Movable Reading Apparatus Antenna Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inventory management in large business operation sites, such as warehouses and retail stores, is labor-intensive due to the time-consuming process of precisely counting and confirming the number of items, which burdens workers and store clerks.
Innovation Solution
A movable reading apparatus equipped with multiple antennas, a controller, and a processor that communicates with wireless tags, allowing for efficient inventory processing by switching antenna operations and setting an upper limit on the moving speed based on the number of antennas and reading range, enabling effective RF tag reading while reducing labor and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single antenna is used for reading RF tags while moving, then the device complexity is low, but the reading reliability decreases when items are densely arranged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antennas (first and second antennas) into a single reading apparatus to improve reading reliability. The controller switches between antennas or uses them simultaneously to read RF tags from densely arranged items, ensuring that at least one antenna can successfully read each tag despite the increased device complexity.
2Productivity
If the moving speed is increased to improve productivity, then the inventory processing efficiency increases, but the reading reliability decreases due to RF tag omission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the moving speed of the reading apparatus based on reading results. When RF tags are omitted during movement, the system automatically reduces the moving speed to ensure reliable reading. This dynamic speed adjustment maintains productivity while preventing tag omission, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple antennas are used to improve reading coverage, then the reading reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reading function into multiple antennas with distinct roles or coverage areas. The controller selectively activates specific antennas based on the reading situation, such as switching between first and second antennas. This segmentation approach improves reading coverage and reliability while managing device complexity through intelligent control.
4Measurement precision
If the moving speed is reduced to improve reading accuracy, then the reading reliability improves, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment that allows the reading apparatus to move at higher speeds when reading conditions are good and automatically reduces speed when tag omission is detected. This dynamic approach maintains reading accuracy when necessary while maximizing productivity during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between precision and efficiency.
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
The solution significantly reduces the burden on workers by automating inventory management, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in tracking items, and optimizing the moving speed of the inventory robot to prevent RF tag omission, especially when items are densely arranged.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of antennas that performs transmission/reception of signals for communicating with wireless tags (1404)
Data Source
AI summary
A movable reading apparatus includes antennas, a controller, a reader, and a processor. The antennas perform transmission/reception of signals for communicating with wireless tags while the reading apparatus is moving at a prescribed moving speed. The controller switches operations of a combination of one or more antennas selected from the antennas. The reader reads identification information of the wireless tags from the signals received by the antennas. The processor sets an upper limit value of the moving speed of the reading apparatus based on a first value obtained by dividing a width of a reading range per one of the antennas by the number off combinations of the antennas.