JP2002236891A - Radio tag with data display function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent the occurrence of mismatching of the recording content and the display content by directly reading and displaying tag information without using a printer. SOLUTION: A radio tag 1 internally stores a memory 11b for storing the tag information, a transmitting/receiving circuit 11d for transmitting and receiving the tag information stored in this memory 11b by radio transmission, and a control circuit 11a for controlling operation of the reading/writing and transmitting/receiving circuit 11d of the tag information in the memory 11b, and is provided with a display part 1c for displaying the tag information, and a display control part 21 for displaying the tag information on the display part 1c by reading the tag information from the memory 11b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an RFID system used for, for example, an inventory management system or a physical distribution management system.
The present invention relates to a wireless tag such as a (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag, and particularly to a wireless tag having a function of displaying data in the wireless tag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in stock management systems for managing the stock status of articles in a warehouse and distribution management systems for managing the delivery status of packages, etc., instead of bar codes,
Wireless tags such as RFID tags have begun to be used. The wireless tag has a built-in antenna and an IC (Integrated Circuit), and has a function of performing wireless communication with an external device and a function of recording and holding various information.

In a system using the wireless tag, tag information including identification information (ID information) unique to the managed article is recorded in advance in an IC in the wireless tag, and the wireless tag is attached to the managed article. . Then, the tag information is read from the wireless tag by a reader in a non-contact manner, and the read tag information is used for managing the stock status and the delivery status of the articles. In addition to the ID information described above, various information according to the management purpose is recorded on the wireless tag.

When such a wireless tag is used, it is possible to identify an article (tag) hidden behind a baggage or the like, which is difficult to identify with a barcode. In addition, since various information about the article is stored in the IC, it is difficult to forge the information.
Wireless tags are also better than barcodes in terms of security. By the way, the tag information recorded on the wireless tag can be recognized on the reader side, but the worker who actually handles the article has no knowledge of the recorded content, which may hinder the handling of the article. Also,
It is desired that tag information recorded on a wireless tag can be visually recognized from the outside.

Therefore, for example, in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-104189, a print medium (for example, Available rewrite paper). Then, the ID is stored in the ID tag memory.
At the time of writing the information, the ID information is printed on the surface of the print medium (on the rewritable paper) by the printing device. As a result, the same ID information as that written in the memory is displayed, and the operator can visually recognize the ID information.

[0006]

However, in the above-described ID tag (wireless tag), the ID information written in the memory is not directly read out and displayed.
Since the ID information is printed on the print medium at the time of writing the ID information to the memory, inconsistency occurs between the ID information actually written in the memory and the information printed on the print medium. there is a possibility. For example, if the same ID information cannot be printed on the print medium when the ID information is written to the memory, or if the print data on the print medium is rewritten for some reason, the above-described inconsistency occurs, and inventory management and Confusion arises when managing logistics.

Further, a printing device is required to display the ID information, and the printing device must be used every time the ID information recorded on the ID tag (wireless tag) is rewritten, which is troublesome. There is also. The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and allows tag information to be directly read and displayed without using a printing device.
An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag with a data display function, which reliably prevents inconsistency between recorded contents and displayed contents.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless tag with a data display function according to the present invention is provided.
Controls at least a memory for storing tag information, a transmitting and receiving circuit for wirelessly transmitting and receiving the tag information stored in the memory, and controlling the read / write of the tag information in the memory and the operation of the transmitting and receiving circuit The control circuit includes a display unit for displaying the tag information, and a display control unit for reading the tag information from the memory and displaying the tag information on the display unit. At this time,
The control circuit may function as the display control unit (claim 2).

[0009] The rewriting of the tag information in the memory may further include a notifying unit for notifying the completion of the rewriting to the outside, and a notifying control unit for controlling the operation of the notifying unit. (Claim 3) At this time, the control circuit:
The function as the notification control unit may be performed (claim 4).

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1] Description of First Embodiment FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wireless tag with a data display function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an RFID (Ra
A case in which the present invention is applied to a wireless tag (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an RFID tag) used in a dio frequency IDentification (IDO) system will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless tag 1 with a data display function of the first embodiment
RFID tag section 10 having the same configuration as FID tag
In addition, a battery unit 1d and a control / display unit 20 are newly added.

