Wireless tag

A wireless tag includes: an antenna; an integrated circuit configured to be electrically connected to the antenna; a package configured to integrally subject the antenna and the integrated circuit to packaging; and a boundary portion configured to be located between a first portion including the integrated circuit in the package and a second portion not including the integrated circuit, wherein the boundary portion is configured so as to be more easily torn apart than a portion other than the boundary portion in the package.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-115964 filed on May 21, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

A technology disclosed in the present embodiment discussed herein is related to a wireless tag.

BACKGROUND

A wireless tag such as an RFID tag, which includes an IC chip storing therein information and an antenna unit, executes transmission and reception of data with a reader/writer, owing to wireless communication utilizing an electromagnetic wave. The technique of the wireless tag is used in many fields such as the distribution of goods, commodity management, and security.

The wireless tags are attached on article serving as targets or joined thereto using strings, and used for inventory management for the articles, or the like. As an example of the application of the wireless tag, there is an ID label detecting that the ID label has been peeled from an identification target object. This ID label is used for a security application for detecting the presence or absence of the opening of packing or a container, or the like. In addition, a technique has also been proposed where a wireless tag in which a portion (feeding line) of an antenna is disconnected owing to the opening of packing or a container is used and, on the basis of whether or not it is possible to communicate with the corresponding wireless tag, the presence or absence of the opening of the packing or the container is determined. For example, these technique are disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-13874 and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2009-251942.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, a wireless tag includes: an antenna; an integrated circuit configured to be electrically connected to the antenna; a package configured to integrally subject the antenna and the integrated circuit to packaging; and a boundary portion configured to be located between a first portion including the integrated circuit in the package and a second portion not including the integrated circuit, wherein the boundary portion is configured so as to be more easily torn apart than a portion other than the boundary portion in the package.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

When a wireless tag is used in, for example, an airplane or the like, in many cases an IC chip or an antenna unit is subjected to packaging owing to a flame-resistant resin or the like such as a PEEK material so as to secure strength, a waterproof property, and flame resistance (specified in SAE AS5678). When such a wireless tag as subjected to packaging is adopted, it may be desirable to use a tool such as shears or a knife so as to disconnect a portion (feeding line) of an antenna and reduce communication performance in the same way as the prior art.

An object of the technology disclosed in the present embodiment is to provide a wireless tag where it may be possible to easily separate a portion including an integrated circuit and it may be possible to reduce communication performance.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail on the basis ofFIG. 1toFIG. 9.FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating the used state of a reader/writer20performing communication with a wireless tag according to one embodiment. This reader/writer20is a terminal used by a worker performing a checkout operation within transportation such as an airplane or a ship (assumed to be the airplane in the present embodiment). The reader/writer20is a terminal mainly used for managing information relating to whether a storage bag10(in which a life jacket is stored) installed under a seat80exists or does not exist and is opened or unopened.

InFIG. 2, the storage bag10is illustrated in perspective view. The storage bag10is a bag for storing therewithin a life jacket, and as illustrated inFIG. 2, a plurality of string holes14are provided in the mouth portion thereof. When a fastening16is attached to a portion of the string holes14after a life jacket has been stored in the storage bag10, the storage bag10is put into an unopened state.

In a portion of the storage bag10, an existence confirmation wireless tag11is provided. The existence confirmation wireless tag11includes, for example, a passive type RFID tag, and rectifies a radio wave of a UHF band (for example, 920 MHz) sent out from the reader/writer20to obtain drive power, and performs communication with the reader/writer20using the corresponding drive power. Accordingly, the existence confirmation wireless tag11transmits the information (a tag ID and the like) of the existence confirmation wireless tag11to the reader/writer20.

In addition, in the mouth portion of the storage bag10, using the three string holes14(string holes14A to14C inFIG. 8), an opening confirmation wireless tag12is provided. The opening confirmation wireless tag12includes a passive type Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, and rectifies a radio wave of a Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) band (for example, 920 MHz) sent out from the reader/writer20to obtain drive power, in the same way as the existence confirmation wireless tag11, and performs communication with the reader/writer20using the corresponding drive power. Accordingly, the opening confirmation wireless tag12transmits the information (a tag ID and the like) of the opening confirmation wireless tag12to the reader/writer20.

InFIG. 3A, the external view of the opening confirmation wireless tag12is illustrated, and inFIG. 3B, a state where an inlay60included in the opening confirmation wireless tag12has been ejected is illustrated. In addition, inFIG. 4A, the cross-section structure of the opening confirmation wireless tag12is schematically illustrated.

