Antenna equipment

Abstract

By adopting a point-symmetric structure for the antenna pattern, it contributes to miniaturizing the antenna conductor. [Solution] The antenna device 1 comprises a substrate 10 and an antenna conductor 11 provided on the substrate 10. The antenna conductor 11 includes a loop element having a first line segment and a second line segment facing the first line segment, a first strip portion extending by a predetermined length from a first position in the first line segment to be physically separated from the loop element, a second strip portion extending from the end of the first strip portion in an arc shape around the outer circumference of the loop element and substantially parallel to the first and second line segments, with a stub provided at its tip, and a second antenna element provided point-symmetrically with respect to the first antenna element, with a predetermined position on the inner circumference of the loop element as the center point, starting from a second position in the second line segment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna device.

Background Art

[0002] Antenna devices for uses such as RFID tags have been developed. For example, there is one including a base material and a strip-shaped dipole antenna formed of a conductive material on the surface of the base material and extending linearly, the dipole antenna having a connection portion located in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the dipole antenna to which an IC chip is connected, and a pair of long sides of the dipole antenna located at both ends in the width direction of the dipole antenna and extending in the longitudinal direction of the dipole antenna, each of which is formed in a waveform in which a plurality of uneven shapes are arranged in the longitudinal direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 described above (hereinafter, the conventional technology) has a problem in the size of the antenna pattern due to the characteristics of the shape of the antenna pattern.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna device that contributes to miniaturization of an antenna conductor by adopting a point-symmetric structure in an antenna pattern.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An antenna device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a substrate and an antenna conductor provided on the substrate, wherein the antenna conductor includes a loop element having a first line segment and a second line segment facing the first line segment, a first strip extending by a predetermined length from a first position in the first line segment to be physically separated from the loop element, and an extension extending from the end of the first strip in an arc shape surrounding the outer circumference of the loop element, with the end of the strip facing the first and second line segments. tehira The configuration includes a first antenna element having a second strip portion extending in a row and a stub at its tip, and a second antenna element provided point-symmetrically with respect to the first antenna element, with a second position in the second line segment as the starting point and a predetermined position on the inner circumference of the loop element as the center point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, by adopting a point-symmetric structure for the antenna pattern, it is possible to contribute to miniaturizing the antenna conductor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram used to illustrate each element in the antenna conductor of the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] A diagram used to illustrate the antenna provided in the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows another first example of the configuration of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] This diagram shows examples of antenna conductor shapes when a point-symmetric structure and a line-symmetric structure are adopted for the antenna pattern. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the calculation results for reflection loss related to antenna patterns with point symmetry and line symmetry structures. [Figure 7] This figure shows another second example of the configuration of the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows a third example of the configuration of the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows a fourth example of the configuration of the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of a stub included in an antenna device. [Figure 11] Figure showing a first example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows a second example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure shows a third example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure shows a fourth example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 15] This figure shows a fifth example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 16] This figure shows a sixth example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (The circumstances leading to the invention of one aspect of the present invention)

[0010] Conventional technology forms the antenna pattern as a strip-shaped dipole antenna, specifically by arranging multiple corrugated shapes that protrude and recess in the width direction of the dipole antenna in a wave-like pattern along its length. The pair of long-side wave shapes are formed symmetrically with respect to a center line extending in the length direction at the midpoint of the dipole antenna in the width direction.

[0011] However, when adopting a line-symmetric structure as the antenna pattern as in the prior art, regardless of the type of antenna, the antenna pattern inevitably spreads in the longitudinal direction, resulting in problems in the size of the antenna device. In particular, when the antenna device is used for an RFID tag, the size of the antenna device becomes a problem from the viewpoints of installation and cost.

[0012] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention conceived an antenna device that contributes to the miniaturization of the antenna conductor by adopting a point-symmetric structure for the antenna pattern, and arrived at an aspect according to the present invention.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. The embodiments described below show a specific example of the present disclosure. The configurations, processes in the flowcharts, or the order of processes shown in the embodiments are examples and do not limit the technology of the present disclosure.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) The configuration of the antenna device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and the like. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining each element in the antenna conductor provided in the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna device 1 may include a substrate 10 and an antenna conductor 11 provided on the substrate 10.

