JP2007088743A - Radio tag information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform position detection of a radio tag circuit element easily and in high precision by output control, and improve convenience of an operator. <P>SOLUTION: A reader 200 comprises an antenna 10 and a high frequency circuit 201 for performing transceiving of information by radio communication with an IC circuit unit 150 which memorizes information and radio tag circuit elements To1, To2 with antennas 151 connected with the IC circuit unit 150, and obtaining tag ID of the radio tag circuit elements To1, To2; and performs increase and reduction control by a control circuit 202 about amplitude of the transmission output after obtaining the tag ID. Consequently, the reader performs position detection of the radio tag circuit element by the output control easily and in high precision, and can improve convenience of the operator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag information reading device that reads information held in a wireless tag circuit element provided in a reading object.

  2. Description of the Related Art A wireless tag information reading device is already known in which a wireless tag is provided on an article to be managed and the held information is read in a contactless manner when performing article management. For example, a wireless tag circuit element included 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 / receives information. Even when the wireless tag is dirty or placed at an invisible position, information can be read from the wireless tag information reading device (reader) side with respect to the wireless tag information of the IC circuit unit. There are already practical applications in various fields.

  Here, the communication range from the RFID tag information reading device becomes wider as the transmission output of the device becomes larger, and becomes narrower as the transmission output becomes smaller. A conventional technique using such a property for detecting a RFID circuit element is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This prior art utilizes the fact that the RFID circuit element closer to the antenna on the device side can be accessed with a smaller output, transmits a signal of a certain output value, recognizes the RFID circuit element group that responds to it, and then The RFID tag circuit element group that transmits a signal having a slightly larger output value after being put to sleep and responds to it is recognized as a RFID tag circuit element group farther than the dormant RFID circuit element group, and this is repeated to The distributed position of the RFID tag circuit element is recognized by being divided into a plurality of regions.

JP-A-11-344562

  However, the above prior art performs detection of the RFID tag circuit element for each division while dividing the wide area into small areas while increasing the output for a large number of RFID tag circuit elements scattered in a wide area. No particular consideration is given to narrowing down and specifying the position of one RFID circuit element by reducing the output.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag information reading device that can detect the position of a wireless tag circuit element easily and with high accuracy by output control and improve the convenience of an operator.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention performs transmission / reception of information by wireless communication with an RFID circuit element including an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit, A wireless tag information reading device having wireless communication means for acquiring tag identification information of the wireless tag circuit element, wherein after the tag identification information is acquired by the wireless communication means, the transmission output of the wireless communication means It has an output control means for increasing / decreasing the size.

  In the first invention of this application, the wireless communication means performs wireless communication with the wireless tag circuit element, and after the tag identification information of the wireless tag circuit element is acquired, the output control means determines the magnitude of the output of the wireless communication means. Increase / decrease is controlled. Thereby, after once detecting the RFID circuit element, the communicable range from the RFID tag information reading device side can be reduced or expanded. Therefore, after first detecting the presence position of the specific RFID tag circuit element of interest relatively roughly, while trying to reduce or expand the communicable range, again try to acquire the tag identification information by wireless communication means, By repeating this, the position of the RFID tag circuit element is gradually narrowed down, and the position of communication can be detected with high accuracy by finally reducing the communicable range as much as possible. As described above, the position of the RFID tag circuit element can be detected relatively easily and with high accuracy only by the output control of the RFID tag information reading device, so that the operator can easily find an article corresponding to the RFID tag circuit element. Can improve convenience.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the output control means is capable of increasing / decreasing the magnitude of the transmission output in a stepwise manner.

  As a result, after first detecting the position of a specific RFID tag circuit element as a target relatively roughly, the wireless communication means again detects the tag identification information while gradually reducing or expanding the communicable range. By attempting acquisition and repeating this, it is possible to narrow down the existence position of the RFID circuit element step by step, and finally detect the existence position with high accuracy by reducing the communicable range as much as possible.

  In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the wireless communication means and the output control means perform a command transmission operation for acquiring tag identification information of the wireless tag circuit element and an increase / decrease operation of the transmission output. The operation is performed in cooperation with each other so as to be performed alternately.

  As a result, after the position of the specific RFID tag circuit element to be detected is detected relatively roughly at first, the communication communication range is gradually reduced / expanded and the command transmission is performed again while repeating the tag communication with the wireless communication means. By attempting to acquire identification information, narrowing down the position of the RFID circuit element in stages and finally reducing the communicable range as much as possible, it is possible to detect the position of presence with high accuracy.

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, there is provided display means for performing a predetermined display related to control by the output control means.

  This makes it possible to display various communication states such as the size of transmission output in wireless communication, for example. Further, when a manually operable touch panel or the like is used as a display unit, both a display function and an operation function can be used, and space can be reduced and manual operation can be facilitated.

  According to a fifth invention, in the fourth invention, the display means is capable of displaying an output information display section representing transmission output information of the wireless communication means.

  The larger the transmission output, the wider the communicable range, and the smaller the transmission output, the narrower the communicable range. By displaying the transmission output information on the output information display section, it is possible to approximate the device to the RFID circuit element. The distance can be notified to the operator.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the display means can display a distance information display section representing distance information to the corresponding RFID circuit element after the tag identification information is acquired by the wireless communication means. It is characterized by being.

  Thereby, the distance from the device to the RFID circuit element can be clearly notified to the operator.

  According to a seventh invention, in any one of the fourth to sixth inventions, there is provided setting means capable of manually setting an output increase / decrease state by the output control means.

  As a result, it is possible to perform output control that surely reflects the intention while confirming the intention of the operator while preventing the output control against the intention of the operator.

  An eighth invention is characterized in that, in the seventh invention, the display means can display the setting means after obtaining the tag identification information by at least the wireless communication means.

  Since at least a part of the display means also has a setting function by manual operation, space can be reduced and manual operation can be facilitated.

  In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, after the tag identification information is obtained by the wireless communication means, the display means is configured to be manually operated by an operator with a setting for reducing the size of the transmission output by a predetermined width. The standby display unit for waiting can be displayed.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce the hassle of performing transmission output magnitude and increase / decrease settings one by one during manual setting.

  In a tenth aspect based on any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the output control means acquires the tag identification information by the wireless communication means, and then acquires the wireless communication within a range in which the tag identification information can be acquired. Minimizing means for minimizing the magnitude of the transmission output of the communication means is provided.

  This makes it possible for the operator to try to acquire the tag identification information by the wireless communication means again while gradually reducing the communicable range automatically without manually performing various settings related to output control. By repeating, it is possible to narrow down the position of the RFID circuit element.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, the display means displays a minimized output information display unit representing the transmission output information after the minimizing means minimizes the size of the transmission output. It is possible.

  Thereby, it is possible to roughly notify the operator of how close the distance to the RFID circuit element is due to the automatic output control.

  In a twelfth aspect based on the tenth aspect, the display means minimizes the distance information to the corresponding RFID circuit element after the minimizing means minimizes the magnitude of the transmission output. The distance information display unit can be displayed.

  Thereby, it is possible to clearly notify the operator of how close the distance to the RFID circuit element is due to the automatic output control.

  In a thirteenth aspect according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, the output control means is configured such that the minimizing means minimizes the size of the transmission output, and then the tag by the wireless communication means is used. According to the present invention, there is provided an increase / decrease control unit that repeatedly increases / decreases the magnitude of the transmission output of the wireless communication unit with a predetermined width according to the acquisition state of the identification information.

  As a result, it becomes possible for the operator to try to acquire the tag identification information by the wireless communication means again while automatically reducing or expanding the communicable range without manually performing various settings related to output control. By repeating, it is possible to narrow down the existence position of the RFID circuit element and finally detect the existence position with high accuracy.

  In a fourteenth aspect based on any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, the output control means determines the magnitude of the transmission output after the minimization means has attempted to minimize the magnitude of the transmission output. A stop control means for stopping transmission or minimizing the transmission frequency when it becomes a predetermined value or less is provided.

  As a result, it is possible to notify the operator that the distance to the target RFID circuit element is close, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary transmission output control from being repeated in such a proximity state. It is possible to reduce the burden on the operator and wasteful power consumption.

  In a fifteenth aspect based on any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the output control means acquires a plurality of the tag identification information by the wireless communication means, and then selects any one of the tag identification information. It is characterized by comprising a reduction control means for controlling the magnitude of the transmission output of the wireless communication means until only the signal is acquired.

  Thus, when a plurality of tag identification information is acquired, only the identification information of the RFID circuit element closest to the device side among them is automatically detected, and the RFID tag circuit element is selected by the operator. The operation burden can be reduced.

  In a sixteenth aspect based on any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, the wireless communication unit includes a unidirectional or omnidirectional apparatus-side antenna that performs wireless communication with the tag-side antenna. Features.

  By making the antenna unidirectional or omnidirectional, the direction of the main lobe by the wireless communication means does not change, making it easy to associate the size of the transmission output with the communicable range, and allowing the operator to wirelessly It is possible to easily narrow down the position of the tag circuit element.

  In a seventeenth aspect based on the sixteenth aspect, the wireless communication means includes a unidirectional device-side antenna that performs wireless communication with the tag-side antenna.

  By making the antenna unidirectional, the direction of the main lobe by the wireless communication means does not change and its width becomes relatively narrow, so the correspondence between the size of the transmission output and the communicable range is further clarified, It is possible to further narrow down the position of the RFID tag circuit element by the operator.

  According to the present invention, the position of the RFID tag circuit element can be detected easily and with high precision by output control, and the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a reading device (wireless tag information reading device) provided with a RFID circuit element as an information holding unit for an article to be managed and reading information stored in the RFID circuit element. Embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag information communication system having a wireless tag information reading device (reader) according to the present embodiment.

In the RFID tag information communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1, information (details will be described later) of RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 (information holding units) provided in RFID tags T1 and T2 is accessed (in this example, information reading is performed). However, it may be writable) reader 200 (portable operation terminal, information reading device), reader 200 and wireless LAN (Local
A base station 204 capable of wireless communication via an area network), and a database DB connected to the base station 204 via a wireless (or wired) communication line 206; The server 207 (storage device) is configured to perform.

