JP2005141530A - Performance time collection system using rfid tag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method that collect a performance time such as a working time without burdening a worker with a new operation by using an RFID tag. <P>SOLUTION: Workers subject to performance time collection each carry the RFID tag, and RFID readers/writers are installed near working spaces subject to performance time collection. The worker places the RFID tag near the RFID reader/writer when starting work and collects the RFID tag when finishing work, so that the RFID tag stores work performance in work units. A nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag has a storage area 111 for worker identification information and also a plurality of storage areas for storing in work units time information 113 including RFID reader/writer identification information 114 indicating the working space, a work starting time 115 and a work finishing time 116, and further has a storage address storage area 112 for storing the storage address of a current time information storage area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an actual time collection system and method for collecting actual time such as work time using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

  Conventionally, time recorders have been widely used for collecting and managing actual hours such as employee working hours. Other conventional systems similar to the system for collecting the actual time include an automatic ticket gate system at a station, an entrance / exit management system for a specific area (room), and the like.

  Further, in the factory production line, it may be necessary to collect work time for grasping and managing the man-hours. In this case as well, it is possible to collect work time (actual time) using an existing apparatus or system such as the above time recorder. However, forcing the operator to bear a new key operation or the like to collect work time is not preferable because it affects the original work.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a time management method using an IC card. An IC card can record and read much more information than a magnetic card or the like. Therefore, unlike time recorders that use magnetic cards, information such as attendance and departure times can be stored on the IC card, which enables efficient attendance management for employees working at multiple workplaces. I have to.

In recent years, RFID tags capable of writing and reading information without contact by proximity wireless communication have come into practical use in various fields. For example, RFID tag technology has been put to practical use in ticket gates in some urban transportation systems. RFID tags are also being used in fields such as merchandise distribution management and personal authentication. An RFID tag incorporates an RFID chip, which is a hybrid integrated circuit composed of a high-frequency circuit, a control circuit, a nonvolatile memory, and the like, and an antenna for wireless communication and power reception. Power is supplied to the RFID tag by electromagnetic induction from an RFID reader / writer. Data is exchanged with the reader / writer. Such an RFID tag may be referred to as an ID tag, an IC tag, or a smart tag.
JP-A-2-17595

  In an attendance management system using a conventional time recorder, when an employee reads a magnetic card in which his / her ID (identification code) is recorded into a card reader, the operation of pressing a button indicating whether to go to work or leave is usually performed. is necessary. It is possible to omit the button operation of the employee as described above by determining whether the time recorder is going to work or leaving the work according to the time zone (for example, distinction between morning or afternoon), but flexible work patterns Can not cope with. In addition, the automatic ticket gate system and the entrance / exit management management system mechanically distinguish between entry and exit.

  As described above, when collecting work time in a factory production line or the like, it is desirable not to place a burden such as key operation on the worker as much as possible. However, when working time is collected using a time management system using a time recorder or the like, some operation is required to notify the system of work start or end. Even when applying the attendance management method using the IC card described in the above-mentioned patent document, it is difficult to omit such an operation.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a system and method for collecting actual time such as work time without using a new operation burden on the worker by using an RFID tag that has been practically used in various fields in recent years. The purpose is to do.

  The actual time collection system according to claim 1 includes an RFID tag used by each of the workers who are the target of the actual time collection, and an RFID reader / writer installed in the vicinity of the work place which is the target of the actual time collection. In the actual time collection system, the non-volatile memory built in the RFID tag stores time information including a work start time and a work end time for each work unit together with a storage area for the worker identification information. A plurality of time information storage areas, a storage address storage area for storing a storage address of the current time information storage area among the plurality of time information storage areas is provided, and the RFID reader / writer A proximity wireless communication is performed at a predetermined time interval to one or a plurality of RFID tags placed in the RFID tag, and a nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag Read the work end time in the time information storage area of the storage address of the memory, and if the difference between the current time and the work end time is larger than the time interval, the value of the storage address stored in the storage address storage area is After incrementing, the current time is written in the work start time and work end time in the time information storage area of the storage address, and the work in the time information storage area of the current storage address of the nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag is completed. When the difference between the time and the current time is not larger than the time interval, the work end time stored in the time information storage area of the storage address is overwritten with the current time.

