IC Tag Direction Determination via Communication Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direction determination methods for IC tags and similar devices either require costly imaging devices, are prone to accuracy issues due to poor contrast between coil patterns and backgrounds, or rely on potentially dirtyable identifiers that may degrade over time, making them unsuitable for repeated use without maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A direction determining method using a passive tag type IC tag with an antenna coil and a determination circuit that assesses communication intensity between the IC tag and a direction determining device, allowing for accurate direction determination without additional identifiers or sensors, and is suitable for repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical reading and image processing methods are used to determine direction based on coil patterns, then direction determination can be performed without additional identifiers, but imaging devices and image processing means are required which increases equipment cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical reading and image processing systems with electromagnetic communication between antennas. Instead of using imaging devices to read coil patterns, the system uses the IC tag's communication function to determine direction by measuring communication intensity, thereby eliminating complex imaging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the IC tag's communication function serve dual purposes: both data communication and direction determination. By measuring the intensity of communication signals between the direction determining device and the IC tag, the system can determine directional information without requiring separate dedicated sensors or identifiers.
2Measurement precision
If determination marks or identifiers are provided on works for direction determination, then direction can be determined using simple sensors, but the identifiers may get dirty or degrade over time requiring maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the IC tag's own communication function to determine direction, eliminating the need for separate determination marks or identifiers. The IC tag serves itself by providing directional information through its communication intensity characteristics, without requiring additional components that could degrade or require maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the direction determination function from separate physical identifiers and integrates it into the IC tag's communication protocol. By removing the need for external determination marks, the system eliminates components that could get dirty or degrade, while maintaining direction determination capability through signal intensity measurement.
3Measurement precision
If coil patterns with high contrast are used for optical direction determination, then reading accuracy improves, but the coil patterns and background must be clearly distinguishable which limits design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from optical pattern recognition to electromagnetic communication intensity measurement. This allows direction determination without relying on visual contrast between coil patterns and backgrounds, freeing coil design from contrast requirements and enabling greater design flexibility while maintaining determination accuracy.
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
This method enables reliable direction determination with reduced equipment costs and minimizes the risk of errors due to dirtiness or degradation, maintaining accuracy over time, and is applicable regardless of the device's shape or color.
Implementation Method 1
communication is performed between an antenna (14) of a direction determining device (11) and an antenna coil (7) of an IC tag (4)
Data Source
AI summary
A work direction determining device includes a passive tag type IC tag secured at a predetermined position on the front surface thereof. The IC tag includes a substrate, an IC module and an antenna coil disposed on the substrate in an offset manner. The device includes an antenna communicating with the IC tag, and a determination circuit. Where the work and the direction determining device are located at respective predetermined communication positions, communication is done between the antenna of the direction determining device and the antenna coil of the IC tag, and the magnitude of communication intensity during the communication is determined by the determination circuit to thereby determine a direction of the work.