JP2003178256A - Tag reader and rf tag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To normally read an RF tag by recognizably constituting a position of an antenna in the RF tag. <P>SOLUTION: This tag reader has the reading function to an optical information recording tag and the RF tag 1, and is constituted so as to image and take in marks 3a and 3b arranged on a surface of the RF tag 1, and displaying the position of the antenna 2 built in the RF tag by an image taking-in means, to determine whether or not the RF tag 1 can be read on the basis of this taken-in image, and to read the RF tag 1 when determining that the RF tag 1 can be read. This constitution can normally and quickly read the RF tag since a user can clearly recognize the position of the antenna 2 in the RF tag 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tag reader and an RF tag having a reading function for an optical information recording tag and an RF tag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a bar code or a two-dimensional code (optical information recording tag) printed on a label attached to a product is read by a code reader to manage the sales and inventory of the product. ing.

On the other hand, in recent years, RF (Radio Frequency)
ency) It is becoming practical to carry out sales and inventory management of products by attaching an ID tag to a product and reading the information stored in the RF tag with a tag reader using a radio signal (electromagnetic signal). In the case of this configuration, the amount of information that can be stored in the RF tag is large and detailed product management can be performed as compared with a bar code or the like. Systems are being considered that fit either or both. Then, in such a system in which both tags are mixedly used, a tag reader capable of reading the information stored in any of the tags has been devised, for example, JP-A-12-3.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 48133.

[0004]

Now, as examples of RF tags, there are coin-shaped tags and card-shaped tags. In these tags, the center of the tag body is a coiled antenna built in the tag. Since it substantially coincides with the central axis, if the central axis of the reading section of the tag reader is opposed to the center of the tag body, the reading is normally executed.

However, for example, a tag for airline baggage is an elongated label-shaped tag. Therefore, when the RF tag is applied to the above-mentioned tag for airline baggage, the built-in antenna is arranged anywhere in the tag for airline baggage. I don't really know For this reason, if the reading unit of the tag reader faces the above-mentioned tag for airline baggage and is read, the tag's built-in antenna may not be located at an appropriate position with respect to the reading unit of the tag reader. Might not be executed normally. In this case, in the tag reader, the retry of the reading operation is repeatedly executed, so that the power is wasted. In particular, in the case of a handheld (portable) tag reader, the power source is a battery,
There was a problem that the battery drained quickly.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tag reader and an RF tag which are configured so that the position of an antenna in the RF tag can be recognized and can be normally read.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a tag reader having a reading function for an optical information recording tag and an RF tag, the RF reader is provided on the surface of the RF tag.
An image capturing means captures an image of a mark indicating the position of an antenna built in the tag, determines whether or not the RF tag can be read based on the captured image, and then the RF tag. The RF tag is configured to be read when it is determined that the RF tag can be read. In this configuration, the user
Since the position of the antenna in the RF tag can be recognized, the tag reader can normally read the position.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the RF tag is provided with a light projecting unit for irradiating the surface of the RF tag with spot light for position identification, and when the mark on the surface of the RF tag and the spot light substantially match each other. Since the RF tag is configured to be determined to be readable, the reliability of the determination of readable is increased.

According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to recognize the position of the mark on the surface of the RF tag and the position of the spot light, and to read the RF tag based on these recognized positions. Since it is configured to determine whether or not it is possible, the reliability of the determination of readable is also high.

According to another aspect of the invention, the distance between the RF tag and the tag reader is estimated, and whether the RF tag can be read or not is determined based on the estimated distance. Configured to. Also with this configuration, it is possible to increase the reliability of the determination of readable.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the lateral positional relationship between the RF tag and the tag reader is estimated, and the RF is based on the estimated lateral positional relationship.
It is configured to determine whether the tag can be read. Also with this configuration, it is possible to increase the reliability of the determination of readable.

According to the invention of claim 6, when the reading of the RF tag is executed, the spot light is controlled so as not to be irradiated, so that it is possible to save power only by the irradiation of the spot light.

According to the invention of claim 7, since the mark for indicating the position of the antenna is provided on the surface of the main body of the RF tag, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 can be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 8, since the mark is arranged so as to correspond to the spot light for position identification emitted from the tag reader, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 2 can be obtained. You can

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the mark is designed to have the same design as the external shape of the antenna, so that the position of the antenna in the RF tag can be more easily recognized.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a tag for airline baggage and a tag reader for reading the tag for airline baggage will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. First, FIG. 1 is a partial top view showing an RF tag 1 of this embodiment. The RF tag 1 is, for example, a tag for airline baggage, and is a long label-like tag as a whole.

