WO2018043013A1

WO2018043013A1 - Reader device for hanger rack, hanger rack, and articles of clothing commodity management system

Info

Publication number: WO2018043013A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/028013
Authority: WO
Inventors: 誠安武; 加藤　登; 邦宏駒木; 聡石野
Original assignee: 株式会社村田製作所
Priority date: 2016-08-31
Filing date: 2017-08-02
Publication date: 2018-03-08

Abstract

Provided is a reader device for hanger pipes with which it is possible to more reliably read RFID tags of a plurality of articles of clothing hung on a hanger pipe. A reader device for hanger pipes according to the present invention is a reader device for hanger racks provided with a hanger pipe that hangs down a plurality of hangers, wherein the reader device is provided with: a detachable part that is detachably hung on the hanger pipe; a body part connected to the detachable part; a cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with a RFID tag fitted to an article of clothing hung on each hanger; and a reader module, provided in the body part and having one end of the reader antenna connected thereto, for reading RFID tags through the reader antenna.

Description

Hanger rack reader device, hanger rack, and clothing merchandise management system

The present invention relates to a hanger rack reader device, a hanger rack provided with the reader device, and a clothing merchandise management system.

Conventionally, inventory management of clothing and the like using an RFID system has been performed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this RFID system, a store clerk scans a handy reader / writer to read one RFID tag attached to each clothing item one by one.

However, in the RFID system, inventory management of a plurality of clothing items can be performed in batches, but not in real time.

On the other hand, conventionally, a hanger rack including a reader device having a loop antenna is known (for example, see Patent Documents 3 and 4). According to this hanger rack, since the reader device is provided in the hanger rack itself, inventory management of a plurality of clothing items can be performed in real time.

JP 2004-246617 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-23457 Special table 2007-535762 Japanese Patent No. 5687565

However, in a conventional reader device having a loop antenna, the hanger pipe and the support column of the hanger rack have a built-in loop antenna, or the hanger pipe and the support column itself are part of the loop antenna. For this reason, the position of the antenna is restricted by the positions of the hanger pipe and the support column. As a result, when the signal strength of the antenna is small, an RFID tag that cannot be read may be generated among the RFID tags of the plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe. In order to suppress this, when the signal strength of the antenna is increased, interference with loop antennas of other hanger racks may occur. Therefore, in the conventional reader device, there is still room for improvement in terms of more surely reading the RFID tags of a plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hanger rack reader device, a hanger rack, and a clothing item merchandise management system that can more reliably read RFID tags of a plurality of clothing items suspended from a hanger pipe. .

The reader device for a hanger rack according to the present invention is a reader device for a hanger rack provided with a hanger pipe for hanging a plurality of hangers,
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with an RFID tag attached to the clothing hung on each of the hangers;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
Is provided.

The hanger rack according to the present invention is a hanger rack provided with a hanger pipe for suspending a plurality of hangers,
A hanger rack reader device for reading information of RFID tags attached to clothing hung on each of the hangers,
The reader device for the hanger rack is
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with the RFID tag;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
Is provided.

A product management system for clothing according to the present invention is a product management system for managing products of a plurality of clothing,
A hanger rack reader device for reading information of RFID tags that are hung on the hanger pipe of a hanger rack that suspends a plurality of hangers and is attached to each of the hangers,
A store-side terminal that communicates with the hanger rack reader device to manage a plurality of clothing items;
With
The reader device for the hanger rack is
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with the RFID tag;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
With
The store side terminal is
A store side antenna for communicating with an external communication antenna provided in the reader module;
A control unit for managing information of the RFID tag;
Is provided.

According to the present invention, the RFID tags of a plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe can be read more reliably.

It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the reader apparatus for hanger racks which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of the communication range of the RFID tag which can be read with the reader antenna of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the reader antenna of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is the schematic of the matching circuit part with which the reader antenna of FIG. 3A is provided. It is a top view of the matching circuit part with which the reader antenna of Drawing 3A is provided. FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4A. 3B is an equivalent circuit diagram of a matching circuit unit included in the reader antenna of FIG. 3A. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the clothing goods with the RFID tag hung on the hanger. It is the schematic which shows an example of the RFID tag of FIG. 5A. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the hanger rack reader apparatus of FIG. 6 was suspended by the hanger rack. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the reader apparatus for hanger racks of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the goods management system of the clothing using the reader apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a hanger rack. It is a perspective view which shows arrangement | positioning with the some reader apparatus suspended by the hanger pipe and several hanger.

