JP2002353852A - Wireless communication unit and wireless communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication unit that fuses an interrogator in an RFID system with a full-dress two-way wireless communication unit such as a wireless LAN and a mobile phone with a simple configuration and to provide a wireless communication system employing the wireless communication unit. SOLUTION: The wireless communication unit 4 can communicate with other wireless communication unit 19 and a wireless tag 3. In the case of making communication with the other wireless communication unit 19 and the wireless tag 3, the wireless communication unit 4 makes communication by using a transmission source 40, a modulator 42, a transmission RF section 44, a transmission/reception separator 45 and a 2-way wireless transmission/reception/wireless tag transmission/reception common antenna 46, which are in common to those of the other wireless communication unit 19 and the wireless tag 3. A demodulator 48 demodulates a signal received from the other wireless communication unit 19 and a wireless tag demodulator 49 demodulates the signal received from the wireless tag 3. Through the configuration above, one set of the wireless communication unit 4 can communicate with the other wireless communication unit 19 and the wireless tag 3 and the unit can be built up at a lower cost with a smaller size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication system having an RFID function and a two-way wireless communication function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a communication device using wireless communication. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a general two-way wireless communication device 1 such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and a mobile phone. FIG. 14 also shows another wireless communication device 19 that performs two-way wireless communication with the two-way wireless communication device 1. The other wireless communication device 19 is another two-way wireless communication device or a wireless base station with which the two-way wireless communication device 1 communicates.

[0003] The bidirectional wireless communication apparatus 1 includes a transmission source 20, a modulator 21, a transmission R comprising a power amplifier and a filter.
F (Radio Frequency) unit 22, other wireless communication device 19
A transmission / reception separator 23 such as a switch or a diplexer for separating a signal to be transmitted from a signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 19, an antenna 24 for transmitting and receiving a signal,
A reception RF unit 25 including a low-noise amplifier and a filter,
A demodulator 26 for demodulating a received signal; an information signal input unit 2 for inputting data to be transmitted to another wireless communication device 19;
7, and a demodulated signal output unit 28 for extracting data and the like. In the two-way wireless communication device 1,
A signal processing unit that processes data input from the information signal input unit 27 to the modulator 21 and a frequency hopping unit that changes the frequency of a signal to be transmitted are transmitted from the transmission source 20.
A synthesizer control unit for changing the frequency of the carrier wave transmitted in step (1) is required, but is omitted in FIG. The transmission / reception separator 23 is a TDD (Time Division Duplex) or FDD.
Depending on the DD (Frequency Division Duplex) method, a switch or a diplexer is used properly.

[0004] The two-way wireless communication apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
The operation will be described below as a communication device of the scheme. The carrier transmitted from the transmission source 20 of the two-way wireless communication device 1 is modulated by the modulator 21 by the information signal input from the information signal input unit 27. The modulated signal modulated by the modulator 21 is transmitted from the antenna 24 to another wireless communication device 19 via the transmission RF unit 22 and the transmission / reception separation unit (switch) 23. On the other hand, the modulated signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device 19 to the two-way wireless communication device 1 is received by the antenna 24, demodulated by the demodulator 26 via the transmission / reception separator 23 and the reception RF unit 25, and demodulated. An information signal is extracted from the signal output unit 28. The operation of the bidirectional wireless communication device 1 described above is a general bidirectional wireless communication operation.

FIG. 15 shows an interrogator 2 and a wireless tag 3 of a general RFID system. The interrogator 2 is a communication device using radio, and includes a transmission source 30, a modulator 31,
A signal separator 32 including a circulator and a directional coupler, an antenna 33, and a demodulator 3 including a synchronous detector and the like.
4, and a tag information demodulation signal output unit 35. In addition, an RF transmission unit, an RF reception unit, a signal processing unit, and an information signal input unit for inputting transmission data to the wireless tag 3 are necessary, but are omitted in FIG. The wireless tag 3 receives a signal from the interrogator 2 and transmits a signal to the interrogator 2, a tag modulator 37 for modulating a signal transmitted to the interrogator 2, and a signal received by the tag antenna 36. And a memory 39 for recording data and the like.

The operation of the interrogator 2 and the wireless tag 3 will be described below. When the information of the wireless tag 3 is read by the interrogator 2, the carrier transmitted from the transmission source 30 of the interrogator 2 is modulated by the modulator 31 and transmitted from the antenna 33 via the signal separator 32. The modulated signal transmitted from the antenna 33 is received by the tag antenna 36 of the wireless tag 3, and is modulated by the tag modulator 37 of the wireless tag 3 based on the information stored in the memory 39. The signal modulated by the wireless tag 3 is transmitted from the wireless tag 3 to the interrogator 2. Interrogator 2
Receives a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3 by the antenna 33. The modulated signal received by the antenna 33 is input to the demodulator 34 via the signal separator 32, and is demodulated by the demodulator 34 and then extracted from the tag information demodulated signal output unit 35. When writing information to the wireless tag 3, the modulator 31 modulates a carrier transmitted from the transmission source 30 with the written information and transmits the modulated signal to the wireless tag 3. The data is demodulated and written to the memory 39. The above operations of the interrogator 2 and the wireless tag 3 are operations of a generally well-known RFID system.

[0007] Conventionally, RFID systems have used FA (Fact).
ory Automation). 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, wireless tags have been widely used in inventory management, picking systems for sorting articles, and the like in the logistics and distribution fields due to miniaturization and batterylessness. In such logistics and distribution fields, the information of wireless tags acquired by the interrogator is
A form is often configured in which a two-way wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN provided separately from the interrogator is used to immediately send the data to the access point, process the data in the management processing unit, and manage the articles. Writing information to the wireless tag is also performed using an interrogator according to an instruction from the management processing unit.

[0008]

The above-described conventional two-way wireless communication apparatus 1 has a function of communicating with another two-way wireless communication apparatus, but has a function of communicating with a wireless tag. I haven't. Further, the interrogator 2 of the conventional RFID system has a function of communicating with the wireless tag 3,
For example, it does not have an active two-way wireless communication function like a mobile phone.

In a conventional picking system using an RFID system, a two-way wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN and an interrogator of the RFID system are independent devices each having a transmission source. It gets bigger and costs more.

[0010] In the future, in conjunction with the speeding up of mobile radio communication such as mobile phones and Bluetooth, the use of RFID systems in home delivery services and postal delivery services will be extremely effective. Therefore, especially in mobile environments,
There is a demand for a wireless communication device whose device is simplified and reduced in size, and which can use an RFID system at low cost. Further, a wireless communication device in which a two-way wireless communication function capable of performing wide area communication and a function of an interrogator of an RFID system are integrated is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device in which an interrogator in an RFID system and a full-scale two-way wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN and a mobile phone are integrated with a simple configuration, and a wireless communication using the wireless communication device. Is to provide a system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication device and a wireless communication system for performing communication with a wireless tag using a transmission signal to another wireless communication device.

[0013]

According to the present invention, a carrier wave transmitted from a transmission source is modulated and transmitted from an antenna to another wireless communication device, and a signal from another wireless communication device is received by the antenna. Two-way wireless communication means for demodulating, and transmitting a signal from an antenna to a wireless tag with modulation or non-modulation of a carrier wave transmitted from a transmission source, responding to the signal, modulating based on stored information, and And an interrogator for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag by an antenna, demodulating the signal, and reading out information stored in the wireless tag.

According to the present invention, communication with another wireless communication device can be performed by the two-way wireless communication means, and communication with the wireless tag can be performed by the interrogation means. Therefore, it is not necessary to use two individually independent devices for communication between another wireless communication device and the wireless tag as in the related art.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the transmission source for transmitting the carrier wave of the two-way wireless communication means and the transmission source for transmitting the carrier wave of the interrogation means are common.

