JP2005269437A - Radio tag reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio tag reader capable of reducing burden of a setting work by facilitating the optimum setting for reading a radio tag in a container box placed on a placing table. <P>SOLUTION: In adjustment for adjusting the position of an antenna placing table where an antenna for radiating radio waves is disposed in order to optimally read identification information from a radio tag in the container box, the antenna placing table is moved for each predetermined position, the identification information of a radio tag in the container box is read for each position, the read reading time is stored (ST16), the shortest reading time is selected from among the stored reading time (ST18), and the antenna placing table is moved to the position when the selected reading time is read (ST20). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag reading device that reads identification information of a wireless tag from a storage box that stores a distribution object provided with a wireless tag storing identification information.

  A plurality of distribution items are stored in a storage box at a distribution source, and the storage box is transported from a delivery source to a delivery destination by a transporter. In such a physical distribution system, a wireless tag is attached to a container box and a product in the container box, and a wireless tag reader comprising an interrogator having an antenna at a delivery source or a delivery destination and a host computer is used to pre-load the mounting table. It has been proposed to read information from a radio tag in a storage box placed at a predetermined position and to manage the storage box and the items in the storage box.

  For example, the antenna of the interrogator of the wireless tag reader is arranged in a mounting table. The identification information is read from the wireless tag in the storage box placed at a predetermined position by using an antenna. Depending on the arrangement position of the antenna, there are a position where the identification information of the wireless tag is easy to read and a position where it is difficult to read. That is, the time for reading the identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box varies depending on the position of the antenna.

  Since the identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box is desired to be read in a short time, the identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box can be read in the shortest time during assembly or maintenance of the wireless tag reader. It is necessary to set the antenna position. However, the operation of setting the antenna position is a burden on the setting operation because the operation of moving the antenna position and reading the identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box is repeated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to facilitate the optimum setting for reading the wireless tag in the storage box placed on the placing table, and to reduce the burden of the setting work. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag reader that can be reduced.

  The present invention accommodates a distribution object provided with a wireless tag storing identification information, and radiates a predetermined radio wave to a storage box placed at a predetermined position and then receives the response radio wave. In the wireless tag reader for reading the identification information of the wireless tag, adjustment of the position of the antenna placement means, which is an antenna placement base on which, for example, an antenna that radiates radio waves is placed in order to optimally read the identification information from the wireless tag in the housing box During the adjustment, the antenna placement table is moved to each predetermined position, the identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box is read for each position, the read reading time is stored, and the reading time stored most A short reading time is selected, and the antenna placement table is moved to the position when the selected reading time is read.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless tag reader that can easily perform optimum setting for reading the wireless tag in the storage box placed on the mounting table and can reduce the burden of the setting work.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration in which identification information is read by a wireless tag reader 4 from a wireless tag 3 attached to a distribution item stored in a storage box 1. In this embodiment, a test sample 2 in which a wireless tag 3 that is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is provided in a distribution such as a mail, not a real distribution, is used. Yes. A large number of test samples 2 are accommodated in the storage box 1 in two rows in the longitudinal direction.

  The wireless tag reader 4 includes an interrogator 5 that reads the identification information of the wireless tag 3 from the storage box 1, an interrogator 6, and a host computer 7 that is a host device of the interrogators 5 and 6. The interrogator 5 has an antenna unit 8 having antennas A1 to A6, the interrogator 6 has an antenna unit 9 having antennas B1 to B6, and each interrogator 5 and 6 communicates with the host computer 7, for example, for example. The cables 10 and 11 are connected. Although antennas A1 to A6 and antennas B1 to B6 are not shown in the mounting table 12, they are connected to the interrogators 5 and 6, respectively.

  When the identification information of the wireless tag 3 in the storage box 1 is read, the storage box 1 is placed on the mounting table 12 by the operator along the mounting plate 12a. For this reason, the storage box 1 is placed at a predetermined position when reading is performed. In this mounting table 12, there is provided an antenna arrangement table 13 which is an antenna arrangement means for arranging the antennas A1 to A6 of the interrogator 5 and B1 to B6 of the interrogator 6.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the antennas A1 to A6 and B1 to B6 on the antenna arrangement table 13 from the upper side. As shown in the figure, antennas A1 to A6 and B1 to B6 are arranged so as to have a substantially square shape with respect to the mounting surface of the mounting table 12. A radio wave shield 14 that absorbs radio waves is disposed between the antennas A1 to A6 and the antennas B1 to B6 so as not to cause radio wave interference.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the interrogators 5 and 6 and the wireless tag 3. Since the interrogators 7 and 8 have the same configuration, only the configuration of the interrogator 5 will be described. Further, all the wireless tags 3 have the same configuration.

