JP2007058741A - Apparatus and program for controlling rfid tag reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a modification quantity from a program corresponding to barcode data to a program corresponding to RFID tag data. <P>SOLUTION: A driver 16 to which an RFID tag reader 12 is connected connects a data buffer 17 capable of storing the data of a plurality of RFID tags. The driver 16 divides the plurality of RFID tags data collectively read out by the RFID tag reader 12 in each RFID tag and writes the divided data in the data buffer 17. Then the driver 16 reads out the RFID tag data written in the data buffer 17 one by one and supplies the read data to a controller 13 for processing the RFID tag data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides an RFID tag reader control device that functions as an interface between a computer that performs business processing using data of a plurality of RFID tags read by an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag reader and the RFID tag reader, and the RFID control device in the computer The present invention relates to an RFID tag reader control program for realizing the function as

  For example, in the distribution and retail industry, each product is given a product identification code barcode, and the barcodes of products handled at retail stores, store management headquarters, wholesale stores, etc. are read by a barcode reader and entered into a computer. By doing so, it is widely practiced to manage the information of products handled. On the other hand, in recent years, it has an IC chip and an antenna in which a unique ID is set and stored, and performs wireless contactless communication with a reader / writer, thereby reading IDs and storing arbitrary information. Wireless data carriers that can be written and read, so-called RFID tags, are drawing attention.

  There is a problem that the barcode is inefficient because it cannot be read unless it is scanned one by one with a barcode reader. In contrast, an RFID tag uses an anti-collision (collision prevention) method for communication control with a reader / writer, so that even if a plurality of RFID tags exist within a communicable range of one reader / writer. Since data can be read in a batch, it is efficient. Therefore, each product is attached with an RFID tag in which the identification code of the product is written, and the data of the RFID tag attached to the product handled at each base is collectively read by an RFID tag reader and input to a computer, It is desired to build a mechanism for managing information on products handled.

  Conventionally, a technology has been known in which both systems are used in combination during a transition from a barcode-based merchandise management system to a RFID tag merchandise management system so that merchandise management can be performed smoothly (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Note that the RFID tag is also referred to as a non-contact IC card, a wireless tag, an IC tag, a transponder, or the like, but is unified with the RFID tag in this specification. The reader / writer is also unified as an RFID tag reader.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-096463

  FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram for realizing a conventional merchandise management system using a bar code. A bar code reader 2 is connected to a computer 1. The computer 1 includes a controller 3 as a main control unit, a storage unit 4 for storing various programs and data processed by the controller 3, a communication interface 5 with external devices or peripheral devices, a bar code reader 2 and a driver 6 as a reader control device for controlling 2. The storage unit 4 is loaded with application programs for processing various operations executed by the computer 1 using bar code data, such as sales product registration business, incoming product inspection business, stock product inventory business, and the like.

  When shifting from such a system using a barcode to a system using an RFID tag, the RFID tag reader is simply connected to the computer 1 instead of the barcode reader 2 in terms of hardware. Change to a compatible one.

  However, in this case, the data of a plurality of RFID tags read in a batch by the RFID tag reader is sent to the controller 3 from the driver as a group, so that the controller 3 uses the RFID tag data group received from the driver as an RFID tag. It is required to divide every item and repeatedly execute necessary business processing for the divided RFID tag data. That is, the application program developed corresponding to the barcode data is created on the assumption that the data is input to the controller 3 one by one, but in order to develop the application program corresponding to the RFID tag data. Has to be created on the premise that a plurality of data are input to the controller 3 at the same time, and there is a problem that the development cost increases due to a large amount of program modification.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to reduce the amount of modification from an application program corresponding to barcode data to an application program corresponding to RFID tag data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an RFID tag reader control device and an RFID tag reader control program that can reduce such costs.

  The RFID tag reader control device of the present invention can read data from a plurality of RFID tags by using an anti-collision method for communication control with the RFID tag, and can store data of a plurality of RFID tags. A buffer, data writing means for dividing the data of a plurality of RFID tags read together by the RFID tag reader into each RFID tag and writing to the data buffer, and reading the RFID tag data written to the data buffer one by one, RFID And a data supply means for supplying the tag data to a controller.