According to the present invention, the transmission source of the bidirectional wireless communication means and the transmission source of the interrogator are shared, and communication with another wireless communication device and communication with the wireless tag are performed from one transmission source. Since the transmission is performed using the transmitted carrier, the apparatus can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the antenna of the bidirectional wireless communication means and the antenna of the interrogation means are common.

According to the present invention, one antenna communicates with another wireless communication device and a wireless tag. Therefore, the device can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the antenna of the two-way radio communication means and the antenna of the interrogation means are separately provided.

According to the present invention, since two antennas are provided, an antenna for performing bidirectional wireless communication with another wireless communication device and an antenna for performing communication with a wireless tag, the other wireless communication device and the wireless tag are provided. Each communication can be performed using antennas respectively suitable for communication with.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the antenna of the bidirectional wireless communication means and the antenna of the interrogating means for transmitting to the wireless tag are common.

According to the present invention, when transmitting a signal to a wireless tag, an antenna of a bidirectional wireless communication means for performing communication over a wider area can be used, and the apparatus can be simplified and downsized. The communication range with the wireless tag is widened. In addition, by simultaneously communicating with another wireless communication device and transmitting a wireless tag signal using the transmission signal, radio waves can be effectively used.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the modulation of the carrier wave of the two-way radio communication means and the modulation of the carrier wave of the interrogation means are modulated by a common modulation means.

According to the present invention, a signal to be transmitted to another wireless communication device and a signal to be transmitted to a wireless tag are modulated by a common modulator. Therefore, the device can be simplified and downsized.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that demodulation of a signal transmitted from another radio communication device and demodulation of a signal transmitted from a radio tag are demodulated by common demodulation means.

According to the present invention, a common demodulator performs reception from another wireless communication device and demodulation of a signal received from a wireless tag. Therefore, the device can be simplified and downsized.

Further, according to the present invention, the two-way wireless communication means includes a transmission source for transmitting a carrier wave, a modulation means for modulating the carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source, and a signal from the modulation means for another radio communication apparatus. Transmit to, and a bidirectional wireless transmitting and receiving antenna for receiving a signal from another wireless communication device, and demodulation means for demodulating a signal received from another wireless communication device,
The interrogating means, a wireless tag transmitting antenna for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag using a carrier transmitted from the transmission source of the two-way wireless communication means, a wireless tag receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag, And a wireless tag demodulating means for demodulating a signal received by the wireless tag receiving antenna.

According to the present invention, the interrogating means transmits a signal to the wireless tag using a carrier transmitted from the transmission source of the two-way wireless communication means. Therefore, it is possible to perform two-way wireless communication and communication with the wireless tag only by providing the two-way wireless communication means with the wireless tag transmitting antenna, the wireless tag receiving antenna, and the wireless tag demodulating means. Therefore, the device can be simplified and downsized.

Further, according to the present invention, the two-way radio communication means includes a transmission source for transmitting a carrier wave, a modulation means for modulating the carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source, and a signal transmitted from the modulation means to another radio communication device. Transmit to, and a bidirectional wireless transmitting and receiving antenna for receiving a signal from another wireless communication device, and demodulation means for demodulating a signal received from another wireless communication device,
The interrogating means includes a wireless tag transmitting antenna for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag using a carrier wave transmitted from a transmission source of the two-way wireless communication means, and a wireless tag receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag. A signal transmitted from the wireless tag is demodulated by a demodulating means of the two-way wireless communication means.

According to the present invention, the interrogating means transmits a signal to the wireless tag using the carrier wave transmitted by the two-way wireless communication means, and the signal transmitted from the wireless tag is demodulated by the demodulator of the two-way wireless communication means. Demodulate. Bidirectional wireless communication means, by providing a multi-function demodulator that can also demodulate the signal transmitted from the wireless tag, only the two-way wireless communication means with a wireless tag transmitting antenna and a wireless tag receiving antenna,
Two-way wireless communication and communication with a wireless tag can be performed. Therefore, the device can be simplified and downsized.

According to the present invention, there is provided a signal combiner for selectively combining a signal transmitted from another wireless communication device or a signal transmitted from a wireless tag with a demodulator.

According to the present invention, the signal transmitted from another wireless communication device and the signal transmitted from the wireless tag are selectively coupled to the demodulator by the signal coupler.
One signal is not input to one demodulator at the same time.
Therefore, it is possible to demodulate the two signals with one demodulator.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the two-way wireless transmitting / receiving antenna of the two-way wireless communication means and the wireless tag transmitting antenna of the interrogating means are common antennas.

According to the present invention, since the same antenna is used for communication with another wireless communication device and for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag, the device can be simplified and downsized. When transmitting a signal to the wireless tag, the antenna of the two-way wireless communication means for performing communication over a wider area can be used, and the communication range with the wireless tag is increased.

Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising a signal separator for sending a signal from a transmission source to an antenna, and sending a signal transmitted from the wireless tag received by the antenna to a demodulating means for demodulating the signal. .

According to the present invention, the signal to be transmitted to the wireless tag and the signal to be received from the wireless tag can be separated by the signal separator. The signal from the tag can be received.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a transmission / reception separator for separating a transmission signal to another radio communication device and a reception signal from another radio communication device is provided.

According to the present invention, since a transmission / reception separator such as a diplexer or a switch is provided, a TDD (Time
Division Duplex) or FDD (Frequency Division)
Two-way wireless communication with other wireless communication devices can be performed by the Duplex method.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a signal transmitted from a wireless tag is demodulated by using a part of a carrier wave transmitted from a transmission source.

According to the present invention, a part of the carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source is extracted using, for example, a signal distributor, and the signal transmitted from the wireless tag is demodulated using this carrier wave. Synchronous detection can be performed without creating a separate transmission source.

The present invention is characterized in that the transmission source is provided in a two-way wireless communication means, and the two-way wireless communication means has an antenna for transmitting a signal to a wireless tag.

According to the present invention, the two-way wireless communication means has a transmission source, and the interrogation means wirelessly transmits a signal transmitted from the transmission source of the two-way wireless communication means from the antenna without having the transmission source. By transmitting the tag, information on the wireless tag can be received. Furthermore, the operation of transmitting a signal to the wireless tag and transmitting data and the like to another wireless communication device can be performed simultaneously with one transmission signal energy.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that transmission and reception of signals to and from another wireless communication device and transmission of signals to a wireless tag performed by the two-way wireless communication means are performed by a common antenna.

According to the present invention, the communication between the two-way wireless communication means and other wireless communication means and the transmission of the signal to the wireless tag are performed by the same antenna, so that the apparatus can be simplified and downsized. .

Further, the present invention is characterized in that transmission and reception of a signal to another wireless communication device and transmission of a signal to a wireless tag performed by the two-way wireless communication means are performed by separate antennas.

According to the present invention, transmission and reception of a signal to and from another wireless communication device and reception of a signal to a wireless tag are performed by separate antennas, so that an antenna suitable for communication can be used for each.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the interrogating means includes an antenna for receiving a signal modulated based on information by the wireless tag and a signal transmitted from the two-way wireless communication means.

According to the present invention, a signal from a wireless tag,
Since the signal from the two-way wireless communication unit is received by the same antenna and the signal is demodulated, the device can be simplified and downsized.

Further, according to the present invention, the interrogating means is provided with an antenna for receiving a signal modulated based on information by the wireless tag and an antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the two-way wireless communication means, separately. Features.

According to the present invention, the interrogating means receives the signal from the wireless tag and the signal from the two-way wireless communication means with separate antennas, so that the signal is transmitted using an antenna suitable for receiving each signal. It can be received and demodulated.

