Items with RFID tags

Abstract

Provided is an RFID-tagged article comprising: an article having an end face intersecting a first direction, and first and second lateral faces which are spaced apart from each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and which each extend away from the end face in at least the first direction; an RFIC chip; a first antenna conductor electrically connected to the RFIC chip; and a second antenna conductor electrically connected to the RFIC chip. In this invention, the first antenna conductor includes a first radiating portion which extends away from the end face along the first lateral face and which has a first distal end, which is an open end. The second antenna conductor includes a second radiating portion which extends away from the end face along the second lateral face and which has a second distal end, which is an open end. The first and second distal ends are at different positions in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an article with an RFID tag.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in Patent Document 1, there is disclosed an article with an RFID tag including an RFIC chip provided on an end face of a rectangular parallelepiped article, and first and second antenna conductors provided along first and second side faces facing each other and electrically connected to the RFIC chip.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of the article with an RFID tag described in Patent Document 1, since the first and second antenna conductors extend in parallel and have the same extension length, the electromagnetic fields generated from each cancel each other out. As a result, the communication distance becomes short.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to realize a long communication distance in an article with an RFID tag in which first and second antenna conductors are provided so as to extend away from one end face of the article while being spaced apart from each other.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, An article having an end face intersecting a first direction, and first and second sides spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each extending at least away from the end face in the first direction, An RFIC chip provided on the aforementioned article, A first antenna conductor is provided in the article and electrically connected to the RFIC chip, The article includes a second antenna conductor provided on the article and electrically connected to the RFIC chip, The first antenna conductor includes a first radiating portion that extends along the first side surface away from the end face and has a first distal end which is an open end, The second antenna conductor includes a second radiating portion that extends along the second side surface away from the end face and has a second distal end which is an open end, An RFID tagged article is provided in which the first distal end and the second distal end are at different positions in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, in an RFID chip-equipped article in which first and second antenna conductors are provided on the article at a distance from each other and extending away from one end face of the article, a long communication distance can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Perspective view of an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure [Figure 2] Partial perspective view of an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Partial perspective top view of an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Front view of an article with an RFID tag according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Deconstructed view of an RFID tag in an article with an RFID tag according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 6]Perspective view of an RFIC module in an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view of the RFIC module in an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Transparent circuit diagram of an RFID tag in an article with an RFID tag according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 9] Partial perspective top view of an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure [Figure 10] Deconstructed view showing the RFID tag in an RFID-tagged article according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 11] Partial perspective top view of an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure [Figure 12] Partial perspective view of an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 13] Deconstructed view of an RFID tag in an article with an RFID tag according to Embodiment 4 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a perspective view of an RFID-tagged article according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of an RFID-tagged article according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, Figure 3 is a partial top view of an RFID-tagged article according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, Figure 4 is a front view of an RFID-tagged article according to Embodiment 1. And Figure 5 is an unfolded view of the RFID tag in the RFID-tagged article according to Embodiment 1. Note that the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system in the figures is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of this disclosure and does not limit this disclosure.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, the article 10 with an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag according to the first embodiment is obtained by integrally providing an RFID tag 20 on a bottomed cylindrical article 12.

[0012] In the case of the first embodiment, the article 12 includes an end face 12a intersecting the X-axis direction (first direction), and an outer peripheral face 12b extending in the X-axis direction from the end face 12a. Further, the article 12 includes a bottom face 12c extending along the end face 12a, and an inner peripheral face 12d extending in the X-axis direction so as to be separated from the bottom face 12c along the outer peripheral face 12b. Note that the article 12 is made of a material through which electromagnetic waves can pass, for example, a resin material.

[0013] The RFID tag 20 includes an RFIC (Radio Frequency integrated circuit) chip 22, and first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26 that are electrically connected to the RFIC chip 22 and function as a dipole antenna.

[0014] The RFIC chip 22 is configured to perform wireless communication with an external device (for example, a reader / writer device) at a predetermined frequency using the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26. The RFIC chip 14 is electrically connected to each of the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26.

[0015] In the case of the first embodiment, the RFIC chip 22 is provided along the end face 12a of the article 12. Specifically, the RFIC chip 22 is provided on the central portion of the bottom face 12c extending along the end face 12a of the article 12.

