JP2006139605A - Reader/writer and time reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reader/writer and the like capable of properly reading a competition time and the like from a timing instrument. <P>SOLUTION: This reader/writer 10 receiving electric power supply from a USB 14 in connection with a verification terminal 40 and feeds electric power supply to a radio tag 30 from a power source terminal CT1-CT5 in connection with the radio tag 30. In receipt of a transmission request of the competition time, the reader/writer 10 transforms a transmission request (signal data) of a USB standard to a transmission request of an RS232 standard and supplies the transmission request to the radio tag 30 via serial IF 11-38 by means of a serial IF driver 12. When the competition time is sent from the radio tag 30 in response to the transmission request, the reader/writer 10 transforms the competition time and the like (communication data) of an RS232C standard into the competition time and the like of the USB standard by means of a transformation circuit 13 and transmits the competition time to the verification terminal 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a reader / writer and a time reading method capable of appropriately reading a competition time and the like from a timing device.

In recent years, in marathon competitions and the like, attempts have been made to measure (measure) the goal time of each individual athlete. For example, a measurement system that measures a competitor's individual goal time based on the time when a barcode was printed on a competitor's race bib and the reader's barcode was read by a reader has been put into practical use. Yes.
Nevertheless, in the conventional measurement system, since the barcode is read over a predetermined time after the goal, the goal time that was delayed from the actual measurement was measured in the first place. In particular, when a large number of athletes have scored at the same time, there is a problem that waiting for bar code reading occurs, and a goal time considerably delayed from actual measurement is measured.
In addition to the goal time, there is an increasing demand for measuring the competition time including the passing time at each timing point (relay point, etc.), but the conventional measurement system cannot cope with this.

In order to solve such problems, various measurement systems have been developed, and operation tests and the like for practical use have been attempted. In order to measure the goal time that is closer to the actual measurement and to be able to measure the transit time at each relay point, the new measurement system is mainly used to measure the competition time of each individual player without contact. It has become.
For example, the player holds a tag transmitter and measures the competition time or the like based on information sent from the tag transmitter.

More specifically, a trigger signal is transmitted from a square loop coil or the like into the measurement area on the competition track, and when the athlete holding the tag transmitter travels within the measurement area, In response, an ID (such as an identification number) is transmitted from the tag transmitter. And ID receiving unit receives this ID, and measures the number of laps of each athlete, competition time, etc. (for example, refer to patent documents 1).
In addition to this, a technique is also disclosed in which the tag transmitter transmits an ID using weak radio waves in the UHF band, etc., so as to increase the communication distance of the tag transmitter (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-141497 A (page 2-4, FIG. 2) JP 2004-125765 A (page 3-4, FIG. 2)

However, with such techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a large number of athletes reach the measurement area at the same time, the ID receiving unit side may not be able to receive the ID that should be sent appropriately. This is because a plurality of tag transmitters continue to transmit IDs to each other in the measurement area, so that a situation in which the processing on the ID receiving unit side cannot catch up occurs or a collision occurs during ID transmission. It is.
In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the tag transmitter transmits IDs at random intervals to suppress the occurrence of collision. In reality, however, a collision occurred while each tag transmitter repeatedly transmitted an ID within the timing area.
In such a case, the ID reception unit cannot correctly specify the start time and the end time, so that the inaccurate competition time is measured, or the competition time to be measured is almost lost without receiving the ID. Will end up.

  In addition to counting time with the ID receiving unit, the timer may be timed with a different timer. In such a case, even if the ID receiving unit can count the time, In some cases, contestants or other parties may file objections or protests. In such a case, the conventional techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 have not been able to present sufficient evidence (such as grounds for timekeeping) sufficient to convince the competitors about the timed competition time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reader / writer and a time reading method capable of appropriately reading a competition time and the like from a timing device such as a wireless tag for competition.

In order to achieve the above object, a reader / writer according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A reader / writer that is used by a competitor and reads information from a timing device that stores the competition time measured during the competition,
Power supply means for supplying power to the timing device;
Reading means for reading out the competition time from the timing device that is driven by the power supply means supplying the power;
Data supply means for converting the competition time read by the reading means into signal data of a predetermined standard and supplying the signal data to an external device;
It is characterized by providing.