As illustrated in these drawings, the opening confirmation wireless tag12includes the inlay60(refer toFIG. 3B) and flame-resistant films (PEEK materials or the like)64aand64bsandwiching therebetween the corresponding inlay60on both side thereof through flame-resistant double-stick tapes62aand62b(refer toFIG. 4A).

As illustrated inFIG. 3B, the inlay60includes a film51whose material is Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like, a tag antenna52serving as an antenna unit, a feeding line (strap)54, and an IC chip (RFID chip)56serving as an integrated circuit.

The foil of a metal such as aluminum is subjected to etching or a conductive coating material whose main component is a silver particle is printed, and hence, the tag antenna52is provided in the surface of the film51. The tag antenna52has an approximately rectangle shape, and in the center thereof, an approximately S-shaped slit is formed. The antenna gain of the tag antenna52is designed so as to fall within the range of about 0.1 to 2 dBi, and the tag antenna has a shape enabling the transmission/reception of a radio wave to be performed in the vicinity of the frequency of 920 MHz. When the opening confirmation wireless tag12is caused to be face to face with the front face of the antenna of the reader/writer20and a transmission output from the reader/writer20is assumed to be 2 W EIRP, a communication distance between the reader/writer20and the opening confirmation wireless tag12exceeds 2 m.

The strap54, whose material is a conductive metal such as copper, is provided so as to form a bridge in the slit in the vicinity of the central portion of the tag antenna52. The RFID chip56is provided in the vicinity of the central portion of the strap54. Accordingly, the RFID chip56turns out to be electrically connected to the tag antenna52through the strap54. In addition, the RFID chip56includes a logic circuit, a memory circuit, and an analog RF circuit.

The flame-resistant films64aand64bare films whose materials are Polyether ether ketone, and have high heat resistance, mechanical strengths, chemical resistance, and flame resistance. In addition, the flame-resistant films64aand64bmay correspond to a package integrally subjecting the tag antenna52and the RFID chip56to packaging.

In the flame-resistant films64aand64bin the vicinity of the inlay60, as illustrated inFIG. 3A, a first through hole58aand a plurality of second through holes58bwhose radii are smaller than the first through hole58aare formed. These first and second through holes58aand58bare holes used when the opening confirmation wireless tag12is attached to the storage bag10using cable ties. InFIG. 3A, the radius of the second through hole58bis smaller than the radius of the first through hole58a. However, the radius of the second through hole58bmay also be equal to that of the first through hole58a, or the radius of the first through hole58amay also be larger.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 4B, owing to the constraint of manufacturing, the opening confirmation wireless tag12is subjected to shipping or the like in a state of being attached on a release backing paper68. Therefore, in the present embodiment, since the opening confirmation wireless tag12is attached to the storage bag10using cable ties, usability is not good if a double-stick tape or the like remains to adhere to a surface attached on the release backing paper68. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by causing a double-stick tape67and a slightly adhesive film66to lie between the release backing paper68and the opening confirmation wireless tag12, it may be possible to peel off the slightly adhesive film66and the flame-resistant film64bfrom each other when the opening confirmation wireless tag12is peeled off from the release backing paper68. In this case, since the double-stick tape67does not remain in the opening confirmation wireless tag12, it may be possible to improve the usability of the opening confirmation wireless tag12. The cable ties are cable ties such as, for example, wires.

Here, in a boundary portion between a first portion (a pentagonal portion) (expressed using a symbol “12A” inFIG. 3Aand the like) in the opening confirmation wireless tag12, which includes the RFID chip56, and a second portion (expressed using a symbol “12B”) other than the first portion in the opening confirmation wireless tag12, a perforation70is formed that is processed so as to be more easily torn apart than the other portion. In addition, the perforation70is formed so as to penetrate the flame-resistant films64aand64band the inlay60.

Hereinafter, the detail of the perforation70will be described on the basis ofFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a diagram magnifying and illustrating the vicinity of the first portion12A of the opening confirmation wireless tag12. In this regard, however, the illustration of the inlay is omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the perforation70includes cut portions70A to70W provided along two sides extending in the width direction (the up-and-down direction of the plane of paper) of the opening confirmation wireless tag12and two sides extending in directions intersecting with the width direction and a longitudinal direction (provided along the outer edge of the first portion12A). The entire lengths of the cut portion70B to70V accounting for the majority of the cut portions70A to70W are set as to range from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm (2.0 mm inFIG. 5). In addition, distances between the adjacent cut portions70A to70W are set as to range from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm (0.5 mm inFIG. 5). In addition, while the range of a distance between a cut portion and a cut portion is an adequate range obtained on the basis of an experimental result due to the inventor, the corresponding adequate range fluctuates owing to the material or the like of the opening confirmation wireless tag12.