  The RFID tags T1 and T2 have the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 including the antenna 151 (tag antenna) and the IC circuit unit 150, and are attached to and pasted on the corresponding objects. They are handled in association with some form such as packing. Among them, the RFID tag T1 having the first RFID circuit element To is the object (first object) as an object (position identification) such as a document, fixture, material, equipment, machine or other general object. The RFID tag T2 including the second RFID circuit element To2 is handled as an object (second object), such as a building such as a room, a warehouse, or a specific part thereof, an automobile, a human body, and its It is handled in association with accessories (position reference objects).

  The reader 200 includes an antenna (device-side antenna) 10 that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna 151 of the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2, and the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 via the antenna 10. The IC circuit unit 150 is accessed (readable or writable), and the high frequency circuit 201 that processes signals read from the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 communicates with the wireless LAN via the antenna 205 of the base station 204. And a control circuit 202 that is connected to the high frequency circuit 201 and the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and controls them.

  The RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 respectively store and hold tag IDs (first tag identification information and second tag identification information) as unique identification information (which may be rewritable) (holding unit identification information). . At this time, the tag ID may include a type code portion indicating whether the tag ID is the first tag identification information of the RFID circuit element To1 or the second tag identification information of the RFID circuit element To2. Thereby, since these tag identification information can be easily distinguished by the said classification code part whether it is 1st tag identification information or 2nd tag identification information, subsequent processes can be performed smoothly. Then, the control circuit 202 makes an inquiry to the server 207 using this tag ID, so that various information (= object information, etc.) relating to the object stored in advance in the database DB of the server 207 is stored in the server 207. Can be read from. In addition, the control circuit 202 can newly write information in the database DB of the server 207 using the tag ID, or overwrite and update information already stored (details will be described later).

  FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the overall schematic structure of the reader 200 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the reader 200 includes a housing 4, a display unit 5 (display means) disposed so as to occupy most of the upper portion (front side in FIG. 2) of the housing 4, and the housing 4. Voice notification means 7 (for example, a buzzer, an alarm, a chime speaker, etc.) disposed above the display unit 5.

  Below the display unit 5 is an operation unit 6 of a mechanical type (in this example, a slider type, but may be other appropriate keys, buttons, switches, pads, etc.) constituting a part of the operation means. (It may be a so-called seesaw button or a thumb operation button that can be operated while holding the device). In this example, as will be described later, the display unit 5 is configured as a known touch panel, and most of the functions as the operation means can be performed by various buttons (see FIG. 6 and the like described later) displayed on the touch panel. It has become. As a result, not only the various communication states are displayed, but both the display function and the operation function are combined with the touch panel, so that the space can be reduced and the manual operation can be facilitated. Various operation inputs related to display, search, and the like can be performed by the buttons and the like of the touch panel and the operation unit 6 (details will be described later).

  The housing 4 includes the antenna 10 (device-side antenna) that transmits and receives signals to the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2. The antenna 10 is configured as, for example, a unidirectional antenna or an omnidirectional antenna, and the direction of the main lobe does not change thereby, so that the correspondence between the size of the transmission output and the communicable range is relatively easy. Thus, it is easy for an operator (administrator) to narrow down the location of the RFID tag circuit element. In particular, when the unidirectional antenna 10 is used, the direction of the main lobe does not change and its width becomes relatively narrow. Therefore, the correspondence between the size of the transmission output and the communicable range is further clarified. Further, it is possible to further narrow down the location of the RFID tag circuit element by the operator. In addition, an antenna 203a for the wireless LAN communication unit 203 that performs communication by wireless LAN is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 provided in the RFID tags T1 and T2 handled in association with an object that is a search (search) target of the reader 200. It is.

  In FIG. 3, the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 are, as described above, the antenna 151 (tag antenna) that transmits and receives signals without contact with the antenna 10 on the reader 200 side using a high frequency such as the UHF band, and the like. And an IC circuit unit 150 connected to the antenna 151.

  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 elements To1, To2 through the rectification unit 152, the clock extraction unit 154, the modulation / demodulation unit 156, and the like. I have.

  The modem unit 156 demodulates the communication signal received from the antenna 10 of the reader 200 received by the antenna 151 and modulates the carrier wave received by the antenna 151 based on the return signal from the control unit 157. Retransmit as reflected wave.

  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.

  The clock extraction unit 154 extracts a clock component from the received signal and extracts the clock to the control unit 157, and supplies a clock corresponding to the speed of the clock component of the received signal to the control unit 157.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the reader 200.

  In FIG. 4, the high-frequency circuit 201 for accessing (reading or writing) information (RFID information including a tag ID) of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 via the antenna 10. A function of processing signals read from the IC circuit portions 150 of the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 to read information and generating access information for accessing the IC circuit portions 150 of the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2. And the control circuit 202 for controlling the operation of the reader 200 as a whole.

  The high-frequency circuit 201 includes a transmission unit 212 that transmits signals to the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 via the antenna 10, and a reception unit that receives reflected waves from the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 received by the antenna 10. 213 and a transmission / reception separator 214.

  The transmission unit 212 includes a crystal resonator 215A, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) 215B that generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2. And a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 215C and a transmission that modulates the generated carrier wave based on a signal supplied from the control circuit 202 (in this example, amplitude modulation based on a “TX_ASK” signal from the control circuit 202). A multiplier circuit 216 (in the case of “TX_ASK signal”, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like may be used), and a modulated wave modulated by the transmission multiplier circuit 216 is amplified (in this example, “TX_PWR” from the control circuit 202). And a variable transmission amplifier 217 that performs amplification whose amplification factor is determined by a signal. The generated carrier wave uses, for example, a frequency in the UHF band or the microwave band, and the output of the transmission amplifier 217 is transmitted to the transmission antenna 10 via the transmission / reception separator 214 to be transmitted to the RFID circuit element To1, It is supplied to the IC circuit section 150 of To2. Note that the RFID tag information is not limited to the signal modulated as described above, but may be only a carrier wave.

  The receiving unit 213 multiplies the reflected waves from the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 received by the antenna 10 and the generated carrier wave and demodulates the received first multiplication circuit 218, and the first receiving multiplication circuit thereof. A first band pass filter 219 for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output of 218, a reception first amplifier 221 for amplifying the output of the first band pass filter 219, and an output of the reception first amplifier 221 Further, the first limiter 220 for amplification and conversion into a digital signal, the reflected wave from the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 received by the antenna 10, and the phase shifter 227 delayed the phase by 90 ° after being generated. A reception second multiplication circuit 222 that multiplies the carrier wave, and a second band pass for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output of the reception second multiplication circuit 222 A filter 223, a reception second amplifier 225 that amplifies the output of the second bandpass filter 223, and a second limiter 224 that further amplifies the output of the reception second amplifier 225 and converts 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 manner, in the reader 200 of this embodiment, the reflected waves from the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 are demodulated by IQ orthogonal demodulation.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 203 is connected to the control circuit 202 via an input / output interface (not shown).

  The control circuit 202 is used for communication with the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 and with the antenna 205 of the base station 204 so as to perform wireless communication exclusively without mutual interference with the wireless communication on the wireless LAN communication unit 203 side. The communication mode is different (for example, the protocol and frequency are different). When different protocols are used, an amplification control signal and a modulation control signal corresponding to the protocol are output to the high-frequency circuit transmission unit 212, and a reception signal from the high-frequency circuit reception unit 213 is input and then based on the protocol. Predetermined calculation processing for processing signals read from the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 (in the communication to the RFID circuit element To1 and the communication to the RFID circuit element To2 as described later) The communication mode such as protocol and frequency may be different from each other). The control circuit 202 inputs an operation signal from an operation unit such as the operation unit 6, and outputs a display control signal to the display unit 5, a notification signal to the voice notification unit 7, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the control circuit 202.

In FIG. 5, a control circuit 202 is a so-called microcomputer, and includes a CPU 202A, a ROM 202B, a RAM 202C, which are central processing units, a circuit control unit 202D that transmits and receives signals to and from the high-frequency circuit 201, and the like, and a temporary storage function of the RAM 202C. The signal processing is performed in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM 202B while using. The control circuit 202 is connected to the communication line 206 (see FIG. 1 described above) via the wireless LAN communication between the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and the antenna 205 and the base station 204, and is connected to the communication line 206. Information can be exchanged with the above-described server 207 and other terminals, computers, servers, and the like. Non-volatile memory (Flash
ROM) 202E may be provided. Note that the server 207 is also composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, an article (position specification) such as the above-described document, equipment, material, equipment, machine, or other general object is mainly operated by operating various buttons displayed on the display unit 5 of the reader 200. The tag ID (first tag identification information) of the first RFID circuit element To1 of the RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as “article tag” as appropriate) T1 associated with the article) is further read. The tag ID (second ID) of the second RFID circuit element To2 of the RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as “location tag” where appropriate) T2 associated with the specific part, automobile, human body, its accessory, etc. (position reference article) Tag identification information), and then generates information (related information) in which these two tag IDs are associated with each other, and accesses and stores the database DB of the server 207 via the wireless LAN.Hereinafter, the detailed procedure will be described step by step using an example of the display screen in the display unit 5 of the touch panel type.

  For each screen thereafter, for example, a display template file serving as a basis for executing each screen display mode is prepared in advance in the ROM 202B of the control circuit 202 together with the above program (or separately from the program). When a corresponding operation signal is input to the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 by operation of various operation buttons (or power-on operation or operation of the operation unit 6), a corresponding display template is extracted and selected from the display template file. The display control signal corresponding to is output to the display unit 5, thereby the display corresponding to the display unit 5 (various text / numerical value display, coloring / enlargement / decoration display including inversion, extraction / list display of data in the database DB, (Transition to the next screen) etc. are performed (details will be described later) .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an initial screen 101 displayed on the display unit 5 after the reader 200 of the present embodiment is powered on. In FIG. 6, the initial screen 101 includes a “Search” button 101 </ b> A for executing a search of the database DB (details will be described later), and the position identification object such as an article by reading the first and second tag identification information. "UpdateLocation" button 101B for specifying the position of the user (details will be described later), and "Setting" for setting various setting elements (for example, server IP address, length of timeout time, etc.) that can be preset by the operator A button 101C is provided. Hereinafter, the position specifying operation and the database searching operation will be described in order.