According to the present invention, the power supply means supplies power to the timing device via, for example, a predetermined serial IF (interface). The reading means reads the competition time from a timing device that is driven by the power supply means supplying power. That is, the timekeeping device keeps time during the competition and reads the competition time stored in the nonvolatile memory or the like from the timekeeping device. The data supply unit converts the competition time read by the reading unit into, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard signal data and supplies the signal data to an external device (such as a personal computer).
Thereby, even when the timing device is out of battery, the competition time stored by the timing device can be read out.

  As a result, the competition time and the like can be appropriately read from the timing device.

In order to achieve the above object, a reader / writer according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
A reader / writer that is used by a competitor and reads the reference time that is the basis of timekeeping from a timekeeping device that times the time of the competition,
Power supply means for supplying power to the timing device;
Read means for reading out the reference time from the time measuring device,
Data supply means for converting the reference time read by the reading means into signal data of a predetermined standard and supplying the signal data to an external device;
It is characterized by providing.

According to the present invention, the power supply means supplies power to the timing device via, for example, a predetermined serial IF. The reading means reads the reference time being timed from the time measuring device. That is, the reference time (current time) on which the timing device is based on timing the competition time during the competition is read from the timing device. The data supply unit converts the reference time read by the reading unit into, for example, USB standard signal data, and supplies the signal data to an external device.
Thereby, the reference time used by the timing device can be read out, and the basis of the accuracy of the competition time can be obtained from this reference time.

  As a result, the competition time and the like can be appropriately read from the timing device.

The reader / writer is a measuring means for measuring a voltage value of a battery for driving the timing device during a competition,
Displaying means for displaying the remaining capacity of the battery of the timing device based on the voltage value measured by the measuring means may be further provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a time readout method according to a third aspect of the present invention is:
A time reading method for a device that is carried and used by a contestant and reads information from a time measuring device that stores the time measured during the competition,
A power supply step for supplying power to the timing device;
A reading step of reading out the competition time from the timing device that is driven by supplying the power in the power supply step;
A data supply step of converting the competition time read in the reading step into signal data of a predetermined standard and supplying the signal data to an external device;
It is characterized by providing.

According to the present invention, in the power supply step, for example, power is supplied to the timing device via a predetermined serial IF. In the reading step, the competition time is read out from the timing device that is driven by supplying power in the power supply step. That is, the timekeeping device keeps time during the competition and reads the competition time stored in the nonvolatile memory or the like from the timekeeping device. In the data supply step, the competition time read in the read step is converted into, for example, USB standard signal data and supplied to an external device.
Thereby, even when the timing device is out of battery, the competition time stored by the timing device can be read out.

  As a result, the competition time and the like can be appropriately read from the timing device.

In order to achieve the above object, a time readout method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is:
A time reading method for a device that is carried and used by a contestant and reads information from a time measuring device that stores the time measured during the competition,
A power supply step for supplying power to the timing device;
A reading step of reading out the reference time being timed from the time measuring device;
A data supply step of converting the reference time read in the reading step into signal data of a predetermined standard and supplying the signal data to an external device;
It is characterized by providing.

According to the present invention, in the power supply step, for example, power is supplied to the timing device via a predetermined serial IF. In the reading step, the reference time that is being measured is read from the timing device. That is, the reference time (current time) on which the timing device is based on timing the competition time during the competition is read from the timing device. In the data supply step, the reference time read in the read step is converted into, for example, USB) signal data and supplied to an external device.
As a result, the reference time used by the timing device can be read out, and this reference time can be used as a basis for indicating the accuracy of the competition time.

  As a result, the competition time and the like can be appropriately read from the timing device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately read the competition time and the like from the timing device.

  A verification system including a reader / writer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a verification system applied to the embodiment of the present invention. This verification system is applied to, for example, a case where a wireless tag 30 that is carried by a marathon athlete and measures the competition time at each timing point is used to verify the competition time after the competition.
As shown in the figure, the verification system includes a reader / writer 10, an antenna checker 20, a wireless tag 30 as a timing device, and a verification terminal 40.

First, the reader / writer 10 will be described. The reader / writer 10 reads, for example, the competition time (a plurality of competition times measured at each timing point stored in the storage unit 36 described later) from the wireless tag 30 after the competition is finished.
Specifically, the reader / writer 10 includes a serial IF 11, a serial IF driver 12, a conversion circuit 13, a USB 14, a power supply terminal CT1, a battery terminal CT2, a voltage checker 15, and an LED 16. .