A reader device for a hanger rack according to an aspect of the present invention is a reader device for a hanger rack provided with a hanger pipe for hanging a plurality of hangers,
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with an RFID tag attached to the clothing hung on each of the hangers;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
Is provided.

According to this configuration, since the attachment / detachment part that is detachably suspended from the hanger pipe is provided, the reader antenna can be disposed at a desired position according to the hanging position of the attachment / detachment part with respect to the hanger pipe. . Further, since the reader antenna is formed in a cable shape, the detection range of the reader antenna can be adjusted according to the length of the reader antenna. As a result, the RFID tags of a plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe can be read more reliably.

Note that the reader module may include an external communication antenna. According to this structure, the information of the RFID tag read by the reader module can be transmitted to the store side terminal or the like.

Further, the other end of the reader antenna is positioned below a height that is ½ of the height of the hanger pipe in the vertical direction when the detachable portion is suspended from the hanger pipe. May be provided. According to this configuration, for example, even when the RFID tag is located below the clothing, the RFID tag can be read more reliably.

The main body may include a face provided below the detachable part and a shoulder provided so as to extend laterally or obliquely downward from the face. According to this configuration, since the face portion and the shoulder portion are provided as in a general hanger, the appearance can be made similar to that of the hanger and the reader device can be made inconspicuous.

The main body includes a face provided below the detachable part, a shoulder provided so as to extend obliquely downward from the face, and a lateral direction extending from a lower end of the shoulder. The reader antenna may be provided along the shoulder portion and the bar portion. According to this configuration, since the face portion, the shoulder portion, and the bar portion are provided as in the case of a general hanger, the appearance can be made similar to the hanger and the reader device can be made less noticeable.

The shoulder includes a left shoulder provided to extend obliquely downward to the left from the face, and a right shoulder provided to extend obliquely downward to the right from the face. The bar portion is provided so as to connect a lower end portion of the left shoulder portion and a lower end portion of the right shoulder portion, and the reader antenna extends along the left shoulder portion, the bar portion, and the right shoulder portion. May be provided. According to this configuration, since the face portion, the shoulder portion, and the bar portion are provided as in the case of a general hanger, the appearance can be made similar to the hanger and the reader device can be made less noticeable. Further, by providing the reader antenna along the left shoulder, the bar, and the right shoulder, the length of the reader antenna can be further increased, and the detection range of the reader antenna can be widened.

The hanger rack according to one aspect of the present invention is a hanger rack including a hanger pipe for hanging a plurality of hangers,
A hanger rack reader device for reading information of RFID tags attached to clothing hung on each of the hangers,
The reader device for the hanger rack is
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with the RFID tag;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
Is provided.

A product management system for clothing according to an aspect of the present invention is a product management system for managing products of a plurality of clothing,
A hanger rack reader device for reading information of RFID tags that are hung on the hanger pipe of a hanger rack that suspends a plurality of hangers and is attached to each of the hangers,
A store-side terminal that communicates with the hanger rack reader device to manage a plurality of clothing items;
With
The reader device for the hanger rack is
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with the RFID tag;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
With
The store side terminal is
A store side antenna for communicating with an external communication antenna provided in the reader module;
A control unit for managing information of the RFID tag;
Is provided.

According to this configuration, the reader device for the hanger rack includes the attachment / detachment portion that is detachably suspended from the hanger pipe, so that the reader antenna is arranged at a desired position according to the hanging position of the attachment / detachment portion with respect to the hanger pipe. It becomes possible to do. Further, since the reader antenna is formed in a cable shape, the detection range of the reader antenna can be adjusted according to the length of the reader antenna. As a result, the RFID tags of a plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe can be read more reliably. In addition, since the hanger rack reader device is suspended from the hanger pipe, inventory management of a plurality of clothing items can be performed in real time.

The plurality of hanger rack reader devices are arranged at intervals on the hanger pipe, and the control unit determines whether or not a specific RFID tag can be read or signal strength in the plurality of hanger rack reader devices. Based on the above, the relative position between the apparel with the specific RFID tag and the plurality of hanger rack reader devices may be specified. According to this configuration, inventory management of a plurality of clothing items can be performed more accurately.