(1) Position specifying operation When the operator operates the “Update Location” button 101B with his / her finger or an appropriate operation tool (writing instruments such as pens and pencils are also applicable), the article tag reading instruction shown in FIG. Move to screen 111.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an article tag reading instruction screen 111 displayed on the display unit 5 by operating the “Update Location” button 101B. In FIG. 7, this screen 111 is provided with a “Start” button 111B for starting a search for the RFID tag circuit element To1 of the article tag T1 within the communicable range.

  When the operator operates the “Start” button 111B, as shown in FIG. 8, the state of “ScanningItemTag” is entered during the search for the RFID tag circuit element To1 of the article tag T1. In order to further improve the simplicity of the operation, when the “Update Location” button 101B is operated on the screen 101 shown in FIG. 6, the state shown in FIG. 8 may be immediately transferred without moving to FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the “Start” button 111 </ b> B described above becomes inoperable, and a “Stop” button 111 </ b> C for instructing to stop searching for the RFID circuit element appears. In addition, based on the control of the CPU 202A, the tag ID is not specified by the high-frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D (however, the identification part indicating that it is the RFID tag circuit element To1 of the article tag T1 may be specified). An information read signal to the RFID circuit element To1 is generated and transmitted and radiated within the communicable range via the antenna 10, and the search for the RFID tag circuit element To1 to be searched having the tag ID is executed (for details). Later).

  At this time, in the present embodiment, as its greatest feature, a response signal including the tag ID is received by the antenna 10 from the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched, and the tag ID is received via the high frequency circuit 201 and the circuit control unit 202D. Is acquired by the CPU 202A, if the acquired tag ID is plural, the size of the transmission output of the information reading signal is automatically reduced and retransmitted within the communicable range. On the other hand, if no tag ID is acquired, the transmission output of the information reading signal is automatically increased and retransmitted within the communicable range. As described above, the tag ID of one RFID circuit element To1 is finally obtained by repeating the decrease and increase of the transmission output as appropriate (details will be described later).

  When one tag ID is acquired in this way, the CPU 202A responds to the acquisition, and an inquiry signal (inquiry command) corresponding to the tag ID is generated and output to the antenna 205 by wireless communication via the wireless LAN communication unit 203. Further, the data is input from the base station 204 to the server 207 via the communication line 206. FIG. 9A is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the inquiry signal at this time, and includes a packet display unit indicating a packet type (“tag information acquisition request” in this example) and the tag ID. (FIG. 9B will be described later).

  FIG. 10 conceptually shows an example of object information data stored in the database DB with respect to articles such as documents, fixtures, materials, equipment, machines and other general objects as the object (position-specific object). FIG. In FIG. 10, the database DB includes the name (item identification information) of the article (Item, LegalFile legal document in this example), and the tag ID (the first ID of the first RFID circuit element To1 associated therewith). 1 tag identification information, ItemTagID) is stored in the form of correlation information associated with each other in advance.

  Based on the tag ID included in the inquiry signal, the server 207 selects the data corresponding to the tag ID from all the data (files) stored in the database DB as illustrated in FIG. The extracted data information (article name, etc.) is output to the base station 204 via the communication line 206 in the opposite manner. This signal is further output from the antenna 205 to the wireless LAN communication unit 203 by wireless communication and input to the CPU 202A. FIG. 9B is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the data information signal at this time. The packet display unit indicating the packet type (“tag information answer” in this example) and the tag ID inquired about. Presence / absence information indicating presence / absence of registration, and an article name (location name in the case of the RFID circuit element To2 described later) related to the tag ID. In FIG. 9B, only the presence / absence information and the name are returned, but data associated with the ID of the tag information request may also be added. For example, when an article tag ID is specified in the tag information request, the location name of the current position of the article may be returned in addition to the article name.

  The CPU 202 A generates a display control signal corresponding to the input signal and outputs it to the display unit 5. As a result, the display unit 5 moves to the next place tag reading instruction screen 113 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the place tag reading instruction screen (latest position information acquisition screen) 113 displayed on the display unit 5 as described above. 11, only the article name “LegalFile No. 9” acquired from the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To1 is displayed on the screen 113 as described above. (The information on the location of the article is not displayed because no information has been acquired. However, if the name of the location of the article is also answered in FIG. 9B, the current location is also displayed.) And a “Start” button 113B for starting a search for the RFID circuit element To2 of the place tag T2 in the communicable range.

  When the operator operates the “Start” button 113B, as shown in FIG. 12, the state of “Scanning Location Tag” is entered during the search for the RFID tag circuit element To2 of the place tag T2. In order to further improve the simplicity of the operation, when the tag ID is acquired from the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched, the state shown in FIG. Good.

  In FIG. 12, the above-mentioned “Start” button 113B becomes inoperable, and a “Stop” button 113C for instructing to stop searching for the RFID circuit element appears. In addition, based on the control of the CPU 202A, the tag ID is not specified by the high-frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D (however, the identification part indicating that the place tag T2 is the RFID circuit element To2 may be specified). An information read signal to the RFID circuit element To2 is generated and transmitted and radiated within the communicable range via the antenna 10, and the search for the RFID tag circuit element To2 to be searched having the tag ID is executed (for details). Later).

  In this embodiment, the response signal including the tag ID is received by the antenna 10 from the RFID circuit element To2 to be searched, and the tag ID is received via the high-frequency circuit 201 and the circuit control unit 202D. When acquired by the CPU 202A, if there are a plurality of acquired tag IDs, the size of the transmission output of the information reading signal is automatically reduced and retransmitted within the communicable range. On the other hand, if no tag ID is acquired, the transmission output of the information reading signal is automatically increased and retransmitted within the communicable range. Thus, the tag ID of one RFID circuit element To2 is finally obtained by repeating the decrease and increase of the transmission output as appropriate (details will be described later).

  When one tag ID is acquired by the CPU 202A in this way, the CPU 202A responds to the acquisition, and an inquiry signal (inquiry command) corresponding to the tag ID is generated and the antenna 205 is wirelessly communicated via the wireless LAN communication unit 203. To the server 207 via the communication line 206 from the base station 204.

  FIG. 13 shows object information data stored in the database DB with respect to a building as a target object (position reference object), a building such as a warehouse, or a specific part thereof, a car, a human body, an accessory thereof, and the like. FIG. In FIG. 13, the database DB includes the name (location identification information) of the location (Location, in this example, the bookshelf on the predetermined floor as described above) and the tag of the RFID circuit element To2 associated therewith. ID (second tag identification information, LocationTagID) is stored in the form of correlation information associated with each other in advance.

  Based on the tag ID included in the inquiry signal, the server 207 selects the data corresponding to the tag ID from all the data (files) stored in the database DB as illustrated in FIG. The extracted data information (location name, etc.) is output to the base station 204 via the communication line 206, contrary to the above. This signal is further output from the antenna 205 to the wireless LAN communication unit 203 by wireless communication and input to the CPU 202A. The CPU 202 A generates a display control signal corresponding to the input signal and outputs it to the display unit 5. As a result, the display unit 5 shifts to a database registration instruction screen (latest state confirmation screen) 115 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the registration instruction screen (latest state confirmation screen) 115 displayed on the display unit 5 as described above. 14, the screen 115 includes an article name display unit 115A that displays an article name (in this example, “LegalFile No. 9” as described above) and the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To2 as described above. The acquired location name (in this example, “3F Bookshelf No. 4” as described above) (latest) location name display portion 115C, and “Yes” button 115D for instructing data update of the database DB, A “No” button 115E is provided for returning to the initial screen 101 shown in FIG. 6 without updating the data. A (current) place name display unit 115B is provided between the article name display unit 115A and the (latest) place name display unit 115C, and the article name and the place name are already stored in the database DB (as will be described later). Are registered in association with each other (see FIG. 17), the currently registered place name is displayed on the display unit 115B.

  When the operator operates the “Yes” button 115D, the process proceeds to the database update completion screen 116 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a database update completion screen 116 displayed on the display unit 5 by operating the “Yes” button 115D. In FIG. 15, on this screen 116, the article name display unit 116A and the (latest) place name display unit 116C similar to the above-described article name display unit 115A and the (latest) place name display unit 115C, and the process are stopped and initialized. A “quit” button 116F for returning to the screen 101 is provided.

  At this time, in response to the operation signal of the “Yes” button 115D described above, the tag ID of the first RFID circuit element To1 that has already been read (corresponding to “LegalFile No. 9” in the above example) and the second Information (related information) that associates the tag ID of the wireless tag circuit element To2 (corresponding to “3F Bookshelf No. 4” in the above example) is generated. FIG. 16A is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the related information signal. A packet display section indicating a packet type (in this example, “update request”) and a tag of the first RFID circuit element To1. ID (article tag ID) and tag ID (location tag ID) of the second RFID circuit element To2.

  Then, a registration instruction signal (registration command) including related information of the above configuration is output from the CPU 202A to the antenna 205 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 via the wireless LAN communication, and further from the base station 204 to the server 207 via the communication line 206. It is input and related information is stored in the database DB (data is updated if already stored). FIG. 16B is a diagram conceptually showing the structure of the answer signal output from the server 207 to the CPU 202A through the route reverse to the above when the data storage (update) of the database DB is completed in this way. , A packet display unit indicating the packet type (in this example, “update answer”) and information indicating whether storage (update) is possible.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of related information stored in the database DB. In FIG. 17, in the database DB, the article name (object identification information) of the object (position specific object), the tag ID (first tag identification information) of the first RFID circuit element To1 associated therewith, and A place name (location identification information) of an object (position reference object) representing a place where an article is arranged, and a tag ID (second tag identification information) of the second RFID circuit element To2 associated therewith. Stored in association with each other. The article name and the place name are omitted, and only the tag ID (first tag identification information) of the first RFID circuit element To1 and the tag ID (second tag identification information) of the second RFID circuit element To2 are supported. You may make it store. In this case, there is an advantage that the management operation of the database DB becomes easier.

  According to the procedure described above, the arrangement location information of each article is constructed in the database DB (in an updatable manner), and the management state of each part can be grasped by appropriately searching this.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a main control procedure executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 provided in the reader 200 in order to realize screen display and various processes in the above position specifying operation.

  In FIG. 18, for example, when the “Update Location” button 101 </ b> B is operated on the initial screen 101 displayed on the display unit 5 after the power is turned on, this flow is started.

