JP2007122548A - Information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information reader, capable of readily and easily acquiring information from a plurality of information acquisition objects through less procedures while preventing mutual interferences or adverse effects thereof in information acquisition. <P>SOLUTION: This information reader comprises high frequency circuits 201B and 201M reading and acquiring book information held in a wireless tag circuit element To-B provided in association with a book B by radio communication using a high frequency (HF) of 13.56 MHz, and reading and acquiring, according to this acquisition result, personal information held in a wireless tag circuit element To-M provided in association with a user M by radio communication using an ultra high frequency UHF of 2.45 GHz, antennas 10B and 10M and a control circuit 202. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reading apparatus that reads information held in a RFID circuit element or a barcode provided in an object to be read.

There is already known an information reading device in which an information holding unit (such as a barcode or a wireless tag) is provided in an article to be managed and the held information is read in a non-contact manner when performing article management. For example, when a wireless tag is provided as an information holding unit, RFID (Radio)
(Frequency Identification) system.

  In this system, for example, a wireless tag circuit element provided in a label-like wireless tag includes an IC circuit unit that stores predetermined wireless tag information and an antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits / receives information. Even if the RFID tag is dirty or placed in an invisible position, the reader / writer side can access (read / write information) the RFID tag information in the IC circuit section. It is already expected to be used in various fields.

  As a prior art of such an information reading apparatus, for example, there is an information reading apparatus for managing the rental of books in a library (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this information reading apparatus (article management system), a RFID tag circuit element provided to a user who passes through an exit by a reader provided at the exit of the library and an RFID tag circuit provided to a book that the user intends to borrow By reading the RFID tag information from both elements, it is possible to grasp which book has been lent to whom.

JP 2001-229263 A

  In the above information reading apparatus of the prior art, it is necessary to read information from both the RFID tag circuit element of the user and the RFID tag circuit element of the book by the reader. At this time, although not specifically described in the above-mentioned patent document, the following problems exist when wireless communication is performed using a uniform frequency from a reader.

  That is, when the reader performs wireless communication using, for example, a commonly used short wave (13.56 MHz or the like), there is an advantage that the communication stability is high, but since the communication distance is short, the user brings the book closer to the reader. Thus, it is necessary to read the information of the RFID tag circuit element of the book and to read the information of the own RFID tag circuit element close to the reader, which is troublesome for the user. On the other hand, when the reader performs radio communication using ultra-high frequency waves (2.45 GHz, etc.), the communication distance is long, so that the RFID tag circuit element around the user and the book other than the RFID tag circuit element (for example, exists in the vicinity) The information is also read about the person or the RFID tag circuit element of the book), and accurate information may not be obtained. Furthermore, there is a risk of interference due to the response of a large number of RFID circuit elements.

  As described above, when wireless communication is performed at a uniform frequency in the above-described conventional technology, the burden on the user when the information is acquired from both the user and the book by the reader and the adverse effect of communication such as interference are prevented. Both of these viewpoints could not be satisfied.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information reading apparatus capable of easily and easily acquiring information from a plurality of information acquisition targets with a few procedures while preventing mutual interference and adverse effects at the time of information acquisition.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the first identification information held in the first information holding unit provided corresponding to the first information acquisition target is substantially obtained by using the first acquisition mode. First identification means for reading and obtaining in a non-contact manner, and second identification information held in a second information holding unit provided corresponding to the second information acquisition target according to the acquisition result by the first acquisition means, And second acquisition means for reading and acquiring in a substantially non-contact manner using a second acquisition mode different from the first acquisition mode.

  In the first invention of the present application, after the first acquisition unit first acquires the first identification information held in the first information holding unit in the first acquisition mode, the second acquisition unit performs the second acquisition according to the acquisition result. The second identification information held in the information holding unit is acquired in the second acquisition mode. In this way, by using different acquisition modes for the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit, it is easy and easy with a few steps from a plurality of information acquisition targets while preventing mutual interference and adverse effects during information acquisition. Information can be acquired.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the first and second acquisition means are configured to provide the first and second RFID tag circuit elements as the first and second information holding units with respect to the first and second RFID circuit elements. As one of the two acquisition modes, wireless communication using ultra high frequency waves is performed, and as the other of the first and second acquisition modes, wireless communication using short waves is performed.

  Information is acquired by using different frequency bands of ultra-short waves and short waves at the time of communication between the first acquisition means and the first RFID circuit element and at the time of communication between the second acquisition means and the second RFID circuit element. Information can be easily and easily acquired from the first and second RFID tag circuit element information acquisition targets with few procedures while preventing mutual interference.

  According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the first acquisition unit performs wireless communication using a short wave as the first acquisition mode, and the second acquisition unit includes the first acquisition unit in the first acquisition unit. After the acquisition of identification information is completed, the second acquisition information is acquired by performing wireless communication using an ultra high frequency as the second acquisition mode.

  Accordingly, for example, after the first identification information of the first RFID circuit element is acquired using a short wave having a short communication distance by bringing the article close to the first acquisition unit, the article is dealt with by the ultra high frequency wave having a long communication distance. It is possible to acquire the second identification information of the second RFID circuit element related to the person. In addition, by acquiring the second identification information after completion of the acquisition of the first identification information, when the first identification information cannot be acquired, the acquisition operation of the second identification information is stopped and unnecessary power consumption is prevented. can do.

  In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the first acquisition means has a frequency of 13.56 MHz as the short wave with respect to the first RFID circuit element associated with the article as the first information acquisition target. The second acquisition means performs wireless communication using the ultrahigh frequency with respect to the second wireless tag circuit element associated with the person as the second information acquisition target. Features.

  After acquiring identification information of the first RFID circuit element related to the article using radio waves having a frequency of 13.56 MHz with a short communication distance, the second RFID tag circuit relating to the person with a very high frequency with a long communication distance of 950 MHz. Element identification information can be acquired.

  In a fifth aspect based on the third or fourth aspect, the first and second acquisition means are wirelessly connected to the first RFID circuit element that is located on one side of the information reading device. It is communicable, The 2nd acquisition means is arrange | positioned so that wireless communication can be carried out with the said 2nd RFID circuit element located in the other side from the said information reader.

  Thereby, for example, when the information reading apparatus is configured as a portable type, when the article is brought close to the first acquisition unit in accordance with the carrying posture of the user, the identification information of the first RFID circuit element is acquired. Transmits radio waves to the front side of the apparatus, and when acquiring identification information of the second RFID circuit element relating to the person, it is possible to transmit radio waves to the rear side of the apparatus.

  In a sixth aspect based on the third aspect, the first acquisition means is configured as 13 as the short wave with respect to the first RFID circuit element associated with the person or the article transport means as the first information acquisition target. Wireless communication is performed using a frequency of 5 MHz, and the second acquisition unit wirelessly communicates with the second RFID circuit element associated with the article as the second information acquisition object using the ultrahigh frequency. It is characterized by performing.

