JP2007297181A - Rfid tag recognition system, rfid tag recognizing method, and program for performing rfid tag recognizing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a RFID tag recognition system capable of accurately recognizing the number and discriminating number of RFID tags separately affixed to a plurality of articles. <P>SOLUTION: An optical sensor 10 determines whether a carriage 4 is passing through a side of a support 2 or not. In the case wherein the carriage 4 is passing through a side of the support 12, communication for reading/writing is performed by radio communication between an antenna 2 of a reader/writer 1 provided in the support 12 and the RFID tag 3 affixed to the article 13 loaded on the carriage 4 to detect the number of the RFID tag 3. Furthermore, a projector 14 provided in the support 12 radiates ultraviolet rays to a mark(a sign or a letter) affixed to the surface of the RFID tag 3, and an imaging device 6 images the mark irradiated with the ultraviolet rays. A number detecting device 7 detects the number of mark based on the image. A computer terminal 15 compares the number of the RFID tag 3 with the number of mark to determine whether the detected number of the RFID tag is accurate or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an RFID tag recognition system or the like that attaches RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags to articles and manages information on the articles, and in particular, attaches a large number of articles to those articles when transported. The present invention relates to an RFID tag recognition system, an RFID tag recognition method, and a program for executing the RFID tag recognition method for accurately recognizing a received RFID tag.

  In recent years, RFID tags are attached to articles as electronic tags and information management of these articles has been widely performed. This RFID tag has a function of transmitting ID (Identification: identification information) and the like recorded on an IC chip to the outside by RF (Radio Frequency: radio frequency). Such an RFID tag includes a small IC chip that records information and a small antenna that wirelessly transmits information recorded on the IC chip to the outside. For example, when the radio wave frequency used is 13.56 MHz, the RFID tag has a width of 0.4 [mm] and a depth of 0.3 mm near the center of a small antenna having a length of 52 [mm] × width of 3 [mm]. Since a fine IC chip of about 4 mm and a height of about 0.1 mm is attached, information recorded on the IC chip in a non-contact manner by holding a reader / writer over the RFID tag. Can be easily read.

  As an application example of such an RFID tag, information on articles stacked on the floor or stand of a store or factory, or information on articles stacked on a cart or a cart passing through a production line is collected by a reader / writer. Various information management concerning these items is performed. That is, an RFID tag is attached to each of a plurality of articles, and the reader / writer reads (reads) the management information of the article and the identification number information of the RFID tag recorded on the RFID tag through its own antenna. Information management of a plurality of articles is performed collectively by writing (writing) management information of articles on the tag. As described above, the RFID tag recognition system is widely used as a system that collectively manages information on a plurality of articles.

  In this RFID tag recognition system, an RFID tag attached to each article on a carriage passing through a passage or a production line from a reader / writer via an antenna according to an instruction of a computer terminal connected to the RFID tag recognition system. In response to this, an inquiry signal is transmitted wirelessly. Then, each RFID tag wirelessly transmits a response signal in response to the inquiry signal, and read / write communication is started between each RFID tag and the reader / writer via the antenna. Through such read / write communication, the computer terminal acquires the identification number of each RFID tag and ends the read / write communication. Then, the computer terminal counts the number of RFID tags from the obtained identification numbers of the respective RFID tags, and collectively manages information on a plurality of articles.

  In addition, various documents related to techniques for attaching RFID tags to articles and managing information on those articles are also disclosed. For example, a technology for comparing the number of RFID tags read on each stacked sushi plate with the number of sushi plates measured with an infrared distance measuring device to confirm the exact number of sushi plates is disclosed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a technology is also disclosed in which an RFID tag can be confirmed even at night by storing the RFID tag in a case of a phosphorescent material and using it as a container slip (for example, see Patent Document 2). Furthermore, a technique is also disclosed in which an RFID tag containing a luminescent substance can be confirmed in a dark place by sticking it to an article (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2001-202481 A JP 2002-132153 A JP 2005-196445 A

  However, when an RFID tag attached to each of a plurality of articles loaded on a carriage or the like is collectively read by a reader / writer, there is an article in which the distance between the reader / writer and the RFID tag is short, or an article that is far away. For this reason, an article with a long distance between the reader / writer and the RFID tag may not receive electromagnetic waves from the reader / writer side antenna to the RFID tag or may not reach the reader / writer side antenna. There are cases where communication is impossible and the computer terminal cannot acquire information of all RFID tags. Alternatively, due to simultaneous responses of a plurality of RFID tags, read / write communication becomes impossible, and the computer terminal may not be able to acquire information on all RFID tags.

  That is, when the inquiry signal from the reader / writer side antenna does not reach the RFID tag, the RFID tag cannot send a response signal, or even if the RFID tag can send the response signal, it does not reach the reader / writer side antenna There is. In some cases, a plurality of RFID tags transmit at the same time and the response signals overlap each other, and even when the reader / writer receives a plurality of overlapped response signals, the individual response signals cannot be distinguished.

  For these reasons, among the RFID tags attached to articles stacked on a carriage or the like, communication of read / write between some of the RFID tags and the antenna on the reader / writer side becomes impossible. In addition, the computer terminal may not be able to obtain the identification numbers of some RFID tags. Therefore, the number of RFID tags counted from the identification number of the RFID tag may be different from the number of all RFID tags attached to a plurality of articles stacked on a carriage or the like.