In addition, the control unit detects in real time whether or not the specific RFID tag can be read in the hanger rack reader device, and the number of times that the clothing with the specific RFID tag attached is removed from the hanger and returned. You may manage the history including. According to this configuration, inventory management of a plurality of clothing items can be performed more accurately.

Hereinafter, a hanger rack reader device, a hanger rack, and a clothing merchandise management system using the hanger rack according to embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, substantially the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Also, in the following, for convenience of explanation, terms indicating directions such as “up”, “down”, “horizontal”, “right”, “left”, “diagonal” and the like are used assuming normal use. Yes. However, these terms are not meant to limit the usage state of the hanger rack reader device, the hanger rack, and the clothing merchandise management system of the present invention.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a hanger rack reader device 6 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the communication range of the RFID tag that can be read by the reader antenna 20 of the hanger rack reader device 6 of FIG.

A hanger rack reader device (hereinafter abbreviated as a reader device) 6 according to the embodiment is configured to be hung on a hanger pipe of a hanger rack that hangs a plurality of hangers. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the reader device 6 has an appearance similar to that of a clothes hanger. Specifically, the reader device 6 includes a main body portion 8 including a hook 7 which is an example of an attaching / detaching portion, a face portion 8a, a shoulder portion 8b, and a bar portion 8c.

The hook 7 is configured to be detachable from the hanger pipe. The hook 7 is connected to the face 8a. The face 8 a is provided below the hook 7. The shoulder 8b is provided so as to extend obliquely downward from the face 8a. In the embodiment, the shoulder portion 8b includes a left shoulder portion 8ba provided to extend diagonally downward to the left from the face portion 8a, and a right shoulder portion provided to extend diagonally downward to the right from the face portion 8a. 8bb. The bar portion 8c extends laterally from the lower end portion of the left shoulder portion 8ba and is provided so as to be connected to the lower end portion of the right shoulder portion 8bb. The hook 7, the face portion 8a, the shoulder portion 8b, and the bar portion 8c are made of, for example, metal, resin, wood, or the like.

The reader device 6 includes a cable-shaped reader antenna 20 and a reader module (also referred to as a communication module) having an external communication antenna (an external communication antenna 47 described later with reference to FIG. 14) built in the face portion 8a. ) 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reader antenna 20 is configured to communicate with the RFID tags 1a to 1h attached to the clothes 2a to 2h hung on the hangers 3a to 3h. Specifically, one end 20a of the reader antenna 20 is connected to an external communication antenna of the reader module 22 as shown in FIG. The reader module 22 reads information from the RFID tags 1a to 1h through the reader antenna 20. The reader antenna 20 is provided so as to extend along the right shoulder 8bb, the bar 8c, and the left shoulder 8ba. The other end 20b of the reader antenna 20 is provided so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the face 8a of the left shoulder 8ba.

FIG. 3A is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of the reader antenna 20. FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of the matching circuit unit 30 included in the reader antenna 20 of FIG. 3A. 4A is a plan view of the matching circuit unit 30 included in the reader antenna 20 of FIG. 3A. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is an equivalent circuit diagram of the matching circuit unit 30 provided in the reader antenna 20 of FIG. 3A.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the reader antenna 20 includes a cable-shaped main body portion 21 formed of a coaxial cable. The cable-shaped main body 21 has an inner conductor 24 and an outer conductor 25 provided along the inner conductor 24. The reader antenna 20 is provided along the outer peripheral surface of the external conductor 25 at a position away from the matching circuit portion 30 provided at one end portion of the cable-like main body portion 21 and one end portion of the cable-like main body portion 21. And a magnetic body 26.

The matching circuit unit 30 functions to match the impedance of the inner conductor 24 and the impedance of the outer conductor 25. The inner conductor 24 and the outer conductor 25 are connected via a matching circuit section 30 as shown in FIG. 3B.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the matching circuit unit 30 includes a planar first conductor layer 31 connected to the internal conductor 24, a via-hole conductor 32, and a planar second conductor layer 33. ing. The first conductor layer 31 and the second conductor layer 33 have a width wider than the outer diameter of the outer conductor 25 and extend along the extending direction of the inner conductor 24. The first conductor layer 31 and the second conductor layer 33 are provided so as to face each other through the insulator 34 and are connected to each other by two via-hole conductors 32. The length of the second conductor layer 33 in the extending direction of the cable-shaped main body 21 is longer than that of the first conductor layer 31. Thereby, a part of the second conductor layer 33 and the outer conductor 25 are provided so as to face each other with the insulator 34 interposed therebetween. In FIG. 4B, in order to illustrate both the via-hole conductor 32 and the inner conductor 24 in cross-section, the cutting plane is shifted halfway for convenience as shown by the line AA in FIG. 4A.

