JP2007221698A - Communication system based on position fluctuation of non-contact ic tag/card - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interrogator which is capable of utilizing information corresponding to a distance change of a non-contact tag, when utilizing the non-contact tag. <P>SOLUTION: An interrogator is provided which includes an antenna and a distance change information acquisition unit for acquiring distance change information, indicating the relative distance change between the antenna and a non-contact tag. The interrogator may also include a non-contact tag arrangement unit, which arranges the non-contact tag within a predetermined range with respect to the antenna and generates the distance change being relative between the antenna and the non-contact tag by causing a user to apply a force. Moreover, the interrogator may also further include a decoder which decodes the acquired distance change information as meaning information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interrogator that can utilize information about changes in distance between a contactless tag and an interrogator antenna.

  In recent years, various RF tag systems using a non-contact tag in which an IC chip or the like is incorporated have been developed. The RF tag system reads information stored in an IC chip of a non-contact tag by an interrogator serving as a reader / writer, or writes information to the IC chip of a non-contact tag from the interrogator. Exchanges.

On the other hand, in game machines and the like, gaming devices using information other than information held in non-contact tags have been developed. For example, in the game device described in Patent Document 1, a character-like object to which a non-contact tag is added is placed on an interrogator, information on the position and orientation of the object is acquired, and the game is performed according to the information. An invention for controlling the movement of a character appearing in space is disclosed. By using information other than the information held in the non-contact tag in this way, it can be expected to provide further services.
JP 2004-337504 A

  In the prior art, it is necessary to use a plurality of loop coils when acquiring information about the position and orientation of the mounted object on the interrogator. That is, in the prior art, a large number of loop coils are arranged in an interrogator in a mesh pattern, and it is detected where voltage is induced by electromagnetic induction in this mesh loop coil. The position is detected. For this reason, a plurality of loop coils must be used, resulting in a redundant configuration. Further, in the prior art, since information is acquired by moving a non-contact tag on a flat surface, a third party can grasp the state of the position change of the non-contact tag relatively easily. When using it for purposes other than gaming, such as entering a personal identification number, it is difficult to dispel the user's anxiety.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide an interrogator that can use information according to a change in the distance of a non-contact tag when using the non-contact tag. .

  Therefore, in the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, an interrogator having an antenna and a distance change information acquisition unit that acquires distance change information indicating a relative distance change between the antenna and the non-contact tag is provided. provide. The interrogator arranges a non-contact tag within a predetermined range with respect to the antenna, and a non-contact tag arrangement for causing a relative change in the distance between the antenna and the non-contact tag when a user applies force. May have a part. Moreover, the non-contact tag arrangement | positioning part may arrange | position the elastic means which has elasticity between an antenna and a non-contact tag arrangement | positioning surface.

  The interrogator may further include a decoding unit that decodes the acquired distance change information and makes it meaningful information. In this case, an information processing unit that performs processing using meaningful information and information obtained by communication with a non-contact tag may be included.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to use information other than information stored and held in the non-contact tag with a simple configuration by acquiring information indicating a change in distance between the non-contact tag and the interrogator antenna. . Therefore, it is possible to provide a wider range of services than the conventional RF tag system.

  Moreover, since it is possible to use information indicating a change in distance between the non-contact tag and the interrogator antenna as input information from the user, the interrogator itself can be used as an input device. Can be omitted, and more reliable information input can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of each invention will be described. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In addition, the relationship between the following embodiment and a claim is as follows. The first embodiment will mainly describe claims 1, 4, 6, and 7. The second embodiment will mainly describe claims 2 and 3. In the third embodiment, claims 5 and 8 will be mainly described.

<< Embodiment 1 >>
<Outline of Embodiment 1>
The present embodiment relates to an interrogator capable of acquiring information related to a change in distance between a non-contact tag and an interrogator antenna. In this specification, “non-contact tag” is a generic term for a tag, a card, or the like on which an IC chip is mounted, and a wireless tag, an IC tag, an IC card, an RF tag, a responder, etc. The description will be made assuming that it is included in the term “non-contact tag”. Similarly, “interrogator” will be described assuming that the term “interrogator” includes a reader / writer, a reader, and the like.