  The serial IF (interface) 11 includes, for example, an RS232C standard interface.

The serial IF driver 12 includes a driver circuit or the like that controls the serial IF 11, and transmits / receives serial data to / from the wireless tag 30 when connected to the wireless tag 30 via the serial IF 11.
For example, the serial IF driver 12 requests the wireless tag 30 to transmit the competition time, and receives the competition time sent from the wireless tag 30. Further, the serial IF driver 12 requests the wireless tag 30 to transmit a time currently being measured (such as a current time measured by the time measuring unit 35 described later), and the current time sent from the wireless tag 30 is determined. Receive sequentially.
The configuration of the wireless tag 30 can be reduced by providing the serial IF driver 12 on the reader / writer 10 side.

  The conversion circuit 13 includes, for example, an RS232C-USB (Universal Serial Bus) conversion circuit and the like, converts RS232C standard signal data supplied from the serial IF driver 12 into USB standard signal data, and from the USB 14. The supplied USB standard signal data is converted into RS232C standard signal data.

The USB 14 includes a USB standard interface or the like, and transmits / receives data to / from the verification terminal 40 when connected to the verification terminal 40.
For example, when a competition time transmission request is sent from the verification terminal 40, the USB 14 supplies the acquired transmission request to the serial IF driver 12 (via the conversion circuit 13). Then, when the competition time as a response is sent from the serial IF driver 12 (via the conversion circuit 13), the USB 14 transmits the acquired competition time to the verification terminal 40.
Note that the USB 14 can receive power supply from the verification terminal 40 by bus power, thereby serving as a power source for driving the entire reader / writer 10. Further, the USB 14 is also connected to the power supply terminal CT1, and power can be supplied to the wireless tag 30.

  The power supply terminal CT <b> 1 supplies power to the wireless tag 30 when connected to the wireless tag 30. That is, the voltage / current based on the bus power obtained from the USB 14 can be supplied to the wireless tag 30.

  When the battery terminal CT2 is connected to the wireless tag 30, the battery terminal CT2 acquires a voltage / current supplied from a battery (battery 39 described later) of the wireless tag 30.

The voltage checker 15 measures the voltage value of the battery 39 acquired by the battery terminal CT2. Then, a light emission signal is supplied to the LED 16 according to the measured voltage value.
For example, the voltage checker 15 sets the voltage value of the battery 39 to the first voltage value (full voltage) at which driving is sufficiently possible, and the second voltage value (no voltage drop) that does not interfere with driving but indicates voltage drop ( Medium voltage) and a third voltage value (weak voltage) indicating the drive limit, respectively, and the remaining amount of the battery 39 is measured. Then, based on the comparison result, the LED 16 is supplied with a light emission signal indicating any of full voltage or more, less than full voltage—more than medium voltage, less than medium voltage—more than weak voltage, and less than weak voltage.

An LED (Light Emitting Diode) 16 appropriately emits light according to a light emission signal supplied from the voltage checker 15.
For example, the LED 16 is composed of three green LEDs and one red LED. When the light emission signal supplied from the voltage checker 15 is equal to or higher than the full voltage, all the three green LEDs are lit and full. When the voltage is less than the voltage-medium voltage or more, the two green LEDs are turned on. Further, when the voltage is less than the medium voltage-the voltage is less than the weak voltage, only one green LED is turned on. That is, the remaining voltage of the battery 39 is simply displayed according to the number of light emission of the green LED.
On the other hand, when the light emission signal is less than the weak voltage, one red LED is turned on to warn that there is no remaining driveable capacity in the battery 39.

Next, the antenna checker 20 will be described. The antenna checker 20 checks the sensitivity of an antenna (an LF antenna 31 described later) of the wireless tag 30.
Specifically, the antenna checker 20 includes a magnetic field terminal CT3, a magnetic field checker 21, an LED 22, and a power supply 23. When the LF antenna 31 is checked by the antenna checker 20, the wireless tag 30 is assumed to be disposed on a loop coil that generates an electromagnetic field having a prescribed electromagnetic field strength, for example.

  When the magnetic field terminal CT3 is connected to the wireless tag 30, the magnetic field terminal CT3 acquires a voltage value (detection signal appropriately amplified by an amplification circuit 32 described later) indicating the electromagnetic field intensity detected by the LF antenna 31 of the wireless tag 30 and the like. .