  After acquiring identification information of the first RFID tag circuit element related to the person or the article carrying means using radio waves having a short communication distance of 13.5 MHz, the second RFID tag circuit related to the article by the ultra-short wave having a long communication distance. Element identification information can be acquired.

  In a seventh aspect based on the first aspect, the first acquisition means performs optical acquisition using light as the first acquisition mode for the barcode recording section as the first information holding section, After the acquisition of the first identification information is completed in the first acquisition unit, the second acquisition unit is configured as an ultrahigh frequency as the second acquisition mode for the second RFID circuit element as the second information holding unit. The second identification information is acquired by performing wireless communication using the.

  Accordingly, for example, after the first identification information of the barcode recording unit is acquired using light by bringing the article close to the first acquisition unit, the second related to the person corresponding to the article by the ultra high frequency wave having a long communication distance is obtained. The second identification information of the wireless tag circuit element can be acquired. In addition, by acquiring the second identification information after completion of the acquisition of the first identification information, when the first identification information cannot be acquired, the acquisition operation of the second identification information is stopped and unnecessary power consumption is prevented. can do. In addition, a system can be formed by utilizing or cooperating with an existing bar code article management system.

  An eighth invention relates to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the first identification information acquired by the first acquisition means is associated with the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition means, It has the 1st related information production | generation means which produces | generates the information showing an association, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  As a result, the two pieces of identification information acquired by the two acquisition units can be linked to each other and stored in an appropriate storage unit such as a database.

  According to a ninth invention, in any one of the first to seventh inventions, the third information holding unit provided in correspondence with the third information acquisition object according to the acquisition result by the second acquisition means. Third acquisition means for reading and acquiring three identification information in a substantially non-contact manner, the first identification information acquired by the first acquisition means, and the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition means, The method further comprises second related information generation means for associating the third identification information acquired by the third acquisition means and generating information representing the association.

  As a result, the three pieces of identification information acquired by the three acquisition units can be linked to each other and stored in an appropriate storage unit such as a database.

  In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, after the first identification information is acquired by the first acquisition means, the second identification is performed by the second acquisition means or the third acquisition means. In the case where the information or the third identification information cannot be acquired, it has a notification signal generating means for generating a corresponding notification signal.

  As a result, the first identification information can be first obtained by the first obtaining means, but it is ensured to the operator that the subsequent acquisition of the second or third identification information by the second or third obtaining means has failed. Can be recognized.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and easily acquire information from a plurality of information acquisition targets with few procedures while preventing mutual interference and adverse effects during information acquisition.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the information reading apparatus of the present invention is applied to a book rental management system in a library, for example.

In the library provided with the information reading device of the present embodiment, the RFID tag circuit element in which the user M (second information acquisition target) is written with a user-specific ID (second identification information) when entering the library to (details will be described later) to wear the tag label T _M with. Also each book B in the library (first information acquisition target) is the book unique ID (first identification information) is the tag label T _B having an RFID circuit element To that is written is provided. When the user borrows a book, he / she goes to the book B to be borrowed after carrying the handy scanner 200 (information reading device) provided in the library.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a situation when a user M1 borrows a book B1 in the library. As shown in FIG. 1, when the user M1 borrows a book B1, for example closer to the handy scanner 200 borrowed from the library of acceptance to book B1, the RFID circuit element provided at the tag label T _B1 To-B (FIG. 2 Read information). At this time, information of the RFID circuit element To-M (see FIG. 2) provided in the tag label T _M1 worn by the user M1 is also read by the handy scanner 200 (details will be described later). Information read by the handy scanner 200 is sent to the database DB of the server 207 via the wireless LAN, the base station 205 and the communication line 206.

  FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the RFID tag information communication system provided in the library and having the information reading apparatus (handy scanner 200) of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the RFID tag information communication system 1 accesses the information of the RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M provided in the tag labels T _B and T _M (reads in this example). Information reading device), this handy scanner 200 and wireless LAN (Local
A base station 204 capable of wireless communication via an area network, and a server 207 provided with a database DB connected to the base station 204 via a wireless (or wired) communication line 206.

Handy scanner 200, the RFID label T _B and the RFID label T RFID circuit element To-B provided in the _M, the antenna 10M for signal exchange via wireless communication between the antenna 151-M, 151-B of the To-M 10B and the IC circuit unit 150-B of the RFID tag circuit element To-B (first information holding unit, first RFID tag circuit element) via the antenna 10B by wireless communication using short wave (HF) (In this case, reading) and processing the signal read from the RFID circuit element To-B, and the RFID circuit element To-M (second information holding) via the antenna 10M. And the second RFID circuit element), the IC circuit portion 150-M of the RFID tag circuit element by accessing the IC circuit portion 150-M by radio communication using ultra high frequency (UHF). A high-frequency circuit 201M that processes a signal read from o-M, a wireless LAN communication unit 203 for performing wireless LAN communication via the antenna 205 of the base station 204, high-frequency circuits 201M and 201B, and a wireless LAN communication unit And a control circuit 202 which is connected to 203 and controls them.

Label T _B and the RFID label T RFID circuit element provided in the _M To-B, _To-M is, the IC circuit part 0.99-B for storing information respectively, 0.99-M Toko of the IC circuit part 150-B, 150-M Are connected to antennas 151-B and 151-M, respectively. The antenna 151-M is a known dipole antenna, and the antenna 151-B is configured in a loop coil shape as shown in FIG. 2, and has a structure suitable for communication in a short wave band. The IC circuit units 150-M and 150-B (memory unit 155) are unique (but may be rewritable) identification information that can specify the corresponding information acquisition object (here, the document B or the user M). And the control circuit 202 makes an inquiry to the server 207 using the tag ID, so that various information about the target object stored in the database DB of the server 207 (here, Book name, person name, etc.) can be read from the server 207. Note that the memory unit 155 may directly store book information and person information instead of the tag ID.

The data of each book B is input in advance using an appropriate terminal or the like and stored and held in the database DB of the server 207. The personal information of each user M is input at a terminal of a wireless tag information writing device (not shown) when entering a library, for example, and has a wireless tag circuit element To-M in which the information is written. The tag label T _M is passed to the user M, and the personal information input at this time is stored in the database DB of the server 207.

  FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the overall schematic structure of the handy scanner 200 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the handy scanner 200 is arranged so as to occupy most of the housing 4 and the upper portion (front side in FIG. 3) of the housing 4, and displays the contents of the read information. The unit 5 and the operation unit 6 (for example, a button, a switch, etc.) that are arranged on the side surface of the housing 4 and are operated by the user M when reading information, and when the information reading fails. For example, voice notification means 7 such as a speaker is provided.