  As an example of the usage pattern of the present embodiment, a usage pattern in an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) such as a bank can be considered. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of input of a personal identification number in ATM conventionally performed. When an IC card including an IC chip is inserted into an ATM and a personal identification number is input, a key matrix or a liquid crystal panel installed in the ATM is used as an input device. Such an input method is highly likely to be seen from others, and it cannot be said that the safety of the user is ensured. On the other hand, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage pattern of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the personal identification number is inputted by bringing the IC card close and changing the distance from the interrogator antenna. Such an input method can prevent snooping from a third party and increases the reliability of the input information.

<Configuration of Embodiment 1>
FIG. 2 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “interrogator” (200) of the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an “antenna” (201) and a “distance change information acquisition unit” (202). Hereinafter, each component will be described.

  As an example, the interrogator 200 includes a control processor, ROM, RAM, a modulator, and the like. The interrogator communicates with the non-contact tag to read information held in the non-contact tag, or performs a writing process to cause the non-contact tag to hold predetermined information. As the antenna 201, for example, a commonly used loop-shaped antenna can be used. The non-contact tag 210 mainly includes a control microprocessor, an antenna, and the like, and exchanges information by communicating with the interrogator 200. The present embodiment relates to an interrogator that can use information other than information held in the non-contact tag 210.

  The distance change information acquisition unit 202 acquires distance change information indicating a relative distance change between the antenna 201 and the non-contact tag 210. The “relative distance change” may be, for example, a change in the horizontal distance between the antenna 201 and the non-contact tag 210, or a vertical change between the antenna 201 and the non-contact tag 210. It may be a change in distance. Further, it may be a combination of a change in the distance in the horizontal direction and a change in the distance in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, an example relating to a change in the distance in the vertical direction will be mainly described.

  In a proximity type non-contact tag using an electromagnetic induction method, when a non-contact tag is inserted into an induction magnetic field generated by flowing a high-frequency current through the antenna 201 of the interrogator, the antenna of the non-contact tag (not shown) is generated by electromagnetic induction. ) To operate the electronic circuit of the non-contact tag by utilizing the current flow. That is, when reading the information of the non-contact tag with the interrogator, it is necessary to bring the non-contact tag close to the antenna of the interrogator. Here, the feature of this embodiment is that it can be input information from the user by changing the distance in a state where the non-contact tag is close to the antenna of the interrogator.

  Hereinafter, an example of acquiring distance change information in the distance change information acquiring unit 202 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit of the distance change information acquisition unit. The distance change information acquisition unit in FIG. 3 configures a bridge circuit and acquires distance change information by detecting that a change in impedance has occurred according to a change in the distance between the contactless tag and the interrogator antenna. This is an example.

  In FIG. 3, in a state where the non-contact tags are not close to each other, the balanced state is satisfied in the bridge circuit by the impedance (Rant) of R1, R2, R3 and the antenna (between ANT0 and ANT1). To do. When the equilibrium state is satisfied in this way, no current flows through Rsense, so the voltage between Rsense becomes zero (equilibrium condition R1 × Rant = R2 × R3). In such a state, when the non-contact tag comes close to the antenna, Rant shifts from a state where there is no non-contact tag, so that the equilibrium state is lost, and the degree is detected as a voltage across Rsense. Here, the smaller the deviation from the equilibrium state, the lower the voltage between Rsense. Therefore, when the relative distance between the non-contact tag and the antenna is shortened (when the non-contact tag approaches the antenna), the deviation from the equilibrium state increases and the voltage between Rsense increases. Conversely, when the relative distance between the non-contact tag and the antenna is long (when the non-contact tag is separated from the antenna), the deviation from the equilibrium state is small. In this manner, distance change information can be acquired in accordance with fluctuations in the voltage between Rsense.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the description has been made assuming that the equilibrium state is satisfied in a state where the non-contact tag is not close, but conversely, the equilibrium is achieved when the non-contact tag is close enough to join the antenna. The interrogator may be configured so that the condition is met. In addition, since impedance fluctuations also occur when a medium other than the non-contact tag is taken in and out between the antenna and the non-contact tag, even if the non-contact tag itself is not moved, for example, “Distance change information” may be acquired.

