detects that a given temperature has been reached, and that transmits a given signal when it detects that the given temperature has been reached; a temperature control device that receives a signal transmitted from the information communication terminal device and performs processing related to temperature control based on the received signal; Equipped with The information communication terminal device A substrate; a first electrode portion formed on the substrate; a second electrode portion formed on the substrate and disposed at a position different from a position at which the first electrode portion is disposed; a conductive member that partially overlaps an end of the first electrode portion and an end of the second electrode portion in a plan view from the upper surface of the base, and is formed on the upper surfaces of the end of the first electrode portion and the end of the second electrode portion so as to be spaced apart from each other; a piece of material provided between at least one of an end of the first electrode portion and an end of the second electrode portion and the conductive member, for insulating at least one of the end of the first electrode portion and the end of the second electrode portion from the conductive member, the piece being a solid, non-conductive heat-melting material piece that changes phase from solid to liquid at a given temperature; a biasing member that biases the conductive member toward the substrate; a transmitting means for transmitting a given signal when the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit are electrically connected; The configuration includes:

[0022] With this configuration, when the temperature reaches a given temperature or higher, the present invention electrically connects the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion via the conductive member, and the result can be transmitted as a given signal.Therefore, it is possible to recognize that the temperature around the information communication terminal device or the location where the information communication terminal device is placed has reached a given temperature or higher from a location away from the information communication terminal device, such as a remote location, without having to visually check the information communication terminal device itself, and it is possible to obtain a signal that can be used for various information processing, thereby improving convenience in temperature management.

[0023] Furthermore, in the present invention, once the heat-melting substance piece is liquefied, the insulating state between the conductive member and the first and second electrode portions cannot be restored, and after the phase change to liquid, the conductive member remains in contact with the first and second electrode portions and electrically connected, thereby making it possible to irreversibly control the temperature.

[0024] In other words, the present invention enables strict management of "things" that would be fatally affected if they were to exceed a certain temperature through irreversible temperature management, and also improves the convenience of temperature management processes even in environments where users cannot see them, such as remote locations, high places, narrow spaces, or environments harmful to the human body.

[0025] The "temperature control processing" refers to the processing performed when a signal transmitted from an information communication terminal device is received. This includes processing to output an alarm sound or display a warning when an error occurs, or processing to visualize the presence or absence of a signal transmitted from an information communication terminal device on a map display showing the location of the information communication terminal device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram (top view) showing an internal circuit layout of an RFID tag according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a partial circuit layout diagram (cross-sectional view) of the inside of an RFID tag according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of a temperature control system S using RFID tags in one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a temperature management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram (top view) showing a part of an internal circuit layout of a modified example of the RFID tag according to one embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of an RFID tag according to one embodiment, in which the biasing mechanism is used to bias the tag toward the substrate, and is a circuit layout diagram (cross-sectional view) focusing on the biasing mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] The embodiments described below are embodiments in which the information communication terminal device and temperature control system of the present application are applied to an information communication system having an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag (hereinafter also referred to as an "RFID tag") for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), which communicates with a reader / writer using wireless communication and reads and writes predetermined information by the reader / writer, and an information processing device that receives information (signals) transmitted from the RFID tag and executes predetermined information processing. However, the present application is not limited to the following embodiments within the scope of its technical concept.

[0029] [1] RFID tags [1.1] Overview and structure of RFID tags First, an overview and a general configuration of an RFID tag 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] 1 is a diagram (top view) of the internal circuit layout of the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram (cross-sectional view) of a portion of the internal circuit layout of the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment.

[0031] The RFID tag 10 of this embodiment is configured so that when the ambient temperature of the place where the RFID tag 10 is placed inside a housing (not shown) made of plastic or the like reaches a given temperature, a switch of an internal circuit formed on the RFID tag 10 is turned on and a given signal (i.e., information indicating that the given temperature has been reached) is transmitted.

[0032] In other words, the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment has an irreversible switch mechanism that turns on the switch of the internal circuit when a given temperature is reached by changing the phase of the heat-melting substance piece M, which had been controlling the switch to OFF, from solid to liquid.