The inner conductor 24 is electrically connected to the first conductor layer 31. The first conductor layer 31 is electrically connected to the second conductor layer 33 through two via-hole conductors 32. The second conductor layer 33 is connected to the external conductor 25 by capacitive coupling having a capacitor component 35 via an insulator 34. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, the inner conductor 24 and the outer conductor 25 are connected via a matching circuit unit 30 having a capacitor component 35 and an inductor component 36.

The magnetic body 26 is made of ferrite, for example. The magnetic body 26 functions to divide the reader antenna 20 into a radiation unit 27 that communicates with the RFID tag and a non-radiation unit 28 that does not communicate with the RFID tag. That is, the radiating portion 27 extends from one end portion of the cable-shaped main body portion 21 to the magnetic body 26. The non-radiating portion 28 extends from the magnetic body 26 to the other end portion of the cable-shaped main body portion 21. The non-radiating part 28 functions as a shield member. The other end portion of the cable-shaped main body portion 21 is connected to the power feeding portion 23. The outer conductor 25 is connected to the ground so as to be electrically stable.

Note that the reader antenna 20 is an antenna using a standing wave generated in the external conductor 25 and is not a so-called loop antenna. The detection area (radio wave area) of the reader antenna 20 is limited to about 1 m. Further, even if there is a metal body or magnetic body in the vicinity of the reader antenna 20, the frequency characteristics do not change greatly. Further, even if the reader antenna 20 is bent, interference between the bent portions does not occur. For this reason, the reader antenna 20 can be relatively freely arranged two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the reader device 6 is suspended from the hanger pipe 11 so that the RFID tags 1a to 1h of the plurality of clothing items 2a to 2h are suspended from the hanger pipe 11. It is configured to be able to read the information. The hanger pipe 11 constitutes a part of the hanger rack 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 15 described later.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing a clothing item 2a with an RFID tag 1a hung on a hanger 3a. FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the RFID tag 1a.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the RFID tag 1a is attached to a clothing item 2a which is a product. In the embodiment, the RFID tag 1a is attached to the clothing 2a with a string or the like, for example. As shown in FIG. 5B, the RFID tag 1a includes an RFIC element 41a and a dipole antenna 42a. The dipole antenna 42a includes two

antenna elements

43a and 43b extending in a meander shape on both sides of the RFIC element 41a. The hangers 3b to 3h have the same configuration as that of the hanger 3a, and the description thereof is omitted here.

It should be noted that the clothing items 2a to 2h may be any items that can perform inventory management and security management using RFID tags. The clothing items 2a to 2h may be, for example, jackets, shirts, T-shirts, dresses, trousers, skirts, socks, underwear, and mufflers.

According to the reader device 6 according to the embodiment, since the hook 7 that is detachably suspended from the hanger pipe 11 is provided, the reader antenna 20 can be set in a desired manner depending on the position of the hook 7 that is hung with respect to the hanger pipe 11. It becomes possible to arrange in the position. Further, since the reader antenna 20 is formed in a cable shape, the detection range of the reader antenna 20 can be adjusted according to the length of the reader antenna 20. As a result, the RFID tags 1a to 1h of a plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe 11 can be read more reliably.

Further, according to the reader device 6 according to the embodiment, since the reader module 22 includes an external communication antenna, the information of the RFID tags 1a to 1h read by the reader module 22 can be transmitted to a store side terminal or the like. it can.

Further, according to the reader device 6 according to the embodiment, the main body portion 8 includes the face portion 8a, the shoulder portion 8b, and the bar portion 8c. According to this configuration, the appearance of the reader device 6 can be made inconspicuous in the same form as the hanger. Further, by providing the reader antenna 20 along the right shoulder portion 8bb, the bar portion 8c, and the left shoulder portion 8ba, the length of the reader antenna 20 can be increased, and the detection range of the reader antenna 20 can be widened. Is possible.