[0016] Antenna device 1 may be, for example, an RFID tag antenna used in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system. In the following description, antenna device 1 will be described as an RFID tag antenna in the UHF band (860 MHz to 960 MHz), but this is just an example and is not limited to that. For example, antenna device 1 may be a 2.45 GHz band antenna. Furthermore, antenna device 1 is not limited to an RFID tag antenna, but may be an antenna used for other well-known applications.

[0017] The substrate 10 may be, for example, paper, epoxy resin, polyimide, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polymer film, etc. The material of the substrate 10 is just an example, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited by its specific content.

[0018] The antenna conductor 11 may be formed from a conductive material. Specifically, for example, the antenna conductor 11 may be formed from a predetermined metal such as aluminum, silver, or copper. Alternatively, the antenna conductor 11 may be formed from conductive ink that has been changed from a non-conductive state to a conductive state by applying a predetermined physical treatment such as heating, sintering, or ultraviolet irradiation to the printed or coated conductive ink.

[0019] In other words, the antenna conductor 11 may be a region coated with conductive ink that changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a predetermined physical application is applied, and may be an antenna pattern formed by applying the physical application to the region. Alternatively, the antenna conductor 11 may be an antenna pattern formed in a predetermined shape by removing unnecessary parts from a conductive thin film by etching. Alternatively, the antenna conductor 11 may be a region trimmed from any conductor, for example using a laser, or a region set from any conductor, for example by a predetermined punching process. Note that the antenna conductor 11 only needs to be conductive, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited by the specific details of its material and manufacturing method.

[0020] The antenna conductor 11 may include a loop element 110, a first antenna element 111, and a second antenna element 112. Figure 2(a) shows an example of the shape of the loop element 110 in the antenna conductor 11, Figure 2(b) shows an example of the shape of the first antenna element 111 in the antenna conductor 11, and Figure 2(c) shows an example of the shape of the second antenna element 112 in the antenna conductor 11. For the convenience of explaining the connection configuration of each element, the loop element 110 is shown with a dashed line in Figures 2(b) and 2(c). In addition, although a predetermined center point is shown in Figures 2(b) and 2(c), this center point is merely a virtual point shown for the convenience of explanation and does not necessarily have to be physically formed in the antenna conductor 11 according to this disclosure.

[0021] As will be described in detail later, the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 may be provided so as to be point-symmetric with respect to a predetermined position on the inner circumference of the loop element 110. Specifically, for example, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 2(c), the first antenna element 111 extending from the loop element 110 starting from a first position and the second antenna element 112 extending from the loop element 110 starting from a second position may be provided so as to be point-symmetric with respect to a virtual center point.

[0022] Note that the positions where the first and second positions are provided shown in Figures 1 and 2 are merely examples, and the center point may be provided at a predetermined position on the inner circumference of the loop element 110, as long as the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 are point-symmetrical.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2(a), the loop element 110 may have a first line segment and a second line segment facing the first line segment. The loop element 110 may function as a loop antenna and may have directivity in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the loop element 110. The shape and size of the loop element 110 may be designed, for example, based on S-parameters including the reflection coefficient and VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Radio) so that it resonates in the UHF band. The loop element 110 may be a circular loop antenna or a micro-loop antenna. The explanation of the antenna function based on the resonance phenomenon in the loop element 110 is well known and will be omitted.

[0024] In Figures 1 and 2, the loop element 110 is shown as a series of loop shapes for ease of explanation, but it may have a notch for mounting a semiconductor element, as will be described later. In this disclosure, the loop element 110 may be a concept that encompasses both loop elements with a notch and loop elements without a notch.

[0025] The shape and size of the loop element 110 may be designed based on the design frequency, using the S-parameters and VSWR as indicators, as described above, and the shape, such as the circumference, is not limited to those exemplified in this disclosure.

[0026] For example, the loop element 110 may have a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the first line segment and the second line segment in at least one of the directions perpendicular and parallel to the line segment. For example, as shown in Figure 5 described later, the loop element 110 may be symmetrical with respect to the first line segment and the second line segment in the direction parallel to the line segment, but not symmetrical with respect to the shape perpendicular to the first line segment and the second line segment.