  Thus, the relative distance change between the contactless tag and the antenna of the interrogator is the change in the distance within the range in which the distance between the contactless tag and the contactless tag can be grasped. It is shown that. In addition, in the present embodiment, information is acquired according to a change in the distance between the non-contact tag and the interrogator antenna, and as in the prior art, at any location of a large number of mesh loop coils. By detecting whether a voltage is induced by electromagnetic induction, it is decisively different from that detecting the position.

  Next, a usage example of the distance change information acquired in this way will be described. FIG. 4 is an example showing another functional block diagram of the first embodiment. The interrogator 400 shown in FIG. 4 includes an “antenna” (401), a “distance change information acquisition unit” (402), and a “decoding unit” (403). Since the components other than the decoding unit 403 are the same as those already described, description thereof is omitted here.

  The decoding unit 403 decodes the acquired distance change information to make meaningful information. The “significant information” is information that has its own meaning, and is information in a form that can be used in, for example, an interrogator or a host device. Specifically, information in a digital signal format that can be used by an information processing unit described in an embodiment to be described later or a host device (not shown) is exemplified. The distance change information is, for example, information according to voltage fluctuation as already described, and is meaningful information for use in subsequent processing in the decoding unit. Note that various decoding methods are conceivable. For example, when the position of a non-contact tag changes at a predetermined distance, such as a Morse code, it becomes meaningful information depending on the length of time it is located, or the position change is meaningful as binary data There are cases where information is used.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of decoding distance change information. FIG. 5A shows an example in which long points and short points are combined like a Morse code. In FIG. 5A, for example, the state where the non-contact tag is relatively closer to the antenna of the interrogator corresponds to the long and short points in the figure, and the non-contact tag is removed from the interrogator antenna. The relatively separated state may correspond to a blank portion (portion other than the long and short points) in the drawing. On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows an example of decoding as binary data. For example, when a predetermined voltage is set as a threshold and the voltage is high due to the fluctuation (a state where the non-contact tag is relatively closer to the interrogator antenna), “1” is set, and when the voltage is low, “1” is set. “0” can be used as meaningful information. Note that the example shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example of decoding, and is not limited to this. Also, how the distance change information is decoded to become meaningful information may differ depending on the interrogator. Furthermore, the interrogator may acquire decoding setting information related to decoding from a host device or the like not shown, and perform decoding processing according to the acquired decoding setting.

  The meaningful information decoded in this way can be used for subsequent processing together with information acquired from the non-contact tag, as will be described later. Further, this meaningful information may be output as it is to a host device outside the figure, and the host apparatus outside the figure may interpret the meaningful information and perform subsequent processing.

<Processing flow of Embodiment 1>
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the first embodiment. The interrogator according to the first embodiment executes the following process every time a non-contact tag approaches. First, distance change information indicating a relative distance change between the antenna and the non-contact tag is acquired (S610). Next, the acquired distance change information is decoded into meaningful information (S620). Hereinafter, an example of these processes will be described. Needless to say, the flow of processing is not limited to the following example.

  In S610, it is first determined whether or not an impedance change has been recognized (S611). If the change in impedance is not recognized, the distance does not change, and therefore no subsequent processing is performed. On the other hand, when the fluctuation of the impedance is recognized, for example, processing according to the voltage between Rsenses of the bridge circuit described in FIG. 3 is performed (S612). That is, when the voltage between Rsense is high, it is recognized that the non-contact tag is close (S613). On the other hand, when the voltage between Rsense is low, it is recognized that the non-contact tag is separated (S614). In this way, the distance change information is acquired in S610.

  In SS620, the type of change in the relative distance of the non-contact tag is determined (S621). When the type of distance change is proximity, “1” is generated as meaningful information (S622), while when the type of distance change is remote, “0” is generated as meaningful information (S623). ). In this way, the process in S620 is performed.

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
In Embodiment 1, by acquiring distance change information indicating a relative distance change between the non-contact tag and the interrogator antenna, information other than information held in the non-contact tag is acquired with a simple configuration. can do. Further, by decoding the distance change information into meaningful information, for example, the interrogator of this embodiment can be used as an input device using a non-contact tag. Furthermore, since it is difficult for a third party to understand the meaning of the distance change information, skimming or sneaking can be performed by applying the interrogator of this embodiment to an input device such as a password input such as an ATM. It is also possible to prevent damage caused by such factors.

