JP2006127250A - Radio tag reader and radio tag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an operator to easily specify a target to be searched. <P>SOLUTION: In a radio tag reader 1, a control circuit 202 generates access information for accessing the radio tag information of an IC circuit part 150 in a radio tag circuit element To stuck to a file F to be searched, transmits the generated access information to the antenna 151 of the radio tag circuit element To via a high frequency circuit transmitting part 212 and an antenna 10 by radio communication to access the radio tag information, and after transmitting the access information, a response signal transmitted from the IC circuit part 150 in accordance with the transmitted access information is received via the antenna 10 and a receiving part 213 by radio communication, and then the control circuit 202 outputs a notification signal indicating whether the radio tag circuit element To is a radio tag circuit element related to the file F to be searched or not to a voice notification means 7 on the basis of a change in the received response signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag that read information from the outside with respect to a wireless tag circuit element provided in a wireless tag that can exchange information with the outside by wireless communication.

  An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that reads / writes information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a reader (reading device) / writer (writing device) is known. For example, a wireless tag circuit element provided in a label-like wireless tag includes an IC circuit unit that stores predetermined wireless tag information and an antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits and receives information. Even if the battery is dirty or placed in an invisible position, the reader / writer can access (read / write information) the RFID tag information in the IC circuit unit, and manage the product. Practical use is expected in various fields such as inspection processes.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a technique for searching for a wireless tag attached to a search object (book) as a technique related to searching for an article using the wireless tag as described above (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-59320 (paragraph numbers 0018 to 0070, FIG. 2, etc.)

  In the above prior art, at the time of the above search, a category including a plurality of books is created on a bookshelf (book shelf) using a shielding plate, and the RFID tag reader is inserted into the category so that the category in which the book to be searched exists exists. Is to be detected.

  However, this technique only reveals that the search target book exists in the section, and the operator cannot obtain more detailed position information. For this reason, it is necessary to check each of the books in each category (check the character information on the back cover, cover, etc.) to determine which of the categories contains the search object, which is troublesome. . In particular, when the operator has difficulty understanding the character information, no further search is possible. In addition, when searching for information that does not appear on the surface of the back cover, cover, etc. (for example, the contents of a file that has been filed), the search must be performed unless the contents of the file are checked one by one and the contents are not checked. The object (file) cannot be specified.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag reading device and a wireless tag that allow an operator to easily identify an object to be searched.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention provides an access information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element handled in association with the search object, and the access Transmitting means for transmitting the access information generated by the information generating means to the tag side antenna of the RFID circuit element by wireless communication and accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit, and access by the transmitting means After transmitting the information, a receiving means for receiving the response signal transmitted from the IC circuit unit in accordance with the transmitted access information by wireless communication via the tag side antenna, and the response received by the receiving means A determination means for determining whether the RFID tag circuit element is related to the search object based on a change in the signal; and a determination of the determination means. And having an alert signal output means for outputting a notification signal based on the results.

  After the access information generated by the access information generating means is transmitted to the tag side antenna of the RFID circuit element related to the search target by the transmitting means, and the access to the RFID tag information of the IC circuit section is performed, this access is performed. A response signal transmitted from the IC circuit unit according to the information is received by the receiving means. At this time, in the first invention of the present application, in accordance with the change in the received response signal, it is determined whether or not the determination means is the RFID tag circuit element to be searched, and a notification signal is output based on the determination result. To do.

  When searching for an object to be searched, a predetermined operation (tag rotation, movement, reception) in which a received signal can be manually changed with respect to a RFID circuit element related to a potential object to be searched. Signal shielding etc. may be performed. As a result, when the RFID circuit element is not related to the search object, the received signal does not change even if such a predetermined operation is performed, whereas the RFID circuit element is related to the search object. In some cases, a large change occurs in the received signal due to the predetermined operation, so that it is possible to determine that it is the search target and output a notification signal. In this way, it is only necessary to perform a predetermined operation on the RFID circuit element related to the potential search object without taking out the possibility of the search target object from the storage location and checking it. The operator can easily find the search object.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, there is provided intensity detecting means for detecting a signal intensity of the response signal received by the receiving means, and the determining means is a change in the signal intensity detected by the intensity detecting means. In response to this, it is determined whether or not the object is a search object, and the notification signal is output from the notification signal output means based on the result.

  If the RFID circuit element is not related to the search object, there is no response signal. Therefore, even if a predetermined operation is performed, the received signal strength does not change, and the RFID circuit element is related to the search object. Since a large change occurs in the received signal intensity due to a predetermined operation, it can be determined that this is the search target, and a notification signal can be output.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the first mode for roughly estimating the presence position of the RFID circuit element related to the search target object according to the response signal received by the receiving means. And switching means for switching between the second mode for estimating in more detail the existence position of the RFID circuit element related to the search object after performing the rough estimation in the first mode. .

  Since it is possible to switch between the first mode and the second mode by the switching means, it is first confirmed that the search object exists in the communication range in the first mode, and then the search object is switched to the second mode. You can find them individually and search efficiently.

  In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the determination means is a RFID circuit element related to the search object based on a change in the response signal before and after being switched to the second mode by the switching means. It is characterized by determining whether or not there is.

  When the rough search is completed in the first mode and the mode is switched to the second mode and the detailed position is estimated, the determination can be made based on the response signal change during the predetermined operation before and after the second mode switching.