  The RFID tag reader control program of the present invention connects an RFID tag reader that can read data from a plurality of RFID tags by using an anti-collision method for communication control with the RFID tag, and performs business using the data of the RFID tag. A function of dividing the data of a plurality of RFID tags collectively read by the RFID tag reader into each computer, and a function of storing the RFID tag data divided for each RFID tag in a computer on which an application program to be processed is mounted; A function of transferring stored RFID tag data to the application program one by one is realized.

  According to the present invention in which such a measure is taken, it is possible to reduce the amount of remodeling from an application program corresponding to barcode data to an application program corresponding to RFID tag data, thereby reducing the cost of program development.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.
In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a merchandise management system in a retail store.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a merchandise management system according to the present embodiment. An RFID tag reader 12 is connected to a computer 11. The computer 11 includes a controller 13 as a main control unit, a storage unit 14 for storing various programs and data processed by the controller 13, a communication interface 15 with external devices or peripheral devices, and an RFID tag reader 12. And a driver 16 as a reader control device for controlling the data and a data temporary storage buffer 17 used by the driver 16. The storage unit 14 is loaded with application programs for processing various product management operations executed by the computer 11 using RFID tag data, such as sales product registration business, incoming product inspection business, inventory product inventory business, and the like. ing.

  The RFID tag reader 12 is connected to a tag communication antenna 21, and communicates with the RFID tags 25, 26, and 27 provided in the respective products 22, 23, and 24 via the tag communication antenna 21 in a contactless manner. To read the data in the IC chip memory of each RFID tag 25, 26, 27.

  More specifically, the RFID tag reader 12 includes an interface unit with the computer 11, a control unit, a modulation unit, and a demodulation unit. Then, when an RFID tag read execution command is input from the computer 11 via the interface unit, the control unit modulates the read execution command by the modulation unit, and transmits the modulated radio wave from the tag communication antenna 21.

  Each of the RFID tags 25, 26, and 27 includes a loop coil antenna and an IC chip. A non-volatile memory is mounted on the IC chip, and an ID as a tag identifier set at the time of manufacturing the RFID tag is fixedly stored. In addition, a user area in which the user can arbitrarily write data is secured in the memory, and in the present embodiment, the identification codes of the products 22, 23, and 24 attached to the RFID tags 25, 26, and 27, respectively. Is at least written and saved.

  Thus, the RFID tags 25, 26, and 27 existing within the communicable range of the tag communication antenna 21 generate power in response to receiving the modulated radio wave of the read execution command by the loop coil antenna, and the ID in the memory. The user area data is modulated and radio waves are transmitted from the loop coil antenna. When the radio wave is received by the tag communication antenna 21, the control unit of the RFID tag reader 12 demodulates the received radio wave by the demodulation unit, and interfaces the demodulated RFID tag data, that is, ID and user area data. To the computer 11 via the unit.

  Here, in the present embodiment, a system called anti-collision (collision prevention) is used for communication control between the RFID tags 25, 26, and 27 and the RFID tag reader 12. As a result, when there are a plurality of RFID tags 25, 26, and 27 within the communicable range of one RFID tag reader 12, the data of the RFID tags 25, 26, and 27 are collectively collected by the RFID tag reader 12. It is read and output to the computer 11. In the above example, three RFID tags are shown. However, when one, two, or four or more RFID tags exist within the communicable range of the RFID tag reader 12, no reading error occurs. As long as the data of these RFID tags is read at once.

  The RFID tag reader 12 and the controller 13 of the computer 11 are connected via a driver 16. The driver 16 is installed with an RFID tag reader control program as middleware that provides an interface with the RFID tag reader 12. By the action of the RFID tag reader control program, the driver 16 performs an operation of storing data of one or more RFID tags read by the RFID tag reader 12 in the data temporary storage buffer 17. As shown in FIG. 2, the temporary data storage buffer 17 can store the ID of one RFID tag and the data of the user area in correspondence with a plurality of tags. In addition, a processed flag f for identifying whether or not processing has been performed for each RFID tag data is stored. The driver 16 sequentially reads unprocessed RFID tag data from the data temporary storage buffer 17 and supplies it to the controller 13 by the action of the RFID tag reader control program.