In addition, as for the cut portions70A and70W, the length of the cut portion70A is 1.5 mm from the end portions of the flame-resistant films64aand64b, and on the other hand, the length of the cut portion70B is set to 1.0 mm from the end portions of the flame-resistant films64aand64b. In doing this way, it may be possible to displace the positions of the cut portions70A to70J and the positions of the cut portions70N to70W in a longitudinal direction within the plane of paper inFIG. 5(it may be possible to displace the levels thereof in a horizontal direction). Accordingly, since it may be possible to avoid a balance between stresses in cut portions adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction when the first portion12A is torn from the second portion12B owing to a force F, it may become possible to easily separate the first portion12A from the second portion12B.

In addition, the cut portions70J,70L, and70N have inflected shapes, and an angle formed in each of the cut portions is set to 120 degrees. Accordingly, since the force F is divided in directions along cuts in the cut portions70J,70L, and70N, it may become possible to easily separate the first portion12A from the second portion12B (separation along cut portions).

When the first portion has been separated as described above, the tag antenna52remains in the first portion12A only by, for example, a length of about 1 cm on each side of the RFID chip56, as illustrated inFIG. 6. In this case, if the transmission output of the reader/writer20is 2 W EIRP, communication between the opening confirmation wireless tag12and the reader/writer20becomes disabled. In addition, even if the transmission output of the reader/writer20is increased to be 4 W EIRP, a communication distance between the opening confirmation wireless tag12and the reader/writer20becomes less than 10 cm, and becomes insufficient for communication from a long distance (communication in the state inFIG. 1).

Here, inFIG. 7A, a perforation70′ as a comparative example is illustrated. The perforation70′ illustrated inFIG. 7Ahas an approximately rectangular shape (the angle of a corner portion is about 90 degrees). In a case where such a perforation70′ is adopted, when such a force F as illustrated inFIG. 7Bis applied to the first portion12A, the force F is not resolved in directions along cut portions, in corner portions A and B. Therefore, when the force F continues to be applied, a situation may occur where the second portion12B is cut up as illustrated inFIG. 7B. In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 7B, since a large portion of the tag antenna52remains to be connected to the RFID chip56, it may become possible to perform communication with the reader/writer20located at a relatively long distance.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 8, a worker gets cable ties through the two second through holes58bin the opening confirmation wireless tag12configured in such a way as described above, and gets the corresponding cable ties through the string holes14B and14C in the storage bag10to tie the cable ties. Accordingly, the worker attaches the opening confirmation wireless tag12to the storage bag10. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 2, after having closed the mouth of the storage bag10using the fastenings16(after causing the mouth of the storage bag10to be unopened), the worker gets a cable tie through the first through hole58ain the opening confirmation wireless tag12and gets the corresponding cable tie through the string hole14A in the storage bag10(refer toFIG. 8) to tie the cable tie (refer toFIG. 2).

In this case, when a passenger or the like on an airplane opens the storage bag10as illustrated inFIG. 9, the first portion12A and the second portion12B in the opening confirmation wireless tag12turn out to be separated from each other.