  According to a fifth aspect based on the third aspect, the determination means is based on a change in the response signal after being switched with respect to the response signal before being switched to the second mode by the switching means. It is characterized by determining whether or not the RFID tag circuit element is related to the search object.

  After the rough search is completed in the first mode, it is possible to switch to the second mode, perform detailed position estimation, perform a predetermined operation, and make a determination based on the response signal change at that time.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, in the lie that can inhibit the electromagnetic wave propagation of the response signal from the RFID circuit element related to the search target, And having an electromagnetic wave shielding member or an electromagnetic wave absorbing member.

  As a result, when searching for a search object, an electromagnetic wave propagation of a response signal is performed by an electromagnetic wave shield member or an electromagnetic wave absorption member attached to the device in front of the RFID circuit element related to the object that may be the search object. It is sufficient to perform an operation that inhibits the above. As a result, in the case of a RFID circuit element related to the search target, a large change occurs in the received signal by the predetermined operation, and it can be determined that this is the search target.

  In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the receiving means includes a receiving antenna means, and the electromagnetic shielding member or the electromagnetic wave absorbing member is a RFID circuit element related to the search object and the receiving antenna. It arrange | positions so that it may be located between a means.

  Thereby, when searching for the search object, the electromagnetic wave shielding member or the electromagnetic wave absorption member is positioned between the RFID circuit element related to the search object and the reception antenna means, If the electromagnetic wave propagation of the response signal is hindered, if the RFID circuit element is related to the search target, a large change occurs in the received signal by the predetermined operation, and thus the search target is Can be determined.

  In order to achieve the above object, an eighth invention provides an RFID circuit element having an IC circuit section for storing predetermined information and an antenna connected to the IC circuit section for transmitting / receiving information, and the RFID circuit element And a connecting member for connecting the RFID circuit element to the search target to be attached.

  As a result, when searching for a search target object, it is attached to a potential search target object while operating a wireless tag reader that transmits access information to the RFID circuit element and receives a response signal thereof. A predetermined operation (rotation and movement of the tag) is manually performed on the connection member with respect to the wireless tag, and the installation direction of the wireless tag circuit element may be changed. As a result, when the wireless tag is not related to the search target, the received signal on the device side does not change even if such a predetermined operation is performed, whereas the wireless tag is related to the search target. Since a large change occurs in the received signal due to the predetermined operation, it can be determined that this is the search object. As a result, the operator only needs to perform a predetermined operation on the wireless tag related to the potential search object without having to take out the potential search target object from the storage location and check it. Can easily find a search object.

  In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the connection member is arranged such that the RFID tag circuit element is the search target so that the installation direction of the RFID tag circuit element can be changed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the initial installation surface. It is characterized by connecting.

  By changing the installation direction of the RFID tag circuit element to a substantially right angle, the polarization direction of the antenna on the device side and the polarization direction of the RFID tag circuit element become approximately orthogonal, and the RFID tag circuit element does not react. Or, the received signal strength on the device side decreases. As a result, it can be determined that the search target object.

  According to a tenth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the connection member is configured to search the RFID circuit element so that the installation direction of the RFID circuit element can be rotated within a plane including an original installation surface. It is connected to an object.

  By rotating the installation direction of the RFID tag circuit element in the initial installation plane and rotating it by a predetermined angle from the initial installation position, the angle between the polarization direction of the antenna on the device side and the polarization direction of the RFID tag circuit element is changed. As a result, the received signal strength on the device side decreases. As a result, it can be determined that the search target object.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, the search for the RFID circuit element is performed so that the connection member has a rotation angle within a plane including the initial installation surface of 60 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less. It is connected to an object.

  As a result, when the installation direction of the RFID circuit element is rotated within the initial installation surface, for example, the initial installation state is set to an angle at which the polarization plane matches and the sensitivity is maximized, and this is set to 60 degrees or more and 120 degrees. If the rotation is in the range of less than or equal to the degree, the plane of polarization becomes close to the orthogonal state, so that the received signal strength can be reduced to half or less. As a result, it can be reliably determined that the object is the search object.

  To achieve the above object, a twelfth aspect of the present invention is an RFID circuit element having an IC circuit section for storing predetermined information and an antenna connected to the IC circuit section for transmitting / receiving information, and the RFID circuit element And a tag function disabling or reducing means capable of disabling or reducing the communication function via the antenna.

  As a result, when searching for a search target object, it is attached to a potential search target object while operating a wireless tag reader that transmits access information to the RFID circuit element and receives a response signal thereof. It is only necessary to operate the tag function invalidation or reduction means of the RFID tag, to invalidate or reduce the communication function of the RFID tag circuit element. As a result, when the wireless tag is not related to the search target, the received signal on the device side does not change even if such a predetermined operation is performed, whereas the wireless tag is related to the search target. Since a large change occurs in the received signal by the above operation (or the signal disappears), it can be determined that this is the search object. As a result, the operator only needs to perform a predetermined operation on the wireless tag related to the potential search object without having to take out the potential search target object from the storage location and check it. Can easily find a search object.

  According to the present invention, an operator can easily specify that the object is a search target object by notifying the determination result according to the change in the received signal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an overall schematic structure of the wireless tag reader according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 1A is a top view and FIG. 1B is a view as viewed from the direction I in FIG. It is.