  The housing 4 includes the antennas 10M and 10B that transmit and receive signals to the RFID circuit element To. The signals transmitted from the antennas 10M and 10B are transmitted with directivity by known directivity control, and are sent to the RFID tag circuit element To-B of the book B via the antenna 10B. A signal to be transmitted is on the front side (upper side in FIG. 3) of the handy scanner 200, and a signal transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To-M of the user M via the antenna 10M is on the rear side (FIG. 3 in the lower part). In addition, an antenna 203a of the wireless LAN communication unit 203 that performs communication by wireless LAN is provided.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a functional configuration of the RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M provided in the tag labels T _B and T _M provided to the book B and the user M to be read by the handy scanner 200. It is a block diagram showing.

  In FIG. 4, the RFID circuit element To-B is a non-contact signal using the antenna 10B of the handy scanner 200 and a short wave radio wave (13.56 MHz in this embodiment, but other frequencies may be used). Antenna 151-B which transmits / receives and IC circuit part 150-B connected to this antenna 151-B.

  On the other hand, the RFID circuit element To-M transmits and receives signals in a contactless manner using the antenna 10M on the handy scanner 200 side and extremely high frequency (2.45 GHz in this embodiment, but other frequencies may be used). The antenna 151-M to be performed and the IC circuit unit 150-M connected to the antenna 151-M are provided.

  The IC circuit unit 150-B (or 150-M, hereinafter the same correspondence) is connected to a rectifying unit 152-B (or 152-M) that rectifies the carrier wave received by the antenna 151-B (or 151-M). The power supply unit 153-B (or 153) for accumulating the energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectification unit 152-B (or 152-M) to be used as a driving power source for the IC circuit unit 150-B (or 150-M). -M) and a clock extraction unit 154-B that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the antenna 151-B (or 151-M) and supplies the clock signal to a control unit 157-B (or 157-M) described later. (Or 154-M), a memory unit 155-B (or 155-M) functioning as an information storage unit capable of storing a predetermined information signal, and the antenna 151-B (manually). 151-M), the modulation / demodulation unit 156-B (or 156-M), the rectification unit 152-B (or 152-M), the clock extraction unit 154-B (or 154-M), and the modulation / demodulation unit A control unit 157-B (or 157-M) for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To via the unit 156-B (or 156-M) or the like.

  The modem 156-B (or 156-M) demodulates the communication signal received from the antenna 10B (or 10M) of the handy scanner 200 received by the antenna 151-B (or 151-M), and performs the control Based on the return signal from the unit 157-B (or 157-M), the carrier wave received by the antenna 151-B (or 151-M) is modulated and re-transmitted as a reflected wave from the antenna 151-B (or 151-M). Send.

  The control unit 157-B (or 157-M) interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 156-B (or 156-M), and is stored in the memory unit 155-B (or 155-M). Basic control such as control for generating a reply signal based on the received information signal and sending it back by the modem unit 156-B (or 156-M) is executed.

  The clock extraction unit 154 -B (or 154 -M) extracts a clock component from the received signal and extracts the clock to the control unit 157 -B (or 157 -M). The clock extraction unit 154 -B (or 154 -M) extracts the clock component of the received signal. A clock corresponding to the speed is supplied to the control unit 157-B (or 157-M).

With the above structure, in the wireless tag circuit element To-M provided at the RFID circuit element To-B and the tag label T _M provided in the tag label T _B, the frequency characteristic of the receiving sensitivity becomes different from each other. That is, the RFID tag circuit element To-B has the highest reception sensitivity for a 13.56 MHz carrier wave (short wave), and the RFID circuit element To-M has the highest reception sensitivity for a 2.45 GHz carrier wave (ultra-short wave). It is getting bigger.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the handy scanner 200.

  In FIG. 5, the RF circuit 201B for accessing (reading here) the IC circuit section 150-B information of the RFID circuit element To-B via the antenna 10B, and the radio via the antenna 10M. The high-frequency circuit 201M for accessing (reading here) information of the IC circuit unit 150-M of the tag circuit element To-M, and the IC circuit unit 150- of the RFID tag circuit elements To-B and To-M. B, reads out information by processing signals read from 150-M and generates access information for accessing IC circuit portions 150-B and 150-M of RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M. And the control circuit 202 for controlling the operation of the entire handy scanner 200.

  The high-frequency circuits 201B and 201M will not be described in detail, but have a function of communicating with the RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M by transmitting and receiving known short-wave and ultra-high-frequency radio waves. These high-frequency circuits 201B and 201M are received by the transmission units 212B and 212M that transmit signals to the RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M via the antennas 10B and 10M, and the antennas 10B and 10M. Receiving units 213B and 213M for inputting reflected waves from the RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M, and transmission / reception separators 214B and 214M.

  Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the high-frequency circuit 201B will be described for the sake of simplicity, but the high-frequency circuit 201M has the same configuration except for the portion indicated in parentheses.

The transmission unit 212B generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading here) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 150-B of the RFID circuit element To-B.
Locked Loop) 231B, VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 232B, and the generated carrier wave is modulated based on the signal supplied from the control circuit 202 (in this example, based on the “TX_ASK” signal from the control circuit 202) A transmission multiplication circuit 216B that performs amplitude modulation (in the case of the “TX_ASK signal”, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like may be used), and a modulated wave modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 216B is amplified (in this example, the control circuit 202). And a variable transmission amplifier 217B for amplifying the amplification factor determined by the “TX_PWR” signal from the receiver. The generated carrier wave uses a frequency in the HF band (UHF band in the high-frequency circuit 201M), and the output of the transmission amplifier 217B is transmitted to the transmission antenna 10B via the transmission / reception separator 214B, so that the RFID circuit This is supplied to the IC circuit section 150-B of the element To-B. At this time, the 13.56 MHz carrier wave (short wave) generated by the crystal oscillator 230B, the PLL 231B, and the VCO 232B is modulated and amplified and transmitted to the front side (upper side in FIG. 3) of the handy scanner 200. Are supplied to the IC circuit unit 150-B of the RFID tag circuit element To-B of the book B (in the high-frequency circuit 201M, 2.45 GHz generated by the crystal resonator 230M, the PLL 231M, and the VCO 232M) The carrier wave (ultra-high frequency wave) is modulated / amplified and transmitted toward the rear side (the lower side in FIG. 3) of the handy scanner 200, and the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID tag circuit element To-M of the user M described above. -M). Note that the RFID tag information is not limited to the signal modulated as described above, but may be only a carrier wave.

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

  The outputs of the reception first amplifier 221B and the reception second amplifier 225B are also input to an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit 226B as intensity detection means, and a signal “RSSI” indicating the intensity of these signals is a control circuit. 202 is input. In this way, in the handy scanner 200 of the present embodiment, the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To is 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 element To and the antenna 205 of the base station 204 so that the wireless communication can be performed 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, the amplification control signal and modulation control signal corresponding to the protocol are output to the high-frequency circuit transmitters 212B and 212M, and the received signals from the high-frequency circuit receivers 213B and 213M are input. Based on the above protocol, predetermined arithmetic processing for processing signals read from the RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M is performed. 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. 6 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the control circuit 202.

In FIG. 6, 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 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the high-frequency circuits 201B and 201M, and the like. Signal processing is performed in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM 202B while using the storage function. 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, the feature of the present embodiment is that the RFID circuit element To-B provided in the book B and the RFID circuit element To-M provided to the user M are used by using RFID circuit elements having different frequency bands. When the person M borrows the book B, the handy scanner 200 performs wireless communication using different frequencies for the RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M, and reads the information at a time. It is in. Hereinafter, the detailed procedure will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 202. For example, when the handy scanner 200 is turned on, this flow is started.

  First, in step S <b> 10, it is determined whether the operation unit 6 is operated by the user M <b> 1 and an operation signal corresponding to the operation is input to the CPU 202 </ b> A of the control circuit 202. That is, when the user M1 goes to the book B1 to be borrowed with the handy scanner 200 and moves the handy scanner 200 close to the book B1 and operates the operation unit 6, the determination is satisfied. Move on to the next step S20. When the above operation is not performed, the operation waits until there is an operation input.

In step S20, a control signal is transmitted to the transmission unit 212, a 13.56 MHz carrier wave (short wave) is generated from the crystal resonator 230B, the PLL 231B, and the VCO 232B, and the generated carrier wave is modulated and amplified based on the control signal. , via the transmit-receive splitter 214B and transmitting antenna 10B, the read signal to the IC circuit part 0.99-B1 of the RFID circuit element the to-B1 which is user M1 provided in the tag label T _B1 books B1 to attempts to check out ( For example, a search signal Ping or the like is transmitted. This read signal is transmitted from the antenna 10 toward the front of the handy scanner 200.

  In the next step S30, it is determined whether or not a response signal corresponding to the read signal has been received from the IC circuit unit 150-B1 of the RFID circuit element To-B1 that has transmitted the read signal. If the response signal has not been received, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S20. On the other hand, if the response signal is received, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S40.

In step S40, a control signal is transmitted to the transmission unit 212, a 2.45 GHz carrier wave (ultra-short wave) is generated from the crystal resonators 230M, PLL231M, and VCO 232M, and the generated carrier wave is modulated and amplified based on the control signal. is allowed, via the transmit-receive splitter 214M and transmit antennas 10M, read signal (e.g., the search signal Ping to the IC circuit part 0.99-M1 of the RFID circuit element the to-M1 where the user M1 provided in the tag label T _M1 to wear Etc.). This read signal is transmitted from the antenna 10 toward the rear side of the handy scanner 200.

  In the next step S50, it is determined whether or not a response signal corresponding to the read signal is received from the IC circuit unit 150-M1 of the RFID circuit element To-M1 that has transmitted the read signal. If the response signal is received, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S60.

  In step S60, the information on the book B1 read in steps S20 and 30 is associated with the information on the user M1 read in steps S40 and 50, and this association information is transmitted to the base station 204 by wireless communication via a wireless LAN. The data is transmitted and registered in the database DB of the server 207 connected to the base station 204 via the communication line 206. And it returns to previous step S10.

  If no response signal is received in step S50, the determination is not satisfied and the routine goes to step S70.

  In step S70, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the reading signal is first transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To-M1 of the user M1 in step S40. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S40. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has passed without receiving the response signal, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S80.

  In step S80, a notification signal is output to the voice notification means 7, and the voice notification means 7 notifies that the user tag has not been read successfully. Note that a display signal may be output to the display unit 5 to display on the display unit 5 that the user tag has not been read successfully. And it returns to previous step S10.

  In the above description, the case where the user M1 borrows one book B1 has been described as an example. However, when the user M1 borrows a plurality of books B (for example, B1 to B3), the user M1 By performing the same operation by bringing the handy scanner 200 close to each book B, the procedure shown in the above flow is repeated.

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an example of the association information registered in the database DB of the server 207 as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a lending table including users, books, lending dates, and return dates is registered in the database DB of the server 207. As described above, the information on the user and the book is the association information (here, the user and book ID information) received from the handy scanner 200 via the wireless LAN, the base station 204, and the communication line 206, and the database DB. By comparing the person and book information, the user name and book name are registered on the lending table (the ID itself may be registered). Further, the lending date and the return date are automatically added and registered by the server 207, for example. In the example of FIG. 8, the user M1 borrows three books B1 to B3 on the same day (not yet returned), and the book B9 borrowed by the user M2 has already been returned. .

  The lending table information may be displayed on the display unit 5 of the handy scanner 200 when the user M1 performs an appropriate operation.

  In the above, the high frequency circuits 201B and 201M, the antennas 10B and 10M, and the control circuit 202 (specifically, steps S20 to S30 in the flow of FIG. 7) first acquire the first identification information described in each claim. The first acquisition means for reading and acquiring in a substantially non-contact manner using the mode is configured, and the high-frequency circuits 201B and 201M, the antennas 10B and 10M, and the control circuit 202 (specifically, steps S40 to S50 in the flow of FIG. 7). ) Constitutes second acquisition means for reading and acquiring the second identification information described in each claim in a substantially non-contact manner using a second acquisition mode different from the first acquisition mode. Further, the control circuit 202 (specifically, step S60 in the flow of FIG. 7) also constitutes a first related information generating means for generating information representing the association according to claim 8. Further, the control circuit 202 (specifically, step S80 in the flow of FIG. 7) also constitutes notification signal generating means for generating a corresponding notification signal according to claim 10.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user M wants to borrow the book B in the library, he / she goes to the book B after carrying the handy scanner 200 and brings the handy scanner 200 close to the book B. Then, the operation unit 6 is operated to read information. In this case, the transmitting antenna 10B and through a read signal at 13.56MHz frequency to the IC circuit part 0.99-B of the RFID circuit element To-B provided in the tag label T _B books B is transmitted, books B together with book information is read, via the transmitting antenna 10M, read at 2.45GHz frequency to the IC circuit part 0.99-M of the RFID circuit element to-M user M is provided to the tag label T _M worn A signal is transmitted and the personal information of the user M is read out. The read book information and user information are transmitted to the server 207 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203, the base station 205, and the communication line 206, and appropriate information (date information, etc.) is added to the database. Registered in DB.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the handy scanner 200 first completes the acquisition of the book information held in the RFID tag circuit element To-B of the book B using the 13.56 MHz short wave (HF). 2. User information held in the RFID tag circuit element To-M of the user M is acquired using an ultra-high frequency (UHF) of 2.45 GHz. In this way, by using different acquisition modes (in this embodiment, wireless communication using different frequencies) between the book B and the user M, information acquisition is performed in a uniform acquisition mode (here, a uniform frequency). It is possible to prevent mutual interference and adverse effects (in this case, interference and adverse effects on communication such as interference) at the time of information acquisition. Furthermore, information can be read from a plurality of information acquisition targets (book B and user M) only by performing an easy operation (in this embodiment, the handy scanner 200 is moved closer to the book B and the operation unit 6 is operated). Information can be easily and easily acquired from a plurality of information acquisition targets with a few procedures.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when reading information of the RFID circuit element To-B provided in the book B, the RFID tag that the user M wears by performing communication using 13.56 MHz shortwave (HF) is read. When reading the information of the circuit element To-M, communication is performed using the ultrahigh frequency (UHF) of 2.45 GHz.

  Here, in general, when wireless communication is performed using short waves (13.56 MHz or the like), the communication distance is short but the communication stability is high. On the other hand, when performing wireless communication using ultra-high frequency waves (2.45 GHz or the like), the communication distance is long, but there is a feature that information may be read even for objects in the vicinity of the reading object. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by using the frequencies as described above, information is read from the RFID tag circuit element To-B of the adjacent book B at a short distance from being arranged on the bookshelf. It is possible to reliably communicate with the RFID tag circuit element To-B of the book B to be read using a short wave (13.56 MHz or the like) having a short distance. On the other hand, for reading information from the RFID tag circuit element To-M of the user M, since the persons do not exist at such a close distance, ultra high frequency waves (2.45 GHz or the like) having a relatively long communication distance are used. Can read the information of the target user M. As described above, in the present embodiment, by appropriately using the frequency according to the reading target, it is possible to reliably read the information to be read while preventing the influence on communication such as mutual interference at the time of information acquisition. it can.

  In this embodiment, in particular, a signal transmitted from the handy scanner 200 to the RFID tag circuit element To-B of the book B via the antenna 10B is transmitted to the front side (upper side in FIG. 3) of the handy scanner 200. A signal transmitted from the scanner 200 to the RFID tag circuit element To-M of the user M via the antenna 10M is transmitted to the rear side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the handy scanner 200. Thereby, the radio wave can be transmitted in accordance with the carrying posture of the user M carrying the handy scanner 200, and the operability of the information reading operation using the handy scanner 200 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the information related to the book B read by the handy scanner 200 and the information related to the user M are associated, and this association information is registered in the database DB of the server 207. Thereby, the rental management of books can be performed efficiently. In addition, using the association information registered in the database DB, for example, a list of books that have been borrowed so far (person table), a list of books that have been borrowed so far, and a list of books that have been lent (book table). It is possible to improve the convenience.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, after reading information from the RFID tag circuit element To-B of the book B, after reading information from the RFID tag circuit element To-M of the user M, Notification is performed by the voice notification means 7. Thereby, the user M can be surely recognized that the acquisition of the personal information related to the user M has failed. As a result, it is possible to prompt the user M to perform the reading operation again.

  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.

(1) When using a stationary scanner In the above-described embodiment, the information of the book B and the user M is read using the handy scanner 200 that can be carried by the user. A scanner may be used.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state when the user M1 borrows the book B1 in the present modification. As shown in FIG. 9, in this modification, for example, a stationary scanner 300 (information reading device) is installed at the reception of a library. In the stationary scanner 300, a signal transmitted from the above-described handy scanner 200 to the RFID tag circuit element To-B of the book B is sent to the front side of the handy scanner 200 and to the RFID tag circuit element To-M of the user M. While the signal to be transmitted is transmitted to the rear side of the handy scanner 200, the signal is transmitted to the front side (right side in FIG. 9) of the scanner 300 with respect to both RFID circuit elements To-B and To-M. It is like that. Other functions are almost the same as those of the handy scanner 200 described above.

In this modification of the above configuration, when the user M1 enters the library, the user _M1 wears the tag label T _M1 having the RFID circuit element To-M1 in which the user-specific ID is written, and the book B1 to be borrowed is bookcased. The book B1 is taken close to the scanner 300 at the reception. Accordingly, the scanner 300 performs wireless communication with the RFID tag circuit element To-B1 provided in the book B1 using the 13.56 MHz short wave (HF), and at the same time, the RFID tag circuit element To-M1 provided in the user M1. And 2.45 GHz ultra-high frequency (UHF) are used for wireless communication, and information is read from both the book B1 and the user M1. The information read by the scanner 300 is registered as association information in the database DB of the server 207 via the wireless LAN, the base station 204, and the communication line 206.

  In this modification, when causing the scanner 300 to read information, the user M operates the appropriate operation unit (not shown) of the scanner 300 in the same procedure as the flow shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a reading signal (for example, a search signal Ping) is always transmitted from the high-frequency circuit and the antenna of the scanner 300 and automatically read when the user M approaches the book B. May be performed. In this case, when a response signal is received from the book tag To-M by the user M approaching the book B in the scanner 300, information is subsequently read from the RFID tag circuit element To-M of the user M. .

  Also by this modified example having the above-described configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

(2) In the case where a place tag is provided Although not particularly installed in the above embodiment, a wireless tag circuit element To that stores position information of a book is provided at an appropriate position, and the handy scanner 200 ' The position information may be read.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the library clerk M3 returns the book B1 to the bookshelf C1 in the present modification. In the library of the present modification, the RFID circuit element To-C (third information holding unit) in which the identification information (ID) of the book shelf C is written on the floor surface (or under the floor) in front of each book shelf C. (A tag label having the RFID circuit element To may be provided). In FIG. 10, the RFID circuit element To-C1 in which the identification information (third identification information) of the book shelf C1 is written is installed on the floor surface in front of the book shelf C1 in which the book B1 is stored. The handy scanner 200 ′ performs wireless communication at different frequencies with respect to the RFID circuit element To-B 1 provided on the book B 1 and the RFID circuit element To-C 1 provided on the floor when the book is returned. A control circuit 202 '(not shown) for performing Since other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

In this modification, when the user M1 borrows a book, the same procedure as in the above embodiment is performed. That is, when the user M1 enters the library, the user M1 wears the tag label T _M1 having the RFID circuit element To-M1 in which the user-specific ID is written, and then wants to borrow the handy scanner 200 ′. The information is read from the RFID tag circuit element To-B1 of the book B1 and the RFID tag circuit element To-M1 of the user M1. Thereby, association information including user information and book information is registered in the database DB of the server 207. When returning, the user M1 returns the book B1 to the reception, for example. The returned book B1 is taken by the library clerk M3 with the handy scanner 200 'to the bookshelf C1 and stored in the original place. After the storage, the handy scanner 200 'is brought close to the book B1 to read information. In the above, the clerk M3 returns the book B1 to the original place, but the user M1 who borrowed the book B1 may return it.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 202 ′ at the time of return. For example, this flow is started by turning on the power of the handy scanner 200 ′.

Steps S10 to S30 are the same as the flow shown in FIG. 7 described above. When the operation unit 6 of the handy scanner 200 ′ is operated by the clerk M3, the tag label T of the book B1 using the 13.56 MHz short wave. Wireless communication is performed with the RFID circuit element To-B1 provided in _B1 , and the book information is read. When a response signal is received from the RFID circuit element To-B1, the determination at Step S30 is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S40A.

  In step S40A, a control signal is transmitted to the transmission unit 212M, a 2.45 GHz carrier wave (ultra-high frequency wave) is generated from the crystal resonators 230M, PLL 231M, and VCO 232M, and the generated carrier wave is modulated and amplified based on the control signal. Then, a read signal (not shown) is sent to the IC circuit unit 150-C1 (not shown) of the RFID circuit element To-C1 provided on the floor surface in front of the bookcase C1 through the transmission / reception separator 214M and the transmission antenna 10M. For example, a search signal Ping or the like is transmitted. Wireless communication at this time is performed using, for example, 2.45 GHz ultra-high frequency (UHF).

  In the next step S50A, it is determined whether a response signal corresponding to the read signal is received from the IC circuit unit 150-C1 of the RFID circuit element To-C1 that has transmitted the read signal. If a response signal is received, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S90.

  In step S90, the association information between the book B and the book shelf C registered in the database DB of the server 207 is read through the communication line 206, the base station 204, and the wireless LAN, and the book B1 read in the steps S20 and S30 is read. It is determined whether or not the book B1 has been returned to the correct position (correct bookcase) by comparing the information and the information related to the position of the book B1 read in steps S40A and 50A (that is, the identification information of the bookcase C1). If it is returned to the correct position, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S60A.

  In step S60A, the information related to the book B1 read in steps S20 and S30 is associated with the information related to the position of the book B1 read in steps S40A and 50A (that is, the identification information of the bookshelf C1). Then, the data is transmitted to the database DB of the server 207 via the base station 204 and the communication line 206, and registration that the book B1 is returned to the correct position is registered. And it returns to previous step S10.

  Steps S70 and S80 are the same as the flow shown in FIG. 7 described above. When the information of the RFID circuit element To-C1 is not successfully read, a notification signal is output to the voice notification means 7, That is notified by the voice notification means 7. If the book B1 is not returned to the correct position in step S90, the process proceeds to step S80, and the voice notification means 7 notifies that the return position is incorrect. A display signal may be output to the display unit 5 and displayed on the display unit 5. And it returns to previous step S10.

  Also by this modified example having the above-described configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above modification, the RFID circuit element To-C1 is installed on the floor surface in front of the book shelf C1 in which the book B1 is stored. However, the installation location is not limited to this, for example, the book shelf C1 itself, What is necessary is just to be in the range which can specify return position of book B1, such as structures other than a floor, and can be read with handy scanner 200 '.

  In the above modification, the book information and person information are read at the time of lending, and the book information and position information are read at the time of return. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, book information, person information and position at both the time of lending and at the time of return. You may make it read all the information of information. As a result, for example, it is possible to know from which position the book has been taken out, who has returned it, and so on, and more detailed rental management of the book can be performed. In this case, the control circuit 202 'constitutes the second related information generating means described in claim 9.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the information reading apparatus of the present invention is applied to an article management system in a warehouse, for example.

In the article management system including the information reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, each package L has a tag label having a RFID circuit element To-L (details will be described later) in which a package-specific ID (second identification information) is written. T _L is provided. On the other hand, the forklift F that transports the luggage L is provided with a tag label _TF having a RFID circuit element To-F in which an ID (first identification information) unique to the vehicle is written at the bottom. When the luggage L is carried into the warehouse, the forklift F transports the luggage L and passes through the warehouse entrance 30.

  FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the RFID tag information communication system provided in the warehouse and having the information reading device of the present embodiment.

12, the RFID tag information communication system 2 includes a tag label T _F (T _{F1 in} this example) provided at the bottom of a forklift F (F1 in this example) for carrying in / out the warehouse. The tag circuit element To-F (To-F1 in this example) provided in the tag circuit element To-F (which may not be present) and the luggage L (the luggage L1 in this example) conveyed by the forklift F (first information acquisition object, article conveying means). label T _L provided to L4) (this RFID circuit element provided in the T _L1 through T _L4) in the example to-L (to-L1~To- L4 in this example) access (here information A scanner 400 (information reading apparatus) that performs reading), and a server 407 that is connected to the scanner 400 via a communication line 406 and includes a database DB.

The scanner 400 includes an antenna 10A that transmits and receives signals to and from the RFID tag circuit element To-F (first information holding unit, first RFID tag circuit element) provided in the tag label _TF , and the tag label. An antenna 10B that transmits and receives signals by wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To-L (second information holding unit, second RFID circuit element) provided in the _TL , and the RFID tag through the antenna 10A A high-frequency circuit 401A that accesses (herein, reads information) the circuit element To-F by wireless communication using shortwave (HF) and processes a signal read from the RFID circuit element To-F; When the RFID circuit element To-L is accessed via the antenna 10B by wireless communication using ultra high frequency (UHF) (in this case, reading information). In addition, a high-frequency circuit 401B for processing a signal read from the RFID circuit element To-L, a communication control unit 403 for communicating with the database DB of the server 407 via the communication line 406, a high-frequency circuit 401A, The control circuit 402 is connected to the 401B and the communication control unit 403 and controls them. The antenna 10A is disposed at the lower part (for example, the road surface) of the warehouse entrance 30 so that the antenna 10A can communicate with the RFID circuit element To-F of the tag label _TF provided at the bottom of the forklift F. The antenna 10B communicates well with the RFID tag circuit element To-L of the tag label _TL provided on each load L (second information acquisition target, article) conveyed by the forklift F. It is arranged on the side surface (or the top surface) of the entrance 30 so that it can be performed.

The tag label T _F and label T RFID circuit element provided in the _L To-F, _To-L is not illustrated in particular, it is connected to the IC circuit part 150 Toko of the IC circuit part 150 for storing information respectively antenna 151. That is, the RFID circuit element To-F transmits and receives signals in a non-contact manner using the antenna 10A on the scanner 400 side and a short wave (13.56 MHz in this embodiment, but other frequencies may be used). An antenna 151-F and an IC circuit unit 150-F connected to the antenna 151-F are provided. On the other hand, the RFID circuit element To-L transmits and receives signals in a non-contact manner using the antenna 10B on the scanner 400 side and extremely high frequency (2.45 GHz in this embodiment, but other frequencies may be used). An antenna 151-L to be performed and an IC circuit unit 150-L connected to the antenna 151-L are provided.

  The IC circuit unit 150 (memory unit 155) stores and holds a tag ID as unique (but may be rewritable) identification information that can identify the corresponding object (here, forklift F or luggage L). When the control circuit 402 makes an inquiry to the server 407 using the tag ID, various information relating to the object stored in advance in the database DB of the server 407 (for example, the vehicle name or driver name of the forklift, the name of the luggage, Name) can be read from the server 407. Note that the memory unit 155 may store the information directly instead of the tag ID.

  FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the scanner 400, and corresponds to FIG. 5 of the above-described embodiment. In FIG. 13, the description of the same parts as those in FIG. 5 is omitted.

  In FIG. 13, the scanner 400 reads the information of the RFID circuit element To-F via the antenna 10A, and the high frequency circuit 401A for reading the RFID circuit element To-F via the antenna 10B. For processing the signal read from the RFID circuit elements To-F and To-L and reading information and accessing the RFID circuit elements To-F and To-L The control circuit 402 includes a function for generating information and controls the operation of the entire scanner 400.

The configuration of the high-frequency circuits 401A and 401B is the same as that of the above-described high-frequency circuits 201B and 201M. That is, the transmission unit 412A of the high-frequency circuit 401A generates a carrier wave for accessing (in this case, reading) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 150-F of the RFID circuit element To-F. PLL (Phase
Locked Loop) 431A and VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 432A, and the generated carrier wave uses a frequency in the HF band. Further, the transmission unit 412B of the high-frequency circuit 401B includes a crystal resonator 430B that generates a carrier wave for accessing (in this case, reading) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 150-L of the RFID circuit element To-L. PLL (Phase
Locked Loop) 431B and VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 432B, and the generated carrier wave uses a UHF band frequency. The 13.56 MHz carrier wave (short wave) generated by the crystal resonator 430A, the PLL 431A, and the VCO 432A of the high frequency circuit 401A is modulated / amplified and transmitted via the antenna 10A. The circuit element To-F is supplied to the IC circuit unit 150-F. On the other hand, a 2.45 GHz carrier wave (ultra-high frequency wave) generated by the crystal resonator 430B, PLL 431B, and VCO 432B of the high-frequency circuit 401B is modulated and amplified and transmitted via the antenna 10B. It is supplied to the IC circuit section 150-L of the circuit element To-L. Note that the RFID tag information is not limited to the signal modulated as described above, but may be only a carrier wave.

  The communication control unit 403 is connected to the control circuit 402 via an input / output interface (not shown). The control circuit 402 inputs an operation signal from an operation unit such as an operation unit 416 (not shown), a display control signal to the display unit 415 (not shown), and a voice notification unit 417 (not shown). A notification signal or the like is output.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 402. For example, when the power of the scanner 400 is turned on, this flow is started.

  First, in step S110, a control signal is transmitted to the transmission unit 412A, a 13.56 MHz carrier wave (short wave) is generated from the crystal resonators 430A, PLL 431A, and the VCO 432A, and the generated carrier wave is modulated and amplified based on the control signal. Then, a read signal (for example, a search signal Ping) is transmitted via the transmission / reception separator 414A and the antenna 10A. The reading signal is always transmitted.

In the next step S120, it is determined whether or not a response signal corresponding to the transmitted read signal is received from the IC circuit unit 150-F of the RFID tag circuit element To-F of the forklift F. That is, for example, a forklift F1 passes through the doorway 30 of the warehouse, by the wireless tag circuit element the To-F1 RFID label T _F1 to read signals transmitted continuously via the antenna 10A is provided at the bottom of the forklift F1 in step S110 If it is received and a corresponding response signal is received from the RFID circuit element To-F1, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S130. On the other hand, while the response signal is not received, the process returns to step S110 to continue the reading signal transmission state.

In step S130, a control signal is transmitted to the transmission unit 412B, a 2.45 GHz carrier wave (ultra-short wave) is generated from the crystal resonators 430B, PLL 431B, and VCO 432B, and the generated carrier wave is modulated and amplified based on the control signal. The read signal (for example, to the IC circuit unit 150-L of the RFID tag circuit element To-L of the tag label _TL provided in the plurality of packages L conveyed by the forklift F via the transmission / reception separator 414B and the antenna 10B (for example, Search signal Ping). Wireless communication at this time is performed using 2.45 GHz ultra-high frequency (UHF).

  In the next step S140, it is determined whether or not a response signal corresponding to the read signal has been received from the RFID circuit elements To-L related to all loads L transported by the forklift F. If a response signal is received from all package tags To-L, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S150.

  In step S150, the information on the forklift F read in steps S110 and 120 and the information on the luggage L read in steps S130 and 140 are associated, and this association information is registered in the database DB of the server 407 via the communication line 406. Let And it returns to previous step S110.

  If no response signal is received from all the package tags To-L in step S140, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to the next step S160.

  In step S160, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the reading signal is first transmitted to the RFID circuit element To-L of the package L in step S130. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S130. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the response signal, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S170.

  In step S170, a notification signal is output to the voice notification unit 417, and the voice notification unit 417 notifies the user that the parcel tag has not been read successfully. Note that a display signal may be output to the display unit 415 to display on the display unit 415 that the package tag has not been read successfully. And it returns to previous step S110.

  FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an example of the association information registered in the database DB of the server 407 as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a table composed of forklifts, luggage, and carry-in dates is registered in the database DB of the server 407. As described above, the forklift and luggage information are obtained by comparing the association information (here, the forklift and luggage ID information) received from the scanner 400 via the communication line 406 with the forklift and luggage information in the database DB. The forklift number (may be the driver's name) and the luggage name (the contents of the luggage) are registered on the table (note that the ID itself may be registered). Also, the carry-in date is automatically added and registered by the server 407, for example. In the example of FIG. 15, the loads L10 to L17 are carried into the warehouse by the forklift F1 on 10/17, the loads L5 to L7 are carried by the forklift F2 on 10/18, and the loads L1 to L4 are carried by the forklift F1. It shows that.

  This table information may be displayed on the display unit 415 of the scanner 400 by performing an appropriate operation.

  In the above, the control circuit 402 (specifically, step S150 in the flow of FIG. 14) constitutes a first related information generating unit that generates information representing the association according to claim 8. Further, the control circuit 402 (specifically, step S170 in the flow of FIG. 14) also constitutes notification signal generating means for generating a corresponding notification signal according to claim 10.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the forklift F passes through the entrance / exit 30 of the warehouse, information related to the forklift F and the cargo L to be conveyed is read. At this time, through the transmitting antenna 10A, the read signal is transmitted to the IC circuit part 0.99-F of the RFID circuit element the To-F provided in the tag label T _F of the forklift F at 13.56MHz frequency, the forklift F Information is read out, and 2.45 GHz with respect to the IC circuit unit 150-L of the RFID circuit element To-L provided in the tag label _TL provided in the luggage L conveyed by the forklift F through the transmitting antenna 10B. A reading signal is transmitted at a frequency, and the information on the luggage L is read. The read vehicle information and package information are input to the server 407 via the communication line 406, and appropriate information (date information, etc.) is added and registered in the database DB.