  First, in step S55, a display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display the article tag reading instruction screen 111 shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S60, it is determined whether a reading start instruction has been issued (whether the “Start” button 111B on the screen 111 has been operated and a corresponding operation signal has been input). If the button 111B is operated for reading the tag ID of the article tag, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S300.

  In step S300, the tag ID is not specified in the high-frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D (the identification portion indicating that the article tag T1 is the RFID tag circuit element To1 may be specified) to the RFID circuit element To1. The information read signal is generated and transmitted and radiated within the communicable range via the antenna 10, and the search target RFID circuit element To1 having the tag ID is detected. At this time, as described above, the transmission output is appropriately reduced and increased repeatedly to finally acquire the tag ID of one RFID circuit element To1 (see FIG. 19 described later for details). In addition, a display control signal is output to cause display corresponding to the display unit 6 (see FIG. 8).

  Thereafter, in step S65, it is determined whether the reading is successful (whether there is a response from the RFID circuit element To1). If a response signal including the tag ID is received by the antenna 10 from any one of the target RFID circuit elements To1 and acquired via the high frequency circuit 201 and the circuit control unit 202D, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S350.

  In step S350, an inquiry process of the database DB corresponding to the acquired tag ID is performed, an inquiry signal (see FIG. 9A) is generated, and the server 207 is connected via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and the base station 204. Output. Thereafter, the search result executed by the server 207 in response to the inquiry signal is received via the base station 204 and the wireless LAN communication unit 203, and temporarily stored in the RAM 202C, for example.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S70, where a display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display the place tag reading instruction screen 113 shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S75, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to start reading (whether the “Start” button 113B on the screen 113 is operated and a corresponding operation signal is input). If the button 113B is operated for reading the tag ID of the place tag, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S400.

  In step S400, the tag ID is not specified by the high frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D (the identification portion indicating that the place tag T2 is the RFID circuit element To2 may be specified) to the RFID circuit element To2. Is read and transmitted within the communicable range via the antenna 10, and detection of the RFID circuit element To2 to be searched having the tag ID is executed. At this time, as described above, the transmission output is appropriately reduced and increased repeatedly to finally obtain the tag ID of one RFID circuit element To2 (see FIG. 19 described later for details). Moreover, a display control signal is output and the display corresponding to the display part 6 is performed (refer FIG. 12).

  Thereafter, in step S80, it is determined whether or not the reading is successful (whether or not there is a response from the RFID circuit element To2). If a response signal including the tag ID is received from any one of the target RFID circuit elements To2 by the antenna 10 and acquired via the high frequency circuit 201 and the circuit control unit 202D, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S450.

  In step S450, an inquiry process of the database DB corresponding to the acquired tag ID is performed, an inquiry signal (see FIG. 9A) is generated, and the server 207 is connected via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and the base station 204. Output. Thereafter, the search result executed by the server 207 in response to the inquiry signal is received via the base station 204 and the wireless LAN communication unit 203, and temporarily stored in the RAM 202C, for example.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S85, where a display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display the database registration instruction screen (latest state confirmation screen) 115 shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S90, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to register in the database DB (whether the “Yes” button 115D on the screen 115 is operated and a corresponding operation signal is input). When the button 115D is operated in order to associate (set) the tag ID related to the article tag T1 (stored once) and the tag ID related to the place tag ID into the database DB (set) The determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S500.

  In step S500, the related information using the two tag IDs is generated (see FIG. 16A) and output to the server 207 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and the base station 204. Thereafter, the result of registration performed by the server 207 in response to the output of the related information is received via the base station 204 and the wireless LAN communication unit 203, and temporarily stored in the RAM 202C, for example.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S95, and a display control signal corresponding to the registration success / failure result received from the server 207 and stored in step S500 is generated and output to the display unit 5, and the above-described display control signal is output. The database update completion screen 116 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, and this flow is finished.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the tag reading process in step S300 or step S400.

  First, in step S105, a communication protocol used in the current communication is set. As described above, this setting is for setting the communication mode so that wireless communication can be performed exclusively with each other without interfering with the communication with the antenna 205 of the base station 204 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203. Yes, the frequency or the like may be varied instead of the protocol. Further, the communication mode such as the protocol and the frequency may be different between the communication to the RFID circuit element To1 in Step S300 and the communication to the RFID circuit element To2 in Step S400.

  Thereafter, in step S111, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal that determines the amplification factor in the variable transmission amplifier 217 (see FIG. 4) that determines the output value of the transmission signal from the transmission unit 212 is initialized to P1. The value of P1 is the stored value at the previous control when the transmission output value minimization control has already been performed and stored as an optimum value (see step S120 described later). If there is no such stored value, a predetermined value determined in advance as an approximate suitable value may be used.

Thereafter, in step S112, a “Scroll All ID” command is output and a “TX_ASK” signal is generated and output to the transmission multiplication circuit 216. The transmission multiplication circuit 216 performs the above-described amplitude modulation and performs “Scroll”.
All ID "signal. The “Scroll All ID” signal is further amplified by the variable amplifier 217 at an amplification factor (“TX_PWR” = P1) based on the “TX_PWR” signal, and the transmission / reception separator is based on the communication protocol set in the previous step S105. If there are RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 that are transmitted through 214 and the antenna 10 and are within the accessible range, a reply from the RFID circuit elements is prompted.

  Next, in step S113, if there are RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 in the accessible range, reply signals (tag IDs) transmitted from the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 in response to the "Scroll All ID" signal. Etc.) are received via the antenna 10 and taken in via the high frequency circuit 201.

  Next, in step S114, it is determined using a known CRC code (Cyclic Redundancy Check) whether one correct ID has been acquired in step S113. If none of the tag IDs can be acquired, or if two or more tag IDs are acquired, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to Step 115.

  In step S115, it is determined whether the acquired tag ID is 0 (whether no tag ID has been acquired). If the tag ID could not be acquired, the determination in step S115 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S116, and a predetermined addition operator for stepwise increasing the transmission output from the transmission unit 212 to the value of the “TX_PWR” signal. Add Pstep. On the other hand, when two or more (a plurality) of tag IDs are acquired, the determination in step S115 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S117, and the transmission output from the transmission unit 212 is stepwise based on the value of the “TX_PWR” signal. A predetermined subtraction operator Pstep ′ (which may be the same value as Pstep or may be set to a different value) is decreased. When step S116 or step S117 is completed, the process proceeds to step S118.

  In step S118, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal at this time is smaller than a predetermined upper limit value determined in advance as an allowable upper limit (for example, determined by laws and regulations such as the Radio Law) and is 0 (however, not 0 but in advance) It is determined whether it is larger than a predetermined relatively small predetermined value). While the “TX_PWR” signal is relatively small, this determination is satisfied, and the routine returns to step 112 and the same procedure is repeated.

In this way, while the number of reply signals is zero, the “TX_PWR” signal value is increased stepwise, and the transmission output of the “Scroll All ID” signal from the transmission unit 212 is increased stepwise, step S112 → step Step S113 → Step S114 → Step S115 → Step S116 → Step S118 is repeated. In this case, “Scroll” for acquiring the tag ID in step S112.
The output (transmission) of the “All ID” command and the “Scroll All ID” signal and the output increase / decrease control in step S116 or S117 are alternately controlled. FIG. 20A shows “Scroll” at this time.
It is the figure which represented typically a mode that the transmission output from the transmission part 53 of the "All ID" signal increased in steps with time.

If the number of reply signals from the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 increases to two or more at any stage, the path is step S115 → step S117 → step S118 while the number of reply signals is two or more. The “TX_PWR” signal value is decreased step by step to “Scroll” from the transmission unit 212.
Step S112 → Step S113 → Step S114 → Step S115 → Step S117 → Step S118 are repeated while decreasing the transmission output of the “All ID” signal stepwise. FIG. 20B shows “Scroll” at this time.
It is the figure which represented typically a mode that the transmission output from the transmission part 53 of the signal "All ID" was reduced in steps with time.

  If the reply signal becomes one and the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 are specified as one during the repetition, the determination in step S114 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S119. In step S119, the output from the VCO 215C is substantially stopped, or the value of the “TX_PWR” signal is substantially zero, and the transmission output is substantially stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S120, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal related to the optimal (minimum necessary) transmission value at that time is stored as P1 for use in the next step S111. This completes the reading of the tag ID from the RFID circuit element To1 or To2 to be searched (= scanning of the target RFID tag T1 or T2), and ends this flow.

  It should be noted that the value of the “TX_PWR” signal becomes greater than or equal to the predetermined upper limit value or 0 during the repetition of step S112 → step S113 → step S114 → step S115 → step S116 or step S117 → step S118. In this case, the device is abnormal, the determination in step S118 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S121, and the output from the VCO 215C is substantially stopped or the value of the “TX_PWR” signal is substantially zero as in step S119. The transmission output is stopped. Thereafter, in step S122, an error display signal or an error sound signal is output to the display unit 5 or the sound notification means 7, a corresponding reading failure (error) display or sound warning is performed, and this flow is finished.

(2) Database search operation In the state where the arrangement location information of each article is constructed in the database DB as described in (1) above, for example, the operator performs a finger or operation tool on the initial screen 101 shown in FIG. When the “Search” button 101A is operated, the process moves to the database search instruction screen 102 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a database search instruction screen 102 displayed on the display unit 5 by operating the “Search” button 101A. In FIG. 21, this screen 102 includes a keyword input box 102A, a “Search” button 102B for searching the database DB, and a “clear” button for clearing the keyword input in the keyword input box 102B. 102C and a “quit” button 102D for stopping the process and returning to the initial screen 101 are provided.

  The keyword input box 102A is used for inputting a search keyword (search condition) for performing a search in the database DB. In this example, the operator inputs “Legal File (legal document)”. ing. In this text input, for example, when this box 102A is operated, a text input screen (or an interrupt window or the like) (not shown) may be displayed and an input button for Japanese syllabary or alphabet may be displayed. However, when the operator performs a freehand writing operation with the above-described finger or operation tool, the CPU 202A may perform a known character recognition process based on this detection signal, although not shown in FIG. A separate mechanical operation button for text input may be provided on the housing 4.