  The interrogator 5 includes an antenna unit 8 and an interrogator body 15. The interrogator body 15 includes an interface unit 16 with the host computer 7, a control unit 17 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM having a buffer for storing information, and a modulation unit 18 that modulates transmission information to the wireless tag 3. The output unit 19 that amplifies the modulated radio wave and radiates it from the antenna unit 8 and the antennas A1 to A6 of the antenna unit 8 that radiates the radio wave are controlled under the control of the control unit 17 in a predetermined pattern and every predetermined time. The antenna switching unit 20 switches, an amplification unit 21 that amplifies radio waves received by the antenna unit 8, and a demodulation unit 22 that demodulates amplified reception radio waves.

  The configuration of the wireless tag 3 includes a tag antenna 23 formed of a loop coil or the like, a power generation unit 24 that supplies power to each unit by rectifying and stabilizing the modulated radio wave received by the tag antenna 23, and demodulates the modulated radio wave. When the demodulator 26 is sent to the controller 25, the information sent from the controller 25 is modulated and sent to the tag antenna 23, and the information demodulated by the demodulator 26 is a predetermined read command. The control unit 25 that reads out the information stored in the storage unit 28 and sends it to the modulation unit 27, and the LSI chip 29 including the storage unit 28 and the like. For example, identification information that is a unique identification ID number of the wireless tag 3 is stored in the storage unit 28.

  With this configuration, the interrogator 5 modulates the read command into a radio wave and transmits it from the antenna unit 8. On the other hand, when the radio tag 3 receives a radio wave from the tag antenna 23, power is supplied to each unit from the power generation unit 24 and the control unit 25 operates, and stores it in a predetermined data area of the storage unit 28 according to the read command. The read information is read. The information read from the storage unit 28 is modulated by the modulation unit 27 into a form suitable for wireless transmission, and then transmitted from the tag antenna 23 as a radio wave. When the interrogator 5 receives the radio wave via the antenna unit 8, the information stored in the storage unit 28 of the wireless tag 3 can be read.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host computer 7. The host computer 7 is connected to a CPU 30 as a control unit main body, a ROM 31 storing various information and various control programs such as a position adjustment process of the antenna arrangement table 13 described later, a RAM 32 used as a work area, and an interrogator 5. Interface unit 33 for connecting to the interrogator 6, an interface unit 35 for connecting to a network provided with a server (not shown), and an operation unit 36 for an operator to give various instructions. A display unit 37 for displaying information, a clock unit 38 for generating time information, a moving mechanism unit 39 that is a moving unit for moving the antenna arrangement table 13 provided with the antenna units 8 and 9 and the like. ing.

  The moving mechanism unit 39 moves the antenna arrangement table 13 from the reference position in the up / down direction, the left / right direction, and the front / rear direction based on a set moving order. For example, the antenna arrangement table 13 is moved by driving a predetermined number of steps using a motor (not shown) as a drive source. The movement order is as follows. After moving a predetermined distance upward from the reference position, the movement returns to the reference position. After moving a predetermined distance downward, the movement returns to the reference position. .

  Subsequently, the processing when each control unit 17 of the interrogators 5 and 6 reads the identification information of the wireless tag 3 provided on the test sample 2 in the storage box 1 under the control of the host computer 7 is shown in FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG. When an instruction to start reading is received from the host computer 7, this processing is started. Since each control part 17 of the interrogators 5 and 6 performs the same process, the case of the control part 17 of the interrogator 5 will be described.

  The control unit 17 transmits a read command while switching the antennas A1 to A6 of the antenna unit 8 (ST1). When the radio wave in response to this read command is received, it is modulated by the modulation section and stored as identification information (ST2). Then, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the identification information has been read (ST3). This determination is made, for example, based on whether or not the number of wireless tags 3 of the test sample 2 stored in the storage box 1 is stored in advance and the same number of identification information as the number of wireless tags 3 has been read. The reading of the identification information of the wireless tag 3 in the storage box 1 is continued until it is determined that the determination is completed, and when it is determined that the determination is completed, the process end is transmitted to the host computer 7 (ST4), and the process ends.

