Non-contact IC Medium Communication Device with Directional Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-contact IC medium communication devices struggle to accurately detect specific non-contact IC media within a desired area due to the broad half-power width of single-element patch antennas and the complexity of calculations required for multiple-element array antennas.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact IC medium communication device that uses separate read areas with different coverage areas and directional patterns to perform difference operations on signal levels, allowing for the extraction of identification information within a predetermined threshold range using an antenna with rightward and leftward directivity patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single-element patch antenna is used, then the reading area is broad, but the measurement precision of detecting non-contact IC media in a specific area deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading areaVSAvoiddetection accuracy in specific area
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the broad reading area into multiple separate read areas (first read area and second read area) that are positioned on both sides of the target area. By segmenting the coverage and using difference operations on signal levels from each segment, the system achieves precise detection in the target area while maintaining the advantage of a broad overall reading area provided by the single-element patch antenna.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If an antenna with narrow half-power width is used to detect non-contact IC media in a specific area, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy in specific areaVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex multiple-element array antenna or parabola antenna to achieve narrow beamwidth, the patent segments the reading area into multiple regions and uses a simple single-element patch antenna. The segmentation is achieved through signal processing (difference operations on signal levels from separate read areas) rather than through complex antenna structures, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving precise detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of signal level comparison by performing difference operations on signal levels received from separate read areas. This parameter change allows the system to achieve directional detection capability without requiring an antenna with narrow physical beamwidth, thereby avoiding the complexity and large size associated with such antennas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a multiple-element array antenna or parabola antenna is used to achieve narrow half-power width, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy in specific areaVSAvoidantenna size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spatial reading area into multiple separate read areas positioned on both sides of the target area, and uses signal processing (difference operations) to achieve precise detection. This approach achieves narrow effective detection width without requiring a physically large antenna structure like multiple-element arrays or parabolas, thus reducing the antenna size while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If complicated calculations are performed to find the direction of non-contact IC medium using antenna elements, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirection detection accuracyVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the calculation approach by performing difference operations on signal levels from separate read areas rather than performing complicated direction-finding calculations. This parameter change in the computational method achieves directional detection and identification of non-contact IC media in the target area with simpler operations, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables simple and accurate detection of non-contact IC media in a desired area, providing a high-accuracy reading capability similar to a pencil beam antenna with a clear boundary between coverage and non-coverage areas, while reducing complexity and antenna size.

Implementation Method 1

receiving means for obtaining, from each of separate read areas, identification information of a non-contact IC medium that exists within the read area and a signal level of a reception signal received from the non-contact IC medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2228755B1Non-contact IC medium communication device
Publication Date: 2013.11.27 OMRON CORP
  • EP2228755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2228755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2228755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a non-contact IC medium communication device (1) capable of detecting a non-contact IC medium (25) in a desired area with a simple configuration, by obtaining, from each of separate read areas, identification information of the non-contact IC medium that exists within the read area and a signal level of a reception signal received from the non-contact IC medium, the identification information and the signal level being associated with each other, performing difference operation or division with respect to respective signal levels of reception signals from the separate read areas, for each of the identification information, to obtain a composite signal level, and extracting the identification information whose composite signal level falls within a predetermined threshold range. The present invention further provides a method thereof, a program thereof, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program.