[0033] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the RFID tag 10 includes a substrate 20, a first electrode portion 30 formed on the substrate 20, and an electrode portion formed on the substrate 20, which is the first electrode and a second electrode section 40 disposed at a position different from the position at which the first electrode section 30 is disposed.

[0034] The RFID tag 10 also includes a first magnet piece 50 that partially overlaps the end of the first electrode portion 30 and the end of the second electrode portion 40 when viewed from the top surface of the substrate 20 in a plan view, and is formed on the top surfaces of the end of the first electrode portion 30 and the end of the second electrode portion 40 at a distance, and a second magnet piece 60 that urges the first magnet piece 50 toward the substrate.

[0035] The RFID tag 10 has a solid, non-conductive heat-melting material piece M that is arranged between at least one of the ends of the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 and the first magnet piece 50, and is used to insulate at least one of the ends of the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 from the first magnet piece 50, and that changes phase from solid to liquid at a given temperature.

[0036] Furthermore, the RFID tag 10 includes a communication circuit section 70 that transmits a given signal when the first electrode section 30 and the second electrode section 40 are electrically connected.

[0037] In particular, the heat-melting substance piece M of this embodiment is configured by being laminated on at least one of the end portion of the first electrode portion 30 and the end portion of the second electrode portion 40 .

[0038] With this configuration, when the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment reaches a given temperature or higher, the heat-melting substance piece M that was an obstacle when the second magnet piece 60 urged the first magnet piece 50 toward the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 melts, and the first magnet piece 50 comes into contact with and electrically connects to the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40, and as a result, it is able to transmit a given signal (specifically, information indicating that the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 are electrically connected and that a given temperature has been reached).

[0039] Therefore, the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment allows a user to recognize that the temperature around or where the RFID tag 10 is placed has reached a given temperature or higher in a location far from the RFID tag 10, such as a remote location, without having to visually see the RFID tag 10 itself.

[0040] Furthermore, in the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment, once the heat-melting material piece M is liquefied, the insulating state between the first magnet piece 50 and the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 cannot be restored, and after the phase change to liquid, the first magnet piece 50 remains in contact with and electrically connected to the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40, so that temperature can be controlled irreversibly.

[0041] In other words, the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment can perform strict temperature control on "things (materials, medicines (drugs), products (goods), or substances (including cells, etc.) that are subject to temperature control)" that would be fatally affected if the temperature rose above a certain level due to irreversible temperature control, and can improve the convenience of temperature control processing even in environments where the user cannot see, such as remote locations, high places, narrow spaces, or environments that are harmful to the human body.

[0042] [1.2] RFID tag structure Next, the configuration of the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0043] The substrate 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is an insulating substrate, and may be, for example, a glass substrate, a resin substrate, A plastic film or paper may be used.

[0044] The first electrode section 30 is provided on one surface of the base material 20, is made of a conductor such as aluminum, and is connected to the communication circuit section .

[0045] In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode portion 30 is provided adjacent to the same surface as the second electrode portion 40, and is provided on the substrate 20 at a spaced apart position spatially separated from the second electrode portion 40 by a given distance.

[0046] That is, the first electrode section 30 is not connected to the second electrode section 40 either spatially (physically) or electrically, and is disposed on the substrate 20 in an independent state.

[0047] Furthermore, the shape of the first electrode portion 30 is not limited as long as it is located on the substrate 20 at a position separated from the second electrode portion 40 and can come into contact with the first magnet portion 50 when the heat-melting substance piece M melts and turns into liquid.

[0048] The first electrode section 30 constitutes an anode or a cathode, and is constituted by a different electrode from the second electrode section 40.

[0049] Like the first electrode portion 30, the second electrode portion 40 is provided on one of the surfaces of the substrate 20, which is the same surface as the first electrode portion 30, and is formed from a conductor such as aluminum and connected to the communication circuit portion 70.

[0050] In particular, the second electrode portion 40 is arranged on the substrate 20 in an independent state, without being spatially (physically) or electrically connected to the first electrode portion 30, as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

[0051] Furthermore, the second electrode portion 40, like the first electrode portion 30, is positioned on the substrate 20 at a position separated from the second electrode portion 40, and its shape is not limited as long as it is capable of coming into contact with the first magnet portion 50 when the heat-melting substance piece M melts and turns into liquid.

