JP2007188392A - Non-contact type ic tag write/read device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly write data into limited individual IC tags and to correctly read the data from the limited individual IC tags by facilitating correct positioning of a write/read means with respect to the IC tags for obtaining satisfactory radio wave directivity and transmission and reception performance in reading the data in the IC tags mounted to an article by the write/read means, so that there is no interference failure of electromagnetic waves between IC tags though a space between two or more IC tags is narrow and the IC tags are close to each other. <P>SOLUTION: This equipment is provided with: a transmission/reception antenna 3 which transmits a radio wave signal for write and read of a prescribed frequency toward a transmission/reception antenna 21 of an IC tag 20 mounted to the article B and writes or reads prescribed information to the IC tag by the radio wave signal (w) of the prescribed frequency originated toward the antenna of the IC tag; a non-contact type IC tag write/read means A wherein a waveguide 5 for guiding the radio wave signal is provided at an antenna mounting part 2 mounting the transmission/reception antenna; and a moving means C for moving the write/read means A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact type IC tag (RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag) equipped with a non-contact type IC module attached to articles such as various products such as confectionery, foodstuffs, electrical products, books, and clothing. The present invention also relates to a non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device for writing / reading data related to the article by radio waves.

  In general, manufacturers / sellers can provide customers and consumers with information such as product names and product information, product manufacturing information, sales information, manufacturer / seller information, etc. When providing information such as winning information, campaign application information, etc., various catalogs, product information service sheets, information cards, etc. on which such product information is posted and direct mail are distributed.

  Also, as these service sheets and cards for providing information, a magnetic card or IC card that records information data as electronic data and can be read out by a dedicated reading means, or an IC module (or IC chip comprising an IC chip and an antenna), etc. Alternatively, an IC tag (IC tag sheet) mounted with an IC tag inlet mounted with an IC module in which a unit IC module including an IC chip and an antenna is mounted on a small piece support sheet may be issued. In addition, when selling various products such as confectionery, food, electrical products, books, clothing, etc., these IC tags may be directly attached to the products for sale.

  The IC tag equipped with the IC module is, for example, a product name, product information, product manufacturing information, manufacturer / seller information, etc. for product information providing service, and information on the misplacement of prizes at the time of campaign, campaign The information is written and recorded in the IC chip memory by the manufacturer / seller for information provision services such as application information and for the sale of various products such as confectionery, food, electrical products, books, and clothing. And issued to customers and consumers.

  Examples of these IC tag technologies include, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-322718, and examples of technologies for attaching and mounting these IC tags to an object include, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-195556 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-342728. No. 1, JP-A No. 2003-11914, JP-A No. 2004-202894, and the like.

  For writing and reading data to and from the IC tag (IC module, IC chip with antenna) as described above, radio waves of a specific frequency are used, and data such as product information is written using radio waves of a predetermined frequency. The writing means (writer) can write to the IC tag, and the reading means (reader) can read from the IC tag. The distance that can be read by the reading means corresponds to the frequency unique to the IC tag. The lower the frequency, the shorter the readable distance, and the higher the frequency, the longer the readable distance.

  For example, in an IC tag using radio waves with a frequency of 13.56 MHz, the readable distance from the reading means to the IC tag is within about 25 cm, and radio waves with a frequency of 952 MHz (or any one of 915 MHz to 952 MHz) are used. In the IC tag used, the readable distance from the reading means to the IC tag is about 3 m.

Below, a conventionally well-known patent document is described.
JP 2001-322718 A JP 2001-195556 A JP 2002-342728 A JP 2003-11914 A JP 2004-202894 A

  By the way, in order to accurately read the data of the IC tag by the reading means (reader or writing / reading means (reader writer)), the reading direction by the reading means is set at an accurate position with respect to the IC tag, and the reading means It is necessary to improve the directivity of the radio wave between the IC tag and the IC tag, improve the gain of the radio wave transmitted to the antenna of the IC tag and the radio wave transmitted from the IC tag antenna, and improve the transmission / reception performance to read out. is there.

  However, IC tags (IC modules, IC chips with antennas) mounted on catalogs, booklets, cards, or various products are generally small pieces of millimeters. In some cases, it is difficult to accurately position the reading means with respect to the IC tag in order to obtain good directivity and transmission / reception performance, and it is difficult to accurately read the data of the IC tag.

  Also, in the current market, IC tags and reader / writers that can cover a wide range have been developed, and current IC tag reader / writers can read and write to a wide range of IC tags, but are limited to a narrow range. The read / write cannot be performed correctly on the IC tag that has been read.

  Since the antenna of the current writing / reading means (reader / writer) is considerably larger than the antenna mounted on the IC tag, writing or reading is required from a plurality of IC tags in an integrated state or an adjacent state. It is difficult to write or read by limiting individual IC tags, and a plurality of nearby IC tags are read and written together unconditionally.

