DE102006011322A1 - Intermediate unit for reading electronic goods labels, has packet structure with materials integrated for electromagnetic waves and inserted between labels, where structure has dependant displacement units, reflectors and waveguides - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit has a packet structure, which consists of materials integrated for electromagnetic waves and inserted between the labels to be read, where the unit is distinct in the mat form. The packet structure comprises frequency and antenna dependant displacement units, reflectors and waveguides. The displacement units are provided distinct in any geometrical arrangement and are inserted between the goods. An independent claim is also included for a repeater unit, which is distinct in a mat form.

Description

field of use

 The The invention relates to a device according to the preambles the claims 1, 6, 8, 14, 16.

Around good results when reading electronic goods labels (tags) the goods should be adequately packed.

It It is known that goods are marked with electronic goods labels can be u. a. with so-called active or passive (Radio Frequency Identification / RFID) tags.

The Goods are from one or more readers at certain stations recorded and read by electromagnetic induction.

at In this method, the tags are passed over the reading device (Antenna) powered. Partially they are with their own Energy supply equipped.

Disadvantages of the state of the technique

 Often comes It is not negligible when reading individual or stacked tags Error rates.

This adverse effect is among other things due to the materials used the goods or their packaging such as metals or liquids as well as unfavorable Forms of goods (for example, certain tubular noodle types) or their Packaging caused.

conventional Packaging is for low material usage and high packing densities designed.

In Certain cases Be used with conventional packaging that is not for use have been designed by electronic labels, read rates of reached below 80%. Just goods in the middle of a larger container pose as problematic for the above-described electromagnetic reading method out.

It It is also expected that there are certain environments in which a protection against access to the electronic goods labels will be necessary (eg because of interference, danger of sabotage or For data protection reasons).

Object of the invention

 task The invention is, through the use of a for reading electronic Labels specially designed, that is an optimized packaging system consisting of one or more of the elements described herein, to improve the reading rates of electronic goods labels respectively a reading at all first to allow.

Of Furthermore, the packaging unit is to be optionally protected against interference from Outside or the environment can be protected from radio waves while reading.

Solution of the task

These Task can be achieved by using a combination of packaging elements with the features of the claims 1 to 20 solved become. The described packaging elements may be attached to the (packaged or unpackaged) goods and / or in an existing packaging additionally to get integrated.

Advantages of the invention

Of the Use of a for the reading of electronic goods labels optimized packaging system Can the successful reading or read rate significantly increase of electronic tags in many cases.

Were in less for the electromagnetic reading accessible positions can thus better or at all only for a read accessible be made.

Were, packaged or repackaged with the described packaging system can with appropriate design additionally stronger different environmental influences protected become, so z. B. from moisture, shock or shear forces.

It Further features can be incorporated into the system described above. the useful for the Packing, transportation and / or storage.

Description of exemplary embodiments

An optimized solution for reading electronic merchandise labels can be implemented in several ways. These remarks should be in Below are shown by way of example with their respective features.

The 1 to 11 represent some embodiments.

These will now be described in more detail:
Horizontal and / or vertical spacers (the thickness to be chosen depends, inter alia, on the frequency or the frequencies of the tags / readers) are additionally attached to the goods, inter-packed or integrated into the existing packaging. The spacers are made of one or more continuous electromagnetic waves for materials such. As wood, cardboard, paper, air, plastic or other manufactured and attached to or between the / to be packed / read materials). This is an easy way to design a task-optimized packaging system ( 1 ).

By cleverly arranging the elements, a "grid" can be created between the goods, which allows an improved reading result.This gap does not necessarily have to be designed in lattice form, it can be made geometrically arbitrary via the spacer elements. 2 ).

So is it possible, for example, the spacers designed as mats, for example, in the Separation of sacks or barrels to be used; in truck trailers would also be rollable or hinged Spacers as type "loading floors" conceivable to stackable provided with RFID tag goods with the desired intervals.

The above-described additional spacer elements can be used at the same time to function as a floor remaining for the product for a conventional packaging in order to be able to read the packaged goods from below better - for example when stored in a storage bin with integrated antenna ( 3 ).

A another embodiment for the packaging system is the "segmentation elements" described above, in whole or in part with a conductive or electromagnetic waves reflecting Layer or to provide a conductive grid. This allows the Principles "waveguide" or "reflection" are realized to improve the connection between reading antenna (s) and single tag.

Omissions in the reflective layer matched to the product being packaged and the position of the tag, also in combination with the above-described intermediate elements, can improve the reading result ( 4 and 5 ).

An optionally formed from one or more of the above-described elements waveguide can be designed by introducing additional reflectors in the spacer elements as needed even more efficient for the reading process ( 6 ).

Another possible embodiment is the combination of several elements of the packaging system to a larger waveguide. Thus it is possible to connect several shelves to a large waveguide ( 7 ).

An element of the packaging system may be the partial or almost complete lining of a packaging unit (apart from one or more reading windows) which shields radio waves - made, for example, from metal or metallised material ( 8th ). As a result, interfering influences from the outside are reduced and the majority of the transmission energy is available inside the packaging unit (eg as shielding against magnetic fields or electromagnetic fields). Higher transmission energies than the legally permitted "open reading" energies would also be conceivable.

An embodiment of the outer packaging element with additional hints or drawings is possible; z. B. markings can be applied for optimal positioning of the antenna and the entire alignment of the antenna system or it can, for. For example, technical data on the reading process as well as additional information on the packaged goods are presented ( 9 ).

A guide for antennas may be attached to the system to provide an optimum reading angle for the reader ( 10 ).

In addition, active or passive repeaters (with or without their own power supply) can be integrated into the packaging system to enable the reading of bad or inaccessible tags ( 11 ). For this purpose, in the simplest case appropriately designed tracks can be used. It is also possible to achieve active amplification of the radio signals via active repeaters and to guide them to otherwise inaccessible places.