  As described above, in this embodiment, after the scanner 400 completes the acquisition of the vehicle information held in the RFID circuit element To-F of the forklift F by using the 13.56 MHz short wave (HF), The package information held in the RFID tag circuit element To-L of the package L is acquired using the ultra-high frequency (UHF) of 45 GHz. In this way, by using different acquisition modes for the forklift F and the luggage L (wireless communication with different frequencies in this embodiment), compared to the case of acquiring information in a uniform acquisition mode (here, a uniform frequency), It is possible to prevent mutual interference and adverse effects (here, interference and adverse effects on communication such as interference) at the time of information acquisition. Furthermore, since information can be read from a plurality of information acquisition targets (forklift F and luggage L) only by an easy operation (in this embodiment, only passing through the entrance / exit 30 with the forklift F), a plurality of information acquisition targets Therefore, information can be easily and easily acquired with a few steps. In addition, the same effects as those of the above-described one embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described other embodiments, the forklift is described as an example of the article transporting means for transporting the cargo. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other transporting means such as a truck, a trailer, or a (hand-held) cart is used. Therefore, the present invention may be applied to the case of carrying a package.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention and other embodiments, when acquiring information from a plurality of information acquisition targets, a case where communication frequencies are different as a plurality of acquisition modes has been described as an example. For example, the acquisition mode may be changed by changing the communication protocol or the transmission output of the read signal. Also in this case, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Moreover, in one embodiment of the present invention described above and in other embodiments, as an acquisition means for acquiring information at a short distance (acquisition of book information in one embodiment, acquisition of forklift information in another embodiment). The case where wireless communication using short wave (HF) with a short communication distance is performed has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, a bar code or the like is used as the information holding means (that is, a bar code is provided in a book in one embodiment, and a bar code is provided in a forklift in another embodiment), and an optical information acquisition means such as a bar code reader is used. Information may be obtained. Also by this, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained. In this case, there is also an advantage that the system can be formed by utilizing or cooperating with an existing bar code article management system.

  It is assumed that the “Ping” signal and the like used above conform to the specifications established by 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.

It is a figure which shows a mode when a user borrows a book in the library provided with one Embodiment of the information reading apparatus of this invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a wireless tag information communication system having an embodiment of an information reading device of the present invention. It is a front view showing the whole schematic structure of the handy scanner which is one Embodiment of the information reader of this invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the RFID tag circuit element with which the book which is the search object of the handy scanner which is one Embodiment of the information reading apparatus of this invention, and the tag label provided in a user are equipped. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the control system of the handy scanner which is one Embodiment of the information reader of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of the control circuit which the handy scanner which is one Embodiment of the information reading apparatus of this invention has. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs. It is a conceptual diagram which represents typically an example of the correlation information registered into the database of a server. It is a figure which shows a mode when the user borrows a book in the modification in the case of using a stationary scanner. It is a figure which shows a mode when the staff of the library in the modification in the case of providing a place tag returns a book to a bookshelf. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs at the time of the return in the modification in the case of providing a place tag. It is a system configuration | structure figure showing the whole structure of the RFID tag information communication system which has other embodiment of the information reader of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the control system of the scanner which is other embodiment of the information reading apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs. It is a conceptual diagram which represents typically an example of the correlation information registered into the database of a server.

Explanation of symbols

10B, M antenna (first acquisition means, second acquisition means)
10A, B antenna (first acquisition means, second acquisition means)
200 Handy Scanner (Information Reading Device)
201B, M High-frequency circuit (first acquisition means, second acquisition means)
202 Control circuit (first acquisition means, second acquisition means, first related information generation means, notification signal generation means)
300 Scanner (Information reading device)
400 Scanner (Information reading device)
401 High-frequency circuit (first acquisition means, second acquisition means)
402 control circuit (first acquisition means, second acquisition means, first related information generation means, notification signal generation means)
B book (first information acquisition target)
F Forklift (first information acquisition target, article transport means)
L Luggage (second information acquisition target, goods)
M user (second information acquisition target)
To-B RFID circuit element (first information holding unit, first RFID tag circuit element)
To-C RFID circuit element (third information holding unit)
To-F RFID circuit element (first information holding unit, first RFID tag circuit element)
To-L RFID circuit element (second information holding unit, second RFID tag circuit element)
To-M RFID circuit element (second information holding unit, second RFID tag circuit element)

Claims (10)

First acquisition means for reading and acquiring the first identification information held in the first information holding unit provided corresponding to the first information acquisition target in a substantially non-contact manner using the first acquisition mode;
In accordance with the acquisition result obtained by the first acquisition means, the second identification information stored in the second information storage unit provided corresponding to the second information acquisition target is different from the first acquisition mode. And a second acquisition means for reading and acquiring in a substantially non-contact manner using an information reading apparatus. The information reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The first and second acquisition means wirelessly use ultra high frequency waves as one of the first and second acquisition modes for the first and second wireless tag circuit elements as the first and second information holding units. An information reading apparatus that performs communication and performs wireless communication using short waves as the other of the first and second acquisition modes. The information reading apparatus according to claim 2,
The first acquisition means performs wireless communication using a short wave as the first acquisition mode,
The second acquisition unit acquires the second identification information by performing wireless communication using ultra high frequency as the second acquisition mode after the acquisition of the first identification information is completed in the first acquisition unit. An information reading apparatus. The information reading device according to claim 3,
The first acquisition means performs wireless communication using a frequency of 13.56 MHz as the short wave to the first wireless tag circuit element associated with the article as the first information acquisition target,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the second acquisition means performs wireless communication using the ultrahigh frequency with respect to the second RFID circuit element associated with the person as the second information acquisition target. The information reading device according to claim 3 or 4,
The first and second acquisition means can wirelessly communicate with the first wireless tag circuit element located on one side of the information reading device, and the second acquisition means can detect the information reading device. The information reading device is arranged so as to be wirelessly communicable with the second RFID tag circuit element located on the other side. The information reading device according to claim 3,
The first acquisition unit performs wireless communication using a frequency of 13.5 MHz as the short wave with respect to the first RFID circuit element associated with the person or article transport unit as the first information acquisition target,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the second acquisition means performs wireless communication using the ultrahigh frequency with respect to the second RFID circuit element associated with the article as the second information acquisition target. The information reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The first acquisition means performs optical acquisition using light as the first acquisition mode for the barcode recording unit as the first information holding unit,
After the acquisition of the first identification information is completed in the first acquisition unit, the second acquisition unit is configured as an ultrahigh frequency as the second acquisition mode for the second RFID circuit element as the second information holding unit. An information reading apparatus that performs wireless communication by using and acquires the second identification information. The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A first related information generation unit that associates the first identification information acquired by the first acquisition unit with the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit and generates information indicating the association is provided. Information reading device. The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Third acquisition that reads and acquires the third identification information held in the third information holding unit provided corresponding to the third information acquisition object in a substantially non-contact manner according to the acquisition result by the second acquisition means. Means,
The first identification information acquired by the first acquisition means, the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition means, and the third identification information acquired by the third acquisition means are related to each other and represent the association An information reading apparatus comprising second related information generation means for generating information. The information reader according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
After acquiring the first identification information by the first acquisition unit, a corresponding notification when the second acquisition unit or the third acquisition unit cannot acquire the second identification information or the third identification information An information reading apparatus comprising notification signal generation means for generating a signal.

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