  At this time, it is not always necessary to input a full name such as a file name (“Legal File 9” as will be described later) as a keyword in the keyword input box 102A, and only a part of the name can be searched as described above. (“Legal File” and the like. For example, “File”, “Legal”, etc. may be used. Further, “F”, “L”, etc. may be used for search). When no keyword is entered in the box 102A and the “Search” button 102B is operated, all the data stored and held in the database DB (see FIG. 17) are listed and displayed as described above. You may make it do. Further, once entered in the box 102A, the keyword is stored in, for example, the RAM 202C. When the screen is moved to another screen and then returned to the database search instruction screen 102 (or this screen 102 is displayed at the next operation). When displayed, the stored keyword may be displayed as an initial display.

  When the operator inputs a predetermined keyword into the keyword input box 102A and operates the “Search” button 102B, an operation signal is input to the CPU 202A and a search instruction signal (search command) corresponding to the operation signal is generated. Then, it is output to the antenna 205 by wireless communication via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and further input from the base station 204 to the server 207 via the communication line 206.

  Based on the keyword included in the search instruction signal, the server 207 extracts the data corresponding to the keyword from all the data (files) stored in the database DB as illustrated in FIG. Then, the extracted data information is output to the base station 204 via the communication line 206 contrary to the above. This signal is further output from the antenna 205 to the wireless LAN communication unit 203 by wireless communication and input to the CPU 202A. The CPU 202 A generates a display control signal corresponding to the input signal and outputs it to the display unit 5. As a result, the display unit 5 shifts to the search result display screen 103 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the search result display screen 103 displayed on the display unit 5 as described above. In FIG. 22, on this screen 103, an article display section ("Item") 103A, a place display section ("Location") 103B, a data number display section 103F representing the search results, and the above-mentioned database DB search are retried. There are provided a “Retry” button 103D for stopping and a “Quit” button 103E for stopping the processing and returning to the initial screen 101.

  In this example, an example corresponding to the case where the keyword input box 102A “Legal File (legal document)” is input on the database search instruction screen 102 described above is shown, and the data number display section 103F corresponds to this case. It is shown that there were 200 hits as data, and the article display unit 103A has names of the 200 data “Legal File 1”, “Legal File 2”, “Legal File 3”, etc. in a predetermined order (this example In the place display portion 103B, the arrangement locations “2F Book Shelf No. 1” (not shown at the end for the sake of simplicity, the same applies hereinafter) “2F Book Shelf No. 2” “ 2F BookShelf No.3 "" 2F Book kShelf No.4 "" 2F BookShelf No.5 "" 3F BookShelf No.1 "" 3F BookShelf No.2 "" 3F BookShelf No.3 "" 3F BookShelf. They are displayed in a predetermined order (in this example, scrollable).

  In this state, when the operator selects one piece of data on the article display unit 103A or the place display unit 103B with the above-described finger or operation tool, the article search preparation completion state is set as shown in FIG. 23, in this example, the item display unit 103A is selected with the data represented by “Legal File 9” and the location display unit 103B “3F BookShelf No. 4 (not shown at the end to avoid complexity)”. (Display state such as shading, inversion, etc.), and with this selection, the above-mentioned “Retry” button 103D becomes inoperable and the “Scan” button 103C for instructing to start a search becomes operable Appear. At the same time, the identification information (tag ID, ItemTagID) of the RFID circuit element To1 corresponding to the selected data (“Legal File 9”) is extracted by the CPU 202A based on the correlation information illustrated in FIG. It is acquired and stored (set) as a search target tag ID (for example, in the RAM 202C), and preparation for searching for an article related to the selected data is completed. When the “Scan” button 103C is operated in this state, the screen shifts to the next place confirmation screen 105 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a place confirmation screen 105 displayed on the display unit 5 by operating the “Scan” button 103C. 24, on this screen 105, the name and arrangement location of the currently selected data (the same contents “Legal File 9” and “3F Book Shelf No. 4” as the article display portion 103A or the location display portion 103B) are displayed. For starting the search for the RFID circuit element To1 associated with the article of the data (in this example, the legal document) using the current information display unit 105A to be displayed and the tag ID already set as described above. A “Start” button 105B is provided.

  In this state, for example, the operator confirms the display of the place display unit 103B, and moves to the fourth bookshelf on the third floor of the building if the displayed position, that is, “3F Book Shelf No. 4”. To do. Thereafter, when the “Start” button 105B is operated, as shown in FIG. 25, the state of “Scanning” is being executed while the RFID circuit element search is being executed. In order to further improve the simplicity of the operation, if the “Scan” button 103C in FIG. 23 is operated, the state shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 25, the “Start” button 105B described above becomes inoperable, and a “Stop” button 105C for instructing to stop searching for the RFID circuit element appears. At the same time, using the set tag ID, an information reading signal is generated to the RFID circuit element To1 that specifies the tag ID by the high frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D based on the control of the CPU 202A. Then, the signal is transmitted and radiated within the communicable range (with a predetermined transmission output value) via the antenna 10, and the search for the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched having the tag ID is executed (details will be described later).

  When a response signal including the tag ID is received by the antenna 10 from the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched for and the tag ID is acquired by the CPU 202A via the high frequency circuit 201 and the circuit control unit 202D (= search RFID tag circuit) When the element To1 is found), the CPU 202A generates a display control signal corresponding to the acquisition and outputs it to the display unit 5. As a result, the display unit 5 shifts to a search success display screen 107 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the search success display screen 107 displayed on the display unit 5 as described above. In FIG. 26, the screen 107 displays a success display portion 107A for displaying a success display “Bingo!” Indicating that the search for the target RFID circuit element To1 has been successful, and the data name and arrangement of the RFID circuit element To1. A current information display unit 107B for displaying a location (substantially the same content as the above-mentioned current information display unit 105A), a “Retry” button 107C for retrying the search for the RFID circuit element To1, and an RFID circuit element When an article related to To1 is moved, a “Change Location” button 107D (details will be described later) for reflecting the movement in the information of the database DB, and “Quit” for stopping the processing and returning to the initial screen 101 described above. When retrying with the button 107E and the “Retry” button 107C, the transmission output is higher than before. “Min” button 107F for reducing (in other words, narrowing the communication range) and “Mid” button 107G for making the transmission output the same (in other words, making the communication range the same), increasing the transmission output (in other words, For example, a “Max” button 107H for widening the communication range is provided so as to be selectable. In this example, on the assumption that the operator may further narrow the detection range of the RFID circuit element To1 at the time of retry, as shown in FIG. 26, in the initial state, the “Min” button 107F Is displayed in a state of being automatically selected (standby display unit waiting for manual operation). Such standby display may be performed only once for the first time after detection of the RFID circuit element To1, or may be displayed every time thereafter.

  When the “Min” button 107F is operated to operate the “Retry” button 107C, the display on the display unit 5 returns to the “Scanning” state during the execution of the RFID circuit element search shown in FIG. An information read signal to the RFID circuit element To1 is generated using the tag ID, and transmitted again through the antenna 10 with a transmission output value that is smaller than the above-described transmission output value by a predetermined value. The re-search for the RFID tag circuit element To1 to be searched provided is executed in a communication range smaller than that in the previous search.

  Similarly, when the “Max” button 107H is operated to operate the “Retry” button 107C, a re-search is executed with a transmission output value that is larger than the above-described transmission output value by a predetermined value. When the "" button 107G is operated, a re-search is executed with the same transmission output value as that described above.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a main control procedure executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 provided in the reader 200 in order to realize screen display and various processes in the above database search operation.

  In FIG. 27, for example, when the “Search” button 101A is operated on the initial screen 101 displayed on the display unit 5 after the power is turned on, this flow is started.

  First, in step S15, a display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display the database search instruction screen 102 shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S20, it is determined whether or not there has been a database search start instruction (whether or not the “Search” button 102B has been operated and a corresponding operation signal has been input after inputting a predetermined keyword in the keyword input box 102A). If the “Search” button 102B is operated to instruct start of database search, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S100.

  In step S100, the database DB search process corresponding to the operation signal of the button 102B is performed, and a search instruction signal (search command) is generated and output to the server 207 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and the base station 204. .

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25, where the search result executed by the server 207 in response to the search instruction signal in step S100 is received via the base station 204 and the wireless LAN communication unit 203, and a corresponding display control signal is generated. The search result display screen 103 is displayed by outputting to the display unit 5.

  Thereafter, in step S30, whether one piece of data has been selected in the article display portion 103A or the location display portion 103B of the search result display screen 103 (whether the “Search” button 101A has been operated and a corresponding operation signal has been input after data selection). Determine). If the button 101A is operated for the article search, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S150.

  In step S150, an article search preparation process is performed, and the identification information (tag ID) of the RFID circuit element To1 corresponding to the selected data is received from the server 207 in step S100 according to the selection operation in step S30. The extracted data is extracted and acquired and stored (set) as a search target tag ID (for example, in the RAM 202C).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S35, where a display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display the location confirmation screen 105 shown in FIG.

  In step S40, it is determined whether or not a search start instruction has been given on the place confirmation screen 105 (whether or not the “Start” button 105B has been operated and a corresponding operation signal has been input). If the button 105B is operated to start searching for the RFID circuit element To1 associated with the search target article, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S200.

  In step S200, using the tag ID already set in step S150, an information reading signal is generated for the RFID circuit element To1 that specifies the tag ID in the high frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D. The signal is transmitted and radiated within the communicable range via the antenna 10, and the search for the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched having the tag ID is executed (see FIG. 28 described later for details).

  Thereafter, in step S55, as described above with reference to FIG. 26, it is determined whether or not there has been a retry instruction by the operation of the “Min”, “Mid”, “Max” buttons 107F, 107G, 107H and “Retry” button 107C. If there is such an operation, the determination is satisfied, and the process returns to step S200 to perform a re-search based on the operation (decrease / increase in transmission output).

  If there is no retry instruction, the determination in step S55 is not satisfied, and it is considered that the tag ID of one RFID circuit element To1 is finally acquired, and this flow is finished.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag search process in step S200.

  First, in step S205, as in step S105 of FIG. 19, the communication mode is set so that wireless communication can be performed exclusively with each other without interfering with communication with the antenna 205 of the base station 204 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203. Set the communication protocol to do. Instead of the protocol, the frequency or the like may be varied.

