JP2004334398A - Data converter and data reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data converter that reads data signals outputted from an information carrier without any contact, and converts the read data signals to images that can be read by an image reader, and to provide a data reader having the data converter and the image reader. <P>SOLUTION: The data converter 20 comprises an antenna 21 that communicates with the information carrier for storing inherent information and receives data signals outputted from the information carrier; a data conversion section 22 for converting data signals received by the antenna 21 to images that can be read by the image reader 50; and a display section 23 for displaying the images converted by the data conversion section 22. The data reader 30 has the data converter 20 and the image reader 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data converter for reading unique information stored on an information carrier in a non-contact manner, converting the read unique information into an image readable by an image reading device, and displaying the converted data, and the data converter and the image reading device. The present invention relates to a data reading device provided with:
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a video signal, an electromagnetic wave signal, and an audio signal output from an information carrier storing unique information are read, and based on the read information, identification, collation, management, transport, and the like of an article to which the information carrier is attached are performed. 2. Description of the Related Art Systems to be used are used in various fields, such as physical distribution, factory automation (FA), and medical care.
[0003]
In recent years, non-contact automatic identification systems using RFID (Radio Frequency ID) technology, which can read information from an IC chip as an information carrier on which information has been written without contact, have been used for managing delivery items, assembling and transporting products. It is widely used in systems and inspection lines, product management, product inventory and order management, work information management, tool management, etc. Since the information carrier using the RFID technology does not have a metal terminal, there is no problem caused by a contact. Therefore, it is resistant to abrasion, corrosion, dirt due to mud or water, and can be used semi-permanently because it is a battery-free system, so that it can be used well even in a severe environment.
[0004]
As an example of using RFID technology, in a manufacturing factory, etc., an IC chip is attached to a tool for a machine tool, preventing a tool from being mistakenly attached to the machine tool, improving setup, automatically registering offset information, and managing a location. It is used for etc. In addition, by sharing information of the manufacturing factory (site) through the PC network, improvement of production efficiency and quality, accumulation of processing know-how, and the like are performed.
[0005]
Further, as another example, in the field of delivery classification of delivery handling articles such as parcel postal goods and parcel delivery goods, information such as a delivery request registration number and a recipient's address and name is input and attached to the delivery target article. The various information registered in the RFID tag is read by the RFID reading / wireless communication device attached to the arm of the sorting worker, the information is transmitted by the wireless communication device, and the information is transferred to the sorting pallet. There is a system which guides which transport pallet should be stored in the attached wireless reception information display device by blinking an induction lamp or the like. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-233410 A [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
However, the conventional non-contact automatic identification system using the RFID technology requires a dedicated RFID reader for reading data stored in an RFID tag. That is, the data stored in the RFID tag cannot be read using an existing barcode reader or an image reading device of a scanner.
[0007]
The present invention pays attention to the point that was impossible in the past, and reads the data signal output from the information carrier storing the unique information in a non-contact manner, and the read data signal can be read by the image reading device. An object of the present invention is to provide a data converter that converts an image into an image and displays the image.
[0008]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a data reading device including the data converter and an image reading device.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a receiving unit that communicates with an information carrier storing unique information and receives a data signal output from the information carrier, and reads the data signal received by the receiving unit into an image reading device. An object of the present invention is to provide a data converter comprising: a data conversion unit that converts an image readable by an apparatus; and a display unit that displays the image converted by the data conversion unit.
[0010]
The data converter having this configuration can display a data signal output from an information carrier storing unique information as an image readable by an image reading device even if the data signal is not represented by an image. Can be. Therefore, by causing the image displayed on the data converter to be read by the existing image reading device, it is possible to read the unique information not represented by the image stored in the information carrier.
[0011]
The receiving unit outputs at least one of an electromagnetic wave signal output from the information carrier and a sound wave signal (for example, a signal of any sound such as voice, music, sound of musical instrument, synthetic sound, sound of animal, sound of nature, etc.). Can be received.
[0012]
Further, in the data converter according to the present invention, when the information carrier is an RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tag, the receiving unit can be configured with an RFID communication antenna.
[0013]
Further, the image can be composed of at least one of a barcode, a character, a photograph, and a drawing. Examples of the characters include characters, symbols, pictures, marks, and the like.
[0014]
In this case, the carrier in which the unique information is described as an image (for example, a barcode, a character, a photograph, a drawing, or the like) can be replaced with an RFID tag. It is possible to arbitrarily select whether to use an RFID tag or an image in which unique information is described.
