RFID device

Abstract

To provide an RFID device capable of suppressing transmission of external heat to an electronic device provided inside.SOLUTION: An RFID device according to an embodiment includes a first housing, a second housing, and an electronic device. The second housing is accommodated in the first housing and has an outer shape smaller than the inner shape of the first housing. The second housing has a plurality of protrusions on a part of the outer peripheral surface. The electronic device is provided in the second housing. The electronic device includes an RFID module, a battery, and an antenna.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an RFID device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a portable RFID device has been known. The RFID device has a battery and reads an RFID tag using the power supplied from this battery. Such an RFID device is equipped with an RFID module for reading an RFID tag, a battery, etc. inside.

[0003] When the operating environment is hot, such as in summer, the temperature inside the RFID device also rises and may exceed the operating temperature. If the operating temperature is exceeded, the RFID device may stop functioning.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an RFID device that can suppress the transmission of external heat to an electronic device provided inside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The RFID device according to the embodiment includes a first housing, a second housing, and an electronic device. The second housing is housed in the first housing and has an outer shape smaller than the inner shape of the first housing. The second housing has a plurality of protrusions on a part of its outer peripheral surface. The electronic device is provided in the second housing. The electronic device includes an RFID module, a battery, and an antenna.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 7

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Figure 11

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Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

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Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20, the configurations of the RFID device 12, the white cane 1 having the RFID device 12, the communication system 2, and the non-contact charging system 3 according to one embodiment will be described.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of the communication system 2 using the white cane 1 having the stone protrusion 12 as an RFID device, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the communication system 2 using the stone protrusion 12. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the white cane 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the stone protrusion (RFID device) 12.

[0010] FIGS. 5 to 7 are views showing the configuration of the stone protrusion 12, FIG. 5 is a perspective view, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the stone protrusion 12 with the third housing 213 of the case 21 omitted, and FIG. 9 is a top view showing the configuration of the stone protrusion 12 with the third housing 213 of the case 21 omitted. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration of the first housing 211 used for the case 21 cut away. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the configurations of the second housing 212, the battery 22, the antenna 23, and the control board 25 of the case 21. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configurations of the first component 2122 of the second housing 212, the battery 22, and the control board 25.

[0011] Figures 13 and 14 are diagrams showing the configuration of the third housing 213, where Figure 13 shows a side view and Figure 14 shows an exploded view. Figure 15 shows the configuration of the battery 22 and the control board 25 when the first housing 211 and the third housing 213 are in the second position, and Figure 16 shows the configuration of the battery 22 and the control board 25 when the first housing 211 and the third housing 213 are in the third position. Figures 17 and 18 are diagrams showing the configuration of the antenna 23, where Figure 17 is a perspective view and Figure 18 is a side view. Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the control board 25. Figure 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the non-contact charging system 3 according to the embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the white cane 1 reads, for example, the RFID tag 6 on the user's walking path by the RFID device 12 and notifies the user's terminal 5 of the read information. The RFID device 12, the terminal 5, and the RFID tag 6 of the white cane 1 constitute the communication system 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the RFID device 12 of the white cane 1, together with the power transmission device 7, constitutes the non-contact charging system 3. The non-contact charging system 3 performs non-contact charging of the RFID device 12 by transmitting power from the power transmission device 7 to the RFID device 12 of the white cane 1.

[0013] First, the configuration of the white cane 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the white cane 1 includes a white cane body 11 and an RFID device 12. The RFID device 12 is an RFID reader that reads information of the RFID tag 6. Here, the RFID device 12 constitutes the tip. In the following description, the RFID device 12 will be described as the tip 12. Also, the vertical direction will be defined with the tip 12 side of the white cane 1 being downward and described below.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the white cane body 11 is formed, for example, so as to be foldable in multiple stages. The white cane body 11 is formed in a rod shape by being unfolded. The white cane body 11 has a grip 111 at one end and the tip 12 is attached to the other end. Note that the white cane body 11 may be a slide type that expands and contracts, or may be formed of a single shaft.

[0015] The stone protrusion 12 is fixed to the white cane main body 11 which is the object to be attached. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 to 9, the stone protrusion 12 includes a case 21, a battery 22, an antenna 23, a power receiving coil 24, a control board 25, and a sensor 26. For example, when using the white cane 1, the stone protrusion 12 slides left and right on the ground while being in contact with the ground, and slides on the ground while rotating with respect to the white cane main body 11.

[0016] The case 21 constitutes the outer contour of the stone protrusion 12 that rotates around the central axis coaxial with the axis of the white cane main body 11. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the case 21 houses the battery 22, the antenna 23, the power receiving coil 24, the control board 25, and the sensor 26 as an electronic device. As a specific example, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 14, the case 21 includes a first housing 211, a second housing 212, and a third housing 213.

[0017] The first housing 211 is the outer case of the stone protrusion 12. The first housing 211 houses the battery 22, the antenna 23, the power receiving coil 24, the control board 25, and the second housing 212. When the first housing 211 rotates around its central axis, the corners rotate on the ground. The first housing 211 is fixed to the third housing 213. The first housing 211 is formed of, for example, a resin material. The first housing 211 is formed of, for example, polyacetal.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 and 10, the first housing 211 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. For example, the first housing 211 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. Also, the bottom of the first housing 211 is, for example, in a flat plate shape with curved corners or in a hemispherical shape. Note that the first housing 211 houses the battery 22, the antenna 23, the power receiving coil 24, the control board 25, and the second housing 212, and the outer shape is appropriately set as long as it can slide on the ground. Other examples of the outer shape of the first housing 211 include a spherical shape, a polygonal column shape, a gourd shape, and the like.

[0019] As a specific example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the first housing 211 has, for example, ribs 2111 extending in a plurality of directions along the radial direction at the inner bottom, and a plurality of protrusions 2112 formed at the radial ends of the ribs 2111. The first housing 211 has an insertion portion 2113, a plurality of first protrusion portions 2114 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2113, and a second protrusion portion 2115 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2113. Further, the first housing 211 has a guide display portion 2116 formed adjacent to the insertion portion 2113.

[0020] The rib 2111 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the bottom of the first housing 211. The rib 2111 extends radially in a plurality of directions, for example, 4 directions, from the center of the bottom of the first housing 211. In other words, the rib 2111 is formed in a cross shape and protrudes from the upper surface of the bottom of the first housing 211. The upper surface of the rib 2111 is formed in a planar shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first housing 211.

[0021] The protrusion 2112 extends in the axial direction of the first housing 211 from the radial end of the rib 2111. The protrusion 2112 is integrally formed with the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 211. The plurality of protrusions 2112 are integrally formed at the radial ends of the rib 2111, respectively. In the present embodiment, since the rib 2111 is formed in a cross shape, four protrusions 2112 are provided. For example, one of the four protrusions 2112 has a higher axial height than the other three protrusions 2112.