  Also in the technologies of the above-described patent documents, the communication distance between the RFID tag and the reader / writer antenna is substantially constant. Therefore, when many articles with RFID tags attached are stacked on a carriage or the like, information on some RFID tags cannot be read, or a plurality of RFID tags transmit at the same time, and the respective response signals overlap. Even if the reader / writer receives a plurality of overlapping response signals, the problem that individual response signals cannot be discriminated from each other has not been solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an RFID tag recognition system capable of accurately recognizing the number and identification number of RFID tags individually attached to a plurality of articles. Is the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, an RFID tag recognition system according to the present invention is an RFID recognition system that recognizes information of an RFID tag having an IC chip and an antenna by wireless communication, and includes a plurality of RFID tags attached to an article. A reader / writer that wirelessly communicates with the tag to detect the number of RFID tags, an imaging device that collectively images the marks individually recorded on a plurality of RFID tags attached to the article, and the imaging device The number detection device for detecting the number of landmarks, the comparison means for comparing the number of RFID tags detected by the reader / writer with the number of landmarks detected by the number detection device, and the number of RFID tags in the comparison result by the comparison means And confirmation detection means for causing the reader / writer to detect the number of RFID tags again when the number of marks differs from the number of marks. It adopts a configuration that (claim 1).

  That is, in the RFID tag recognition system according to the present invention, the reader / writer communicates with a plurality of RFID tags attached to an article to detect the number of RFID tags, and further, the number is detected based on the picked-up image of the mark by the image pickup device. The apparatus detects the number of marks displayed on a plurality of RFID tags attached to the same article. Then, by comparing the number of both (that is, the number of RFID tags detected by the reader / writer and the number of RFID tag landmarks detected by the image captured by the imaging device), the number of RFID tags detected by the reader / writer is more accurate. I have to.

  Note that the mark displayed on each RFID tag is a symbol, symbol, or character displayed on the surface of the RFID tag. For example, the letters “RFID” may be provided on the surface of the RFID tag. In addition, if the mark, symbol, or character is displayed with a fluorescent substance or phosphorescent substance by displaying the mark as a mark, the mark can be more easily confirmed when picked up by the image pickup device. The number of marks can be detected more reliably (claims 2 and 3).

  In addition, when the design, symbol, or character serving as the mark is irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light by the projector, the imaging device can more clearly image the mark (that is, the design, the symbol, or the character) of the RFID tag. it can. Thereby, the number detection device can detect the number of marks more reliably.

A preferred embodiment of the RFID tag recognition system according to the present invention is an RFID recognition system that recognizes information of an RFID tag having an IC chip and an antenna by wireless communication, and is loaded on a carriage that passes a predetermined route. A reader / writer that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of RFID tags attached to an article to detect the number of RFID tags, and a mark (for example, a symbol, symbol, or An image pickup device that picks up images of characters, etc., a number detection device that detects the number of landmarks imaged by the imaging device, a number of RFID tags detected by the reader / writer, and a number of landmarks detected by the number detection device When the number of RFID tags and the number of marks are different in the comparison means and the comparison result by the comparison means, the carriage is stopped. , The reader-writer, again, and a confirmation detection means to execute the detection of the number of RFID tags (claim 5).

  According to the RFID recognition system having such a configuration, for example, the reader / writer detects the number of RFID tags by communicating with an RFID tag attached to an article on a carriage passing through a passage or a production line. And the number detection device detect the number of RFID tags attached to the article on the same carriage. Then, by comparing the number of both, it can be determined whether or not the reader / writer has communicated with all the RFID tags attached to the articles on the carriage.

  That is, in the RFID recognition system of the present invention, a projector for projecting ultraviolet rays or visible light, an imaging device, and an antenna on the reader / writer side are installed on a side or a supporting column on the side of the production line. In addition, a pattern, a symbol, or a character that serves as a mark for recognizing the RFID tag is printed on the surface of the RFID tag attached to a plurality of articles loaded on the carriage with a fluorescent substance or a phosphorescent substance.

Under such environmental conditions, when the carriage passes through the column, the number of RFID tags is detected by performing wireless communication between the antenna on the reader / writer side and the RFID tag. Further, an article loaded on the carriage and an RFID tag attached to the article while or after irradiating the mark (for example, a pattern, a symbol, or a character) recorded on the RFID tag from the projector with ultraviolet rays or visible light. Are picked up by the image pickup apparatus. At this time, if the mark is irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light, the pattern, symbol, or character displayed on the surface of the RFID tag emits light because it is printed with a fluorescent substance or a phosphorescent substance, and around the mark The portion does not emit light because there is no fluorescent or phosphorescent material. For this purpose, the captured image is displayed in a shape that allows a design, symbol, or character to be clearly recognized.

Therefore, in such an easy-to-recognized captured image, a plurality of symbols, symbols, or characters can be captured in one recognizable shape, and the image is simplified so that the RFID tag can be detected very easily. It becomes. In this way, by counting the number of landmarks that are recognizable shapes displayed brighter than the surroundings by image recognition, the total number of RFID tags attached to the articles loaded on the carriage is accurately measured. It becomes possible.
Then, the number of RFID tags measured by the imaging device and the number detection device is compared with the number of RFID tags counted by reader / writer communication. At this time, if the number of RFID tags collected by reader / writer communication is small, it is determined that all the identification numbers of the RFID tags attached to the articles on the carriage have not yet been acquired, and communication by the reader / writer is performed again. Execute.

