JP2007102293A - Controller for automatic recognition equipment, automatic recognition equipment, setting method for automatic recognition equipment, setting program for automatic recognition equipment, computer-readable recording medium and recording equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently set even a plurality of pieces of automatic recognition equipment. <P>SOLUTION: This controller 4 to which automatic recognition equipment for recognizing information recorded in a recognition object in a non-contact system is connected for controlling the automatic recognition equipment is provided with a control circuit 29 for controlling automatic recognition equipment to be connected, a connection part 82 for connecting the automatic recognition equipment to the controller 4, a power source circuit 80 for supplying a driving power to the automatic recognition equipment and a storage part 60 for storing setting related to the recognition of the automatic recognition equipment. Thus, it is possible to store the setting of the automatic recognition equipment connected to the controller 4 in a storage part 60, and to save the power of a setting operation by transmitting the setting content to the automatic recognition equipment as necessary. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for connecting and controlling automatic recognition devices such as an RF-ID reader / writer, a barcode reader, and a two-dimensional code reader, an automatic recognition device, a setting method for the automatic recognition device, and automatic recognition device setting. The present invention relates to a program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a recorded device.

  Automatic recognition devices that can read and recognize information recorded on wireless tags, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc. without contact are used for product identification and management in fields such as FA (Factory Automation) and logistics. . Examples of such automatic recognition devices include an RF-ID reader / writer that reads a wireless tag, a barcode reader that reads a barcode, and a two-dimensional code reader that reads a two-dimensional code. When these automatic recognition devices are used, for example, in the FA field, fixed automatic recognition devices are often used rather than hand-held handy types. FIG. 7 shows an example of an automatic recognition system using a fixed automatic recognition device. As shown in this figure, the automatic recognition device 6 reads a recognition object such as a wireless tag, a barcode, or a two-dimensional code attached to the pallet W through a detection medium. The detection medium is light when the automatic recognition device 6 is a barcode reader or a two-dimensional code reader. In the case of a reader / writer, information recorded in the memory of the wireless tag is read using radio waves as a detection medium.

  The automatic recognition device 6 is connected to and controlled by the host control device 5. The host control device 5 and the automatic recognition device 6 communicate via RS-232C signals and exchange signals using I / O signals. Further, the driving power of the automatic recognition device 6 is supplied from the host control device 5.

  These automatic recognition devices 6 have parameters that can be set for various items so that they can be suitably used according to the environment and conditions in which they are used. For example, in the case of a barcode reader, the setting parameters related to the barcode to be read include the type of code, detailed settings for each code, and the like. On the other hand, the setting parameters of the optical system of the barcode reader, that is, the LD or LED that is a light emitting element or the PD that is a light receiving element, include a light amount and a light receiving gain. Further, as the setting parameters at the time of operation of the barcode reader, there are an input method of an operation instruction signal, an output method of the results, and further, as setting parameters at the time of communication of the barcode reader, there are RS-232C communication settings, communication protocols, and the like.

On the other hand, in the case of a reader / writer that reads a wireless tag such as an RF-ID, as a setting parameter relating to communication with the wireless tag, the type of wireless tag to be used, the degree of modulation when modulating a wireless signal, the encoding method, etc. Is mentioned. In addition, examples of setting parameters relating to operation contents include reading (reading), writing (writing), collation, and the number of retries, and examples of setting parameters during operation include an operation instruction signal input method and a result output method. Similarly, RS-232C communication settings, communication protocols, and the like can be given as setting parameters for communication settings.
Japanese Patent No. 2993008

  As described above, the setting parameters of the automatic recognition device are various and there are many items to be set, so that the setting work becomes complicated. In particular, when the number of automatic recognition devices to be used increases, the amount of setting work becomes enormous and time-consuming. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 described above, when an automatic recognition device is used in the FA field, a plurality of fixed automatic recognition devices are often connected to a single line, and a similar setting is used for many automatic recognition devices. It was necessary to do it on the recognition device. In addition, it must be set again in the event of a failure or inspection of the automatic recognition device, data corruption, changeover, etc.