[0027] In such cases, as will be described later, when a semiconductor element is mounted on the loop element 110, the shape is symmetrical with respect to at least one of the directions perpendicular to and parallel to the first and second line segments, so that the electrical length from the semiconductor element to the first position and the electrical length from the semiconductor element to the second position can be made substantially the same.

[0028] In this disclosure, the loop element 110 is described as having a first line segment and a second line segment facing the first line segment, but the lengths of the first and second line segments may be minute in length relative to the wavelength. That is, each of the first and second line segments may be a predetermined point in the loop shape, and each of the first and second line segments may be a tangent to the predetermined point.

[0029] To put it another way, the loop element 110 has a first contact and a second contact opposite the first contact, the tangent at the first contact is the first line segment, the tangent at the second contact is the second line segment, and the first strip portion and the second strip portion, which will be described later, may be substantially parallel to the first line segment and the second line segment, respectively.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2(b), the first antenna element 111 may extend from a first position in the first line segment. The first antenna element 111 may function as one end of a dipole antenna centered on the loop element 110, and may extend to circle the loop element 110, as will be described later.

[0031] The electrical length of the first antenna element 111 may be set so that the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 function as excitation elements, either as a whole or individually, as described later.

[0032] The electrical length of the first antenna element 111 may be set based on the dielectric constant of the substrate 10. For example, the electrical length of the first antenna element 111 may be set to an integer multiple of a quarter wavelength. Alternatively, if there is insufficient space on the substrate to secure the length of the antenna element, the electrical length of the first antenna element 111 may be less than a quarter wavelength. According to the antenna device of this disclosure, regardless of whether there is sufficient space on the substrate to secure the length of the antenna element, the range in which the length of the antenna element can be adjusted, as described later, is expanded by maintaining a positional relationship in which the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 do not interfere with each other, and as a result, good antenna characteristics can be obtained.

[0033] Specifically, the antenna performance, including the gain performance of the antenna device 1, may be improved by matching the reactance component of the minute loop element 110 with the reactance component related to the terminals of the semiconductor element 12 (described later) and maximizing the current values ​​in the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112. For example, the reactance component of the loop element 110 may be inductive reactance, and the reactance component related to the terminals of the semiconductor element 12 may be capacitive reactance. Furthermore, for example, the physical length of the antenna pattern may be reduced by capacitive stubs 111d and 112d, thereby ensuring sufficient room for adjusting the length of the antenna elements on the substrate.

[0034] Figure 3 is a diagram used to illustrate the antenna provided in the antenna device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Hereinafter, the parts of the first antenna element 111 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 3.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3(a), the first antenna element 111 may have a first strip portion 111a that extends by a predetermined length from a first position in the first line segment to physically separate it from the loop element 110. The angle between the first line segment and the direction in which the first strip portion 111a extends may be acute. By extending the first strip portion 111a to separate it from the loop element 110, the magnetic field coupling between the first antenna element 111 and the loop element 110 may be optimized, and the maximum value of the current distribution in the antenna conductor 11 may be set in the loop element 110.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), the first antenna element 111 may have a first arc-shaped extension portion 111b that extends from the end of the first strip portion 111a, enclosing the outer circumference of the loop element 110 in an arc shape. By providing the first arc-shaped extension portion 111b in an arc shape, it may contribute to miniaturization of the antenna conductor 11, as well as to noise prevention and mitigation of changes in characteristic impedance.

[0037] Next, as shown in Figure 3(c), the first antenna element 111 may have a second strip portion 111c extending substantially parallel to the first and second line segments at the end of the first arc-shaped extension portion 111b. By providing the second strip portion 111c substantially parallel to the first and second line segments, it is possible to contribute to miniaturizing the antenna conductor 11 while also mitigating the electromagnetic coupling between the strip portion extending from the second position of the second antenna element 112 (described later), thereby contributing to the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 functioning as an excitation element as a whole.