  In order to achieve the above object, the RFID recognition method according to the present invention includes a passing confirmation process for checking whether or not the vehicle is passing through a predetermined position, and if the carriage is passing through the predetermined position. A tag number detection step of detecting the number of RFID tags by performing wireless communication between the antenna on the reader / writer side and the RFID tag, and irradiating the mark individually recorded on the RFID tag with ultraviolet rays or visible rays An irradiation process, an imaging process for collectively capturing the landmarks irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light, a landmark number detection process for detecting the number of landmarks captured in the imaging process, and an RFID detected in the tag number detection process In the comparison and determination step for comparing whether or not the number of tags matches the number of marks detected in the number-of-markers detection step, the number of RFID tags and When the number of the RFID tags does not match, the configuration is provided with a confirmation detection step of detecting the number of RFID tags by performing wireless communication between the antenna on the reader / writer side and the RFID tags again ( Claim 7).

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the information processing contents in each step executed in the RFID recognition method described above may be programmed and executed by a computer (claim 7).

  Since the present invention is configured and functions as described above, according to this, even when detecting the number of RFID tags affixed to articles on a cart passing through a store or factory passage or production line, imaging is performed. Since the number of RFID tags detected by the image captured by the apparatus and the number of RFID tags detected by communication between the reader / writer antenna and the RFID tag are compared, the management information of all articles and the RFID tag Whether or not the identification information has been acquired can be easily determined, which makes it possible to accurately recognize the number and identification number of RFID tags individually attached to a plurality of articles, which is superior in the past. A system, an RFID tag recognition method, and a program for executing the RFID tag recognition method can be provided.

  In addition, images captured by the imaging device are captured by a plurality of marks (for example, symbols, symbols, or characters) displayed on the surface of the RFID tag in a single recognizable shape, and the images are simple. Therefore, it is very easy to detect the RFID tag. Further, imaging of the RFID tag mark by the imaging device and detection of the number of the RFID tag mark by the number detection device are performed before the read / write communication between the antenna on the reader / writer side and the RFID tag, or the read / write communication. Can be executed regardless of the presence or absence of the read / write communication, such as after performing the above or during the read / write communication. Therefore, in the captured image by the imaging device, including all the RFID tags that cannot communicate because the electromagnetic wave from the antenna on the reader / writer side does not reach the RFID tag, all of the RFID tags attached to the articles on the carriage The number can be reliably detected.

(Overview)
First, an outline of the RFID recognition system according to the present embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, the RFID tag recognition system is provided between each RFID tag attached to a plurality of articles stacked three-dimensionally on a carriage or the like passing through a passage or a production line and an antenna on the reader / writer side. The RFID tag communication system determines whether or not read / write communication is being performed reliably.

  That is, in the RFID tag communication system in the conventional RFID recognition system, electromagnetic waves do not reach the RFID tag from the reader / writer side antenna, electromagnetic waves do not reach the reader / writer side antenna from the RFID tag, or a plurality of RFID tags. As a result of simultaneous responses, read / write communication between some RFID tags and the antenna on the reader / writer side becomes impossible, and the computer terminal on the RFID recognition system side has identification number information on all RFID tags. There was a case that could not be obtained.

Therefore, in the RFID tag communication system using the RFID tag recognition system according to the present embodiment, a pattern, symbol, or character that serves as a mark for recognizing the RFID tag is previously displayed on the surface of the RFID tag using a fluorescent material or a phosphorescent material. Is written by printing or the like. Then, the plurality of RFID tags attached to the articles stacked on the carriage or the like are imaged by the imaging device, and the number of RFID tags is detected by the captured image. Further, the number of RFID tags detected in the captured image is compared with the number of RFID tag identification numbers acquired by read / write communication between the reader / writer antenna and the RFID tag. Then, the computer terminal compares the number of both to determine whether the reader / writer has acquired identification information of all RFID tags on the carriage.

  That is, a projector for projecting ultraviolet rays or visible light, an imaging device, and an antenna on the reader / writer side are installed on a side column of a passage or a production line. On the other hand, on the surface of each RFID tag affixed to a plurality of articles three-dimensionally mounted on a carriage or the like, a symbol, symbol, or character that serves as a mark when the RFID tag is recognized by a fluorescent substance or a phosphorescent substance Is written by printing or the like.

  Then, when a cart or the like passes by the side of the imaging device, the number of RFID tags is detected by read / write by communication between the antenna on the reader / writer side and each RFID tag. Furthermore, a plurality of articles that are three-dimensionally loaded on a carriage are irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light rays from a projector toward each RFID tag that is affixed to the plurality of articles that are three-dimensionally loaded on a carriage, etc. The RFID tag attached to these articles is imaged by an imaging device. That is, when a plurality of RFID tags are irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light, a pattern, a symbol, a character, or the like displayed on the surface of the RFID tag has a light emitting action because it is written with a fluorescent substance or a phosphorescent substance. On the other hand, peripheral portions such as symbols, symbols, or characters do not exhibit a light emitting action because there is no fluorescent material or phosphorescent material. Therefore, the image picked up by the image pickup device is displayed in a state where symbols, symbols, characters, etc. can be clearly recognized.