Further, according to the present invention, the two-way radio communication means includes a transmission source for transmitting a carrier, a modulation means for modulating the carrier transmitted from the transmission source, and a signal from the modulation means for another radio communication apparatus. And a bidirectional transmitting / receiving antenna for receiving a signal from another wireless communication device, and a demodulating unit for demodulating a signal received from the other wireless communication device, wherein the interrogating unit includes the bidirectional wireless communication unit. It has a bidirectional wireless receiving antenna for receiving signals transmitted from the bidirectional transmitting / receiving antenna, a wireless tag receiving antenna for receiving signals transmitted from the wireless tag, and demodulating means for mixing and demodulating signals received by these antennas. It is characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, a signal transmitted from the antenna of the two-way wireless communication means is received by the two-way wireless reception antenna, and a signal transmitted from the wireless tag is received by the wireless tag reception antenna. Since the signal transmitted from the wireless communication means and the signal transmitted from the wireless tag are mixed and demodulated, the interrogating means can perform synchronous detection of the signal transmitted from the wireless tag without having a transmission source. it can.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the bidirectional wireless receiving antenna of the interrogating means and the wireless tag receiving antenna are common.

According to the present invention, the signal transmitted from the two-way wireless communication means of the interrogating means and the signal transmitted from the wireless tag are received by the same antenna, so that the apparatus can be simplified and downsized. Can be.

Further, the present invention is a wireless communication system comprising the above wireless communication device and a wireless tag.

According to the present invention, a wireless communication system including the wireless communication device and the wireless tag can be configured. For example, information received from the wireless tag by the interrogating means can be transmitted to the wireless tag by the two-way wireless communication means. Information can be immediately transmitted to a management device or the like that manages the information. Further, since the wireless communication device communicates with other wireless communication devices and wireless tags wirelessly, there is no restriction on installation and the like.

According to the present invention, information can be written in the wireless tag, and the wireless communication device can write information in the wireless tag wirelessly.

According to the present invention, information can be written to a wireless tag by the wireless communication device. Therefore, for example, information can be transmitted to the wireless communication device from a management device or the like that manages information of the wireless tag, and information can be transmitted from the wireless communication device to the wireless tag to write the information of the wireless tag. Can be performed accurately.

[0059]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system shown in FIG. 1 includes, in addition to the wireless communication device 4, a wireless tag 3 and another wireless communication device 19 with which the wireless communication device 4 performs two-way wireless communication. Note that the wireless tag 3 and the other wireless communication device 19 shown in FIG. 1 are the same as the wireless tag 3 and the other wireless communication device 19 shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. Description is omitted. The wireless communication system according to each embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and includes the wireless tag 3 and another wireless communication device 19. The wireless tag 3 can wirelessly write information to a memory.

The wireless communication device 4 is connected to another wireless communication device 19.
Wireless communication means for performing two-way wireless communication with the wireless tag, and interrogating means for performing communication with the wireless tag 3, and can be used as a wireless LAN or a mobile phone capable of two-way wireless communication. It can be used as an interrogator capable of communicating with the tag 3. Wireless communication device 4
Is a transmission source 40, a signal distributor 41, a modulator 42, a transmission R
F section 43, signal separator 44, transmission / reception separator 45, two-way wireless transmission / reception antenna for transmitting a signal to another wireless communication device 19 and receiving a signal from another wireless communication device 19, and transmitting a signal to wireless tag 3. Bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46 functioning as a wireless tag transmitting antenna for transmitting and a wireless tag receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3, a receiving RF unit 47, a demodulator 48, a wireless tag demodulation Unit 49, information signal input unit 50, demodulated signal output unit 5
1 and a tag demodulation signal output unit 52.

The two-way wireless communication means of the wireless communication device 4 includes:
A transmission source 40 for transmitting a carrier, a modulator 42 as a modulating means for modulating the carrier transmitted by the transmission source 40, a transmission RF unit 43 including a filter and an amplifier, a signal to be transmitted to another wireless communication device 19, and Other wireless communication device 19
, A common antenna 46 for bidirectional wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission / reception, a reception RF unit 47 including a filter, an amplifier, and the like, and demodulation of a signal transmitted from another wireless communication device 19. The demodulator 48 includes a demodulator 48 serving as demodulation means, an information signal input unit 50 for inputting information for modulating a carrier wave by the modulator 42, and a demodulated signal output unit 51 for outputting information demodulated by the demodulator 48. .

The interrogating means of the radio communication device 4 includes a transmission source 40 for transmitting a carrier, a signal distributor 41 for extracting the carrier transmitted from the transmission source 40, a modulator 42 for modulating the carrier transmitted from the transmission source 40, a filter, A transmission RF unit 43 composed of an amplifier and the like, a signal separator 44 composed of a circulator, a coupler, and the like, which separates a signal transmitted to the wireless tag 3 from a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3, a transmission / reception separator 4
5. Two-way wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 4
6. Reception RF unit 4 composed of filters, amplifiers, etc.
7. a wireless tag demodulator 49 for demodulating a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3; an information signal input unit 5 for inputting information for modulating a carrier by the modulator 42;
0 and a tag demodulation signal output unit 52 that outputs a signal demodulated by the wireless tag demodulator 48.

In the above-described two-way wireless communication means and interrogation means, the transmission source 40, the modulator 42, the transmission R
Although the F section 43, the transmission / reception separator 45, the common antenna 46 for bidirectional wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission / reception, and the information signal input section 50 are shared, the modulator 42, the information signal input section 50 and the transmission The RF unit 43 and the like may be separated.

The frequency of the carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source 40 of the radio communication device 4 may be fixed, and when performing frequency hopping in which communication is performed while changing the frequency, the frequency transmitted from the transmission source 40 is converted. May be configured to have a frequency variable function. In FIG. 1, when a switch is used for the transmission / reception separator 45, a control unit for switching the switch, a signal processing unit for processing a signal input to the information signal input unit 50, a demodulation signal output unit 51, A signal processing unit for processing a signal output from the tag demodulation signal output unit 52 is omitted.

Next, the operation of the radio communication device 4 will be described. First, a case where bidirectional wireless communication with another wireless communication device 19 is performed will be described. When performing communication with another wireless communication device 19, the above-described two-way wireless communication means is used. When transmitting a signal to another wireless communication device 19, the carrier transmitted from the transmission source 40 is modulated by the modulator 42 based on the information input from the information signal input unit 50. The modulated signal modulated by the modulator 42 is transmitted from the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46 via the transmission RF unit 43, the signal separator 44, and the transmission / reception separator 45. This signal is sent to another corresponding wireless communication device 19. In the present embodiment, a switch is used for the transmission / reception separator 45 assuming that TDD (Time Division Duplex) communication is used for communication with the other wireless communication device 19. on the other hand,
When a signal transmitted from another wireless communication device 19 is received, a signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device 19 is received by the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46 and switched to the reception RF 47 side. The signal passes through a transmission / reception separator (switch) 45, a reception RF unit 47, and a demodulator 4
8 demodulated. The information signal demodulated by the demodulator 48 is
It is extracted from the demodulated signal output unit 51.

Next, a case where the wireless communication apparatus 4 operates as an interrogator of the RFID system (hereinafter, referred to as an RFID operation) will be described. When performing communication with the wireless tag 3, the above-described interrogating means is used. First, transmission source 4
The carrier wave transmitted at 0 is a modulator 42, a transmission RF unit 43,
The signal passes through the signal separator 44 and the transmission / reception separator 45 and is transmitted to the wireless tag 3 from the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46. In the present embodiment, the modulation in the communication with the wireless tag 3 is performed by the modulator 42 used for the communication with the other wireless communication device 19, but the communication method between the other wireless communication device 19 and the wireless tag 3 is used. If there is a difference, a more optimal modulator may be provided separately. The transmission RF unit 43
May also be divided into optimal forms. When the modulator used for communication with the other wireless communication device 19 and the modulator used for communication with the wireless tag 3 are separately provided, the information signal input unit 50 is connected to two.
A system is provided, and an information signal is input to each modulator.