[0038] Next, as shown in Figure 3(d), a stub 111d may be provided at the tip of the second strip portion 111c. By providing the stub 111d at the tip, the electrical length can be shortened, contributing to the miniaturization of the antenna conductor 11. In this case, the stub 111d may be a capacitive stub.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3(d), the stub 111d may be provided at the end of an extension that further surrounds the outer circumference of the loop element 110 in an arc shape from the second strip portion 111c. Providing this arc-shaped extension, the second arc-shaped extension, may contribute to shortening the second strip portion 111c and, consequently, miniaturizing the antenna conductor 11.

[0040] Thus, the first antenna element 111 has a first strip portion 111a that extends by a predetermined length starting from a first position in the first line segment so as to be physically separated from the loop element 110, and a second strip portion 111c that extends from the end of the first strip portion 111a in an arc shape surrounding the outer circumference of the loop element 110 and extends substantially parallel to the first and second line segments, and a stub 111d may be provided at the tip.

[0041] The parts of the first antenna element 111 have been disassembled and explained above with reference to Figure 3.

[0042] Returning to Figure 2, as shown in Figure 2(c), the second antenna element 112 may be provided point-symmetrically with respect to the first antenna element 111, for example, with a predetermined position on the inner circumference of the loop element 110 as the center point, starting from the second position on the second line segment. That is, the shape of the second antenna element 112 may be substantially the same as the shape of the first antenna element 111. Furthermore, the second antenna element 112 may function as one end of a dipole antenna centered on the loop element 110, and may extend to circle the loop element 110, similar to the first antenna element 111.

[0043] By configuring the antenna conductor 11 in this way, the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112, which are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center point, may function as excitation elements for the loop element 110. That is, the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element may function as a dipole antenna, and by providing the loop element 110 at the center where the current distribution takes its maximum value, it may contribute to improving the gain performance of the antenna device 1.

[0044] As described above with reference to Figure 3(d), the stub 111d may be provided at the tip of the second strip portion 111c. Figure 4 shows another first example of the configuration of the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, the antenna device 1b may include an antenna conductor 11b.

[0045] The configuration of the antenna device 1 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0046] Figure 5 shows examples of antenna conductor shapes when a point-symmetric structure is adopted for the antenna pattern and when a line-symmetric structure is adopted. Specifically, Figure 5(a) shows an antenna device 1 in which a first antenna element 111 and a second antenna element 112 are provided with respect to a loop element 110 in a point-symmetric structure, and Figure 5(b) shows an antenna device 500 in which an element having the same electrical length as the first antenna element 111 and an element having the same electrical length as the second antenna element 112 are provided with respect to the loop element 110 in a line-symmetric structure. Note that in Figure 5, antenna device 1 and antenna device 500 include semiconductor elements 12.

[0047] Figure 6 shows an example of the calculation results of reflection loss for antenna patterns with point-symmetric and line-symmetric structures. Specifically, Figure 6 shows the calculation results of the frequency characteristics of reflection loss for antenna device 1 shown in Figure 5(a) as "point-symmetric," and the calculation results of the frequency characteristics of reflection loss for antenna device 500 shown in Figure 5(b) as "line-symmetric," comparing the two.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6, when a point-symmetric structure is adopted, the frequency characteristics of the reflection loss ensure a reflection loss of -3dB or less from 860MHz to 920MHz, whereas when a line-symmetric structure is adopted, sufficient reflection loss cannot be ensured. In other words, the antenna device 1, which employs the point-symmetric structure shown in Figure 5(a), can achieve miniaturization while also providing tolerance and stabilization for product variations such as semiconductor elements.

[0049] As mentioned above, the antenna device 1 may have a notch 13 in the antenna conductor 11 for mounting a semiconductor element 12. Figure 7 shows another second example of the configuration of the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the antenna device 1 may have a notch 13 in the antenna conductor 11, which is a region for mounting a semiconductor element 12 for realizing an RFID tag system.

[0050] In this case, the notch 13 may be located equidistant from the first and second positions in the loop element 110. This makes it possible to make the electrical lengths of the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 with respect to the semiconductor element 12 substantially the same.