Here, the RFID tag section 10 includes an RFID antenna section 1b for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external reader / writer (not shown), and an IC section 11. The RFID antenna unit 1b performs not only a transmission / reception function with a transmission / reception circuit 11d described later, but also performs a power supply function with a power supply circuit 11c described later. That is, when the wireless tag 1 passes through an electromagnetic field (AC magnetic field) of a predetermined frequency radiated from the reader / writer, an induced voltage (excitation energy) is generated in the RFID antenna unit 1b, and the induced voltage causes the IC unit 11 to operate. (CPU 11a) is driven. Therefore, since the RFID tag section 10 does not require a battery or the like, the life of the tag is not substantially limited, the size and weight of the tag itself can be reduced, and the battery replacement operation is not required, and the maintenance is free. Will be possible. In addition, separately from the RFID antenna unit 1b,
A battery or a solar cell that performs a power supply function may be provided.

The IC section 11 is a part configured as an IC 1a (see FIG. 2), and has a CPU 11a, a memory 11b, a power supply circuit 11c, and a transmission / reception circuit 11d. C
The PU 11a functions as a control circuit that controls reading / writing of tag information (ID information) in the memory 11b and operation of the transmission / reception circuit 11d. Note that the CPU 11a of the present embodiment is also provided with an input / output port (I / O) functioning as a serial interface (S-IF).

Memory (shown as ROM / RAM in the figure)
11b is constituted by ROM and RAM,
In addition to storing tag information including identification information (ID information) unique to the article, read / write control of tag information and transmission / reception circuit 11
This is for storing a program executed by the CPU 11a to control the operation of d. As the tag information, in addition to the ID information, the inventory management system may store the name, type, specification, manufacturing information, stock period, etc. of the article, or the distribution management system may store the name, type, delivery of the article. Destination / delivery requester data, flight number / delivery route, and the like may be stored.

The power supply circuit (denoted as AC / DC in the figure) 11c is for converting the AC generated by the RFID antenna unit 1b into DC and supplying the DC to the CPU 11a as described above. (R / F in the figure
11d) is for transmitting the tag information stored in the memory 11b or receiving the tag information to be stored in the memory 11b via the RFID antenna unit 1b.

The data communication method between the reader / writer and the RFID tag unit 10 is as follows.
For example, the following (1) to (5) can be used. (1) An electromagnetic coupling system that communicates with tags using mutual induction of coils by an AC magnetic field. (2) An electromagnetic induction system that communicates with tags using long and medium wave electromagnetic waves.

(3) A microwave system in which data communication is performed between a reader / writer side antenna and a tag by using a microwave. (4) An optical system in which an LED is arranged as a light source and a phototransistor is arranged as a light receiver, and communication with a tag is performed using spatial transmission of light. (5) A wireless transmission method using a 2.4 GHz band, and in recent years, a Bluetooth (Bluetooth) method, which is expected as an interface for realizing data exchange regardless of devices such as personal computers, peripheral devices, home appliances, and mobile phones.

On the other hand, a battery unit 1d is provided with a display unit 1c (described later).
To supply power to a CPU 21a (to be described later) that operates to display tag information. In the present embodiment, a power supply function for displaying tag information that is different from the power supply function of the RFID tag unit 10 is required in order to display tag information on the display unit 1c of the control / display unit 20 constantly or as needed. And the battery unit 1d fulfills its power supply function. At this time, a general battery may be used as the battery unit 1d and an on / off switch may be provided so that the tag information is displayed on the display unit 1c only when necessary. In addition, by using a solar cell as the battery unit 1d, the tag information may be displayed on the display unit 1c only when the surrounding environment is bright.

The control / display section 20 includes a display section 1c and a control section 21. Display unit 1c
Is for displaying tag information, and the display section 1c
For example, a sheet-like material such as a general liquid crystal display (LCD) or electronic paper is used. Here, electronic paper is a light and thin display like paper. In this electronic paper, a predetermined voltage may be applied only when the display content is changed. Once the display content is changed, the display content after the change is continuously displayed without power supply. Has become.