  In FIG. 1, the wireless tag reader 1 (interrogator) has a main unit 2 and an antenna unit 3 that is rotatably attached to the main unit 2. As shown by an imaginary line in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the antenna unit 3 can be rotated 90 ° by an operator's manual operation.

  The main unit 2 includes a housing 4, a display unit 5 disposed so as to occupy most of the upper portion of the housing 4 (the middle front side in FIG. 1A), and the display unit 5 of the housing 4. Are provided with an operation unit 6 and sound notification means 7 (for example, a buzzer, an alarm, a chime speaker, etc.) disposed on the side (left side in FIG. 1A).

  The operation unit 6 includes appropriate keys, buttons, switches, pads, and the like as operation input means, and can perform various operation inputs related to display and search. In particular, in this example, the tag identification mode (first mode) for roughly estimating the location of the search target, and the location of the search target in more detail after performing the above rough estimation using the tag identification mode. And a mode switching means 6A (switching means; see FIG. 4 to be described later) comprising a switch or a button for switching between the tag identification mode (second mode) for estimation.

  The display unit 5 may be a known touch panel, and a part or all of the functions of the operation unit 6 may be performed by this touch panel.

  2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the structure of the antenna unit 3, in which FIG. 2A is a top view and FIG. 2B is a view as viewed from the direction II in FIG. 2A.

  2 (a) and 2 (b), the antenna unit 3 includes a unit base 9 and an antenna 10 that is provided in the base 9 and transmits and receives signals to the wireless tag T (details will be described later). (Device-side antenna).

  The base portion 9 includes a locking tool 14, and the locking tool 14 engages with an engaging portion (not shown) on the lower surface of the main unit 2 so that it can be attached to and detached from the main unit 2 and can be rotated. It has become. In the arrangement shown by the solid line in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the polarization direction of the radio wave transmitted and received by the antenna is the horizontal direction, and the imaginary line in FIGS. 1A and 1B When the antenna unit 3 is rotated by 90 degrees as indicated by, the polarization direction of the radio wave transmitted and received by the antenna becomes vertical. The operator may set the antenna direction as appropriate according to the antenna direction of the tag to be searched.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To provided in the RFID tag T attached to the article to be searched (searched) by the RFID tag reading device 1.

  In FIG. 3, the RFID circuit element To includes an antenna 151 (tag antenna) that transmits and receives signals without contact with an antenna 10 on the RFID tag reader 1 side using a high frequency such as a UHF band, and the antenna 151. And an IC circuit unit 150 connected thereto.

  The IC circuit unit 150 includes a rectification unit 152 that rectifies the carrier wave received by the antenna 151, and a power source unit 153 that accumulates energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectification unit 152 and serves as a driving power source for the IC circuit unit 150. A clock extraction unit 154 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the antenna 151 and supplies the clock signal to a control unit (described later) 157; a memory unit 155 that functions as an information storage unit that can store a predetermined information signal; A modulation / demodulation unit 156 connected to the antenna 151, and a control unit 157 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To through the rectification unit 152, the clock extraction unit 154, the modulation / demodulation unit 156, and the like. Yes.

  The modem unit 156 demodulates the communication signal received from the antenna 151 and transmitted from the transmission antenna 10 of the RFID tag reader 1, and receives the carrier wave received from the transmission antenna 10 based on the return signal from the control unit 157. Modulate and reflect.

  The control unit 157 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 156, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 155, and performs basic control such as returning by the modulation / demodulation unit 156. Execute proper control.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the main body unit 2 and the antenna unit 3.

  In FIG. 4, the main unit 2 has a high-frequency circuit 201 for accessing (reading or writing) information (RFID tag information) of the IC circuit section 150 of the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 10. Including a function of processing signals read from the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To to read out information and generating access information for accessing the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To; And a control circuit 202 for controlling the operation of the entire reading device 1.

  The high-frequency circuit 201 includes a transmission unit 212 that transmits a signal to the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 10, a reception unit 213 that receives a reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 10, and a transmission / reception And a separator 214.

  The transmission unit 212 includes an oscillation circuit 215 that functions as a carrier wave generation unit that generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To, and the control circuit 202. Transmission multiplier 216 (however, “TX_ASK signal”) that modulates the carrier wave generated by the carrier wave generation unit based on the signal supplied from (amplitude modulation based on the “TX_ASK” signal from the control circuit 202 in this example) In this case, a variable amplification factor amplifier or the like may be used), and the modulated wave modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 216 is amplified (in this example, the amplification factor is determined by the “TX_PWR” signal from the control circuit 202). And a variable transmission amplifier 217. The carrier wave generated by the carrier wave generator preferably uses a UHF band frequency, and the output of the transmission amplifier 217 is transmitted to the transmission antenna 10 via the transmission / reception separator 214 to be used as the RFID circuit element. It is supplied to the IC circuit section 150 of To. Note that the RFID tag information is not limited to the signal modulated as described above, but may be only a carrier wave.

  The reception unit 213 is necessary from the reception first multiplication circuit 218 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID tag circuit element To received by the antenna 10 and the generated carrier wave, and the output of the reception first multiplication circuit 218. A first bandpass filter 219 for extracting only a signal in a wide band, a reception first amplifier 221 that amplifies the output of the first bandpass filter 219, and an output of the reception first amplifier 221 is further amplified and digitalized. A first limiter 220 that converts the signal into a signal, a received wave obtained by multiplying the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 10 and the carrier wave having a phase delayed by 90 ° after being generated by the phase shifter 227. A second band-pass filter 223 for extracting only a signal in a necessary band from the output of the second multiplier circuit 222 and the received second multiplier circuit 222 A reception second amplifier 225 for amplifying the output of the second band pass filter 223, and a second limiter 224 for further amplifying the output of the reception second amplifier 225 and converting it into a digital signal. The signal “RXS-I” output from the first limiter 220 and the signal “RXS-Q” output from the second limiter 224 are input to the control circuit 202 and processed.