Inside the main body of the RF tag 1, a coiled antenna 2 (see the broken line in FIG. 1) and an IC chip (not shown) are arranged. Then, on the surface of the main body of the RF tag 1, signs 3a and 3b for displaying the position of the built-in antenna 2 are printed. This sign 3a, 3b
Are short linear marks, and are arranged so as to be located at both ends of the antenna 2 in the left-right direction in FIG.

Further, on the surface of the main body of the RF tag 1, a bar code or 2 which is printed on a well-known tag for airline baggage.
A dimension code and the like (none of them are shown) are also printed. The bar code and the two-dimensional code are optical information, and the RF tag 1 is also an optical information recording tag.

On the other hand, FIGS. 2 to 4 show the RF tag 1 described above.
It is a figure which shows schematically the whole structure of the tag reader 4 which reads the information currently recorded. Figure 2 of the body of the tag reader 4
The lower half of the inside is the part that the user holds by hand,
The key operation portion 5 is arranged on the upper surface of this portion. The key operation unit 5 is provided with a plurality of operation keys. A display unit 6 made of, for example, a liquid crystal display is disposed on the upper surface of the upper half of the body of the tag reader 4 in FIG.

An operation switch 7 for instructing the start of reading is provided on the right side surface of the middle portion of the body of the tag reader 4. Further, the upper end of the main body of the tag reader 4 in FIG. 1 is a reading unit 8, and the reading unit 8 is read by facing the antenna 2 portion (that is, the portion sandwiched between the markers 3a and 3b) of the RF tag 1. Is configured to run.

Inside the reading section 8, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a coil-shaped antenna 9 for transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the RF tag 1 is arranged. This antenna 9
Is composed of a coil wound in a substantially oval shape, and is arranged along the end face of the reading unit 8. The size of the antenna 9 is such that the antenna 9 is arranged almost completely inside the reading unit 8.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, inside the main body of the tag reader 4 on the side of the reading section 8 is an optical information reading for reading a bar code (optical information) printed on the RF tag 1. A unit 10 is provided. The optical information reading unit 10 includes a two-dimensional CCD 11 and
It is composed of a mirror 12 and an optical system 13 including a lens and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the optical system 13 is arranged so as to face an opening 14 provided in the end face of the reading unit 8 (end face of the body of the tag reader 4).

In the case of this configuration, the reflected light from the bar code or the like (object to be detected) printed on the RF tag 1 is reflected by the opening 1
4 and the optical system 13, and is reflected by the mirror 12 and received by the two-dimensional CCD 11. As a result, the two-dimensional CCD 11 can capture the image (data) of the barcode printed on the RF tag 1 and the like. In this case, the optical information reading unit 10 constitutes an image capturing means.

The central axis of the optical system 13 for reading the bar code or the like printed on the RF tag 1 and the central axis of the antenna 9 for executing communication with the RF tag 1 are aligned with each other. is doing. Thereby, the directivity of the optical system 13 and the directivity of the antenna 9 can be made the same direction.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Light projecting portions (light projecting means) 15 and 16 for irradiating the spot light for position identification are disposed on the left and right parts of. These light projecting units 15 and 16 are composed of a laser diode, a light emitting diode, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the spot light emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 is RF.
The tag 1 is irradiated.

In this case, when the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is short, as shown in FIGS.
Irradiation position 15a of the spot light irradiated from 5, 16;
The space between 16a becomes smaller, and the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1
When the distance from the light source is long, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the irradiation position 15 of the spot light emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16
The distance between a and 16a is widened. The distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is an appropriate distance for reading the RF tag 1 (a sufficiently readable distance).
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the irradiation positions 15a and 16a of the spot light emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 become RF.
It is configured so as to substantially match the markers 3a and 3b of the antenna 2 of the tag 1.

The RF tag 1 is provided near the optical system 13.
An illumination light emitting diode for illuminating a bar code or the like printed on the above may be arranged. With this configuration, even if the tag reader 4 is used in a dark place,
It is possible to optically read a bar code or the like printed on the RF tag 1.

Now, FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the tag reader 4. In FIG. 5, CP
The U unit 17 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and is configured to control the operation of the tag reader 4 according to an operation signal given from the key operation unit 5.

The CPU section 17 outputs the transmission data to the transmission section 18 for modulation, and the transmission section 18 outputs the modulated signal to the antenna 9. Further, the signal received by the antenna 9 is given to the signal processing unit 20 via the receiving unit 19. This signal processing unit 20 is
It is configured to demodulate and decode the received signal and output the decoded received data to the CPU unit 17.