  In such a picked-up image, a plurality of symbols, symbols, characters, etc. are captured in one recognizable shape, but since the picked-up images are simplified, the number detector includes a plurality of RFID tags. It is extremely easy to detect the number accurately. In other words, the number detection device counts the number of recognizable landmarks displayed brighter than the surroundings by image recognition, so that all of the RFID tags attached to a plurality of articles three-dimensionally loaded on a carriage or the like can be obtained. It is easy to accurately measure the number.

  Then, the number of RFID tag markers measured by the imaging device and the number detection device is compared with the number of RFID tags counted by the reader / writer through the read / write communication. Here, if the number of RFID tags counted by the reader / writer through the read / write communication is less than the number measured by the imaging device and the number detection device, all the identification numbers of the RFID tags of the articles mounted on the carriage or the like It is determined that the antenna has not been acquired, and the reader / writer side antenna performs read / write communication again. In this way, the reader / writer can acquire the identification number of the RFID tag in all articles stacked on the carriage or the like.

  In other words, the RFID recognition system according to the present embodiment images the RFID tag mark printed using a fluorescent substance or a phosphorescent substance when acquiring information on the RFID tag attached to each of a large number of articles without omission. By comparing the number of RFID tags acquired from the captured image and the number of RFID tags counted by reader / writer communication, the number of RFID tags is accurately acquired.

(Constitution)
This will be described more specifically below.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an RFID tag recognition system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the RFID tag recognition system shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the reader / writer 1, the number detection device 7, the computer terminal 15, the network 16, and the server 17 are omitted.

  In the RFID tag recognition system of FIG. 1, the carriage 4 is configured to freely pass through a store or factory passage or a production line 5. FIG. 1 shows a state where the carriage 4 can pass through the passage or the production line 5 from the paper front to the paper back (or from the paper back to the paper front). Accordingly, in FIG. 2, the carriage 4 can pass through the passage or the production line 5 in the X-X ′ direction. Further, in FIG. 2, each of the RFID tags 3 affixed to a plurality of articles 13 loaded on the cart 4 is connected to the antenna 2 by the cart 4 traveling along the passage or the production line 5 in the XX ′ direction. This shows a state in which read / write communication can be performed oppositely.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of articles 13 are three-dimensionally loaded on the carriage 4, and RFID tags 3 are individually attached to the side surfaces of the respective articles 13. Accordingly, the RFID tags 3 attached to the article 13 are three-dimensionally arranged with their surfaces exposed, and the antenna surfaces of the respective RFID tags 3 (hereinafter referred to as “RFID tag surfaces”) It arrange | positions toward the outer side of the articles | goods 13 so that the antenna 2 installed using the side support | pillar 12 may be faced.

  In addition, by using the pillars 12 on the side of the passage and the production line 5, an optical sensor 10 that senses that the carriage 4 passes through the passage and the production line 5, and an antenna that performs communication between the RFID tag 3 and the read light. 2. An article 13 that is three-dimensionally loaded on the carriage 4, a projector 14 that irradiates the RFID tag 3 attached to the article 13 with ultraviolet rays or visible light, and an imaging device 6 that images the identification symbols of the article 13 and the RFID tag 3. And a display 11 for displaying the number of RFID tags 3 and the like.

  The computer terminal 15 is connected to the reader / writer 1 for communication, and the reader / writer is configured to perform read / write communication between the RFID tag 3 and the antenna 2 attached to each article 13 three-dimensionally loaded on the carriage 4. It is configured to instruct the writer 1.

  On the other hand, since the management information of the article 13 and the identification information of the RFID tag 3 are recorded as electronic data in each RFID tag 3, the computer terminal 15 performs read / write between the antenna 2 and the RFID tag 3. Information such as management information of the article 13 and identification information of the RFID tag 3 can be acquired from the reader / writer 1 by communication.

  The computer terminal 15 is communicatively connected to a projector 14, a display 11, and a number detection device 7 that detects the number of RFID tags 3 captured by the imaging device 6. Further, the computer terminal 15 is connected to the server 17 via the network 16. Therefore, the server 17 can collect information obtained by the read / write communication between the antenna 2 and the RFID tag 3 from the computer terminal 15 and store the information in a database. The stored information is used for merchandise management at a store or manufacturing management at a factory.

  Here, the computer terminal 15 described above compares the number of RFID tags 3 detected by the reader / writer 1 with the number of marks detected by the number detection device 7, and the comparison result by this comparison means When the number of the tags 3 is different from the number of the marks, the reader / writer 1 is provided with confirmation detecting means for executing detection of the number of the RFID tags 3 again.

  In addition, on the surface of the RFID tag 3, a symbol, symbol, character, or the like that serves as a mark for recognizing the RFID tag 3 is displayed by a fluorescent material or a phosphorescent material. As for the display method of the symbols, symbols, or characters, the symbols, symbols, or characters may be written on the surface of the RFID tag 3 by printing, or the symbols, symbols, characters, etc. may be printed on separately prepared paper or plastic. It may be displayed by writing and pasting the paper or plastic on the surface of the RFID tag 3.