[0052] The second electrode section 40 constitutes an anode or a cathode, similar to the first electrode section 30, and is constituted by a different electrode from the first electrode section 30.

[0053] The heat-melting substance piece M is made of a heat-melting substance such as wax that melts at a predetermined temperature and changes phase from solid to liquid, and is made of, for example, wax mainly composed of straight-chain hydrocarbons, or chemical substances such as trilaurin, myristic acid, behenic acid, and stearic acid amide.

[0054] The first magnet piece 50 is arranged so that when the heat-melting substance piece M melts, it is attracted to the second magnet piece 60 via the substrate 20, the first electrode portion 30, and the second electrode portion 40.

[0055] Specifically, the first magnet piece 50 is a conductive magnet piece formed on a heat-melting material piece M that is laminated on at least a portion of each of the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40.

[0056] The first magnet piece 50 is formed so that the surface that is attracted to the second magnet piece 60 faces downward (that is, faces the substrate 20 side).

[0057] That is, the first magnet piece 50 determines whether the heat-melting material piece M reaches a predetermined temperature. When melted, the heat-melting substance pieces M are attracted to the second magnet pieces 60, and are arranged so as to maintain this state (hereinafter referred to as "attracted state") after the heat-melting substance pieces M are melted.

[0058] The first magnet piece 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is conductive, but it may be, for example, a conductive magnet such as an alnico magnet, or a non-conductive magnet such as a ferrite magnet that does not have electrical conductivity and has its outside coated with a soft magnetic metal.

[0059] The second magnet piece 60 is a magnet piece for attracting the first magnet piece 50, and may or may not be conductive.

[0060] In particular, the second magnet piece 60 is formed of a magnetic material formed on the rear surface of the base material 20, and functions as a biasing member that biases the first magnet piece 50 toward the base material 20 side.

[0061] Specifically, the second magnet piece 60 is fixedly installed on the back surface of the substrate 20 facing the first magnet piece 50 via the substrate 20, the first electrode portion 30, and the second electrode portion 40, so that when the heat-melting substance piece M melts, the second magnet piece 60 is attracted to the first magnet piece 50 via the substrate 20, the first electrode portion 30, and the second electrode portion 40.

[0062] The communication circuit unit 70 is configured to receive signals transmitted from a reader device such as the temperature control system S described below, generate an electromotive force based on the received signal, and use the electromotive force to transmit and receive signals to and from the outside.

[0063] In addition, the communication circuit section 70 is provided on the same surface of the substrate 20 as the surface on which the first electrode section 30 and the second electrode section 40 are formed, and is electrically connected to the first electrode section 30 and the second electrode section 40.

[0064] Specifically, the communication circuit unit 70 is made up of an IC 71, an antenna 72, and a pair of antenna elements 73 and 74, as shown in FIG.

[0065] The IC 71 has circuits (internal circuits) for executing various processes including transmission and reception of signals in a given band (for example, UHF band), and is configured to execute appropriate processes depending on the usage mode.

[0066] The IC 71 is formed in the center of the substrate 20 and is electrically connected to the first electrode portion 30, the second electrode portion 40, and the antenna 72.

[0067] In particular, IC 71 has a transmitting / receiving circuit that mediates the transmission and reception of signals between antenna 72 and each internal circuit, an electromotive force generation control circuit that generates an electromotive force based on the signal received by antenna 72 and supplies it to each internal circuit, a processing circuit that executes predetermined processing, and a memory.

[0068] For example, the transceiver circuit includes a downconverter that downconverts an RF (Radio Frequency) signal to a baseband signal, an upconverter that upconverts the baseband signal to an RF signal, a filter circuit, a modulator / demodulator, a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), and an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) in order to transmit and receive signals in the frequency band used in the corresponding system.

[0069] Furthermore, the electromotive force generation control circuit generates an electromotive force based on electromagnetic waves supplied from the temperature management device 100 (specifically, the RFID reader / writer 140), and supplies the generated electromotive force to each circuit as power.

[0070] Then, the processing circuit executes a predetermined process of transmitting a signal indicating that the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 are electrically connected to the temperature control system S in accordance with a predetermined protocol.

[0071] In addition to the signal indicating that the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 are electrically connected, the IC 71 may also perform a process of transmitting an identification signal (identification information) of the corresponding RFID tag 10 when used simultaneously with one or more other RFID tags 10.