Further, the CPU section 17 is configured to drive and control the display section 6 and the light projecting sections 15 and 16. Further, the CPU unit 17 is provided with the optical information reading unit 10.
It is configured to receive the image data output from the dimensional CCD 11.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12. By the tag reader 4,
When reading the RF tag 1 for air baggage as shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 8 of the tag reader 4 is made to face and approach the portion sandwiched between the marks 3a and 3b printed on the RF tag 1, The operation switch 7 of the tag reader 4 is operated.
Then, spot light is emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 to the RF tag 1.
(FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 11, FIG.
2)), the optical information reading unit 10 captures an image of the surface of the RF tag 1 in the state where the spot light is irradiated, and the image is captured.

Next, in the CPU section 17 of the tag reader 4, the captured image is analyzed, and the markers 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a are analyzed.
Find out the relationship with. Then, the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1
It is determined whether or not the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a are located between the marks 3a and 3b due to the close distance between the marks 3a and 3b, and the marks 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 and the spot light irradiation position 15a. , 16a substantially match.

In this case, not only is it determined whether or not there is an exact match, but it is also possible to determine that there is a substantial match even if there is some deviation. The above-mentioned certain degree of misalignment is such a misalignment that the RF tag 1 can be sufficiently read, and may be obtained by experiments or the like.

Then, in the above judgment, as shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is short and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a are located between the markers 3a and 3b.
Is located, or as shown in FIG.
When it is determined that the positions a and 3b and the irradiation positions 15a and 16a of the spot light are substantially coincident with each other, the CPU unit 17 determines that the RF tag 1 can be read by the tag reader 4. In this case, the central axis of the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the central axis of the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 substantially coincide with each other, and the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 face each other at an appropriate distance or less. In the case of the above configuration, it is determined whether or not the RF tag 1 can be read based on the captured image, and the CPU unit 17 constitutes a determination unit.

When it is determined that the RF tag 1 can be read, the CPU section 17 starts the reading operation of the RF tag 1. That is, the CPU section 17 constitutes an RF tag reading means. In this case, specifically, CP
The U unit 17 transmits a power signal from the antenna 9 to the RF tag 1. Then, the RF tag 1 is activated, and a signal is transmitted to the tag reader 4.

As a result, the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 receives the signal from the RF tag 1 and the received signal is sent to the CPU section 17 via the receiving section 19 and the signal processing section 20. As a result, the tag reader 4 can read the information stored in the RF tag 1. In this case, RF
The central axis of the antenna 2 of the tag 1 and the central axis of the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 are aligned with each other, and the distance between the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 is not more than an appropriate distance. Therefore, the transmission / reception of signals between the RF tag 1 and the tag reader 4 is favorably executed.

On the other hand, based on the captured image, RF
In determining whether or not tag 1 can be read, namely,
In the process of examining the relationship between the markers 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a, the marker 3
Irradiation position 15a of the spot light considerably outside a and 3b,
16a is located (ie, tag reader 4 and RF
When the distance from the tag 1 is long), it is determined that the RF tag 1 cannot be read. In this case, the CPU unit 17
Is configured not to perform the reading operation of the RF tag 1. As a result, the tag reader 4 does not perform useless reading operation, so that it is possible to save power and, for example, when the power source is a battery, the consumption of the battery can be reduced as much as possible.

The distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 can be estimated by examining the relationship between the marks 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
a, 3b inside the spot light irradiation positions 15a, 16
When a is located, it can be estimated that the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is shorter than the standard distance.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
On the outside of a, 3b, the spot light irradiation positions 15a, 16
When a is located, it can be estimated that the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is longer than the standard distance. Here, the reason why the distance can be estimated in this way is shown in FIG.
And FIG. 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the spot lights emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 of the tag reader 4 are configured to travel obliquely outward.

Therefore, when the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is short, as shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a becomes narrow, and the state shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. On the other hand, when the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is long, the distance between the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a becomes wide as shown in FIG. 10, and the state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.

When the central axis of the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the central axis of the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 do not coincide with each other, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the RF tag 1
Irradiation position 15 of the spot light on the markers 3a and 3b
a and 16a are displaced in the lateral direction, that is, the lateral direction, the vertical direction, the diagonal direction, and the like. Then, even if such a shift occurs, it is determined that the RF tag 1 cannot be read according to the shift direction and the shift amount, and the reading operation is not executed. Thereby, power can be saved.

On the other hand, when the bar code or the like printed on the main body of the RF tag 1 is read by the tag reader 4, the bar code or the like of the RF tag 1 is made to face the reading section 8 of the tag reader 4 and is brought close to the tag reader 4. The operation switch 7 of is operated. Then, the surface of the RF tag 1 is photographed by the optical reading unit 10 and the image is captured,
The CPU 17 is configured to analyze the captured image and read the barcode or the like. Also in this case, when the operation switch 7 is operated, the spot light is emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 to the RF tag 1.

In the above embodiment, when the RF tag 1 is read by the tag reader 4, the light projecting units 15 and 1 are used.
Although the spot light is irradiated onto the RF tag 1 from 6, the provision of the light projecting parts 15 and 16 is stopped instead of this so that the spot light is not irradiated onto the RF tag 1. It may be configured.