  Next, the processing of the CPU 30 executed when receiving an instruction to adjust the position of the antenna placement table 13 in order to optimally read the identification information from the wireless tag 3 in the storage box 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 30 selects a position to move the antenna based on the set moving order (ST11), and controls the moving mechanism unit 39 to move the antenna arrangement table 13 to the selected position (ST12). Then, the interrogators 5 and 6 are instructed to start reading the identification information of the wireless tag 3 in the storage box 1 (ST13), and the clock unit 38 is operated to disclose the time measurement (ST14). After instructing the start of reading, it is determined whether or not the end of reading has been received from each of the interrogators 5 and 6 (ST15). A reading unit is configured by steps ST11 to ST15. If it is determined that the reading end has not been received, this state is continued. If it is determined that the reading has been received, the reading time is stored in the RAM 32 in correspondence with the position of the antenna arrangement table 13 based on the time of the clock unit 38 (ST16, storage means). Subsequently, CPU 30 determines whether or not all of the preset movement orders have been completed (ST17). If the movement order has not ended, the process returns to step ST1 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  If it is determined that the movement order has ended, the shortest reading time is selected from the reading times stored in the RAM 32 (ST18, selection means). When CPU 30 selects the shortest reading time, CPU 30 determines whether or not the reading time is shorter than a preset reference time (ST19). This reference time is a time for determining whether the reading time is within the time allowed when reading the identification information of the wireless tag 3 in the storage box 1.

  In step ST19, when the CPU 30 determines that the reading time is shorter than the reference time, the CPU 30 controls the moving mechanism unit 39 to move the antenna arrangement table 13 to the position where the reading time is read (ST20, position adjusting means). The display unit 37 is controlled to display the completion of the position adjustment of the antenna arrangement table 13 (ST21), and when it is determined that the reading time is longer than the reference time, the error process for controlling the display unit 37 and displaying an error message is performed. Perform (ST22).

  Next, an operation performed when the antenna placement table 13 is adjusted so as to optimally read the identification information from the wireless tag 3 in the housing box 1 performed during assembly or maintenance of the wireless tag reader 4 will be described.

  First, the worker places the storage box 1 containing a predetermined number of test samples 2 on the mounting table 12 according to the mounting plate 12a. Then, the operation unit 36 of the host computer 7 is operated to instruct the position adjustment of the antenna placement table 13. Then, the host computer 7 moves the position of the antenna arrangement table 13 by a predetermined distance according to the set moving order, causes the interrogators 5 and 6 to read the identification information of the wireless tag 3 in the storage box 1, The reading time is stored. This operation is performed for each position in accordance with the movement order, and when all the movement positions are completed, the position having the shortest reading time is set as the optimum position, and the antenna arrangement table 13 is moved to the optimum position. Then, the end of the position adjustment of the antenna placement table 13 is displayed on the display unit 37 of the host computer 7. Therefore, the wireless tag reader 4 can easily set the optimum antenna arrangement table 13 for reading the wireless tag 3 in the storage box 1 mounted on the mounting table 12, and the operator's setting work at that time Can be reduced. Then, the wireless tag reader 4 in which the antenna placement table 13 is positioned in this way receives the identification information from the wireless tag 3 housed in the housing box 1 placed at a predetermined position, with the shortest reading time. Can be read.

  Further, after setting the shortest reading time, a comparison is made with a reference time allowed at the time of reading, and if the reading time is longer than the reference time, an error message is displayed on the display unit 37. Therefore, the antenna arrangement table 13 is not located at a position where it takes a reading time allowed at the time of reading.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

The figure which shows notionally the structure which reads identification information with the wireless tag reader from the wireless tag affixed on the distribution thing accommodated in the storage box in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the antenna in the same embodiment from the upper side. The block diagram which shows the structure of the interrogator and wireless tag in the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the host computer in the embodiment. The figure which shows the process which the control part of the interrogator in the same embodiment performs. The figure which shows the process which CPU of the host computer in the embodiment performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Storage box, 2 ... Test sample, 3 ... Wireless tag, 4 ... Wireless tag reader, 5, 6 ... Interrogator, 7 ... Host computer, 12 ... Mounting table, 12a ... Mounting plate, 13 ... Antenna Arrangement table, 28 ... storage unit, 30 ... CPU, 31 ... ROM, 32 ... RAM, 38 ... clock unit, 39 ... moving mechanism unit, A1 to A6, B1 to B6 ... antenna

Claims (1)

The radio tag of the radio tag is received by receiving a response radio wave after radiating a predetermined radio wave to a storage box placed at a predetermined position while accommodating a distribution object provided with a radio tag storing identification information. In the wireless tag reader that reads the identification information,
An antenna that radiates the radio wave;
Antenna placement means for placing the antenna;
Moving means for moving the antenna placement means;
In the adjustment for adjusting the position of the antenna arrangement means in order to optimally read the identification information from the wireless tag in the storage box, the moving means moves the antenna arrangement means for each predetermined position, and Reading means for reading the identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box,
Storage means for storing the reading time read by the reading control means for each position;
Selecting means for selecting the shortest reading time from the reading times stored in the storage means;
A wireless tag reader, comprising: a position adjusting unit that moves the antenna arranging unit to the position when the reading time selected by the selecting unit is read.

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