Storage device for goods

Abstract

The system reads tag information appropriately from wireless tags attached to items placed in containers. [Solution] The container 110 has an upward-facing opening 111 and stores the item 10 that is inserted through the opening 111. The antenna 121 receives radio waves emitted by the wireless tag 20. The reader / writer reads tag information from the wireless tag 20 via the antenna 121. The storage box 130 is positioned above the container 110 and houses the antenna 121 and the reader / writer. The support column 140 supports the storage box 130. The antenna 121 extends horizontally within the storage box 130.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an article storage device. [Background Art]

[0002] Technologies for managing waste using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an input article management apparatus that reads tag information from a wireless tag attached to a medical instrument when the medical instrument is discarded.

[0003] This input article management apparatus is devised to suppress reading of tag information from wireless tags attached to articles that have not yet been input. For example, the input article management apparatus includes a radio wave absorbing portion around an area through which an input article passes before being stored in a storage portion. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2025-177558 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] However, with the input article management apparatus described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that tag information cannot be appropriately read from the wireless tag attached to an input article. For example, in this input article management apparatus, it is considered that radio waves radiated from an antenna do not reach the upper corners of the aforementioned area. Therefore, in this input article management apparatus, for example, when the size of an input article stored in the storage portion is large and the wireless tag is arranged at an upper corner of the aforementioned area, there is a possibility that the tag information cannot be read. For this reason, there is a demand for an article storage device that appropriately reads tag information from a wireless tag attached to an article put into a container.

[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide an article storage device that appropriately reads tag information from wireless tags attached to articles placed in a container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the article storage device relating to this disclosure is An item storage device that stores items attached to wireless tags and inserted by users, A container having an upward-facing opening for storing the article that is inserted through the opening, A first planar antenna that receives radio waves emitted by the aforementioned wireless tag, A reader device that reads tag information from the wireless tag via the first planar antenna, A storage box is positioned above the container and houses the first planar antenna and the reading device, The storage box is supported by a support column, The first planar antenna extends horizontally within the storage box.

[0008] A guide plate may be provided between the storage box and the container, extending along the edge of the opening when viewed from the vertical direction, to guide the article into the opening.

[0009] The guide plate may shield the radio waves.

[0010] The storage box may include a shielding plate that extends horizontally above the first planar antenna and blocks the radio waves.

[0011] The system includes a second planar antenna having a shorter readable distance than the first planar antenna, The reading device reads the tag information from the wireless tag when the wireless tag is close to the second planar antenna. The support column is a plate-shaped member having an inner surface facing the container and an outer surface parallel to the inner surface. The second planar antenna may be disposed on the outer surface of the support post.

[0012] comprising a cable that connects the reading device and the second planar antenna, the second planar antenna comprises, at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the second planar antenna, a connector to which one end of the cable is connected, the connector may comprise a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction from the outer surface toward the inner surface.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, tag information can be appropriately read from a radio tag attached to an article to be loaded into a container.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] First perspective view of an article storage device according to an embodiment [Figure 2] Second perspective view of an article storage device according to an embodiment [Figure 3] Front view of an article storage device according to an embodiment [Figure 4] Left side view of an article storage device according to an embodiment [Figure 5] Top view of a storage box and each component inside the storage box according to an embodiment [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view along line A-A of the storage box and each component inside the storage box according to an embodiment [Figure 7] Perspective view of a second planar antenna and an attachment auxiliary member according to an embodiment before fixation [Figure 8] First perspective view of a second planar antenna and an attachment auxiliary member according to an embodiment after fixation [Figure 9] Second perspective view of a second planar antenna and an attachment auxiliary member according to an embodiment after fixation

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0016] (Embodiment) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the configuration of the article storage device 100 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the article storage device 100 as viewed from a direction slightly deviated from the front of the article storage device 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the article storage device 100 as viewed from a direction slightly deviated from the back of the article storage device 100. FIG. 3 is a front view of the article storage device 100. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the article storage device 100. FIG. 5 is a top view of a storage box 130 included in the article storage device 100 and each component in the storage box 130. FIG. 5 is a top view of the storage box 130 with a ceiling plate 132 removed. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the storage box 130 and each component in the storage box 130 taken along a cut plane indicated by the line A-A shown in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 1 to 5, an antenna 121 that is hidden behind other components and cannot be seen is indicated by a broken line.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other, and the Z-axis is an axis extending in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, with the article storage device 100 as a reference, the positive direction of the X-axis is appropriately referred to as the left direction, the negative direction of the X-axis is referred to as the right direction, the positive direction of the Y-axis is referred to as the rear direction, the negative direction of the Y-axis is referred to as the front direction, the positive direction of the Z-axis is referred to as the upward direction, and the negative direction of the Z-axis is referred to as the downward direction. The front view of the article storage device 100 is a view of the article storage device 100 viewed from the negative direction of the Y-axis. The left side view of the article storage device 100 is a view of the article storage device 100 viewed from the positive direction of the X-axis. The top view of the storage box 130 is a view of the storage box 130 viewed from above.