[0015]
Further, the data converter according to the present invention may further include a rewriting unit for rewriting the unique information stored in the information carrier.
[0016]
Further, the present invention provides a data reading device including the above-described data converter and an image reading device capable of reading an image displayed on a display unit of the data converter.
[0017]
The data reading device having this configuration displays the unique information stored on the information carrier as an image readable by the image reading device, and can read the unique information from the displayed image.
[0018]
The data reading device further includes a data determination unit that receives data output from the information carrier storing the unique information, and determines whether the data is an image or a data signal to be converted into an image. The image reading device reads the image when the data determination unit determines that the data is an image, and determines that the data is a data signal to be converted into an image by the data determination unit. In this case, the image converted into a predetermined image by the data conversion unit can be read.
[0019]
The data reading device having this configuration can read the unique information regardless of whether the data held by the information carrier is an image or a data signal other than an image. That is, when the data is an image, the image is directly read by the image reading device. When the data is a data signal other than an image, the data signal is converted into an image by a data conversion unit, and the image is converted to an image. The image is displayed on the display unit, and the image displayed on the display unit can be read by the image reading device. Therefore, for example, even if the information carrier in which the unique information is described as an image and the information carrier in which the unique information is stored as a data signal other than an image are mixed, the unique information held by both information carriers Can be read.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, a data converter and a data reading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are examples for describing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to only these embodiments. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of a system including a data converter according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system shown in FIG.
[0021]
In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which an RFID tag is used as an information carrier, a barcode is used as an image displayed on a display unit of a data converter, and a barcode scanner is used as an image reading device.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system according to the first embodiment includes an RFID tag 10 as an information carrier and an electromagnetic wave signal which is a data signal output from the RFID tag 10 communicating with the RFID tag 10. It comprises a data converter 20 for converting and displaying a code, a barcode scanner 50 for reading a barcode displayed on the data converter 20, and a control device 91 for processing information read by the barcode scanner 50. ing.
[0023]
The RFID tag 10 includes an IC memory 11 in which unique information is stored, and an antenna 12 for communicating information stored in the IC memory 11. The RFID tag 10 is of a type that stores power inside the tag using external high-frequency radio waves as a power supply and operates using the power as a power supply.
[0024]
Various information can be stored in the IC memory 11 as unique information. In the first embodiment, the code number of the tool holder is stored.
[0025]
The data converter 20 communicates with the antenna 12 of the RFID tag 10, receives an electromagnetic wave signal (data signal) output from the RFID tag 10, and converts the electromagnetic wave signal received by the antenna 21 into a digital signal. A / D conversion section 25, data conversion section 22 for converting a data signal converted to a digital signal by A / D conversion section 25 into a barcode, and display section for displaying the barcode converted by data conversion section 22 23 and a power supply (not shown).
[0026]
As a communication protocol for performing non-contact communication between the RFID tag 10 and the antenna 21 of the data converter 20, for example, a general communication protocol such as WAP can be used, and “Bluetooth” or the like is used. can do.
[0027]
The data conversion unit 22 includes a conversion table that converts the conversion result of the A / D conversion unit 25 into a barcode that conforms to standards such as JAN-Code (Japanese Article Number Code). The conversion result is output to the display unit 23.
[0028]
The display unit 23 displays a barcode based on the barcode conversion result received from the data conversion unit 22, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display.
[0029]
The barcode scanner 50 is an existing one using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) as a reading sensor, is connectable to the control device 91, and outputs read data to the control device.
[0030]
As described above, the data converter 20 according to the first embodiment can convert the data signal stored in the RFID tag 10 into a barcode and display the barcode. Therefore, the data signal stored in the RFID tag 10 can be read by the existing barcode scanner 50 via the data converter 20. Therefore, in various systems using existing barcodes, barcode labels can be replaced with RFID tags.
[0031]
The control device 91 is connected with a keyboard 92 and a mouse 93 as input devices, and a display 94 for displaying a processing result of the control device 91.
[0032]
The control device 91 receives the data output from the barcode scanner 50 (in the first embodiment, barcode information corresponding to the code number of the tool holder) and information input from the keyboard 92 or the mouse 93. The display 94 displays desired information on the basis of the information retrieval software 101, and includes, for example, information retrieval software 101 and information browsing software 102.