  In a preferred embodiment (actual time collection system according to claim 2), in addition to time information including work start time and work end time, identification information of the RFID reader / writer indicating a work place is provided in the nonvolatile memory. Stored in the stored time information storage area.

  The RFID tag for collecting actual time according to claim 3 includes an antenna, a high-frequency circuit, a control circuit, and a nonvolatile memory for reading and rewriting stored information by proximity wireless communication with an RFID reader / writer, and collecting actual time. RFID tags used by each of the workers, and in the nonvolatile memory, time information including a work start time and a work end time is stored for each work unit together with a storage area for the worker identification information. A plurality of time information storage areas are provided, and a storage address storage area for storing a storage address of a current time information storage area among the plurality of time information storage areas is further provided. .

  The RFID reader / writer for collecting actual time according to claim 4 is for writing information including the actual time of the worker in a non-volatile memory built in an RFID tag used by each of the workers to be collected. A plurality of time information storages for storing time information including a work start time and a work end time for each work unit in the nonvolatile memory together with a storage area for worker identification information. A storage address storage area for storing a storage address of a current time information storage area among the plurality of time information storage areas, and the RFID reader / writer is placed in the vicinity thereof. Proximity wireless communication is performed at a predetermined time interval to a plurality of RFID tags, and the storage memory of the nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag is used. When the difference between the current time and the work end time is larger than the time interval, after incrementing the value of the storage address stored in the storage address storage area, The current time is written in the work start time and work end time in the time information storage area of the storage address, and the work end time and current time in the time information storage area of the current storage address of the nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag If the difference is not larger than the time interval, the work end time stored in the time information storage area of the storage address is overwritten with the current time.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an actual time collection method in which each of the workers who are the target of the actual time collection carries an RFID tag, and an RFID reader / writer is installed in the vicinity of the work place which is the target of the actual time collection. Is a performance time collection method for storing work results for each work unit in the RFID tag by placing the RFID tag in the vicinity of the RFID reader / writer at the start of work and collecting the RFID tag at the end of work, The non-volatile memory built in the RFID tag has a plurality of time information storage areas for storing time information including work start time and work end time for each work unit, together with a storage area for worker identification information. And a storage address storage area for storing a storage address of a current time information storage area among the plurality of time information storage areas The RFID reader / writer performs proximity wireless communication at a predetermined time interval with respect to one or a plurality of RFID tags placed in the vicinity thereof, and stores the storage address of the nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag. Read the work end time in the time information storage area, and if the difference between the current time and the work end time is greater than the time interval, increment the storage address value stored in the storage address storage area, The current time is written in the work start time and work end time in the time information storage area of the address, and the work end time and current time in the time information storage area of the current storage address of the nonvolatile memory incorporated in the RFID tag If the difference is not greater than the time interval, it is stored in the time information storage area of the storage address. It was the work end time, characterized in that it is overwritten with the current time.

  According to the performance time collection system, the performance time collection RFID tag, the performance time collection RFID reader / writer and the performance time collection method according to claim 1, the operator is forced to perform a special device operation for collecting the performance time. The actual time can be easily collected without any problems. That is, the worker places his / her RFID tag in the vicinity of the RFID reader / writer installed in the vicinity of the work place (for example, a mounting table above the RFID reader / writer) at the start of the work, and collects the RFID tag at the end of the work. Just do it. An RFID reader / writer detects an RFID tag by proximity wireless communication, and stores information on the work location, work start time, and work end time for each work unit in a time information storage area of a nonvolatile memory incorporated therein. Therefore, for example, it is possible to store time information related to work results for one month in the RFID tag of each worker, read out the time information from the RFID tag every month, and aggregate it.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a part of an actual time collection system using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this performance time collection system, each worker who is a target of performance time collection uses the RFID tag 1 in which personal identification information is recorded, and an RFID reader is located near each work location that is a target of performance time collection. A writer 2 is installed. A control host computer 3 is connected to the RFID reader / writer 2. However, it is possible to omit the host computer 3 by incorporating the functions of the host computer 3 necessary for this system into the RFID reader / writer 2.