[0018] The item storage device 100 stores items 10 inserted by the user and reads tag information from wireless tags 20 attached to the items 10. The item storage device 100 primarily reads tag information when the items 10 are inserted, but it can also read tag information after the items 10 have been stored. Examples of items 10 include used medical supplies that are discarded in medical settings, and outer boxes that store such medical supplies. Medical supplies are equipment and devices used in medical procedures such as treatment and diagnosis. Examples of medical supplies include syringes, catheters, artificial blood vessels, blood pumps, blood transfusion products, thermometers, blood pressure monitors, endoscopes, gauze, and many other items. The item storage device 100 is used for managing such discarded medical supplies.

[0019] Item 10 is fitted with a wireless tag 20, which is a wireless IC (Integrated Circuit) tag in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system. The wireless tag 20 is, for example, a passive tag that does not contain a battery. The tag information stored in the wireless tag 20 is information for identifying the wireless tag 20 or the item 10 to which the wireless tag 20 is attached. The tag information is, for example, information that represents a string of characters composed of numbers and letters.

[0020] The item storage device 100 comprises, as its main components, a container 110, a reader / writer 120, an antenna 121, a storage box 130, a plurality of support columns 140, a trolley 150, a guide plate 160, and an antenna 170. The container 110 stores items 10 inserted by the user. The container 110 has an opening 111 that opens upward. The container 110 stores items 10 inserted through the opening 111. The container 110 is, for example, a plastic trash can.

[0021] The reader / writer 120 reads tag information from the wireless tag 20 via antenna 121 or antenna 170. The reader / writer 120 operates according to the control of a control device (not shown), such as a personal computer or smartphone. For example, the reader / writer 120 emits radio waves from antenna 121 or antenna 170 at a predetermined period (e.g., 1 second). The frequency of these radio waves is, for example, a frequency in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. The wireless tag 20 operates using the power of the radio waves received from antenna 121 or antenna 170 and emits radio waves containing tag information. The reader / writer 120 receives the radio waves emitted from the wireless tag 20 via antenna 121 or antenna 170. The reader / writer 120 transmits the tag information read from the wireless tag 20 to the control device. The reader / writer 120 is an example of a reading device.

[0022] Antenna 121 receives radio waves emitted by the wireless tag 20. Antenna 121 is a planar antenna formed by arranging metal plates, conductive patterns, etc., in a planar manner. In this embodiment, antenna 121 is a patch antenna. Antenna 121 emits circularly polarized waves. Antenna 121 is positioned below the reader / writer 120 inside the storage box 130 and extends horizontally. It is desirable that antenna 121 extends to the vicinity of the edge of the storage box 130. With this configuration, the area directly below the edge of the storage box 130 also becomes a readable area for tag information. Antenna 121 is mainly used to read tag information from wireless tags 20 attached to items 10 that can be placed in the container 110. Antenna 121 is an example of a first planar antenna.

[0023] The storage box 130 houses the reader / writer 120 and the antenna 121. The storage box 130 is positioned above the container 110. The storage box 130 comprises a frame 131, a top plate 132, a middle plate 133, and a bottom plate 134. The frame 131 is a frame-shaped assembled member. The frame 131 mainly constitutes the sides of the storage box 130. Since the frame 131 is a member that supports the top plate 132, the bottom plate 134, etc., it is preferable that it be made of a strong material. For example, the frame 131 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The frame 131 has a groove 131A on the upper left side and a groove 131B on the upper right side. The frame 131 also has openings 131C on both the right and left sides.

[0024] The ceiling panel 132 is a plate-shaped component positioned on the ceiling of the storage box 130. Preferably, the ceiling panel 132 is configured to be detachable from the frame 131. The ceiling panel 132 functions as a lid that protects the inside of the storage box 130 from dust, dirt, impact, radio waves, etc. For example, the ceiling panel 132 is made of a metal such as aluminum. Since the ceiling panel 132 extends horizontally above the antenna 121, it functions as a shielding plate that blocks radio waves.