  The outputs of the reception first amplifier 221 and the reception second amplifier 225 are also input to an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit 226 serving as an intensity detection means, and a signal “RSSI” indicating the intensity of these signals is used as a control circuit. 202 is input. In this way, in the RFID tag reading device 1 of the present embodiment, the reflected wave from the RFID tag circuit element To is demodulated by IQ orthogonal demodulation.

  The control circuit 202 is a so-called microcomputer, and although not shown in detail, the control circuit 202 includes a central processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control circuit 202 is stored in advance in the ROM using a temporary storage function of the RAM. Signal processing is performed according to the program. The control circuit 202 inputs a reception signal from the above-described high-frequency circuit receiving unit 213, an operation signal from the operation unit 6 and the like, and then performs predetermined arithmetic processing, and performs an amplification control signal and modulation to the above-described high-frequency circuit transmission unit 212. A control signal, a display control signal to the display unit 5, a notification signal (voice drive control signal) to the voice notification means 7, and the like are output.

  The control circuit 202 is connected to, for example, a communication line via an input / output interface (not shown), for example, a route server (not shown) connected to the communication line, another terminal, a general-purpose computer, an information server, etc. Information may be exchanged between the two.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure related to searching for a wireless tag performed by the control circuit 202. In the wireless tag reader 1 of the present embodiment, the presence position of the wireless tag T is detected in accordance with a change in response signal from the wireless tag circuit element To received by the antenna 10 (change in received signal strength in this example). Is.

  In FIG. 5, when there is an appropriate instruction input (for example, an appropriate key operation) indicating that the search is started in the operation unit 6, this flow is started.

  First, in step S110, an operation signal related to information (in this example, the ID number of the wireless tag attached to the object) input by the operator through the operation unit 6 is input from the operation unit 6. To do.

Thereafter, in step S120, transmission of a response request command signal (in this example, a ScrollID signal) from the antenna 10 to the search target wireless tag T is started (hereinafter, repeated transmission is performed). More specifically, a “TX_ASK” signal is generated and output to the transmission multiplication circuit 216, and the corresponding amplitude modulation is performed in the transmission multiplication circuit 216, and “Scroll” as access information is generated.
ID "signal. On the other hand, the control circuit 202 generates a “TX_PWR” signal and outputs it to the variable transmission amplifier 217. The variable transmission amplifier 217 performs signal amplification at an amplification factor based on the “TX_PWR” signal, and finally transmits the signal via the antenna 10. Then, a reply from the RFID circuit element To of the RFID tag T to be searched is urged.

  Thereafter, in step S130, the response signal (= reply signal; RFID tag information such as article information) transmitted from the RFID circuit element To of the RFID tag T to be searched corresponding to the “Scroll ID” signal is the antenna 10. It is determined whether or not it has been taken in (received) via the high-frequency circuit receiving unit 213.

  If no response signal is received, the determination is not satisfied and the routine goes to Step S170 described later. If a response signal is received, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S140, where the received signal level of the received response signal from the RSSI circuit 226 (= received signal strength signal “RSSI”) S1 is set to an appropriate value such as RAM. It is stored in storage means (external storage means outside the control circuit 202 or non-volatile means).

  In step S150, the voice notification means 7 outputs a drive control signal as a notification signal to output a first notification sound indicating that the response signal of the RFID tag circuit element To to be searched has been received.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160, and it is determined whether or not the operator has performed a mode switching operation to the tag specifying mode via the mode switching unit 6A of the operation unit 6.

  If the switching operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S170, and it is determined whether or not an end instruction operation has been performed on the operation unit 6 by the operator. The determination is not satisfied until the end instruction operation is performed, and the process returns to step S130. Thereafter, while the response signal is received and the mode switching operation to the tag specifying mode is not performed, the sound notification means 7 performs the first notification sound. Step S140 → Step S150 → Step S160 → Step S170 is repeated while continuing sounding and overwriting and updating the latest received signal level S1.

  In such a state, if the operator performs a mode switching operation (for example, pressing and holding the button) to the tag specifying mode via the mode switching unit 6A of the operation unit 6, the determination in step S160 is satisfied and step S180 is satisfied. Move on.

  In step S180, the value of the received signal level S2 from the RSSI circuit 226 of the received response signal may be an appropriate storage means such as a RAM (an external storage means outside the control circuit 202 or a non-volatile one). ).

  Thereafter, in step S190, the received signal level S2 after switching to the tag specifying mode stored in step S180 is changed from the received signal level S1 in the tag identification mode stored in the previous step S140 to a predetermined value K ( For example, it is determined whether or not the value is smaller than S1 / K divided by an appropriate setting value of about K = 2 to 10. While S2 ≧ S1 / K, the determination is not satisfied, and the process returns to step S160.