When reading the information written in the wireless tag 3, the carrier transmitted from the transmission source 40 is unmodulated,
Alternatively, the signal is modulated by the read command information for reading the information of the wireless tag 3 by the modulator 42. This signal is transmitted from the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46 and received by the wireless tag 3. After receiving the signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 4, the wireless tag 3 modulates the signal with the stored information of the wireless tag 3 and transmits the modulated signal. The signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3 is received by the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46 and separated by the transmission / reception separator 45. In the case of the RFID operation, the switch serving as the transmission / reception separator 8 is fixed to the signal separator 44 side, that is, the transmission system side having the modulator 42, or the switch state at the time of the transmission of the bidirectional wireless communication described above. Do. With this configuration, it is possible to perform the RFID operation when transmitting to another wireless communication device 19.

The signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3 after being turned back is separated by the signal separator 44 and then sent to the wireless tag demodulator 49.
Sent to The wireless tag demodulator 49 is a synchronous detection type demodulator that receives a part of the carrier from the transmission source 40 extracted by the signal distributor 41 and demodulates a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3. The signal used for the synchronous detection in the wireless tag demodulator 49 is output to the output side of the modulator 42 by the signal distributor 4.
1 may be used. Further, the wireless tag demodulator 49 of the present embodiment is a synchronous detection type demodulator, but the wireless tag demodulator 49 may be an independent demodulator. The signal demodulated by the wireless tag demodulation unit 49 is extracted from the tag demodulation signal output unit 52.

As described above, in the wireless communication device 4 of the present embodiment, the bidirectional wireless communication means for communicating with the other wireless communication device 19 and the interrogating means for communicating with the wireless tag 3 include:
The transmission source 40, the transmission / reception separator 45, the common antenna 46 for bidirectional wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission / reception are shared. As described above, by using the respective parts in common, the device can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. In the wireless communication device 4 of the present embodiment, the transmission / reception separator 45 is a switch for performing TDD (Time Division Duplex) communication.
When performing D communication, a diplexer may be used as the transmission / reception separator. When the wireless communication device 4 is configured based on, for example, two-way wireless communication means, the two-way wireless communication means includes a signal separator 44 and a wireless tag demodulator 49.
And a simple configuration including the tag demodulation signal output unit 52,
The communication with the wireless tag 3 as well as the communication with the other wireless communication device 19 can be performed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the wireless communication device 5 shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the wireless communication device 4 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted. The wireless communication device 5 has substantially the same configuration as the wireless communication device 4 of the above embodiment, and does not include a signal separator, but further includes a wireless tag receiving antenna 53 that receives a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3.

The wireless communication device 5 is connected to another wireless communication device 19.
Wireless communication means for performing two-way wireless communication with the wireless tag, and interrogating means for performing communication with the wireless tag 3, and can be used as a wireless LAN or a mobile phone capable of two-way wireless communication. It can be used as an interrogator capable of communicating with the tag 3.

The two-way wireless communication means of the wireless communication device 5 includes:
A transmission source 40, a modulator 42, a transmission RF unit 43, a transmission / reception separator 45, a bidirectional wireless transmission / reception antenna for transmitting a signal to another wireless communication device 19 and receiving a signal from the other wireless communication device 19, and a wireless tag 3, a bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission common antenna 76 functioning as a wireless tag transmission antenna for transmitting a signal to the H.3, a reception RF unit 47, a demodulator 48, an information signal input unit 50, and a demodulation signal output unit 51. . In addition, the inquiry means of the wireless communication means 5 includes the transmission source 40,
Signal distributor 41, modulator 42, transmission RF unit 43, transmission / reception separator 45, common antenna for bidirectional wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission 76, wireless tag receiving antenna 53 for receiving a signal transmitted from wireless tag 3, wireless tag The demodulator 49 includes an information signal input unit 50 and a tag demodulated signal output unit 52.

In the radio communication device 5, the transmission source 40, the modulator 42, the transmission RF
The unit 43, the transmission / reception separator 45, the common antenna 76 for bidirectional wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission, and the information signal input unit 50 are shared. The modulator 4 is similar to the wireless communication device 4 of FIG.
2. The transmission RF unit 43, the transmission / reception separator 45, and the like may be separated according to the communication method of both means. As described above, by using the respective parts in common, the device can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

The communication operation of the wireless communication device 5 with the other wireless communication device 19 is the same as that of the wireless communication device 4 of the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The RFID operation of the wireless communication device 5 will be described below. The above-mentioned interrogating means is used for communication with the wireless tag 3. The carrier transmitted from the transmission source 40 is
2. The signal passes through the transmission RF unit 43 and the transmission / reception separator 45, and is transmitted from the common antenna 76 for bidirectional wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission. When reading the information written in the wireless tag 3, the carrier transmitted by the transmission source 40 is not modulated, or is modulated by the modulator 42 with read command information for reading the information of the wireless tag 3. This signal is transmitted from the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission common antenna 76 serving as a wireless tag transmitting antenna, and received by the wireless tag 3. After receiving the signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 5, the wireless tag 3 modulates the signal with the stored information of the wireless tag 3 and transmits the modulated signal. The signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3 is received by the wireless tag receiving antenna 53 and sent to the wireless tag demodulation unit 49. The wireless tag demodulation unit 49 receives a part of the carrier wave from the transmission source 40 extracted by the signal distributor 41 and demodulates the signal received from the wireless tag 3.

As described above, the wireless communication apparatus 5 includes the wireless tag receiving antenna 53 for receiving a signal from the wireless tag 3 in addition to the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission common antenna 76.
Is provided. The transmission signal to the wireless tag 3 is transmitted using a bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission common antenna 76 that performs communication with other wireless communication devices, that is, communication wider than communication with the wireless tag 3, By receiving a signal from the tag 3 using the highly directional wireless tag receiving antenna 53, communication with the wireless tag 3 can be performed more efficiently.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 6 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication device 6 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those of the wireless communication device 4 or the wireless communication device 5 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Wireless communication device 6 of the present embodiment
Has substantially the same configuration as the wireless communication device 4 of the above-described embodiment, and includes a wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54 for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag 3 and receiving a signal from the wireless tag 3, and another wireless communication device 19 or a wireless communication device. The two-way wireless transmitting / receiving antenna 86 and the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 5
4 is provided.

The wireless communication device 6 is connected to another wireless communication device 19
Wireless communication means for performing two-way wireless communication with the wireless tag, and interrogating means for performing communication with the wireless tag 3, and can be used as a wireless LAN or a mobile phone capable of two-way wireless communication. It can be used as an interrogator capable of communicating with the tag 3.

The two-way wireless communication means of the wireless communication device 6
Bidirectional wireless transmission / reception for transmitting a signal to the transmission source 40, the modulator 42, the transmission RF unit 43, the antenna changeover switch 55, the transmission / reception separator 45, and another wireless communication device 19, and receiving a signal from the other wireless communication device 19 An antenna 86, a reception RF unit 47, a demodulation unit 48, an information signal input unit 50, and a demodulated signal output unit 51 are configured. The interrogating means of the wireless communication device 6 includes a transmission source 40, a signal distributor 41, and a modulator 4
2. The transmission RF unit 43, the signal separator 44, the antenna changeover switch 55, a wireless tag transmitting antenna for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag 3, and a wireless tag receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3. It includes a tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54, a wireless tag demodulator 49, an information signal input unit 50, and a tag demodulated signal output unit 52.