  Note that the emission color of the fluorescent material can be selected from red, green, and blue, and the emission color of the phosphorescent material can be selected from green and blue. At this time, it is desirable to select a light emission color different from the color around the RFID tag 3 attached to the article 13.

  FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the number detection device 7 in the RFID tag recognition system shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the number detection device 7 includes an image recognition unit 8 that recognizes an image captured by the imaging device 6 and a number detection unit 9 that measures the number of captured images recognized by the image recognition unit 8. Has been.

  The image recognition unit 8 of the number detection device 7 can easily identify a pattern, a symbol, or a character emitted from the captured image by comparing different colors. Therefore, the number detection unit 9 can accurately measure the number of captured images recognized by the image recognition unit 8. Note that the fluorescent material has a property of emitting light when irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light, and stopping light emission when the irradiation is stopped. In addition, the phosphorescent substance emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light, and has a property of emitting light for a certain period of time according to the absorbed light energy when irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light for a certain period of time even when irradiation is stopped. Yes. Note that the phosphorescent substance is also called a phosphorescent substance.

  Returning again to FIG. 1, the projector 14 irradiates the plurality of articles 13 and the RFID tag 3 attached to the articles 13 with ultraviolet rays or visible rays. As a result, the imaging device 6 displays a plurality of articles 13 three-dimensionally loaded on the carriage 4 passing through the passage and the production line 5 and the design, symbol, or character of the RFID tag 3 attached to the articles 13. A clear image can be taken.

  That is, because the surface of the RFID tag 3, the symbol, the character, or the like emits fluorescence or phosphorescence due to ultraviolet rays or visible light applied to the plurality of articles 13 and the RFID tags 3 attached to the articles 13. As the captured image, a plurality of symbols, symbols, characters, etc. are displayed in one recognizable shape.

  The image picked up by the image pickup device 6 in this way is transmitted to the number detection device 7, the image recognition unit 8 (see FIG. 3) of the number detection device 7 recognizes the received image, and the number detection unit 9 (FIG. 3). (See) counts the number of one recognizable shape emitting light or phosphorescence from the image, and the number of these images is transmitted from the number detector 9 to the computer terminal 15.

  On the other hand, the display 11 displays the number of RFID tags 3 counted by the computer terminal 15 through read / write communication, and the number of RFID tags 3 measured by the imaging device 6 and the number detection device 7, respectively. At this time, if the number of both is different, an alarm display to that effect is performed.

  If an ultraviolet ray removing filter is attached to the optical input unit of the image pickup device 6, incident light of ultraviolet rays from the projector 14 is blocked and extra light is not incident on the image pickup device 6. And the degree of recognition by the image recognition unit 8 can be further increased. Further, the illumination surrounding the imaging area is dimmed, or the box 13 enclosed in such a manner that the article 13 stacked three-dimensionally on the carriage 4 and the RFID tag 3 attached to the article 13 are not incident from the outside. The image may be taken inside and imaged, and the luminance of light emitted by the fluorescent material or the phosphorescent material may be increased compared to the surroundings to facilitate recognition by the image recognition unit 8 (see FIG. 3).

  Next, the operation of the RFID tag recognition system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. The carriage 4 travels in the X-X ′ direction along the passage and the production line 5 by the electric power by automatic control or the power by human. At this time, the computer terminal 15 is passing through the vicinity of the column 12 on the side of the passage or the production line 5 by the optical signal projected from the optical sensor 10 to the carriage 4, and the computer terminal 15 It is determined whether or not the RFID tag 3 attached to the three-dimensionally loaded article 13 and the antenna 2 are in an area where read / write communication can be performed.

  Here, if the cart is in an area where the RFID tag 3 and the antenna 2 perform the read / write communication, the computer terminal 15 is placed on the article 13 three-dimensionally loaded on the cart 4 with respect to the reader / writer 1. An instruction is given to perform read / write communication between the affixed RFID tags 3 and the antenna 2. As a result, the reader / writer 1 starts read / write communication with the RFID tag 3 through the antenna 2.

  At this time, an inquiry signal from the antenna 2 to the RFID tag 3 is radiated to the plurality of RFID tags 3 attached to the side surface of the article 13 by direct waves due to electromagnetic waves. In response to the inquiry signal from the antenna 2, the plurality of RFID tags 3 transmit respective response signals toward the antenna 2. As a result, the antenna 2 starts communication with each RFID tag 3 in order with the RFID tag 3 that has responded.

  In this way, the reader / writer 1 performs read / write communication several times between each RFID tag 3 and the antenna 2, whereby the article 13 recorded as electronic data in each RFID tag 3. Management information, identification information of the RFID tag 3 and the like are obtained, and the antenna 2 ends communication with the RFID tag 3 from which the information is obtained. Similarly, in the remaining RFID tags 3 that have responded, read / write communication is performed with the antenna 2. As a result, the computer terminal 15 stores the identification numbers of the plurality of RFID tags 3 that have responded and terminated communication, and calculates the number of RFID tags 3 detected from the number of identification numbers or the serial number assigned to the identification number. Count.