[0051] Furthermore, the antenna device 1 may include a semiconductor element 12, which is not shown in Figure 7. That is, the antenna device 1 may further include a semiconductor element 12, and the loop element 110 may have a notch 13 for mounting the semiconductor element 12. The semiconductor element 12 may be mounted in the region of the notch 13 so as to be connected to the antenna conductor 11. The semiconductor element 12 may have one or more metal connection terminals. The mounting configuration of the semiconductor element 12 may be the same as the configuration shown in Figure 5. In this case, the antenna device 1 may be referred to as an RFID tag.

[0052] The type of semiconductor element 12 may be, for example, a surface mount component, and the material of the semiconductor element 12 may be, for example, silicon germanium, gallium nitride, etc. The scope of this disclosure is not limited by the specific type or material of the element. The semiconductor element 12 may also be referred to as a semiconductor chip or an IC chip.

[0053] Furthermore, the antenna device 1 may be provided with a plurality of non-contacting pad portions 14 on the antenna conductor 11, at positions substantially equidistant from the center of the notch portion 13.

[0054] Figure 8 shows a third example of the configuration of the antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, a plurality of pads 14 may be provided so as to sandwich the notch 13. The plurality of pads 14 may serve as position adjustments for mounting the semiconductor element 12.

[0055] Although Figure 8 shows four pads 14, this is not limited to that. In this disclosure, the number of pads 14 may be arbitrarily set by the designer of the antenna conductor 11, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited by the specific details of the pads 14.

[0056] Furthermore, the antenna device 1 may include one or more cutout shapes that are non-conductive regions within the interior of at least one of the stubs 111d and 112d.

[0057] Figure 9 shows a fourth example of the configuration of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 9, the stub 111d may include a cutout shape 900a which is a non-conductive region inside. Also, as shown in Figure 9, the stub 112d may include a cutout shape 900b which is a non-conductive region inside.

[0058] The cutout shape 900 may be, for example, an area on the antenna conductor 11 where conductive ink is applied, which changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a predetermined physical application is applied. In this case, the stubs 111d and 112d may be areas where conductive ink is not applied. In this case, providing the cutout shape 900 on the antenna conductor 11 contributes to reducing the amount of conductive ink used.

[0059] In the case where the antenna conductor 11 is set by a conventional method, such as by a predetermined punching process on an arbitrary conductor, providing a cutout shape to a part of the antenna conductor would increase the manufacturing process. On the other hand, in the case where the antenna conductor 11 is a region coated with conductive ink that changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a predetermined physical application is applied, providing a cutout shape 900 to a part of the antenna conductor 11 contributes to reducing the amount of conductive ink used without increasing the manufacturing process.

[0060] The cutout shape 900 may be provided, for example, on the stubs 111d and 112d of the antenna conductor 11. In this case, it may be possible to avoid the influence on the reactance component of the minute loop element 110 which is matched with the reactance component related to the terminal of the semiconductor element 12 described later, and to avoid disturbances in the current distribution in the strip line of the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112, thereby maximizing the current value in the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 while reducing the amount of conductive ink used on the antenna conductor 11.

[0061] Furthermore, one or more cutout shapes 900 may be provided on the tip side of the stub shape within the region of the stub. For example, they may be provided on the tip side of the stub shape within the region of stub 111d and stub 112d, respectively. In other words, the cutout shapes 900 may be provided on the tip side, which is the side away from the strip portion with respect to the center or center of gravity of the stub.

[0062] In the case where the cutout shape 900 is provided on the strip portion side of the stub region, the case where the cutout shape 900 is provided on the tip side of the stub shape, with stubs 111d and 112d, allows the cutout shape 900 to be provided relatively far away from the discontinuous portion of the conductor shape connecting the strip portion to stubs 111d and 112d, which may reduce the influence of electric field disturbances in the discontinuous portion.

[0063] In Figure 9, the cutout shape 900 is described as being provided on stubs 111d and 112d, but this is not limited to that. For example, the cutout shape 900 may be provided on either stub 111d or stub 112d.

[0064] In Figure 9, it is explained that stubs 111d and 112d each have one cutout shape 900a and one cutout shape 900b, but this is not limited to this. For example, multiple cutout shapes 900 may be provided inside one stub in each of stubs 111d and 112d.

[0065] In Figure 9, the shape of one or more cutout shapes 900 is shown as being elliptical, but this is merely an example and is not limited to this.