[0072] In this case, the memory is a non-volatile memory having a predetermined storage area, and for example, the identification information of the RFID tag 10 is stored in the storage area.

[0073] The antenna 72 is formed in a given shape (for example, a circle or a square) based on the IC 71 formed in the center of the substrate 20 , and is connected to the IC 71 and a pair of antenna elements 73 and 74 .

[0074] The pair of antenna elements 73 and 74 are made of a conductor such as aluminum, and have a predetermined shape that extends outward from the antenna 72 .

[0075] In addition, the pair of antenna elements 73 and 74 are provided on the same surface as the surface on which the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 are formed on the substrate 20, and are formed from a conductor such as aluminum.

[0076] If the RFID tag 10 is an active type, the communication circuit section 70 has a power source.

[0077] [2] Temperature control system [2.1] Overview of temperature control system Next, a temperature control system S using the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0078] FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of a temperature control system S using the RFID tag 10 in this embodiment.

[0079] The temperature control system S of this embodiment is a system that uses a signal transmitted from the RFID tag 10 to control the temperature around or in the area where the RFID tag 10 is placed.

[0080] In particular, the temperature control system S of this embodiment has one or more of the above-mentioned RFID tags 10 and a temperature control device 100 that performs various processes related to temperature control in the area where the RFID tag 10 is placed or where it is stored based on a signal transmitted from the RFID tag 10.

[0081] That is, the temperature management system S of this embodiment is composed of an RFID tag 10 that irreversibly detects when a given temperature has been reached and transmits a given signal when it detects that the given temperature has been reached, and a temperature management device 100 that receives the signal transmitted from the RFID tag 10 and performs processing related to temperature management based on the received signal.

[0082] The temperature control device 100 is configured by an information processing device such as a PC (personal computer), a tablet-type information communication terminal device, or a smartphone used by a user. It is an information processing device.

[0083] The temperature management device 100 is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to supply power to the RFID tag 10, and detect and analyze the temperature of the area in which the RFID tag 10 is placed or the location where it is stored based on the signal transmitted from the RFID tag 10.

[0084] [2.2] Temperature control device configuration Next, the temperature management device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the temperature management device 100 of this embodiment.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 4, the temperature control device 100 of this embodiment has a processing unit 110, an RFID reader / writer 140, an operation input unit 160 consisting of a touch panel or the like, a memory unit 170, an information storage medium 180, a display unit 190 consisting of a display element such as a liquid crystal panel, a sound output unit 192, and a communication unit 196.

[0086] The RFID reader / writer 140 receives a signal transmitted from the RFID tag 10 while transmitting electromagnetic waves for supplying power to the RFID tag 10 and given data (for example, the ID of the RFID tag 10).

[0087] For example, the RFID reader / writer 140 of this embodiment provides the RFID tag 10 with electromagnetic waves for power supply and the identification information (ID) of the RFID tag 10 from which data is to be acquired, and reads (acquires) the transmitted information when a predetermined temperature is reached.

[0088] In addition, the RFID reader / writer 140 of this embodiment may acquire the identification information (ID) of the RFID tag 10 along with the information transmitted when a predetermined temperature is reached (especially when multiple RFID tags 10 are used), or may simply acquire the identification information (ID) of the RFID tag 10 instead of the information transmitted from the RFID tag 10.

[0089] The operation input unit 160 is a device for inputting input information such as operation instructions from the user, and outputs the user's input information to the processing unit 110.

[0090] The operation input unit 160 of this embodiment has a configuration for detecting input information (input signals) from the user, and is composed of, for example, a lever, a button, a microphone, a touch panel display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0091] The storage unit 170 serves as a work area for the processing unit 110 and the like, and its function can be realized by hardware such as RAM (VRAM).

[0092] The storage unit 170 of this embodiment includes a main storage unit 171 that is used as a work area.

[0093] The information storage medium 180 is computer-readable, and stores various types of data including various applications and an OS (operating system).

[0094] That is, the information storage medium 180 stores applications for causing a computer to function as each unit of the present embodiment (applications for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit).

[0095] For example, the information storage medium 180 may be an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a magnetic tape, or a memory card. These include ROM, memory cards, etc.