  Conventionally, automatic recognition device settings are made by connecting an individual computer to each automatic recognition device, setting each item with a dedicated setting program, transferring the setting data to the automatic recognition device, and after completing the settings. Disconnect the computer. When there are a plurality of automatic recognition devices, it is necessary to repeat the work of connecting, setting, transferring, and removing computers one by one, which is inefficient and laborious.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems. The first object of the present invention is to provide an automatic recognition device control device, automatic recognition device, automatic recognition device setting method, and automatic recognition device setting that can be efficiently set even when there are a plurality of automatic recognition devices. To provide a program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a recorded device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a control device for a first automatic recognition apparatus of the present invention connects an automatic recognition apparatus capable of recognizing information recorded on a recognition object in a non-contact manner, and controls this. A control circuit for controlling an automatic recognition device to be connected, a connection unit for connecting the automatic recognition device and the control device, and for supplying driving power to the automatic recognition device A power supply circuit and a storage unit for storing settings relating to recognition of the automatic recognition device are provided. Thereby, the setting of the automatic recognition apparatus connected to the control device can be held in the storage unit, and the setting contents can be transmitted to the automatic recognition apparatus as necessary, and the setting work can be saved.

  In the control device for the second automatic recognition device of the present invention, the control circuit issues a predetermined command to the automatic recognition device via the connection unit, thereby acquiring the setting of the automatic recognition device and storing it in the storage unit. It is configured to save. Thereby, the setting data set in the automatic recognition device can be backed up to the control device side.

  Furthermore, in the control device for the third automatic recognition device of the present invention, the storage unit is a nonvolatile memory. As a result, the setting data can be retained even when the power of the control device is turned off, and the data can be backed up.

  Furthermore, the control device for the fourth automatic recognition device of the present invention is further connectable to a higher-level control device that controls the control device, and the higher-level control device is connected to the automatic recognition device via the control device. Communication is configured so that the settings of the automatic recognition device can be changed directly. When performing this setting, the communication is monitored by the control circuit, and the same settings as those set by the upper control device to the automatic recognition device The setting data in the storage unit can be updated to the setting contents. Thereby, even if the host control device directly changes the setting of the automatic recognition device without going through the control device, the setting data in the storage unit of the control device can be changed to maintain consistency.

  Furthermore, the control device for the fifth automatic recognition device of the present invention is configured so that a plurality of automatic recognition devices can be connected, and is stored in the storage unit when a new automatic recognition device is connected to the control device. The configured setting is transferred to the automatic recognition device via the connection unit, and the automatic recognition device can be set. Thereby, even when a new automatic recognition device is connected at the time of a failure or the like, it is possible to easily restore the state before the failure by setting the previous automatic recognition device.

  Furthermore, a control device for a sixth automatic recognition device of the present invention is an automatic recognition device capable of recognizing information recorded in a recognition object in a non-contact manner, and receives an operation instruction from the outside, and recognizes the recognition object. A control circuit for controlling to recognize the power, a power supply circuit for supplying driving power, and a storage unit for storing settings relating to recognition of the recognition target object. As a result, the settings of the automatic recognition device can be stored in the storage unit, and the setting contents can be read out as needed or sent to a higher-level control device or other automatic recognition device to save the setting work. Can be

  Furthermore, a seventh automatic recognition device setting method of the present invention is a method for setting an automatic recognition device capable of recognizing information recorded on a recognition object in a non-contact manner, and can control the automatic recognition device. With the control device connected to the auto-recognition device, the control device issues a predetermined command to the auto-recognition device to obtain settings related to the recognition of the auto-recognition device, and the control device obtains the settings of the auto-recognition device And storing the data in the storage unit of the control device. Thereby, the setting data set in the automatic recognition device can be backed up to the control device side.