  The operation of the driver 16 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. This operation is realized by an RFID tag reader control program.

  That is, the driver 16 waits for a data acquisition instruction from the controller 13 as an initial state (FIG. 4, ST11). When there is a data acquisition instruction, the driver 16 initializes the data temporary storage buffer 17 (FIG. 4, ST12). Also, a confirmation loop process described later is started (FIG. 4, ST13).

  Next, the driver 16 transmits a read execution command to the RFID tag reader 12 (FIG. 4, ST14). As a result, the RFID tag reader 12 collectively reads RFID tag data including the ID of the RFID tag and the user area data existing within the communicable range of the tag communication antenna 21. Then, all the RFID tag data read in a batch are input to the driver 16.

  Therefore, when the driver 16 confirms that the RFID tag data has been read and inputted by the RFID tag reader 12 (FIG. 4, ST15), all the RFID tag data read at once is sent to the ID and user area data for each RFID tag. (FIG. 4, ST16: data dividing means). Then, for each divided RFID tag data, the data temporary storage buffer 17 is searched with the ID (FIG. 4, ST17), and it is determined whether data with the same ID has already been stored (FIG. 4, ST18).

  If data with the same ID has already been stored, the read RFID tag data with the ID is discarded (FIG. 4, ST19). When data with the same ID is not stored, RFID tag data with the ID is sequentially stored in the data temporary storage buffer 17 together with unprocessed flag information (f = 0) (FIG. 4, ST20: data write) means).

  Thus, for all RFID tag data collectively read by the RFID tag reader 12, if the data with the same ID is already stored in the data temporary storage buffer 17, the read RFID tag data is discarded and stored. If not, the driver 16 determines whether or not the controller 13 has received a data acquisition end instruction after completing the process of sequentially storing the read RFID tag data together with the unprocessed flag information in the data temporary storage buffer 17. Is determined (FIG. 4, ST21).

  If it is determined that there is no data acquisition end instruction, the driver 16 transmits a read execution command to the RFID tag reader 12 again (FIG. 4, ST14). Then, the subsequent processing (FIG. 4, ST15 to ST21) is executed again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there has been a data acquisition end instruction, the driver 16 stops the confirmation loop process (FIG. 4, ST22). Thus, the operation for the data acquisition instruction from the controller 13 is completed.

  Further, when the confirmation loop process is activated, the driver 16 searches whether or not unprocessed (f = 0) RFID tag data is stored in the data temporary storage buffer 17 (FIG. 5, ST31). When it is detected that unprocessed RFID tag data is stored (FIG. 5, ST32), the driver 16 takes out the unprocessed RFID tag data having the earliest storage order from the data temporary storage buffer 17. . At this time, the flag f of the RFID tag data is updated to have been processed (f = 1) (FIG. 5, ST33).

  Next, the driver 16 supplies the RFID tag data extracted from the data temporary storage buffer 17 to the controller 13 (FIG. 5, ST34: data supply means). Thereafter, the driver 16 waits for a receipt confirmation instruction from the controller 13 (FIG. 5, ST35). When receiving the receipt confirmation instruction, the driver 16 searches again whether or not unprocessed RFID data is stored in the temporary data storage buffer 17 (FIG. 5, ST31), and then unprocessed RFID. When it is detected that data is stored (FIG. 5, ST32), the above processing (FIG. 5, ST33 to ST35) is executed again.

  As described above, the driver 16 does not supply a plurality of RFID tag data collectively read by the RFID tag reader 12 to the controller 13 as it is, but divides the RFID tag data for each RFID tag and temporarily stores them in the data temporary storage buffer 17. Program control is performed so that the RFID tag data stored in the buffer 17 is sequentially extracted and supplied to the controller 13 one by one.

  Therefore, in the computer 11 including the driver 16 having such a function, the structure of the application program using the RFID tag data may basically be the structure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, first, as a first processing step ST1, an instruction to acquire RFID tag data is given to the driver 16. As a result, when the RFID tag reader 12 reads the RFID tag data all at once, the RFID tag data stored in the temporary data storage buffer 17 is supplied first from the driver 16. In step ST2, it is determined whether or not RFID tag data is taken in. If there is data fetching, as a third processing step ST3, predetermined processing (sales product registration business, incoming product inspection business, stock product inventory business, etc.) is performed on the RFID tag data supplied from the driver 16. Process).