In the above-described two-way wireless communication means and interrogation means, the transmission source 40, the antenna switch 5
5 and so on. As described above, the two-way wireless communication means and the interrogating means use the respective parts in common, so that the apparatus can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The communication operation of the wireless communication device 6 with the other wireless communication device 19 is performed in the same manner as the wireless communication device 4 of the above embodiment, with the antenna changeover switch 55 switched to the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception antenna 86 side. The explanation is omitted.

Hereinafter, the RFID operation of the wireless communication device 6 will be described. The above-mentioned interrogating means is used for communication with the wireless tag 3. The carrier transmitted from the transmission source 40 is
2. The signal is transmitted from the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54 through the transmitting RF unit 43, the signal separator 44, and the antenna switch 55 switched to the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54 side. When reading the information written in the wireless tag 3, the carrier transmitted by the transmission source 40 is not modulated, or read command information for reading the information of the wireless tag 3 by the modulator 42 is input from the information input unit 50. Modulation. The signal output from the modulator 42 is
The signal is transmitted from the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54 through the antenna switch 55 and received by the wireless tag 3.
After receiving the signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 6, the wireless tag 3 modulates the signal with the stored information of the wireless tag 3 and transmits the modulated signal. The signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3 is received by the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54, passes through the antenna changeover switch 55 and the signal separator 44, and is sent to the wireless tag demodulation unit 49. The wireless tag demodulation unit 49 includes the signal distributor 4
A part of the carrier wave from the transmission source 40 extracted in step 1 is input and the signal received from the wireless tag 3 is demodulated.

As described above, the wireless communication device 6 includes a two-way wireless transmission / reception antenna 86 for communicating with another wireless communication device 19 and a wireless device for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag 3 and receiving a signal from the wireless tag 3. With tag transmitting and receiving antenna 54,
The antenna switch 55 is switched by communication with another wireless communication device 19 or communication with the wireless tag 3 so that the two-way wireless transmitting / receiving antenna 86 and the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54 are selectively used. Therefore, by using separate antennas for communication with the other wireless communication device 19 and communication with the wireless tag 3, the characteristics of each communication can be effectively exhibited.

As shown in the local view of FIG.
In the wireless communication device 6, the antenna changeover switch 55 and the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54 may be placed between the bidirectional wireless transmitting / receiving antenna 86 and the transmitting / receiving device 45. With this, the wireless communication device 6 can communicate with the wireless tag 3 at the same time as transmitting to another wireless communication device 19 depending on the communication environment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 7 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In the wireless communication device 7 illustrated in FIG. 4, the same portions as those of the wireless communication device 4 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the wireless communication devices 4, 5, and 6 of the above embodiment, separate demodulators are used for communication with the other wireless communication device 19 and communication with the wireless tag 3, but the wireless communication device of the present embodiment The device 7 includes another wireless communication device 19 and the wireless tag 3
The signal received in the communication with is demodulated by one demodulation means (multifunctional demodulator 57). Normally, in two-way communication with another wireless communication device 19, PSK (Pulse Shift Keyin) is used.
g) and modulation schemes such as QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) are often used. On the other hand, in the case of communication of the RFID operation, a simple modulation scheme such as ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) or PSK is used. Therefore, if a demodulator of the PSK or QPSK synchronous detection system or the delay detection system is used as the multifunctional demodulator 57, it can be used for both communications.

The wireless communication device 7 is connected to another wireless communication device 19.
Wireless communication means for performing two-way wireless communication with the wireless tag, and interrogating means for performing communication with the wireless tag 3, and can be used as a wireless LAN or a mobile phone capable of two-way wireless communication. It can be used as an interrogator capable of communicating with the tag 3.

The two-way wireless communication means of the wireless communication device 7
A transmission source 40, a modulator 42, a transmission RF unit 43, a transmission / reception separator 45, a bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46, a signal transmitted from another wireless communication device 19 or a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3 , A signal combiner 56, a reception RF unit 47, a multifunction demodulator 57, an information signal input unit 50, and a demodulated signal output unit 51. The interrogating means of the wireless communication device 7 includes a transmission source 40, a modulator 42, a transmission RF unit 43, a signal separator 44, a transmission / reception separator 45, a bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46, a signal coupler 56 , A reception RF unit 47, a multifunctional demodulator 57, an information signal input unit 50, and a demodulated signal output unit 51.

In the communication operation between the wireless communication device 7 and the other wireless communication device 19, the signal coupler 5 depends on the communication method.
6 is connected to the transmission / reception separator 45,
Since the operation is performed in the same manner as the wireless communication device 4 of the above embodiment, the description will be omitted. As shown in the local diagram of FIG. 3B, the antenna changeover switch and the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna may be placed between the bidirectional wireless transmitting / receiving / wireless tag transmitting / receiving common antenna 46 and the transmission / reception separator 45. .

Hereinafter, the RFID operation of the communication terminal device 7 will be described. When performing communication with the wireless tag 3, the above-described interrogating means is used. The carrier transmitted from the transmission source 40 passes through a modulator 42, a transmission RF unit 43, a signal separator 44, and a transmission / reception separator 45, and is transmitted from a bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46. When reading the information written in the wireless tag 3, the carrier transmitted by the transmission source 40 is not modulated, or is modulated by the modulator 42 with read command information for reading the information of the wireless tag 3. This signal is transmitted from the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46 and received by the wireless tag 3. After receiving the signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 7, the wireless tag 3 modulates the signal with the stored information of the wireless tag 3 and transmits the modulated signal. The signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3 is received by the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 46 and sent to the signal separator 44. The signal received from the wireless tag 3 is separated by the signal separator 44, passes through the signal combiner 56 and the reception RF unit 47, and is demodulated by the multifunctional demodulator 57. In the wireless communication device 7, R is used as the signal combiner 56.
Although an F switch is used, a circulator or a coupler may be used. In the RFID operation, the switch serving as the transmission / reception separator 45 is fixed to the transmission system. The signal demodulated by the multifunctional demodulator 57 is output to the demodulated signal output unit 5.
1 and the accumulated information of the wireless tag 3 is obtained.

As described above, the two-way wireless communication means and the interrogation means of the wireless communication device 7 basically include the transmission source 40,
The transmission / reception separator 45, the common antenna 46 for bidirectional wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission / reception, the signal coupler 56, the multifunctional demodulator 57 and the like are commonly used. Therefore, the device can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, in still another embodiment of the present invention,
The multifunctional demodulator 57 of the wireless communication apparatus 7 of the embodiment is replaced with a multifunctional demodulator 58 using a carrier recovery type synchronous detection method.
It may be. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless communication device 8 according to the present embodiment. In the wireless communication device 8 shown in FIG. 5, the same parts as those of the wireless communication devices 4 and 7 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The radio communication device 8 is connected to another radio communication device 19
And a signal received in communication with the wireless tag 3 is converted to a multi-function demodulator 58 using a carrier recovery type synchronous detection method.
Demodulates with. As a demodulator of the synchronous detection system, there are various methods such as a method of providing a transmitter in a demodulator, generating a transmission wave in phase synchronization with a signal received by a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit, performing synchronous detection, and a method using a Costas loop. A method is used. When used as an interrogator, the transmission source 40 is used as a carrier for synchronous detection. In the wireless communication device 8, the carrier is extracted from the transmission source 40 by the signal distributor 41, and the signal is guided to the synchronous detection type multi-function demodulator 58 via the signal source switch 59. The signal guided to the multifunctional demodulator 58 is used as a carrier for synchronous detection.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the signal received from the wireless tag 3 using the signal separator 44 is not sent to the signal combiner 56 as in the wireless communication device 7 of the above-described embodiment. A configuration may be adopted in which a wireless tag receiving antenna 53 for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3 is provided, and a signal received by the wireless tag receiving antenna 53 is sent to the signal combiner 56. FIG. 6 shows a wireless communication device 9 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication system; In the wireless communication device 9 shown in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those of the wireless communication devices 5 and 7 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and the description thereof is omitted.