  Furthermore, an eighth automatic recognition device setting program according to the present invention is an automatic recognition device setting program capable of recognizing information recorded in a recognition object in a non-contact manner, and is a control capable of controlling the automatic recognition device. With the device connected to the auto-recognition device, the control device obtains the function to issue a predetermined command to the auto-recognition device for obtaining the settings related to recognition of the auto-recognition device and the control device The computer stores the function stored in the storage unit of the control device. Thereby, the setting data set in the automatic recognition device can be backed up to the control device side.

  A ninth computer-readable recording medium or recorded device of the present invention stores the program. Recording media include CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, flexible disk, magnetic tape, MO, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD + R, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, Blu-ray disc, HD DVD And other media that can store programs, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, and the like. The program includes a program distributed in a download manner through a network line such as the Internet, in addition to a program stored and distributed in the recording medium. Further, the recorded devices include general-purpose or dedicated devices in which the program is implemented in a state where it can be executed in the form of software, firmware, or the like. Furthermore, each process and function included in the program may be executed by computer-executable program software, or each part of the process or hardware may be executed by hardware such as a predetermined gate array (FPGA, ASIC), or program software. And a partial hardware module that realizes a part of hardware elements may be mixed.

  As described above, according to the control device for the automatic recognition device, the automatic recognition device, the automatic recognition device setting method, the automatic recognition device setting program, the computer-readable recording medium, and the recorded device according to the present invention, the automatic recognition device Since the setting can be backed up, it can be easily reset in the event of a failure.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment shown below is an automatic recognition device control device, an automatic recognition device, an automatic recognition device setting method, an automatic recognition device setting program, and a computer readable medium for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. The present invention exemplifies a recording medium and a recorded device. The present invention relates to a control device for an automatic recognition device, an automatic recognition device, a setting method for an automatic recognition device, an automatic recognition device setting program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a recording The following equipment is not specified. Further, the present specification by no means specifies the members shown in the claims to the members of the embodiments. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified, and are merely explanations. It is just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing.

In this specification, the connection between the control device of the automatic recognition device and the computer, printer, external storage device, and other peripheral devices for operation, control, input / output, display, and other processing connected thereto is, for example, IEEE 1394. , RS-232x, RS-422, RS-423, RS-485, serial connection such as USB, parallel connection, or electrically connected via a network such as 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T Communicate. The connection is not limited to a physical connection using a wire, but may be a wireless connection using a wireless LAN such as IEEE 802.1x or OFDM, radio waves such as Bluetooth, infrared rays, optical communication, or the like. Furthermore, a memory card, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used as a recording medium for storing data of an automatic recognition device or storing settings.
(Wireless tag reader / writer)

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless tag reader / writer capable of reading and / or writing information by contactlessly accessing a wireless tag or an IC tag will be described. Note that the wireless tag reader / writer is also called an interrogator, an interrogator, a controller, or the like.

  In recent years, wireless tags are being used as technology relating to product identification and management that replaces barcodes. A wireless tag is also called an IC tag, an ID tag, an RF tag, an electronic tag, a transponder, a data carrier, or the like, and is a non-contact type that receives an RF (Radio Frequency) signal and is recorded in an electronic circuit such as a semiconductor memory Is a tag using RF-ID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology that can read or write data. Recently, wireless tags that can be used semi-permanently without a power source have appeared due to the development of non-contact power transfer technology. A wireless tag reader / writer is used to read / write data from / to such a wireless tag.

  The wireless tag reader / writer includes a head unit that communicates with the wireless tag by non-contact communication and performs reading / writing, and a controller unit that controls the head unit. The wireless tag reader / writer is a transmission device that modulates and transmits a carrier wave as a baseband signal with a digital signal and receives a response signal from the wireless tag. The modulation based on the baseband signal of the carrier includes ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulation for changing the amplitude of the carrier, FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) modulation for changing the frequency, and PSK (Phase Shift changing the phase). Keying) modulation.