Further, according to the reader device 6 according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the reader device 6 can be made inconspicuous by hanging the dummy clothing 5 on the reader device 6.

When the shoulder portion 8b and the bar portion 8c are made of metal, the reader antenna 20 is not inside the shoulder portion 8b and the bar portion 8c but on the surface of the shoulder portion 8b and the bar portion 8c so as not to be shielded by the metal. It is preferable to arrange | position along.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other modes. For example, in the above description, the hook 7 is taken as an example of the detachable portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detachable portion may have any configuration as long as the detachable portion is configured to be detachably suspended from the hanger pipe 11. For example, the attachment / detachment portion may have a clip shape that sandwiches the hanger pipe 11. Moreover, the detachable part may have a lock mechanism so that it cannot be easily detached from the hanger pipe 11. Thereby, it can suppress that a user takes the reader apparatus 6 accidentally with a hanger, for example. Further, the position of the reader device 6 with respect to the hanger pipe 11 can be fixed.

In the above description, the reader antenna 20 is provided along the right shoulder 8bb, the bar 8c, and the left shoulder 8ba. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the reader antenna 20 is configured such that one end 20a is connected to the external communication antenna of the reader module 22 provided on the face 8a, and the other end 20b hangs vertically downward. May be. Also with this configuration, since the face portion 8a and the shoulder portion 8b are provided in the same manner as a general hanger, the appearance of the reader device 6 can be made inconspicuous in the same form as the hanger.

As shown in FIG. 7, the other end 20 b of the reader antenna 20 is half the height of the hanger pipe 11 (dotted line) when the hook 7 is suspended from the hanger pipe 11. It is preferable to be provided so as to be located below the height indicated by. According to this configuration, for example, even when the RFID tags 1a to 1d are positioned below the clothing items 2a to 2d, the RFID tags 1a to 1d can be read more reliably. Further, even when the RFID tag 1x attached to the shoe box 2x and the RFID tag 1y attached to the hat 2y are located below the clothing items 2a to 2d, the RFID tags 1x and 1y can be read. For example, the hook 7 is configured to be extendable in the vertical direction, and the other end 20 b of the reader antenna 20 is positioned below the height of the hanger pipe 11 by extending the hook 7. You may comprise.

The reader module 22 includes a driving battery 48 (see FIG. 14) as will be described later, and is a relatively heavy component in the reader device 6. For this reason, the reader module 22 is preferably provided on a vertical line passing through the center of gravity of the reader device 6. Thereby, the stability of the reader device 6 can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the reader antenna 20 has a meandering shape having a plurality of straight portions extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of curved portions connecting the straight portions adjacent to each other. The bar portion 8c may be hung. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the reader antenna 20 has a meander shape having a plurality of linear portions extending in the lateral direction and a plurality of curved portions connecting the linear portions adjacent to each other. , May be held by the holding member 9. According to these configurations, the detection range of the reader antenna 20 can be expanded in the width direction (left-right direction in the figure). As a result, for example, even when the RFID tag 1a attached to the clothing item 2a is arranged in the width direction, the RFID tag 1a can be read more reliably.

In the above description, the main body 8 is configured to include the face 8a, the shoulder 8b, and the bar 8c, but the present invention is not limited to this. The main body 8 may be anything that can hold the reader antenna 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the main body 8 includes only the face 8a and the shoulder 8b, and does not need to include the bar 8c. Also with this configuration, since the face portion 8a and the shoulder portion 8b are provided in the same manner as a general hanger, the appearance of the reader device 6 can be made inconspicuous in the same form as the hanger.

In the above description, the shoulder 8b is configured to include the left shoulder 8ba and the right shoulder 8bb. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shoulder 8b may be configured to include only the right shoulder 8bb as shown in FIG. Further, the shoulder portion 8b may be configured to include only the left shoulder portion 8ba. With this configuration, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

In the above description, the shoulder portion 8b is configured to extend obliquely downward from the face portion 8a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shoulder 8b may be configured to extend from the face 8a in the lateral direction, as shown in FIG. With this configuration, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

The main body 8 does not have to have a hanger as shown in FIG. Also with this configuration, since it can be hung on the hanger pipe 11, it becomes possible to arrange the reader antenna 20 at a desired position according to the hanging position of the hook 7 with respect to the hanger pipe 11. Further, since the reader antenna 20 is formed in a cable shape, the detection range of the reader antenna 20 can be adjusted according to the length of the reader antenna 20. As a result, the RFID tags of a plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe 11 can be read more reliably. In addition, the reader device can be made inconspicuous by configuring the reader device so that the main body 8 cannot be seen by the plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe 11.