[0066] For example, the shape of one or more cutout shapes 900 may be letters, figures, symbols, or a combination of at least two of these. The letters, figures, symbols, etc. may be, for example, a company name or logo, and the letters, symbols, or combinations thereof that make up the logo may be included within a figure such as a circle. In addition, one or more cutout shapes 900 may form a part of the logo, and the remaining part of the logo may be printed separately using a predetermined ink or engraved with a laser.

[0067] For example, the shape of one or more cutout shapes 900 may be a predetermined geometric shape, and the cutout shape 900 may result in at least one of the stubs 111d and 112d being a conductor including a mesh shape. Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration of a stub included in an antenna device. For the sake of explanation, a portion of the antenna conductor 11 is omitted in Figure 10.

[0068] For example, as shown in Figure 10(a), the stub 111d may be a conductor that includes a mesh shape by having a plurality of cutout shapes 900. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10(b), the stub 111d may be a conductor that includes a mesh shape by having a single cutout shape 900.

[0069] In such cases, one or more cutout shapes 900 may be referred to as mesh-shaped patterns. That is, at least one of the stubs included in the first antenna element 111 and the stubs included in the second antenna element 112 may be a conductive pattern having a mesh-shaped pattern inside one of the stubs.

[0070] In the above description, one or more cutout shapes 900 in the stub were described as being provided on the antenna conductor 11, but this is not limited to that. One or more cutout shapes 900 in the stub may be formed, for example, using conductive ink and may be included in a predetermined antenna conductor having a stub. That is, a predetermined antenna device comprises a substrate and an antenna conductor provided on the substrate, and the antenna conductor includes one or more stubs, and at least one of the one or more stubs may include one or more cutout shapes that are non-conductive regions inside the one stub. In this case, the one or more cutout shapes may be provided on the tip side of the stub shape within the region of the one stub.

[0071] This has the effect of reducing the amount of conductive ink used without increasing the manufacturing process, especially when, for example, the antenna conductor 11 is a region coated with conductive ink that changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a predetermined physical application is applied.

[0072] Furthermore, the matters described with reference to Figure 9 may also be applicable to the specified antenna device. That is, for example, the stub may be a capacitive stub. Also, for example, the antenna conductor included in the specified antenna device may be a region coated with conductive ink that changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a predetermined physical application is applied, and the antenna pattern formed by applying the physical application to the region may also be an antenna pattern. Also, for example, the stub may be a conductive pattern including the mesh-shaped pattern described above.

[0073] Furthermore, the descriptions in this disclosure may also be applicable to the specified antenna device.

[0074] As described above, the antenna device 1 comprises a substrate 10 and an antenna conductor 11 provided on the substrate 10, and the antenna conductor 11 may include a loop element 110 having a first line segment and a second line segment facing the first line segment, a first strip portion 111a extending by a predetermined length from a first position in the first line segment to be physically separated from the loop element 110, a second strip portion 111c extending from the end of the first strip portion 111a in an arc shape surrounding the outer circumference of the loop element 110 and substantially parallel to the first and second line segments, and a stub 111d provided at its tip, and a second antenna element 112 provided point-symmetric to the first antenna element 111 with a predetermined position on the inner circumference of the loop element 110 as the center point, starting from a second position in the second line segment.

[0075] This allows for the miniaturization of the antenna conductor by adopting a point-symmetric structure in the antenna pattern.

[0076] Furthermore, the antenna pattern of the antenna conductor 11 according to this disclosure also creates an aesthetic sense through visual perception as a shape of an article. In other words, the shape of the antenna conductor 11 may have aesthetic appeal as a design.

[0077] Figure 11 shows a first example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 11(a) shows a front view of the antenna device 1, and Figure 11(b) shows a back view of the antenna device 1. The part that has aesthetic appeal through visual perception is the antenna conductor 11 of the antenna device 1, so the antenna conductor 11 is shown with a solid line and the substrate 10 is shown with a dashed line. That is, the part shown with a solid line may be recognized as the part for which design registration is sought as a partial design. Specifically, the fact that the imaginary line connecting the tip of the stub 111d of the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 is substantially parallel to the second strip portion 111c, and that the antenna conductor 11 as a whole is contained in a rectangular shape, has particular aesthetic appeal.