The magnetic field checker 21 measures a voltage value indicating the electromagnetic field intensity acquired by the magnetic field terminal CT3. Then, a light emission signal is supplied to the LED 22 according to the measured voltage value.
For example, the magnetic field checker 21 uses a voltage value indicating the electromagnetic field intensity detected by the LF antenna 31 as a specified value (a voltage value with sufficient detection sensitivity corresponding to the generated specified electromagnetic field intensity). In comparison, the sensitivity of the LF antenna 31 is measured. Then, the LED 22 is supplied with a light emission signal indicating any of the specified value or more and less than the specified value.

The LED 22 appropriately emits light according to the light emission signal supplied from the magnetic field checker 21.
For example, the LED 22 is composed of one green LED and one red LED. When the light emission signal supplied from the magnetic field checker 21 is equal to or higher than a specified value, the green LED is turned on. In some cases, the red LED is turned on. That is, the sensitivity of the LF antenna 31 is simply displayed from the color of the LED to emit light.

  The power source 23 is made of, for example, a battery and supplies power to the entire antenna checker 20.

Next, the wireless tag 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless tag 30 is carried by the player RN and moves to each timing point (relay point or goal point) together with the player RN. Then, for example, the inflection point of the electromagnetic field is detected on the timing line L that is the timing point of each timing point, and the time measured at that time is sequentially stored as the competition time.
Further, after the competition is over, the competition time etc. stored in the reader / writer 10 shown in FIG.
Specifically, the wireless tag 30 includes an LF antenna 31, an amplifier circuit 32, a magnetic field terminal CT4, a detection circuit 33, a control unit 34, a time measuring unit 35, a storage unit 36, a communication circuit 37, and a serial IF 38. And a power supply terminal CT5, a battery 39, and a battery terminal CT6.

The LF (Low Frequency) antenna 31 detects an electromagnetic field generated from a loop coil arranged at each timing point. For example, an electromagnetic field generated on an 8-shaped loop coil LC is detected by a magnetic field generator JH as shown in FIG.
Then, the LF antenna 31 supplies a detection signal indicating the detected electromagnetic field intensity to the amplifier circuit 32.

  The amplifier circuit 32 appropriately amplifies the detection signal supplied from the LF antenna 31 and supplies the amplified detection signal to the detection circuit 33. The amplifier circuit 32 also supplies the amplified detection signal to the magnetic field terminal CT4.

  When the magnetic field terminal CT4 is connected to the antenna checker 20, the voltage value indicating the electromagnetic field intensity detected by the LF antenna 31 of the wireless tag 30 (a detection signal appropriately amplified by the amplification circuit 32) is supplied to the antenna checker 20. Supply.

The detection circuit 33 detects the time point according to the detection signal supplied from the amplifier circuit 32.
For example, at each timing point, an 8-shaped loop coil LC as shown in FIG. 2 is arranged on the timing line L, and the timing line L is turned into an inflection point by the alternating current supplied from the magnetic field generator JH. It is assumed that an electromagnetic field having an electromagnetic field intensity distribution is generated. In this case, when the athlete RN runs on the loop coil LC, the detection circuit 33 detects the inflection point of the generated electromagnetic field, and determines that the athlete RN has reached the timing line L.

The control unit 34 controls the entire wireless tag 30. For example, the control unit 34 appropriately sets (corrects) the current time received by the communication circuit 37 described later in the time measuring unit 35. Moreover, the control part 34 specifies the present time which the time measuring part 35 timed as a competition time at the timing which the detection circuit 33 detected the time measuring point. Then, the specified competition time is sequentially stored in the storage unit 36.
In addition, the control unit 34 receives the competition time transmission request from the reader / writer 10 via the serial IF 38 described later, and the competition time stored in the storage unit 36 (a plurality of times measured at each timing point). The competition time) is read out and transmitted to the reader / writer 10 via the serial IF 38.
Similarly, when the current time transmission request is received from the reader / writer 10 via the serial IF 38, the control unit 34 sequentially acquires the current time measured by the time measuring unit 35, and the serial time 38 via the serial IF 38. The data is sequentially transmitted to the reader / writer 10.