  The RFID tag 1 receives power supply from the RFID reader / writer 2 by proximity wireless communication and performs data communication. Although the card-like RFID tag 1 is used in the example of FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and an RFID tag having an arbitrary shape such as a coin shape or a rod shape can be used. The RFID tag 1 includes an antenna and an RFID chip that receive power from the RFID reader / writer 2 and perform data communication. The RFID chip is a hybrid integrated circuit including a high frequency circuit, a control circuit, a nonvolatile memory, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the RFID tag 1 and the RFID reader / writer 2. The RFID tag 1 includes a nonvolatile memory 11, a control circuit 12, a power supply circuit 13, an RF (high frequency) circuit 14 and an antenna (antenna coil) 15. The nonvolatile memory 11, the control circuit 12, the power supply circuit 13, and the RF circuit 14 are formed as a hybrid IC as a so-called RFID chip. As in this embodiment, the card-like RFID tag 1 has a structure in which an RFID chip and an antenna 15 are embedded between a plurality of plastic sheets.

  The nonvolatile memory 11 can electrically write and read data, and retains stored data even when power is not supplied. The control circuit 12 is configured by a microprocessor including a mask ROM in which programs such as control of the nonvolatile memory 11 and communication control with the RFID reader / writer 2 are written in advance. The antenna 15 is formed in a planar coil shape by a conductor pattern, for example.

  The RFID reader / writer 2 includes an antenna 21 and an RF (high frequency) circuit 22 for supplying power to the RFID tag 1 in a non-contact manner and for performing near field communication with the RFID tag 1. In addition, an interface (I / F) 24 and a control circuit 23 for communicating with a computer (PC) 3 which is a host device are provided, and a power supply circuit 25 thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the RFID reader / writer 2 is an RFID tag mounting table 2a on which a plurality of RFID tags 1 can be placed.

  The control circuit 23 of the RFID reader / writer 2 performs close proximity wireless communication with the RFID tag 1 placed on the RFID tag mounting table 2 a via the RF circuit 22 and the antenna 21. The control circuit 12 of the RFID tag 1 reads data stored in the nonvolatile memory 11 in response to a data read request from the RFID reader / writer 2 and transmits the data to the RFID reader / writer 2 via the RF circuit 14 and the antenna 15. . Alternatively, in response to a data write request from the RFID reader / writer 2, the given data is written to a given address in the nonvolatile memory 11.

  In the performance time collection system of the present invention, an operator who is a target of performance time collection places the RFID tag 1 on which his / her identification information is recorded on the RFID tag mounting table 2a on the upper surface of the RFID reader / writer 2 at the start of work. . At the end of the work, the RFID tag 1 is collected from the RFID tag mounting table 2a. Even if the operator does not perform any special operation, the work start time and work end time are written in the RFID tag 1 by the following processing executed by the RFID reader / writer 2.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the RFID reader / writer 2 in the actual time collection system of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format table of data written to the nonvolatile memory 11 of the RFID tag 1. With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, how the time data for collecting the actual time is written in the RFID tag 1 will be described below.

  Note that the flowchart of FIG. 3 shows processing executed by the control circuit 23 of the RFID reader / writer 2 at regular time intervals (for example, 1 minute) in accordance with instructions from the host computer 3. This time interval corresponds to a write cycle of the RFID tag 1 to the nonvolatile memory 11, and can be increased or decreased according to the accuracy required for collecting the actual time. Also, the flowchart of FIG. 3 shows processing executed by the RFID reader / writer 2 for one RFID tag (card) 1, and when a plurality of RFID tags 1 are placed on the RFID tag mounting table 2a, The RFID reader / writer 2 performs close proximity wireless communication with each RFID tag 1 individually, and executes the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step # 101 of FIG. 3, the control circuit 23 of the RFID reader / writer 2 performs close proximity wireless communication with the RFID tag 1 placed on the RFID tag mounting table 2a via the RF circuit 22 and the antenna 21. And the time TO (addr) stored in the nonvolatile memory 11 of the RFID tag 1 is read out. At this time, the RFID tag 1 receives a radio wave from the RFID reader / writer 2 via the antenna 15 and the RF circuit 14, generates an operating voltage by the power supply circuit 13 by the electromagnetic induction, and supplies it to the control circuit 12 and the like. The control circuit 12 reads the time TO (addr) stored in the nonvolatile memory 11 in response to a data read request from the RFID reader / writer 2, and sends the data to the RFID reader / writer 2 via the RF circuit 14 and the antenna 15. Send.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the nonvolatile memory 11 is provided with storage areas for worker numbers 111, which are worker identification information, a current storage address 112, and a plurality of time information 113. In the storage area of the plurality of time information 113, a reader / writer ID 114, which is identification information of the RFID reader / writer 2, a FROM 115 indicating the work start time, and a TO 116 indicating the work end time are provided.