[0025] The intermediate plate 133 is a plate that divides the space inside the storage box 130 vertically. The intermediate plate 133 has the function of fixing the items stored inside the storage box 130. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, for example, a reader / writer 120, an antenna 121, and a splitter 122 are fixed to the intermediate plate 133. In this embodiment, the reader / writer 120 and the splitter 122 are placed on the upper surface of the intermediate plate 133, and the antenna 121 is placed on the lower surface of the intermediate plate 133. The intermediate plate 133 is fixed to the frame 131 by, for example, a connecting member (not shown).

[0026] The splitter 122 is a passive component that splits and integrates RF signals corresponding to radio waves. Cables 123A, 123B, and 123C are connected to the splitter 122. Cable 123A connects the reader / writer 120 to the splitter 122. Cable 123B connects the antenna 121 to the splitter 122. Cable 123B is routed, for example, from above the middle plate 133 to below the middle plate 133 through an opening 133A provided in the middle plate 133. Cable 123C connects the antenna 170 to the splitter 122.

[0027] The splitter 122 splits the RF signal supplied from the reader / writer 120 via cable 123A, and supplies the split RF signal to the antenna 121 via cable 123B and to the antenna 170 via cable 123C. The splitter 122 also integrates the RF signal supplied from the antenna 121 via cable 123B and the RF signal supplied from the antenna 170 via cable 123C, and supplies the integrated RF signal to the reader / writer 120 via cable 123A. Hereinafter, cables 123A, 123B, and 123C will be collectively referred to as cable 123. Cable 123 is, for example, a coaxial cable. The intermediate plate 133 may be made of a conductor that shields radio waves, or it may be made of an insulator that does not shield radio waves.

[0028] The bottom plate 134 is a plate-shaped member placed at the bottom of the storage box 130. Preferably, the bottom plate 134 is configured to be detachable from the frame 131. The bottom plate 134 functions as a lid that protects the inside of the storage box 130 from dust, dirt, impact, etc. For example, the bottom plate 134 is made of an insulator such as resin. With such a configuration, radio waves radiated by the antenna 121 and radio waves received by the antenna 121 are not shielded.

[0029] The support columns 140 are fixed to the trolley 150 and are members that support the storage box 130. Each support column 140 is a plate-shaped member having an inner surface facing the container 110 and an outer surface parallel to the inner surface. In this embodiment, the article storage device 100 includes support columns 140A, 140B, and 140C. Support column 140A is located on the left side of the article storage device 100 and supports the left side of the storage box 130. Support column 140B is located on the right side of the article storage device 100 and supports the right side of the storage box 130. Support column 140C is located on the rear of the article storage device 100 and supports the rear side of the storage box 130. The support columns 140 are made of, for example, iron.

[0030] The trolley 150 is used to transport the goods storage device 100. The trolley 150 comprises a platform 151 and four casters 152. The platform 151 is a plate-shaped member on which goods are placed. A container 110 is placed in the center of the platform 151. The casters 152 are fixed to the four corners of the underside of the platform 151. One end of a support column 140A is fixed to the left end of the platform 151. One end of a support column 140B is fixed to the right end of the platform 151. One end of a support column 140C is fixed to the center of the rear end of the platform 151. The casters 152 are wheels for transporting the goods storage device 100.

[0031] The guide plate 160 is a component that guides the item 10 to be placed into the container 110 by the user to the opening 111 of the container 110. In other words, the guide plate 160 prevents the user from making mistakes when placing the item 10 into the container 110. The guide plate 160 is fixed by support columns 140A and 140B. The guide plate 160 is positioned between the storage box 130 and the container 110 in the vertical direction. The guide plate 160 extends along the edge of the opening 111 when viewed from the vertical direction. Specifically, when viewed from the vertical direction, the guide plate 160 extends along three of the four sides of the rectangular opening 111, which is long in the X-axis direction, excluding the front long side. These three sides are the left short side, the back long side, and the right short side.

[0032] The guide plate 160, when viewed from the vertical, is generally U-shaped with an open front. The guide plate 160 is formed, for example, by bending a rectangular plate-like member in the same direction at two points. The guide plate 160 also prevents tag information from being read from wireless tags 20 other than those attached to the articles 10 placed in the container 110. In other words, the guide plate 160 shields radio waves from wireless tags 20 located to the right, left, and rear of the article storage device 100. The guide plate 160 is preferably made of a metal such as aluminum.