[0016] In the case of the first embodiment, the first antenna conductor 24 extends along the end face 12a and the outer peripheral face 12b of the article 12. Specifically, the first antenna conductor 24 extends along both the bottom face 12c along the end face 12a and the inner peripheral face 12d along the outer peripheral face 12b. Further, the first antenna conductor 24 is electrically connected to the RFIC chip 22.

[0017] In this first embodiment, the first antenna conductor 24 includes a first radiating portion 24a for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a first land portion 24b for electrically connecting to the RFIC chip 22, and a first connecting portion 24c for electrically connecting the first radiating portion 24a and the first land portion 24b. The first radiating portion 24a is provided to extend along the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12 in a direction away from the bottom surface 12c (in the X-axis direction in this first embodiment). The first land portion 24b is provided along the bottom surface 12c of the article 12. The first connecting portion 24c extends along the bottom surface 12c and the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12 and electrically connects the first radiating portion 24a and the first land portion 24b.

[0018] In this embodiment 1, the second antenna conductor 26 extends along the end face 12a and the outer peripheral surface 12b of the article 12. Specifically, the second antenna conductor 26 extends along the bottom surface 12c and the inner peripheral surface 12d. The second antenna conductor 26 is also electrically connected to the RFIC chip 22.

[0019] In this first embodiment, the second antenna conductor 26 includes a second radiating portion 26a for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a second land portion 26b for electrically connecting to the RFIC chip 22, and a second connecting portion 26c for electrically connecting the second radiating portion 26a and the second land portion 26b. The second radiating portion 26a is provided to extend along the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12 in a direction away from the bottom surface 12c (in the X-axis direction in this first embodiment). The second land portion 26b is provided along the bottom surface 12c of the article 12. The second connecting portion 26c extends along the bottom surface 12c and the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12 and electrically connects the second radiating portion 26a and the second land portion 26b.

[0020] In this embodiment 1, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 and the second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 are provided on different parts of the inner surface 12d of the article 12 so as to face each other with a distance D0 in the Y-axis direction. Although not shown in Figures 3 and 4, a thin protective layer or protective sheet may be provided on the inner surface 12d of the article 12 to protect the first antenna conductor 24, the second antenna conductor 26, and the RFIC chip 22 in order to improve washability.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 comprises a first proximal end 24d and a first distal end 24e, and extends in a meandering manner away from the bottom surface 12c. In this specification, the end with the longer electrical length between it and the RFIC chip 22 is referred to as the "distal end," and the end with the shorter electrical length is referred to as the "proximal end." Similarly, the second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 comprises a second proximal end 26d and a second distal end 26e, and extends in a meandering manner away from the bottom surface 12c. That is, the first and second radiating portions 24a and 26a extend in the X-axis direction while meandering. In this embodiment 1, the first and second radiating portions 24a and 26a are rectangular wave-shaped with a constant pitch interval p and a constant amplitude. Furthermore, the first and second proximal ends 24d and 26d of the first and second radiating sections 24a and 26a are connecting ends that connect to the first and second connecting sections 24c and 26c, and the first and second distal ends 24e and 26e are the open ends of the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first distal end 24e of the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 and the second distal end 26e of the second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 differ in position in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment 1, the distance D1 in the X-axis direction from the RFIC chip 22 to the first distal end 24e of the first antenna conductor 24 is longer than the distance D2 in the X-axis direction from the RFIC chip 22 to the second distal end 26e of the second antenna conductor 26. As a result, the first and second distal ends 24e and 26e do not face each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction). Note that in this embodiment 1, the positions in the X-axis direction of the first and second proximal ends 24d and 26d are the same. Therefore, the length S1 in the X-axis direction of the first radiating portion 24a (the distance in the X-axis direction from the first proximal end 24d to the first distal end 24e) is larger than the length S2 in the X-axis direction of the second radiating portion 26a (the distance in the X-axis direction from the second proximal end 26d to the second distal end 26e).

[0023] Thus, the reason why the first distal end 24e of the first antenna conductor 24 and the second distal end 26e of the second antenna conductor 26 are positioned differently in the X-axis direction is because the distance D0 in the Y-axis direction between the first radiating portion 24a and the second radiating portion 26a is small. In addition, the distance D1 in the X-axis direction from the RFIC chip 22 to the first distal end 24e of the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 is longer than the distance D0. For example, if the distance D0 is 7 mm and the distance D1 is 14 mm.