[0022] At least a part of the upper surfaces of the rib 2111 and / or the plurality of protrusions 2112 are in contact with the antenna 23 and support the antenna 23 in the axial direction.

[0023] The insertion portion 2113 is formed at the upper end of the first housing 211 that opens. The insertion portion 2113 is inserted into the third housing 213. The insertion portion 2113 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the outer diameter on the central side of the first housing 211. The insertion portion 2113 is formed, for example, by making the opening end of the first housing 211 thinner than the outer diameter on the central side of the first housing 211.

[0024] A plurality of first protrusions 2114 are arranged at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2113. For example, two first protrusions 2114 are provided. The two first protrusions 2114 are arranged at symmetrical positions on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2113, for example. The second protrusion 2115 is provided, for example, between the two first protrusions 2114 in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 2113.

[0025] The guide display portion 2116 indicates the position of the first housing 211 inserted into the third housing 213. For example, the guide display portion 2116 is a display that guides the positions of attaching / detaching the first housing 211 and the third housing 213 and the ON / OFF position of the power supply. For example, the guide display portion 2116 includes three depressions for guiding these positions, and unevenness or Braille for displaying "OFF" and "ON". That is, the guide display portion 2116 is a display that guides the operation position of the stone projection 12 by visual or tactile means.

[0026] The outer shape of the second housing 212 is formed to be smaller than the inner shape of the first housing 211 so as to be accommodatable within the first housing 211 and to create a predetermined gap with the inner surface of the first housing 211. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11, the second housing 212 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can be inserted into the first housing 211, and has a plurality of protrusions 21233 on a part of its outer peripheral surface. The second housing 212 is accommodated within the first housing 211. For example, the second housing 212 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the second housing 212 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the first housing 211 so as to be insertable into the first housing 211 and to form a gap therewith. The second housing 212 houses or holds, for example, the battery 22, the antenna 23, the power receiving coil 24, the control board 25, and the sensor 26. The circumferential movement of the second housing 212 is restricted by the first housing 211. Also, the axial movement of the second housing 212 is restricted by the first housing 211 and the third housing 213. Thereby, the second housing 212 is fixed to the first housing 211 and the third housing 213.

[0027] The second housing 212 holds, for example, the antenna 23 at its lower end. The second housing 212 houses, for example, the battery 22 and the control board 25 inside. The second housing 212 holds, for example, the power receiving coil 24 on its outer peripheral surface. The second housing 212 holds, for example, a part of the sensor 26 at its upper part. Further, the second housing 212 has, for example, four notches 2121 formed at its lower end where the four protrusions 2112 of the first housing 211 are arranged. The notches 2121 engage with the protrusions 2112 in the circumferential direction, thereby restricting the circumferential movement of the second housing 212 relative to the first housing 211.

[0028] The second housing 212 is formed by one part or is constituted by assembling a plurality of parts. As a specific example, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11, the second housing 212 includes a first part 2122 and a second part 2123. The second housing 212 is formed by integrally assembling the first part 2122 and the second part 2123.

[0029] The first part 2122 is formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open. The first part 2122 holds, for example, the antenna 23 at its lower end and holds the power receiving coil 24 on its outer peripheral surface. The first part 2122 holds, for example, the battery 22 and the control board 25. The lower end sides of the battery 22 and the control board 25 are inserted into the first part 2122, and the battery 22 and the control board 25 are held. The first part 2122 is formed with ribs, protrusions, etc. so as to be able to restrict the radial and circumferential movement of the battery 22 and the control board 25.

[0030] The second part 2123 is formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open. The second part 2123 is fixed to the first part 2122 by, for example, engagement or fitting by means of claws, unevenness, etc. The second part 2123 is assembled to the first part 2122, for example, to constitute the cylindrical second housing 212 together with the first part 2122. The second part 2123 covers the circumferences in the radial direction of the battery 22 and the control board 25 held by the first part 2122. Further, the second part 2123 has a holding part 21231 provided with a part of the sensor 26 at its upper end and a restricting part 21232 covering the upper part of the control board 25.

[0031] The holding portion 21231 holds, for example, the Hall sensor 2621 of the sensor 26 described later. The restricting portion 21232 restricts the axial movement of the control board 25. The restricting portion 21232 is, for example, a rib formed in the opening at the upper end of the second component 2123 and axially opposed to at least a part of the upper end of the control board 25. Further, at the upper end of the second component 2123, a portion axially opposed to the battery 22 has an opening.

[0032] The plurality of protrusions 21233 are intermittently arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the second housing 212. For example, the plurality of protrusions 21233 are provided at predetermined intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 212 in the circumferential direction and the axial direction. For example, the plurality of protrusions 21233 are provided, for example, eight in number. For example, as an example of the arrangement of the eight protrusions 21233, four protrusions 21233 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the second component 2123 of the second housing 212, and two rows of such four protrusions 21233 arranged in the circumferential direction are provided in the axial direction. For example, the plurality of protrusions 21233 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and the axial direction.

[0033] The plurality of protrusions 21233 are arranged between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212. The plurality of protrusions 21233 are spacers that define the position of the second housing 212 with respect to the first housing 211. The plurality of protrusions 21233 form a predetermined gap between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 and maintain the gap. In other words, the plurality of protrusions 21233 arrange the second housing 212 on the center side of the first housing 211 and create a predetermined gap between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212.

[0034] The protrusion 21233 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape. Note that the protrusion 21233 is not limited to a columnar shape and may be other shapes such as a frustum of a cone shape, a rectangular column shape, a rectangular frustum shape, etc. The height of the protrusion 21233 from the outer peripheral surface of the second component 2123 is formed to be the same height as the dimensional difference between the radius of the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 211 and the radius of the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 212, or a height slightly smaller than the gap.

[0035] The third housing 213 is fixed to the tip of the white cane body 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the third housing 213 fixes the first housing 211 so as to be rotatable around the axial direction of the white cane body 11. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, FIGS. 13 and 14, the third housing 213 includes, for example, a base portion 2131 fixed to the white cane body 11, a bearing member 2132 provided on the base portion 2131, and a lid portion 2133 fixed to the bearing member 2132.

[0036] The base portion 2131 includes, for example, a fixed portion 21311, an umbrella portion 21312 integrally formed with the fixed portion 21311, and a shaft portion 21313 integrally formed with the umbrella portion 21312.

[0037] The fixed portion 21311 is fixed to the tip of the white cane body 11. The umbrella portion 21312 covers the upper surface of the lid portion 2133. The shaft portion 21313 is, for example, coaxial with the white cane body 11 fixed to the fixed portion 21311. The shaft portion 21313 is inserted or fitted with the bearing member 2132, and the bearing member 2132 is fixed in the axial direction by a bolt 21314 or the like.