[0078] In Figure 11, the antenna conductor 11 is shown as a solid line and is further filled in black; however, the aesthetically pleasing portion may be limited to the outer and inner contours of the black-filled area. The antenna conductor 11 may also be referred to as an antenna pattern.

[0079] In such cases, the article to which the design "antenna device 1" pertains is an antenna used in RFID tag systems for managing the distribution or sale of goods, or for managing the movement of mobile objects, and may consist of a base material 10 and an antenna pattern formed on one side of the base material 10. When seeking design registration, the relevant part is an antenna conductor 11, and the antenna conductor 11 performs the function of an antenna. The description of the article to which the design pertains also applies to Figures 12 to 16 described later.

[0080] As mentioned above, the antenna conductor 11 may have a notch 13.

[0081] Figure 12 shows a second example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 12(a) shows a front view of the antenna device 1, and Figure 12(b) shows a back view of the antenna device 1. The part of the antenna device 1 that has aesthetic appeal through visual inspection is the antenna conductor 11, so the antenna conductor 11 is shown with a solid line and the substrate 10 is shown with a dashed line. That is, the part shown with a solid line may be recognized as the part for which design registration is sought as a partial design. Specifically, the fact that the imaginary line connecting the tip of the stub 111d in the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 is substantially parallel to the second strip portion 111c, and that the antenna conductor 11 as a whole is housed in a rectangular shape, has particular aesthetic appeal.

[0082] In Figure 12, the antenna conductor 11 is shown as a solid line and is further filled in black; however, the aesthetically pleasing portion may be limited to the outer and inner contours of the black-filled area. The antenna conductor 11 may also be referred to as an antenna pattern.

[0083] As mentioned above, the antenna conductor 11 may also have a notch 13 and a plurality of pad portions 14.

[0084] Figure 13 shows a third example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 13(a) shows a front view of the antenna device 1, and Figure 13(b) shows a back view of the antenna device 1. The part of the antenna device 1 that has aesthetic appeal through visual inspection is the antenna conductor 11, so the antenna conductor 11 is shown with a solid line and the substrate 10 is shown with a dashed line. That is, the part shown with a solid line may be recognized as the part for which design registration is sought as a partial design. Specifically, the fact that the imaginary line connecting the tip of the stub 111d in the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 is substantially parallel to the second strip portion 111c, and that the antenna conductor 11 as a whole is contained in a rectangular shape, has particular aesthetic appeal.

[0085] In Figure 13, the antenna conductor 11 is shown as a solid line and is further filled in black; however, the aesthetically pleasing portion may be limited to the outer and inner contours of the black-filled area. The antenna conductor 11 may also be referred to as an antenna pattern.

[0086] The shape of the antenna conductor 11 is not limited to those illustrated in Figures 11 to 13; for example, the antenna conductor 11 may have a shape ranging from rectangular to close to a square.

[0087] Figure 14 shows a fourth example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 14(a) shows a front view of the antenna device 1, and Figure 14(b) shows a back view of the antenna device 1. The part that has aesthetic appeal through visual perception is the antenna conductor 11 of the antenna device 1, so the antenna conductor 11 is shown with a solid line and the substrate 10 is shown with a dashed line. That is, the part shown with a solid line may be recognized as the part for which design registration is sought as a partial design. Specifically, the fact that the imaginary line connecting the tip of the stub 111d of the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 is substantially parallel to the second strip portion 111c, and that the antenna conductor 11 as a whole is contained in a rectangular shape, has particular aesthetic appeal.

[0088] In Figure 14, the antenna conductor 11 is shown as a solid line and is further filled in black; however, the aesthetically pleasing portion may be limited to the outer and inner contours of the black-filled area. The antenna conductor 11 may also be referred to as an antenna pattern.

[0089] Furthermore, the antenna conductor 11 shown in Figure 14 may also have a notch 13.