<< Embodiment 2 >>
<Outline of Embodiment 2>
The second embodiment relates to an interrogator that acquires information indicating a change in the relative distance between the non-contact tag and the antenna of the interrogator in the same manner as the interrogator described in the first embodiment. It has the part which arrange | positions a tag, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

<Configuration of Embodiment 2>
FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of an external view of the interrogator 700 according to the second embodiment. The interrogator 700 includes an “antenna” (701) and a “non-contact tag placement unit” (702). Although not shown, the distance change information acquisition unit or the decoding unit is added to the distance change information acquisition unit as described in the first embodiment. Since each configuration except for the non-contact tag placement unit 702 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The non-contact tag arrangement unit 702 arranges the non-contact tag 710 within a predetermined range with respect to the antenna 701, and the user applies a force to change the relative distance between the antenna 701 and the non-contact tag 710. It is for generating. “Within a predetermined range” is a range in which the interrogator can acquire distance change information, for example, a range in which electromagnetic induction can occur between the antenna of the non-contact tag and the antenna of the interrogator. . In addition, when the user applies force, the user applies force from above the non-contact tag and pushes it down. This causes a relative distance change between the non-contact tag and the interrogator antenna. Moreover, the non-contact tag arrangement | positioning part 702 may arrange | position the elastic means which has elasticity between the antenna 701 and the non-contact tag arrangement surface. The contactless tag placement surface is a surface on the side where the contactless tag opposite to the antenna 701 is placed. As an example of the elastic means having elasticity, one or a combination of rubber, piston, spring and the like can be cited. By having such a non-contact tag arrangement part, it is possible to control the force when the non-contact tag is separated from the antenna after the non-contact tag is pushed down, for example, a position beyond the range where electromagnetic induction occurs It is possible to avoid a situation in which the non-contact tag is released even until As shown in FIG. 7B, the non-contact tag placement portion 702b may have a concave shape so that the user can easily specify the placement position of the non-contact tag 710b.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the second embodiment. The interrogator 800 shown in FIG. 8 shows a state in which the user causes a relative distance change by bringing the non-contact tag in his hand and approaching the antenna of the interrogator. As described above, the interrogator can of course recognize a change in distance when the user holds the non-contact tag in his / her hand. As shown in FIG. 8, the user can also use the contactless tag while holding it in his / her hand. The point which can improve is mentioned.

<Effect of Embodiment 2>
Since the interrogator according to the second embodiment has the non-contact tag arrangement unit, it is possible to improve the usability of the relative distance change between the antenna of the interrogator and the non-contact tag. For example, when the user releases his / her hand after pressing the non-contact tag against the antenna side of the interrogator, the non-contact tag returns to the position where the relative distance is farthest due to the elastic force. Therefore, as a user, it is possible to easily generate a relative distance change by simply pressing down the non-contact tag and removing the pressed force.

<< Embodiment 3 >>
<Outline of Embodiment 3>
The interrogator according to the third embodiment relates to an interrogator that performs various processes using the meaningful information obtained by decoding the distance change information described in the first embodiment and the information held in the non-contact tag.

<Configuration of Embodiment 3>
FIG. 9 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “interrogator” (900) of this embodiment shown in FIG. 9 includes an “antenna” (901), a “distance change information acquisition unit” (902), a “decoding unit” (903), and an “information processing unit”. (904). Since each configuration excluding the information processing unit 904 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. In addition, you may have the non-contact tag arrangement | positioning part etc. which were demonstrated in Embodiment 2. FIG.

  The information processing unit 904 performs processing using meaningful information and information obtained by communication with a non-contact tag. The meaningful information is as described above. The information obtained by communication with the non-contact tag is information held in the ROM or RAM of the non-contact tag, and is obtained by communication between the normal non-contact tag and the interrogator. It is. The present embodiment is characterized in that processing is executed using meaningful information for the normally obtained information. The execution of the process may be an authentication process such as ATM, or may be a process for maintenance. Further, meaningful information and information obtained by communication with a non-contact tag may be output to a host device (not shown). In this way, by using meaningful information and information obtained by communication with non-contact tags, it is possible to develop a wide variety of services such as the input of PINs for ATMs and locks, or the input of maintenance commands. It becomes possible.