[0038] The bearing member 2132 is, for example, a ball bearing or a needle bearing. The bearing member 2132 rotatably holds the lid portion 2133 on the shaft portion 21313.

[0039] The lid portion 2133 is rotatably fixed to the shaft portion 21313 of the base portion 2131 via the bearing member 2132. The lid portion 2133 rotates with respect to the base portion 2131. The lid portion 2133 fixes the first housing 211. The lid portion 2133 covers the open end of the first housing 211. The lid portion 2133 is formed so that the first housing 211 can be moved to two positions where the power of the stone protrusion 12 is turned on and off in a state where the first housing 211 is fixed.

[0040] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a first terminal 25211 of a positive electrode terminal 2521 connected to the battery 22 is provided on the lid portion 2133. When the relative position in the circumferential direction of the lid portion 2133 and the first housing 211 changes, the lid portion 2133 is formed so as to be able to move the first terminal 25211 and switch the conduction state between the battery 22 and the control board 25.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lid portion 2133 includes a top plate portion 21331, an outer peripheral wall portion 21332, and an inner peripheral wall portion 21333. The top plate portion 21331 is formed in a disc shape. As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 14, the top plate portion 21331 is fixed to the bearing member 2132.

[0042] The outer peripheral wall portion 21332 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 21331. The inner diameter of the outer peripheral wall portion 21332 is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 2113 of the first housing 211. Also, the inner diameter of the outer peripheral wall portion 21332 is smaller than the circumscribed circle of the plurality of first protrusion portions 2114 formed on the insertion portion 2113 that is coaxial with the central axis of the first housing 211, and the circumscribed circle of the second protrusion portion 2115 formed on the insertion portion 2113 that is coaxial with the central axis of the first housing 211.

[0043] The outer peripheral wall portion 21332 has, for example, a first groove 21335 and a second groove 21336 formed on the inner peripheral surface. The number of the first grooves 21335 is the same as that of the first protrusion portions 2114 of the insertion portion 2113. The first groove 21335 is formed so as to be able to insert the first protrusion portion 2114. The first groove 21335 extends in the axial direction of the outer peripheral wall portion 21332. Also, the first groove 21335 extends in one direction along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall portion 21332 on the central side in the axial direction of the outer peripheral wall portion 21332. Here, one direction along the circumferential direction is the direction in which the first housing 211 and the third housing 213 are rotated and fixed.

[0044] The second groove 21336 is formed such that the second protrusion 2115 can be inserted in the axial direction and can move in the circumferential direction. For example, when a force in a certain rotational direction or more is applied to the first housing 211 and the lid portion 2133, the second protrusion 2115 can move in the circumferential direction between the first position and the second position, and between the second position and the third position, and the first housing 211 and the lid portion 2133 can rotate. Also, for example, when a force in a rotational direction smaller than a certain value is applied to the first housing 211 and the lid portion 2133, the movement of the second protrusion 2115 is restricted between the first position and the second position, and between the second position and the third position.

[0045] Here, the first position is the position where the insertion portion 2113 is inserted into the lid portion 2133. The second position is the position where the insertion portion 2113 is fixed to the lid portion 2133, and is the position where the first terminal 25211 and the second terminal 25212 of the positive electrode terminal 2521 are separated as shown in FIG. 15. The third position is the position where the insertion portion 2113 is fixed to the lid portion 2133, and is the position where the first terminal 25211 and the second terminal 25212 of the positive electrode terminal 2521 are in contact as shown in FIG. 16.

[0046] Note that the fixing of the insertion portion 2113 to the third housing 213 at the second position and the third position means that the axial movement and the relative circumferential movement of the first housing 211 and the third housing 213 are restricted. That is, at the second position and the third position, since the first protrusion 2114 of the insertion portion 2113 is in the circumferentially extending portion of the first groove 21335, the axial movement of the insertion portion 2113 (the first housing 211) with respect to the lid portion 2133 of the third housing 213 is restricted. Also, at the second position and the third position, since the movement of the second protrusion 2115 is restricted by the second groove 21336, the circumferential movement of the first housing 211 with respect to the lid portion 2133 of the third housing 213 is restricted.

[0047] For example, the second groove 21336 is constituted by a plurality of grooves that extend in the axial direction and in which second protrusions 2115 can be respectively arranged. Specifically, the second groove 21336 is constituted by three grooves formed at positions corresponding to a first position, a second position, and a third position.

[0048] The inner peripheral wall portion 21333 is arranged with a predetermined gap from the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 21332 and the insertion portion 2113 can be arranged. The height from the top plate portion 21331 of the inner peripheral wall portion 21333 may be formed at different heights depending on the part. Further, the inner peripheral wall portion 21333 may be constituted by arranging a plurality of arc-shaped wall portions in the circumferential direction.

[0049] The case 21 configured in this way has the base portion 2131 fixed to the white cane main body 11. The shaft portion 21313 and the bearing member 2132 of the base portion 2131 constitute a rotation mechanism. The first housing 211, the second housing 212, and the lid portion 2133 rotate with respect to the base portion 2131 by the rotation mechanism (shaft portion 21313 and bearing member 2132) and constitute a rotating portion for housing various electronic devices. Further, the second housing 212 is fixed to the first housing 211 in the circumferential direction by the protrusion 2112 and the notch 2121 engaging in the circumferential direction of the case 21. Further, in the case 21, the antenna 23 or the second housing 212 abuts against the rib 2111 or the protrusion 2112 of the first housing 211, and the second housing 212 or the battery 22 abuts against a part of the third housing 213 (for example, a part of the lid portion 2133) or the first terminal 25211 fixed to the lid portion 2133 of the third housing 213, whereby the second housing 212 is fixed to the first housing 211 and the third housing 213 in the axial direction.

[0050] Also, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the case 21 has gaps formed between the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 211 and the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 212 by a plurality of protrusions 21233, and these gaps form an air layer. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the case 21 has a gap formed between the bottom surface of the first housing 211 and the antenna 23 (second housing 212) when the antenna 23 or the second housing 212 abuts against the rib 2111 of the first housing 211. And the gap between the bottom surface of the first housing 211 and the antenna 23 forms an air layer. In this way, the second housing 212 is disposed in the first housing 211 through the air layers formed on the inner peripheral surface side and the bottom surface side of the first housing 211.

[0051] The battery 22 is a power source that supplies power to the antenna 23, the control board 25, and the sensor 26. The battery 22 is a secondary battery.