The control section 21 functions as a display control section for reading tag information from the memory 11b and displaying the tag information on the display section 1c.
b, and is actually configured as an IC 1 a ′ (see FIG. 2). The CPU 21a also has an input / output port (I / O) functioning as a serial interface (S-IF).
O), and this input / output port is
It is connected to the input / output port of the CPU 11a in the ID tag unit 10. The CPU 21a communicates with the CPU 11a periodically or when the contents of the memory 11b of the RFID tag unit 10 are rewritten.
1a, the tag information is read from the memory 11b, the tag information is temporarily stored in the memory 21b, and then the display unit 1
The control operation is performed so as to cause the display to be performed on the display c. When the on / off switch is switched from the off state to the on state, or when the power supply from the solar cell is resumed, the CPU 21a reads the tag information from the memory 21b and displays the tag information on the display unit 1c. The control operation is performed so as to be displayed on the display.

Note that tag information read out to the memory 21b by the CPU 21a and displayed on the display unit 1c is stored in the memory 1b.
1b may be the entire contents of the tag information, but if the tag information includes confidential information and public information, the operator selects only the public information necessary for the operation. It may be read out and displayed. The memory (denoted as ROM / RAM in the drawing) 21b is constituted by a ROM or a RAM, and stores the tag information read from the memory 11b as described above, and also executes the CPU 21a for performing the above-described control operation. Stores the program to be executed.

The wireless tag 1 with a data display function according to the first embodiment is, as shown in FIG.
1 (that is, IC1a), the RFID antenna unit 1b, the control unit 21 (that is, IC1a '), and the battery unit 1d are embedded in a resin-made card-like medium or sheet-like medium, and the display unit 1c is placed on the surface of the medium. It is configured by placing.

Next, the operation of the wireless tag 1 with a data display function according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. The wireless tag 1 with a data display function of the present embodiment also operates as a general RFID tag. That is, the CPU 11a of the RFID tag unit 10
Receives ID information from the writer through the RFID antenna unit 1b and the transmission / reception circuit 11d in an electromagnetic field radiated from the writer, and writes the ID information into the memory 11b. In addition, the RFID tag unit 10
CPU 11a reads the ID information from the memory 11b in the electromagnetic field radiated from the reader, and transmits the tag information to the reader through the transmission / reception circuit 11d and the RFID antenna unit 1b.

In the wireless tag 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 21a
The tag information is read from the memory 11b via the CPU 11a by communicating with the CPU 11a. The tag information is temporarily stored in the memory 21b by the CPU 11a and then displayed on the display unit 1c. Therefore, the tag information itself held in the memory 11b of the RFID tag unit 10 is displayed on the display unit 1c.

At this time, the wireless tag 1 with the data display function
Is displayed on the display unit 1c, for example, information necessary for a worker or the like for work. For example, during inventory management, a wireless tag 1 with a data display function is attached to a box or the like stored in a warehouse, and what is stored or stored in the box is displayed on the display unit 1c.

Also, in the physical distribution management in the home delivery system, the wireless tag 1 with the data display function is used as a slip when requesting home delivery to a home delivery company, and the wireless tag 1 is attached to the delivery item, and is usually attached to the slip. The items to be described are displayed on the display unit 1c. At this time, for example, when the customer purchases an article on the Internet and requests delivery of the article, the contents of the delivery request are downloaded to the wireless tag 1 with the data display function from the computer receiving the delivery request, and the RFID tag 10 And is displayed on the display unit 1c by the CPU 21a. By attaching the wireless tag 1 displaying the contents of the delivery request on the display unit 1c to the delivery article in this way, it is not necessary to print or write the contents of the delivery request (delivery destination information or the like) on the slip.

As described above, according to the wireless tag 1 with a data display function as the first embodiment of the present invention, the memory 11
Since the tag information itself held in b is displayed on the display unit 1c, not only the conventional printing device is not required, but also the contents recorded in the RFID tag unit 10 (the tag information in the memory 11b). The display content on the display unit 1c matches. Therefore, the RFID tag unit 10
It is possible to reliably prevent inconsistency between the recorded contents and the displayed contents, and to prevent confusion caused by the inconsistency in inventory management or physical distribution management.

[2] Description of Second Embodiment FIGS. 3 and 4 show a wireless tag with a data display function according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless tag. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those described above indicate the same or almost the same portions, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, a wireless tag 1A with a data display function according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which a display unit 1c and a battery unit 1d are newly added to an RFID tag unit 10 having the same configuration as an existing RFID tag. It has been added and configured. That is, the wireless tag 1A of the second embodiment has a configuration in which the control unit 21 is omitted from the wireless tag 1 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the CP in the RFID tag unit 10 is replaced with the control unit 21 of the first embodiment.
U11a functions as the display control unit described above.