The time measuring unit 35 is corrected (set) as appropriate by the control unit 34 and measures the current time synchronized with the current time received by the communication circuit 37.
The timekeeping unit 35 includes a highly stable crystal oscillator, and can stably keep the current time.

The storage unit 36 includes, for example, a non-volatile memory, and sequentially stores the competition times specified by the control unit 34.
The storage unit 36 is provided with storage areas for at least all timing points, and the competition time measured at each timing point can be stored in each storage area. For example, each storage area is managed in a ring shape by a ring counter, and whenever the competition time is stored, the ring counter is counted up and the competition time is stored in order.
In addition, the memory | storage part 36 has memorize | stored beforehand the specific ID information (tag ID) etc. which are different for every radio | wireless tag 30 (each player) etc. in the separate area, for example.

The communication circuit 37 receives a current time transmitted from a time transmitter JS arranged at a timekeeping point as shown in FIG. 2 via a predetermined communication antenna, for example.
Further, the communication circuit 37 transmits the competition time specified by the control unit 34 to, for example, a time receiver TJ arranged at a time point as shown in FIG.

When connected to the reader / writer 10 described above, the power supply terminal CT5 acquires the voltage / current supplied from the USB 14 of the reader / writer 10 and supplies it to the entire wireless tag 30.
That is, when connected to the reader / writer 10, the power supply terminal CT5 functions as a power supply instead of the battery 39 described later, and drives the wireless tag 30. For this reason, the wireless tag 30 can be driven by the connection with the reader / writer 10 even when the battery 39 does not have sufficient remaining capacity for driving.

The battery 39 supplies a voltage / current to the entire wireless tag 30 to drive the wireless tag 30 during a competition or the like (in a state where the battery 39 is not connected to the reader / writer 10).
The battery 39 also supplies a voltage / current to the battery terminal CT6.

  The battery terminal CT6 supplies the voltage / current of the battery 39 to the reader / writer 10 (voltage checker 15) when connected to the reader / writer 10.

Note that the wireless tag 30 having such a configuration has a power saving mode in which only the timekeeping unit 35 and the like necessary for timekeeping are driven in order to minimize the power consumption of the battery 39 during the competition. That is, in a situation where only the current time needs to be measured, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.
Specifically, the wireless tag 30 stores, for example, the competition time measured at the timing point in the storage unit 36, and automatically transmits to the time receiver TJ from the communication circuit 37, and then automatically enters the power saving mode. Transition.
Note that the return from the power saving mode to the normal mode is performed, for example, at a timing when a special trigger signal is received in order to receive the current time from the time transmitter JS.
That is, the wireless tag 30 returns to the normal mode from the power saving mode at the timing of receiving the current time from the time transmitter JS shown in FIG. 2, and after transmitting the competition time to the time receiver TJ, the normal mode Shifts to power saving mode.
Thereby, since the wireless tag 30 is operating in the power saving mode in the section (period) from the time when the athlete RN passes the time point until the next time point is reached, the power saving during the competition is reduced. It will be effective.

In addition, after passing the goal point, the wireless tag 30 similarly shifts to the power saving mode. Still, since there is no need to keep timing indefinitely, the wireless tag 30 is automatically switched off when one hour elapses after shifting to the power saving mode. In other words, after 1 hour has passed since the goal, the time measurement of the current time performed by the time measuring unit 35 is also stopped.
The reason why the time keeping unit 35 keeps the time for one hour is to be able to cope with an objection or protest about the competition time from the athlete RN or the like.
That is, in the power saving mode, the wireless tag 30 is connected to the reader / writer 10 and the reader / writer 10 is connected to the verification terminal 40 to be described later as long as the current time is kept by the time measuring unit 35. By doing so, the current time measured by the wireless tag 30 can be displayed on the monitor of the verification terminal 40 or the like. Thereby, the accuracy of the current time, which is the basis of the competition time, can be presented to the player RN and the like. At the same time, the competition time at each timing point can also be presented.

Finally, the verification terminal 40 will be described. The verification terminal 40 is composed of, for example, a notebook personal computer (personal computer) equipped with a USB terminal, and reads the competition time and the like from the connected wireless tag 30 via the reader / writer 10 and displays it on its own monitor.
The verification terminal 40 supplies a voltage current for driving to the reader / writer 10 and the like by bus power via the USB terminal.