  In this way, while the procedure of step S160 → step S180 → step S190 → step S160 →... Is repeated, a shielding operation for shielding radio waves by an operator (or another operator, in other words, a collaborator) is performed. If it is made, since S2 <S1 / K, the determination in step S190 is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S200. In step S200, a drive control signal is output to the voice notification means 7, and a second notification sound indicating that the received signal strength of the RFID circuit element To receiving the response signal has greatly decreased is output. It should be noted that the second notification sound and the first notification sound need only have some audio difference that the operator can hear and identify. For example, the period of the intermittent sound may be changed for each notification sound, the pitch of the sound or the tone color may be changed.

  Thereafter, the process returns to step S160, and thereafter, when the mode switching operation from the tag identification mode to the tag identification mode is not performed and S2 <S1 / K is satisfied, the second notification sound of the second notification sound by the voice notification unit 7 is satisfied. While continuing sounding, step S160 → step S180 → step S190 → step S200 is repeated.

  In this state, when the operator performs further mode switching operation from the tag identification mode to the tag identification mode (for example, releasing the button kept pressed with the finger) via the mode switching means 6A of the operation unit 6 in step S160. Is not satisfied, the process moves to step S170, and the same procedure is repeated.

  On the other hand, in the series of procedures described above, when the operator performs an end instruction operation on the operation unit 6, the determination in step S170 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S210.

  In step S210, the transmission of the response request command signal that has been continuously output after step S120 is stopped, and this flow is terminated.

  In the above, the control circuit 202 constitutes access information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element to be handled in association with the search object. In addition, the transmission unit 212 and the antenna 10 of the high-frequency circuit 201 transmit the access information generated by the access information generation unit to the tag-side antenna of the wireless tag circuit element by wireless communication to access the wireless tag information of the IC circuit unit. After the transmission of the access information by the transmission means, the reception unit 213 and the antenna 10 of the high-frequency circuit 201 send a response signal transmitted from the IC circuit unit according to the transmitted access information to the tag. The receiving means which receives by radio | wireless communication via a side antenna is comprised.

  Further, the control circuit 202 determines whether or not the RFID tag circuit element is related to the search target based on the change in the response signal received by the receiving means, and outputs a notification signal based on the determination result. The notification signal output means is also configured.

  In the wireless tag reader 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, when searching for a search object, the operator first sets the tag identification mode with the mode switching unit 6A of the operation unit 6, The existence position of the RFID circuit element To related to the search object is roughly estimated. That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, when the operator inputs the ID of the RFID circuit element To related to the search target, transmission of a corresponding response request command is started in step S120 via step S110, and the response signal Is received, the first notification sound is output from the voice notification means 7 in step S150 through step S140. Thereby, the operator can confirm that the wireless tag T related to the search target exists in the communication range (in other words, exists relatively close).

  FIG. 6 shows the state at this time. Each of the files F arranged on the bookshelf is provided with a wireless tag T, and the search target of the operator is determined by which of the files F. The file F can be roughly discriminated (for example, in this example, one of several files F at the top of the two upper and lower levels).

  After confirming roughly as described above, the operator switches to the tag specifying mode by the mode switching means 6A of the operation unit 6, and the wireless tags of several upper files that may be search objects are A predetermined operation (in this example, shielding of the received signal) is performed in order so that the received signal can be manually changed.

  In FIG. 6, for the sake of convenience, the antenna unit 3 is not rotated with respect to the main unit 2 (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1) for the sake of convenience. For example, the predetermined operation may be performed in a state of being rotated by 90 ° by a user's manual operation (hereinafter the same in each figure).

  FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show an example of the received signal shielding operation. The electromagnetic wave shielding member (or the electromagnetic wave absorbing member separate from the wireless tag reading device 1); for example, a strip-shaped metal plate Or shield material or mesh material) M is held in front of the file F so as to hide the wireless tag T (in other words, placed between the wireless tag T and the antenna 10 of the wireless tag reader 1), and the wireless tag The electromagnetic wave propagation of the response signal from the circuit element To is inhibited.

  As a result, if the RFID tag T is not related to the file F to be searched, even if such a predetermined operation is performed, the electromagnetic wave propagation is not obstructed before and after (= FIG. 7A). In the case of the RFID tag T related to the search target file F, the received signal is changed before and after the predetermined operation. A big change occurs. As a result, the received signal level S2 stored in step S180 after step S160 is considerably smaller than the received signal level S1 stored in step S140. Therefore, the determination in step S190 is satisfied, and the voice notification means 7 in step S200. A second notification sound is output. Thereby, the operator can specify the file F to be searched.

  As described above, in the wireless tag reader 1 of the present embodiment, the RFID tag T can be used before the object (file F) that may be searched for is taken out from the storage location without being visually confirmed. The operator can easily find the search target file F simply by performing the predetermined operation that hides the file.

  Further, in the present embodiment, once the tag specifying mode is set by the mode switching means 6A, the mode switching means 6A can be operated again (for example, the finger is released from the button) to return to the tag identification mode (step S160 → In step S170 → step S130), the latest value of the received signal level S1 (response signal strength) is constantly stored (step S140). Therefore, when the wireless tag reader 1 is moved, in the above example, the finger is once released from the button (returning to the tag identification mode), and the button is pressed again (shifting to the tag identification mode), so that accurate tag identification can be performed. There is also an effect that can be done reliably.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order.

(1) When an electromagnetic wave shielding member (or an electromagnetic wave absorbing member is provided in the RFID tag reading device itself) That is, as shown in FIG. This is a case where M is attached to the wireless tag reading device 1. Particularly in this example, the electromagnetic wave shielding member (or the electromagnetic wave absorbing member) M is located between the wireless tag T and the antenna 10 related to the search target. The main unit 2 is disposed so as to protrude to the front side.