Therefore, the memory 11b of the second embodiment not only holds the same data and program as the memory 11b of the first embodiment, but also stores the program held in the memory 21b of the first embodiment. It is held in advance. When the CPU 11a functions as the display control unit, the battery unit 1d supplies power to the CPU 11a.

The wireless tag 1A with a data display function according to the second embodiment also has an IC 1a (IC
Section 11), RFID antenna section 1b and battery section 1d
Is embedded in a card-shaped medium or sheet-shaped medium made of resin, and the display unit 1c is arranged on the surface of the medium.

The wireless tag 1A with a data display function according to the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above has the same operation and effects as those of the above-described first embodiment.
Since the CPU 11a functions as a display control unit,
The CPU 21a and the memory 21b as in the first embodiment become unnecessary, and the display unit 1c and the battery unit 1e are added as hardware, thereby realizing the wireless tag 1A with a data display function with an extremely low cost and simple configuration. Can be.

[3] Description of Third Embodiment FIGS. 5 and 6 show a wireless tag with a data display function according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless tag. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those described above indicate the same or almost the same portions, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, a wireless tag 1B with a data display function according to the third embodiment includes a battery unit 1d and a control / display / sounding unit in an RFID tag unit 10 having the same configuration as an existing RFID tag. 20B is newly added. This control / display / sound-producing section 20B is different from the control / display section 20 described in the first embodiment in that the sound-producing section 30 is provided.
Is further added. Then, the control unit 21 (C
The PU 21a) includes, in addition to the display control unit described above, the sound generation unit 3
It also functions as a sounding control unit (notification control unit) that controls the operation of 0.

The battery section 1d supplies power to the CPU 21a even when the CPU 21a functions as the sound control section. Also, the memory 21
b includes, in addition to the program described in the first embodiment, C
A program to be executed when the PU 21a functions as the sound generation control unit is stored in advance.

The sounding section 30 includes a control circuit 31, an amplifier 32, and a speaker 1e. The control circuit 31 in response to an instruction from the CPU 21a causes the speaker 1e to sound via the amplifier 32 (buzzer sound, etc.). Is pronounced). CPU
21a outputs an instruction (control signal) to sound the speaker 1e to the control circuit 31 when the tag information in the memory 11b in the RFID tag section 10 is rewritten. Thus, the sound generator 30 (speaker 1e) functions as a notification unit that notifies the outside (user, worker) of the completion of the rewriting of the tag information in the memory 11b.

The wireless tag 1B with a data display function according to the third embodiment also has an IC 1a (IC
Unit 11), RFID antenna unit 1b, IC 1a '(control unit 21), battery unit 1d, and sound generator 30 (speaker 1).
e) is embedded in a resin-made card-like medium or sheet-like medium, and the display unit 1c is arranged on the surface of the medium.

The wireless tag 1B with a data display function according to the third embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration is the same as the first embodiment.
In addition to the same operation as the wireless tag 1 of the embodiment, the tag information is transmitted from the reader to the RFID tag
When the tag information in the memory 11b is rewritten by the U11a, the tag information is not only transmitted to the CPU 21a and written into the memory 21b or displayed on the display unit 1c, but also the tag information is rewritten. The user or the worker is notified by the sounding operation (sounding operation) of the speaker 1e.

As described above, according to the wireless tag 1B with the data display function according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the user or the worker can operate the memory 1 by sounding the speaker 1e.
It is possible to know that the content (tag information) of 1b has been changed, and to immediately and reliably recognize the rewritten tag information by looking at the display content of the display unit 1c according to the ringing operation. be able to.

[4] Description of Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 7 and 8 show a wireless tag with a data display function according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration thereof. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those described above indicate the same or almost the same portions, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, a wireless tag 1C with a data display function according to the fourth embodiment includes an RFID tag 10 having the same configuration as an existing RFID tag, a battery 1d, and a display 1c. And a display / sound-producing section 20C comprising a sound-producing section 30 and a sound-producing section 30. That is, the wireless tag 1C of the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which the control unit 21 is omitted from the wireless tag 1B of the third embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the CPU 1 of the RFID tag unit 10 is replaced with the control unit 21 of the third embodiment.
1a functions as the above-described display control unit and sound generation control unit (notification control unit).