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an RF-ID system 10 including a wireless tag reader / writer 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wireless tag, and FIG. 3 is a wireless tag reader / writer. Block diagrams showing the configuration of 100 are respectively shown. The RF-ID system 10 in FIG. 1 manages the pallet W transported on the transport line by writing data to the wireless tag using the RF signal modulated with ASK or reading data in the wireless tag. System. The RF-ID system 10 includes a wireless tag 1, a reader / writer 2, a serial bus cable 3, and a control device 4.
(Wireless tag 1)

The wireless tag 1 receives an RF signal from the reader / writer 2 and generates electric power necessary for the operation, and writes received data into the memory or reads data from the memory based on the received data. . In this memory, UID (Unique ID) assigned at the time of manufacture is stored as identification information for identifying the wireless tag 1. Specifically, a manufacturer code, a product code, a serial number, and the like are stored as a UID. Therefore, the pallet W to which the wireless tag 1 is attached can be identified by reading the UID from the wireless tag 1. In addition, there are various types of wireless tags, and the commands that can be used differ mainly depending on the manufacturer. Wireless tag types include I / CODE SLI, MB89R116, MB89R118, Tag-itHFI, my-d, and the like.
(Reader / Writer 2)

Hereinafter, as one form of the wireless tag reader / writer 100, a reader / writer 2 that supports reading and writing of a plurality of types of wireless tags will be described. The reader / writer 2 performs an operation of transmitting an ASK modulation signal and receiving a response signal from the wireless tag 1. The reader / writer 2 is a wireless tag reader / writer based on the standard of ISO15693, and is a so-called proximity type (VICC: Vicinity) reader. Specifically, it is suitable for non-contact communication when the distance to the wireless tag is in the range of several centimeters to several tens of centimeters (for example, 70 cm). The reader / writer 2 is connected to the control device 4 via the serial bus cable 3. This reader / writer 2 is also called a head unit. On the other hand, the control device 4 is also called a controller unit and is configured by a computer, a PLC, or the like. Note that the head unit and the controller unit may be configured integrally as well as configured by separate members.
(Control device 4)

  The control device 4 instructs the reader / writer 2 to start communication with the wireless tag 1 and collects, accumulates, or displays data read from the wireless tag 1 by the reader / writer 2. The control device 4 instructs the start of communication at the timing when the pallet W on the transport line is located within the communication area of the reader / writer 2. As such a control device 4, an information processing terminal such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or a general-purpose personal computer is used.

Specifically, a read / write command is output from the control device 4 to the reader / writer 2 as a trigger signal for instructing the start of communication. Then, the reader / writer 2 starts transmitting a response request to the wireless tag 1 based on the read / write command. This response request is transmitted as an ASK-modulated RF signal, and is repeatedly transmitted until a response signal from the wireless tag 1 is received.
(Configuration of wireless tag 1)

  Details of the card-like wireless tag 1 shown in FIG. 1 are shown in a plan view of FIG. The wireless tag 1 includes a thin rectangular substrate 11, an antenna coil 12 spirally wired along each side of the substrate 11, and a semiconductor connected to the antenna coil 12 and disposed inside the antenna coil 12. It consists of a chip 13.

  The substrate 11 is made of, for example, a resin sheet having a thickness of 0.2 mm, and the antenna coil 12 is formed on the resin sheet by printing or etching. The semiconductor chip 13 includes a capacitor that forms a resonance circuit with the antenna coil 12, a demodulation circuit that demodulates the reception circuit, a processing circuit that processes reception data, and a semiconductor memory that stores UID and reception data. The response signal is generated based on a response request from the reader / writer 2. Specifically, it is generated by reading data from the semiconductor memory based on the received data and encoding a subcarrier generated by load modulation of the RF signal.