  The current storage address value (2 in the example of FIG. 4) is represented by a variable addr in FIG. 3, and this variable addr is incremented for each work unit. The reader / writer ID 114, the work start time FROM (addr) 115, and the work end time TO (addr) 116 are set for each work unit regardless of whether the work place (ie, the reader / writer ID) is the same or different. New time information (addr) is written.

  That is, when the time TO (addr) is t1 in step # 102 of FIG. 3 and the current time is t2, whether or not t2-t1 is larger than the time interval Tint corresponding to the above-described write cycle in step # 103. To check. That is, t1 which is the stored data at time TO (addr) is updated (rewritten) at a constant time interval Tint (for example, 1 minute), so the difference t2-t1 between the current time t2 and the previous write time t1. Is compared with the time interval Tint to determine whether the same unit of work continues. The RFID reader / writer 2 has a built-in real time clock for measuring the current time.

  If the difference t2−t1 between the current time t2 and the previous writing time t1 is not larger than the time interval Tint (No in step # 103), it means that both are equal and the same unit of work continues. . Accordingly, in step # 104, a process of overwriting (updating) the current time t2 at the time TO (addr) is executed.

  When the difference t2-t1 between the current time t2 and the previous writing time t1 is larger than the time interval Tint (Yes in step # 103), the RFID tag 1 is once recovered from the RFID tag mounting table 2a and then the same RFID reader. This means that it is placed on the RFID tag mounting table 2a of the writer 2 or the RFID reader / writer 2 at a different work place. In this case, the value addr of the storage address is incremented in step # 105, and the reader / writer ID 114 is written in the storage area for new time information (addr) in step # 106.

  For example, when the worker once leaves the work place at the break time, returns to the work place after a while, and resumes work, the reader / writer ID 114 has the same value as the storage area of the previous time information. When the person moves from the work place and starts work, a reader / writer ID 114 different from the previous time information storage area is written. In the subsequent step # 107, the current time t2 is written in the time FROM (addr) and the time TO (addr) in the storage area of the time information (addr). Of these written times, the time FROM (addr) is not rewritten, but the time TO (addr) is rewritten at regular intervals as described above. That is, while the same unit of work continues, only the time TO (addr) is updated at regular time intervals (step # 104).

  In the non-volatile memory 11 of the RFID tag 1 collected after the day's work is completed, the identification information (worker number 111) of the corresponding worker and one or more work performed by the worker on the day The unit work place (reader / writer ID 114), work start time (FROM), and work end time (TO) are stored. Therefore, if the stored information is read by an RFID reader provided at a predetermined management place and counted by a management computer, the work results for each worker and the man-hours for each work place (work process) can be easily counted. It can be carried out.

  Of course, the period until counting can be arbitrarily set without being limited to one day. For example, time information for one week or one month may be stored in the RFID tag 1, and the time information may be read out from the RFID tag 1 every week or every month and aggregated. One of the RFID reader / writer 2 and the host computer 3 installed in a plurality of work places may be used as the totaling RFID reader or management computer, and the totaling program may be executed.

  In order to extend the rewrite life of the nonvolatile memory 11 of the RFID tag 1, a storage area for a plurality of time information (addr) is secured over as wide an area as possible in the nonvolatile memory 11, and the entire area is made as uniform as possible. It is desirable to manage addr which is the value of the storage address so that it can be used. Further, the storage area of the work end time (TO) that is rewritten at a constant interval and the storage area of the work start time (FROM) that cannot be rewritten may be exchanged at a constant cycle (for example, in units of days).

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described referring the modification suitably, this invention may be implemented with the form which further modified these Example and the modification.