[0096] The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communication with the outside (for example, the RFID tag 10), and its functions are realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, or programs.

[0097] The processing unit 110 can perform various processes of this embodiment by reading and executing the applications stored in the information storage medium 180. Note that the types of applications stored in the information storage medium 180 are arbitrary.

[0098] The processing unit 110 performs various processes of this embodiment based on the application stored in the information storage medium 180. Note that the processing unit 110 of this embodiment may read out programs and data stored in the information storage medium 180, temporarily store the read programs and data in the storage unit 170, and perform processing based on the programs and data.

[0099] Furthermore, the processing unit 110 (processor) performs various processes using a main memory unit 171 in the memory unit 170 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 110 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) or programs.

[0100] The processing unit 110 includes a communication control unit 111, an input reception processing unit 112, a temperature management unit 113, a display control unit 114, a reading control unit 115, a drawing unit 120, and a sound processing unit 130. Note that some of these units may be omitted.

[0101] The communication control unit 111 controls the RFID reader / writer 140 to transmit and receive data to and from the RFID tag 10 .

[0102] In particular, the communication control unit 111 transmits to the RFID tag 10 electromagnetic waves for electromotive force and data such as identification information (ID) of the RFID tag 10 from which data is to be acquired, while receiving data (signals) transmitted from the RFID tag 10.

[0103] The communication control unit 111 then performs processing such as storing the received data in the storage unit 170, analyzing the received data, and controlling other processing related to the transmission and reception of data.

[0104] When the input reception processing unit 112 receives a signal transmitted from the RFID tag 10 , it outputs the received signal to the temperature management unit 113 .

[0105] The temperature management unit 113 executes a given process related to temperature management based on a signal transmitted from the RFID tag 10 via the input reception processing unit 112 .

[0106] For example, when the temperature management unit 113 receives a signal transmitted from the RFID tag 10, it works in conjunction with the sound processing unit 130 to perform processing for outputting a given alarm sound from the sound output unit 192, or works in conjunction with the display control unit 114 to perform processing for displaying a warning image on the display unit 190.

[0107] The temperature management unit 113 may also receive signals from multiple RFID tags 10. In this case, it manages the reception of signals transmitted from each RFID tag 10 and performs processing to notify whether a given temperature has been reached in a predetermined area or storage location.

[0108] For example, in this case, the temperature management unit 113 may The RFID tag 10 generates data (hereinafter referred to as "visualization data") for visualizing whether or not a signal has been received, and in conjunction with the display control unit 114, displays the visualization data superimposed on an image that maps the locations of the RFID tags 10.

[0109] The display control unit 114 executes a process for displaying an image relating to temperature management on the display unit 190.

[0110] The reading control unit 115 controls the RFID reader / writer 140 that reads given information (signals) transmitted from the RFID tag 10 .

[0111] The drawing unit 120 performs drawing processing based on the various processes performed by the processing unit 110, thereby generating an image, which is output to the display unit 190 by the display control unit 114.

[0112] The sound processing unit 130 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 110 , generates sound effects, alarm sounds, etc., and outputs them to the sound output unit 192 .

[0113] [3] Variation [3.1] Modification 1 (Interdigital electrode) Next, a case where comb-shaped electrodes are used as the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 of this modified example will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B).

[0114] 5 shows a modified example of the RFID tag 10 according to this modification, and is a part of a circuit layout diagram (top view) of the RFID tag 10. As shown in FIG.

[0115] The first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 of this embodiment may be configured by interdigital electrodes.

[0116] In this case, the first electrode portion 30 has a predetermined width and is composed of a first comb electrode having multiple comb teeth, as shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), and is formed opposite the second electrode portion 40.

[0117] As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), the second electrode portion 40, like the first electrode portion 30, has a predetermined width and is composed of a second comb electrode having multiple comb teeth, and is arranged opposite the first comb electrode.

[0118] In particular, in the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40, the multiple comb teeth of each are configured such that the comb teeth of the first electrode portion 30 are arranged between the comb teeth of the second electrode portion 40 along the upper surface of the substrate 20.

[0119] That is, the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 are each formed by a comb-shaped electrode, and multiple ends of the first electrode portion 30 and multiple ends of the second electrode portion 40 are each formed on the substrate 20.

