Wireless tag reader and writer

• US 7,333,017 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2006
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Adachi, Hitoshi, Mori, Hidekazu
• Primary Examiner(s): La; Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US11/362,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20060214797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.2, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/568.1, 340/10.42, 340/10.51, 340/569, 340/570, 235/451, 235/435, 235/440, 235/449, 235/385, 342/42, 342/44
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07796 arrangements on the record carrier to allow stacking of a plurality of similar record carriers, e.g. to avoid interference between the non-contact communication of the plurality of record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10178 including auxiliary means for focusing, repeating or boosting the electromagnetic interrogation field comparable booster antennas integrated on the record carrier itself G06K19/07794
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles

Abstract

A read and write box of a wireless tag reader and writer according to and embodiment of the invention has an open end and a closed end. Multiple envelopes each having a wireless tag at the end are inserted through the open end into the read and write box. The read and write box has a first read antenna and a second read antenna on the upper surface. The first read antenna detects wireless tags in a write area at the closed end; and

• • the second read antenna detects wireless tags outside the write area. A write antenna is disposed at the closed end of the read and write box. The write antenna writes data to wireless tags. A step is formed on the lower surface of the read and write box in such a manner that the bottom of the write area is lower than the bottom adjacent to the open end so that the ends of the envelops align in the vicinity of the closed end.

Claims

1. A wireless tag reader and writer comprising:

a read and write box shaped like a substantially rectangular cross-section cylinder and having an open end and a closed end, for holding sheet-like objects each having a wireless tag at the end, the objects being inserted through the open end;

a first read antenna disposed on the peripheral surface of the read and write box and in a write area set in a specified range from the closed end to the open end, for finding the position of wireless tags;

a second read antenna disposed on the peripheral surface of the read and write box adjacent to the open end relative to the write area, for finding the position of wireless tags;

a write antenna disposed at the closed end of the read and write box, for writing data to wireless tags; and

a step formed on the lower surface of the read and write box in such a manner that the bottom of the write area is lower than the bottom adjacent to the open end.

2. A wireless-tag reader and writer comprising:

a read and write box shaped like a substantially rectangular cross-section cylinder and having an open end and a closed end, for holding sheet-like objects each having a wireless tag at the end, the objects being inserted through the open end;

a first read antenna disposed on the upper surface of the read and write box and in a write area set in a specified range from the closed end to the open end, for finding the position of wireless tags;

a second read antenna disposed on the upper surface of the read and write box adjacent to the open end relative to the write area, for finding the position of wireless tags;

a write antenna disposed at the closed end of the read and write box, for writing data to wireless tags;

a step formed on the lower surface of the read and write box in such a manner that the bottom of the write area is lower than the bottom adjacent to the open end; and

a radio-wave absorbing sheet disposed between the first read antenna and the second read antenna, and at the step.

3. A wireless tag reader and writer comprising:

a read and write box shaped like a substantially rectangular cross-section cylinder and having an open end and a closed end, for holding sheet-like objects each having a wireless tag at the end, the objects being inserted through the open end;

a first read antenna disposed on the peripheral surface of the read and write box and in a write area set in a specified range from the closed end to the open end, for finding the position of wireless tags;

a second read antenna disposed on the peripheral surface of the read and write box adjacent to the open end relative to the write area, for finding the position of wireless tags;

a write antenna disposed at the closed end of the read and write box, for writing data to wireless tags;

a step formed on the lower surface of the read and write box in such a manner that the bottom of the write area is lower than the bottom adjacent to the open end; and

an alarm lamp lit up or blinked when the second read antenna detects the wireless tag.

4. A wireless tag reader and writer comprising:

a read and write box shaped like a substantially rectangular cross-section cylinder and having an open end and a closed end, for holding sheet-like objects each having a wireless tag at the end, the objects being inserted through the open end;

a first read antenna disposed on the peripheral surface of the read and write box and in a write area set in a specified range from the closed end to the open end, for finding the position of wireless tags;

a second read antenna disposed on the peripheral surface of the read and write box adjacent to the open end relative to the write area, for finding the position of wireless tags;

a write antenna disposed at the closed end of the read and write box, for writing data to wireless tags;

a step formed on the lower surface of the read and write box in such a manner that the bottom of the write area is lower than the bottom adjacent to the open end; and

a sound alarm beeping when the second read antenna detects the wireless tag.