  In addition, even if individual IC tags are written or read out, it is difficult to specify and confirm the position of the IC tag to identify which IC tag is a plurality of IC tags, IC tag data management is difficult.

  An object of the present invention is to accurately position a writing / reading unit with respect to an IC tag in order to obtain good radio wave directivity and transmission / reception performance when reading data of the IC tag attached to an article by the writing / reading unit. Even if a plurality of IC tags are narrow and close to each other, there is no interference interference of radio waves between the IC tags, and data is accurately written to the limited individual IC tags. In other words, the data can be accurately read from the IC tag.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention transmits a radio signal for writing or reading at a predetermined frequency toward the transmission / reception antenna of the IC tag mounted on the article B, and transmits the predetermined radio wave signal toward the antenna of the IC tag. A non-contact type IC in which a transmission / reception antenna for writing or reading predetermined information to / from the IC tag by a frequency radio wave signal and a radio wave waveguide for guiding a radio wave signal is provided in an antenna mounting portion on which the transmission / reception antenna is mounted. A non-contact IC tag writing / reading device comprising tag writing / reading means A.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention transmits a radio signal for writing or reading at a predetermined frequency toward the transmission / reception antenna of the IC tag attached to the article B, and transmits the predetermined radio wave signal toward the antenna of the IC tag. Non-contact type IC tag provided with a transmission / reception antenna for writing or reading predetermined information to / from the IC tag by a frequency radio wave signal, and a radio wave waveguide for guiding a radio wave signal to an antenna mounting portion on which the transmission / reception antenna is mounted A writing / reading means A and a moving means C provided with a moving position confirmation encoder for moving the writing / reading means A so that the radio wave waveguide faces the IC tag attached to the article B are provided. Is a non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device.

  In the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention, the radio wave waveguide for guiding the radio wave signal is provided in the antenna mounting portion where the transmitting / receiving antenna of the writing / reading means A is mounted. Of each non-contact type IC tag attached to each of a number of closely adjacent individual articles, the radio wave from the transmitting / receiving antenna of the writing / reading means A is guided only to each limited IC tag. The wave can be accurately transmitted by the wave tube, and the radio wave from one limited IC tag can be accurately received by the waveguide from the plurality of IC tags that are close to each other.

  Therefore, a data signal can be accurately written in a non-contact manner to each of a plurality of adjacent IC tags that are close to each other, and a data signal written to each IC tag can be accurately read out.

  The non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention further includes a moving position confirmation encoder for moving the writing / reading means A so that the radio wave waveguide faces the IC tag attached to the article B. Since the moving means C is provided, it is possible to confirm the position of the IC tag that has been written and read.

  The non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention will be described in detail below. As shown in the overall perspective view of FIG. 1, the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading means A (reader / writer) is provided. This non-contact type IC tag writing / reading means A is attached to the support 1 (housing) and the window-hole-like mounting part 2 of the support 1 by exposing the transmitting / receiving antenna 3 to the outside of the support 1. The transmission / reception IC module 4 is provided.

  The transmitting / receiving antenna 3 of the writing / reading means A is directed to a transmitting / receiving antenna 21 of the IC tag 20 attached to the article B with a predetermined frequency (for example, 952 MHz, or any frequency from 952 MHz to 915 MHz, or 952 MHz to 13). A radio signal w for writing or reading at any frequency of .56 MHz is transmitted.

  A metal radio wave guide 5 for guiding a radio wave signal w is supported by a support 1 in the window-hole-like mounting portion 2 on which the transmitting / receiving IC module 4 mounting the transmitting / receiving antenna 3 of the writing / reading means A is mounted. It is attached toward the outside.

  The writing / reading means A of the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention is attached to a predetermined support frame and arranged in a fixed state at a predetermined position. Further, for example, the writing / reading means A of the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading apparatus of the present invention is attached and supported by a moving means C that moves in the X direction as shown in FIG.

A specific example of the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the overall plan view of FIG. The frame-like support 1 of the writing / reading means A is provided with a window-hole-like mounting portion 2, and the transmitting / receiving antenna 3 is attached to the mounting portion 2 so as to be exposed to the outside of the support 1. IC module 4 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a metal radio wave guide 5 for guiding a radio wave signal w is directed to the outside of the support 1 in the window-hole-like mounting portion 2 on which the transceiver IC module 4 is mounted. It is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the moving means C comprises a guide rail 11 for supporting the support 1 of the writing / reading means A linearly so as to be slidable in the X direction, and driving and moving the support 1 in the moving direction. A drive unit 12 is provided.

  For example, the driving unit 12 includes an endless belt 15 (or a timing belt or an endless chain) wound at both ends by a driving roller 13 (timing roller) rotated by an electric motor and a driven roller 14, and the driving roller 13. Or the rotary encoder 16 which detects the movement position of a X direction by detecting the rotation phase position provided in the driven roller 14 side is provided. As an alternative to the rotary encoder 16, a linear encoder 17 provided along the guide rail 11 for detecting the movement position in the X direction may be used.

  The support 1 of the writing / reading means A is connected to an endless belt 15 (or an endless chain) of the drive unit 12, and sends the endless belt 15 by driving rotation of the driving roller 13 in the forward and reverse directions. By doing so, the writing / reading means A can be moved along the guide rail 11 in the X direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the IC tag data writing and data reading by the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading apparatus of the present invention is performed by using the writing / reading means A and the tip of the waveguide 5 as shown in FIG. Then, positioning is performed so as to face the front surface of the IC tag 20 attached to the article B. B1 is a table for positioning and placing the article B.

  The rotary encoder 16 (or linear encoder 17) not only detects and determines the movement position in the X direction along the guide rail 11, but also determines the start position and stop position (or repeated stop position) of the writing / reading means A. Can be set.

  FIG. 3 illustrates transmission / reception of radio signals between the transmission / reception antenna 3 of the writing / reading means A and the transmission / reception antenna 21 of the IC tag 20 attached to the article B in the contactless IC tag writing / reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG.

  A radio wave signal w of a read command by a current i of a predetermined frequency transmitted from the transmitting / receiving antenna 3 through the resonance circuit KA of the transmitting / receiving IC module 4 of the writing / reading means A passes through the tubular waveguide 5 to the article B. The signal is received by the transmitting / receiving antenna 21 of the attached IC tag 20.

  The radio signal w of the read command received by the transmission / reception antenna 21 of the IC tag 20 is a CPU (control circuit, microcontroller, microprocessor, not shown) mounted on the resonance circuit K20 of the IC tag 20 and the transmission / reception module of the IC tag 20. 2), the data written from the write memory unit (not shown) of the IC tag 20 is read out. The read data is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving antenna 21 via the resonant circuit K20 to the transmitting / receiving antenna 3 of the writing / reading means A through the waveguide 5 as a radio wave signal w of a current i having a predetermined frequency.

The transmitting / receiving antenna 3 of the writing / reading means A receives a radio wave signal w based on a current i having a predetermined frequency read from the IC tag 20, and passes through a resonance circuit KA and a CPU (not shown) mounted on the transmitting / receiving module. Then, the data relating to the article B read from the IC tag 20 of the article B is output to a predetermined memory unit of the writing / reading means A or output to the output unit. The stored and output data relating to the article B is used as management data for the article B or as aggregate data for manufacturing, storing, stocking, shipping, selling, etc. of the article B.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a writing / reading method using the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading apparatus of the present invention, and includes a frame D for storing and holding a plurality of articles B one by one.

  The frame body D is formed along a linear guide rail along which the writing / reading means A moves in the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention (or the guide rail 11 has a ring shape such as an arc shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. A plurality of storage portions D1 to Dn which are partitioned by arranging a plurality of partition plates D0 at equal intervals (along the shape), and an IC tag 20 is mounted in each of the storage portions. One or a plurality of articles B are stored with the IC tag 20 facing the writing / reading means A side.

  The writing / reading means A is partitioned by a partition plate D0 while moving in the X direction along a linear guide rail 11 (or a ring-shaped guide rail 11 such as an arc, circle or ellipse). The tip of the waveguide 5 is directly opposed to the front face of the IC tag 20 of each article B stored in one or more of the storage sections D1 to Dn, and the stop and movement are repeated sequentially. .

  The writing / reading means A is data to be written to the IC tag 20 of the article B (for example, merchandise for sale, shipping goods) while the article B is stopped facing the article B in the predetermined storage section Dk. The name, serial number, date of manufacture, manufacturer, seller, orderer, or the periphery of the article, related information, article service, campaign information, etc.) A radio wave signal is transmitted and written to the IC tag 20 of the article B. This writing operation is performed while the writing / reading means A is repeatedly moved and stopped with respect to the IC tags 20 of the articles B in the storage units D1 to Dn.

  Alternatively, while the writing / reading means A is stopped directly facing the article B in the predetermined storage section Dk, data (for example, merchandise for sale) written in advance on the IC tag 20 of the article B is stored. , The name of the product B such as a shipment product, a storage product, a process transport product, a production number, a production date, a manufacturer, a seller, an orderer, or the periphery of the product, related information, product service, campaign information, etc.) Is read out as a radio signal to the IC tag 20 of the article B. This reading operation is performed while the writing / reading means A is repeatedly moved and stopped with respect to the IC tag 20 of each article B in each of the storage units D1 to Dn.