[0052] The antenna 23 has a radiating element. The antenna 23 is, for example, a linearly polarized antenna. For example, the antenna 23 is an inverted F antenna or a patch antenna (microstrip antenna). Note that the antenna 23 may be a circularly polarized antenna. The antenna 23 can be disposed, for example, in the first housing 211 and is formed in a shape that can be attached to the second housing 212. The outer shape of the antenna 23 is formed, for example, in a circular shape with a diameter not exceeding the inner diameter of the first housing 211.

[0053] As a specific example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the antenna 23 includes a base 231, a ground layer 232, and an antenna pattern 233. Also, FIG. 17 shows an example of the antenna pattern 233 and the feeding point 234. The base 231 is formed, for example, in a disk shape with a diameter not exceeding the inner diameter of the first housing 211. The base 231 may be in an annular shape with a central opening, or may be in a plate shape with one main surface protruding in a cylindrical shape. Note that the antenna 23 is not limited to a circular shape as long as it can be disposed in the first housing 211 and has a shape that can be attached to the second housing 212.

[0054] The base 231 is formed across both main surfaces and has one or more through-holes 2311 that connect the ground layer 232 and the antenna pattern 233. The ground layer 232 is formed on one main surface of the base 231. The antenna pattern 233 is formed on the other main surface of the base 231. The antenna pattern 233 forms a radiating element.

[0055] The power receiving coil 24 receives the power transmitted from the power transmitting coil 74 and supplies the received power to a power receiving circuit 2551 described later. As shown in FIG. 8, the power receiving coil 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The power receiving coil 24 has a power receiving surface for receiving power formed in a cylindrical shape. The power receiving coil 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 212. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 8, the power receiving coil 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first component 2122 of the second housing 212. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer diameter of the power receiving coil 24 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the first housing 211 at the portion where the power receiving coil 24 faces. For example, the outer diameter of the power receiving coil 24 is formed to be the same as the outer diameter of the second component 2123 of the second housing 212.

[0056] The power receiving coil 24 is provided on the second housing 212 coaxially with the first housing 211, the second housing 212, and the third housing 213. In other words, the power receiving coil 24 is arranged coaxially with the rotation center of the first housing 211, that is, the shaft portion 21313 and the bearing member 2132 of the third housing 213 that constitute the rotation mechanism. As shown in FIG. 20, the power receiving coil 24 is connected in series or in parallel with a resonance capacitor 2553 for power reception described later to constitute a resonance circuit (power receiving resonance circuit).

[0057] When the power receiving coil 24 as a power receiving resonance circuit is close to the power transmitting coil 74, it is electromagnetically coupled to the power transmitting coil 74. In the power receiving coil 24, an induced current is generated by the magnetic field output from the power transmitting coil 74. The power receiving coil 24 may be configured as a winding structure in which insulated wires are wound, or may be configured by forming a coil pattern on a cylindrical printed circuit board.

[0058] The power receiving coil 24 supplies the received AC power to a power receiving circuit 2551 described later. Also, for example, when the magnetic resonance method is used for power transmission, the self-resonant frequency of the power receiving resonance circuit as the power receiving coil 24 is set to be substantially the same as the frequency transmitted by the power transmission coil 74.

[0059] Examples of the control board 25 are shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, and 19. The control board 25 includes a board 251 and terminals 252. The control board 25 is formed to enable various processes by a processing circuit, modules, wiring patterns, etc. mounted on the board 251. As a specific example, the control board 25 includes an RFID module 253, a communication unit 254, and a power receiving unit 255. The control board 25 is connected to the antenna 23 and the power receiving coil 24. Also, the control board 25 is connected to the battery 22 via the terminals 252.

[0060] The board 251 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape that can be accommodated in the second housing 212. The board 251 may be composed of a plurality of boards. As a specific example, the board 251 includes a first board 2511 and a second board 2512. The first board 2511 and the second board 2512 are electrically connected. The first board 2511 and the second board 2512 are arranged side by side in the radial direction of the second housing 212 within the second housing 212.

[0061] The terminals 252 are connected to the battery 22. The terminals 252 include a positive terminal 2521 and a negative terminal 2522.

[0062] The positive terminal 2521 contacts the positive electrode of the battery 22. As a specific example, the positive terminal 2521 includes a first terminal 25211 and a second terminal 25212. The first terminal 25211 is fixed to the third housing 213. When the first housing 211 containing the second housing 212 is fixed to the lid portion 2133 of the third housing 213 and is in the second position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 15, the first terminal 25211 contacts the positive electrode of the battery 22 and is separated from the second terminal 25212. When the first housing 211 containing the second housing 212 is fixed to the lid portion 2133 of the third housing 213 and is in the third position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 16, the first terminal 25211 contacts both the positive electrode of the battery 22 and the second terminal 25212.

[0063] For example, as shown in FIGS. 6, 15, and 16, the first terminal 25211 is formed in a strip shape extending in an arc shape. When the first housing 211 and the third housing 213 rotate relative to each other and move from the second position to the third position, the first terminal 25211 moves in the circumferential direction along with the circumferential movement of the third housing 213, and connects the positive electrode of the battery 22 and the second terminal 25212.

[0064] The second terminal 25212 is provided on the substrate 251. For example, the second terminal 25212 is provided on one substrate 251 adjacent to the battery 22 within the second housing 212. As a specific example, the second terminal 25212 is provided on the upper end side of the first substrate 2511 in a posture accommodated within the second housing 212. The second terminal 25212 contacts the first terminal 25211 in the second position.

[0065] The negative terminal 2522 contacts the negative electrode of the battery 22. For example, the negative terminal 2522 is provided on one substrate 251 adjacent to the battery 22 within the second housing 212. As a specific example, the negative terminal 2522 is provided at the lower end of the first substrate 2511 in a posture accommodated within the second housing 212. The negative terminal 2522 contacts the negative electrode of the battery 22 when the battery 22 is disposed in the second housing 212.

[0066] The RFID module 253 is electrically connected to the antenna 23. The RFID module 253 reads, for example, the RFID tag 6. The RFID module 253 and the antenna 23 constitute an RFID reader. Note that the RFID module 253 may, as a configuration for reading and writing the RFID tag 6, constitute an RFID reader / writer together with the antenna 23.

[0067] The RFID module 253 controls the antenna 23 and radiates radio waves from the antenna 23 to perform wireless communication of data with the RFID tag 6. The RFID module 253 thus radiates radio waves from the antenna 23 to supply power to the RFID tag 6, demodulates data in the RFID tag 6, and receives, via the antenna 23, the response wave returned from the RFID tag 6 by changing the load of the antenna 23. Thereby, the RFID module 253 reads the data of the RFID tag 6.