[0033] Antenna 170 receives radio waves emitted by the wireless tag 20. Antenna 170 is a planar antenna formed by arranging metal plates, conductive patterns, etc., in a planar manner. Antenna 170 receives radio waves from the wireless tag 20 only when it is in close proximity. In other words, the readable range of antenna 170 is shorter than the readable range of antenna 121. Antenna 170 is mainly used to read tag information from wireless tags 20 attached to items 10 that cannot be placed in a container 110. Antenna 170 is positioned on the outer surface of the support column 140A by means of a mounting auxiliary member 180. Antenna 170 is an example of a second planar antenna.

[0034] The following describes how to attach the antenna 170 to the support pole 140A using the mounting support member 180, with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a perspective view from the inside of the antenna 170 and mounting support member 180 before they are fixed to each other. Figure 8 is a perspective view from the inside of the antenna 170 and mounting support member 180 after they have been fixed to each other. Figure 9 is a perspective view from the outside of the antenna 170 and mounting support member 180 after they have been fixed to each other.

[0035] First, the configuration of the antenna 170 will be described with reference to Figure 7. The antenna 170 comprises a main body 171, a connector 172, and a termination 173. The main body 171 is a sheet-like medium for propagating radio waves, RF signals, etc. The main body 171 is constructed by sandwiching an insulating layer (not shown) between two conductive layers (not shown). One conductive layer is, for example, a conductive layer with mesh-like openings. The other conductive layer is, for example, a flat conductive layer. When an RF signal is supplied from the connector 172, the main body 171 forms a near-field near one of the conductive layers. When the wireless tag 20 is placed in this near-field, the tag information can be read. The readable area of ​​the antenna 170 is, for example, a range of several centimeters from one of the conductive layers. The main body 171 comprises a radiating surface, which is the surface closer to one of the conductive layers, and a non-radiating surface, which is the surface closer to the other conductive layer. The radiation plane is the plane closer to the positive direction of the Z-axis. A near-field is formed on the radiation plane.

[0036] Connector 172 is a connector for connecting the antenna 170 to the cable 123. Connector 172 is provided at one end of the antenna 170 in the longitudinal direction. Connector 172 connects one conductor layer of the main body 171 to the central conductor (not shown) of the cable 123. Connector 172 also connects the other conductor layer of the main body 171 to the shield (not shown) of the cable 123. RF signals supplied from the reader / writer 120 via cable 123 are supplied to the main body 171 via connector 172. RF signals supplied from the main body 171 are supplied to the reader / writer 120 via connector 172. Connector 172 has a projection 172A that protrudes in the direction from the radiating surface toward the non-radiating surface. One end of the cable 123C is connected to the projection 172A.

[0037] The termination section 173 is a component for adjusting the impedance of the antenna 170. The termination section 173 is provided at the other end of the antenna 170 in the longitudinal direction. The termination section 173 suppresses the reflection of RF signals at the other end of the antenna 170 in the longitudinal direction. The termination section 173 is made of, for example, copper. The adhesive sheet 174 is used to fix the connector 172 to the main body 171. The adhesive sheet 175 is used to fix the termination section 173 to the main body 171. As the antenna 170, for example, those described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-021806, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-137061, etc., can be used.

[0038] The mounting support member 180 is a member that assists in attaching the antenna 170 to the support column 140A. The antenna 170 is attached to the support column 140A by attaching the mounting support member 180, to which the antenna 170 is fixed, to the support column 140A. The mounting support member 180 comprises a claw portion 181 and an opening 182. The claw portion 181 is a bent portion for attaching the mounting support member 180 to the frame 131. In this embodiment, the claw portion 181 is fitted into a groove 131A provided in the frame 131. The claw portion 181 may also be fitted into a groove 131B provided in the frame 131. The opening 182 is a hole for passing the connector 172 through, so that the main body portion 171 is positioned on the outside of the mounting support member 180 and the connector 172 is positioned on the inside of the mounting support member 180. The mounting support member 180 is made of, for example, iron.

[0039] The antenna 170 and the mounting support member 180 are fixed together with the connector 172 protruding from the opening 182 exposed on the inside of the mounting support member 180, so that the antenna 170 and the mounting support member 180 extend vertically. The fixing method can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the antenna 170 and the mounting support member 180 may be fixed together with double-sided tape. Figures 8 and 9 show the state in which the antenna 170 and the mounting support member 180 are fixed together.

