Wireless Communication Improving Sheet for IC Tags

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless IC tags experience reduced communication distances due to the presence of conductive materials and other substances that interfere with antenna impedance matching, leading to degraded communication properties and increased radio interference in complex environments.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication improving sheet is developed, featuring a laminated structure with a first spacer, an auxiliary antenna, and a second spacer, where the auxiliary antenna includes a hole or notch to facilitate electromagnetic coupling with the IC tag, reducing the influence of conductive materials and enhancing impedance matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conductive material such as metal exists in the vicinity of the antenna, then the antenna structure is simplified and can be attached to various surfaces, but the input impedance of the antenna is significantly reduced due to induced reverse current, degrading communication properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment position flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary component between the IC tag antenna and conductive materials. This spacer physically separates the antenna from the conductive surface, preventing the induction of reverse currents that would otherwise degrade antenna impedance and communication performance, while still allowing the tag to be attached to various surfaces including metal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple, thin, and lightweight IC tag structure that can be disposed of or attached to various surfaces without concern for permanent durability. The tag is designed as a low-cost solution that achieves its communication function through the spacer mechanism rather than through robust antenna design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If the IC tag is designed for free space operation with dipole antenna, then the antenna structure is simple and cost-effective, but communication properties are degraded when metal or conductive materials are present in the vicinity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna structure simplicityVSAvoidcommunication degradation by conductive materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the simple dipole antenna from harmful conductive materials. This allows the antenna to maintain its simple, easy-to-manufacture design while the spacer prevents communication degradation that would occur in the presence of metal or conductive surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If resonance current flows through the IC chip for wireless communication, then efficient power transfer is achieved, but impedance matching with chip impedance is not achieved when conductive materials are present, reducing communication distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidimpedance matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer acts as an intermediary that preserves the electromagnetic field distribution between the antenna and the IC chip, maintaining proper impedance matching conditions. By preventing conductive materials from interfering with the resonant current flow, the spacer ensures both efficient power transfer and proper impedance matching can be achieved simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 sheet significantly improves communication distances and stability by adjusting impedance and resonance frequency, allowing reliable wireless communication even in environments with conductive or dielectric materials, such as metals and liquids.

Implementation Method 1

the auxiliary antenna includes a hole or notch to facilitate electromagnetic coupling with the IC tag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

adjusting impedance and resonance frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2214255B1Sheet for improving wireless communication, IC tag for wireless communication, information transmitting medium and wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 NITTA CORP
  • EP2214255B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2214255B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2214255B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to a wireless communication improving sheet capable of improving a possible communication distance of an IC tag for wireless communication, a wireless communication IC tag, and a wireless communication system. A first spacer (2) has an arrangement surface (2a) for arranging a wireless IC tag. An auxiliary antenna (3), which resonates with respect to an electromagnetic wave used for wireless communication, is provided on a surface opposite to the arrangement surface (2a) of the first spacer (2). A second spacer (4) is provided on an opposite side to the first spacer (2) with the auxiliary antenna (3) interposed therebetween. The first spacer (2) and the auxiliary antenna (3) is formed with a groove (a hole (S)) having the second spacer (4) as the bottom.