[0033]
The information search software 101 includes, for example, tool holder history information, application information, tool holder setup instructions, total use time, remaining life, work information management, tool inventory management, tool holder catalogs, manuals, specifications, It has various menus such as recommended cutting conditions, premium points, and news related to products. Further, the information search software 101 stores a table for associating the received data received from the barcode scanner 50 with predetermined menu items specified by the user input from the keyboard 92 or the mouse 93. Have. Then, the information retrieved from this table is output to the information browsing software 102.
[0034]
If the information on the menu item specified by the user is the information stored in the database of the control device 91, the information browsing software 102 needs the information from the database based on the information retrieved from the table. And outputs the search result to the display 94 in an arbitrary layout.
[0035]
On the other hand, when the information on the menu item specified by the user is not stored in the database of the control device 91 and is provided from the external service information storage server 110, the information browsing software 102 Based on the retrieved information, necessary information is retrieved from the service information storage server 110, and the retrieval result is output to the display 94 in an arbitrary layout.
[0036]
Next, a specific operation of the system including the data converter 20 according to the first embodiment will be described.
[0037]
For example, when the user wants to know the history information of a tool holder (not shown) to which the RFID tag 10 is attached, the user makes the antenna 12 of the RFID tag 10 and the antenna 21 of the data converter 20 communicate with each other, and Is read by the information (code number) data converter 20 stored in the.
[0038]
The analog signal (electromagnetic wave signal) read by the data converter 20 is output from the antenna 21 to the A / D converter 25, converted into a digital signal, and then output to the data converter 22. The data conversion unit 22 compares the received digital signal with the barcode conversion table, and outputs a corresponding barcode output signal to the display unit 23. The display unit 23 displays the received barcode output signal as a barcode.
[0039]
On the other hand, when the user selects “history information” from the menu item, this information is input to the information search software 101 of the control device 91. The information search software 101 refers to a table that associates “code numbers” with “history information” and outputs the specified information to the information browsing software 102. If the history information is stored in the database of the control device 91, the information browsing software 102 searches the database for necessary history information based on the specified information, and arbitrarily searches this search result. The layout is output to the display 94.
[0040]
If the information to be known is not stored in the database of the control device 91, the database provided by the service information storage server 110 is searched, and the search result is output to the display 94 in an arbitrary layout.
[0041]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the data converter 20 according to the first embodiment further includes a rewriting unit 26 capable of rewriting the unique information stored in the IC memory 11 of the RFID tag 10. Is also good. In this case, the IC memory 11 of the RFID tag 10 can be configured to include, for example, an EEPROM or an EPROM.
[0042]
In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which a barcode is used as an image displayed on the display unit of the data converter and a barcode scanner is used as the image reading device. The image displayed on the section is not particularly limited as long as it can be read by an image reading device, such as a symbol, a picture, a mark, or a mixture thereof. The image reading apparatus is not particularly limited, such as using an OCR (optical character reader) as long as it can recognize and read a symbol, a picture, a mark, or a mixture of these in addition to a barcode scanner. Not something.
[0043]
In the first embodiment, the case where the RFID tag 10 is used as the information carrier has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a data signal can be communicated in a non-contact manner by an electromagnetic wave signal, a voice signal, or the like, Of course, other forms can be used.
[0044]
In the first embodiment, the case where the RFID tag 10 is attached to the tool holder and the code number related to the tool holder is stored in the RFID tag 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as object mounting jigs, blades, blade cartridges, lathes, portable terminals, various parts, automatic transport vehicles, various containers, and various devices. The IC memory 11 of the RFID tag 10 can store various pieces of unique information on the article to which the RFID tag 10 is attached.
[0045]
Further, the data converter 20 according to the first embodiment is housed in a common housing together with an image reading device (for example, a barcode scanner 50) as shown in FIG. May be. With this configuration, the user communicates with the information carrier (for example, the RFID tag 10) by using the data reading device 30, converts the data signal output from the information carrier into an image, and uses the image reading device. Reading of an image can be performed by one operation.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, a data reading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0046]
In the second embodiment, the same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0047]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the data reading device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing steps of the data reading device shown in FIG.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 5, a data reader 40 according to the second embodiment includes a data converter 41 capable of converting a data signal output from the information carrier 13 into an image, an image output from the data converter 41, A barcode scanner 50 capable of reading an image described on the information carrier 13.
