Article management system, article management method, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing article management program
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article management systems using RFID tags are limited by the need to read all fixedly assigned tags, which slows down the process due to restricted frequency bands and results in low reading rates when managing a large number of tags.
Innovation Solution
An article management system that includes a reader transmission line with impedance matching, RFID tags electromagnetically coupled to this line, and a metal sheet with openings over the tags to allow only necessary tags to be read, increasing reading speed by disabling unnecessary tags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple RFID tags are fixedly assigned to articles, then article detection coverage is improved, but reading speed deteriorates due to the need to read all tags
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the RFID tag array into multiple independent groups, where each group corresponds to a specific article placement position. By placing a metal sheet with openings over the RFID tags, only the tags at the intended reading positions remain active while others are suppressed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive article detection coverage while significantly improving reading speed by reducing the number of active tags that need to be read simultaneously.
2Productivity
If a large number of RFID tags are placed, then article management capability is improved, but reading time increases due to frequency band restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and suppresses unnecessary RFID tags from the reading process by using metal sheets with strategically placed openings. The metal sheets are positioned over the RFID tag array, and their openings align with only the tags that need to be read for current article positions. This extraction method allows the system to manage a large number of articles effectively while minimizing reading time by excluding irrelevant tags from the electromagnetic field interaction.
3Measurement precision
If all RFID tags are read to ensure accurate detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but system efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by creating spatially varying electromagnetic field characteristics through the metal sheets with openings. Each opening in the metal sheet creates a localized region where RFID tags remain active and readable, while areas covered by solid metal portions suppress tag activity. This local quality approach ensures that only tags at precise article placement positions are read, maintaining detection accuracy while dramatically improving system efficiency by avoiding unnecessary readings of tags at other positions.
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 high-speed management of articles even with multiple RFID tags by selectively enabling only the necessary tags for reading, improving efficiency and reducing reading time.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of RFID tags fixed corresponding to an article allocable area above the reader transmission line and electromagnetically coupled to the reader transmission line
Implementation Method 2
a metal sheet placed on the plurality of RFID tags and having an opening at positions corresponding to RFID tags located within an assigned position of an article
Data Source
AI summary
An article management system includes RFID tags (102) fixed above a reader transmission line (101), a metal sheet (103) having an opening (103a) at positions corresponding to RFID tags (102) located within an assigned position (108) assigned to place an article (106), a tag reading unit (104) that reads the plurality of RFID tags (102) by electromagnetic coupling through the reader transmission line (101), and an article presence/absence determination unit (105) that determines presence or absence of the article (106) at the assigned position (108) on the metal sheet (103) based on results of reading the plurality of RFID tags (102). It is thereby possible to manage articles at high speed even when a plurality of RFID tags are placed.