Moving RFID Antenna Path for Shielded Tag Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
POS terminals face challenges in reading wireless tags due to shielding objects like metal or water droplets, which obstruct radio waves from reaching or being received by the antenna.
Innovation Solution
A wireless tag reading device with an antenna moving mechanism that adjusts its position in a concave curve to ensure radio waves can effectively reach wireless tags, even when shielding objects are present, by tilting the antenna's surface to always face the tags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is installed in a fixed position near the product placing portion, then the device structure is simple, but shielding objects (metal or water droplets) obstruct radio waves from reaching the wireless tag
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is made movable through an antenna moving mechanism that can change the antenna's position and orientation. The antenna moves along a predetermined locus (such as a circular arc) to dynamically adjust its orientation and avoid shielding objects like metal surfaces or water droplets that block radio waves, thereby maintaining reliable communication with wireless tags on products.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna moving mechanism adds a spatial dimension to the antenna's operation by moving it along a three-dimensional locus. This allows the antenna to change its position not only horizontally but also vertically, enabling it to bypass shielding objects and maintain optimal radio wave transmission paths to wireless tags on products placed on the conveying belt.
2Reliability
If the antenna moves along a concave curve locus to avoid shielding objects, then radio wave transmission is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna moving mechanism dynamically adjusts the antenna's position and orientation by moving it along a predetermined concave curve locus. This dynamic adjustment allows the antenna to maintain optimal angles for radio wave transmission to wireless tags on products, avoiding shielding objects while ensuring reliable tag reading throughout the product conveyance process.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna moves along a concave curve locus (such as a circular arc) rather than a straight line. This curved path allows the antenna to maintain a more consistent orientation toward products on the conveying belt while avoiding shielding objects, optimizing radio wave transmission geometry throughout the movement cycle.
3Reliability
If the antenna orientation is adjusted to always face the wireless tag, then radio wave reception is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna orientation is dynamically adjusted through the antenna moving mechanism, which changes both the position and orientation of the antenna simultaneously. By moving the antenna along a predetermined concave curve locus, the mechanism maintains the antenna's optimal orientation toward wireless tags on products throughout the conveyance process, ensuring reliable radio wave reception without requiring separate orientation control systems.
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 device ensures reliable product registration and settlement processing by ensuring consistent radio wave transmission and reception, overcoming the interference caused by shielding objects.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna 35 which is installed in a vicinity of the product placing portion 14 and emits radio waves toward the wireless tag 43
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a wireless tag reading device includes a product placing portion on which a product is placed, an antenna which is installed in a vicinity of the product placing portion and emits radio waves toward a wireless tag attached to the placed product, and an antenna moving mechanism for moving the antenna along a locus of a concave curve.