  In this modification, when searching for the search target file F, the main unit 2 is slightly oriented from the state in which the main unit 2 is directly facing before the file F that may be the search target in the tag identification mode. After performing communication in a shifted state, the electromagnetic wave shielding member (or the electromagnetic wave absorbing member) is naturally placed between the antenna 10 and the wireless tag T of the file F by shifting to the tag specifying mode and facing the main unit 2. ) Since M is located and the electromagnetic wave shielding member (or electromagnetic wave absorbing member) M is substantially in close contact with the wireless tag T, the electromagnetic wave propagation of the response signal is inhibited. That is, as in the above-described embodiment, the troublesome manual operation of the electromagnetic wave shielding member (or electromagnetic wave absorbing member) M separately from the wireless tag reading device 1 is eliminated, and the received signal is transmitted only by a slight change in the posture of the main unit 2. The wireless tag T related to the search target file F can be found by realizing the intensity change.

  In this case, when shifting to the tag specifying mode, the transmission power from the wireless tag reader 1 is set to be relatively small in advance so that the electromagnetic wave wraps around from the electromagnetic wave shielding member M and an unnecessarily large response signal is not returned. It may be left.

(2) When a shield layer is provided on the wireless tag FIGS. 9A and 9B are enlarged perspective views showing the wireless tag T-1 according to this modification. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the RFID tag T-1 is connected to the RFID tag (tag body) T similar to the above embodiment via the antenna 151 of the RFID circuit element To. As a tag function invalidation or reduction means capable of invalidating or reducing the communication function, a shield member (resin tape or the like on which aluminum is deposited) M ′ is provided.

  The shield member M 'has one end side (the upper end in this example) connected to the tag body T, and is usually in a curled state as shown in FIG. If this is extended with a finger, as shown in FIG. 9B, at least the antenna 151 of the RFID circuit element To is covered and shielded, and the response signal is shielded. When the finger is released, the curl is restored as shown in FIG.

  In this modification, when searching for the search target file F, communication is performed in the tag identification mode with the wireless tag T-1 of the file F that may be the search target and the shield member M 'curled. Then, the tag specifying mode is entered, and then the shield member M ′ is extended to cover the RFID circuit element To with the shield member M ′. As a result, the propagation of the electromagnetic wave of the response signal is inhibited, so that the intensity of the received signal can be greatly changed (reduced) compared to before that. Therefore, similar to the above embodiment, it is possible to easily find the wireless tag T-1 related to the search target file F.

  Instead of the shield member M ′ curled (turned up) as described above, for example, a sliding shield member may be used.

(3) Changing Polarization Plane by Changing Direction of Wireless Tag FIGS. 10A and 10B are enlarged perspective views showing a wireless tag T-2 according to this modification. As shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the RFID tag T-2 connects the RFID circuit element To to an object to be attached so that the installation direction of the RFID circuit element To can be changed. As a connecting member, a bent label sheet (folded label paper) R is provided. In particular, in this example, the folded label sheet R has a part (the upper end part in this example) attached to the article to be attached (file F) and the remaining part can be rotated, and the wireless tag. The installation direction of the circuit element To can be changed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the initial installation surface (state shown in FIG. 10A) (state shown in FIG. 10B).

  In this modification, when searching for the search target file F, the RFID tag T-2 of the file F that may be a search target in the tag identification mode and the initial installation state (in the example of FIG. 10A). The communication is performed while the RFID circuit element To is oriented substantially vertically up and down, and then the mode is shifted to the tag specifying mode, and then the edge of the folded label sheet R is picked up and bent, and a predetermined angle range (for example, initially) The direction of the RFID circuit element To is changed by 60 ° or more and 120 ° or less from the position (in the example of FIG. 10B, the RFID circuit element To is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction). As a result, the polarization direction of the antenna 10 of the RFID tag reader 1 (see the double arrow PR in the figure) and the polarization direction of the RFID circuit element To (see the double arrow PT in the figure) have a predetermined angle. Become. As a result, the reception amount of the carrier wave transmitted from the RFID tag reading device 1 at the RFID circuit element To becomes small, and the propagation amount of the reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To to the RFID tag reading device 1 is also small. Therefore, the intensity of the received signal can be greatly changed (reduced) compared to before that. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, an effect is obtained such that the wireless tag T-2 related to the search target file F can be easily found.

  Particularly in this example, since the polarization directions of the antenna 10 and the RFID circuit element To are substantially perpendicular to each other, and the received signal intensity at this time can be rapidly reduced, the search target file F can be found reliably. .

(4) The polarization plane is changed by rotating the wireless tag FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged perspective views showing the wireless tag T-3 according to this modification. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the RFID tag T-3 connects the RFID circuit element To to an object to be attached so that the installation direction of the RFID circuit element To can be changed. As a connecting member, a rotating label sheet (rotating label paper) R ′ is provided. In particular, in this example, the rotation label sheet R ′ is partly attached (in this example, the upper end portion) so as to be rotatable about the attachment fulcrum t with respect to the article to be attached (file F), The installation direction of the RFID circuit element To can be changed by a predetermined angle range (for example, 60 ° or more and 120 ° or less from the initial position) within a plane including the installation surface at the beginning (the state shown in FIG. 11A). (In the example of FIG. 11B, approximately 90 °).