[0024] The first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 and the second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 each extend in the X-axis direction. Therefore, unlike in Embodiment 1, when the X-axis positions of the first distal end 24e and the second distal end 26e are the same, these distal ends 24e and 26e face each other in the Y-axis direction with a shortest distance, i.e., distance D0, between them. In this case, if distance D0 is small and distance D1 is larger than distance D0, the electromagnetic field generated around the first radiating portion 24a and the electromagnetic field generated around the second radiating portion 26a cancel each other out.

[0025] Specifically, voltages of the same magnitude but different polarity are distributed at the first distal end 24e and the second distal end 26e, and the direction of current flow in the first radiating portion 24a and the second radiating portion 26a, which extend in the X-axis direction, is 180 degrees different. As a result, when the first distal end 24e and the second distal end 26e face each other in the Y-axis direction with a small distance D0 between them, the electromagnetic fields of the first and second radiating portions 24a and 26a cancel each other out and effectively disappear. Consequently, the communication range of the RFID tag 20 is shortened.

[0026] To address this, the first distal end 24e of the first antenna conductor 24 and the second distal end 26e of the second antenna conductor 26 are positioned differently in the X-axis direction. That is, the opposition between the first distal end 24e and the second distal end 26e is avoided in the Y-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the X-axis direction, which is the extension direction of the first and second radiating sections 24a and 26a. This suppresses the mutual cancellation and annihilation of the electromagnetic fields generated around the first radiating section 24a and the electromagnetic fields generated around the second radiating section 26a. As a result, even if the distance D0 in the Y-axis direction between the first radiating section 24a and the second radiating section 26a is small, the RFID tag 20 can achieve communication over long communication distances.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, in a view along the X-axis, the meander-shaped first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 extends in the X-axis direction while also extending circumferentially along the outer surface 12b (i.e., inner surface 12d) of the article 12. Similarly, the meander-shaped second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 also extends circumferentially while also extending in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the amplitude W1 (width of meander) of the meander-shaped first radiating portion 24a is larger than the amplitude W2 (width of meander) of the meander-shaped second radiating portion 26a. As described above, the distance D1 in the X-axis direction from the RFIC chip 22 to the first distal end 24e of the first antenna conductor 24 is longer than the distance D2 in the X-axis direction from the RFIC chip 22 to the second distal end 26e of the second antenna conductor 26. Therefore, with respect to the first direction, the first radiating unit 24a has a wider range over which it can transmit and receive radio waves compared to the second radiating unit 26a. The amplitude W1 of the first radiating unit 24a is made larger than the amplitude W2 of the second radiating unit 26a so that the first radiating unit 24a can transmit and receive radio waves over a wider range in the circumferential direction of the outer surface 12b of the article 12. Thus, the range over which the RFID tag 20 can transmit and receive is substantially determined by the first radiating unit 24a.

[0028] In addition, when viewed in the X-axis direction, it is preferable that the meander-shaped first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 extends circumferentially along more than one-third of the outer circumferential surface 12b of the article 12 (in this embodiment 1, along one-third of the inner circumferential surface 12d). In this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 4, the first radiating portion 24a extends circumferentially along half of the outer circumferential surface 12b of the article 12. This allows the first radiating portion 24a to transmit and receive radio waves over a wider range in the circumferential direction. However, if the first radiating portion 24a extends circumferentially along more than half of the outer circumferential surface 12b of the article 12, the first radiating portion 24a will come too close to the second radiating portion 26a. When they come too close, the electromagnetic fields of the first radiating portion 24a and the second radiating portion 26a cancel each other out in that close-proximity region.

[0029] In this first embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the RFIC chip 22, the first antenna conductor 24, and the second antenna conductor 26 of the RFID tag 20 are provided on the film 28 before being incorporated into the article 12. The film 28 is then provided on the article 12. Note that in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the film 28 is part of the article 12 and is therefore not shown.

[0030] The film 28 is a thin, flexible member made from an insulating material, such as a resin material. As shown in Figure 5, the film 28 includes a central portion 28a, a first strip-shaped portion 28b extending from the central portion 28a and provided with the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24, and a second strip-shaped portion 28c extending from the central portion 28a in the opposite direction to the first strip-shaped portion 28b.

[0031] An RFIC chip 22 is provided in the central portion 28a of the film 28. In this embodiment 1, the RFIC chip 22 is modularized as an RFIC module 30. Details of the RFIC module 30 will be described later.

[0032] Furthermore, the central portion 28a of the film 28 is provided with a part of the first land portion 24b and the first connection portion 24c of the first antenna conductor 24, as well as a part of the second land portion 26b and the second connection portion 26c of the second antenna conductor 26.