  In addition, the computer terminal 15 instructs the projector 14 to irradiate ultraviolet rays or visible rays to the articles 13 three-dimensionally loaded on the carriage 4 and the RFID tags 3 attached to the articles 13. Thereby, the projector 14 irradiates the pattern, the symbol, or the character printed on the surface of the RFID tag 3 attached to the article 13 loaded on the carriage 4 with ultraviolet rays or visible rays.

  Furthermore, the computer terminal 15 instructs the imaging device 6 to image the article 13 on the carriage 4 irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light by the projector 14 and the RFID tag 3 attached thereto. As a result, the imaging device 6 captures images of symbols, characters, or characters printed on the surface of the article 13 and the corresponding RFID tag 3 on the carriage 4 irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible rays. At this time, since the imaging direction of the imaging device 6 is an angle as shown in FIG. 2, all the articles 13 loaded on the carriage 4 and the symbols and symbols of all the RFID tags 3 attached to the articles 13. Or characters can be imaged.

  Thereafter, the computer terminal 15 instructs the number detection device 7 to detect the number of RFID tags 3 attached to the side surface of the article 13 imaged by the imaging device 6. Thereby, the number detection device 7 detects and counts the number of RFID tags 3 imaged by the imaging device 6. In addition, the timing of the instruction from the computer terminal 15 to the number detection device 7 is before the communication of the RFID tag 3 and the read / write through the antenna 2 is started or after the read / write communication is completed even during the read / write communication. But you can.

  As described above, the number detection device 7 acquires, from the imaging device 6, an image of the article 13 loaded on the carriage 4 and irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light and the RFID tag 3 attached to the side surface of the article 13. To do. At this time, the captured image acquired by the number detection device 7 is captured as a high-luminance image compared to the peripheral portion because the pattern, symbol, or character on the surface of the RFID tag 3 emits fluorescence or phosphorescence. ing.

  FIG. 4 is a captured image when the imaging apparatus captures the direction of the side view of the RFID tag recognition system shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 4 shows a pattern, a symbol, or a symbol printed on the surface of the article 13 on the carriage 4 and the RFID tag 3 attached to the article 13 when the article 13 is loaded on the carriage 4 as shown in FIG. 4 is an example of an image obtained by capturing characters with the imaging device 6;

  That is, as shown in the side view of the RFID tag recognition system shown in FIG. 2, on the surface of the RFID tag 3 attached to the article 13, the letters “RFID” as a figure, symbol, or letter are fluorescent substances or phosphorescent substances. Printed and displayed. Therefore, the letters “RFID” printed on the surface of the RFID tag emit light brightly by the ultraviolet rays or visible rays irradiated by the projector 14, so that the image captured by the imaging device 6 is the same as the captured image of FIG. 4. As shown, a plurality of letters “RFID” are captured as one recognizable shape with high luminance.

  In the side view of the RFID tag recognition system in FIG. 2, when the characters “RFID” are printed on the surface of the RFID tag 3 as a design, symbol, or character with a phosphorescent substance, the projector 14 irradiates with ultraviolet rays. May be irradiated with visible light. When the projector 14 irradiates visible light, according to an instruction from the computer terminal 15, the irradiation is stopped after irradiating visible light from the projector 14 for a certain period of time, and then the articles 13 loaded three-dimensionally on the carriage 4 and their The RFID tag 3 attached to the article 13 is imaged by the imaging device 6.

  Here, the fixed time during which the projector 14 emits visible light varies depending on the distance between the projector 14 and the RFID tag 3 attached to the article 13 and the amount of light from the projector 14. For example, when irradiating a large amount of light from the projector 14, the irradiation time is a moment.

  Further, since the characters “RFID” of the RFID tag are printed with a phosphorescent substance, the characters “RFID” are brightly lit even when the irradiation of visible light from the projector 14 is stopped. For this reason, a plurality of images captured by the imaging device 6 are captured in a single recognizable shape with high luminance characters of “RFID”.

  That is, in the case of the number detection device 7 in FIG. 3, the image recognition unit 8 of the number detection device 7 identifies “RFID” characters having a higher luminance than the surrounding images, and sets the “RFID” characters to 1. Recognize as individual RFID tags. At this time, the image recognizing unit 8 sets a threshold value between the luminance level of the characters “RFID” and the luminance level of the peripheral portion, and an image having a luminance equal to or higher than the threshold value is set as an identification target. "Can be easily identified.

  Next, the number detection unit 9 of the number detection device 7 detects the number of RFID tags 3 recognized by the image recognition unit 8 in the image captured by the imaging device 6. The number detection unit 9 transmits the detected number of RFID tags 3 to the computer terminal 15.

  Then, the computer terminal 15 compares the number of RFID tags 3 for which read / write communication has been completed between the antenna 2 and the RFID tag 3 with the number of RFID tags 3 received from the number detection device 7. It is determined whether or not the numbers match. That is, the computer terminal 15 performs read / write communication with all RFID tags 3 attached to each article 13 by the reader / writer 1, and management information and RFID of the articles 13 recorded in all RFID tags 3. It is determined whether or not the identification information of the tag 3 has been obtained. Then, the computer terminal 15 transmits the information acquisition determination result to the server 17 via the network 16 and displays the determination result on the display 11.