  In this modification, when searching for the search target file F, the RFID tag T-3 of the file F that may be a search target in the tag identification mode and the initial installation state (in the example of FIG. 11A). After the communication is performed with the RFID circuit element To oriented substantially vertically up and down), the tag identification mode is entered, and then the end of the rotating label sheet R ′ is pinched and rotated, and the RFID circuit element To The direction is changed (in the example of FIG. 11B, the RFID circuit element To is rotated approximately 90 °). As a result, the polarization direction of the antenna 10 of the RFID tag reader 1 (see the double arrow PR in the figure) and the polarization direction of the RFID circuit element To (see the double arrow PT in the figure) have a predetermined angle. Become. As a result, the reception amount of the carrier wave transmitted from the RFID tag reading device 1 at the RFID circuit element To becomes small, and the propagation amount of the reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To to the RFID tag reading device 1 is also small. Therefore, the intensity of the received signal can be greatly changed (reduced) compared to before that. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, effects such as the ability to easily find the wireless tag T-3 related to the search target file F are obtained.

  In particular, in this example, the polarization directions of the antenna 10 and the RFID tag circuit element To are initially substantially parallel to each other (FIG. 11A), while the planes of polarization are made to coincide with each other so that the reception sensitivity is maximized. After the rotation, the polarization directions of the antenna 10 and the RFID circuit element To can be made substantially perpendicular to each other, and the received signal intensity at this time can be drastically reduced (the received signal intensity is nearly equal to the orthogonal plane of polarization). Can be reduced to half or less). As a result, the search target file F can be found with certainty.

(5) Case of providing tag function invalidation / reduction mechanism FIG. 12 is a top view showing a radio tag T-4 according to this modification, and FIG. 13 shows a radio tag circuit element To provided in the radio tag T-4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram (a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 above) showing an example of a functional configuration of '. As shown in FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, and FIG. 13, the wireless tag T-3 has a tag function that can invalidate or reduce the communication function via the antenna 151 of the wireless tag circuit element To. A membrane switch mechanism MS is provided as an invalidating or reducing means.

  The membrane switch mechanism MS includes short-circuiting control electrodes 159a and 159b drawn out from the control unit 157 of the IC circuit unit 150 via the wirings 158a and 158b, and a short-circuiting electrode 160A that can contact the control electrodes 159a and 159b. A switch operation unit 160 that can be operated with a finger. When the switch operation unit 160 is pressed with a finger, the short-circuit electrode 160A contacts the control electrodes 159a and 159b and short-circuits them, so that the control unit 157 stops the communication function via the antenna 151 of the RFID circuit element To. The transmission of the response signal is stopped.

  In this modification, when searching for the search target file F, the RFID tag T-4 of the file F that may be a search target in the tag identification mode and the normal state (a state where the switch operation unit 160 is not pressed) After performing the communication as it is, the mode is shifted to the tag specifying mode, and then the switch operation unit 160 is pressed to stop the communication function of the RFID circuit element To ′. As a result, the response signal is obstructed by the wireless tag reading device 1, and the strength of the received signal can be greatly changed (reduced) compared to before that. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, effects such as easily finding the wireless tag T-4 related to the search target file F can be obtained.

(6) Other
(a) Notification method in the first and second modes In the above description, the notification sound in the first mode and the notification sound in the second mode are made different from each other. May be different. For example, in the first mode, notification by light or display (some display on the display unit 5 or a lamp, LED, etc. provided separately) is used, and in the second mode, a predetermined notification sound (or plus notification of the above light, etc.) is also used. Good. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

(b) When directivity control is performed using an array antenna In the above description, only one antenna 10 is provided in the RFID tag reader 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements is used for control. Directivity control may be performed by providing a directivity control unit (phased array control unit, adaptive array control unit, etc.) corresponding to the circuit 202.

  For example, when the phased array control unit is provided, the directivity by the plurality of antenna elements is held so as to be strong only in one direction, and control is performed so as to transmit to the communication target (wireless tag T) while sequentially changing the direction. . That is, as is well known, the directivity direction is determined from the antenna interval and the phase difference between the transmission signals supplied to the antenna elements. Therefore, the phase of the transmission signal supplied to each antenna element is controlled according to the desired directivity direction. When the adaptive array control unit is provided, detailed description is omitted, but the directivity of each antenna element is determined by a known method based on the received signals from the plurality of antenna elements. Control is performed so that the reception sensitivity from is optimized.

  Also in these cases, for example, by performing the directivity control in the tag identification mode, an effect is obtained that the rough tag position can be estimated relatively quickly and more accurately.

(c) When no mode is provided In the above, first, it is confirmed that the search target file F exists in the communication range in the tag identification mode, and then the mode is switched to the tag specific mode to find each search target file F individually. However, it is not limited to this. That is, the above two modes are not particularly provided (in other words, the tag identification mode is omitted), the search corresponding to the tag specifying mode is performed from the beginning, and a predetermined operation is performed in front of the wireless tag T to find the search target. It may be. In this case as well, if it is determined that the signal intensity has changed greatly and the notification is made, it is possible to easily find out an object that may be a search target without having to take it out from the storage location and check it visually. The original effect of the present invention can be obtained.