Even with such a configuration, the RF tag 1
Since the signs 3a and 3b are printed on the
The operability is improved because the operation of causing the tag reader 4 to face the RF tag 1 and approaching the RF tag 1 can be performed using the marks a and 3b as marks. Then, the markers 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 are photographed by the optical reading unit 10 and the image is captured,
Based on this captured image, it can be determined whether the RF tag 1 can be read.

For example, in the captured image, the markers 3a and 3b are arranged at a predetermined size and at a predetermined position.
Is photographed, it is determined that the central axis of the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the central axis of the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 are substantially coincident with each other, and the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 face each other at an appropriate distance or less. RF tag 1
Can be determined to be readable.

It should be noted that, with regard to the above-mentioned certain size and the above-mentioned predetermined position, the size and the position at which the RF tag 1 can be sufficiently read can be obtained by experiments or trial production and stored. good.

FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the shapes (design) of the markers 21a and 22b of the RF tag 1
Was made into a spot shape. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the shape (design) of the marker 22 of the RF tag 1 is the same design (coil) as the external shape of the antenna 2. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the RF tag is applied to a tag for airline baggage, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be applied to tags for other packages, products, products and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial top view of an RF tag showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the tag reader.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tag reader.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the reading unit of the tag reader.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a tag reader.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a state where the RF tag is irradiated with spot light (when the RF tag and the tag reader are close to each other).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the state where the RF tag is irradiated with spot light (when the RF tag and the tag reader are at an appropriate distance).

FIG. 8 is a view showing another example of the state where the RF tag is irradiated with spot light (when the RF tag and the tag reader are far from each other).

FIG. 9 is a partial side view showing an example (when the RF tag and the tag reader are close to each other) where spot light is emitted from the tag reader to the RF tag.

FIG. 10: Another example of a state where spot light is emitted from the tag reader to the RF tag (when the RF tag and the tag reader are far from each other)
Partial side view showing

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the state where the RF tag is irradiated with spot light (when the tag reader is displaced in the left-right direction with respect to the RF tag).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the state where the RF tag is irradiated with spot light (when the tag reader is vertically displaced with respect to the RF tag).

FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an RF tag, 2 is an antenna, 3a and 3b are signs, 4 is a tag reader, 7 is an operation switch, 8 is a reading unit, 9 is an antenna, 10 is an optical information reading unit (image capturing means), and 11 is two-dimensional. CCDs, 15 and 16 are light projecting parts (light projecting means), 17 is a CPU part (judging means, RF tag reading means), 21a and 21b are signs, and 22 is a sign.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 5B035 AA11 BB03 BB09 BB11 BB12                       BC00 CA06 CA23 CA31                 5B058 CA17 KA02 KA04 KA06 YA20                 5B072 AA02 BB00 CC06 CC21 CC24                       CC39 DD02 DD10 DD21 GG07                       LL12 LL13 LL19

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A tag reader having a reading function for an optical information recording tag and an RF tag, comprising: an image capturing means for capturing optical information of the optical information recording tag; and a surface provided on the RF tag. Determination means for determining whether or not the RF tag can be read based on the captured image by capturing an image of a marker indicating the position of the antenna built in the RF tag by the image capturing means. An RF tag reading means for reading the RF tag when the judgment means judges that the RF tag can be read. 2. A projection means for irradiating the surface of the RF tag with spot light for position identification is provided, and the judging means is configured to perform the judgment when the mark on the surface of the RF tag substantially coincides with the spot light. The tag reader according to claim 1, wherein the tag reader is configured to determine that the RF tag can be read. 3. The determination means recognizes the position of the mark on the surface of the RF tag and the position of the spot light, and whether or not the RF tag can be read based on the recognized position. The tag reader according to claim 2, wherein the tag reader is configured to determine whether or not 4. The determining means estimates the distance between the RF tag and the tag reader, and determines whether or not the RF tag can be read based on the estimated distance. It is comprised, The tag reader of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The determining means is capable of estimating a lateral positional relationship between the RF tag and the tag reader and reading the RF tag based on the estimated lateral positional relationship. The tag reader according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the tag reader is configured to determine whether or not it is. 6. The tag reader according to claim 2, wherein when the RF tag is read, control is performed so that the spot light is not emitted. 7. An RF tag comprising an antenna for transmitting / receiving to / from a tag reader, wherein a mark for indicating the position of the antenna is provided on the surface of the body of the RF tag. 8. The RF tag according to claim 7, wherein the mark is arranged so as to correspond to spot light for position identification emitted from the tag reader. 9. The same symbol as the external shape of the antenna is drawn as the sign.
The described RF tag.