[0120] The first magnet pieces 50 are arranged so as to overlap the multiple ends of the first electrode portion 30 and the multiple ends of the second electrode portion 40 in a plan view from the top surface of the substrate 20.

[0121] The first magnet piece 50 is disposed on the substrate 20 at a position spaced apart from the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 via the heat-melting material piece M, and when the heat-melting material piece M is melted and turned into a liquid, it can come into contact with the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40. If so, the shape is not limited.

[0122] [3.2] Modification 2 (electrodes having magnetic material) Next, a case where electrodes formed of a magnetic material (hereinafter referred to as "magnetic electrodes") are used as the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 of this modified example will be described.

[0123] This modification is characterized in that, instead of the second magnet piece 60 of the above embodiment, the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 are formed as a magnetic material.

[0124] In other words, the RFID tag 10 of this modified example does not have a second magnet piece 60, and is configured to be attracted toward the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 when the heat-melting substance piece M changes into a liquid.

[0125] For example, each of the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 includes a ferromagnetic material component such as iron, cobalt, nickel, and gadolinium.

[0126] [3.3] Modification 3 (biasing mechanism) Next, a modified example of the biasing mechanism of the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0127] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the RFID tag 10 in this embodiment, which illustrates the biasing mechanism biasing the RFID tag toward the substrate, and is a circuit layout diagram (cross-sectional view) centered on the biasing mechanism.

[0128] This modified example is characterized in that, instead of using the first magnet piece 50 in the above embodiment to urge the substrate 20, it has an electric current-carrying metal piece P stacked on the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 on the surface of the substrate 20, a first abutment portion 310 that abuts the electric current-carrying metal piece P, a second abutment portion 320 that faces the first abutment portion 310 and abuts directly on the back surface of the substrate 20, and a clip mechanism portion 300 that clamps the substrate 20 and the electric current-carrying metal piece P together using the first abutment portion 310 and the second abutment portion 320 while urging the first abutment portion 310 and the second abutment portion 320 toward the abutment surface from the outside.

[0129] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the clip mechanism 300 has the function of clamping the conductive metal piece P and the first electrode portion 30 or the second electrode portion 40, and biasing the conductive metal piece P from the outside toward the substrate 20.

[0130] FIG. 6(A) is a diagram for explaining the biasing of the clip mechanism 300 toward the substrate 20, and is a part of the internal circuit layout diagram of the RFID tag 10. Both FIGS. 6(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the first electrode portion 30.

[0131] [3.4] Variation 4 (Various wireless technologies) Next, a modified example of the RFID tag 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0132] In this embodiment, the principles and methods of temperature control and the like are explained using the RFID tag 10, but this modified example may use short-range wireless technologies such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi, and LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) instead of RFID technology.

[0133] [3.5] Variation 5 (first magnet piece coated with a heat-melting material piece) Next, a modified example of the first magnet piece 50 of this embodiment will be described.

[0134] In the above embodiment, instead of the heat-melting material piece M being stacked on the end of the first electrode portion 30 and the end of the second electrode portion 40, the periphery of the first magnet piece 50 (particularly the bottom surface on the substrate 20 side) may be coated with the heat-melting material, thereby insulating at least one of the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 from the first magnet piece 50.

[0135] That is, in this modified example, the first magnet piece 50 may be formed with its periphery coated with a heat-melting substance such as wax.

[0136] Therefore, in this case, by simply arranging the coated first magnet piece 50 at the end of the first electrode portion 30 and the end of the second electrode portion 40, when a given temperature has not been reached, the first electrode portion 30, the second electrode portion 40 and the first magnet piece 50 are insulated from each other, whereas when the given temperature is reached and the heat-melting substance is melted, the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 become electrically conductive, thereby achieving the same effect as the above embodiment.

[0137] [3.6] Modification 6 (Magnetic material as conductive member) Next, a modified example of the first magnet piece 50 of this embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, a magnet (i.e., the first magnet piece 50) is used as a conductive member for electrically connecting the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40, but a member that forms a magnetic body such as iron (e.g., an iron plate) may also be used.

[0138] That is, in this modified example, it is sufficient that the electrode be attracted to the second magnet piece 60 and bring the first electrode portion 30 and the second electrode portion 40 into electrical conduction.