It is a block diagram which shows a part of track record time collection system using the RFID tag which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the circuit structure of a RFID tag and a RFID reader / writer. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the process which RFID reader / writer performs in the performance time collection system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the format table of the data written in the non-volatile memory of an RFID tag.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 RFID tag 2 RFID reader / writer 2a RFID tag mounting base 3 Host computer 11 Non-volatile memory 12 Control circuit 14 High frequency circuit 15 Antenna 111 Storage area of worker identification information 112 Storage address storage area 113 Time information storage area 114 RFID reader / writer Identification information 115 Work start time 116 Work end time

Claims (5)

An actual time collection system having an RFID tag used by each of the workers who are the targets of the actual time collection, and an RFID reader / writer installed in the vicinity of the work place of the actual time collection target,
The non-volatile memory built in the RFID tag has a plurality of time information storage areas for storing time information including a work start time and a work end time for each work unit together with a storage area for worker identification information. A storage address storage area for storing a storage address of a current time information storage area among the plurality of time information storage areas is provided,
The RFID reader / writer performs close proximity wireless communication at a predetermined time interval with respect to one or a plurality of RFID tags placed in the vicinity thereof, and stores time information of the storage address of a nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag The work end time in the area is read, and if the difference between the current time and the work end time is larger than the time interval, the storage address value stored in the storage address storage area is incremented and then the time of the storage address Write the current time to the work start time and work end time in the information storage area, the difference between the work end time and the current time in the time information storage area of the current storage address of the nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag is If it is not larger than the time interval, the work stored in the time information storage area of the storage address is completed Actual time collection system, characterized in that the override time at the current time.   The identification information of the RFID reader / writer indicating a work place is stored in a time information storage area provided in the nonvolatile memory, in addition to time information including a work start time and a work end time. The actual time collection system according to Item 1. An RFID tag that incorporates an antenna, high-frequency circuit, control circuit, and non-volatile memory for reading and rewriting stored information by proximity wireless communication with an RFID reader / writer, and used by each of the workers for collecting actual time. There,
The nonvolatile memory is provided with a plurality of time information storage areas for storing time information including a work start time and a work end time for each work unit together with a storage area for worker identification information. An RFID tag for collecting actual time, wherein a storage address storage area for storing a storage address of a current time information storage area among the time information storage areas is provided. An RFID reader / writer for writing information including the actual time of the worker into a non-volatile memory built in the RFID tag used by each of the workers to be collected for the actual time,
The nonvolatile memory is provided with a plurality of time information storage areas for storing time information including a work start time and a work end time for each work unit together with a storage area for worker identification information. A storage address storage area for storing a storage address of the current time information storage area of the time information storage area is provided,
The RFID reader / writer performs close proximity wireless communication at a predetermined time interval with respect to one or a plurality of RFID tags placed in the vicinity thereof, and stores time information of the storage address of a nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag The work end time in the area is read, and if the difference between the current time and the work end time is larger than the time interval, the storage address value stored in the storage address storage area is incremented and then the time of the storage address Write the current time to the work start time and work end time in the information storage area, the difference between the work end time and the current time in the time information storage area of the current storage address of the nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag is If it is not larger than the time interval, the work stored in the time information storage area of the storage address is completed RFID reader-writer for actual time collection, characterized in that overwriting time to the current time. Each worker who is the target of the actual time collection carries an RFID tag, and an RFID reader / writer is installed in the vicinity of the work place which is the target of the actual time collection, and the worker is in the vicinity of the RFID reader / writer when the work starts. An actual time collection method for storing work results for each work unit in the RFID tag by placing the RFID tag and collecting the RFID tag at the end of work,
The non-volatile memory built in the RFID tag has a plurality of time information storage areas for storing time information including a work start time and a work end time for each work unit together with a storage area for worker identification information. A storage address storage area for storing a storage address of a current time information storage area among the plurality of time information storage areas is provided,
The RFID reader / writer performs close proximity wireless communication at a predetermined time interval with respect to one or a plurality of RFID tags placed in the vicinity thereof, and stores time information of the storage address of a nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag The work end time in the area is read, and if the difference between the current time and the work end time is larger than the time interval, the storage address value stored in the storage address storage area is incremented and then the time of the storage address Write the current time to the work start time and work end time in the information storage area, the difference between the work end time and the current time in the time information storage area of the current storage address of the nonvolatile memory built in the RFID tag is If it is not larger than the time interval, the work stored in the time information storage area of the storage address is completed Actual time collection methods, characterized in that the override time at the current time.

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