Therefore, the memory 11b of the fourth embodiment not only holds the same data and programs as the memory 11b of the first embodiment, but also stores the programs held in the memory 21b of the third embodiment. It is held in advance. Also, when the battery unit 1d functions as the display control unit and the sound generation control unit, the CPU 11a
a is supplied with electric power.

As shown in FIG. 8, the wireless tag with data display function 1C of the fourth embodiment also has an IC 1a (IC
Section 11), the RFID antenna section 1b, the battery section 1d, and the sound generating section 30 (speaker 1e) are embedded in a resin-made card-like medium or sheet-like medium, and a display section 1c.
On the surface of the medium.

The wireless tag 1C with a data display function according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention configured as described above has the same functions and effects as those of the third embodiment described above.
Since the CPU 11a functions as a display control unit and a sound control unit, the CPU 21a and the memory 21b as in the third embodiment become unnecessary, and the sound control unit 3 is used as hardware.
0, a wireless tag 1 having a data display function and a notification function by adding a display unit 1c and a battery unit 1e.
C can be realized with a very low cost and simple configuration.

[5] Others Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0046]

As described in detail above, according to the wireless tag with a data display function of the present invention (claim 1), a display unit for displaying tag information on an existing wireless tag and a memory for storing the tag information in a memory Since the tag information itself held in the memory is displayed on the display unit by an extremely simple configuration including a display control unit for reading from the display unit and displaying it on the display unit, a conventional printing device is not required. not only,
The recorded content (tag information) in the wireless tag matches the displayed content on the display unit. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent inconsistency between the recorded contents and the displayed contents in the wireless tag, and to avoid confusion caused by the inconsistency in inventory management or distribution management. At this time, by providing the control circuit in the existing wireless tag with a function as a display control unit, the wireless tag with a data display function of the present invention can be manufactured at a very low cost and with a simple addition of a display unit as hardware. It can be realized with a simple configuration (claim 2).

Further, when the rewriting of the tag information in the memory is performed, the completion of the rewriting is notified to the outside by the notification unit, so that the user can change the contents (tag information) of the memory. You can know what was done. Then, the user who has received the notification can immediately and reliably recognize the rewritten tag information by looking at the display content on the display unit (claim 3). At this time,
By providing a function as a notification control unit to a control circuit in an existing wireless tag, it is possible to realize a wireless tag having a notification function with an extremely low cost and simple configuration simply by adding a notification unit as hardware. (Claim 4).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless tag with a data display function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of a wireless tag with a data display function as the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless tag with a data display function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an appearance of a wireless tag with a data display function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless tag with a data display function according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of a wireless tag with a data display function as a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless tag with a data display function according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of a wireless tag with a data display function according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Wireless tag with data display function 1a IC 1a 'IC (display control unit, sound generation control unit / notification control unit) 1b RF-ID antenna unit 1c display unit 1d battery unit 1e speaker (notification unit) 10 RFID tag section 11 IC section 11a CPU (control circuit) 11b memory (ROM / RAM) 11c power supply circuit (AC / DC) 11d transmission / reception circuit (R / F) 20 control / display section 20B control / display / sound generation section 20C display / Sound generation unit 21 Control unit (display control unit, sound generation control unit / notification control unit) 21a CPU 21b Memory (ROM / RAM) 30 Sound generation unit (notification unit) 31 Control circuit 32 Amplifier

Claims (4)

[Claims] At least a memory for storing tag information, a transmitting and receiving circuit for wirelessly transmitting and receiving the tag information stored in the memory, and reading / reading of the tag information in the memory
A wireless tag incorporating a control circuit for controlling writing and operation of the transmitting / receiving circuit, a display unit for displaying the tag information, and a display control for reading the tag information from the memory and displaying the tag information on the display unit Wireless tag with a data display function. 2. The wireless tag with a data display function according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit functions as the display control unit. 3. A notifying unit for notifying the completion of the rewriting to the outside when the tag information in the memory is rewritten, and a notifying control unit for controlling an operation of the notifying unit. The wireless tag with a data display function according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: 4. The wireless tag with a data display function according to claim 3, wherein the control circuit functions as the notification control unit.