[0033] The first strip-shaped portion 28b of the film 28 is provided with a part of the first radiating portion 24a and the first connecting portion 26c of the first antenna conductor 24.

[0034] The second strip-shaped portion 28c of the film 28 is provided with a part of the second radiating portion 26a and the second connecting portion 26c of the second antenna conductor 26.

[0035] In this embodiment 1, the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26 are formed on the film 28 as conductive patterns made from a conductive material such as copper or aluminum.

[0036] In this embodiment 1, the RFID tagged article 10 is manufactured by insert molding. The RFID tagged article 10 is manufactured by injecting a molten resin material into a mold while a film 28 on which an RFIC chip 22 (RFIC module 30), a first antenna conductor 24, and a second antenna conductor 26 are provided is in vacuum-sealed contact with the molding surface of the mold.

[0037] Specifically, during injection molding, the film 28 is folded so that the first strip portion 28b and the second strip portion 28c face each other with a gap between them, and is then vacuum-fitted to the molding surface of the mold. The surface of the film 28 on which the RFIC module 30, the first antenna conductor 24, and the second antenna conductor 26 are provided is also vacuum-fitted to the molding surface of the mold. As a result, the film 28 is provided on the article 12 in a folded state. The central portion 28a of the film 28 becomes part of the bottom surface 12c of the article 12, and the first and second strip portions 28b and 28c of the film 28 become part of the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12. As a result, the RFIC module 30, the first antenna conductor 24, and the second antenna conductor 26 are embedded in the article 12 along the bottom surface 12c and the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12. As a result, the RFIC module 30, the first antenna conductor 24, and the second antenna conductor 26 are protected from external elements.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the extension length S3 of the first strip-shaped portion 28b of the film 28 from the central portion 28a and the extension length S4 of the second strip-shaped portion 28c from the central portion 28a are substantially equal. On the other hand, the extension length S1 of the first antenna conductor 24 formed on the first strip-shaped portion 28b and the extension length S2 of the second antenna conductor 26 formed on the second strip-shaped portion 28c are different. That is, there is a large portion of the second strip-shaped portion 28c where the second antenna conductor 26 is not formed. The reason for this is to perform the insert molding described above with high precision. Specifically, if the extension lengths S3 and S4 of the first and second strip-shaped portions 28b and 28c are different, i.e., if their sizes are different, the film 28 may shift from the appropriate position on the molding surface of the mold when these parts are temporarily fixed.

[0039] As described above, in this first embodiment, the RFIC chip 22 is modularized as an RFIC module 30.

[0040] Figures 6 and 7 are perspective and exploded perspective views of the RFIC module in an RFID-tagged article according to this embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a transparent circuit diagram of the RFID tag in an RFID-tagged article according to this embodiment 1.

[0041] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the RFIC module 30 is a module in which an RFIC chip 22 and a matching circuit 32 are provided on an insulating sheet 34. The matching circuit 32 is a circuit for impedance matching between the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26 and the RFIC chip 22.

[0042] Specifically, the first surface 34a of the insulating sheet 34 is provided with an RFIC chip 22, a first conductor pattern 36, and a second conductor pattern 38. The second surface 34b of the insulating sheet 34, opposite to the first surface 34a, is provided with a third conductor pattern 40, a first external connection terminal 42, and a second external connection terminal 44.

[0043] The first conductor pattern 36 is formed in a spiral shape to constitute the first inductor L1 in the matching circuit 32. The outer end 36a of the first conductor pattern 36 is electrically connected to the first terminal 22a of the RFIC chip 22, for example, via solder. The inner end 36b of the first conductor pattern 36 is electrically connected to the third conductor pattern 40 via an interlayer connecting conductor 46, such as a through-hole conductor that penetrates the insulating sheet 34. The first conductor pattern 36 also includes a connection portion 36c for electrically connecting to the first external connection terminal 42. The connection portion 36c is electrically connected to the first external connection terminal 42 via an interlayer connecting conductor 48 that penetrates the insulating sheet 34.