[0139] In this modified example, the first magnet piece 50 serving as the conductive member in the above embodiment is changed to a member made of a magnetic material such as iron, but instead of the first magnet piece 50, the second magnet piece 60 in the above embodiment may also be changed to a member made of a magnetic material such as iron.

[0140] Even in this case, the first magnet piece 50 is ultimately biased in the direction of the base material 20, and so, like this modified example, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are achieved.

[0141] [4] Other The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, terms cited in the specification or drawings as broadly defined or synonymous terms can be replaced with broadly defined or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

[0142] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effects). The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0143] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail as above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] M: Heat-melting material piece S: Temperature control system 1: Housing 10: RFID tags 20: Base material 30: First electrode portion 40: Second electrode portion 50: 1st magnet piece 60:Second magnet piece 70: Communication circuit section 72: Antenna 73, 74: Antenna elements 100: Temperature control device 110: Processing section 111: Communication control unit 112: Input reception processing unit 113: Temperature control section 114: Display control unit 115: Reading control unit 120: Drawing section 130: Sound processing unit 140: RFID reader / writer 160: Operation input section 170: Storage section 171: Main memory 180: Information storage medium 190:Display section 192: Sound output unit 196: Communications Department 300: Clip mechanism 310: Clip part

Claims

1. A substrate; a first electrode portion formed on the substrate; a second electrode portion formed on the substrate and disposed at a position different from a position at which the first electrode portion is disposed; a conductive member that partially overlaps an end of the first electrode portion and an end of the second electrode portion in a plan view from the upper surface of the base material, and is formed on the upper surfaces of the end of the first electrode portion and the end of the second electrode portion so as to be spaced apart from each other; a piece of material provided between at least one of an end of the first electrode portion and an end of the second electrode portion and the conductive member, for insulating at least one of the end of the first electrode portion and the end of the second electrode portion from the conductive member, the piece being a solid, non-conductive heat-melting material piece that changes phase from solid to liquid at a given temperature; a biasing member that biases the conductive member toward the substrate; a transmitting means for transmitting a given signal when the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit are electrically connected; An information communication terminal device comprising:

2. 2. The information communication terminal device according to claim 1, the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are each formed by a comb-shaped electrode, and a plurality of ends of the first electrode portion and a plurality of ends of the second electrode portion are formed on the substrate, At least a part of the conductive member an information communication terminal device, wherein the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are formed to overlap each other in a plan view from the upper surface of the base material;

3. 2. The information communication terminal device according to claim 1, the biasing member is formed of a magnetic material formed on the back surface of the base material, The information communication terminal device, wherein the conductive member is formed of a magnetic material that is attracted to the biasing member.

4. 2. The information communication terminal device according to claim 1, The biasing member is a first contact portion, one surface of which serves as a contact surface and contacts the base material; a second contact portion that faces the contact surface and contacts the conductive member; a clip mechanism for clamping the base material and the conductive member together using the first contact portion and the second contact portion while biasing the first contact portion and the second contact portion toward a contact surface from the outside; An information communication terminal device comprising:

5. an information communication terminal device that irreversibly detects that a given temperature has been reached, and that transmits a given signal when it detects that the given temperature has been reached; a temperature control device that receives a signal transmitted from the information communication terminal device and performs processing related to temperature control based on the received signal; Equipped with The information communication terminal device A substrate; a first electrode portion formed on the substrate; a second electrode portion formed on the substrate and disposed at a position different from a position at which the first electrode portion is disposed; a conductive member that partially overlaps an end of the first electrode portion and an end of the second electrode portion in a plan view from the upper surface of the base material, and is formed on the upper surfaces of the end of the first electrode portion and the end of the second electrode portion so as to be spaced apart from each other; a piece of material provided between at least one of an end of the first electrode portion and an end of the second electrode portion and the conductive member, for insulating at least one of the end of the first electrode portion and the end of the second electrode portion from the conductive member, the piece being a solid, non-conductive heat-melting material piece that changes phase from solid to liquid at a given temperature; a biasing member that biases the conductive member toward the substrate; a transmitting means for transmitting a given signal when the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit are electrically connected; A temperature control system comprising:

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