<Processing flow of Embodiment 3>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of the interrogator according to the third embodiment. The interrogator in the third embodiment executes the process shown in FIG. 10 every time the non-contact tag enters the communication area. First, communication with a non-contact tag is performed (S1001). This includes, for example, generating an electric circuit in the non-contact tag by causing a current to flow through the antenna of the non-contact tag by electromagnetic induction. Next, information is acquired from the non-contact tag (S1002). Then, distance change information is acquired (S1010), and the acquired distance change information is decoded into meaningful information (S1020). S1010 and S1020 are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the process is executed using the meaningful information and the information acquired from the non-contact tag (S1030).

<Specific Example of Embodiment 3>
A specific example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a specific mode of the interrogator. As shown in FIG. 11, the interrogator 1100 includes an antenna 1101, a band pass filter 1102, a demodulator 1103, an oscillator 1107, a modulator 1108, a control processor 1104 as an information processing unit, a ROM / RAM 1105, and an interface circuit 1106. Etc. In addition, a distance change information acquisition unit 1109 and a decoding unit 1110 are included. The overall operation of the interrogator will be briefly described below. The control processor 1104 of the interrogator 1100 sends a command stored in the ROM / RAM 1105 to the modulator 1108, and the modulator 1108 modulates the carrier wave and transmits it from the antenna 1101. When a response from the non-contact tag is received by the antenna 1101, the signal component is extracted by the band pass filter 1102, demodulated by the demodulator 1103, and the response is transmitted to the control processor 1104. Further, the distance change information acquisition unit 1109 acquires a change in the distance of the non-contact tag and transmits it to the control processor 1104 via the decoding unit 1110. The control processor 1104 exchanges information with a host device (not shown) through the interface circuit 1106 as necessary.

<Effect of Embodiment 3>
Since the interrogator according to the third embodiment performs processing using meaningful information and information obtained from the non-contact tag, it is compared with the case where the process is performed based on information of only the non-contact tag. Flexible services can be provided.

Schematic diagram showing a usage example of the first embodiment Functional block diagram for explaining the first embodiment The figure which shows the circuit example of the distance change information acquisition part of Embodiment 1. Second functional block diagram for explaining the first embodiment The figure for demonstrating the decoding example of Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the flow of a process of Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure for demonstrating Embodiment 2. The figure for demonstrating the other example of Embodiment 2. FIG. Functional block diagram for explaining the third embodiment The figure for demonstrating an example of the flow of a process of Embodiment 3. The figure which shows the specific aspect of the interrogator of Embodiment 3. A diagram showing an example of conventional usage

Explanation of symbols

200, 400, 900 Interrogator 201, 401, 901 Antenna 202, 402, 902 Distance change information acquisition unit 210, 410, 910 Non-contact tag 403, 903 Decoding unit 904 Information processing unit

Claims (8)

An antenna,
A distance change information acquisition unit for acquiring distance change information indicating a relative distance change between the antenna and the non-contact tag;
With interrogator.   A contactless tag placement unit for placing the contactless tag within a predetermined range with respect to the antenna and causing the relative change in the distance between the antenna and the contactless tag when a user applies a force. The interrogator according to Item 1.   The interrogator according to claim 2, wherein the non-contact tag arrangement unit arranges elastic means having elasticity between the antenna and the non-contact tag arrangement surface.   The interrogator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a decoding unit that decodes the acquired distance change information to obtain meaningful information.   The interrogator according to claim 4, further comprising an information processing unit that executes processing using meaningful information and information obtained by communication with a contactless tag.   An interrogator operation method comprising a distance change information acquisition step of acquiring distance change information indicating a relative distance change between an antenna and a non-contact tag.   The interrogator operating method according to claim 6, further comprising a decoding step of decoding the acquired distance change information into meaningful information.   The interrogator operating method according to claim 7, further comprising an information processing step of executing processing using meaningful information and information obtained by communication with a contactless tag.

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