[0040] The radiating surface of the main body 171 of the antenna 170 is positioned outside the mounting support member 180. The protruding portion 172A of the connector 172 of the antenna 170 is positioned inside the mounting support member 180. The method of fixing the mounting support member 180 to the support column 140A can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the mounting support member 180 may be fixed to the support column 140A by fitting the claw portion 181 of the mounting support member 180 into the groove 131A of the frame 131.

[0041] Furthermore, if both the support column 140A and the mounting support member 180 are made of iron, the mounting support member 180 may be stably fixed to the support column 140A by magnetic sheets 183 and 184. In this case, the inner surface of the mounting support member 180 and the outer surface of the support column 140A are fixed by the magnetic force of magnetic sheets 183 and 184. Once the mounting support member 180 is fixed to the support column 140A, the protruding portion 172A of the connector 172 is positioned inside the storage box 130 through the opening 131C provided in the frame 131. Inside the storage box 130, the protruding portion 172A is connected to one end of the cable 123C.

[0042] Next, the method of using the item storage device 100 will be described. First, the user turns on the power of the reader / writer 120. Thereafter, the reader / writer 120 periodically emits radio waves downward from the antenna 121. When viewed from the vertical, the antenna 121 overlaps almost the entire opening 111. Also, the reading distance of the antenna 121 is long, and the radio waves emitted from the antenna 121 reach the loading platform 151. In other words, the reader / writer 120 can read tag information from the wireless tags 20 placed in the space from the storage box 130 to the loading platform 151 by using the antenna 121.

[0043] Therefore, when a user places an item 10 into the container 110, the reader / writer 120 can read tag information from the wireless tag 20 attached to the item 10. The tag information is read both before the item 10 enters the container 110 and after it enters the container 110. The item storage device 100 ensures that the tag information is read correctly regardless of how the item 10 is placed into the container 110. In other words, the item storage device 100 minimizes the chances of missing tag information.

[0044] Furthermore, the item storage device 100 is equipped with a guide plate 160 that extends across the left side, back, and right side in the height range between the container 110 and the storage box 130. Therefore, the guide plate 160 reduces errors in inserting items 10. In addition, this guide plate 160 shields radio waves. Therefore, it suppresses the reading of tag information from wireless tags 20 located on the left, back, and right sides as viewed from the item storage device 100. In other words, the item storage device 100 suppresses the reading of unintended tag information.

[0045] Furthermore, the item storage device 100 is equipped with a ceiling plate 132 that extends horizontally above the antenna 121 and shields radio waves. Therefore, the reading of tag information from the wireless tag 20 located above the item storage device 100 is suppressed. In other words, the item storage device 100 further suppresses the unintended reading of tag information.

[0046] In this case, the item 10 may be too large to fit into the container 110. In this case, the reader / writer 120 can read tag information from the wireless tag 20 via the antenna 170. In this case, the user does not place the item 10 into the container 110, but instead brings the wireless tag 20 attached to the item 10 close to the radiating surface of the antenna 170. Then, the tag information can be read using the antenna 170. Note that the reading range of the antenna 170 is very short, so tag information will not be read from wireless tags 20 placed far away from the antenna 170. In other words, reading tag information using the antenna 170 suppresses the reading of unintended tag information.

[0047] The usage of antennas 121 and 170 can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, both antennas 121 and 170 may be made available for use at all times. In this case, it is preferable to increase the radio wave radiation intensity from the reader / writer 120 compared to using only one of the antennas. Alternatively, only antenna 121 may be made available as a default, and both antennas 121 and 170 may be made available as needed. Alternatively, only antenna 121 may be made available as a default, and only antenna 170 may be made available as needed. The selection of available antennas may be achieved by the function of the splitter 122. Alternatively, the user may connect only the necessary antennas to the reader / writer 120 via cable 123 without using the splitter 122.

[0048] Furthermore, since the protruding portion 172A of the connector 172 protrudes inward, it can be stored in the storage box 130. Therefore, there is no need to route the cable 123C connected to the connector 172 to the outside of the storage box 130. Accordingly, the item storage device 100 is expected to reduce the risk of electric shock, disconnection due to snagging, dropping, etc., thereby improving safety. In addition, the item storage device 100 is expected to improve the appearance.

