18359828. WIRELESS TAG READING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND METHOD simplified abstract (Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha)

WIRELESS TAG READING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND METHOD

Organization Name

Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha

Inventor(s)

Wataru Sakurai of Izu Shizuoka (JP)

Nobuo Murofushi of Susono Shizuoka (JP)

Shigeaki Suzuki of Gotemba Shizuoka (JP)

Yuki Suzuki of Izunokuni Shizuoka (JP)

Masaki Kimura of Izunokuni Shizuoka (JP)

Yuichiro Kawabe of Mishima Shizuoka (JP)

Haruka Otake of Mishima Shizuoka (JP)

WIRELESS TAG READING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND METHOD - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18359828 titled 'WIRELESS TAG READING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND METHOD

Simplified Explanation

The reading apparatus described in the patent application is designed to transmit radio waves to wireless tags attached to objects, acquire information from response waves including attributes of the object and tag, and calculate the estimated position of each tag based on signal values.

• Mechanism to move an antenna between first and second positions
• Controller controls antenna to transmit radio waves to wireless tags
• Acquires information from response waves including attributes of objects and tags
• Calculates estimated position of each tag and reliability level based on values
• Repeats process if tag position is below threshold or tag attributes affect communications

Potential Applications

The technology described in the patent application could be applied in various industries such as inventory management, asset tracking, and security systems.

Problems Solved

This technology solves the problem of accurately tracking and locating objects in real-time, especially in environments where traditional methods may be impractical or inefficient.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include improved efficiency in inventory management, enhanced security measures, and streamlined asset tracking processes.

Potential Commercial Applications

A potential commercial application for this technology could be in retail stores for inventory management and tracking high-value items.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be RFID systems used for tracking and identification purposes in various industries.

How does the mechanism to move the antenna work?

The patent application does not provide detailed information on the specific mechanism used to move the antenna between the first and second positions. Further clarification on this aspect would be beneficial.

What is the threshold for tag position reliability level?

The patent application mentions a threshold for the reliability level of tag positions, but does not specify what this threshold is. Understanding the criteria for determining this threshold would provide more insight into the functionality of the technology.

Original Abstract Submitted

A reading apparatus includes a mechanism to move an antenna between first and second positions, and a controller configured to: (a) control the antenna to transmit radio waves to wireless tags each attached to an object when the antenna is between the first and second positions; acquire, from response waves, information registered in each tag and indicating attributes of the object and the tag, and signal values of the response waves; and calculate an estimated position of each tag and a reliability level thereof based on the values. When the level of the position of a tag is less than a threshold or when the information of a tag indicates an attribute that can affect radio communications, the controller performs step (a) again, acquires signal values of response waves received from the tag, and calculates an estimated position of the tag and a reliability level thereof based on the values.