[0044] The second conductor pattern 38 is formed in a spiral shape to constitute the second inductor L2 in the matching circuit 32. The outer end 38a of the second conductor pattern 38 is electrically connected to the second terminal 22b of the RFIC chip 22, for example, via solder. The inner end 38b of the second conductor pattern 38 is electrically connected to the third conductor pattern 40 via an interlayer connecting conductor 50 that penetrates the insulating sheet 34. The second conductor pattern 38 also includes a connection portion 38c for electrically connecting to the second external connection terminal 44. The connection portion 38c is electrically connected to the second external connection terminal 44 via an interlayer connecting conductor 52 that penetrates the insulating sheet 34.

[0045] The third conductor pattern 40 includes spiral portions 40a and 40b, and an S-shaped connecting portion 40c that connects the outer ends of the spiral portions 40a and 40b. The spiral portion 40a constitutes the third inductor L3 in the matching circuit 32, the spiral portion 40b constitutes the fourth inductor L4, and the connecting portion 40c constitutes the fifth inductor L5. Furthermore, the inner end 40d of the spiral portion 40a is electrically connected to the inner end 36b of the first conductor pattern 36 via an interlayer connecting conductor 46. In addition, the inner end 40e of the spiral portion 40b is electrically connected to the inner end 38b of the second conductor pattern 38 via an interlayer connecting conductor 50.

[0046] The first and second external connection terminals 42 and 44 are provided on the second surface 34b of the insulating sheet 34 such that the third conductor pattern 40 is located between them. The first external connection terminal 42 is electrically connected to the first land portion 24b of the first antenna conductor 24. The second external connection terminal 44 is electrically connected to the second land portion 26b of the second antenna conductor 26.

[0047] In this first embodiment, the RFIC module 30 is fixed to the film 28 by the second surface 34b of the insulating sheet 34 being attached to the film 28 via an insulating adhesive. Therefore, the first and second external connection terminals 42, 44 and the first and second land portions 24b, 26b are capacitively coupled due to the insulating adhesive interposed between them.

[0048] In such an RFID-tagged item 10, when the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26 receive radio waves (signals) of a predetermined frequency (communication frequency), a current corresponding to the signal flows from the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26 to the RFIC chip 22 via the matching circuit 32. The RFIC chip 22 is driven by this current and outputs a current (signal) corresponding to the information stored in its internal memory unit (not shown) to the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26. Then, radio waves (signals) corresponding to that current are radiated from the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26.

[0049] According to this embodiment 1 described above, in an RFID tagged article 10 in which the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26 are provided on the article 12 with a distance between them from each other and extending away from the end face 12a of the article 12, a long communication distance can be achieved.

[0050] (Embodiment 2) The RFID tagged article according to this second embodiment is substantially identical to that of the first embodiment described above, except for the first antenna conductor. Therefore, this second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences. Components of this second embodiment that are substantially identical to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0051] Figure 9 is a partial perspective top view of an RFID-tagged article according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. Figure 10 is an exploded view showing the RFID tag in the RFID-tagged article according to Embodiment 2.

[0052] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in the RFID tagged article 110 according to Embodiment 2, the first radiating portion 124a of the first antenna conductor 124 extends in a meander shape in the X-axis direction, similar to the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 according to Embodiment 1 described above. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, while the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 in Embodiment 1 extends in a meander shape with a constant amplitude W1, the amplitude of the first radiating portion 124a of the first antenna conductor 124 in Embodiment 2 is not constant.

[0053] Specifically, in this second embodiment, the first radiating portion 124a of the first antenna conductor 124 has different amplitudes in the portion 124f on the proximal end 124d side and the portion 124g on the distal end 124e side. The portion 124f of the first radiating portion 124a faces the second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, similar to the first radiating portion 24a in the first embodiment described above, the portion 124f of the first radiating portion 124a extends in the X-axis direction while meandering with an amplitude W1. In contrast, the portion 124g of the first radiating portion 124b extends in the X-axis direction while meandering with an amplitude W3 that is larger than the amplitude W1. This is because the portion 124g does not face the second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, in the view along the X-axis, portion 124f of the first radiating portion 124a and portion 26a of the second radiating portion do not overlap, but portion 124g of the first radiating portion 124a and portion 26a of the second radiating portion do overlap.

[0054] With such a first antenna conductor 124, the portion 124g on the distal end 124e side of the first radiating portion 124a can transmit and receive radio waves over a wider area in the circumferential direction of the outer surface 12b of the article 12. Therefore, compared to the RFID tag 20 of the first embodiment described above, the RFID tag 120 of this second embodiment can perform communication over a longer communication distance.

[0055] This embodiment 2, as described above, can achieve a long communication distance for the RFID tagged item 110, just like embodiment 1 described above.

[0056] (Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the RFIC chip is located at a different position on the article. Therefore, Embodiment 3 will be described focusing on these differences. Components of Embodiment 3 that are substantially the same as those of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0057] Figure 11 is a partial perspective top view of an RFID tagged article according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, in the RFID tagged article 210 according to this third embodiment, the RFIC chip 22 (RFIC module 30) is not provided along the end face 12a of the article 12, that is, along the bottom surface 12c that extends along the end face 12a. Instead, the RFIC chip 22 is provided along the outer circumferential surface 12b, that is, along the inner circumferential surface 12d that extends along the outer circumferential surface 12b. Specifically, the first land portion 224b and the first connection portion 224c of the first antenna conductor 224 and the second land portion 226b of the second antenna conductor 226 are provided along the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12, aligned with the first radiating portion 224a in the X-axis direction. The second connection portion 226c of the second antenna conductor 226 extends along the inner circumferential surface 12d in the X direction toward the bottom surface 12c from the second radiating portion 226a which is opposite to the first radiating portion 224a in the Y direction, then extends along the bottom surface 12c in the Y direction, and then extends along the inner circumferential surface 12d toward the second land portion 226b in the X direction.

[0059] This embodiment 3, as described above, can also achieve a long communication distance for the RFID tagged item 210.

[0060] (Embodiment 4) This embodiment 4 differs from embodiment 1 in that the RFIC chip is located on the article. Therefore, this embodiment 4 will be described focusing on the differences. Components of this embodiment 4 that are substantially the same as those of embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0061] Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of an RFID-tagged article according to this fourth embodiment. Figure 13 is an unfolded view of the RFID tag in the RFID-tagged article according to this fourth embodiment.

[0062] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, similar to Embodiment 3 described above, in the RFID tagged article 310 according to Embodiment 4, the first and second radiating portions 324a and 326a of the first and second antenna conductors 324 and 326 and the RFIC chip 22 (RFIC module 30) are provided along the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12. In the case of Embodiment 3 described above, in a view along the X-axis, the first radiating portion 224a of the first antenna conductor 224 and the RFIC chip 22 are identical in circumferential position on the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12. In contrast, in the case of Embodiment 4, the first radiating portion 324a of the first antenna conductor 324, the first radiating portion 326a of the second antenna conductor 326, and the RFIC chip 22 are provided on the article 12 such that, in a view along the X-axis, their circumferential positions on the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12 are different from each other. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to position the first and second land portions 324b, 326b and parts of the first and second connecting portions 324c, 326c along the bottom surface 12d of the article 12.

[0063] Furthermore, in this fourth embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, the first and second strip-shaped portions 328b and 328c, which extend from the central portion 328a of the film 328 on which the RFIC chip 22 is provided and on which the first and second antenna conductors 324 and 326 are provided, are L-shaped. Also, the first and second connection portions 324c and 326c of the first and second antenna conductors 324 and 326 are L-shaped.

[0064] In this fourth embodiment, the first antenna conductor 324, the second antenna conductor 326, and the RFIC chip 22 are provided along the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12. Therefore, the RFIC chip 22 and the first and second antenna conductors 324 and 326 may be provided on a simple rectangular film 328 in the layout shown in Figure 13, and insert molding may be performed with the film 328 bent into a cylindrical shape.

[0065] This embodiment 4, as described above, can also achieve a long communication distance for the RFID tagged item 310.

[0066] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these.

[0067] For example, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 and the second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 are provided along the inner circumferential surface 12d of the article 12 so as to face each other in the Y-axis direction, that is, they are provided at a distance from the outer circumferential surface 12b and along the outer circumferential surface 12b. Also, the RFIC chip 22 is provided along the bottom surface 12c of the article 12, that is, it is provided at a distance from the end surface 12a and along the end surface 12a. Similarly, in the other embodiments 2 to 4, the first and second antenna conductors are provided along both the inner circumferential surface and the bottom surface of the article, or along only the inner circumferential surface. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the first antenna conductor 24 and the second antenna conductor 26 may be provided on the outer circumferential surface 12b of the article 12. Also, the RFIC chip 22 may be provided on the end surface 12a of the article 12.

[0068] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 5, the electrical length of the first antenna conductor 24 and the electrical length of the second antenna conductor 26 (the electrical length from the first and second land portions 24b, 26b to the first and second distal ends 24e, 26e) are different. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. The electrical length of the first antenna conductor and the electrical length of the second antenna conductor may be equal if the positions of the first distal end and the second distal end in the X-axis direction are different. In this case, the first and second antenna conductors extend in a meander shape with different pitch intervals.

[0069] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the first radiating portion 24a of the first antenna conductor 24 and the second radiating portion 26a of the second antenna conductor 26 extend in a meander shape in the X-axis direction. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. For example, the second radiating portion of the second antenna conductor may extend in a linear direction.

[0070] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 8, a matching circuit 32 is provided between the RFIC chip 22 and the first and second antenna conductors 24 and 26 to match their impedances. The RFIC chip 22 and the matching circuit 32 are modularized as an RFIC module 30. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. If impedance matching can be achieved between the RFIC chip and the first and second antenna conductors by devising the shapes of the first and second antenna conductors, then it becomes unnecessary to provide a matching circuit between them.

[0071] In addition, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the article 12 in the RFID tagged article 10 is a bottomed cylindrical shape having an end face 12a that intersects in the X-axis direction and an outer peripheral surface 12b that extends from the end face 12a in the X-axis direction. However, the shape of the article is not limited to this in the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the article may be columnar in shape having two end faces separated in the X-axis direction and an outer peripheral surface connecting the two end faces. Alternatively, for example, the article may be cylindrical in shape having two end faces separated in the X-axis direction with openings formed therein, an outer peripheral surface connecting the outer peripheral edges of the two end faces, and an inner peripheral surface connecting the openings of the two end faces. In a broader sense, the article according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is an article having an end face that intersects in a first direction and first and second sides that are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and extend at least away from the end face in the first direction.

[0072] In other words, the various aspects of this disclosure are as follows:

[0073] The first aspect is, An article having an end face intersecting a first direction, and first and second sides spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each extending at least away from the end face in the first direction, An RFIC chip provided on the aforementioned article, A first antenna conductor is provided in the article and electrically connected to the RFIC chip, The article includes a second antenna conductor provided on the article and electrically connected to the RFIC chip, The first antenna conductor includes a first radiating portion that extends along the first side surface away from the end face and has a first distal end which is an open end, The second antenna conductor includes a second radiating portion that extends along the second side surface away from the end face and has a second distal end which is an open end, The RFID tagged item is such that, with respect to the position in the first direction, the first distal end and the second distal end are different.

[0074] The second aspect is, The RFIC chip is provided along the end face of the article, The first antenna conductor includes a first connection portion that electrically connects the first proximal end of the first radiating portion to the RFIC chip. The second antenna conductor includes a second connection portion that electrically connects the second proximal end of the second radiating portion to the RFIC chip. The first connecting portion extends along the end face and the first side surface of the article, The RFID tagged article according to the first embodiment is such that the second connecting portion extends along the end face and the second side surface of the article.

[0075] The third aspect is, The second embodiment of an RFID tagged article is characterized in that the distance in the first direction from the RFIC chip to the first distal end of the first radiating portion of the first antenna conductor is longer than the distance in the first direction from the RFIC chip to the second distal end of the second radiating portion of the second antenna conductor.

[0076] The fourth aspect is, With respect to the position in the first direction, the first proximal end of the first radiating portion and the second proximal end of the second radiating portion are the same, A third embodiment of an RFID tagged article, wherein the length in the first direction from the first proximal end to the first distal end of the first radiating portion is greater than the length in the first direction from the second proximal end to the second distal end of the second radiating portion.

[0077] The fifth aspect is, A third embodiment of an RFID tagged article, wherein the distance in the first direction from the RFIC chip to the first distal end of the first radiating portion of the first antenna conductor is longer than the distance in the second direction between the first radiating portion and the second radiating portion.

[0078] The sixth aspect is, The RFID tagged article is one of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the first and second radiating portions each extend in a meander shape.

[0079] The seventh aspect is, The RFID tagged article of the sixth embodiment is characterized in that the amplitude of the first radiating portion is greater than the amplitude of the second radiating portion.

[0080] The eighth aspect is, The article has an outer circumferential surface that extends from the end face in the second direction and includes the first and second side surfaces, The RFID tagged article of the seventh embodiment is such that, in the first viewing direction, the first radiating portion extends circumferentially along one-third or more of the outer surface of the article.