  Next, a block diagram showing the configuration of the reader / writer 2 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. The reader / writer 2 includes an oscillation circuit 21, an amplification circuit 22, a modulation circuit 23, an LPF (low-pass filter) 24, an LC resonance circuit 25, an attenuator 26, a demodulation circuit 27, a binarization circuit 28, a control circuit 29, an external circuit An interface 30 and an encoding circuit 31 are provided.

  The oscillation circuit 21 is an RF signal generation circuit that generates an RF signal using a crystal oscillator. For example, a 13.56 MHz RF signal is generated and output as a carrier wave. The carrier wave is amplified by the amplifier circuit 22 and output to the modulation circuit 23.

  The modulation circuit 23 performs ASK modulation on the carrier wave after power amplification based on the baseband signal from the encoding circuit 31, and generates an ASK modulated signal. The modulation circuit 23 can switch between ASK modulation with a modulation factor of 100% and ASK modulation with a modulation factor of 10% so that communication can be performed even with different types of wireless tags. Further, in the ASK modulation with a modulation degree of 10%, in order to improve the communication performance for a wireless tag for a low modulation degree that designates a communication system with a modulation degree of 10%, the ASK modulation signal is within a range of 10% to 30%. The modulation degree can be switched.

  The encoding circuit 31 performs a process of encoding the data input from the control circuit 29 with a pulse position and generating a baseband signal.

  The harmonic component of the ASK modulated signal is removed by the LPF 24 and is output to the LC resonance circuit 25. The LC resonance circuit 25 is a resonance circuit including the antenna coil 12 and a capacitor. The ASK conversion signal from the modulation circuit 23 is sent to the wireless tag 1 via the LC resonance circuit 25. The response signal from the wireless tag 1 is received by the LC resonance circuit 25. Thus, the LC resonance circuit 25 constitutes the communication unit 70. The received signal is attenuated by the attenuator 26 to a level that can be controlled by the demodulation circuit 27 at the subsequent stage.

  The demodulating circuit 27 demodulates the received signal after attenuation based on the carrier wave and the sub-carrier wave to generate a demodulated signal. The binarization circuit 28 is a comparator that binarizes the demodulated signal from the demodulation circuit 27 by threshold processing, and generates composite reception data.

  The control circuit 29 starts communication with the wireless tag 1 based on a trigger signal input from the control device 4 via the external interface 30, and performs control to switch the modulation degree based on the demodulated signal. Specifically, a response request for the wireless tag 1 is generated based on the read / write command from the control device 4 and is output to the encoding circuit 31, and the response signal is received from the wireless tag 1 based on the demodulated signal. And an operation of switching the modulation degree of the ASK modulation signal is performed.

Here, it is assumed that an operation for automatically setting parameters relating to communication with the wireless tag 1 is performed based on a control signal input from the control device 4. Specifically, the parameter table is read based on the automatic determination command from the control device 4, the reception command is generated based on the read parameter table, and is transmitted to the wireless tag 1. Communication parameters are set based on a response from the wireless tag 1 in response to this reception command.
(Parameter table)

  The parameter table is composed of communication parameters (data) relating to communication standards and communication methods, and a plurality of tables are stored in a memory such as an EEPROM according to the type of the wireless tag 1 to be communicated. The communication parameters include the degree of modulation in ASK modulation, the radio wave intensity at the time of RF signal transmission, the block size (access size) of the tag read from the wireless tag 1, the maximum size of received data, the reply timing, and the like. Here, there are 8 types depending on the combination of communication parameters, that is, whether the communication method is modulation degree 100% or 10%, the strength of the radio wave intensity, and the designation of the read size (8 bytes or 4 bytes) Are stored as a parameter table.