In the above description, the matching circuit unit 30 is configured as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the matching circuit unit 30 may be configured such that a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of inductors are combined and arranged in parallel.

In the above description, the reader antenna 20 is composed of the cable-shaped main body portion 21 using a coaxial cable, the matching circuit portion 30, and the magnetic body 26 as shown in FIG. 3A. Is not limited to this. For example, the reader antenna 20 may be configured with a leaky coaxial cable. However, in the leaky coaxial cable, the radio wave intensity is weaker on the side far from the power feeding unit than on the side near the power feeding unit. Further, in the leaky coaxial cable, there is a possibility that interference between the slots may occur when it is bent and arranged. In contrast, the reader antenna 20 shown in FIG. 3A has no difference in radio field intensity between the near side and the far side from the power supply unit 23, and there is no interference at the bent portion even when the reader antenna 20 is bent.

In the above description, the

antenna elements

43a and 43b of the RFID tag 1a are in the form of a meander as shown in FIG. 5A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the

antenna elements

43a and 43b may be linear antennas or loop antennas. The configuration of the

antenna elements

43a and 43b may be appropriately selected according to the communication frequency band. Further, the entire RFID tag 1a may be covered with a cover material (not shown). For example, a price or a brand name may be printed on the surface of the cover material. The RFIC element 41a may be packaged together with the matching circuit unit.

In the above description, the RFID tag 1a is attached to the clothing 2a with a string or the like, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as the RFID tag 1a is associated with the clothing item 2a, the RFID tag 1a may be disposed at a position physically separated from the clothing item 2a.

In the above description, the reader module 22 includes the external communication antenna. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The reader module 22 may not include an external communication antenna but may include, for example, a storage unit that stores information on the read RFID tag.

In the above description, the reader device 6 has a reader function for reading information of the RFID tag, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reader device 6 may be configured to have a reader / writer function of reading information on an RFID tag and writing information on the RFID tag.

Next, a product management system that manages products of a plurality of clothing using the reader device 6 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a commodity management system 100 for clothing using the reader device 6 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the product management system 100 includes a reader device 6 and a store-side terminal 50 that communicates with the reader device 6 and manages products of a plurality of clothing items.

The reader module 22 of the reader device 6 includes an RFID communication RFIC element 44 connected to the reader antenna 20, a control unit 45, an RFIC element 46, an external communication antenna 47, and a driving battery 48. I have. The RFIC element 46 is an element for WiFi (registered trademark) / Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, and is connected to an external communication antenna 47.

The external communication antenna 47 is an antenna that communicates with the store-side antenna 51 in, for example, the UHF band or the SHF band. The external communication antenna 47 and the store-side antenna 51 have a communication distance of about 10 m to 100 m, for example, and perform short-range wireless communication using a communication frequency band of 2.4 GHz band or 5 GHz band. The reader antenna 20 and the dipole antennas 42a to 42h of the RFID tags 1a to 1h communicate using the 900 MHz band. The communication between the external communication antenna 47 and the store side antenna 51 and the communication between the reader antenna 20 and the dipole antennas 42a to 42h differ in the communication frequency band and the strength and nature of radio waves. For this reason, it is suppressed that an electromagnetic wave interferes. An antenna used in the short-range wireless communication system is a resonant antenna. The battery 48 supplies power to the RFIC element 44, the control unit 45, and the RFIC element 46.

The store-side terminal 50 includes a store-side antenna 51, an RFIC element 52, and a control unit 53.

The store-side antenna 51 is an antenna for communicating with the external communication antenna 47 of the reader device 6. The store side antenna 51 performs short-range wireless communication with the external communication antenna 47 of the reader device 6 in, for example, the UHF band or the SHF band.

The RFIC element 52 is an element for WiFi (registered trademark) / Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, and is connected to the store-side antenna 51.