[0090] Figure 15 shows a fifth example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 15(a) shows a front view of the antenna device 1, and Figure 15(b) shows a back view of the antenna device 1. The part of the antenna device 1 that has aesthetic appeal through visual inspection is the antenna conductor 11, so the antenna conductor 11 is shown with a solid line and the substrate 10 is shown with a dashed line. That is, the part shown with a solid line may be recognized as the part for which design registration is sought as a partial design. Specifically, the fact that the imaginary line connecting the tip of the stub 111d in the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 is substantially parallel to the second strip portion 111c, and that the antenna conductor 11 as a whole is contained in a rectangular shape, has particular aesthetic appeal.

[0091] In Figure 15, the antenna conductor 11 is shown as a solid line and is further filled in black; however, the aesthetically pleasing portion may be limited to the outlines of the outer and inner circumferences of the black-filled area. The antenna conductor 11 may also be referred to as an antenna pattern.

[0092] Furthermore, the antenna conductor 11 shown in Figure 14 may also have a notch 13 and a plurality of pad portions 14.

[0093] Figure 16 shows a sixth example of a front view and a back view of an antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 16(a) shows a front view of the antenna device 1, and Figure 16(b) shows a back view of the antenna device 1. The part of the antenna device 1 that has aesthetic appeal through visual inspection is the antenna conductor 11, so the antenna conductor 11 is shown with a solid line and the substrate 10 is shown with a dashed line. That is, the part shown with a solid line may be recognized as the part for which design registration is sought as a partial design. Specifically, the fact that the imaginary line connecting the tip of the stub 111d in the first antenna element 111 and the second antenna element 112 is substantially parallel to the second strip portion 111c, and that the antenna conductor 11 as a whole is contained in a rectangular shape, has particular aesthetic appeal.

[0094] In Figure 16, the antenna conductor 11 is shown as a solid line and is further filled in black; however, the aesthetically pleasing portion may be limited to the outer and inner contours of the black-filled area. The antenna conductor 11 may also be referred to as an antenna pattern.

[0095] In this disclosure, the shape of the antenna conductor 11, including the width of the conductor, the arc inclination, shape, and arrangement, is merely an example and may be arbitrarily set under predetermined conditions depending on the design frequency and desired antenna performance.

[0096] Note that the above explanation omits descriptions of publicly known technologies related to each function and information processing.

[0097] In the above explanation, "at least one of A, B, and C is included" may also mean "one or two or more of A, B, and C are included." [Industrial applicability]

[0098] The antenna device 1 according to the present invention is effective for antenna technology in general. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1. Antenna equipment 10 circuit boards 11 Antenna conductor 12 Semiconductor devices 13 Notch 14 Pad section 110 Loop element 111 First Antenna Elements 112 Second antenna element

Claims

1. circuit board and An antenna conductor provided on the substrate, Equipped with, The aforementioned antenna conductor is A loop element having a first line segment and a second line segment facing the first line segment, A first antenna element having a first strip portion that extends by a predetermined length starting from a first position in the first line segment so as to be physically separated from the loop element, and a second strip portion that extends parallel to the first and second line segments at the end of the first strip portion, encircling the outer circumference of the loop element in an arc shape, and having a stub at its tip, A second antenna element is provided point-symmetrically with respect to the first antenna element, with the second position in the second line segment as the starting point and a predetermined position on the inner circumference of the loop element as the center point. Having, Antenna device.

2. The angle between the first line segment and the direction in which the first strip extends is acute. The antenna device according to claim 1.

3. The loop element has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the first line segment and the second line segment in at least one of the directions perpendicular and parallel to the line segment. The antenna device according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned stub is a capacitive stub. The antenna device according to claim 1.

5. The stub is provided at the end of an extension that further extends from the second strip portion, encircling the outer circumference of the loop element in an arc shape. The antenna device according to claim 1.

6. Furthermore, equipped with semiconductor elements, The loop element has a notch for mounting the semiconductor element. The antenna device according to claim 1.

7. The notch is located at an equidistant distance from the first position and the second position. The antenna device according to claim 6.

8. Furthermore, a plurality of pad portions are provided at positions equidistant from the center of the notch, which are not in contact with the antenna conductor. The antenna device according to claim 6.

9. The antenna conductor is a region coated with conductive ink that changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a predetermined physical application is applied, and is an antenna pattern formed by applying the physical application to the region. The antenna device according to claim 1.

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