The radio communication device 9 is connected to another radio communication device 19
Wireless communication means for performing two-way wireless communication with the wireless tag, and interrogating means for performing communication with the wireless tag 3, and can be used as a wireless LAN or a mobile phone capable of two-way wireless communication. It can be used as an interrogator capable of communicating with the tag 3.

The two-way wireless communication means of the wireless communication device 9 includes:
Transmission source 40, modulator 42, transmission RF unit 43, transmission / reception separator 45, bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission common antenna 7
6, signal combiner 56, reception RF unit 47, multifunctional demodulator 5
7, an information signal input unit 50 and a demodulated signal output unit 51. The inquiry means of the wireless communication device 9 is as follows:
A transmission source 40, a modulator 42, a transmission RF unit 43, a transmission / reception separation unit 45, a bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission common antenna 76 functioning as a wireless tag transmission antenna for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag 3, a wireless tag reception antenna 53 , A signal combiner 56, a reception RF unit 56, a multifunctional demodulator 57, an information signal input unit 50, and a demodulated signal output unit 51.

The two-way radio communication means and the interrogation means of the radio communication device 9 are basically composed of a transmission source 40, a transmission / reception separator 4
5. Bidirectional wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission common antenna 7
6. The signal combiner 56, the multi-function demodulator 57 and the like are shared and used.

Since the wireless communication device 9 includes the wireless tag receiving antenna 53 for receiving the signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3, the signal transmitted to the wireless tag 3 is transmitted to another wireless communication device, that is, the wireless tag 3 Bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission common antenna 7 for performing a wider range of communication than communication with 3
6, and receives a signal from the wireless tag 3 using the wireless tag receiving antenna 53 having high directivity. Thus, by using the radio tag receiving antenna 53 having high directivity, a weaker signal from the radio tag 3 can be received.

The RFID operation of the wireless communication device 9 uses the above-described interrogation means. The carrier transmitted by the transmission source 40 is
The signal is transmitted through the transmission RF unit 43, the transmission / reception separator 45, the bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / radio tag transmission common antenna 76 in a non-modulated or partially modulated state, and reaches the radio tag 3. The signal returned from the wireless tag 3 is transmitted to the wireless tag receiving antenna 53.
And a multi-functional demodulator 57 via a signal combiner 56.
Demodulated, and the information of the wireless tag 3 is output to the demodulated signal output unit 5
Retrieved from 1. A part of the signal returned from the wireless tag 3 is input to the common antenna 76 for two-way wireless transmission / reception and wireless tag transmission. However, this does not cause a problem by devising the configuration of the transmission RF unit 43 and the like. The communication operation with the other wireless communication device 19 is performed by the wireless tag receiving antenna 53.
Is not particularly involved, and is the same as the wireless communication device 7 of FIG.

As described above, by using a common part for the two-way wireless communication means and the interrogation means, the device can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the multifunctional demodulator 57 of the wireless communication apparatus 9 of the above embodiment may be a multifunctional demodulator 58 using a carrier recovery type synchronous detection system. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment. In the wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those of the wireless communication devices 8 and 9 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the communication operation and the RFID operation with the other wireless communication devices are basically the same as those of the wireless communication device 7 of the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 11 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In the wireless communication device 11 of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those of the wireless communication device of the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The wireless communication device 11 has substantially the same configuration as the wireless communication device 7 of the above embodiment, and includes a wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54 for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag 3 and receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3, The two-way wireless transmitting / receiving antenna 86 and the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54 communicate with the wireless communication device 19 and the wireless tag 3.
And a signal combiner 60 for switching between.

The radio communication device 11 is connected to another radio communication device 1
9 and a query means for communicating with the wireless tag 3 and can be used as a wireless LAN or a mobile phone capable of two-way wireless communication. It can be used as an interrogator capable of communicating with the wireless tag 3.

The two-way radio communication means of the radio communication device 11 includes a transmission source 40, a modulator 42, a transmission RF unit 43, a signal coupler 60, a transmission / reception separator 45, a bidirectional radio transmission / reception antenna 86, a signal coupler 56, It comprises a receiving RF unit 47, a multifunctional demodulator 57, an information signal input unit 50, and a demodulated signal output unit 51. The interrogating means of the wireless communication device 11 includes a transmission source 40, a modulator 42, a transmission RF unit 43, a signal coupler 60, a transmission / reception separator 44, a wireless tag transmission / reception antenna 5,
4, signal combiner 56, reception RF unit 47, multifunctional demodulator 5
7. It includes an information input unit 50 and a demodulated signal output unit 51.

The two-way radio communication means and the interrogation means of the radio communication device 11 are basically composed of the transmission source 40, the signal combiner 6
0, signal combiner 56, reception RF unit 47, multifunctional demodulator 5
7 and the like are used in common. With such a configuration, the device can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

When performing communication with another wireless communication device, the wireless communication device 11 sends the signal coupler 60 (a switch in this embodiment) and the RF switch that is the signal coupler 56 to the transmission / reception separator 45 side. The communication is performed using the two-way wireless transmission / reception antenna 86 of the two-way wireless communication means described above. On the other hand, in the case of the RFID operation, the signal combiner 60 and the signal combiner 56 are connected to the signal separator 44, and the above-described interrogation is performed. The carrier from the transmission source 40 is transmitted from the wireless tag transmitting and receiving antenna 54 via the modulator 42, the transmission RF unit 43, the signal coupler 60, and the signal separator 44. The signal from the wireless tag 3 is received by the wireless tag transmitting / receiving antenna 54, separated by the signal separator 44, and demodulated by the multifunctional demodulator 57 via the signal combiner 56 and the reception RF unit 47. As described above, in the case of communication with another wireless communication device or the wireless tag 3, the antenna is switched to an antenna suitable for each communication and used.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the multifunctional demodulator 57 of the wireless communication apparatus 11 of the above embodiment may be a multifunctional demodulator using a carrier recovery type synchronous detection system. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless communication device 12 according to the present embodiment. In the wireless communication device 12 of the present embodiment, the same parts as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The wireless communication device 12 of the present embodiment demodulates a signal received in communication with another wireless communication device and a wireless tag by a multi-function demodulator 58 using a carrier recovery type synchronous detection method. The operation of communicating with other wireless communication devices and wireless tags is basically the same as that of the wireless communication device 11 of the above embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system including a wireless communication device 13 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication device 13 of the present embodiment includes a two-way wireless communication unit 14 that is a two-way wireless communication unit that communicates with another wireless communication device 19 and an inquiry unit 15 that is an inquiry unit that communicates with a wireless tag. Be composed.

The two-way radio communication unit 14 has the same configuration as the conventional two-way radio communication device 1 shown in FIG. Two-way wireless communication unit 14 and interrogation unit 15
Can be configured to be detachable.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the interrogator 15 of the radio communication apparatus 13.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG. The interrogator 15 includes a two-way wireless receiving antenna 62 for directly receiving a signal transmitted from the antenna of the two-way wireless communication unit 14, a wireless tag receiving antenna 63 for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag 3, and a demodulator 6.
4. It includes a signal processing unit 65 and a demodulated signal output unit 66.

Next, the RFID operation of the wireless communication device 13 will be described. The two-way wireless communication unit 14 transmits a signal from the antenna 24 to perform communication. Antenna 24
Is the same antenna as the conventional antenna 24 shown in FIG. 14, but transmits and receives a signal to and from the two-way radio apparatus, transmits a signal to the wireless tag, and transmits a signal to the antenna 63 of the interrogating means. Send. The signal transmitted from the antenna 24 is transmitted to the other wireless communication device 19 and reaches the wireless tag 3 located at a certain distance, and furthermore, both of the interrogator 15 arranged near the antenna 24 and near the antenna 24 are transmitted. It is also input to the directional radio receiving antenna 62. A part of this transmission signal is transmitted to the wireless tag
The size of the bidirectional wireless receiving antenna 62
It is adjusted by the directivity design. For example, in the present embodiment, the wireless tag receiving antenna 63 is a planar antenna having directivity, and is arranged on the side surface of the interrogation unit 15.