(d) Mode of associating RFID tag T In the above description, RFID tag T is directly attached to the object (file F). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and packaging of the object article (including documents, etc.) is not limited thereto. It may be attached to or included in the box. In short, it is only necessary to be handled in association with each other. In addition, the case where the search object is a file has been described above as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be various documents, books, other articles / articles, and other various objects. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied in the same manner as described above if the contents are unknown.

It is the top view showing the whole schematic structure of the radio | wireless tag reader of one Embodiment of this invention, and the arrow line view seen from I direction in Fig.1 (a). It is the top view showing the structure of the antenna unit shown in FIG. 1, and the arrow line view seen from the II direction in FIG. 2 (a). FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a wireless tag circuit element provided in a wireless tag attached to an article that is a search target of the wireless tag reading device illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the control system of the main body unit and antenna unit shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure related to a search for a wireless tag performed by the control circuit shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure showing a mode that the operator is searching with the radio | wireless tag reader shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of shielding operation of a received signal. It is a figure showing the modification which attached the electromagnetic wave shield member (or electromagnetic wave absorption member) to the wireless tag reader. It is explanatory drawing showing the modification which provides a shield layer in a wireless tag. It is explanatory drawing by the modification which changes the direction of a wireless tag and changes a polarization plane. It is explanatory drawing by the modification which rotates a wireless tag and changes a polarization plane. It is a top view showing the radio | wireless tag by the modification which provides a tag function invalidation / fall mechanism. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a wireless tag circuit element included in the wireless tag illustrated in FIG. 12.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless tag reader 6 Operation part 6A Mode switching means (switching means)
7 Voice notification means 10 Antenna (transmitting means, receiving means; receiving antenna means)
150 IC circuit section 151 Antenna (tag side antenna)
201 High-frequency circuit 202 Control circuit (access information generation means, notification signal output means)
212 Transmitter (transmission means)
213 Receiver (Receiver)
226 RSSI circuit (strength detection means)
M, M 'Electromagnetic shield / absorbing member MS Membrane switch mechanism (tag function invalidation / reduction means)
R Folding label sheet (connection member)
R 'rotating label sheet (connection member)
To wireless tag circuit element To 'wireless tag circuit element T wireless tag T-1 wireless tag T-2 wireless tag T-3 wireless tag T-4 wireless tag

Claims (12)

Access information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element to be handled in association with the search object;
Transmitting means for transmitting the access information generated by the access information generating means to the tag side antenna of the RFID circuit element by wireless communication, and for accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit section;
A receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the IC circuit unit in accordance with the transmitted access information by wireless communication after the transmission of the access information by the transmitting means;
Based on the change of the response signal received by the receiving means, a determining means for determining whether the RFID tag circuit element is related to the search object;
A radio tag reading apparatus comprising: a notification signal output unit that outputs a notification signal based on a determination result of the determination unit. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1,
Having strength detecting means for detecting the signal strength of the response signal received by the receiving means;
The wireless tag reader according to claim 1, wherein the notification signal output means outputs the notification signal in accordance with a change in signal strength detected by the strength detection means. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1 or 2,
In accordance with the response signal received by the receiving means, a first mode for roughly estimating the presence position of the RFID circuit element related to the search object, and the rough estimation by the first mode are performed. An RFID tag reading apparatus comprising switching means for switching to a second mode for estimating the presence position of the RFID circuit element related to the search object in more detail later. The wireless tag reader according to claim 3, wherein
The determination means determines whether or not the RFID tag circuit element is related to the search object based on a change in the response signal before and after being switched to the second mode by the switching means. Wireless tag reader. The wireless tag reader according to claim 3, wherein
Whether the determination means is a RFID circuit element related to the search object based on a change in the response signal after switching with respect to the response signal before switching to the second mode by the switching means. A wireless tag reader characterized by determining whether or not. The wireless tag reader according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An RFID tag reading device comprising an electromagnetic wave shielding member or an electromagnetic wave absorbing member after the end of a lie in a lie that can inhibit electromagnetic wave propagation of the response signal from the RFID circuit element related to the search object . The wireless tag reader according to claim 6, wherein
The receiving means comprises receiving antenna means;
The RFID tag reading device, wherein the electromagnetic wave shielding member or the electromagnetic wave absorbing member is disposed so as to be positioned between a RFID circuit element related to the search object and the receiving antenna means. An RFID circuit element having an IC circuit section for storing predetermined information and an antenna connected to the IC circuit section for transmitting and receiving information;
A wireless tag comprising: a connection member that connects the RFID tag circuit element to the search object to be attached so that the installation direction of the RFID circuit element can be changed. The wireless tag according to claim 8, wherein
The wireless tag is characterized in that the connection member connects the RFID circuit element to the search target so that the installation direction of the RFID circuit element can be changed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the original installation surface. The wireless tag according to claim 8, wherein
The wireless tag is characterized in that the connection member connects the RFID circuit element to the search target so that the installation direction of the RFID circuit element can be rotated within a plane including an original installation surface. The wireless tag according to claim 10, wherein
The wireless tag is characterized in that the connection member connects the RFID circuit element to the search object so that a rotation angle in a plane including the initial installation surface is not less than 60 degrees and not more than 120 degrees. . An RFID circuit element having an IC circuit section for storing predetermined information and an antenna connected to the IC circuit section for transmitting and receiving information;
A wireless tag comprising: a tag function disabling or reducing means capable of disabling or reducing a communication function of the wireless tag circuit element via the antenna.

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