Wireless Tag Antenna Segmentation for Product Location Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

In product management systems using RFID tags, existing technologies face challenges in accurately identifying and managing the location of specific products among multiple adjacent products due to signal interference and overlapping communication areas.

Innovation Solution

A wireless tag system is implemented with a tag signal antenna and a communication area shaping antenna, arranged for each product unit, which narrows the communication area by transmitting reception area shaping signals, allowing precise identification of product locations through reduced signal reception sensitivity outside the designated area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single antenna is used to read RFID tags from multiple adjacent products, then the reading device can cover a wider area, but signal interference occurs and the ability to identify specific product locations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication coverage areaVSAvoidproduct location identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the communication area into multiple distinct regions by deploying separate tag signal antennas for each product unit. Each antenna creates a localized communication zone, segmenting the overall coverage area. This segmentation allows the system to maintain wide area coverage through multiple antennas while preserving the ability to identify specific product locations, as each antenna's signal is confined to its designated product unit area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the communication area is expanded to cover multiple products, then more products can be managed, but signal interference from adjacent products increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of products managedVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the communication space by assigning dedicated tag signal antennas to each product unit. This creates spatially separated communication zones that can manage multiple products simultaneously while minimizing signal interference between adjacent products. Each antenna's localized coverage ensures that products are managed in quantity without the harmful effect of overlapping signals from neighboring units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces communication area shaping antennas as intermediary elements between the tag signal antennas and the RFID tags. These shaping antennas modify the radiation patterns of the tag signal antennas, creating directional beam patterns that focus energy on the intended product unit while reducing lateral signal spread. This intermediary function allows the system to manage more products by expanding overall coverage while suppressing signal interference through controlled directional transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the reception area is narrowed to improve location precision, then product location identification accuracy improves, but the area that can be monitored decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct location identification accuracyVSAvoidmonitored area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves both narrow reception areas for precision and wide monitored areas by segmenting the monitoring space into multiple discrete product unit zones. Each tag signal antenna creates a focused, narrow communication area for precise location identification of its specific product unit. The collection of these segmented narrow zones across multiple antennas provides comprehensive wide-area monitoring coverage, resolving the contradiction between localized precision and global coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables accurate estimation and management of product locations and numbers by limiting the communication area to only the intended product units, reducing signal interference and enhancing reception accuracy within the designated area.

Implementation Method 1

a communication area shaping antenna configured to transmit a reception area shaping signal for narrowing an area in which the tag signal antenna can communicate with the wireless transmission tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a tag signal antenna configured to receive a tag signal transmitted from a wireless transmission tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11188871B2Wireless tag system, product management device, and product management method

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 NEC CORP

AI summary

A wireless tag system includes: a tag signal antenna configured to receive a tag signal transmitted from a wireless transmission tag; and a communication area shaping antenna configured to transmit a reception area shaping signal for narrowing an area in which the tag signal antenna can communicate with the wireless transmission tag, wherein the tag signal antenna and the communication area shaping antenna are arranged for each prescribed product unit in a group of products that are arranged.