Hereinafter, the operation of the verification system configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, with reference to FIG. 3, the time measuring process which the wireless tag 30 performs during competition will be described.
It is assumed that the antenna sensitivity of the wireless tag 30 (LF antenna 31) is appropriately checked by the antenna checker 20 before the start of the competition. Further, it is assumed that whether or not the wireless tag 30 (battery 39) can be driven is appropriately confirmed by the voltage checker 15 of the reader / writer 20.
Further, as an example, the time counting process shown in FIG. 3 is started in a state in which the wireless tag 30 is in the power saving mode after the competition has started.

First, the wireless tag 30 determines whether or not a special trigger signal has been received (step S11).
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the wireless tag 30 in the power saving mode has advanced to the timing point together with the player RN and has received a special trigger signal to receive the current time from the time transmitter JS. Is determined.
When the wireless tag 30 determines that it has not received a special trigger signal, the wireless tag 30 proceeds to step 18 described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that a special trigger signal has been received, the wireless tag 30 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode (step S12).

Then, the wireless tag 30 receives the transmitted time and corrects the current time that is being measured (step S13).
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the wireless tag 30 that has returned to the normal mode receives the current time sent from the time transmitter JS, the wireless tag 30 corrects the time measured by the time measuring unit 35 as appropriate.

Subsequently, the wireless tag 30 waits for detection of an inflection point of the electromagnetic field (step S14).
That is, the player RN moves on the loop coil LC as shown in FIG. 2 and waits until the inflection point of the electromagnetic field generated on the loop coil LC is detected. It is assumed that an electromagnetic field having an electromagnetic field intensity distribution serving as an inflection point on the timing line L is generated by the magnetic field generator JH and the loop coil LC.

When the wireless tag 30 detects the inflection point of the electromagnetic field, it counts the competition time (step S15).
That is, the wireless tag 30 specifies the current time that the time measuring unit 35 has measured as the competition time at the timing when the inflection point (the time measuring line L) of the electromagnetic field is detected.

The wireless tag stores the competition time and transmits the competition time (step S16).
That is, the wireless tag 30 stores the measured competition time in one of the storage areas in the storage unit 36 according to the counter. Further, the wireless tag 30 transmits the measured competition time to a time receiver TJ as shown in FIG.

Then, the wireless tag 30 shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode (step S17).
In other words, since the timing (storing and transmission) of the competition time at the timing point has been completed, the wireless tag 30 shifts to the power saving mode until the competitor RN reaches the next timing point, and the battery 39 can be consumed as much as possible. Reduce.

The wireless tag 30 determines whether or not one hour has passed since the transition to the power saving mode (step S18).
If it is determined that one hour has not elapsed, the wireless tag 30 returns the process to step S11 and repeatedly executes the processes of steps S11 to S18 described above.

On the other hand, when it is determined that one hour has elapsed since the transition to the power saving mode, the wireless tag 30 turns off the power (step S19).
That is, it is considered that the competitor RN has passed the goal point and finished the competition, and it is determined that a grace period for objection or protest about the competition time has passed. Stop measuring the current time at and turn off the power.

  Thus, the competition time of the player RN at each timing point can be measured while appropriately saving power by the time counting process performed by the wireless tag 30.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the time acquisition process performed by the reader / writer 10 after the competition is completed will be described.
This time acquisition process is started in a state where the reader / writer 10 and the verification terminal 40 are connected, and the reader / writer 10 and the wireless tag 30 are connected.
By the way, when the reader / writer 10 and the verification terminal 40 are connected, power is supplied from the USB 14 to the reader / writer 10. Further, when the reader / writer 10 and the wireless tag 30 are connected, power is supplied to the wireless tag 30 from the power terminals CT1-CT5.

First, the reader / writer 10 stands by until it receives a transmission request sent from the verification terminal 40 (step S21).
In other words, the reader / writer 10 waits until a transmission request for the competition time to the wireless tag 30 or a transmission request for the currently timed time is sent from the verification terminal 40 via the USB 14.

Upon receiving the transmission request sent from the USB 14, the reader / writer 10 converts the received transmission request and supplies it to the wireless tag 30 (step S22).
That is, the reader / writer 10 converts the USB standard transmission request (signal data) into the RS232C standard transmission request by the conversion circuit 13, and the serial IF driver 12 passes the serial IF 11 -serial IF 38 to the wireless tag 30. A transmission request is supplied to the (control unit 34).

