Shielded Row Antenna Layout for Multi-Row IC Tag Issuing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IC tag issuing technologies face limitations in communication speed and interference when handling IC tags aligned in multiple rows, hindering high-speed issuance.

Innovation Solution

The IC tag issuing apparatus employs a configuration with multiple row antenna units arranged in a zigzag pattern, electromagnetically shielded to prevent interference, and uses different communication channels to facilitate simultaneous communication with IC tags in multiple rows, ensuring reliable and high-speed processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If IC tags are aligned in multiple rows to increase issuance capacity, then productivity is improved, but communication interference between rows increases causing reliability to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveissuance speedVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the continuous body of IC tags into multiple separate rows, allowing independent communication with each row. This segmentation enables simultaneous processing of multiple rows without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between increased productivity from multi-row processing and communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a shield plate as an intermediary element positioned between adjacent IC tag rows. This shield plate acts as a barrier that prevents electromagnetic interference between neighboring rows, enabling reliable simultaneous communication with multiple rows and thus maintaining both high productivity and communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple row antenna units are added to communicate with multiple rows simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveissuance speedVSAvoidantenna unit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple row antenna units into a single integrated antenna assembly that can simultaneously communicate with multiple IC tag rows. This merging approach achieves high productivity through parallel communication while avoiding the complexity of managing separate independent antenna systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the antenna units to be multi-functional, where a single antenna system can serve multiple rows of IC tags simultaneously. This universal design enables the system to maintain high productivity without requiring separate specialized antenna units for each row, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If shield plates are introduced to prevent interference between rows, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidshield plate structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin shield plates positioned between IC tag rows to block electromagnetic interference. These thin film-like shields provide effective interference prevention while maintaining a compact and simple overall device structure, thus improving communication reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 configuration enables efficient and high-speed communication processing with IC tags in multiple rows, improving the overall issuance speed by preventing interference and ensuring accurate data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

a shield plate for supporting the row antenna units is provided, and opening portions corresponding to the row antenna units are formed by being divided into upstream opening portions and downstream opening portions in a zigzag manner in the shield plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

opening portions corresponding to the row antenna units are formed by being divided into upstream opening portions and downstream opening portions in a zigzag manner in the shield plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3104300B1IC tag issuing device and shield plate
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 SATO HLDG CORP
  • EP3104300B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3104300B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3104300B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

To provide an IC tag issuing apparatus capable of executing communication processing with the IC tags in multiple rows at a high speed and of improving an issuing speed. In an IC tag issuing apparatus including a plurality of row antenna units 31a to 31j arranged by facing the IC tags 10 in multiple rows aligned as an IC tag continuous body 1 in each row, respectively, and conducting communication in an electromagnetic induction method with each of the IC tags 10 of the IC tag continuous body by using a plurality of the row antenna units 31a to 31j, a plurality of the row antenna units 31a to 31j are arranged in a row direction or in a direction along a conveyance direction of the IC tag continuous body 1, and each of the row antenna units 31a to 31j is electromagnetically shielded except the surface faced with the IC tags 10 of the IC tag continuous body 1 (by a shield plate 310 and an antenna case).