Wireless Tag Antenna Positioning for Accurate Region Inference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless tag communication systems, anti-collision methods reduce the number of simultaneous responses from wireless tags, leading to decreased accuracy in inferring the arrangement region of the tags, especially when dealing with a large number of commodities.

Innovation Solution

A wireless tag communication apparatus with an antenna, relative position change device, reading device, inference device, and speed setting device, which adjusts the relative position and speed of the antenna to optimize data acquisition, using machine learning and phase difference methods to infer the arrangement region of wireless tags.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anti-collision methods are employed to avoid communication collisions, then communication reliability is improved, but the number of simultaneous tag responses decreases leading to reduced measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidarrangement region inference accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by moving the antenna to multiple predetermined positions before reading tag data. This allows the system to collect sufficient data from tags even when anti-collision reduces simultaneous responses, as the antenna visits multiple locations to gather phase difference information needed for accurate arrangement region inference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-position measurement approach to a multi-position measurement approach by moving the antenna through predetermined positions in space. This dimensional change enables the system to accumulate sufficient data for accurate inference despite reduced simultaneous tag responses due to anti-collision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the antenna remains stationary to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to acquire sufficient data for accurate inference decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidarrangement region inference accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-determines multiple antenna positions and moves the antenna to these predetermined positions before data acquisition. This preliminary positioning action ensures that sufficient data is collected at each position to maintain high inference accuracy while using a relatively simple mechanical movement mechanism rather than complex multi-antenna systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the antenna moves at high speed to increase productivity, then data acquisition speed is improved, but the time available for data collection at each position decreases reducing measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition speedVSAvoidarrangement region inference accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning of the antenna at multiple predetermined locations before data collection. By pre-establishing the measurement positions, the system can move the antenna quickly between positions while ensuring sufficient dwell time at each position for accurate data acquisition, thus maintaining both high productivity and measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic action by moving the antenna through a sequence of predetermined positions in a repeating cycle. This periodic movement pattern allows the system to maintain consistent measurement intervals and sufficient data collection time at each position while achieving high overall throughput through the cyclic nature of the measurement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 apparatus enhances the accuracy of wireless tag arrangement inference by ensuring sufficient data acquisition even in scenarios with reduced tag responses, preventing a decrease in inference accuracy due to anti-collision.

Implementation Method 1

The antenna receives radio waves transmitted from a wireless tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

reads tag data of the wireless tag at a plurality of relative positions of the antenna with respect to the wireless tag on the basis of radio waves received by the antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio wave reception and signal processing: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20260073167A1Wireless tag communication apparatus and wireless tag communication method

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

In accordance with an embodiment, a wireless tag communication apparatus according to the embodiment receives radio waves transmitted from a wireless tag by an antenna. The wireless tag communication apparatus changes a relative position of the antenna with respect to the wireless tag. The wireless tag communication apparatus reads tag data of the wireless tag at a plurality of relative positions of the antenna with respect to the wireless tag on the basis of the received radio waves and infers an arrangement region of the wireless tag from the tag data. The wireless tag communication apparatus sets a change speed of the relative position of the antenna with respect to the wireless tag.