The control unit 53 manages RFID tag information. More specifically, the control unit 53 performs merchandise management such as a clothing history. For example, the control unit 53 detects whether or not a specific RFID tag can be read in real time, and takes out the number of times the clothes are taken out from the hanger rack 10 on which the clothing with the specific RFID tag is hung and then returned. Manage the history including. Thereby, inventory management of a plurality of clothing items can be performed more accurately. Note that the control unit 53 may perform product management in conjunction with the accounting process.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the hanger rack 10. The hanger rack 10 includes a hanger pipe 11 that extends in the lateral direction and a pair of support columns 12 that extend in the vertical direction and support both ends of the hanger pipe 11. The lower end of each column 12 is connected to the bottom 13. A plurality of casters 14 are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom portion 13. A space surrounded by the hanger pipe 11, the support column 12, and the bottom portion 13 is a space in which clothing is displayed. The hanger pipe 11, the support column 12, and the bottom 13 may be made of any material such as metal, resin, and wood.

Shield members

15a and 15b are provided outside the pair of support columns 12 so as to face each other. A shield member 15 c is provided above the hanger pipe 11. By these

shield members

15a, 15b, and 15c, a space in which clothing is displayed is separated from at least a part of the external space. The

shield members

15a, 15b, and 15c are made of a conductor such as metal, for example. The

shield members

15a, 15b, and 15c may have any shape such as a plate shape or a net shape.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the plurality of reader devices 6a to 6d and the plurality of hangers 3a to 3m suspended from the hanger pipe 11. FIG. The plurality of reader devices 6a to 6d have the same configuration as the reader device 6 according to the embodiment. Further, the plurality of reader devices 6a to 6d are arranged at intervals with respect to the hanger pipe 11.

The control unit 53 of the store-side terminal 50, based on whether or not the specific RFID tag can be read by the plurality of reader devices 6a to 6d or the signal intensity, and the clothing with the specific RFID tag and the plurality of reader devices 6a to 6d. Specify the relative position. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the RFID tag 1f is a “specific RFID tag” among the RFID tags 1a to 1m attached to the clothing items 2a to 2m.

As shown in FIG. 16, the clothing 2f to which the specific RFID tag 1f is attached is disposed between the reader device 6b and the reader device 6c. In this case, since the clothing 2f is located in the detection area of the

reader devices

6b and 6c, the

reader devices

6b and 6c can read the specific RFID tag 1f. On the other hand, since the clothing 2f is located outside the detection area of the

reader devices

6a and 6d, the

reader devices

6a and 6d cannot read the specific RFID tag 1f.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 16, the clothing 2f is located closer to the reader device 6d than the reader device 6c. For this reason, the signal strength of the RFID tag 1f read by the reader device 6b is stronger than the signal strength of the RFID tag 1f read by the reader device 6c. Therefore, the control unit 53 determines the relative position between the apparel 2f to which the specific RFID tag 1f is attached and the

reader devices

6b and 6c based on whether or not the specific RFID tag 1f can be read by the

reader devices

6b and 6c. Can be specified. Thereby, inventory management of a plurality of clothing items can be performed more accurately.

In the above description, the communication between the shop-side terminal 50 and the reader module 22 of the reader device 6 is performed wirelessly, but the present invention is not limited to this. Communication between the shop side terminal 50 and the reader module 22 of the reader device 6 may be performed by wire.

It should be noted that the present disclosure includes appropriately combining any of the various embodiments and / or examples described above, and each of the embodiments and / or examples. The effect which an Example has can be show | played.

According to the reader device for a hanger rack according to the present invention, since the RFID tags of a plurality of clothing items suspended from the hanger pipe can be read more reliably, for example, a clothing item using the hanger rack or the clothing item using the hanger rack is used. Useful for merchandise management systems.

1a to 1m, 1x, 1y RFID tag 2a to 2m Clothing 2x Shoebox 2y Hat 3a to 3m Hanger 5

Dummy clothing

6, 6a to 6d Hanger rack reader 7 Hook 8 Body 8a Face 8b Shoulder 8ba Left shoulder Portion 8bb right shoulder portion 8c bar portion 9 holding member 10 hanger rack 11 hanger pipe 12 column 13 bottom portion 14

casters

15a, 15b, 15c shield member 20 reader antenna 21 cable-shaped main body portion 22 reader module 23 power feeding portion 24 internal conductor 25 external conductor 26 Magnetic body 27 Radiating portion 28 Non-radiating portion 30 Matching circuit portion 31 First conductor layer 32 Via hole conductor 33 Second conductor layer 34 Insulator 35 Capacitor component 36 Inductor components 41a to 41h RFIC elements 42a to