[0068] As a specific example, the reading of the RFID tag 6 by the RFID module 253 will be described. First, the RFID module 253 radiates radio waves from the antenna 23 to perform wireless communication with the RFID tag 6, and the RFID tag 6 is activated by receiving this radio wave. Subsequently, when the RFID module 253 amplitude-modulates the carrier wave radiated from the antenna 23 with a signal obtained by encoding communication data, the RFID tag 6 demodulates the amplitude-modulated communication data and returns a response wave by changing the load of the antenna of the RFID tag 6. The RFID module 253 acquires the data of the RFID tag 6 by receiving this response wave via the antenna 23.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the RFID module 253 includes, for example, a control unit 2531 and a storage unit 2532. Also, in the RFID module 253, a coupler, a filter, an amplifier, a low-pass filter, a balun, etc. are appropriately provided according to the reader function of the RFID module 253. The control unit 2531 executes arithmetic processing. The control unit 2531 is a processor as a processing circuit. The control unit 2531 performs various processes based on, for example, a program stored in the storage unit and data used in the program. The storage unit 2532 stores a program and data used in the program, etc. The storage unit 2532 is a memory and a storage. The storage unit 2532 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 2532 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) (registered trademark), a FRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory) (registered trademark), etc.

[0070] The RFID module 253 performs a data reading process of the RFID tag 6 received from the antenna 23 by the control unit 2531 executing the program stored in the storage unit 2532. Also, the RFID module 253 outputs the information read from the RFID tag 6 to the communication unit 254.

[0071] The communication unit 254 is connected to the terminal 5 by wireless communication. The communication unit 254 performs transmission and reception of information with the terminal 5 using, for example, a short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) which is a Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. For example, the communication unit 254 is a BLE module.

[0072] The communication unit 254 is mounted on the substrate 251. For example, when the communication unit 254 transmits an advertisement, the terminal 5 receives the advertisement, and upon receiving a connection request transmitted from the terminal 5, it performs GATT (Generic Attribute Profile) communication. For example, when using the white cane 1, the user pre-sets the terminal 5 that receives information from the communication unit 254 in advance, and the communication unit 254 communicates with the set terminal 5.

[0073] The power receiving unit 255 charges the battery 22 with the power transmitted from the power transmission coil 74 and received by the power receiving coil 24. The power receiving unit 255 supplies the received power to the battery 22. The power receiving unit 255, together with the power receiving coil 24, constitutes a power receiving device.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 20, the power receiving unit 255 includes, for example, a power receiving circuit 2551, a control circuit 2552, and a resonance capacitor 2553.

[0075] The power receiving circuit 2551 converts the received power supplied from the power receiving coil 24 into power that can be supplied to the battery 22. For example, the power receiving circuit 2551 rectifies the received power supplied from the power receiving coil 24 and converts it into direct current. Such a power receiving circuit 2551 is realized, for example, by a rectifying circuit including a rectifying bridge composed of a plurality of diodes. In this case, a pair of input terminals of the rectifying bridge are connected to a power receiving resonance circuit composed of the power receiving coil 24 and the resonance capacitor 2553. The power receiving circuit 2551 outputs direct current power from a pair of output terminals by full-wave rectifying the received power supplied from the power receiving coil 24.

[0076] The control circuit 2552 controls the operation of the power receiving circuit 2551. The control circuit 2552 includes, for example, a control unit and a storage unit. The control unit executes arithmetic processing. The control unit is a processor as a processing circuit. The control unit performs various processes based on, for example, a program stored in the storage unit and data used in the program. The storage unit stores a program, data used in the program, and the like. The storage unit is a memory and a storage. The storage unit is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like. The control circuit 2552 may be constituted by a microcomputer and / or an oscillation circuit or the like.

[0077] The charging circuit 256 supplies the power supplied from the power receiving circuit 2551 to the battery 22 as charging power. For example, the charging circuit 256 converts the power supplied from the power receiving circuit 2551 into a direct current used for charging the battery 22. That is, the charging circuit 256 converts the power from the power receiving circuit 2551 into charging power having a predetermined current value and voltage value for charging the battery 22 and supplies it to the battery 22. Further, for example, the charging circuit 256 includes a charging IC having a port for transmitting the charging state to the control unit of the control circuit 2552.

[0078] The sensor 26 detects a change in the posture of the stone projection 12 (case 21). As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor 26 includes a first sensor 261 and a second sensor 262.

[0079] The first sensor 261 detects the posture of the stone projection 12. The first sensor 261 is a motion sensor. For example, the first sensor 261 is a three-axis gyro sensor that can detect angular velocity or a three-axis acceleration sensor that can detect acceleration. Note that the first sensor 261 may be a six-axis sensor that can detect both angular velocity and acceleration. As shown in FIG. 19, the first sensor 261 is mounted on the substrate 251, for example. The first sensor 261 outputs the detected angular velocity or acceleration as a signal to the control unit 2531.

[0080] The second sensor 262 detects the rotation of the stone protrusion 12, specifically, the rotation of the first housing 211. As shown in FIG. 4, the second sensor 262 includes, for example, a Hall sensor 2621 that detects magnetism, and one or more magnets 2622 provided on the umbrella portion 21312 of the third housing 213.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 8, the Hall sensor 2621 is provided on the holding portion 21231 of the second housing 212. The Hall sensor 2621 moves in the circumferential direction as the first housing 211 rotates. For example, the Hall sensor 2621 moves in the circumferential direction with respect to one or more magnets 2622, detects the magnetism of the magnet 2622 facing it during movement, and outputs a signal to the control unit 2531.

[0082] The magnet 2622 is arranged at a position facing the Hall sensor 2621 when the Hall sensor 2621 moves to a predetermined position, in other words, when the first housing 211 (rotating part) reaches a predetermined rotation angle with respect to the base portion 2131. For example, when a plurality of magnets 2622 are provided, the plurality of magnets 2622 are arranged at equidistant positions in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of magnets 2622 are provided on the umbrella portion 21312 of the third housing 213. For example, the plurality of magnets 2622 are arranged at equal intervals on a coaxial circle coaxial with the axis of the shaft portion 21313 of the third housing 213. For example, four magnets 2622 are provided, and the magnets 2622 are arranged at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0083] In the white cane 1 configured as described above, the third housing 213 of the case 21 is formed such that the lid portion 2133 is rotatable with respect to the umbrella portion 21312 via the bearing member 2132. Therefore, when the user holds the white cane 1 and moves the stone protrusion 12 left and right with the stone protrusion 12 in contact with the ground, the case 21 of the stone protrusion 12 slides on the ground while rotating about the central axis of the shaft portion 21313 of the third housing 213 as the rotation center.

[0084] When the first housing 211 of the case 21 rotates, the antenna 23 housed in the first housing 211 also rotates. Therefore, even if the stone protrusion 12 is a linearly polarized antenna 23, the polarization direction can be changed.