[0049] Furthermore, the item storage device 100 includes a storage box 130 for housing the antenna 121 and the reader / writer 120. Therefore, various items related to reading tag information can be placed together in the storage box 130. Such items include a power strip and power adapter for supplying power to the reader / writer 120, a control device for controlling the reader / writer 120, and a power adapter for supplying power to the control device.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, the antenna 121 extends horizontally within a storage box 130 positioned above the container 110 for storing the article 10. In this embodiment, the entire area below the storage box 130 is a readable area for tag information. Therefore, according to this embodiment, tag information can be appropriately read from the wireless tag 20 attached to the article 10 placed in the container 110.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a guide plate 160 is provided between the storage box 130 and the container 110, extending along the edge of the opening 111 when viewed from the vertical direction, to guide the article 10 into the opening 111. According to this embodiment, errors in placing the article 10 into the container 110 are suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the guide plate 160 shields radio waves. In this embodiment, the reading of tag information from wireless tags 20 located to the left, right, and rear of the item storage device 100 is suppressed. According to this embodiment, unintended reading of tag information is suppressed.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the storage box 130 is equipped with a ceiling plate 132 that extends horizontally above the antenna 121 and shields radio waves. In this embodiment, the reading of tag information from the wireless tag 20 located above the item storage device 100 is suppressed. According to this embodiment, the reading of unintended tag information is further suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an antenna 170 having a shorter readable distance than antenna 121 is arranged on the outer surface of the support column 140A. In this embodiment, for example, tag information can be appropriately read from a wireless tag 20 attached to an item 10 that cannot be stored in the container 110. According to this embodiment, highly convenient tag information reading is achieved.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connector 172 connected to one end of the cable 123 connected to the reader / writer 120 is provided with a protruding portion 172A that protrudes from the outer surface to the inner surface of the support column 140A. According to this embodiment, improved safety and improved appearance can be expected.

[0056] (modified version) Although embodiments have been described above, various modifications and applications are possible. It is arbitrary which parts of the configuration, function, and operation described in the above embodiments are adopted. Furthermore, additional configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted in addition to those described above. Also, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined. The number of components described in the above embodiments can be adjusted as appropriate. Of course, the materials, sizes, electrical characteristics, etc., that can be used are not limited to those shown in the above embodiments.

[0057] In this embodiment, an example with three support columns 140 was described. There may be two or fewer support columns 140, or four or more. In this embodiment, an example in which the antenna 170 is attached to support column 140A was described. The antenna 170 may also be attached to support column 140B. In this embodiment, an example in which the antenna 170 is attached to support column 140A by a mounting auxiliary member 180 was described. The antenna 170 may also be directly attached to support column 140A. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 10 Items, 20 Wireless tags, 100 Item storage device, 110 Container, 111, 131C, 133A, 182 Opening, 120 Reader / writer, 121, 170 Antenna, 122 Splitter, 123, 123A, 123B, 123C Cable, 130 Storage box, 131 Frame, 131A, 131B Groove, 132 Top plate, 133 Middle plate, 134 Bottom plate, 140, 140A, 140B, 140C Support column, 150 Trolley, 151 Loading platform, 152 Caster, 160 Guide plate, 171 Main body, 172 Connector, 172A Protrusion, 173 Termination, 174, 175 Adhesive sheet, 180 Mounting support member, 181 Claw part, 183, 184 Magnetic sheet

Claims

1. An item storage device that stores items attached to wireless tags and inserted by users, A container having an upward-facing opening for storing the article that is inserted through the opening, A first planar antenna that receives radio waves emitted by the aforementioned wireless tag, A reader device that reads tag information from the wireless tag via the first planar antenna, A storage box is positioned above the container and houses the first planar antenna and the reading device. The storage box is supported by a support column, The first planar antenna extends horizontally within the storage box. A device for storing goods.

2. Between the storage box and the container, there is a guide plate that extends along the edge of the opening when viewed from the vertical direction and guides the article into the opening. The article storage device according to claim 1.

3. The guide plate shields the radio waves, The article storage device according to claim 2.

4. The storage box includes a shielding plate that extends horizontally above the first planar antenna and blocks the radio waves. The article storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The system includes a second planar antenna having a shorter readable distance than the first planar antenna, The reading device reads the tag information from the wireless tag when the wireless tag is close to the second planar antenna. The support column is a plate-shaped member having an inner surface facing the container and an outer surface parallel to the inner surface. The second planar antenna is positioned on the outer surface of the support column, The article storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The reading device and the second planar antenna are connected by a cable, The second planar antenna is provided with a connector at one end of the second planar antenna in the longitudinal direction, to which one end of the cable is connected. The connector has a protruding portion that extends in the direction from the outer surface toward the inner surface, The article storage device according to claim 5.

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