Radio IC tag reader, radio IC tag read apparatus and radio IC tag read system

• US 20040056760A1
• Filed: 09/03/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Hidemi, Fukuoka, Shinichiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,176,802 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners

Abstract

A radio IC tag reader includes an antenna capable of conducting radio communications with an IC tag on which predetermined data is recorded, the IC tag being attached to an article. An antenna sheath for housing the antenna is formed as a flat body and both sides of the flat body are placed in an open state.

Claims

1. A radio IC tag reader comprising:

an antenna capable of conducting radio communications with an IC tag on which predetermined data is recorded, the IC tag being attached to an article;

a main unit for supplying power to the antenna; and

an antenna sheath for housing the antenna, the antenna sheath having a flat body attached to a front side of the main unit.

2. The radio IC tag reader as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a hold portion including a plurality of hold parts different in hold angle of a hand of a user.

3. The radio IC tag reader as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main unit and the hold portion are formed integrally.

4. The radio IC tag reader as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna is formed of a metal wire.

5. The radio IC tag reader as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat body includes a plate body having flat surfaces being opposed each other.

6. The radio IC tag reader as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna sheath has one side being attached to the main unit and the other side being chamfered for preventing damage to the article when the antenna sheath is inserted between the articles.

7. The radio IC tag reader as claimed in claim 6, wherein corners of the other side of the antenna sheath are chamfered for preventing damage to the articles when the antenna sheath is inserted between the articles.

8. The radio IC tag reader as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main unit has a housing space inside thereof for housing the antenna and the antenna sheath.

9. A radio IC tag read apparatus comprising:

a radio IC tag reader including an antenna capable of conducting radio communications with an IC tag on which predetermined data is recorded, the IC tag being attached to an article, a main unit for supplying power to the antenna, and an antenna sheath for housing the antenna, the antenna sheath having a flat body attached to a front side of the main unit; and

a communication controller being connected to the radio IC tag reader for performing communication control.

10. The radio IC tag read apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the radio IC tag reader further including a hold portion attached to the main unit, the hold portion including a plurality of hold parts different in hold angle of a hand of a user.

11. The radio IC tag read apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flat body of the radio IC tag reader includes a plate body having flat surfaces being opposed each other.

12. A radio IC tag read system comprising:

a radio IC tag reader including an antenna capable of conducting radio communications with an IC tag on which predetermined data is recorded, the IC tag being attached to an article, a main unit for supplying power to the antenna, and an antenna sheath for housing the antenna, the antenna sheath having a flat body attached to a front side of the main unit;

a communication controller being connected to the radio IC tag reader for performing communication control; and

a computer that can be connected to the communication controller for receiving data recorded on the IC tag from the communication controller and checking the received data.

13. The radio IC tag read system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the radio IC tag reader further including a hold portion attached to the main unit, the hold portion including a plurality of hold parts different in hold angle of a hand of a user.

14. The radio IC tag read system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flat body of the radio IC tag reader includes a plate body having flat surfaces being opposed each other.