  FIG. 5 shows another example of a writing and reading method using the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention, and includes a frame body D for storing and holding a plurality of articles B one by one. Yes.

  The frame body D is formed along a linear guide rail along which the writing / reading means A moves in the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention (or the guide rail 11 has a ring shape such as an arc shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. If so, a plurality of storage compartments partitioned by arranging a plurality of partition plates D0 at equal intervals (along the shape thereof) and the front side of each storage compartment (on the side of the writing / reading means A), or A plurality of storage portions D1 to Dn provided with closing plates D0 are provided on the front and rear sides. In each of the storage portions D1 to Dn, one to a plurality of articles B each having no IC tag 20 attached are stored. Further, on the surface of the closing plate D0 on the front side of each of the storage portions D1 to Dn, the IC tag 20 in which data is not written in advance or data corresponding to each article B stored in advance is written. Is attached.

  The writing / reading means A moves in the X direction along the linear guide rail 11 (or the arc-shaped, circular, or elliptical ring-shaped guide rail 11), and moves to the partition plate DO and the closing plate DO, respectively. The tips of the waveguides 5 are directly opposed to the front face of the IC tag 20 attached to the closing plate D0 on the front side of each of the storage parts D1 to Dn partitioned in order.

  The writing / reading means A stops while facing the front surface of the IC tag 20 attached to the closing plate D0 on the front surface side of the predetermined storage portion Dk. Data to be written into the data (data corresponding to the article B stored in the storage section Dk, for example, the name, serial number, and manufacturing date of the article B such as a product for sale, a shipment product, a storage product, and a process transfer product) (Day, manufacturer, seller, orderer, product periphery, related information, product service, campaign information, etc.) are transmitted and written as radio signals to the IC tag 20 of the storage unit Dk. This writing operation is performed while the writing / reading means A is repeatedly moved and stopped with respect to the IC tags 20 of the storage units D1 to Dn.

  Alternatively, while the writing / reading means A is stopped directly facing the front surface of the IC tag 20 attached to the closing plate D0 on the front surface side of the predetermined storage portion Dk, Pre-written data (for example, the name, serial number, date of manufacture, manufacturer, seller, orderer, or the surroundings of the article B such as merchandise for sale, shipped goods, stored goods, process transport goods, etc. , Related information, article service, campaign information, etc.) are read out as radio signals to the IC tag 20 of the storage unit Dk. This reading operation is performed while the writing / reading means A is repeatedly moved and stopped with respect to the IC tags 20 of the storage units D1 to Dn.

1 is an overall perspective view of a non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention. The whole top view explaining the detail of the non-contact-type IC tag writing / reading apparatus of this invention. The schematic diagram explaining the communication state of the radio signal by the transmission / reception antenna between the writing / reading means and IC tag in the non-contact-type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall plan view illustrating an example of a method for writing and reading an IC tag by a non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a full plan view for explaining another example of the IC tag writing / reading method by the non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

A ... writing / reading means B ... article C ... moving means D ... article holding frame DO ... partition plate 1 ... support (casing)
2 ... mounting part 3 ... transmitting / receiving antenna 4 on the side of writing / reading means ... IC module 5 for transmitting / receiving ... radio wave waveguide (electromagnetic wave waveguide)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Guide rail 12 ... Support part movement drive part 13 ... Drive roller (timing roller)
14 ... driven roller 15 ... endless belt (timing belt or endless chain)
16 ... Rotary encoder 17 ... Linear encoder 20 ... IC tag 21 ... Transmission / reception antenna Co on the IC tag side ... Capacitor E ... Earth L ... Coils KA, K20 ... Resonance circuit

Claims (2)

  A radio signal for writing or reading with a predetermined frequency is transmitted toward the transmission / reception antenna of the IC tag attached to the article B, and the radio frequency signal with a predetermined frequency transmitted toward the antenna of the IC tag is used to transmit the radio frequency signal to the IC tag. A transmission / reception antenna for writing or reading predetermined information, and a non-contact type IC tag writing / reading means A provided with a radio wave guide for guiding a radio wave signal in an antenna mounting portion on which the transmission / reception antenna is mounted. A non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device.   A radio signal for writing or reading with a predetermined frequency is transmitted toward the transmission / reception antenna of the IC tag attached to the article B, and the radio frequency signal with a predetermined frequency transmitted toward the antenna of the IC tag is used to transmit the radio frequency signal to the IC tag. A non-contact type IC tag writing / reading means A provided with a transmission / reception antenna for writing or reading predetermined information, a radio wave guide for guiding a radio signal to an antenna mounting portion on which the transmission / reception antenna is mounted, and a product B A non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device comprising a moving means C provided with a moving position confirmation encoder for moving the writing / reading means A so that the radio wave waveguide faces the IC tag. .

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