  Thereafter, in step S211, as in step S111 of FIG. 19, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal that determines the amplification factor in the variable transmission amplifier 217 (see FIG. 4) that determines the output value of the transmission signal from the transmission unit 212 is set to P1. Initialize to. The value of P1 may be a stored value at the time of the previous control, or may be a predetermined value determined in advance as a generally suitable value by measurement.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S215A to determine whether (at this point) the transmission output (scan level) is instructed, that is, the “Min” button 107F on the screen 107 shown in FIG. Determine whether it is entered. If the button 107F is operated, this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S216A.

  In step S216A, as in step S117 described above, a predetermined subtraction operator Pstep ′ (however, may be the same value as Pstep) for reducing the transmission output from the transmission unit 212 stepwise from the value of the “TX_PWR” signal. , May be set to a different value). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S218.

  On the other hand, if the “Min” button 107F has not been operated in step S215A, the determination is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S215B, in which whether or not an instruction to increase the transmission output (scan level) is given, that is, FIG. It is determined whether the “Max” button 107H on the displayed screen 107 is operated and a corresponding operation signal is input. If the button 107H is operated, this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S216B.

  In step S216B, as in step S116 described above, a predetermined addition operator Pstep for increasing the transmission output from the transmission unit 212 stepwise is added to the value of the “TX_PWR” signal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S218.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 26, if the “Max” button 107H is not operated, the determination of FIG. 225B is not satisfied, and the process directly proceeds to step S218.

  In step S218, as in step S118 described above, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal at this time is smaller than a predetermined upper limit value (predetermined by laws and regulations such as the Radio Law) that is determined as an allowable upper limit, and It is determined whether it is larger than 0 (however, it may be a relatively small predetermined value instead of 0).

  If the value of the “TX_PWR” signal is equal to or higher than the above-described predetermined upper limit value or becomes 0, it is an abnormality of the device, the determination of step S218 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S221. Is substantially stopped or the value of the “TX_PWR” signal is substantially zeroed to substantially stop the transmission output. Thereafter, in step S222, as in step S122, an error display signal or an error sound signal is output to the display unit 5 or the sound notification means 7, and a corresponding reading failure (error) display or sound warning is performed. Exit.

If the “TX_PWR” signal is a relatively small value that is not 0, the determination at step S218 is satisfied, and the routine goes to step 212. In step S212, a “Scroll ID” command is output and a “TX_ASK” signal is generated and output to the transmission multiplication circuit 216. The transmission multiplication circuit 216 performs the above-described amplitude modulation and performs “Scroll”.
ID "signal. This “Scroll ID” signal is further amplified by the variable amplifier 217 at an amplification factor (“TX_PWR” = P1) based on the “TX_PWR” signal, and the transmission / reception separator 214 based on the communication protocol set in the previous step S105. And the RFID tag circuit element To1 that is transmitted via the antenna 10 and has the corresponding tag ID is urged to reply.

  When the transmission is performed in step S212 after the output adjustment in step S216A or step S216B described above, if the retry is performed by operating the button 107C in step S55 described above, the output adjustment in step S216A or step S216B is further performed. The transmission in step S212 is repeated. That is, in this case, the output (transmission) of the “Scroll ID” command and the “Scroll ID” signal for obtaining the tag ID in step S212 and the output increase / decrease control in step S216A or step S216B are alternately performed. They will be linked and controlled.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S213, where the reply signal (including the tag ID) transmitted by the RFID circuit element To1 to be communicated in response to the “Scroll ID” signal is received via the antenna 10, and the high-frequency circuit 201 is moved. Through.

  Thereafter, in step S214, it is determined using a known CRC code (Cyclic Redundancy Check) whether or not one tag ID designated in step S212 has been correctly acquired in step S213.

  If the tag ID has not been acquired, the determination in step S214 is not satisfied, the detection of the target RFID circuit element To1 is considered to have failed, the process proceeds to step S221 described above, transmission output is stopped as described above, and an error is detected in step S222. Display or voice warning is performed, and this flow ends.

  On the other hand, if the tag ID is acquired in step S214, the determination is satisfied, and it is regarded that the target RFID circuit element To1 has been successfully detected, and the process proceeds to step S219. In step S219, the output from the VCO 215C is substantially stopped, or the value of the “TX_PWR” signal is substantially zero, and the transmission output is substantially stopped. Thereafter, in step S223, in response to the detection success, a display control signal corresponding to the detection success is generated, output to the display unit 5, and the search success display screen 107 shown in FIG. 26 is displayed.

  Thereafter, in step S220, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal related to the optimal (minimum required) transmission value at that time is stored as P1 for use in the next step S211. This completes the detection of the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched (reading the tag ID), and this flow is finished.

(3) Database update operation after moving goods After finding the target article as described in (2) above, when the operator moves the article to another location, to perform accurate article management It is necessary to reflect (update) the movement state in the data of the database DB. In such a case, when the operator operates the “Change Location” button 107D with a finger or an operation tool on the successful search display screen 107 shown in FIG. 26, the place tag reading instruction screen 113 described with reference to FIG. Transition. However, in this case, location information before movement is displayed in addition to the part name on the current information display portion 113A. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the screen 113 in such a state.

  29, in this example, “Legal File 9” and “3F Book Shelf No. 4” are displayed in the current information display portion 113A in the same manner as the display contents shown in the current information display portion 107A of the search success display screen 107 in FIG. It is displayed. When the operator operates the “Start” button 113B in this state, as described above with reference to FIG. 12, the state of searching for the RFID circuit element To2 of the place tag T2 is entered, and the circuit control unit 202D is further turned on. Then, an information reading signal to the RFID circuit element To2 that does not specify the tag ID is generated by the high frequency circuit 201, and is transmitted and radiated within the communicable range via the antenna 10, and the search for the RFID circuit element To2 is executed. In this case as well, the tag ID of one RFID circuit element To2 is finally obtained by repeating the decrease and increase of the transmission output as appropriate.

  Thus, when the response signal including the tag ID is received by the antenna 10 from one RFID circuit element To2 and the tag ID is acquired by the CPU 202A, the CPU 202A corresponds to the acquisition and corresponds to the tag ID as described above. The inquiry signal (inquiry command) is generated and input to the server 207 via the communication line 206. Then, data information (location name, etc.) extracted by the server 207 as corresponding to the tag ID included in the inquiry signal is input to the CPU 202A, and the display unit 5 uses the above FIG. The described database registration instruction screen (latest status confirmation screen) 115 is displayed. However, in this case, the location name acquired from the server 207 is displayed on the (latest) location name display portion 115C, and the location information before movement is also displayed on the (current) location name display portion 115B. . FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the screen 115 in such a state.

  In FIG. 30, this example shows a case where the operator has moved the article from the fourth bookshelf on the third floor to the first bookshelf on the same third floor. Correspondingly, the (latest) place name display section 115C displays “3F Bookshelf No. 1”, and (current) location name display section 115B displays “3F Bookshelf No. 4”.

  Since the subsequent operations using the “Yes” button 115D for instructing data update of the database DB or the “No” button 115E for returning to the initial screen 101 are the same as described in (2) above, Description is omitted.

  Further, a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 provided in the reader 200 in order to realize screen display and various processes in the database update operation after the article movement is shown in FIG. This is the same as that after step S70 of the flow, and will not be described.

  As described above, when an article once searched is moved, the movement state can be reflected in the database DB.

  In the above, the high-frequency circuit 201 and the antenna 10 transmit and receive information by wireless communication with the wireless tag circuit element including the IC circuit unit for storing information and the tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit. The wireless communication means for obtaining the tag identification information of the RFID circuit element is configured.

  Further, step S116 or step S117 of the flow shown in FIG. 19 executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202, step S216A or step S216B of the flow shown in FIG. Output control means for increasing / decreasing the magnitude of the transmission output of the means is configured. In particular, in step S117 of FIG. 19, after a plurality of tag identification information is acquired by the wireless communication means, only one tag identification information among them is acquired until the transmission output of the wireless communication means is obtained. A reduction control means for reducing the size is also configured.

  Further, the “Min” button 107F, the “Mid” button 107G, and the “Mid” button 107H shown in FIG. 26 display the output increase / decrease state (in this case, whether to increase or decrease and the increase / decrease value itself). ) Is configured by a manual operation. It should be noted that the above-described mechanical slider, seesaw button, thumb operation button, or the like of the operation unit 6 can be used instead, and in this case, these are the setting means.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 28 in the procedure of the database search operation of (2) above, the tag ID is acquired by wireless communication with the wireless tag circuit element To1. Thereafter, the magnitude of the transmission output from the antenna 10 is controlled to increase or decrease. Thereby, after once detecting the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched, the communicable range from the reader 200 side can be reduced or expanded. Therefore, after first detecting the position of the target RFID tag circuit element To1 relatively roughly, it tries to acquire the tag ID again through the antenna 10 while reducing or expanding the communicable range, Repeat this. In particular, as described above with reference to FIG. 19 and FIG. 28, by performing the command transmission operation for acquiring the tag IDs of the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 and the increase / decrease operation of the transmission output alternately, the RFID tag By gradually narrowing down the position of the circuit element To1 and finally reducing the communicable range as much as possible, it is possible to detect the position of presence with high accuracy. As described above, since the position of the RFID circuit element To1 can be detected relatively easily and with high accuracy only by the transmission output control by the reader 200, the operator can easily find an article corresponding to the RFID circuit element To1. Can improve convenience.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the transmission output increase / decrease state can be set manually by using the buttons 107F, 107G, and 107H shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to perform output control that surely reflects the intention while confirming the intention of the operator while preventing the output control against the intention of the operator.

  In this embodiment, in particular, on the search success display screen 107 shown in FIG. 26, the initial state is assumed on the assumption that the operator will often want to narrow down the detection range of the RFID circuit element To1 at the time of retry. The standby display is displayed in a state where the “Min” button 107F is automatically selected. Thereby, at the time of retrying, it is possible to reduce the troublesomeness of performing the transmission output size and increase / decrease setting one by one.