[0049]
The data converter 41 includes an antenna 42 that can communicate with the information carrier 13 storing the unique information, and a data determination unit 43 that determines whether a data signal output from the antenna 42 is a data signal to be converted into an image. When the data discriminating unit 43 determines that the data is a data signal to be converted into an image, the A / D converting unit 25 converts the data signal into a digital signal. The data conversion unit 22 converts a data signal converted into a digital signal into a barcode, a display unit 23 that displays the barcode converted by the data conversion unit 22, and a power supply (not shown). .
[0050]
The data reading device 40 is connected to a control device 91 that processes information output from the data reading device 40.
[0051]
Next, processing steps of the data reading device 40 according to the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. In the second embodiment, a case where the information carrier 13 is the RFID tag 10 and a case where a barcode is printed will be described as examples.
[0052]
To read the unique information held by the information carrier 13 by the data reading device 40, first, the information carrier 13 is accessed by the antenna 42 (step 120, hereinafter described as "S120"). Next, it is determined whether there is a response from the information carrier 13 (S121). When the information carrier 13 is the RFID tag 10, an electromagnetic wave signal is output (response: YES), and information (for example, a code number) stored in the RFID tag 10 is output to the A / D converter 25. . The A / D converter 25 converts the received analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the converted digital signal to the data converter 22 (S122). The data conversion unit 22 checks the received digital signal against the barcode conversion table, and outputs a corresponding barcode output signal to the display unit 23 (S123). The display unit 23 displays the received barcode output signal as a barcode (S124).
[0053]
Next, the barcode displayed on the display unit 23 is read by the barcode scanner 50 (S125). The read data is output to the control device 91 (S126).
[0054]
On the other hand, if the information carrier 13 is a barcode (no response: NO), the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 50 (S125), and the read data is output to the control device 91 (S126).
[0055]
As described above, the data reading device 40 according to the second embodiment holds the information carrier 13 regardless of whether the information carrier 13 is the RFID tag 10 or the barcode label on which the barcode is printed. The unique information can be read. That is, the user can read the unique information held by the information carrier 13 without recognizing whether the information carrier 13 is the RFID tag 10 or a barcode label. For this reason, even if a product to which the RFID tag 10 is attached and a product to which the barcode label is mixed are mixed, the common data reading device 40 uses the unique information stored in the RFID tag 10, Both the unique information held by the code label can be read.
[0056]
In the second embodiment, the case where the information carrier 13 is the RFID tag 10 and the case where the barcode is printed have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Other forms may be used as long as data signals can be communicated by voice signals or the like in a non-contact manner.In addition to bar codes, symbols, pictures, marks, or a mixture of these may be used. It may be printed.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the data converter of the present invention, even if the data signal output from the information carrier storing the unique information is a data signal not represented by an image, the existing image reading device Can be displayed as a readable image. As a result, it is possible to read the unique information not represented by the image stored in the information carrier by the existing image reading device.
[0058]
Further, the data reading device according to the present invention is provided with a data determination unit that determines whether data output from the information carrier is an image or a data signal to be converted into an image, so that the information carrier holds the data. The unique information can be read regardless of whether the data is an image or a data signal other than an image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a concept of a system including a data converter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a part of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a part of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a data reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart showing processing steps of the data reading device shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 RFID tag 11 IC memory 12, 21 Antenna 13 Information carrier 20, 41 Data converter 22 Data conversion unit 23 Display unit 25 A / D conversion unit 30, 40 Data reading device 50 Barcode scanner 91 Control device

Claims (7)

A receiving unit that communicates with the information carrier storing the unique information and receives a data signal output from the information carrier;
A data conversion unit that converts the data signal received by the reception unit into an image readable by an image reading device,
A display unit that displays the image converted by the data conversion unit,
Data converter with. The data converter according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives at least one of an electromagnetic wave signal and a sound wave signal output from the information carrier. The data converter according to claim 1, wherein the information carrier is an RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tag, and the receiving unit includes an antenna for RFID communication. The data converter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image is at least one of a barcode, a character, a photograph, and a drawing. The data converter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a rewriting unit for rewriting the unique information stored in the information carrier. A data reading device, comprising: the data converter according to claim 1; and an image reading device capable of reading an image displayed on a display unit of the data converter. Receiving data output from the information carrier storing the unique information, the data is an image, further comprising a data determination unit for determining whether the data signal to be converted to an image,
The image reading device reads the image when the data determination unit determines that the data is an image, and determines that the data is a data signal to be converted into an image by the data determination unit. 7. The data reading device according to claim 6, wherein when the data is read, the image converted by the data conversion unit into a predetermined image is read.

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