[0081] The ninth aspect is, The RFID tagged article of the eighth embodiment is characterized in that, in the first radiating portion, the amplitude of the distal end portion that does not face the second direction relative to the second radiating portion is larger than the amplitude of the proximal end portion that faces the second direction relative to the second radiating portion.

[0082] The tenth aspect is, An RFID tagged article in any one of the first to ninth embodiments, wherein the electrical length of the first antenna conductor is equal to the electrical length of the second antenna conductor.

[0083] The eleventh aspect is, The RFIC chip, the first antenna conductor, and the second antenna conductor are provided on a flexible film, The RFID tagged article is provided in the article in a folded state, in any one of the first and tenth embodiments.

[0084] The twelfth aspect is, The film includes a central portion on which the RFIC chip is provided, a first strip-shaped portion extending from the central portion on which the first radiating portion of the first antenna conductor is provided, and a second strip-shaped portion extending from the central portion in the opposite direction to the first strip-shaped portion on which the second radiating portion of the second antenna conductor is provided. This is an RFID tagged article of the eleventh embodiment, wherein the extending lengths from the central portion of each of the first and second strip-shaped portions are equal.

[0085] The present disclosure is applicable to an article having an end face intersecting a first direction, and first and second sides spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each extending at least away from the end face in the first direction, where it is necessary to provide a first antenna conductor extending along the first side away from the end face and a second antenna conductor extending along the second side away from the end face.

Claims

1. An article having an end face intersecting a first direction, and first and second sides spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each extending at least away from the end face in the first direction, An RFIC chip provided on the aforementioned article, A first antenna conductor is provided in the article and electrically connected to the RFIC chip, The article includes a second antenna conductor provided on the article and electrically connected to the RFIC chip, The first antenna conductor includes a first radiating portion that extends along the first side surface in a direction away from the end face and has a first distal end which is an open end, The second antenna conductor includes a second radiating portion that extends along the second side surface away from the end face and has a second distal end which is an open end. Regarding the position in the first direction, the first distal end and the second distal end are different. The RFIC chip is provided along the end face of the article, The first antenna conductor includes a first connection portion that electrically connects the first proximal end of the first radiating portion to the RFIC chip. The second antenna conductor includes a second connection portion that electrically connects the second proximal end of the second radiating portion to the RFIC chip. The first connecting portion extends along the end face and the first side surface of the article, The second connecting portion extends along the end face and the second side surface of the article, The distance in the first direction from the RFIC chip to the first distal end of the first radiating portion of the first antenna conductor is longer than the distance in the first direction from the RFIC chip to the second distal end of the second radiating portion of the second antenna conductor. The article extends from the end face in the second direction and has an outer peripheral surface including the first and second side surfaces, An RFID tagged article, wherein, in the first viewing direction, the first radiating portion extends circumferentially along 1 / 3 to less than 1 / 2 of the outer surface of the article.

2. With respect to the position in the first direction, the first proximal end of the first radiating portion and the second proximal end of the second radiating portion are the same, The RFID tagged article according to claim 1, wherein the length in the first direction from the first proximal end to the first distal end of the first radiating portion is greater than the length in the first direction from the second proximal end to the second distal end of the second radiating portion.

3. The RFID tagged article according to claim 1, wherein the distance in the first direction from the RFIC chip to the first distal end of the first radiating portion of the first antenna conductor is longer than the distance in the second direction between the first radiating portion and the second radiating portion.

4. The RFID tagged article according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second radiating portions extends in a meander shape.

5. The RFID tagged article according to claim 4, wherein the amplitude of the first radiating portion is greater than the amplitude of the second radiating portion.

6. The RFID tagged article according to claim 5, wherein in the first radiating portion, the amplitude of the distal end portion that does not face the second direction relative to the second radiating portion is larger than the amplitude of the proximal end portion that faces the second direction relative to the second radiating portion.

7. An RFID tagged article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrical length of the first antenna conductor is equal to the electrical length of the second antenna conductor.

8. The RFIC chip, the first antenna conductor, and the second antenna conductor are provided on a flexible film, The RFID tagged article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the film is provided on the article in a folded state.

9. The film includes a central portion on which the RFIC chip is provided, a first strip-shaped portion extending from the central portion on which the first radiating portion of the first antenna conductor is provided, and a second strip-shaped portion extending from the central portion in the opposite direction to the first strip-shaped portion on which the second radiating portion of the second antenna conductor is provided. The RFID tagged article according to claim 8, wherein the extending lengths from the central portion of each of the first and second strip-shaped portions are equal.

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