  Next, as the fourth processing step ST4, it is determined whether or not the RFID tag data has been processed. When the processing is completed, a data reception confirmation instruction is given to the driver 16 as a fifth processing step ST5. As a result, when the next RFID tag data is stored in the data temporary storage buffer 17, the RFID tag data is supplied from the driver 16, so the process returns to the second processing step ST2, and the RFID tag data is returned. Judge whether or not to import. If there is data capture, a predetermined process is performed on the RFID tag data supplied from the driver 16 as a third processing step ST3. On the other hand, when all the RFID tag data stored in the temporary data storage buffer 17 are processed and it is determined that no data is taken in, as a sixth processing step ST6, a data acquisition end instruction is issued to the driver 16. To give.

  The structure of ST1 to ST6 of such an application program basically matches the existing application program that uses barcode data. That is, even in an application program that uses existing barcode data, first, the driver 6 is instructed to acquire barcode data, and when one barcode data read by the barcode reader 2 is captured, it is processed. . When the processing is completed, a data reception confirmation instruction is given to the driver 6, and when the next bar code data is fetched accordingly, this is processed.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when developing an application program corresponding to RFID tag data, one point of RFID tag data is stored in the controller 13 as in the case of an application program developed corresponding to barcode data. Since it is only necessary to make input on the assumption that it is input one by one, it is possible to reduce the amount of modification of the application program that accompanies the transition from barcode to RFID tag. As a result, the cost associated with the development of the program can be greatly reduced, and the product management system can smoothly transition from the barcode to the RFID tag.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a merchandise management system in a retail store has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an RFID tag is generally used in an article management system using a barcode. It can be applied when shifting to an article management system using the.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic block diagram which shows the merchandise management system which is one embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the data temporary storage buffer which the system has. The flowchart which shows the basic structure of the application program mounted in the system. The flowchart which shows the principal part procedure of the RFID tag reader control process which the driver in the system performs. The flowchart which shows the principal part procedure of the confirmation loop process which the driver in the system performs. The schematic block diagram for implement | achieving the merchandise management system using the conventional barcode.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Computer, 12 ... RFID tag reader, 13 ... Controller, 14 ... Memory | storage part, 15 ... Interface part, 16 ... Driver, 17 ... Data temporary storage buffer, 21 ... Tag communication antenna, 25, 26, 27 ... RFID tag

Claims (6)

In an RFID tag reader controller that can collectively read data from a plurality of RFID tags by using an anti-collision method for communication control with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag,
A data buffer capable of storing data of a plurality of RFID tags;
Data writing means for dividing the data of a plurality of RFID tags collectively read by the RFID tag reader for each RFID tag and writing the data into the data buffer;
Data supply means for reading the RFID tag data written in the data buffer one by one and supplying the data to the controller for processing the RFID tag data;
An RFID tag reader control device comprising:   2. The RFID tag reader according to claim 1, wherein the data supply means reads out the next one RFID tag data in response to receiving a received data reception completion instruction from the controller and supplies the data to the controller. Control device.   The data writing means determines whether or not the data of the same RFID tag is already written in the data buffer when the data divided for each RFID tag is written in the data buffer. 2. The RFID tag reader control device according to claim 1, wherein data to be written is discarded. An RFID tag reader capable of reading data from a plurality of RFID tags at a time is connected by using an anti-collision method for communication control with the RFID tag, and an application program for processing business using the data of the RFID tag is implemented. On the computer,
A function of dividing data of a plurality of RFID tags collectively read by the RFID tag reader for each RFID tag;
A function of storing RFID tag data divided for each RFID tag;
A function of handing over stored RFID tag data to the application program one by one;
An RFID tag reader control program characterized by realizing the above.   5. The function of delivering the RFID tag data to the application program is a function of delivering next RFID tag data after waiting for a reception completion instruction from the application program that delivered the RFID tag data. RFID tag reader control program.   The function of storing the RFID tag data is to determine whether the data to be stored is already stored RFID tag data, and in the case of already stored RFID tag data, the data to be stored is determined. The RFID tag reader control program according to claim 4, further comprising a function of discarding.

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