  Here, when the number of RFID tags 3 obtained by the imaging result by the imaging device 6 and the number of RFID tags 3 obtained by the communication result by the read / write between the antenna 2 and the RFID tag 3 are the same. The computer terminal 15 transmits information about the number of both and “the same number” to the server 17, and causes the display 11 to display information about the number of both and “the same number”. And when both number is the same, the trolley | bogie 4 is advanced in a predetermined direction as it is.

  Further, when the number of RFID tags 3 obtained by the imaging result by the imaging device 6 and the number of RFID tags 3 obtained by the communication result by the read / write between the antenna 2 and the RFID tag 3 are different from each other, And the information of “number mismatch” are transmitted to the server 17, and the number of both and the information of “number mismatch” are displayed on the display 11. In this case, the display 11 displays an alarm and displays the characters “number mismatch” large in red.

  Here, if the numbers of the two are different, the cart 4 is stopped by an instruction from the computer terminal 15 when the cart 4 is running by automatic control. Moreover, when the cart 4 is driven by human power by the transporter, the transporter confirms the alarm display on the display 11 and stops the cart 4. Then, read / write communication is performed again between the antenna 2 and the RFID tag 3 to detect the number of the RFID tags 3, and further, the number of the RFID tags 3 is detected by the imaging device 6 and the number detection device 7. Again, the number of both is compared and determined. Here, when it is determined that the number of both is the same, the carriage 4 is advanced. On the other hand, if the number of both is also different in the second comparison determination, the server 17 is notified of information indicating that the number of both is different in the second comparison determination.

  Next, the operation flow of the RFID tag recognition system in the present embodiment will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the RFID tag recognition system in the present embodiment. Therefore, the flow of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

  First, as environmental conditions, at least a projector 14 that irradiates ultraviolet rays or visible rays, an article 13, and a mark of the RFID tag 3 corresponding to the article 13 are imaged on a support column 12 that stands on the side of the passage or the production line 5. The antenna 2 that performs read / write communication with the imaging device 6 and the RFID tag 3 is installed. On the other hand, on the surface of each RFID tag 3 affixed to a plurality of articles 13 loaded on the carriage 4, a character “RFID” is used as a character as a mark when the RFID tag 13 is recognized by a fluorescent substance or a phosphorescent substance. Print it out.

  Under such environmental conditions, the optical sensor 10 determines whether the carriage 4 is passing the side of the support column 12 (step S1). If the cart 4 is not passing the side of the support column 12 (No in step S1), it waits until the cart 4 comes to the side of the support column 12. On the other hand, if the carriage 4 is passing the side of the column 12 (Yes in step S1), read / write communication is performed between the antenna 2 and the RFID tag 3 (step S2).

  Further, the projector 14 irradiates the mark “RFID” of each RFID tag 3 affixed to the plurality of articles 13 loaded on the carriage 4 with ultraviolet rays or visible rays (step S3). Then, the imaging device 6 images the mark “RFID” of the plurality of RFID tags 3 irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible rays (step S4). That is, when the mark “RFID” of a plurality of RFID tags is irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible light, the characters “RFID” displayed on the surface of the RFID tag emit light because they are printed with a fluorescent substance or a phosphorescent substance. On the other hand, the peripheral part of the characters “RFID” does not emit light because there is no fluorescent substance or phosphorescent substance. Therefore, the characters “RFID” imaged by the imaging device 6 are displayed in a state where they can be easily recognized as shown in FIG.

  Next, the number detection device 7 detects the number of “RFID” imaged by the imaging device 6 (step S5). That is, since the characters “RFID” captured by the imaging device 6 are sharply captured images, the number detection device 7 captures a plurality of characters “RFID” in a shape that can be recognized one by one. Can do. In addition, since the display contents of those captured images (that is, the characters “RFID”) are simplified, it is extremely easy to detect the number of a plurality of RFID tags. In other words, the characters “RFID” displayed brighter than the surroundings are in an easily recognizable state. Therefore, by counting the number of “RFID” by image recognition, the characters are pasted on a plurality of articles 13 loaded on the carriage 4. It is extremely easy to accurately measure the total number of the RFID tags 3 that have been used.

  Next, the computer terminal 15 compares the number of RFID tags 3 tabulated by the reader / writer 1 through read / write communication with the number of RFID tags 3 measured by the imaging device 6 and the number detection device 7. It is determined whether or not the numbers match (step S6). Here, if the number of RFID tags 3 counted by the reader / writer 1 through the read / write communication is less than the number measured by the imaging device 6 and the number detection device 7 (No in step S6), the carriage 4 is stopped ( In step S7), the reader / writer 1 determines that all the identification numbers of the RFID tags 13 of the articles 13 loaded on the carriage 4 have not been acquired, and the read / write communication is performed again between the antenna 2 and the RFID tag 3. Is performed (step S8). Then, returning to step S6, again, the number of RFID tags 3 counted by the reader / writer 1 through read / write communication is compared with the number of RFID tags 3 measured by the imaging device 6 and the number detection device 7. It is determined whether or not the number of both coincides (step S6).

  On the other hand, in step S6, the number of RFID tags 3 counted by the reader / writer 1 through read / write communication is compared with the number of RFID tags 3 measured by the imaging device 6 and the number detection device 7, and the number of both is determined. If they match (Yes in step S6), the carriage 4 is advanced as it is. In this way, the reader / writer 1 can obtain the identification numbers of the RFID tags 3 in all articles 13 loaded on the carriage 4 without omission.

  The RFID tag recognition system of the present invention is a management system that manages articles, members, and devices that are moved by a belt conveyor or a carriage, and articles, members, and devices that are stored in factories, warehouses, distribution channels, and the like. It can be effectively used for a management system to be managed. Furthermore, it can also be used for personal recognition systems and entrance / exit management systems in which RFID tags are used, and in animal recognition systems and animal management systems in which RFID tags are used.

It is a block diagram of the RFID tag recognition system of one Embodiment in this invention. It is the figure which looked at the RFID tag recognition system shown in FIG. 1 from the side. It is an internal block diagram of the number detection apparatus 7 in the RFID tag recognition system shown in FIG. It is a picked-up image when an imaging device images the direction of the side view of the RFID tag recognition system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the RFID tag recognition system in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader / writer 2 Antenna 3 RFID tag 4 Cart 5 Passage or production line 6 Imaging device 7 Number detection device 8 Image recognition unit 9 Number detection unit 10 Optical sensor 11 Display 12 Column 13 Article 14 Projector 15 Computer terminal (comparison means, confirmation Detection means)
16 network 17 server

Claims (7)

An RFID recognition system that recognizes information of an RFID tag including an IC chip and an antenna by wireless communication,
A reader / writer that wirelessly communicates with the plurality of RFID tags attached to the article to detect the number of the RFID tags, and marks individually recorded on the plurality of RFID tags attached to the article are collectively displayed. An imaging device for imaging, and a number detection device for detecting the number of landmarks imaged by the imaging device,
Comparing means for comparing the number of the RFID tags detected by the reader / writer with the number of marks detected by the number detection device,
When the comparison result by the comparison means is different from the number of the RFID tags and the number of the marks, a confirmation detection means for causing the reader / writer to detect the number of the RFID tags again is provided. RFID recognition system. The RFID recognition system according to claim 1,
The RFID recorded individually on the RFID tag is a combination of any one or more of symbols, symbols, and characters displayed on the surface of the RFID tag. system. The RFID recognition system according to claim 2, wherein
The RFID recognition system, wherein the symbol, the symbol, or the character constituting the mark individually recorded on the RFID tag is expressed by a luminescent material such as a fluorescent material or a phosphorescent material. In the RFID recognition system according to claim 2 or 3,
4. The RFID recognition system according to claim 2, wherein the imaging device is provided with a projector that irradiates the mark with light such as ultraviolet rays or visible rays. 5. An RFID recognition system that recognizes information of an RFID tag including an IC chip and an antenna by wireless communication,
A reader / writer that wirelessly communicates with the plurality of RFID tags attached to an article loaded on a carriage passing through a predetermined route to detect the number of RFID tags;
An imaging device that collectively images the marks individually recorded on the plurality of RFID tags attached to the article;
A number detection device for detecting the number of landmarks imaged by the imaging device;
Comparison means for comparing the number of the RFID tags detected by the reader / writer with the number of marks detected by the number detection device;
In the comparison result by the comparison means, when the number of the RFID tags is different from the number of the marks, the confirmation is made to stop the carriage and to cause the reader / writer to detect the number of the RFID tags again. An RFID recognition system comprising: a detection unit. An RFID recognition method for recognizing information of an RFID tag attached to an article loaded on a carriage by wireless communication,
A passage confirmation step for confirming whether or not the cart is passing through a predetermined position;
If the carriage is passing a predetermined position, a tag number detection step of detecting the number of RFID tags by performing wireless communication between an antenna on a reader / writer side and the RFID tag;
Irradiation step of irradiating ultraviolet or visible light to the marks individually recorded on the RFID tag;
An imaging step of collectively imaging the landmarks irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible rays;
A landmark number detection step of detecting the number of landmarks imaged in the imaging step;
A comparison determination step of comparing and determining whether or not the number of the RFID tags detected in the tag number detection step matches the number of the marks detected in the mark number detection step;
When the number of the RFID tags does not match the number of the marks in the determination result in the comparison determination step, wireless communication is performed again between the antenna on the reader / writer side and the RFID tag, and the RFID tag A confirmation detection step for detecting the number of
An RFID recognition method comprising: A program for causing a computer to execute an RFID recognition method for recognizing information of an RFID tag attached to an article loaded on a carriage by wireless communication,
A passage confirmation function for confirming whether the carriage is passing through a predetermined position;
A tag number detection function for detecting the number of RFID tags by performing wireless communication between an antenna on a reader / writer side and the RFID tag if the carriage is passing a predetermined position;
An irradiation function for irradiating ultraviolet rays or visible light to the marks individually recorded on the RFID tag;
An imaging function for collectively imaging the landmarks irradiated with ultraviolet rays or visible rays;
A landmark number detection function for detecting the number of landmarks imaged by the imaging function;
A comparison determination function for comparing whether or not the number of the RFID tags detected by the tag number detection function matches the number of the marks detected by the mark number detection function;
When the number of the RFID tags does not match the number of the marks in the determination result by the comparison determination function, wireless communication is performed again between the antenna on the reader / writer side and the RFID tag. Confirmation detection function to detect the number of
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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