[0085] Next, the communication system 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the communication system 2 includes a white cane 1 having a stone projection 12 as an RFID device, a terminal 5, and an RFID tag 6.

[0086] The terminal 5 is a device that can be worn or carried by the user of the white cane 1. The terminal 5 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a wearable device such as a smartwatch, an audio device such as earphones, or a dedicated terminal that can notify information by sound or vibration. Note that the terminal 5 may be configured to be built into the grip 111 of the white cane body 11.

[0087] The terminal 5 includes, for example, an input unit 51, a display unit 52, a communication unit 53, a notification unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

[0088] The input unit 51 is a device that receives user input such as buttons, operation panels, touch panels, etc.

[0089] The display unit 52 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0090] The communication unit 53 is controlled by the control unit 56. The communication unit 53 is an arbitrary communication interface that can communicate with the communication unit 254 of the stone projection 12 using wireless communication technology. Also, the communication unit 53 may be configured to be able to communicate with terminals or networks other than the communication unit 254 of the stone projection 12 using wired communication technology or wireless communication technology.

[0091] The communication unit 53 may be implemented as, for example, a communication module or a communication circuit board. The communication unit 53 transmits and receives information to and from the communication unit 254 of the stone protrusion 12 using a short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which is a Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Further, the communication unit 53 can be connected to a network via a base station using a long-range wireless communication technology such as a short-range wireless communication technology such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a general-purpose wireless communication technology including a mobile phone line such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) (registered trademark).

[0092] The notification unit 54 notifies external information by sound or vibration. For example, the notification unit 54 is a speaker, a vibrator, or the like. The notification unit 54 outputs sound and vibration in different patterns. For example, when the notification unit 54 is a speaker and notifies information by sound, the notification unit 54 notifies by sound based on parameters such as different sound types, volumes, and sound lengths set corresponding to the information to be notified. Here, the sound includes voice. Further, when the notification unit 54 is a vibrator and notifies information by vibration, the notification unit 54 notifies by vibration based on parameters such as different vibration types, vibration intensities, and vibration lengths set corresponding to the information to be notified. Note that the notification unit 54 may notify information by either sound or vibration, or may notify information by both sound and vibration.

[0093] The storage unit 55 is a so-called memory or storage. The storage unit 55 stores various data. For example, the storage unit 55 stores various control programs and control data. The storage unit 55 temporarily stores data during the processing of the control unit 56. The storage unit 55 stores setting values necessary for the execution of an application program as a database. Further, the storage unit 55 stores the execution results of the application program and the like. Further, the storage unit 55 stores the information of the RFID tag 6 received by the communication unit 53. Further, the storage unit 55 stores the parameters of the notification unit 54 corresponding to the information of the RFID tag 6.

[0094] Such a memory unit 55 includes, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) (registered trademark), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a NAND flash memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0095] The control unit 56 is a processor having a processing circuit. The control unit 56 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor may be an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or other general-purpose or dedicated processors. The single or plural processors are mounted on a circuit board such as a motherboard or a graphics board.

[0096] The control unit 56 exhibits various functions such as input processing of an external command input at the input unit 51, display processing for displaying information on the display unit 52, communication processing by the communication unit 53, and notification processing by the notification unit 54, according to, for example, a control program or control data stored in the memory unit 55.

[0097] The RFID tag 6 is provided, for example, at stations, roads, buildings, etc. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the RFID tag 6 shows an example of being embedded under the Braille block on the platform of a station or on the track of the platform, and an example of being provided on a railway vehicle. The RFID tag 6 may be a passive tag or an active tag. The RFID tag 6 includes a tag antenna 61 including an integrated circuit and an IC chip 62. When the RFID tag 6 is an active tag, the RFID tag 6 has a battery, a power supply circuit, etc.

[0098] An example using such a communication system 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the user walks while swinging the white cane 1 in the left-right direction with the tip 12 of the cane in contact with the ground. When the RFID tag 6 is disposed on or near the walking path, the tip 12 receives the information transmitted from the disposed RFID tag 6 by the antenna 23 and reads it by the RFID module 253. Then, the information of the RFID tag 6 is transmitted from the communication unit 254 of the tip 12 to the communication unit 254 of the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 performs notification corresponding to the information of the RFID tag 6 by the notification unit 54.

[0099] For example, when the RFID tag 6 is provided on the track side of the station platform, the terminal 5 notifies the user from the information of the RFID tag 6 that the tip is located on the track side of the platform. Further, when the RFID tag 6 is provided on a railway vehicle, the terminal 5 notifies the user of the position of the railway vehicle, for example, the position of the door of the railway vehicle or the information of the vehicle. As described above, the communication system 2 can read the information of the RFID tag 6 on the walking path by the white cane which is an RFID device and notify the user by the terminal 5.

[0100] Next, the non-contact charging system 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 20, the non-contact charging system 3 is composed of the tip 12 as a power receiving device having a power receiving unit 255 and a power receiving coil 24, and a power transmitting device 7. The non-contact charging system 3 performs non-contact charging of the tip 12 by the power transmitting device 7.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 20, the power transmitting device 7 includes a power transmitting base, a power supply circuit 72, a power transmitting circuit 73, a power transmitting coil 74, a control circuit 75, a notification unit 76, a resonance capacitor 77, and a power supply unit 78.

[0102] The power transmission base 71 is formed so that the stone projection 12 can be inserted. For example, by inserting the stone projection 12, the power transmission base 71 holds the white cane 1 in an upright posture. The power transmission base 71 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the power transmission base 71 is formed to be an inner diameter that can insert the stone projection 12 and hold the posture of the white cane 1. The inner diameter of the power transmission base 71 is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first housing 211 of the stone projection 12.

[0103] The power transmission base 71 houses a power supply circuit 72, a power transmission circuit 73, a power transmission coil 74, a control circuit 75, a notification unit 76, and a resonance capacitor 77. Note that the power transmission base 71 only needs to be able to house at least the power transmission coil 74. For example, the power supply circuit 72, the power transmission circuit 73, the control circuit 75, the notification unit 76, etc. may be provided in a separate case or the like.

[0104] The power supply circuit 72 converts the voltage of an external DC power supply into a voltage suitable for the operation of each circuit. The power supply circuit 72 generates electric power for causing the power transmission circuit 73 to perform power transmission and supplies it to the power transmission circuit 73. Also, the power supply circuit 72 generates electric power for operating the control circuit 75 and supplies it to the control circuit 75.

[0105] The power transmission circuit 73 generates power transmission power for transmitting from the power transmission coil 74. The power transmission circuit 73 supplies the generated power transmission power to the power transmission coil 74. For example, the power transmission circuit 73 generates AC power as power transmission power by switching the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 72 based on the control of the control circuit 75.