  Further, in this embodiment, in particular, as described with reference to FIG. 19 in the procedure of the position specifying operation in (1) above, after a plurality of tag IDs are acquired by wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To1 or To2. The magnitude of the transmission output from the antenna 10 is controlled to decrease. Thus, when a plurality of tag IDs are acquired, the communicable range from the reader 200 side is automatically reduced, and only the tag ID information of the RFID circuit element To1 or To2 that is closest to the reader 200 side is among them. By detecting this, it becomes unnecessary to select the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 by the operator, and the operation burden can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, in particular, wireless communication with the antenna 205 of the base station 204 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 10 do not interfere with each other. Different communication modes (for example, different protocols, frequencies, etc.) are used so that each can communicate exclusively. As a result, highly reliable wireless information communication can be ensured without adversely affecting each other during wireless communication.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the gist and the technical idea. The modifications will be described below.

(A) When performing transmission output value display and distance display In the above embodiment, during the detection of the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 (during acquisition of tag IDs), the transmission output value is not particularly displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and such a transmission output value display or a distance display from the reader 200 corresponding to the transmission output value to the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 may be performed.

  FIG. 31A shows a case where the transmission output value is displayed on the screen 105 ′ corresponding to the location confirmation screen 105 shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 as an example of such a modification. ing. The location confirmation screen 105 ′ shown in FIG. 31A includes an output information display unit 105P representing the transmission output information in addition to the current information display unit 105A and the “Stop” button 105C similar to the screen 105 in FIG. Yes. In this example, the output information display unit 105P visually represents the magnitude of the transmission output with a wedge shape having an upper right shape. From the “Min” display on the left side to the “Mid” display in the middle, “Max” is displayed. This indicates that the transmission output is relatively larger toward the display (in other words, farther to the target RFID circuit elements To1 and To2).

  As described above, the larger the transmission output, the wider the communicable range, and the smaller the transmission output, the narrower the communicable range. In this case, by displaying the transmission output information on the output information display unit 105P, the reader 200 The operator can be notified of a rough distance from the RFID tag circuit elements To1 and To2.

  FIG. 31B shows a case where distance display having a relationship substantially corresponding to the transmission output value is performed as another modification. As a method for calculating the distance, for example, an appropriate “output value-distance correlation” that is measured and stored in advance is used. For example, after the output value is detected by the RSSI circuit 261, the corresponding distance value is calculated. To calculate. The location confirmation screen 105 ″ shown in FIG. 31B includes a distance information display unit 105Q representing the distance information in addition to the current information display unit 105A and the “Stop” button 105C similar to the screen 105 in FIG. . In this example, the distance information display unit 105Q visually expresses the magnitude of the distance with an upper right wedge shape. From the “0 m” display on the left side to the “0.5 m” display in the middle, “1 m "Represents that the distance to the target RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 is farther toward the display.

  As a result, the actual distance from the reader 200 to the RFID circuit elements To1 and To2 can be clearly notified to the operator.

(B) When performing automatic minimization control In the above, as described with reference to FIGS. 26, 27, 28, etc. in the database search procedure of (2) above, retry of detection of the RFID circuit element To1. Whether or not to perform is performed by manually operating the operator's buttons 107F, 107G, and 107H and the “Retry” button 107C, but is not limited thereto, and may be performed automatically. That is, after the tag ID of the target RFID circuit element To1 is acquired, the size of the transmission output may be automatically minimized within a range where the tag ID can be acquired.

  FIGS. 32A to 32C are diagrams showing screen transitions in this modified example, and each diagram corresponds to FIG. 25, FIG. 31A, and FIG. 31B described above. That is, in this modified example, when the “Start” button 105B in FIG. 24 is operated, first, as shown in the screen 105 ″ of FIG. 32A, the state of “Scanning” during execution of the RFID circuit element search is set. . In FIG. 32A, the above-mentioned “Start” button 105B becomes inoperable, and the “Stop” button 105C for instructing to stop searching for the RFID tag circuit element appears to be operable (at a different location).

  At the same time, using the set tag ID, an information read signal to the RFID circuit element To1 that specifies the tag ID in the high frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D based on the control of the CPU 202A is sent. It is generated and transmitted and radiated within the communicable range (with a predetermined relatively small transmission output value) via the antenna 10, and the search for the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched having the tag ID is executed.

  Further, at the time of this search, the search is continuously repeated while the transmission output value automatically increases stepwise until the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To1 can be read (in other words, the RFID circuit element To1 can be detected). The FIG. 32A shows a state in which the RFID circuit element To1 has not yet been found, and a minimized distance information display unit 105R (minimized transmission output) indicating distance information to the corresponding RFID circuit element To1. The human mark 105R1 and the tag mark 105R2 are displayed with a large distance and are not yet found in the tag mark 105R2. A “?” Mark is also displayed.

  The search is continued while increasing the output in this way, and when the RFID circuit element To1 is found, the process automatically shifts from FIG. 32 (a) to FIG. 32 (b). It should be noted that the CPU 202A, after detecting the RFID circuit element To1 as described above, via the circuit control unit 202D and the high frequency circuit 201, further outputs an information read signal to the RFID circuit element To1 that specifies the tag ID. The transmission is transmitted with a predetermined value smaller than the above, and the trial determination as to whether or not the tag ID can be detected again is repeated, thereby minimizing the transmission output as long as the tag ID can be detected (details will be described later) FIG. 34). The output value (minimized output value) of the reader 200 at this time is converted into the distance from the reader 200 to the RFID circuit element To1 by the same method as described above (that is, the distance corresponding to the minimized transmission output is calculated). In response to this, the human mark 105R1 and the tag mark 105R2 are displayed at a predetermined interval (see FIG. 32B).

  When an indication that the RFID circuit element To1 has been found is displayed in this manner, for example, the operator moves in an appropriate direction while holding the reader 200 so as to further approach the RFID circuit element To1. As a result, the RFID circuit element To1 can be detected (the tag ID can be read) even with a transmission output smaller than the output value so far. As described above, the CPU 202A can detect the RFID circuit element. Since the output minimization control is continued as long as To1 can be detected, the output is automatically controlled to be smaller than before by the above movement. When the transmission output is minimized as long as the tag ID can be detected again as described above in the minimization control after movement, the output value (minimization output value) of the reader 200 at this time is again transmitted from the reader 200 to the wireless tag. By converting the distance to the circuit element To1, the human mark 105R1 and the tag mark 105R2 are displayed at even smaller intervals accordingly (see FIG. 32C).

  On the other hand, for example, if the operator mistakenly moves away from the RFID circuit element To1, the RFID circuit element To1 cannot be detected from the output value so far. However, as described above, the CPU 202A does not detect the RFID circuit element To1. While the output minimization control is continued as long as the element To1 can be detected, the output is increased when the element To1 cannot be detected. Therefore, the output is automatically controlled so as to become larger again than before. As a result, for example, the state returns to the state of FIG. 32B in which the human mark 105R1 and the tag mark 105R2 have spread again.

  As described above, the transmission output is automatically minimized, and the transmission output at that time is minimized (the transmission output is reduced as long as the RFID circuit element To1 can be detected). After the transmission output is minimized, the transmission output is repeatedly increased and decreased within a predetermined width according to the tag ID acquisition state at that time (increase / decrease control means). In this case, when the magnitude of the transmission output becomes a predetermined value or less, the transmission may be automatically stopped or the transmission frequency may be minimized (stop control means). In this case, for example, it is sufficient for the operator to appropriately move and search with the reader 200 until the transmission output becomes a predetermined value or less and the transmission is stopped while watching the screen display of the display unit 5. It should be noted that the “Next” button 105D shown in FIGS. 32B and 32C is a button for ending all such a series of flow search processing itself, and this button 105D is operated. As a result, the search process is completed, and the screen shifts to another screen, for example, the screen 107 shown in FIG. 26 (however, the “Min” button 107F, the “Mid” button 107G, and the “Max” button 107H are not necessary).

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing main control procedures executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 at this time, and corresponds to FIG. 27 described above. In FIG. 33, step S56 is newly provided in place of step S55 in FIG. 27, and whether or not a search end instruction has been given (in FIG. 32A to FIG. 32C, the “Next” button 105D is operated and the corresponding operation signal is displayed. 34, or whether an error display or a successful search display was performed in the tag search process of FIG. 34 described later), and if there is no end instruction, the determination is not satisfied and the flow is detailed in FIG. Returning to step S200, the same procedure is repeated, and when there is an end instruction, this flow is ended. Other points are the same as in FIG.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag search process in step S200, and corresponds to FIG. 28 described above.

  First, in step S305, as in step S205 in FIG. 28, the communication mode is set so that wireless communication can be performed exclusively with each other without interfering with communication with the antenna 205 of the base station 204 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203. Set the communication protocol to set. Instead of the protocol, the frequency or the like may be varied.

Thereafter, in step S311, similarly to step S211, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal that determines the amplification factor in the variable transmission amplifier 217 that determines the output value of the transmission signal from the transmission unit 212 is initialized to P1. The value of P1 may be a stored value at the time of the previous control, or may be a predetermined value determined in advance as a generally suitable value by measurement.
In step S312, a “Scroll ID” command is output and a “TX_ASK” signal is generated and output to the transmission multiplication circuit 216. The transmission multiplication circuit 216 performs the above amplitude modulation and performs “Scroll”.
ID "signal. This “Scroll ID” signal is further amplified by the variable amplifier 217 at an amplification factor (“TX_PWR” = P1) based on the “TX_PWR” signal, and the transmission / reception separator 214 based on the communication protocol set in the previous step S205. And the RFID tag circuit element To1 that is transmitted via the antenna 10 and has the corresponding tag ID is urged to reply.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S313, and the reply signal (including the tag ID and the like) transmitted in response to the “Scroll ID” signal by the RFID circuit element To1 to be communicated is received via the antenna 10, and the high-frequency circuit 201 is received. Through.

  Thereafter, in step S314, it is determined using a known CRC code (Cyclic Redundancy Check) whether or not one tag ID specified in step S312 has been correctly acquired in step S313.

  If the tag ID has been acquired, the determination in step S314 is satisfied, and the detection of the target RFID circuit element To1 is considered successful, and the process proceeds to step S315A. In step S315A, it is determined whether or not the transmission output when the tag ID is acquired is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If it is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the determination is satisfied, the reader 200 and the RFID circuit element To1 reach a sufficiently close position, and detection is achieved, and the process proceeds to step S319.