[0112] The signal input to the wireless tag 3 is modulated by the information held in the wireless tag 3, and the modulated signal is emitted from the wireless tag 3. The modulated signal emitted from the wireless tag 3 is received by the wireless tag receiving antenna 63 of the interrogator 15 and is input to a demodulator 64 including a synchronous detector. On the other hand, the interrogating unit 15 receives the antenna 2 of the two-way wireless communication unit 14 received by the two-way wireless receiving antenna 62.
4 is also input to the demodulator 64 and mixed and demodulated with the modulation signal from the wireless tag 3 to demodulate the modulation signal from the wireless tag 3. The information demodulated by the demodulator 64 is extracted from a demodulated signal output unit 66 through a signal processor 65. Information extracted from the wireless tag 3 is stored in the signal processor 65 or the two-way communication unit 14
Can also be transmitted to another wireless communication device 19.

In the case where the signal is modulated by a simple ASK or the like in the wireless tag 3, the two-way wireless receiving antenna 62 is not always necessary, and the modulated signal from the wireless tag 3 is received by the wireless tag receiving antenna 63 and is demodulated. By performing the AM demodulation at 64, the information of the wireless tag 3 can also be extracted.

As described above, the wireless communication device 1 of the present embodiment
In 3, the information is read from the wireless tag 3 using the signal transmitted from the two-way wireless communication unit 24, so that the interrogator is greatly simplified, and when communicating with another wireless communication device 19, If the reading of the wireless tag 3 is performed, the radio wave can be effectively used.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
1, the signal from the two-way wireless communication unit 14 and the modulated wave emitted from the wireless tag 3 are not received by separate antennas, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the signal may be received by the same antenna 67. In this case, since the signal from the two-way wireless communication unit 14 and the modulated signal from the wireless tag 3 are received by one antenna 67, the phase difference between the two cannot be set freely. Therefore, when these signals have a specific reception relationship, a null point peculiar to synchronous detection (the demodulation output becomes 0 under specific conditions) occurs because the demodulator 65 uses the synchronous detection method. This problem can be solved by using, for example, a frequency hopping method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-131403. With such a configuration, the interrogation section 16 can be simplified and downsized.

Further, in still another embodiment of the present invention,
The two-way wireless communication unit 14 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 may be provided with two antennas. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the antenna in the bidirectional wireless communication unit 17 of the present embodiment. The two-way wireless communication unit 17 has a configuration similar to that of the conventional two-way wireless communication device 1, and differs only in an antenna part. The two-way wireless communication unit 17 of the present embodiment includes:
In addition to the antenna 24 that communicates with the other wireless communication device 19, the wireless communication device 19 includes a wireless tag transmitting antenna 68 that transmits a signal to the wireless tag 3 and an antenna switch 69 that switches between the antenna 24 and the wireless tag antenna 68.
By using an antenna having higher directivity than the antenna 24 as the wireless tag transmitting antenna 68, communication sensitivity with the wireless tag 3 can be increased.

In the wireless communication devices 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the above-described embodiments, the information stored in the wireless tag 3 in the communication with the wireless tag 3. Although only the operation of reading the wireless tag 3 is described, the operation of writing information to the wireless tag 3 includes, for example, an AS
It can be easily realized by giving K modulation and demodulating with the wireless tag 3.

[0118]

As described above, according to the present invention, communication with another wireless communication device and communication with a wireless tag can be performed by the same device. Therefore, the configuration and size of the device can be simplified and reduced compared to a case where both a device that communicates with another wireless communication device and a device that communicates with a wireless tag are used individually. Equipment can be built for the price.

Further, by performing communication with other wireless communication devices and wireless tags wirelessly, in addition to fixed use,
The wireless tag information acquired in a mobile environment such as a premises or a wide area can be immediately transmitted to, for example, a remote information center that manages the information of the wireless tag, and the information center provides the information to the wireless tag. You can also.

Further, according to the present invention, since communication with another wireless communication device and communication with a wireless tag can be performed using signals transmitted from the same transmission source, the configuration of the device is simplified. And the size of the device can be reduced. Further, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

According to the present invention, since one antenna communicates with another wireless communication device and a wireless tag, the device can be simplified and the device can be downsized. Further, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since an antenna for performing bidirectional communication with another wireless communication device and an antenna for receiving a signal from a wireless tag are provided, communication between the other wireless communication device and the wireless tag is provided. The communication can be performed using the antennas respectively suitable for the communication.

Further, according to the present invention, since an antenna for communicating with another wireless communication device and an antenna for transmitting a signal to a wireless tag are commonly used, the device can be simplified and downsized. At the same time, a signal can be transmitted to the wireless tag by the antenna of the two-way wireless communication means for performing communication over a wider area, so that the communication range with the wireless tag is increased.

Further, according to the present invention, depending on the communication system, a signal to be transmitted to another wireless communication device and a signal to be transmitted to the wireless tag are modulated by a common modulator, so that the device can be simplified and downsized. be able to. Further, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the signal received from another wireless communication device and the signal received from the wireless tag are demodulated by the common demodulating means, so that the device can be simplified and the device can be downsized. can do. Further, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, bidirectional wireless communication and communication with the wireless tag can be performed only by providing the two-way wireless communication means with the wireless tag transmitting antenna, the wireless tag receiving antenna, and the wireless tag demodulating means. Therefore, a wireless communication device capable of communicating with another wireless communication device and a wireless tag can be easily configured, and the device can be simplified and downsized.

Further, according to the present invention, communication with other wireless communication devices and wireless tags can be performed using almost the same components, so that the device can be simplified and downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Can be reduced.

According to the present invention, a signal transmitted from another wireless communication device and a signal transmitted from a wireless tag are selectively coupled to a demodulator by a signal coupler.
It is possible to demodulate the two signals with one demodulator.

Further, according to the present invention, since the bidirectional wireless transmitting / receiving antenna of the bidirectional wireless communication means and the wireless tag transmitting antenna of the interrogating means are commonly used, communication with the wireless tag can be performed over a wider range if necessary. Can be.

Further, according to the present invention, the transmission signal and the reception signal of the wireless tag can be separated by the signal separator, so that the signal is transmitted to the wireless tag and transmitted from the wireless tag by one antenna. A signal can be received.

According to the present invention, it is possible to transmit a signal to another wireless communication device and receive a signal from another wireless communication device using one antenna by the transmission / reception separator.

Further, according to the present invention, since the signal transmitted from the wireless tag is demodulated using the carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source, there is no need to separately prepare a transmission source for performing synchronous detection.

Further, according to the present invention, a part of the carrier wave oscillated by the transmission source is extracted, and the signal transmitted from the wireless tag is demodulated using this carrier wave. You may.

Further, according to the present invention, the interrogating means can transmit a signal from the antenna of the two-way wireless communication means to the wireless tag and receive information from the wireless tag without having a transmission source. Can be simplified. Furthermore, since communication with a wireless tag can be performed using communication energy scattered when communicating with another wireless communication device,
It is also useful for energy saving of information and communication.

Further, according to the present invention, by transmitting / receiving a signal to / from another wireless communication device and transmitting a signal to / from a wireless tag using a common antenna, the size of the device can be reduced. Costs can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, transmission and reception of signals to and from other wireless communication devices and transmission of signals to wireless tags are performed by separate antennas, so that communication is performed using an antenna suitable for each communication. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, the signal from the wireless tag and the signal from the two-way wireless communication means are received by the same antenna, so that the device can be simplified and downsized.