One such parameter table is read, and based on the read parameter table, a communication parameter is determined and an acceptance command is transmitted. The reception command is also called an Inventory command, and the reply data is data specifying the manufacturer code or product code of the wireless tag 1. If there is no response from the wireless tag 1, this acceptance command is retransmitted after changing the parameter table. If there is a response from the wireless tag 1 to the reception command, the type of the wireless tag 1 is determined based on the received data, and communication parameters are registered and set. That is, an appropriate communication parameter can be automatically set by sending an acceptance command to the wireless tag 1 to be communicated.
(Automatic recognition device settings backup)

Further, the control device includes a storage unit for storing the reader / writer settings, and the settings of the reader / writer are restored or reset in the event of a failure by backing up the settings in advance in the storage unit. FIG. 4 shows an example of a conventional work flow in which an automatic recognition device such as a reader / writer breaks down and is replaced with a new automatic recognition device. When a failure occurs, a new reader / writer is prepared in step S101. If the setting data set in the reader / writer before the failure in step S102 is stored in the computer, this setting data is searched for and prepared. In step S103, the computer is connected to a new reader / writer, and resetting is performed based on the setting data. For example, if data transfer is possible, the settings are transferred and copied. Then, the operation is confirmed in step S104, and after confirming that the new reader / writer operates correctly, the computer is removed and the operation is resumed. As described above, it is very complicated to replace only one reader / writer and perform resetting. Further, when a plurality of readers / writers are used, it is necessary to repeat this work, and there is a problem that the work labor is increased. Furthermore, when the setting contents of a plurality of readers / writers are different, it is necessary to search for the corresponding setting data or bring the computer storing the setting data to the work site to connect and set it. .
(Automatic recognition system)

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the reader / writer settings can be backed up, so that the reader / writer settings can be easily reset when a failure occurs. A block diagram of such an automatic recognition system is shown in FIG. In this example, the control device 4 is connected as a controller unit of the reader / writer 2, and a higher-level control device 5 that controls the control device 4 is connected. The host control device 5 is a PLC, a computer, or the like, and controls automatic recognition devices such as the reader / writer 2 connected to each control device 4 so that a plurality of control devices 4 can be connected. Preferably, the host control device 5 collectively controls the plurality of control devices 4 through network connection. Furthermore, an automatic recognition device setting program for setting automatic recognition devices may be installed in a computer that is a higher-level control device, so that an operation for copying the settings of the automatic recognition devices can be performed.

In the example of FIG. 5, the automatic recognition device such as the reader / writer 2 and the control device 4 that is a controller unit thereof are separate members. However, as described above, a controller-integrated automatic recognition device may be used. It is. An automatic recognition device having a controller function can operate by communicating with a higher-level control device alone. Alternatively, the control device can be integrated with a host control device. As a result, the controller unit can be omitted, and the automatic recognition device can be directly connected to the higher-level control device to control it.
(Block diagram of control device 4)

The control device 4 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a power supply circuit 80, a connection unit 82, a control circuit 29, a storage unit 60, and a user interface circuit 84. The power supply circuit 80 supplies power to the wireless tag reader / writer 2. The connection unit 82 is a member for connecting the control device 4 and the reader / writer 2. For example, the control device 4 and the reader / writer 2 are connected via an electric cable, and an electric signal can be exchanged between them by data communication or I / O connection. The control circuit 29 transmits various operation instructions to the reader / writer 2 for control based on a control signal from a higher-level control device 5 to which the control device 4 is connected. The above control device 4 supplies power to the wireless tag reader / writer 2 from the power supply circuit 80, and transmits various operation instructions to the reader / writer 2 under the control of the host control device 5.
(Storage unit 60)

Further, the control circuit 29 issues a predetermined command to the reader / writer 2 via the connection unit 82, thereby acquiring the setting of the reader / writer 2 and storing it in the storage unit 60. The storage unit 60 stores settings related to recognition of the reader / writer 2. The storage unit 60 can use a secondary storage medium such as a memory or a hard disk that can be electrically written and erased. Preferably, it comprises a ROM, RAM, EEPROM and / or FRAM for storing data. Preferably, the storage unit 60 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM so that the setting data can be held even when the control device 4 is powered off.
(User interface circuit 84)