  In step S319, the output from the VCO 215C is substantially stopped, or the value of the “TX_PWR” signal is substantially zero, and the transmission output is substantially stopped. Thereafter, in step S323, in response to the detection success, a display control signal corresponding to the detection is generated, output to the display unit 5, and a display corresponding thereto (for example, the search success display screen shown in FIG. 26 described above). The same screen as in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S320, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal related to the optimal transmission value at that time (minimum necessary) is stored as P1 for use in the next step S311. This completes the detection of the RFID circuit element To1 to be searched (reading the tag ID), and this flow is finished.

  On the other hand, if the transmission output is larger than the predetermined value in step S315A, the process proceeds to step S316A. In step S316A, as in step S216 described above, a predetermined subtraction operator Pstep ′ (however, the same value as Pstep may be used to decrease the transmission output from the transmission unit 212 stepwise from the value of the “TX_PWR” signal. , May be set to a different value). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S318.

  In step S314 described above, if the corresponding tag ID has not been acquired, the determination in step S314 is not satisfied, and it is assumed that the detection of the target RFID circuit element To1 has failed, and the process proceeds to step S315B. In step S315B, for example, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the signal transmission start time in step S312 measured by a timer or the like has reached a predetermined timeout time. If the timeout time has not been reached, the determination in step S315B is not satisfied, and the process returns to step S312 and the same procedure is repeated. If the time-out period has been reached, the determination at step S315B is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S316B.

  In step S316B, as in step S216 described above, a predetermined addition operator Pstep for increasing the transmission output from the transmission unit 212 stepwise is added to the value of the “TX_PWR” signal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S318.

  In step S318, as in step S218 described above, the value of the “TX_PWR” signal at this time is smaller than a predetermined upper limit value (predetermined by laws and regulations such as the Radio Law) that is set as an allowable upper limit, and It is determined whether it is larger than 0 (however, it may be a relatively small predetermined value instead of 0).

  If the value of the “TX_PWR” signal is equal to or greater than the above-described predetermined upper limit value or becomes 0, it is an abnormality of the device, the determination of step S318 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S321. Is substantially stopped or the value of the “TX_PWR” signal is substantially zero, and the transmission output is substantially stopped. Thereafter, in step S322, as in step S222, an error display signal or an error voice signal is output to the display unit 5 or the voice notification unit 7, and a corresponding reading failure (error) display or voice warning is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, when the “TX_PWR” signal is a relatively small value other than 0 in step S318, the determination in step S318 is satisfied, and the process returns to step 312 to repeat the same procedure. That is, when the output is adjusted in the above-described step S316A or step S316B and transmission is performed after returning to step S312, the output of the “Scroll ID” command and the “Scroll ID” signal for obtaining the tag ID in step S312 is output. (Transmission) and output increase / decrease control in step S316A or step S316B are controlled in cooperation so that they are alternately performed.

  According to this modification, the operator tries to acquire the tag ID again while gradually reducing the communicable range automatically without manually performing various settings related to output control, and by repeating this, The presence position of the tag circuit element can be narrowed down (transition from FIG. 32A to FIG. 32B to FIG. 32C). At that time, it is possible to clearly notify the operator of how close the distance to the RFID circuit element is due to the automatic output control (FIGS. 32B and 32C).

  Further, even when the movement direction of the operator is erroneously moved away from the RFID circuit element To1 during the transmission output minimization control as described above, the operator does not manually perform various settings regarding the output control one by one. While attempting to acquire the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To1 again while automatically expanding the communicable range (transition from FIG. 32 (c) to FIG. 32 (b)), by repeating this, the RFID circuit It is possible to narrow down the position of the element To1 and finally detect the position with high accuracy.

  In addition, when the transmission output value becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined value as described above, the wireless communication is automatically stopped to notify the operator that the distance to the target RFID circuit element To is close. It is possible to prevent the repeated transmission output control from being unnecessarily repeated in such a proximity state, and to reduce the operation burden on the operator and wasteful power consumption.

  In the above description, the size of the transmission output minimized on the screen 105 ″ is represented by the distance between the human mark 105R1 and the tag mark 105R2 as distance information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and FIG. As shown, distance display using numerical values and relative values may be used, and the display is not limited to the distance display, and the transmission output size as shown in FIG. In this case, it is possible to roughly inform the operator of how close the distance to the RFID circuit element To1 is by the automatic output control.

(C) Others “Scroll” used above
It is assumed that the “ID” signal “Scroll All ID” signal and the like comply with the specifications established by the EPC global. EPC global is a non-profit corporation established jointly by the International EAN Association, which is an international organization of distribution codes, and the United Code Code Council (UCC), which is an American distribution code organization. Note that signals conforming to other standards may be used as long as they perform the same function.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag information communication system having a reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view showing the whole schematic structure of the reader shown in FIG. It is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the radio | wireless tag circuit element with which the radio | wireless tag was equipped. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the control system of a reader. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the control circuit shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure showing the initial screen displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure showing the article tag reading instruction | indication screen displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure showing the search execution state displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure which expresses the composition etc. of an inquiry signal notionally. It is a figure which expresses an example of the object information data memorize | stored in the database regarding articles | goods notionally. It is a figure showing the place tag reading instruction | indication screen displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure showing the search execution state displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure which expresses an example of the object information data memorize | stored in the database regarding a building etc. notionally. It is a figure showing the registration instruction | indication screen displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure showing the database update completion screen displayed on the display part of a reader. It is the figure which represented notionally the structure of the related information signal. It is a figure which represents notionally the example of the relevant information memorize | stored in the database. It is a flowchart showing the main control procedures which CPU of the control circuit with which the reader was equipped performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag reading process shown in FIG. It is the figure which represented a mode that the transmission output from the transmission part of a "Scroll All ID" signal increased or decreased in steps with time. It is a figure showing the database search instruction | indication screen displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure showing the search result display screen displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the article search preparation completion state display displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the place confirmation screen displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the state in search execution displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the search success display screen displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a flowchart showing the main control procedures which CPU of the control circuit with which the reader was equipped performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag search process shown to step S200 of FIG. It is a figure showing the place tag reading instruction | indication screen displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the registration instruction | indication screen displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the place confirmation screen displayed on the display part of the reader in the modification which performs transmission output value display and distance display. It is a figure showing the screen transition in the modification which performs automatic minimization control. It is a flowchart showing the main control procedures which CPU of the control circuit with which the reader was equipped performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag search process shown to step S200 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

5 Display section (display means, operation means)
6 Operation part (operation means)
7 Voice notification means 10 Antenna (wireless communication means)
150 IC circuit section 151 Antenna (tag side antenna)
200 reader (information reading device)
201 High frequency circuit (wireless communication means)
DB database To1, To2 RFID circuit element

Claims (17)

Information is transmitted and received by wireless communication with an IC circuit unit that stores information and a wireless tag circuit element that includes a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit, and tag identification information of the wireless tag circuit element is acquired. A wireless tag information reading device having wireless communication means,
An apparatus for reading RFID tag information, comprising: output control means for increasing / decreasing the magnitude of transmission output of the wireless communication means after obtaining the tag identification information by the wireless communication means. The wireless tag information reading device according to claim 1,
The apparatus for reading RFID tag information, wherein the output control means can control increase / decrease in magnitude of the transmission output stepwise. The wireless tag information reader according to claim 2,
The wireless communication unit and the output control unit operate in cooperation with each other so as to alternately perform a command transmission operation for acquiring tag identification information of the RFID circuit element and an increase / decrease operation of the transmission output. A wireless tag information reading device. The wireless tag information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A radio tag information reading apparatus comprising: a display unit for performing a predetermined display related to control by the output control unit. The wireless tag information reading device according to claim 4,
The wireless tag information reader according to claim 1, wherein the display means can display an output information display unit representing transmission output information of the wireless communication means. The wireless tag information reading device according to claim 4,
The wireless tag information reading device, wherein the display means is capable of displaying a distance information display unit representing distance information to a corresponding wireless tag circuit element after the tag identification information is acquired by the wireless communication means. . The wireless tag information reading device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
An apparatus for reading RFID tag information, comprising setting means capable of manually setting an output increase / decrease state by the output control means. The wireless tag information reading device according to claim 7,
The wireless tag information reading device, wherein the display means can display the setting means at least after the tag identification information is acquired by the wireless communication means. The wireless tag information reader according to claim 8,
The display means is capable of displaying a standby display section waiting for manual operation by an operator with a setting for reducing the size of the transmission output by a predetermined width after obtaining the tag identification information by the wireless communication means. A wireless tag information reading device as a feature. The wireless tag information reading device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The output control means includes a minimizing means for minimizing the size of the transmission output of the wireless communication means within a range in which the tag identification information can be obtained after the tag identification information is obtained by the wireless communication means. A wireless tag information reading device. The wireless tag information reading device according to claim 10,
The display means can display a minimized output information display section representing the transmission output information after the minimizing means minimizes the size of the transmission output. apparatus. The wireless tag information reading device according to claim 10,
The display means is capable of displaying a minimized distance information display section representing distance information to the corresponding RFID circuit element after the minimizing means has minimized the size of the transmission output. A wireless tag information reader. The wireless tag information reading device according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
The output control means, after the minimizing means minimizes the magnitude of the transmission output, in accordance with the acquisition status of the tag identification information by the wireless communication means, An apparatus for reading RFID tag information, comprising: an increase / decrease control means for repeating the increase / decrease in a predetermined width. The wireless tag information reading device according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
The output control means stops the transmission or minimizes the transmission frequency when the size of the transmission output becomes a predetermined value or less after the minimization means minimizes the size of the transmission output. A wireless tag information reading device comprising a control means. The wireless tag information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The output control means acquires a plurality of the tag identification information by the wireless communication means, and thereafter, until only one of the tag identification information is acquired, the transmission output of the wireless communication means A wireless tag information reading device comprising a reduction control means for reducing the size. The wireless tag information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The wireless tag information reading device, wherein the wireless communication means includes a unidirectional or omnidirectional device-side antenna that performs wireless communication with the tag-side antenna. The wireless tag information reading device according to claim 16,
The wireless tag information reading device, wherein the wireless communication means includes a unidirectional device-side antenna that performs wireless communication with the tag-side antenna.

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