[0106] The power transmission coil 74 outputs power that the power reception coil 24 can receive according to the power transmission power supplied from the power transmission circuit 73. The power transmission coil 74 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The power transmission coil 74 has a power reception surface for receiving power formed in a cylindrical shape. The power transmission coil 74 is arranged on the power transmission base 71 so that the power transmission surface faces the power reception surface of the power reception coil 24 provided on the second housing 212 of the stone projection 12 inserted into the power transmission base 71. That is, the power transmission coil 74 is arranged at a height position in the power transmission base 71 that is radially opposed to the power reception coil 24 inserted into the power transmission base 71. For example, the power transmission coil 74 is housed in the power transmission base 71.

[0107] For example, the power transmission coil 74 forms a resonance circuit (power transmission resonance circuit) by being connected in series or in parallel with the resonance capacitor 77. When the power transmission coil 74 as the power transmission resonance circuit is supplied with AC power from the power transmission circuit 73, it generates a magnetic field corresponding to the supplied AC power. The power transmission coil 74 may be configured as a winding structure around which insulated electric wires are wound, or may be configured by forming a coil pattern on a printed circuit board.

[0108] The control circuit 75 controls the operations of the power transmission circuit 73 and the notification unit 76. The control circuit 75 includes, for example, a control unit and a storage unit. The control unit executes arithmetic processing. The control unit is a processor as a processing circuit. The control unit performs various processes based on, for example, a program stored in the storage unit and data used in the program. The storage unit stores a program, data used in the program, and the like. The storage unit is a memory and a storage. The storage unit is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like. The control circuit 75 may be configured by a microcomputer and / or an oscillation circuit or the like.

[0109] For example, the control circuit 75 switches the notification of the notification unit 76 according to the power transmission state of the power transmission device 7 or the charging state of the battery 22. Further, the control circuit 75 controls the frequency of the AC power output from the power transmission circuit 73 and the on / off of the operation of the power transmission circuit 73. For example, the control circuit 75 controls the power transmission circuit 73 to switch between a state in which a magnetic field is generated in the power transmission coil 74 (power transmission state) and a state in which no magnetic field is generated in the power transmission coil 74 (standby state). Also, the control circuit 75 may perform control to change the timing of power transmission by intermittently generating a magnetic field in the power transmission coil 74.

[0110] The notification unit 76 includes an indicator indicating the state of the power transmission device 7, a speaker that audibly notifies the state of the power transmission device 7, and the like. The notification unit 76 switches the display according to the control of the control circuit 75. For example, the notification unit 76 has an LED and a speaker, and notifies according to the operating state of the power transmission device 7 by turning on, turning off, or switching the display color, and by different patterns of sound or voice.

[0111] The power supply unit 78 is, for example, an AC adapter or a mobile battery. The power supply unit 78 supplies power to the power supply circuit 72.

[0112] According to the white cane 1 having the stone protrusion 12 configured as described above, when the second housing 212 is inserted into the first housing 211, the second housing 212 is disposed in the first housing 211 with a predetermined gap from the first housing 211 by a plurality of protrusions 21233 that are spacers. A predetermined gap is formed between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212. The gap between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 forms an air layer between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212. Further, the outer diameter of the power receiving coil 24 provided in the second housing 212 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the first housing 211. Further, the plurality of protrusions 21233 are intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the gap between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 constitutes a continuous space without being divided in the axial direction. Therefore, the heat caused by the external environment transmitted to the first housing 211 can be suppressed from being transmitted to the second housing 212 by the air layer between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212.

[0113] For this reason, it is possible to suppress heat caused by the external environment from being transmitted to electronic devices such as the RFID module 253 and the battery 22 including the processor provided in the second housing 212 inside the first housing 211. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the electronic devices accommodated in the first housing 211 and the third housing 213 via the second housing 212 from exceeding the operating temperature. Therefore, the stone protrusion (RFID device) 12 can be suppressed from malfunctioning due to the influence of heat.

[0114] Note that the heat caused by the external environment is, for example, the heat transmitted to the first housing 211 when the first housing 211 is rotated on the road surface in summer when the road surface temperature is rising, or the heat when the stone protrusion 12 is irradiated by direct sunlight in summer, etc. Note that the heat caused by the external environment is not limited to these, and in the usage environment of the stone protrusion (RFID device) 12, it occurs outside the first housing 211 and may cause malfunctions of electronic devices provided inside the first housing 211.

[0115] Further, the stone protrusion 12 can restrict the circumferential and axial movement of the second housing 212 that houses the electronic device within the first housing 211 by the first housing 211 and the third housing 213. That is, the second housing 212 is detachably fixed within the first housing 211.

[0116] Further, the first housing 211 is fixed to the lid portion 2133 of the third housing 213 by inserting the insertion portion 2113 into the lid portion 2133 and moving it in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the first protrusion 2114 and the second protrusion 2115 of the insertion portion 2113 are engaged with the first groove 21335 and the second groove 21336 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 21333 of the lid portion 2133. Thereby, the first housing 211 is configured to be detachable from the lid portion 2133 of the third housing 213.

[0117] Therefore, when the first housing 211, which is the exterior of the stone protrusion 12, is worn due to the use of the white cane 1, only the first housing 211 needs to be replaced. Also, after replacing the first housing 211 of the stone protrusion 12, the second housing 212 and the electronic device that were being used can be used again. Thus, the white cane 1 and the stone protrusion 12 can easily and inexpensively replace the first housing 211, which is the exterior of the stone protrusion 12.

[0118] Further, since the first housing 211 can be easily replaced, it is also possible to replace it with a first housing 211 having a shape desired by the user. Also, since the case 21 can be easily attached and detached, the white cane 1 and the stone protrusion 12 can easily perform maintenance and customization.

[0119] Further, the stone projection 12 arranges the antenna 23 at the lower end of the second housing 212, and arranges the power receiving coil 24 axially spaced apart from the antenna 23 in the second housing 212. Thereby, the antenna 23 and the power receiving coil 24 are arranged axially separated by a predetermined distance within the case 21.

[0120] Therefore, when the stone projection 12 reads the RFID tag 6 with the antenna 23, it is possible to suppress the influence of the power receiving coil 24. For this reason, the stone projection 12 can stably read the RFID tag 6.

[0121] According to the white cane 1 and the stone projection 12 according to one embodiment as described above, by providing a gap between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 with a plurality of protrusions 21233, it is possible to suppress external heat from being transmitted to the electronic device provided inside.