The reader / writer 10 stands by until a competition time or the like sent from the wireless tag 30 is received (step S23).
That is, the reader / writer 10 waits for reception of a competition time or the like sent from the wireless tag 30 in response to the supplied transmission request.
On the wireless tag 30 side, when receiving a transmission request for a competition time, the control unit 34 stores the competition time stored in the storage unit 36 (a plurality of competition times measured at each timing point). Is read. Further, when receiving a transmission request for requesting the time currently being measured, the control unit 34 sequentially acquires the current time measured by the time measuring unit 35. Then, the competition time and the like are supplied to the reader / writer via the serial IF 38-serial IF 11.

When the reader / writer 10 receives the competition time or the like sent from the wireless tag 30, the reader / writer 10 converts the received competition time or the like and transmits it to the verification terminal 40 (step S24).
That is, the reader / writer 10 converts the RS232C standard competition time or the like (communication data) into the USB standard competition time or the like by the conversion circuit 13, and transmits the competition time or the like to the verification terminal 40 by the USB 14.

As described above, the time acquisition process performed by the reader / writer 10 causes the wireless tag 30 to be driven and the competition time (each timing point stored in the storage unit 36 even when the remaining amount of the battery 39 of the wireless tag 30 does not remain. You can get multiple competition times).
In addition, if the wireless tag 30 (timer 35) is measuring the current time in the power saving mode, the current time being measured by the timer 35 that is the basis of the competition time can be acquired. The current time can be used as a basis for showing the accuracy of the competition time.

  As a result, the competition time and the like can be appropriately read from the timing device (wireless tag 30).

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless tag 30 measures the current time as the reference time of the competition has been described, but the wireless tag 30 may be configured to measure the running time as the reference time of the competition. For example, at the start point, the wireless tag 30 starts measuring time in response to the start signal, and at the time measuring point, the time measured when the wireless tag 30 detects the inflection point of the electromagnetic field is specified (stored) as the competition time. It may be.

In the above embodiment, the wireless tag 30 that measures the competition time in the marathon competition has been described as an example, but the competition to be timed is not limited to this and is arbitrary.
For example, the present invention can be applied as appropriate to relay races, racewalking, disabled wheelchair road races, bicycle road races, triathlons, and mountain sports such as running and orientation.

  As described above, the competition time can be appropriately read from the timing device (wireless tag 30).

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a structure of the verification system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the mode in the timing point of a wireless tag. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the time-measurement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the time acquisition process which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Reader / Writer 20 Antenna Checker 30 Wireless Tag

Claims (5)

A reader / writer that is used by a competitor and reads information from a timing device that stores the competition time measured during the competition,
Power supply means for supplying power to the timing device;
Reading means for reading out the competition time from the timing device that is driven by the power supply means supplying the power;
Data supply means for converting the competition time read by the reading means into signal data of a predetermined standard and supplying the signal data to an external device;
A reader / writer characterized by comprising: A reader / writer that is used by a competitor and reads the reference time that is the basis of timekeeping from a timekeeping device that times the time of the competition,
Power supply means for supplying power to the timing device;
Read means for reading out the reference time from the time measuring device,
Data supply means for converting the reference time read by the reading means into signal data of a predetermined standard and supplying the signal data to an external device;
A reader / writer characterized by comprising: Measuring means for measuring a voltage value of a battery for driving the timing device during a competition;
Display means for displaying the remaining capacity of the battery of the timing device based on the voltage value measured by the measuring means;
The reader / writer according to claim 1, wherein the reader / writer is provided. A time reading method for a device that is carried and used by a contestant and reads information from a time measuring device that stores the time measured during the competition,
A power supply step for supplying power to the timing device;
A reading step of reading out the competition time from the timing device that is driven by supplying the power in the power supply step;
A data supply step of converting the competition time read in the reading step into signal data of a predetermined standard and supplying the signal data to an external device;
A time reading method comprising: A time reading method for a device that is carried and used by a contestant and reads information from a time measuring device that stores the time measured during the competition,
A power supply step for supplying power to the timing device;
A reading step of reading out the reference time being timed from the time measuring device;
A data supply step of converting the reference time read in the reading step into signal data of a predetermined standard and supplying the signal data to an external device;
A time reading method comprising:

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