It is also possible to design the active or passive repeaters as a kind of bar with antenna units on both sides and to put these one or more times between the goods to reach hard or unreachable places in the packaging unit. This repeater rod can be fixed to the packaging, eg. B. a pallet or grid box, be attached. It is conceivable z. As well as an introduction between stacked bags.

Of the repeater described can have its own power supply (eg Battery, fuel cell or solar cell) or an external power supply (eg over Radio, cable or contacts). The active repeater can be used for better energy management over have a sleep mode, which z. For example, after certain periods, visually, by change of position, by touch or can be deactivated by radio. An active repeater can also additional Sensors, also in combination with a data memory, while The transport logs certain data that is read out later can be.

Out economical reasons a multiple use of the repeater unit may be useful and a (standard) reusable system can be established.

All The packaging elements described above may vary depending on the application be combined arbitrarily; so could for example, one reflecting by electromagnetic waves Plastic film shielded packaging unit in conjunction with several active repeater units and labeled read windows be interpreted.

The Type of goods to be packaged is usually for the use of the appropriate Packaging elements crucial, so is in addition to the position of the electronic Tags on the goods important, from which material to be packed Goods are made. For example, in a packaging of Canisters of metal with the help of appropriate intermediate elements matching Reflection or waveguide effects are generated.

The described packaging elements can also be designed so that they have extra Take over functions and Z. B. better against various environmental influences such as moisture, shock, thermal influences and / or to protect pressure and shear forces.

Because similar physical effects when writing electronic merchandise labels apply, is with the terms "reading" or "reading" in all claims also meant the writing process in the electronic goods labels.

a

Would

b

electronic The goods label

c

conventional packaging

d

element of the novel packaging system for optimized reading

e

antenna

f

Floor / stop / storage space

G

electrical conductive material / electromagnetic wave reflective layer

 H

mark with reading instructions or window marking

i

reading window

j

Guide / support for antenna

k

active or passive repeater

Claims (20)

Intermediate element for goods, which are equipped with electronic goods labels, characterized in that the packaging system, in contrast to conventional - among other things, on packing density optimized packaging systems - designed for improved reading of electronic goods labels. The element is characterized in that it is designed to fit the purpose (including frequency and antenna dependent). The packaging element is characterized in that it consists of electromagnetic waves continuous materials and is inserted between the labels to be read (eg in a lattice structure, 1 ). Intermediate element according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer elements are formed in any geometric arrangement for the purpose of reading optimization and between the goods on / be attached ( 2 ). Intermediate element according to one or more of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it is pronounced in mat form, which optionally also as a loading floor (eg in trucks or containers) or other flexible intermediate floor (eg for stacked goods on pallets). Intermediate element according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is externally attached to the packaged goods and remains on the packaging or is integrated in the packaging of the goods unit ( 3 ). Intermediate element, according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that by integrating this in the conventional packaging reading on a equipped with antennas storage space is improved (Ausprä supply z. B. as "bottom part"). Intermediate element with one or more properties as described in claims 1 to 5, but characterized in that it is wholly or partially equipped with one or more electromagnetic wave reflecting layers ( 4 . 5 ) or even completely made of reflective material. These "reflectors" may be externally attached to the element and / or incorporated internally and may contain holes (eg, to leave reading windows free for individual tags). Intermediate element (s) after one or more of the previous ones Claims, characterized in that this) geometrically as one or more waveguides is / are designed (slides 4, 5, 6, 7, 10). (The waveguide can z. B. as an opening for the Antenna to the external Reading can be used or it can be an antenna in an appropriate Space are introduced in the packaging.) Packaging element (inside or outside attached to the packaging unit), characterized in that one or more markings for optimal use of antennas (eg position / orientation of the antenna / type of antenna) and / or information on the packaged goods are attached ( 9 ). Packaging element according to claim 9, characterized in that one or more devices / holders for optimal attachment of antennas are integrated ( 10 ). Packing element (rigid or flexible design) - also in Combination with one or more of the packaging elements described in the preceding claims, characterized in that this wholly or partly with a electromagnetic wave shielding and / or reflective layer is provided and the packaging unit completely or partially surrounds (expression z. B. as a coated or conductive foil). Packaging element according to claim 10, characterized in that that it is designed so that the read access higher transmission power as can be used without this or disturbing influences after Outside can be reduced (See Principle "Faradayscher Cage "). Restrictions The transmission power from legal requirements may thereby be circumvented or the use in danger / protection areas could thereby allows become. Packaging element (eg foil, cage or in Suitcase mold) according to one or more of claims 10 to 11, characterized that it is designed so that external disturbing influences reduced be (EMC shielding) or a reading of the tags until the removal of the element (partially) prevented becomes. The element is intended to improve the reading process and / or sensitive tags against external influences protected for reading become (expression z. B. as a simply removable packaging element). Packaging element according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it has one or more (marked) Reading window (optional including bracket, see claim 9) has. Packaging element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has one or more integrated passive repeaters ( 11 ). Packaging element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has one or more integrated active repeaters ( 11 ). Repeater element, characterized in that it in bar form (embodiment is not graphically represented) and one or more passive repeater elements are incorporated therein (i at the ends of the rod). Repeater element, characterized according to claim 16, characterized that one or more active repeater elements are incorporated. Packaging element according to one or more of claims 16 to 17, characterized in that the packaging element flexible and / or from individual bar segments in any configuration (eg also star) is constructed. The design variant as a standardized plug-in system is conceivable. Packaging element according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the packaging element as Disposable product is designed. Packaging element according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the packaging element as Mehnrwegprodukt is designed.