The user interface circuit 84 provides a user interface for the user to operate the control device 4. Here, the user interface includes a display unit, an operation unit, and the like provided in the control device 4, and the user interface circuit 84 controls these members. As the display unit, a seven-segment display such as a liquid crystal or LED can be used, and a CRT, a liquid crystal, an organic EL display, or the like may be connected or incorporated in a control device. The operation unit can use various operation buttons, an external keyboard, a console, a remote control, and the like. An example of a control device provided with a user interface is shown in FIG. In this example, a 7-segment display 86 is provided above, various indicators 87 are arranged around it, and operation buttons 88 such as a shift key, an enter key, and an up / down key are provided in the center. The user saves and writes back various settings of the reader / writer 2 via the interface such as the display unit and the operation unit. That is, the user operates the operation unit while looking at the display unit, and sends an operation instruction to save the setting to the reader / writer 2 from the control device 4 via the connection unit 82 to acquire and store various settings of the reader / writer 2. Store in unit 60. In addition, when transferring the settings, an instruction to transfer the settings is given from the interface, and the settings stored in the storage unit 60 are transferred to the reader / writer 2 via the connection unit 82. It is very easy to set up connected automatic recognition devices. In particular, setting devices such as laptop computers that have installed a program for setting automatic recognition devices are connected to each automatic recognition device one by one, and the connected automatic recognition devices are saved in advance for connection. The set data can be transferred and set. For this reason, even when a new automatic recognition device is replaced due to failure or maintenance, or when an automatic recognition device is added, these settings can be easily and quickly set to the same setting contents as before.
(Automatic recognition device setting program)

The procedure for operating the control device 4 to save and transfer the setting contents has been described above. Further, such an operation instruction is not limited to a configuration that is performed from the control device, but can be configured to be performed from a control device connected to a higher level of the control device. In addition, the user can store and transfer the reader / writer settings by operating an automatic recognition device setting program for setting or operating automatic recognition devices installed in the control device or the upper control device. In particular, in a configuration in which higher-level control devices are connected to a plurality of control devices via a network or the like, settings can be made for a plurality of automatic recognition devices that can communicate with this by a single higher-level control device. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 5, a higher-level control device is configured by a computer, and an automatic recognition device setting program for setting automatic recognition devices is installed in this computer, and the user passes through a user interface screen of the automatic recognition device setting program. Then, the automatic recognition device setting program is operated to select one of the connected reader / writers, and the setting is saved and transferred.
(Setting tracking function)

  In this way, the host control device 5 can communicate with the reader / writer 2 via the control device 4 to directly set the reader / writer 2. At this time, if the setting of the reader / writer 2 is changed, the setting data in the storage unit 60 that backs up the setting contents needs to be updated to the changed data. For this reason, the control circuit 29 monitors the communication between the host control device 5 and the reader / writer 2, and sets the same setting contents as the settings performed by the host control device 5 to the reader / writer 2 in the storage unit 60. Update the setting data. As a result, even when the host control device 5 directly changes the setting of the reader / writer 2 without going through the control device 4, the setting data in the storage unit 60 is similarly updated and the consistency is maintained.

  As mentioned above, the example applied to the wireless tag reader / writer as the automatic recognition device of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other automatic recognition devices such as a barcode reader and a two-dimensional code reader. is there. For example, in FIG. 5, it is also possible to use a bar code reader or a two-dimensional code reader optical reader for the head portion.

  Control device for automatic recognition device of the present invention, automatic recognition device, automatic recognition device setting method, automatic recognition device setting program, computer-readable recording medium and recorded device, information recorded in a wireless tag in a non-contact manner It can be applied to a reader / writer that reads For example, as an individual object recognition system called a data carrier system or the like, a wireless tag is attached to an article to identify the article. Examples of applications include machine tool tools in FA (Factory Automation), parts in factories, product management, article identification systems used in logistics systems, railway tickets, and supermarket price reading.