According to the present invention, the signal from the wireless tag and the signal from the two-way wireless communication unit are received by different antennas, so that communication can be performed using an antenna suitable for each communication. it can.

According to the present invention, even when the interrogating means does not have a transmission source, when a signal is transmitted from the wireless communication means to another wireless communication device, the signal is simultaneously transmitted to the wireless tag, and And the signal transmitted from the two-way wireless communication means is directly received, and these signals are mixed and demodulated. Can communicate with the

Further, according to the present invention, the interrogating means receives the signal transmitted from the two-way radio communication means and the signal transmitted from the wireless tag with one antenna, so that the apparatus can be simplified and downsized. Can be planned.

According to the present invention, a wireless communication system including the wireless communication device and the wireless tag can be configured. For example, information received from the wireless tag by the interrogating means can be wirelessly transmitted by the two-way wireless communication means. Information can be immediately transmitted to a management device or the like that manages tag information. Further, since the wireless communication device communicates with other wireless communication devices and wireless tags wirelessly, there is no restriction on installation and the like.

Further, according to the present invention, information can be written to a wireless tag by the wireless communication device. Therefore, for example, information can be transmitted to the wireless communication device from a management device or the like that manages information of the wireless tag, and information can be transmitted from the wireless communication device to the wireless tag to write the information of the wireless tag. Can be performed accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 6 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 7 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device 8 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 9 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device 10 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 11 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device 12 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device 13 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an interrogation unit 15 of the wireless communication device 13 in FIG.

12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an interrogation unit 16 of the wireless communication device 13 in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of an antenna of a two-way wireless communication unit 17 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a conventional two-way wireless communication device 1.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an interrogator 2 and a wireless tag 3 of a general RFID system.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Wireless tag 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Wireless communication device 14, 17 Two-way wireless communication unit 15, 16 Interrogation unit 19 Other wireless communication device 24 Antenna 40 Transmission source 42 Modulator 44 Signal separator 46 Bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission / reception common antenna 48 demodulator 49 wireless tag demodulator 53 wireless tag reception antenna 54 wireless tag transmission / reception antenna 57 multifunctional demodulator 62 bidirectional wireless reception antenna 63 wireless tag reception Antenna 64 Demodulator 65 Signal processing unit 68 Wireless tag antenna 76 Bidirectional wireless transmission / reception / wireless tag transmission common antenna 86 Bidirectional wireless transmission / reception antenna

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nakano 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka F-term (reference) 5K011 BA01 BA03 CA11 CA12 DA05 DA15 DA21 DA26 JA01 JA03

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A bidirectional wireless communication means for modulating a carrier wave transmitted from a transmission source, transmitting the modulated signal from an antenna to another wireless communication device, receiving a signal from another wireless communication device with the antenna, and demodulating the signal. A signal transmitted from the antenna is transmitted to the wireless tag by modulating or not modulating the carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source, responding to the signal, modulating based on the stored information, and transmitting the signal transmitted from the wireless tag by the antenna. A wireless communication device comprising: an interrogator that receives, demodulates, and reads out information stored in the wireless tag. 2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transmission source of the two-way wireless communication unit for transmitting a carrier and a transmission source of the interrogation unit for transmitting a carrier are common. 3. An antenna of the two-way wireless communication means,
The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein an antenna of the interrogation unit is common. 4. An antenna of the two-way wireless communication means,
3. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antennas of the interrogating means are provided separately from each other. 5. An antenna of the two-way wireless communication means,
The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein an antenna for transmitting the inquiry to the wireless tag is common. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the modulation of the carrier of the bidirectional wireless communication unit and the modulation of the carrier of the interrogation unit are performed by a common modulation unit.
The wireless communication device according to any one of the above. 7. The demodulation of a signal transmitted from another wireless communication device and the demodulation of a signal transmitted from a wireless tag are demodulated by common demodulation means.
The wireless communication device according to any one of the above. 8. The two-way wireless communication means includes: a transmission source for transmitting a carrier wave; a modulation means for modulating the carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source; and a signal from the modulation means for transmitting the signal from the modulation means to another wireless communication device. A bidirectional wireless transmitting and receiving antenna for receiving a signal from another wireless communication device, and demodulating means for demodulating a signal received from the other wireless communication device, wherein the interrogating means is a transmission source of the bidirectional wireless communication means. Wireless tag transmitting antenna for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag using a carrier wave transmitted by the wireless tag, a wireless tag receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag, and a wireless tag demodulation for demodulating a signal received by the wireless tag receiving antenna The wireless communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means. 9. The two-way wireless communication means includes: a transmission source for transmitting a carrier wave; a modulation means for modulating a carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source; A bidirectional wireless transmitting and receiving antenna for receiving a signal from another wireless communication device, and demodulating means for demodulating a signal received from the other wireless communication device, wherein the interrogating means is a transmission source of the bidirectional wireless communication means. A wireless tag transmitting antenna for transmitting a signal to the wireless tag using a carrier wave transmitted by the wireless tag, and a wireless tag receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless tag; 2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein demodulation is performed by demodulation means of the communication means. 10. A signal combiner for selectively combining a signal transmitted from another wireless communication device or a signal transmitted from a wireless tag to a demodulator.
The wireless communication device according to claim 1. 11. The antenna according to claim 8, wherein the two-way wireless transmitting / receiving antenna of the two-way wireless communication unit and the wireless tag transmitting antenna of the interrogating unit are common antennas.
11. The wireless communication device according to any one of 10. 12. A signal from a transmission source is sent to an antenna,
The wireless communication device according to claim 8, further comprising a signal separator that sends a signal transmitted from a wireless tag received by an antenna to a demodulation unit that demodulates the signal. 13. A transmission / reception separator for separating a transmission signal to another wireless communication device and a reception signal from another wireless communication device is provided. The wireless communication device according to claim 1. 14. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal transmitted from the wireless tag is demodulated by using a part of a carrier wave transmitted from a transmission source. 15. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission source is provided in a two-way wireless communication unit, and the two-way wireless communication unit has an antenna for transmitting a signal to a wireless tag. 16. The transmission / reception of a signal to another wireless communication device and the transmission of a signal to a wireless tag performed by the two-way wireless communication unit are performed by a common antenna. Wireless communication device. 17. The transmission / reception of a signal to another wireless communication device and the transmission of a signal to a wireless tag performed by the two-way wireless communication means are performed by separate antennas. Wireless communication device. 18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the interrogating means includes an antenna for receiving a signal modulated based on information by the wireless tag and a signal transmitted from the two-way wireless communication means. The wireless communication device according to one. 19. The interrogating means includes an antenna for receiving a signal modulated based on information by the wireless tag and an antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the two-way wireless communication means. The wireless communication device according to claim 15. 20. The two-way wireless communication means includes: a transmission source for transmitting a carrier wave; a modulation means for modulating a carrier wave transmitted from the transmission source; and a signal from the modulation means for transmitting the signal from the modulation means to another wireless communication device. A bidirectional transmitting / receiving antenna for receiving a signal from another wireless communication device, and demodulating means for demodulating a signal received from the other wireless communication device; A bidirectional wireless receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from an antenna, a wireless tag receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from a wireless tag, and demodulating means for mixing and demodulating signals received by these antennas. The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein: 21. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a bidirectional wireless receiving antenna of said interrogating means and a wireless tag receiving antenna are common. 22. A wireless communication system, comprising: the wireless communication device according to claim 1; and a wireless tag. 23. The wireless communication system according to claim 22, wherein information can be written to the wireless tag, and the wireless communication device can write information to the wireless tag wirelessly.