42h Dipole antennas

43a and 43b Antenna Element 44 RF C element 45 controller 46 RFIC element 47 for external communication antenna 48 Battery 50 shop terminal 51 store antenna 52 RFIC element 53 controller 100 product management system

Claims

A hanger rack reader device comprising a hanger pipe for hanging a plurality of hangers,
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with an RFID tag attached to the clothing hung on each of the hangers;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
A hanger rack reader device.
The hanger rack reader device according to claim 1, wherein the reader module includes an external communication antenna.
The other end of the reader antenna is positioned below a height that is ½ of the height of the hanger pipe in the vertical direction when the attaching / detaching portion is suspended from the hanger pipe. The reader device for a hanger rack according to 1 or 2.
The main body is
A face portion provided below the attaching / detaching portion;
A shoulder provided so as to extend laterally or obliquely downward from the face;
The hanger rack reader device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
The main body is
A face portion provided below the attaching / detaching portion;
A shoulder provided so as to extend obliquely downward from the face;
A bar provided to extend laterally from the lower end of the shoulder;
With
The reader antenna is provided along the shoulder and the bar.
The hanger rack reader device according to claim 1 or 2.
The shoulder is
A left shoulder provided to extend diagonally downward to the left from the face;
A right shoulder provided to extend obliquely downward to the right from the face;
With
The bar portion is provided to connect a lower end portion of the left shoulder portion and a lower end portion of the right shoulder portion,
The reader antenna is provided along the left shoulder, the bar, and the right shoulder,
The reader device for a hanger rack according to claim 5.
A hanger rack provided with a hanger pipe for hanging a plurality of hangers,
A hanger rack reader device for reading information of RFID tags attached to clothing hung on each of the hangers,
The reader device for the hanger rack is
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with the RFID tag;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
A hanger rack.
The hanger rack according to claim 7, wherein the reader module includes an external communication antenna.
The other end of the reader antenna is positioned below a height that is ½ of the height of the hanger pipe in the vertical direction when the attaching / detaching portion is suspended from the hanger pipe. The hanger rack according to 7 or 8.
The main body is
A face portion provided below the attaching / detaching portion;
A shoulder provided so as to extend laterally or obliquely downward from the face;
The hanger rack according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising:
The main body is
A face portion provided below the attaching / detaching portion;
A shoulder provided so as to extend obliquely downward from the face;
A bar provided to extend laterally from the lower end of the shoulder;
With
The reader antenna is provided along the shoulder and the bar.
The hanger rack according to claim 7 or 8.
The shoulder is
A left shoulder provided to extend diagonally downward to the left from the face;
A right shoulder provided to extend obliquely downward to the right from the face;
With
The bar portion is provided to connect a lower end portion of the left shoulder portion and a lower end portion of the right shoulder portion,
The reader antenna is provided along the left shoulder, the bar, and the right shoulder,
The hanger rack according to claim 11.
A product management system for managing a plurality of clothing products,
A hanger rack reader device for reading information of RFID tags that are hung on the hanger pipe of a hanger rack that suspends a plurality of hangers and is attached to each of the hangers,
A store-side terminal that communicates with the hanger rack reader device to manage a plurality of clothing items;
With
The reader device for the hanger rack is
A detachable part detachably suspended from the hanger pipe;
A main body connected to the detachable part;
A cable-shaped reader antenna for communicating with the RFID tag;
A reader module that is provided in the main body and connected to one end of the reader antenna and reads information of the RFID tag through the reader antenna;
With
The store side terminal is
A store side antenna for communicating with an external communication antenna provided in the reader module;
A control unit for managing information of the RFID tag;
Comprising
Clothing merchandise management system.
In the hanger pipe, a plurality of the hanger rack reader devices are arranged at intervals from each other,
The control unit is configured to determine whether the specific RFID tag is readable or signal strength in the plurality of hanger rack reader devices and the clothing with the specific RFID tag and the plurality of hanger rack reader devices. Identify the relative position,
The clothing product management system according to claim 13.
The control unit detects in real time whether or not a specific RFID tag can be read in the reader device for the hanger rack, and includes the number of times that the clothing item with the specific RFID tag is removed from the hanger and returned. The clothing merchandise management system according to claim 13 or 14, which manages a history.