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an RF-ID system including a wireless tag reader / writer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a top view of a wireless tag. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a wireless tag reader / writer. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the conventional work procedure which replaces | exchanges an automatic recognition apparatus for new apparatus. It is a block diagram of the automatic recognition system containing the control apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface of a control apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the automatic recognition system using a fixed type automatic recognition apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Wireless tag reader / writer 1 ... Wireless tag 2 ... Reader / writer 3 ... Serial bus cable 4 ... Control device 5 ... High-order control device 6 ... Automatic recognition device 10 ... RF-ID system 11 ... Substrate 12 ... Antenna coil 13 ... Semiconductor chip 21 ... Oscillator 22 ... Amplifier 23 ... Modulator 24 ... LPF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 25 ... LC resonance circuit 26 ... Attenuator 27 ... Demodulation circuit 28 ... Binarization circuit 29 ... Control circuit 30 ... External interface 31 ... Coding circuit 60 ... Memory | storage part 80 ... Power supply circuit 82 ... Connection part 84 ... User interface circuit 86 ... 7-segment display 87 ... Indicator 88 ... Operation buttons W ... Pallet

Claims (9)

A control device capable of controlling and controlling an automatic recognition device capable of recognizing information recorded on a recognition object in a non-contact manner,
A control circuit for controlling the automatic recognition device to be connected;
A connection unit for connecting the automatic recognition device and the control device;
A power supply circuit for supplying driving power to the automatic recognition device;
A storage unit for storing settings relating to recognition of the automatic recognition device;
A control device for an automatic recognition device. It is a control apparatus of the automatic recognition apparatus of Claim 1, Comprising:
The control circuit is configured to acquire a setting of an automatic recognition device by issuing a predetermined command to the automatic recognition device via the connection unit, and to store the setting in the storage unit. Control device for automatic recognition equipment. A control device for an automatic recognition device according to claim 2,
The control device for an automatic recognition device, wherein the storage unit is a nonvolatile memory. A control device for an automatic recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Furthermore, it can be connected to a host control device that controls the control device,
Furthermore, the higher-level control device communicates with the automatic recognition device via the control device, and is configured to be able to directly change the setting of the automatic recognition device,
When performing the setting, the communication is monitored by the control circuit, and the setting data in the storage unit can be updated to the same setting content as the setting performed by the host control device on the automatic recognition device. A control device for an automatic recognition device. It is a control apparatus of the automatic recognition apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 4, Comprising:
It is configured to connect multiple automatic recognition devices,
When a new automatic recognition device is connected to the control device, the setting stored in the storage unit is transferred to the automatic recognition device via the connection unit, and the automatic recognition device can be set. A control device for an automatic recognition device. An automatic recognition device capable of recognizing information recorded on a recognition object in a non-contact manner,
A control circuit for receiving an operation instruction from the outside and controlling to recognize a recognition object;
A power supply circuit for supplying driving power;
A storage unit for storing settings relating to recognition of a recognition object;
An automatic recognition device comprising: A method for setting an automatic recognition device capable of recognizing information recorded on a recognition object in a non-contact manner,
With the control device capable of controlling the automatic recognition device connected to the automatic recognition device, the control device issues a predetermined command to the automatic recognition device to acquire settings related to recognition of the automatic recognition device;
The setting of the automatic recognition device is acquired by the control device, and stored in the storage unit of the control device;
A method for setting an automatic recognition device. An automatic recognition device setting program capable of recognizing information recorded on a recognition object in a non-contact manner,
A function of issuing a predetermined command to the automatic recognition device for the control device to acquire a setting related to recognition of the automatic recognition device in a state where a control device capable of controlling the automatic recognition device is connected to the automatic recognition device;
A function of acquiring the setting of the automatic recognition device by the control device and storing it in a storage unit of the control device;
An automatic recognition device setting program characterized in that a computer is realized.   A computer-readable recording medium or a recorded device storing the program according to claim 8.