[0122] Note that the white cane 1 and the stone projection 12 are not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described example, the stone projection 12 has been described as having a configuration including the control unit 2531 of the RFID module 253 and the control circuit 2552 of the power receiving unit 255 as a processor as a processing circuit, but it is not limited thereto. For example, as a processor, a configuration further including a CPU as a general control unit may be used, or a configuration in which the BLE module as the communication unit 254 has a processor as a processing circuit may be used.

[0123] Also, in the above-described example, the plurality of protrusions 21233 as spacers provided between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 have been described as being provided in the second component 2123 of the second housing 212, but it is not limited thereto. That is, a configuration in which a part of the plurality of protrusions 21233 is provided in the first component 2122 of the second housing 212 may be used. Also, a configuration in which a part of the plurality of protrusions 21233 is provided in both the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 may be used, or a configuration in which it is provided in the first housing 211 may be used.

[0124] Further, the plurality of protrusions 21233 may be formed separately from the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 and may be fixed to the first housing 211 or the second housing 212.

[0125] In the above-described example, the gap forming the air layer is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 211 and the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 212 and between the bottom surface of the first housing 211 and the lower surface side of the second housing 212 (antenna 23). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the gap forming the air layer may be either between the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 211 and the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 212 or between the bottom surface of the first housing 211 and the lower surface side of the second housing 212 (antenna 23).

[0126] In the above-described example, the example of the stone protrusion 12 of the white cane 1 is described as the RFID device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in another embodiment shown in FIG. 21, an RFID device 32 worn on a person's wrist may be used. Hereinafter, the RFID device 32 according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. Among the configurations of the RFID device 32, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations similar to the above-described stone protrusion 12, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0127] For example, an RFID device 32 worn on a person's wrist includes, for example, a first housing 311 as an outer case, a second housing 312 as an inner case, and a fixing member 313 such as a belt or a band provided on the first housing 311. Further, the RFID device 32 houses a battery 22, an antenna 23, a power receiving coil 24, a control board 25, and a sensor 26 as electronic devices inside the second housing 312. For example, the first housing 311 and the second housing 312 are formed in a flat planar shape and / or a curved box shape.

[0128] The outer shape of the second housing 312 is formed to be smaller than the inner shape of the first housing 311 so that it can be accommodated within the first housing 311 and create a predetermined gap with the inner surface of the first housing 311. Thereby, a predetermined gap is formed to create an air layer between the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 312 and the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 311. Further, on the outer surface of the second housing 312, for example, a plurality of protrusions 21233 are provided at predetermined intervals.

[0129] These plurality of protrusions 21233 are provided on at least one surface of the outer peripheral surface where an air layer is desired to be formed in order to suppress the transfer of heat caused by the external environment to the second housing 312. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, for example, the plurality of protrusions 21233 are provided on the main surface of the second housing 312 on the side opposite to the side facing the wrist, which is on the outside of the RFID device 32 in the posture of being worn on the wrist.

[0130] Also, as shown in FIG. 21, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of protrusions 21233 are provided on the outer surface of the second housing 312 on the wrist side so that the heat generated by the electronic device, which is a heat generating body accommodated in the second housing 312, does not transfer to the wrist on which the RFID device 32 is worn.

[0131] The RFID device 32 configured as described above can suppress the transfer of external heat to the electronic device provided inside by providing a gap between the first housing 311 and the second housing 312 by means of a plurality of protrusions 21233. In addition, by providing a gap between the outer surface of the second housing 312 on the wrist side and the inner surface of the first housing 311 by means of a plurality of protrusions 21233, the transfer of heat generated by the electronic components provided in the second housing 312 (inside) to the wrist via the first housing 311 can be suppressed.

[0132] According to any of the white canes, communication systems, non-contact charging systems, and RFID devices configured as described above, by providing a gap between the first housing and the second housing by means of a plurality of protrusions, the transfer of external heat to the electronic device provided inside can be suppressed.

[0133] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, the respective embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combination, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, and the problem can be solved and the effects can be obtained, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0134] 1… white cane, 2… communication system, 3… non-contact charging system, 5… terminal, 6… RFID tag, 7… power transmission device, 11… white cane body, 12… stone protrusion (RFID device), 21… case, 22… battery, 23… antenna, 24… power receiving coil, 25… control board, 26… sensor, 32… RFID device, 51… input section, 52… display section, 53… communication section, 54… notification section, 55… memory section, 56… control section, 61… tag antenna, 62… IC chip, 71… power transmission station, 72… power supply circuit, 73… power transmission circuit, 74… power transmission coil, 75… control circuit, 76… notification section, 77… resonance capacitor, 78… power supply section, 111… grip, 211… first housing, 212… second housing, 213… third housing, 231… base, 232… ground layer, 233… antenna pattern, 234… power feeding point, 251… board, 252… terminal, 253… RFID module, 254… communication section, 255… power receiving section, 256… charging circuit, 258… cut-off circuit, 261… first sensor, 262… second sensor, 2111… rib, 2112… protrusion, 2113… insertion section, 2114… first protrusion portion, 2115… second protrusion portion, 2116… guiding display section, 2121… notch, 2122… first component, 2123… second component, 2131… base, 2132… bearing member, 2133… cover portion, 2311… through hole, 2511… first board, 2512… second board, 2521… positive terminal, 2522… negative terminal, 2531… control section, 2532… memory section, 2551… power receiving circuit, 2552… control circuit, 2553… resonance capacitor, 2621… hall sensor, 2622… magnet, 21231… holding section, 21232… regulating section, 21233… protrusion portion, 21311… fixed portion, 21312… umbrella portion, 21313… shaft portion, 21314… bolt, 21331… top plate portion, 21332… outer peripheral wall portion, 21333… inner peripheral wall portion, 21335… first groove, 21336… second groove, 25211… first terminal, 25212… second terminal, 25521… control section.

Claims

1. a first housing, a second housing housed in the first housing, having a plurality of protrusions on a part of its outer peripheral surface, and having an outer shape smaller than the inner shape of the first housing, an electronic device provided in the second housing and including an RFID module, a battery, and an antenna, an RFID device comprising the same.

2. the first housing and the second housing are formed in a cylindrical shape, the outer diameter of the second housing is smaller than the inner diameter of the first housing, the plurality of protrusions are provided at predetermined intervals in each of the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the second housing, the RFID device according to claim 1.

3. a third housing having a base fixed to an object to be attached, a bearing member provided on the base, and a lid portion provided on the bearing member and rotating with respect to the base and fixed to the first housing, the RFID device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. the first housing has radially extending ribs provided on the bottom surface and a plurality of engaging protrusions provided on the ribs, the second housing has a plurality of grooves that engage with the plurality of engaging protrusions, the RFID device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the RFID device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a cylindrical power receiving coil provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second housing and formed with an outer diameter smaller than the inner peripheral surface of the first housing.

Images