In the present embodiment, a worker checking life jackets moves along an aisle between seats with holding the reader/writer20as illustratedFIG. 1, and hence, the worker performs communication with the existence confirmation wireless tag11and the opening confirmation wireless tag12provided in the storage bag10of each life jacket and collets the information (the tag ID or the like) of each tag. In addition, when having been able to communicate with each of the existence confirmation wireless tag11and the opening confirmation wireless tag12provided in the storage bag10installed in one seat80, the reader/writer20detects that the corresponding storage bag10exists in an unopened state under the seat80. In addition, when having been only able to communicate with the existence confirmation wireless tag11from among the existence confirmation wireless tag11and the opening confirmation wireless tag12provided in the storage bag10installed in one seat80, the reader/writer20detects that the corresponding storage bag10exists in an opened state under the seat80. Furthermore, when having not been able to communicate with any of the existence confirmation wireless tag11and the opening confirmation wireless tag12provided in the storage bag10installed in one seat80, the reader/writer20detects that the corresponding storage bag10does not exist under the seat80.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the opening confirmation wireless tag12includes the tag antenna52, the RFID chip56electrically connected to the tag antenna52, and the flame-resistant films64aand64bintegrally subjecting these to packaging, and a boundary portion between the first portion12A including the RFID chip56and the second portion12B other than that is cause to be the perforation70processed so as to be more easily torn apart than the other portion. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it may become possible to easily separate the first portion12A and the second portion12B from each other (for example, without using a tool such as shears or a cutter). Accordingly, if, in the same way as the present embodiment, the opening confirmation wireless tag12is attached to the unopened storage bag10, when the storage bag10is opened, the first portion12A and the second portion12B are separated from each other owing to a force applied to the opening confirmation wireless tag12. In this case, since a very small portion of the tag antenna52only remains in the first portion12A, it may become difficult to perform long-distance communication between the opening confirmation wireless tag12and the reader/writer20. Accordingly, using the reader/writer20, it may become possible to easily confirm whether the storage bag10is opened or unopened, from a long distance. In this case, in checking for all the life jackets (storage bags10) stored under the seats80, since a worker may not perform checking in a posture of crawling under the seat80, the workload of the worker is reduced and it may be possible to effectively perform a check operation.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the cut portions70A and70W in the perforation70are different in lengths from the end portions of the flame-resistant films64aand64b. Accordingly, since it may be possible to avoid a balance between stresses in cut portions adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction when the first portion12A is torn from the second portion12B, it may be possible to easily perform the separation of the first portion12A.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the first portion12A includes two parallel sides extending from the end portion of the opening confirmation wireless tag12in a predetermined direction (the up-and-down direction ofFIG. 3A) and has a polygon shape having no side extending in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding predetermined direction. Accordingly, a force in the predetermined direction (the up-and-down direction ofFIG. 3A) is applied to the first portion12A, and hence, it may be possible to easily perform the separation of the first portion12A in the two sides extending in the predetermined direction. In addition, the shape is adopted that has no side extending in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding predetermined direction, and hence, it may become possible to easily perform the separation of the first portion, which is due to a force in the predetermined direction (the up-and-down direction ofFIG. 3A). In addition, since, in the present embodiment, the perforation70is not formed in the portion of a strap54, and hence, it may be possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation where the strap54becomes wet through the perforation70. Accordingly, it may be possible to avoid the deterioration of the opening confirmation wireless tag12due to corrosion of the strap54.

In addition, while, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case has been described where the perforation70is formed in a boundary portion between the first portion12A and the second portion12B, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, from among the flame-resistant films64aand64b, the thicknesses of portions between the first portion12A and the second portion12B may also be reduced compared with the other portion. In this case, by subjecting the boundary portion to pressure welding or the like, the thicknesses may also be caused to be different. In addition, a perforation may also be formed in a portion of the boundary portion with the thicknesses of the flame-resistant films64aand64bin the boundary portion between the first portion12A and the second portion being caused to be thinner than the other portion. In this case, by being provided in the vicinity of the end portions of the flame-resistant films64aand64b(end portions on the upper side of the plane of paper), it may be possible for the perforation to facilitate the separation of the first portion12A.

In addition, while, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case has been described where the perforation70is formed so as to penetrate the flame-resistant films64aand64band the inlay60, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, manufacturing may also be performed so as to cause the flame-resistant films64aand64b, in which the perforation70has been preliminarily formed, to sandwich therebetween the inlay60. In this case, no perforation70turns out to be formed in the inlay60.

In addition, while, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the wireless tag inFIG. 3Ahas been cited as an example and described, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, even if a wireless tag having such an antenna shape as illustrated inFIG. 10AorFIG. 10Bis used, a breaking guide portion70may be provided.

In addition, while, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case has been described where such a shape as illustrated inFIG. 3A(a pentagonal shape) is adopted, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 11AtoFIG. 11C, a band-like (rectangular) shape may also be adopted as the first portion112A of the shape. Also in this case, since the tag antenna52remaining in the first portion112A becomes very small compared with the state inFIG. 3A, communication performance is reduced.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, such an opening confirmation wireless tag112as illustrated inFIG. 12Amay also be attached to a medical kit110and used for confirming whether or not the medical kit110is opened. In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 12B, by forming a portion of a first portion12A′ in the opening confirmation wireless tag112into a wide shape, the strength of the first portion12A′ may also be improved. In addition, it is assumed that, as illustrated inFIG. 12C, a double-stick tape or the like is provided in a portion where the opening confirmation wireless tag112is in contact with the medical kit110.

In addition, while, in the embodiment and the examples of a modification, described above, a case has been described where the opening confirmation wireless tag112is provided in the storage bag10or the medical kit110, the embodiment is not limited to this. It may also be possible to use the wireless tags of the above-mentioned embodiments for confirming whether another openable object (a bottle, a box, or the like) is opened.

The above-mentioned embodiment is an example of preferred embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, however, the embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention.